With HD-DVD dead, what does that mean for portables?

Chances are, if you’ve been on the internet or watching the news at all in the last few days you’ve learned about the inevitable unfortunate demise of Toshiba’s HD-DVD high definition media format. While the news may come as a shock (or a relief) to many, it raises the question of just how the newly-presumed standard high definition media format (Blu-Ray) will effect our beloved gaming industry? We’ve already seen it effect the console side of things, with Microsoft investing in an HD-DVD add-on peripheral and Sony implementing a full Blu-Ray player into their Playstation 3, but is it possible that we could see Blu-Ray; or something similar, on our next-generation portables?

For the time being, it seems unlikely, but not by any means impossible. Sony has already made the step to discs using their own UMD format (which didn’t work out so well for them in the end, but that’s besides the point), and it’s only a matter of time before Nintendo realizes that they need to make the jump from cartridges to discs. But when the time comes for them to do so, are they going to pick a UMD-like format? It’s highly unlikely that Nintendo would make their own format like Sony has (but again, not impossible… Gamecube, anyone?), but a condensed form of Blu-Ray on a portable would sure sound lovely. Imagine your Nintendo DS or PlaystationPortable games in high definition? It makes your mouth (or eyes?) water, doesn’t it? The fact of the matter is, with high definition TV sales constantly rising and the popularity of Blu-Ray disc on the rise, patience is the only thing standing in the way from technology progressing to a point where we’ll see high definition and a high definition format on our portables.

We must also not forget that perplexing patent that Apple recently let slip. From the looks of things, Apple already has a new portable in the works, and with competition heating up by the minute they surely know how difficult it is going to be competing. That HD technology would certainly tempt consumers over to Apple’s side, wouldn’t it? And how about Microsoft? We know, thanks to GDC, that they will begin putting Xbox Live Arcade games on the Zune, but is that all we should be anticipating from Microsoft? At the moment; yes, but in the future you can bet that Microsoft will be investing their dollars into the portable market. Considering Microsoft’s willingness to utilize modern technology, it would be interesting to see if they would implement an HD display into their eventual portable. Then again, I suppose that would all depend on when they decided to launch their portable, if they ever decided to do so.

In reality, HD-DVD’s death means more than you may think just by looking at the headline. The way it effects the markets now is quite obvious, Sony will probably flourish now that their heavily backed format has won (take a look at their rapidly rising stock and you’ll see what I mean), and HD sales will probably see a significant boost. But with those boosts, comes expansion of the format… an expansion that could very well extend to the gaming industry (as it already has) and more specifically the portable market. After all, an HD portable isn’t so farfetched. Heck, maybe we’ll even see it in the new Gizmondo!? (kidding!) Either way, prepare for lots of surprises and lots of impressive new features from your “not as far away as you may think” next-gen handhelds.