Sony Considering 3DS-Like 3D Slider for PS3

The neatest idea inside the Nintendo 3DS isn’t just its 3D screen. Rather, the neatest idea is that you can tweak the 3D depth of this screen with a realtime slider. Now, Sony might borrow the idea for PS3 games.

A Sony games producer behind an upcoming Sly Cooper collection suggested that a slider could make an appearance, the function mapped to an analog stick.

It’s an interesting idea. I wonder, beyond the ohh-ahh nature of shifting depth in realtime, if less 3D depth will really lead to less eyestrain and/or enhance the experience of a game from an off angle. My guess is that anything that requires your eyes to use shutter glasses will tire your eyes out equally, though maybe if you’re forced to refocus on various planes within the image these depths could make some sort of a difference.

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July 22, 2010

ARLINGTON, VA.: U.S. consumer electronics shipments will reach nearly $175 billion this year, thanks to the popularity of smartphones, Blu-ray players, eReaders, tablet computers, and–3DTVs So says the Consumer Electronics Association’s semi-annual sales report and forecast.

“Digital displays will continue to see major growth with increasing unit sales, but slightly less revenue due to fierce pricing competition,” the CEA said.

Shipment of 3D displays is forecast to reach to 2.1 million this year. Related revenues will top $2.7 billion. The CEA in January predicted 4 million 3DTVs would ship. A month later, the number was revised to 1.05 million, reflecting that a “3DTV” set had to have HDMI 1.4 capability.

The CEA predicts more than 6 million 3D displays will ship in 2011, generating about $7 billion. Next year’s shipment revenue for all consumer electronics is pegged to climb 4 percent to $182 billion–an all-time high.

“Innovation in the CE industry is driving consumer enthusiasm, orchestrating a turnaround for our industry and bolstering the overall U.S. economy,” said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. “The response to innovative new products like tablet computers and 3D displays, and continued growth of other product categories, illustrate that consumers love technology. The freedom to innovate delights consumers, sustains our industry and strengthens the economy.”

This month’s $175 billion 2010 forecast exceeds CEA’s January estimate by more than $9 billion.

Steve Koenig, CEA’s director of industry analysis said, “The January edition of the forecast was cautiously optimistic about the industry’s return to growth this year. Despite a relatively sluggish first half, these innovative product categories have generated a great deal of consumer interest. As a result, we see a stronger second half demand unfolding, and we anticipate a robust holiday quarter.”

Mobile computing is building this year, and expected to drive the industry in 2011. Laptops, netbooks and especially tablets are forecast to comprise $26 billion in shipment revenues for 2011.

Wireless handsets, smartphones in particular, are also expected to generate $26 billion next year. Around 54 million smartphones are expected to ship this year, up nearly 31 percent from last year. Sixy-six million are expected to ship in 2011.