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"A patent filed by Nintendo for the Wii U has revealed previously unconfirmed features including flash memory and a magnetometer. The patent lists all confirmed features of the Wii U controller, such as its touch screen, accelerometer, gyroscope, analogue stick, buttons, microphone and camera. However, the patent also lists a &amp;quot;magnetic sensor,&amp;quot; which has not been mentioned by Nintendo in any previous descriptions of the controller.  Magnetic sensors, or magnetometers, are commonly used to determine true north in smartphones for GPS functions. The technology could also be used in conjunction with the Wii U&amp;#039;s accelerometer and gyroscope to eliminate the need for calibrating the controller, as was required by some Wii games.  The patent also lists flash memory for the Wii U system. Flash memory was a suspected feature based on Digital Spy&amp;#039;s hands-on with the system at E3 2011, but was not confirmed by Nintendo at the time. The patent was filed by Nintendo on February 2, 2011 in the US, but only published on August 4. Developers working with the system claim that the Wii U hardware has yet to be finalised, which could account for Nintendo not previously announcing these features. Nintendo has revealed that 3D could be possible on the Wii U, and said that it plans to support both the 3DS and Wii U with paid DLC, which could possibly include downloadable GameCube games.  Nintendo has stated that it will not reveal the official price or date for the Wii U until 2012, with the system still scheduled to release next year. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/wii-u/news/a335245/wii-u-to-have-flash-memory-magnetic-sensor/>