In a move that absolutely no one could've guessed, Panasonic announced a brand-new portable handheld called the Jungle. This marks Panasonic's return to the industry that so callously hurt them way back in 1993 with the rise and fall of the 3DO. Panasonic touts the new portable as “a new mobile device concept designed specifically for online gamers.” The new tagline for the system is 'We Are Online Gaming'.
The device is a clamshell like Nintendo's DS, but that's where the comparison stops. It features a high-resolution display, a D-pad, a touch pad, and a full mini-keyboard in addition to standard gaming shoulder buttons. Wireless support is a given, as Panasonic is talking heavily about the console's online features, but whether that's Wi-Fi or 3G remains unclear.
Prior to the announcement, Engadget ran a set of rumors about supposed hardware specs. In addition to the confirmed hardware, the rumors point to a Linux-based OS. Rumored ports on the machine include a mini-HDMI port, a micro-USB port, and a standard headphone jack.
Content-wise the system is a bit sparse. On the gaming side, the only thing announced on the website is Battlestar Galactica Online, Bigpoint's upcoming browser-based MMO. Panasonic and Machinima.com will also be teaming up for a video podcast called Online Underground, focused on online gaming.
All of this comes care of a Panasonic offshoot called Panasonic Cloud Entertainment Company. The company's name obviously reinforces the focus on online, cloud-based gaming. Will it be enough to win the next handheld race, or even take the second place crown? Hopefully this time will go better for Panasonic than the last.
IndustryGamers will have more information as it becomes available.
11 Comments
October 4, 2010
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Why would you announce new hardware from an unestablished gaming hardware developer without a demo reel of all the great games that you can only play on their hardware?
October 5, 2010
Browser games and MMOs on the go. Will be targeted at older PC gamers to allow them to play the games they prefer while away from their PC.
Interesting idea. A little ahead of its time perhaps.
October 5, 2010
It's an interesting idea, but what does this do that a netbook does not? What will it cost? What will its functionality be besides games? Lots of questions to answer.
October 5, 2010
My prediction: it'll be about as successful as N-gage.
October 5, 2010
If it could run World of Warcraft at PC quality, while coming in cheaper than any netbook/laptops that currently can, then they might have something going for them but even still it wouldn't be much. If they intend to go with a proprietary "console" style line-up they have no chance.
October 5, 2010
I'm one of the few people that actually liked the 3DO, though this is probably because I found the one-time $700 system at a flea market for a mere dollar years after the system crashed and burned. I mean, where else can you turn to play console versions of Vivid porn games, although "play" is probbaly not the best word to describe them.
As for this new handheld, I have a feeling that even after all of these years 3DO still hasn't learned the value of competitive pricing. But thats fine since I'll probably pick this one up at a flea market years from now under similiar circumstances.
October 5, 2010
SEGA should take note of this. Now that Panasonic is back in the hardware industry, Sega should do the same and make a comeback of their own with a Dreamcast 2. The more the merrier.
October 5, 2010
shit is gay
October 6, 2010
Amristar: Atleast SEGA got something to show for themselves and a brand (and lots of nostalgia for some.)
Is the D-pad analog or does D stand for directional? If it's digital that would be the most stupid move on the planet earth, and I hope it's comfortable to use as an analog device if it's analog.
Even the 3DS got analog now.
Ohoni: I think you're right.
October 6, 2010
So.... why does this exist in a world where the Pandora is already shipping?
October 6, 2010
Why hasn't Nintendo made a DS or another hand held game system with a cell phone or texting keypad? The market has been waiting for this for a long time, and Nintendo would be and still is not thinking about how much money they could make. Nintendo is being silly.