Is this how Nintendo's new handheld will achieve 3D?

Rumours suggest it will utilise a parallax barrier LCD from Sharp.

Following this morning's announcement of the Nintendo 3DS, the all-new 3D capable handheld console from Nintendo, Japanese news sources have begun to offer reports on what they understand will form the technology behind the device.

Both Asahi and Nikkei - translated by Engadget - report that the 3DS will utilise a parallax barrier LCD from Sharp. We can't claim to be experts on the technology, but wikipedia does a pretty good job at explaining how it works:

"A parallax barrier is a device to allow a liquid crystal display to show a stereoscopic image without the need for the viewer to wear glasses. Placed in front of the normal LCD, it consists of a layer of material with a series of precision slits, allowing each eye to see a different set of pixels, so creating a sense of depth through parallax."

The entry suggests that the viewer must be positioned in a well defined spot to experience the 3D effect, something which Nintendo will surely be able to overcome by virtue of 3DS user playing their console at no further a distance than arm's length.

The reports from Japan also indicate that the screen will be smaller than the newly launched DSi XL, and will be closer in size to the standard DSi screens.

With 3D displays comes the need for a new 3D control stick, although reports aren't clear if this will be achieved through a pair of analogue nubs similar to the PSP or something entirely new - Nintendo patented the controls in Japan late last year.

According to Nikkei, the 3DS will also offer improvements in WiFi transfers and battery life, plus a vibration function.

The first details about the Nintendo 3DS are to be announced by Nintendo at E3 in June.