Included on the official Nintendo.com website, version 2.1.0-4U includes system stability improvements alongside some other minor adjustments, some of which could be applied to enforce anti-piracy measures on its handheld device.

From looking at reliable sources, we can’t really tell much of which has been enhanced and stabilized. Those who have downloaded it have reported back and are saying that the update does not seem to do anything about resolving the use of flashcarts. The only noticeable tweaks seems to be within the NetFront web browser, which has gone from version 1.7412 to 1.7455 and colors have been added to 3DS Sounds’ StreetPass data.

With a lack of actual updates and changes, the only paragraphs that Nintendo left us with are the following: -

Your Nintendo 3DS system and software are not designed for use with any unauthorized device and/or any unauthorized software. Please note that the Nintendo warranties do not cover any defects to or defects caused by unauthorized devices, software, modifications and/or non-licensed accessories.

Furthermore such use may lead to injury to yourself or others and may cause performance issues and/or damage to your Nintendo 3DS system and related services. Nintendo (as well as Nintendo licensees or distributors) is not responsible for any damage or loss caused by the use of such devices, software, modifications or non-licensed accessories.

IMPORTANT: After the Nintendo 3DS system is updated, any existing or future unauthorized technical modification of the hardware or software of your Nintendo 3DS system, or the use of an unauthorized device in connection with your system, may render the system permanently unplayable. Content deriving from the unauthorized modification of the hardware or software of your Nintendo 3DS system may be removed. Failure to accept the update may render games unplayable.

If you read through the quoted text above, it sounds rather like Nintendo are enforcing security measures to prevent any hacking and hijacking of the handheld device. From what our source over at tinycartridge.com thinks, they say that the update could come with some big-brother type software which analyses what is currently going on within the software, meaning if you are currently using hacking as a means of playing your 3DS, you could be scrupled in the near future.

Have you downloaded the update yet? Can you notice anything different than to what has already been reported?

More About: Gaming Handhelds, nintendo, Nintendo 3DS

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Since the iPhone first appeared in 2007 the device has developed over the years, and is now becoming a more capable gaming device. One new feature that is almost certain to come to the iPhone 5 is a faster processor. This will enable the handset to handle even better games, which will provide Apple great revenue returns for the future.

They now receive a 30% cut for every application sold on the App Store, so when you look at the recent Final Fantasy 3 that was selling for $15.99, that equates to $5 for Apple for every copy sold. Of course it is cheap games like Angry Birds and Doodle Jump that has helped build the App Store up to the success it is today.

But Apple will be looking to the Nintendo DS and the games which are available on that platform, as the way forward for gaming. More memory on the next iPhone will allow for an even better iOS experience, and it could even allow for Android type widgets which will run in real time on the background of the handset.

Also if Apple increases the hard drive capacities on the iPhone 5 it will be able to handle more complex games. One top game can easily be several GB in size, but if the hard drive is bigger it will not be a problem playing such games. Finally if the next device has a bigger screen, that will further enhance the game playing experience on the handset.

Do you think the next iPhone will be better for mobile gaming?

More About: Gaming Handhelds, iPhone 5

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Now it appears that the upcoming PSP2 and Nintendo 3DS are also receiving the comparison treatment. For example, an interesting article over at computerandvideogames.com (by Tom Ivan) takes a look at the processing powers of both the Nintendo DS and Sony’s second generation PSP.

As Tom notes, recent rumors suggested that the PSP2 will be as powerful as the PS3. In the meantime, the Nintendo 3DS is said to sport two 266MHz ARM11 CPUs, as well as 1.5Gbs of flash storage, 64MB of RAM, 4MB of dedicated VRAM and a 133MHz GPU.

This is pretty much the same comparison that’s seen in a recent article over on the eurogamer.net website. As the author of the article notes, the Tegra 2 – which is expected to be included in the new 3DS handheld – is said to provide a significant jump in performance compared to the DS.

Reports have also suggested that a multi-core (possibly four-core) variant of the SGX543 could well be the GPU choice for the upcoming PlayStation Portable 2. A PSP2 vs. Nintendo 3DS comparison video has also surfaced over on YouTube, which you can check out via the link here.

As for which handheld console will be the more popular, Shobz from the webscopia.com website believes it will be the Nintendo 3DS. Although at this stage, we don’t really know enough about the Sony PSP2. Rumors have suggested the PSP2 will have front and rear cameras and a HD touchscreen.

Have you decided which console you will be buying yet?

More About: Gaming Handhelds, Sony PSP 2

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Panasonic do not make things easy on themselves, taking on the might of Sony, Nintendo and Apple is not an easy task; we fear that the device will not be up to the task. As yet no release plans and pricing has been unveiled, we will keep you informed once we know more.

Pavel Alpeyev from Blomberg reports that Panasonic will be doing things different, as this will be no traditional gaming handheld. Where the Jungle will differ compared to current devices in this market is that online gaming will be its specialty. We just hope that Panasonic has more luck than they did with 3DO game console.

According to SlashGear, Panasonic has now sent out emails to a number of U.S. consumers to inform them that they have been selected to take part in testing for the Jungle device.

Do you think that the Panasonic Jungle will be a hit or a miss?

More About: Gaming Handhelds, panasonic, Panasonic Jungle

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According to a recent article on GamersMint, Sony has begun to hand out dev kits for use with the PlayStation Portable 2, so surely a release date will be much sooner? Some fans believe that not much will change with the new version, while most agree that a major redesign inside and out is needed.

Having looked over all 14 concepts I believe that I have found my favorite, which you can see an image of below. This looks as though it could be a smartphone, but instead of a QWERTY slider, it hides the control buttons and d-pad needed for gaming.

We cannot say for certain if Sony will go for any of these designs, but let us hope that it is a radical change to the current model. View all 14 concepts, which is your favorite?

More About: Gaming Handhelds, PlayStation Portable 2, Sony PSP 2

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M.H. Williams of Industry Gamers is reporting that in a PAX 2010 interview about the upcoming Mortal Kombat remake, Executive Producer Shaun Himmerick let some information slip about the new handheld console. A PSP2 development unit is in residence at the Netherrealm Studios.

He was asked about the chances of a version of Mortal Kombat making it to the current PSP or the upcoming 3DS. “We’re not launching day one on all consoles like that. We are looking at them; we have a PSP2 in the house and we’re looking at the engine, like what can it support. Always a big thing for us is the performance,” He replied.

He went on to add “PSP2 looks like it’s a pretty powerful machine.” Sony has so far not released any information on a new PSP, and rumors are pointing to a 2011 release.

More About: Gaming Handhelds, Sony PSP2

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