| cheshirescat said:
There are just a few problems with your assertions, one being that batteries are a universal product, there are many variations to be certain and fall under several brand names and generic types, however, any given size of battery has several possible applications--in some cases, such as AA batteries, there are literally thousands of products that use them, regardless of brand. On top of that batteries can be bought virtually anywhere, grocery stores, pharmacies, department stores, tech stores, fabricators, gas stations, stores devoted entirely to batteries, I saw a freaking liquor store selling basic batteries before, the pont being that as long as you live anywhere near a 7-11 you will have 24 hour 365 day a year access to batteries. Not to mention it is a pretty common practice for a household to have a bag or drawer set aside specifically for the storage of batteries. Now I know there are some people out there who are just swimming in ds apapters because they've bought every version of every ds in every possible color because their parents didn't love them and they have to fill that gaping void somehow, but I think (or at least would like to believe) that they are an exception rather than the rule.
Now take the new 3ds which is powered by a rechargeable battery, can the battery be charged with a universal product, such as a micro-usb? No, it uses a proprietary device, meaning a device with the sole function of charging a nintendo ds system. Now there are knock-offs, there always are, and there may be some universal adapter that connects to a micro-usb so that it can charge a 3ds, I'm not sure, but the problem with that is if you do so you will void your new 3ds' warranty. Do you see where I am going with this? If that rc car you mention breaks and I send it to the manufacturer for repairs they aren't going to tell me I'm screwed because I used energizer batteries but the warranty only recognizes duracell.
The problem here isn't with the cost of an adapter, or the ease of finding one, it's the simple fact that in order for the damn thing to function within the confines of the warranty you will need one specific device that only nintendo makes and sells (except of course for those people who only plan to use it for a few hours on that initial charge, then they're just hunky dory). For them to not include this with the package is absolutely ridiculous and just because they've gotten away with it in other markets is not an excuse for a shitty practice. |
I think that a large portion of things that require batteries, but do not include them, are ones that require the D Cell battery type, which isn't nearly as common as the AA battery. Also, it doesn't matter what many other devices use, it's the fact that it exists that is the point. The problem with your claim is that it is not even close to being comparable to the 3DS situation. The example I gave is obviously not perfect, but it's better than your example.
As for the warranty thing, in what instance would the battery you used for the RC device actually have been responsible for any damage that ACTUALLY would have the manufacturer cover the repairs? It's probably not much different with the situation with the 3rd party 3DS AC Adapter. Both have some form of potential to doing damage to the hardware, but I doubt either one would cover it in the warranty, since the blame would likely be put on the product you used that didn't come from them. (Such as X or Y brand of battery)
I do not know this for sure, but I imagine that the place where you purchase the 3DS itself would have the adapter to begin with.
