Nintendo get writing on DS

But what software will use it?

Nintendo, in their wise zen-fuelled wisdom, are set to encourage handwriting on the DS handheld, as part of a new deal signed with the vaguely scary sounding Zi Corporation. The new deal will see the Big N licensing Zi's Decuma handwriting recognition software for the handheld console, and this will add yet another feather in the DS' already impressive cap of control/input methods. The Decuma technology is usually used in PDAs and the like.

Apparently, the software will allow for highly naturally writing at fast speeds, allowing gamers to focus on what they're writing, not how they're writing it. Could some kind of DS pub quiz game be in the offing? "Users can closely mimic writing with pen and paper, with letters and words being written and interpreted in a natural flow, allowing for easy editing and correction," an official statement enthused. European, Chinese and Japanese scripts will initially be supported.

Diary, memo and address book tools also spring to mind when we think of the new technology, and with the WiFi Connection launching soon the DS may also support email writing via this method in due course. Which is fairly exciting. More on Ninty's plot for handheld domination as we get it.

By Luke Guttridge