I need to listen to this Podcast when I get the chance later. From the sound of the posts here, it's not clear they were talking about one or the other.
That's exactly what i told in the post you replied to. They are mixing the implementations of IR technolgy.
Cheap Controllers means one thing. The "Water Bottle" interfering with your play session means another. i would think.
I agree with some of the benefits of that patent, but it's a new idea, and it may not work as well as it seems. Or it may. But I think we should keep both possibilities open, unless it was made super clear in the podcast. "Cheap" in this era of $60 controllers is relative.
That goes withouth saying, with the type of ambivalent information we get, it's impossible to asure what will end up in the consumer product.
But these "sources" is the only thing we have and applying logic to what they say brings you to certain conclusions, if what they say is true to begin with.
Let me explain furher about what the IGN guys said and the "Circle Pad Pro" comparison:
- The "cheap" and "Nunchuck" part of the rumor, means that these detachable controllers would cost a thrid of what the customer is used to pay for standard pads.
- The Circle Pad Pro has standard inhards of a controller. The difference here it's the way it comunicates the inputs, which is a consequence of the connectivity limitations of the 3DS itself and lack of planning on Nintendo's part more than a perk.
- Applying the same Circle Pad Pro connecting functionality wouldn't make possible these "cheap controllers" by that virtue itself. Why? Because the Circle Pad Pro, uses common components of controllers and traditional methods of manufacturing. So a full featured traditional controller that plays Breath of the Wild with the key difference being that it comunicates input through IR wouldn't make it "Nunchuck cheap". That IR connectivity is not what would make a controller low cost.
- So in the context of what the IGN guys said in 16/09/2016 the IRS patent is what would allow the existance of these "Nunchuck cheap" controllers. Must like you had cheap Wii Remote attachments because most of the components where in the Wii Remote itself.
That's a logical take on what IGN guys in the podcast said. Now, the validity of the information is another matter entirely.
****Post got truncated, sorry. That's the problem when they get long.***
There are some pros in handling the IR like a Circle Pad though:
FourthStorm, an advantage of IR connectivity Circle Pad Pro like, that hasn't been brought up in this discussion yet, is that it makes the connection more reliable because is less prone to degradation of a more standard physical one. What it means is, a physical port to connect the Detachable parts while cheap it is prone to failure with extended use and constantly put it in and taking it appart. IR connectivity would help with this.
Another advantage of the IR connectivity in this case, would be a more elegant and simple way to connect the halves like with magnets for example. Or a cheaper physical connection that just takes care of fixing the halves to the console and not the interface.