People don't like the glasses, they are willing to tolerate them because they like 3D. There might be a subgroup of those people that do actually like the glasses but I very much doubt they are the majority.
Nintendo were hardly going to announce the 3DS and say, "Look, we do 3D too, just like Sony.", they have to tout the unique selling point of their console. For Sony to suggest that they would like to stand shoulder to shoulder with Nintendo and forge onward towards the technological horizon is entirely disingenuous, they would stomp Nintendo out in a moment if they had half the chance.
Sony are worried that if talk of glassless 3D becomes a topic of conversation at the water cooler, people who don't understand the difference in potential applications of the screen technology that both companies are using will be more likely to hold off on the purchase of their new 3D TV, something Sony doesn't want.
Sony have to accept they have been one-upped by Nintendo here, or at least that is going to be the common perception and they need to learn to swallow that pill because complaining about it just comes off as weak and unbecoming.
