PixlBit

I actually like the design of the 2DS, it looks comfy and I like the button placement. The Start and Select buttons are where they should have been on the 3DS and XL. But, I wouldn't want to give up 3D or stereo sound for that.

Headphones!

I remember reading somewhere that the DS initially stood for developer's system, and they adpted dual screen because developer's system sounds dumb.

Around E3 I hit the point were I no longer saw the benfits of the Xbox Live membership, so I let my subscription lapse.  I am glad that I did because I have barely touched my Xbox since then.  I have nothing to back this up, but a large portion of Microsoft's install base seems to be the people who buy two games a year, Madden and COD. Those are also the people who need a subscription to Xbox Live and therefore may not realize that they are paying to be able to use all of the services like Netflix.

Welcome back PB & Jason.

I have to say that I agree with most of your positions on the subjects you talked about. I don't like to get into console war/fanboyism, but the fact that you have to pay extra for free shit is retarded and I don't know why people support these policies (hulu and facebook and all). I mean, not so many complaints as there should be. 

As for the 2DS, I have the small 3DS and my hands cramp up a bit when playing too long, but after owning a DSi XL for some years, larger isn't necessarily more comfortable either. 3DSi XL is a bit heavy to hold for too long so the option for a 3DSXL is questionable for me. I have no problem with the smaller screens of 2DS, and I've read that it is more comfortable than original 3DS and thus, I feel like it appeals to me for this reason. 

I also like the concept behind Vita TV and think it's super cool! 

Thanks!

As far as the extra paygate for the Xbox goes, I just don't get it. When Netflix was a console exclusive, it made a little bit of sense. Not a lot, but a little. However, it becomes increasingly clear that so many of these features run based on ads, subscriptions, or both, and reaching as wide an audience as possible is vital for the stability of their businesses. I can't speak to the politics of it all, nor to how it would play out for these various businesses, but if I were NetFlix and the like, I'd say it's time to issue an ultimatum to Microsoft about providing their service on the console and the Xbox Live paygate.

Anyway, I realized after recording that I left off the Pokemon Box subscription service. I'm not happy about it, but it also depends on how things play out, since it isn't mandatory yet. If GameFreak has still provided a standard means of Pokemon transfer from the last generation to Gen VI, then I don't see an issue, but if the box subscription service is the only way, then I don't necessarily think that's great.

And lastly, I love the idea behind the Vita TV. Played right, it means a lot of things. However, I also forgot about the Vita's proprietary memory cards. Those things make me sad.

Have you tried out the Circle Pad Pro? It might help make the 3DS more comfy without having to buy new hardware. There's also one for the XL if you still want the larger screens.

Is the circlepad comfy? I might need to buy one. And I would love a larger screen. But I'm also a Nintendo collector so then there's that.