That's like saying the second analog stick is a gimmick. Gimmick comes from fleeting implementation, not merely existing. There's no gimmick to how the gamepad is used when it's used. Constantly looking at it for map information is the antithesis of a gimmick. You not liking it doesn't suddenly make it a gimmick.

That controller costs around US$ 100 to be manufactured. The console uses a CPU with 2001 GameCube tech and a 2009/10 GPU. If they used a regular controller, they would be able to beef up specs without increasing the retail price. The controller obviously made the package more expensive and they had to cut something to sell for 300 bucks. Another possibility would be keep the hardware but sell it at 200 bucks. Either way, big advantages.

Creating a US$ 100 controller, with poor battery life that is used to show a minimap that could fit in the corner of the screen (with the bonus that you can look at it without removing your focus from the game) or for basic invetory management is pretty much as gimmicky as it can get.

The definition of "gimmick" would be something that promises to change significant aspects but in the end doesn't add nothing significant.

When did "gimmick" suddenly start to mean "that thing I don't like?"

This

since Wii mote

I don't think NX is going to be a single device, more like a family of devices that share a common architecture, operating system, online infrastructure, account system, software library. Iwata has stated how they would like to mimic the strategy Apple has with iOS and Miyamoto has hinted at not necessarily needing multiple devices to play all Nintendo games, so such a strategy doesn't seem out of the question.

Perhaps a handheld midway between Xbox 360 & Wii U in terms of specs/performance, along with a console & tablet variants that are more powerful.

NX Handheld-300 gflop, 2gb RAM, 5 inch/540p screen

NX Tablet-600 gflop, 4gb RAM, 7 inch/720p screen

NX Console-1200 gflop, 8gb RAM, up to 1080p resolution

They will likely have spread out the launch of each device and could likely retail for about $249.99 give or take in 2016-2018.

You mean more innovations that no one wants?

Trying to innovate can be hit or miss, clearly they succeeded with Wii & DS and not so much with Wii U & 3DS.

If Nintendo didn't try to innovate with controllers, perhaps we would never have gotten the D-pad or shoulder buttons or triggers or rumble or the diamond layout, maybe we would still be using that monstrosity of a controller that Atari 5200/IntelleVision/ColecoVision used in the early 80's, how does that sound to u?

You need a dictionary. That is not remotely what the word means or implies. The sillouette level in SM3DW is a gimmick. The barrel sections in Tropical Freeze are gimmicks. You're describing a lie, not a gimmick. Just because you don't like something doesn't mean it's a gimmick.

It's a gamble that can go either way. A quarter of a billion units were sold on the touch screen or the Wiimote, while glasses-less 3D and the touchscreen both failed to inspire. Presuming the failure is as unwise as presuming the success.