Iwata: DSi not competing with cell phones, iPod

by Griffin McElroy { Mar 1st 2009 at 4:30PM }

Though the DSi's inclusion of music playback functionality and a digital camera may make it seem like Nintendo is attempting to compete with other multimedia devices (particularly ones whose brand names begin with a lowercase 'i'), this really isn't the case. At least, that's the sentiment of Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, who recently talked up the re-redesigned handheld in the latest installment of "Iwata Asks."

Reaffirming a similar statement made around the announcement of the DSi, Iwata said Nintendo "doesn't have any intention of directly competing with existing products" such as cell phones or iPods, adding that the media has a tendency to make up inter-corporate rivalries that don't really exist (Panasonic vs. Atari! More at 11!). Sounds like Nintendo, the undeniable big fish in the small pond of handheld gaming, is hesitant to enter the vast, lucrative ocean of multimedia gadgetry.

[Via 1UP]

Tags: dsi, ipod, iwata

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Josh @ Mar 1st 2009 4:39PM

Yeah, I've got to read this.

The idea of all these ridiculous corporate rivalries is ... ridiculous.

Malkmus @ Mar 1st 2009 6:20PM

Yeah, two multimedia companies with products aimed at overlapping demographics, featuring similar, and in some cases, exactly the same features competing? Nah, never.

I own neither a DS or an iPhone (ironically I have owned both in the past but sold them both), but I must say that the fact that Nintendo is only now adding music playback after like 5 years is indicative of the threat they must be feeling from Apple. They're obviously trying to future-proof their product as these multimedia devices become all encompassing (ie, web, music, gaming all-in-one).

It's not about the iPhone/pod being better or as good as the DS or PSP at gaming. That doesn't matter. The fact is it's parents that are choosing between buying an iPod or DS for little Timmy, and parents are going to relate more to an iPhone/pod more than a DS, because they probably own one themselves. They see everything it does and can easily say "hey, my kid would love this too".

Again, not a Apple fanboy talking, I'm fine with my Nokia. I'm just saying that the iPhone/pod gets a lot of press over their gaming features, and no matter how good or bad the games might be, they really are stealing the spotlight, and Sony/Nintendo are arming themselves. After what, like a two year draught, Sony finally gets their ass in gear and decides to announce a bunch of top level games for the PSP? Coincidence? Maybe. It just seems like we're witnessing the same pattern that occurred when the iPhone came out and there were no other phones like it. It jumpstarted the phone industry and everyone felt threatened so they started coming out with phones featuring similar features.

Josh @ Mar 1st 2009 6:23PM

No, the DS and iPhone are not competing. Even after your "explanation", I can't fathom how you can conclude that.

Moptimus Slime (Leader of the Taylor Swift Defense Force, Gobot in disguise) @ Mar 1st 2009 7:04PM

Wait, how is it that Nintendo is copying Apple now yet the PSP has had music playback since launch and it wasn't accused of the same? Its not like Apple just launched the iPod, its been out for almost a decade.

Secondly, I highly doubt parents would chose an iPod (much less the much more expensive iPhone) over a DS on a whim. It would either be because Timmy asked for one or his parents are they type who just give him whatever he wants and then wonders why he fails in the job market. If anything it would be the other way around. Since the DS and Wii are apparently only selling to the over 120 MILLION babies and soccer moms around the world and their never shall be a middle ground, Im sure Timmy's mom would see all the games targeted for her (which are apparently all of them) and say "hey, heres something we both can use!"

Thirdly, THEY. ARE. TWO. DIFFERENT. FUCKING. INDUSTRIES. One is sold as a PHONE with iTunes support, the other is sold as a GAMING DEVICE with cameras and music playback. Maybe once the NPD starts tracking iPhone and iPod Touch sales you'll be able to convince me that the markets are competing. But I doubt that'll ever happen

EXTREME Seph @ Mar 1st 2009 7:42PM

"It just seems like we're witnessing the same pattern that occurred when the iPhone came out and there were no other phones like it. It jumpstarted the phone industry and everyone felt threatened so they started coming out with phones featuring similar features."

Did I read this right, Malkmus? No other phone had internet capability? No other phone had a touch screen? No other phone was a GIMMICK?

Moptimus Slime (Leader of the Taylor Swift Defense Force, Gobot in disguise) @ Mar 1st 2009 8:01PM

that reminds me, why is it when Apple built an entire product around a touch screen nobody claimed they were copying the DS or talked about how it was trying to compete with the DS and PSP (at least not initially) , yet when Nintendo adds music playback everyone screams bloody murder about how they're ripping off Apple?

Anticrawl @ Mar 1st 2009 8:31PM

Nintendo has had first party music and video playback since the GBA though, via play-yan yes?

Warr @ Mar 2nd 2009 7:33AM

Another thing people tend to forget - iPod wasn't the first mp3 player on the market.

Sheppy (of the Fidlious Clan of Wong) @ Mar 2nd 2009 8:23AM

I think the App focus of DSi is where people are getting the "iPhone will be our bitch" impression from. Frankly, I could see how that arguement could go somewhere but anytime Nintendo takes on ANYTHING like this, apps or added functionality, they do it in the most incredibly half-assed way possible.

Take MP3 functionality. PSPs MP3 isn't as advanced as a dedicated device like iPod by a longshot. But it's competant and functional. Now look at Wii's MP3. A feature only usable in the photochannel, doesn't allow even the most basic sorting, and requires a sideshow to be set up. Some things about DSi has me intrigued but Nintendo doing apps to compete with iPhone is going to be a clusterfuck of epic proportions.

Now as to the quote on how they don't intend to compete, remember how Nintendo didn't intend to compete with 360 and PS3? Now that they are kicking both consoles asses, amazing how they aren't competing with that product still in their press releases. Especially not when they make comparisons. Also, remember how DS was a third pillar? Apparently Nintendo needed that third pillar because the second one just up and fucking vanished.

In other words, DSi is not intended to compete with iPhone and iTouch unless, of course, the sales reach up there. If that happens, watch the tune change instantly as if someone playing WiiMusic dropped the remote.

Extinction @ Mar 1st 2009 4:44PM

Yeah, it is

required @ Mar 1st 2009 7:57PM

Early on they said that the DS wasn't competing with the PSP.

WINterfang @ Mar 1st 2009 8:36PM

The DS isn't competing against the PSP, that's not competition that's carnage.

AS @ Mar 1st 2009 4:50PM

Just wait, Nintendo will start making their own televisions, computers and software. But not for competition, just for the sport!

Foetoid @ Mar 1st 2009 4:55PM

Nindows XP?

Moptimus Slime (Leader of the Taylor Swift Defense Force, Gobot in disguise) @ Mar 1st 2009 6:44PM

Nintendows Viista?

mike @ Mar 1st 2009 5:02PM

Yeah, and the DS isn't going to replace the GameBoy Advance and the Wii isn't competing with the 360 and PS3. They only say this stuff as insurance in case their new gadget doesn't meet expectations.

WRE @ Mar 1st 2009 5:57PM

And then - when their new gadget kicks ass - Sony and Microsoft pick that line right up, don't they?

Snowblind @ Mar 1st 2009 6:56PM

Sorry.. But Nintendo copies just as much from Sony and Microsoft as they do from Nintendo. I mean, are you still blaming Microsoft for copying Nintendo with their imaginary motion controller?

WRE @ Mar 1st 2009 7:24PM

Snowblind,
Nobody said anything about copying. We were talking about the "We're not competing." line. Specifically how Nintendo said it before the Wii came out and how Sony and Microsoft are saying it now.

Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Mar 1st 2009 8:41PM

Can't blame Nintendo because they probably thought (like everyone) that the Wii wouldn't have taken off like it did. Conversely, I don't blame MS or SCE for for making the same point Nintendo was making before the Wii launched. In a good number of ways they aren't competing for the same consumers but only naive fanboys will believe that they aren't all video game consoles and by default in a competition.

Nintendo struck gold by making a game machine for people who aren't gamers. Now we are seeing both Sony and MS struggle to get some of that casual pie while Nintendo is struggling to put compelling games that traditional gamers actually want to play - aside from the hardcore fanboys.

Gaming isn't owned by just geeks anymore and it's healthy for the industry to have a console for non gamers. The perfect console has something for everyone and thats why the PS2 is the most successful console of all time. So far the 360 is the closest thing to the PS2 in terms of it's balance but it's still far away. The Wii is on the opposite end of the spectrum of the PS3 and is almost exclusively casual. It's obvious that a console manufacturer can be successful doing either of the two extremes but a healthy console has users from all age groups and categories.

Dave @ Mar 1st 2009 5:05PM

Yeah right.

Fantusta @ Mar 1st 2009 5:05PM

They always have been hesitant to make things multipurposefull more than they need to... and hey, it still sells.

Premature ejaculation man @ Mar 1st 2009 5:05PM

Of course he's going to say that. To even hint that they are competition is to acknowledge that Apple is a threat... Not that I really think they are either.

Giroro @ Mar 1st 2009 5:06PM

Good thing they aren't competing. They wouldn't stand a chance.

WRE @ Mar 1st 2009 5:57PM

Tell that to the PS3 and Xbox 360...

Moptimus Slime (Leader of the Taylor Swift Defense Force, Gobot in disguise) @ Mar 1st 2009 7:05PM

I believe he was referring to Apple

WRE @ Mar 1st 2009 7:26PM

Moptimus,
Yes, I know. I was referring to the irony of that statement in light of the fact that the same was said about the Wii vs. PS3 & Xbox 360.

Moptimus Slime (Leader of the Taylor Swift Defense Force, Gobot in disguise) @ Mar 1st 2009 7:34PM

I meant that he meant Apple didn't stand a chance, not the DSi

WRE @ Mar 1st 2009 9:29PM

Oh. lol. Maybe you're right...

Giroro @ Mar 2nd 2009 11:02AM

I was trying to be ironic. I guess I should have been more clear

sony boy @ Mar 1st 2009 5:10PM

this really makes me wonder how sales will go in america between psp and the ds. If your a parent looking at both of the psp and dsi, which one would you pick??? I think more parents will choose the psp cause it's 10 bucks cheaper and stronger or they'll just buy the original ds lite if they are still going to sell them.

WRE @ Mar 1st 2009 5:58PM

Define "stronger".

megapenguinx @ Mar 1st 2009 6:21PM

Stronger as in more durable?
Or stronger as in it has better games?
Because I believe the DS is more durable (I've seen people abuse that thing and it be perfectly fine whereas the PSP easily snaps)
I also believe more developers are supporting the DS than PSP.

Snowblind @ Mar 1st 2009 7:00PM

I'm obviously not the biggest Nintendo fan at the moment, but I have to massively disagree with that. Even if the PSP did have the "stronger" library or whatever, that wouldn't matter. Nintendo have the brand recognition, just as Apple do with MP3 players, even if it's not as good, that won't matter to those who aren't informed about these matters.

I see parents, and even eldererly people in stores all the time looking at Wii/DS games, where as they walk straight past the PSP.

Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Mar 1st 2009 8:49PM

I think he meant stronger as in more powerful hardware. Kids are going to get endless entertainment from both devices. My kids have both and love them both equally. Kids are funny like that ... their not fanboys. Sony is doing better now with their recent games announcements and that Hannah Montana PSP.

Lord of the Patapons (slycooper_rocker) @ Mar 1st 2009 8:50PM

i think by stronger, he means stronger innards, which is true. 3d games look beautiful on psp (crisis core & chains of olympus anyone?) and never look more than decent on ds. but like the wii, graphics don't matter as much to nintendo as different kinds of games and players do.