Video game investors and enthusiasts alike will be intrigued by this little product development tidbit: According to the Associated Press, a new device from Digital Act Co. -- dubbed the "Campho Advance" -- allows users of Nintendo's Game Boy Advance to plug into a phone jack and use the handheld game machine as a video phone. The unit is scheduled for Japanese release this December. No ISP is needed, and a broadband device is under development.
There are no immediate plans to sell the Campho Advance outside Japan, but Nintendo will surely be watching its penetration closely. It's worth noting that Japan has purchased 10 million of the 34 million Game Boy Advances sold worldwide so far; if the market accepts the Campho, you can bet it will lead to broader distribution for such devices. Indeed, AP reports that Digital Act Co. already has a broadband device under development.
Having ushered in the "modern era" of gaming by introducing the original Game Boy in 1989, Nintendo holds a strong lead in the handheld games market, and has repelled scads of competitors over the last decade. Now it appears would-be Game Boy beaters are going to have to do more than design a simple game machine -- video talk, paging, multiplayer capacity, and MP3 playing are all part of the package as the handheld industry continues to converge.
Among the Nintendo challengers to watch:
Mobile phone-maker Nokia
Educational toy company Leapfrog
A California startup called Tapwave will soon accept preorders for a new multi-function device. Because it's run by former Palm
And what about console market leader Sony
Meanwhile, there is some question as to whether Microsoft
Dave Marino-Nachison can be reached via email at [email protected] .