There are rumors that Nintendo is working on a new handheld device. The company recently filed a patent for touchscreen, speakers and vibration capabilities, among others.
On Dec. 3, 2016, the patent was filed with the US Patent & Trademark Office, although it was only published on June 30, 2016. The patent was previously filed on Dec. 26, 2014 in Japan.
The patent primarily focused on the potential Nintendo handheld device's speakers and vibration functions. Some hardware parts in the system were also presented, including a touchscreen.
The USPTO summary stated that the potential Nintendo handheld device features a housing and two speakers arranged so that a vibration direction of a diaphragm becomes in a direction perpendicular to a plane surface of a display panel placed in front of the housing.
The arrangement of the speakers and housing allegedly emit sounds toward a side of a player holding the information processing apparatus.
There is also a vibrator between the two speakers. The patent continued to describe the sound and vibration effects.
The patent also noted that one component, which appears like a Nintendo 3DS circle pad, may be an analog stick.
GameSpot stated that the patent filing of the potential Nintendo handheld device does not immediately confirm that the company plans to actually work on the project.
The device is also unlikely to be related to the upcoming Nintendo NX, which is said to be a mix between a handheld device and a console.
Others speculate that the product may be a full redesign or successor of the Nintendo 3DS. Others think that the patent may be intended for the Nintendo NX controller.
In 2015, Nintendo filed for several patents, although only very few concepts actually made it to actual production.
The latest patent for a potential Nintendo handheld device should not immediately compel fans to believe that a portable system is in the works or that the presentations are linked to the NX in any manner.
Fans can, however, speculate on where the company is at the moment in terms of gaming technology and the potential components that may surface in future endeavors.
GameRant stated that Nintendo did not feature the NX at E3 2016 reportedly to avoid copycats.
According to legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, the NX includes a special feature that will only be revealed upon its official release.
Therefore, the latest Nintendo handheld device that gamers can look forward to is the NX, which launches in March 2017.
