The new Nintendo DS
The new Nintendo DS gaming handheld device, which was launched in the United States a few weeks ago, is interesting in many ways. The features includes the built-in Wi-Fi, dual ARM processors, dual LCD screens, chat collaboration software, included stylus, and built-in microphone for future voice recognition. However, the one which really catches my attention is the dual screen implementation which I never really see implemented before in a handheld devices.
Basically, i think it is amazing how much sense it makes having 2 screens for the handheld form factor. As we all know, to fit a bunch of stuff onto one screen on a PDA or handheld gaming device is of the course the no 1 challenge in term of usabiliy. However, Nintendo manages to do it with two screens, thus using them, the game makers can always do things such as displaying area maps in the lower touch screen while the action occurs on the main screen. This is the case how Mario 64 has been implemented. With games such as Madden 2005 the users can use the lower screen touchpad to do play selection, the Nintendo also implemented touch-screen technology so the users can simply touch the screen to choose their play, while the upper screen is where the action occurs. So in some ways, it also promotes usability
because the users can restart the game or choose another selection easily.
With the two dual screens, it definitely bring more advantage as the users could have two programs open at once using two screens. Or maybe having a spreadsheet displayed across two screens at once,which is possible too. One another example is that using one screen as an onscreen keyboard area and the other to display text that is input which would be useful. Even doing the same thing as Nintendo has done and allowing for easy chat and collaboration via 2 screens would be handy.I really like the ease of using the touchpad to drill for menus for changing options and doing things as saving a game quickly or changing selection quickly. There are two ways in which users can input the screen by means of using either the stylus or included thumb strap (touch screen) for inputting. So the users have the choices if they dont like one of the ways.
Basically, i think it is amazing how much sense it makes having 2 screens for the handheld form factor. As we all know, to fit a bunch of stuff onto one screen on a PDA or handheld gaming device is of the course the no 1 challenge in term of usabiliy. However, Nintendo manages to do it with two screens, thus using them, the game makers can always do things such as displaying area maps in the lower touch screen while the action occurs on the main screen. This is the case how Mario 64 has been implemented. With games such as Madden 2005 the users can use the lower screen touchpad to do play selection, the Nintendo also implemented touch-screen technology so the users can simply touch the screen to choose their play, while the upper screen is where the action occurs. So in some ways, it also promotes usability
because the users can restart the game or choose another selection easily.
With the two dual screens, it definitely bring more advantage as the users could have two programs open at once using two screens. Or maybe having a spreadsheet displayed across two screens at once,which is possible too. One another example is that using one screen as an onscreen keyboard area and the other to display text that is input which would be useful. Even doing the same thing as Nintendo has done and allowing for easy chat and collaboration via 2 screens would be handy.I really like the ease of using the touchpad to drill for menus for changing options and doing things as saving a game quickly or changing selection quickly. There are two ways in which users can input the screen by means of using either the stylus or included thumb strap (touch screen) for inputting. So the users have the choices if they dont like one of the ways.
posted by Leo at
1:36 PM
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