Tokyo-based middleware company HI Corp. announced it has developed new software to convert your 2D cell phone games into 3D games without special 3D glasses. The claim is that you won’t need to upgrade your cell phone. Investigating further, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Play Cell Phone 3D Games without Special 3D Glasses

HI’s new image-rendering software, a new version of MascotCapsule, will be compatible to a special 3D LCD screen made by NEC LCD Technologies only. This means the software won’t work with screens by other makers, but NEC is already offering that display to a number of cell phone manufacturers. HI and NEC plan to have the technology embedded in ten million handsets by 2013.

Details of the new software are fairly scarce, but HI is going to demo the technology this week during an exhibition in Tokyo. What we know right now is that users will need to look straight at their handsets to get the 3D effect. If not, the view will be quite blurry.

The potential for this software is huge. The problem as I see it is that once again you will have to upgrade your cell phone in order to take full advantage of the technology. Since I am not a gamer, I doubt I will be looking for a cell phone with that new screen even once it comes out. What about you?

Hasbro and Glu Mobile are launching a Transformer game for your cell phone. You can battle evil by playing as the main character, Optimus Prime. In addition, fans can customize their wallpapers, screensavers and voicetones on their cell phones with sounds and images from the summer blockbuster movie.

Transformers for your cell phone

Who is the target market? I am thinking it must be middle school kids cell phone users, although there are some hard core gamers out there who may be Transformer fans. The game and content is now launching through North and South America, Europe and Asia, and will ultimately be available through more than 150 carriers and distribution partners in 65 countries. It is a brilliant marketing plan from Hasbro to promote their new movie. I predict we will see more and more marketing aimed at cell phone users in the future.

Are you going to rush out and buy the app?

Microsoft fulfills your Xbox dreams! Unfortunately this app will be available exclusively on Windows Mobile phones. That’s right… no iPhones, BlackBerry phones, or even the new Droid phones.

Xbox Live Games is coming to your mobile phone

Will the Xbox mobile phone app pump new life into the Windows Mobile phone market? Maybe it will, but with the growing number of iPhone, BlackBerry and Droid owners, I doubt the Xbox will catch on like Microsoft would like.

Are you an avid Xboxer? Would you use this on a cell phone? Let me know.

Google, Inc. will begin selling its new Nexus One cell phone in 2010. In the beginning, the phone will be sold without being tied to any ONE cell phone provider. The downside is that by being an “unlocked” cell phone, the cost of the device will no doubt be pretty pricey.

New Google Phone unlocks the Android

Google tries to take the market share from Apple’s iPhone (AT& T). Nexus One uses the new Android platform, giving users many application choices. The Google version of the Droid will try to directly challenge iPhone’s market share. Will it make the mark? Google has designed almost the entire software interface on the phone to make it feel more like the Google applications on the web that we have all come to know and love.

The new Nexus One uses a touch screen like the iPhone but has a few buttons on the bottom. Will it be as user friendly? The Android platform is gaining popularity and the only cell phone provider that doesn’t have a Droid phone is AT&T. (Wouldn’t want to alienate Apple…)

Will software developers embrace Nexus One? Most of the developers focus their efforts on the iPhone due to its widespread popularity. But if Google and HTC (the contracted manufacturer for Nexus One) can produce these new phones at a reasonable cost, who knows? The developers follow the popularity and money trail.

Not being an AT&T customer has limited me being able to have an iPhone. I am very interested in seeing this new phone next year. Besides, I like the idea of having a little Droid working for me. Do you think the Droid will take the place of the mighty Apple? How will Apple retaliate? I see the wicked witch offering Snow White a bite of a poisoned apple…