Nintendo 3DS is a pedometer. Apps and features detailed

3DS SpotPass/StreetPass screenshot
The 3DS is the highlight of today with Nintendo’s press conference revealing full 3DS launch details and price in America and Europe as well as a lot of other little nuggets of new information.

Two little known features of the 3DS (outside of 3DS friends codes needed only once per system) include a pedometer and an “Activity Log”.

A lot of people forget that the 3DS has some of the same capabilities as an iPhone, the system has built-in gyros that can detect how and where you are turning the system, and games can be built to use these features. So for example, in the upcoming Monkey Ball 3DS, it is possible that you may control the world by moving the system and not using the joystick or D-Pad.

And those gyro features are also used to turn the 3DS into a pedometer, making it an attractive little device for walkers or runners. The pedometer app keeps track of how many steps you’ve taken and can reward you with in-game “Play Coins” to be spent on additional unlockable extra content with titles that support the feature (Like Nintendogs+Cats). This also encourages people to take their systems with them and make more use of the SpotPass and StreetPass features.

In addition, the system includes an “Activity Log” feature that tracks both physical and virtual activity, including steps walked with the system via the pedometer, games played and how long you’ve played them (Just like on the Wii). Your address book will also allow you to keep track of your friends you’ve traded Friend Codes with and the StreetPass feature allows you to keep track of other people you’ve walked by; as well as see their Miis, the games they’ve played, what they’ve traded with you while in StreetPass mode and more.

And don’t forget that the 3DS can allow you to view photos, play videos, and listen to music via an SD Card (there is an SD Card Slot built-into the system like with the DSi) and it has a built-in web-browser so you can get online and browse the Internet via wi-fi. Built-in Apps also include the Wii Maker, Face Raiders and E-Store Apps, and of course, the 3DS allows you to take 3D pictures with the outside cameras and pics of yourself with the inside camera. Nintendo President Satoru Iwata has even stated that he would like to upgrade the firmware in the future to include the ability to record 3D video clips! Snazzy!

Overall, the 3DS has a very nice set of features.

Here is the SpotPass feature trailer.