The 3DS was behind the online curve when it first launched; it’s eShop was not even available until a couple of months after launch. New changes announced will allow games to have post-release DLC and to have demos available on the eShop.
“We are . . . aiming to accelerate our digital business, the importance of which is expected to become even higher in the future,” said Nintendo president Satoru Iwata. “In terms of its usability, we know that there still are several issues with the Nintendo eShop. We have made several improvements for this time. For example, software downloads can be done when Nintendo 3DS is in sleep mode, which will lessen the need for the users to patiently wait by while downloading several software titles at once or while downloading software with a large memory capacity.”
“Although this next feature is not going to be available with the next system update, we are now preparing for the Nintendo eShop to be available on the Web so that you can access it via PCs or smartphones too,” he added. “At the beginning, you will not be able to directly purchase software from your PC or smartphone. Instead, you will need to take a photo of a QR code at the Nintendo eShop by using the camera of your Nintendo 3DS. The Nintendo 3DS will then open that specific page of the Nintendo eShop. That function is already included in the upcoming system update for the Nintendo 3DS. In the future, we will make it so that you will be able to purchase software by using your PC or smartphone.”
Source: Nintendo
