Although extremely popular in Japan, Street Pass has had less of an impact in the west. In fact, in comparison, very few people in North America and Europe even use the street pass feature. However, Nintendo has plans to change that. In an E3 Analyst Briefing, Nintendo stated that they plan to release software that will help take advantage of over 28,000 wireless access points in North America and 24,000 in Europe by utilizing Wi-Fi hotspots in well known establishments such as Starbucks and McDonald’s.
“This will involve taking a Nintendo 3DS system in Sleep Mode to an access point which will then connect automatically and send StreetPass data to a server. At the same time, the Nintendo 3DS system also receives the StreetPass data of another user from the server. In this setting, data is not exchanged directly, but rather through a StreetPass relay station.”
Nintendo went on to explain more.
“Previously the StreetPass feature required multiple Nintendo 3DS systems in Sleep Mode to be in the same location at the same time, but in this framework, you can exchange data with others by visiting the same location even at a different time, so we can certainly expect the use rate of the StreetPass feature to grow significantly.”
I actually took my 3DS XL out last night to an outdoor music event, hoping to meet some new Miis. There was quite a crowd, so I hoped to meet at least one or two. Instead, I got home to find that I didn’t meet any locals, but instead I was visited by Tanabe. Actually, since E3 I have been visited by Tanabe, Hayashida, Tezuka, and Iwata.
Do you use spot pass often? Will you use it more once the software is updates later this year?
Since we are talking about the 3DS, don’t forget we have a friend code section in our forums!
I love Street Pass, but as you say I can go to London, Events and Gigs, and not meet anyone. Only something like the Zelda Symphony or ComicCon can actually Guarantee more than the Odd Hit. Although I'm not sure whether this new Move will encourage New Street Pass Users, or just help out those that already use it? Still, if it help get those Puzzle Pieces, I'm all for it!
I carry mine around a good bit but the only two places I've had a lot of street passes was in NYC and Disney World. Even in NYC I was only getting like 10 passes per day.
I took my 3DS to Comic Con Denver a few weeks ago, and it was blowing up. I could barely keep up with the tags given the 10 at a time limit. I nearly hit the 100 tags in a day achievement (stopped at around 80), and I completed all the current Puzzle Swap panels.
I am a mailman in a city with a population of slightly more than 100,000. I carry my 3DS every day, delivering in primarily residential areas (densely packed "ghettos," apartments complexes, rich neighborhoods, the full spectrum). ON A GOOD DAY, I get two street passes; most days I get one or none (pretty evenly split). Heck, I deliver to a school everyday and can't even guarantee a hit. I keep carrying it though, just hoping to get those hits. Hopefully something helps me (took me MONTHS to complete the second dungeon).
I'm looking forward to seeing this implemented. I have had my 3DS for about a year and I go everywhere with my 3DS in sleep mode. I have less than 20 street passes (and that includes the 4 or so special individuals that visited during E3 on spot pass).
This will help me get those pink puzzle pieces. I only have about 10 or so of them (yes, about half of the people I street pass did not have any pink pieces for their puzzles). I wish Nintendo would update the software and allow individuals to purchase pink pieces with the coins (and allow me to open up new panels without street passing, and reduce the number of repeats when you purchase the puzzle pieces).
I take my 3DS to work, leave it in a locker and get around 7 to 14 street passes a day. Anywhere else rarely any passes. I work at a Nintendo Building!
I love street pass. I live in Portland OR and drive around a lot for work, sometimes I go out of my way to swing by a game stop or independent games stores, those are usually good places to pick up a pass. I call it "street pass stalking." I may be get about a hit a week.
I'm getting a little tired of hat's. It would be cool if you could use play coins to buy other accessories for your me, Like a bike, new sun glasses, a dog. Stuff like that.