Nintendo launches new Switch game console

TOKYO - Nintendo's Switch console goes on sale Friday in a global launch seen as key for the Japanese videogame giant to reverse flagging sales and compete with Sony's top-selling PlayStation 4.

The $299 unit, which works both at home and on-the-go, blends the Super Mario maker's history in the console business with its fledgling mobile gaming strategy, which got a big brand win after Pokemon Go's success last summer.

Kyoto-based Nintendo is aiming to sell more than two million Switch consoles in its first month.

Strong demand for the new unit would help Nintendo close the book on poor sales of its last console, Wii U -- the disappointing follow-up to the smash hit Wii, which sold over 100 million units worldwide after its launch a decade ago.

Switch has a removable screen that lets players dock it at home and also use it on the go like a tablet with detachable controllers -- called Joy-Con -- on both sides.

The idea is to give gamers a more immersive experience with realistic physical sensations matched to what is happening on-screen.

A remote control feature means players can take their eyes off the screen to face off, punching the air in a boxing game or getting into a gun duel.

In past years, Nintendo has scored hits with traditional home consoles, such as the Nintendo 64 or GameCube, and portable devices likes GameBoy and the DS handheld.

"Switch is probably one of the most important consoles for Nintendo in the past decades," said Serkan Toto, a Tokyo-based games industry consultant.

"(It's) the first time where Nintendo basically combines portable games and home console games into one device, into one platform."

But trying to score a win in two different markets is risky, Toto added.

"Some people could say that Nintendo is trying to kill two birds with one stone and that it could actually land in the middle and not really catch any of the target groups," he said.

Investors have been underwhelmed so far. Nintendo shares are down about 15 percent from October, when the firm gave gamers a sneak peak of its newest console.

While it has dipped a toe into the mobile gaming market, the Nintendo also needs to keep up with console maker rivals Microsoft and Sony, which has racked up huge sales of the latest PlayStation -- it has sold more than 53 million units globally since its debut in late 2013.

mis/pb/fa

source: news.abs-cbn.com

A 'perfect' bag for your iPad arrives in PH

MANILA - When it comes to portable technology like the iPad Mini, finding a comfortable and practical way of carrying it around can be troublesome.

Booq, a new line of bags that recently arrived in the Philippines, may just save you the hassle.


Based in California, Booq boasts bags of varying sizes to fit each one's "personality and style," as well as several of Apple's current offerings.

Made from polyurethane-backed ballistic nylon, each bag is designed to be water-repellent and to stay completely dry even during heavy rainfall.

The line also features a metal tag dubbed Terralinq, which can be used to locate lost bags through an online database system.

Booq currently has five specific line of bags available to Filipinos, namely: Boa, Cobra, Mamba, Taipan, and Viper.

Dubbed as the "heavy duty travel partner," Boa is the biggest of the bunch, whose backpack line can fit a 17-inch MacBook easily, as well as one's DSLR camera.

Cobra, which is the smallest, is a compact shoulder bag that can carry any 10-inch iPad model, while the Mamba, Taipan and Viper can fit pretty much any device in between the two previously mentioned.

Booq can be found in select Power Mac Center, iStudio, and Switch outlets. It is also available online through Lazada

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com