In a decidedly odd move, NVidia has just released a new generation of their popular 3D glasses.  In an attempt to cut down on the price, the new glasses are available in a USB-powered wired version for only $99.

NVIDIA 3D Vision wired glasses, which feature NVIDIA’s advanced active-shutter technology, allow gamers and 3D enthusiasts to access the broadest selection of high-quality 3D content available today, including more than 525 full-HD 3D games, Blu-ray 3D movies, and streaming 3D video from YouTube and 3DVisionLive.com. NVIDIA 3D Vision wired glasses also support more than 65 different 3D Vision monitors, notebooks, and projectors, giving users complete flexibility in configuring their 3D Vision PCs.

I don’t think anyone would disagree that cheaper glasses are attractive, yes.  But $99, for Wired glasses?  A quick look at Amazon shows several other wireless active shutter glasses at comparable prices ($50 – $150), and I just can’t imagine wearing them with that wire brushing my cheek.  NVidia makes some noise about using them in “crowded environments” like Internet Cafe’s and LAN Parties, where you won’t have to fight signal noise, and they’re probably right.  However, I still don’t see too many of these coming out.

Read the full press release after the break.

via NVIDIA Introduces New 3D Vision Wired Glasses for Only $99 – NVIDIA Newsroom.

NVIDIA Introduces New 3D Vision Wired Glasses for Only $99

New Wired Model Delivers Same Award-Wining 3D Vision Quality and Features With Sleek New Design, Making Full HD (1080p) 3D PC Gaming More Affordable

TAIPEI — (Marketwire) — 05/29/2011 — COMPUTEX 2011 — NVIDIA today announced a new addition to the NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ product family: NVIDIA 3D Vision wired glasses. The new glasses make the world’s best 3D PC experience more affordable at $99 (U.S. MSRP), and offer the same award-winning 3D quality and features of 3D Vision wireless glasses.

NVIDIA 3D Vision wired glasses, which feature NVIDIA’s advanced active-shutter technology, allow gamers and 3D enthusiasts to access the broadest selection of high-quality 3D content available today, including more than 525 full-HD 3D games, Blu-ray 3D movies, and streaming 3D video from YouTube and 3DVisionLive.com. NVIDIA 3D Vision wired glasses also support more than 65 different 3D Vision monitors, notebooks, and projectors, giving users complete flexibility in configuring their 3D Vision PCs.

NVIDIA 3D Vision wired glasses include a 10-foot USB 2.0 cable for direct, easy connection to a 3D Vision PC or notebook. This makes it ideal for LAN gaming events and iCafe gaming centers, as it does not require batteries and the cable can easily be secured to a PC with an optional computer lock to minimize theft.

“3D Vision provides gamers and enthusiasts with the world’s largest ecosystem of 3D products and features,” said Phil Eisler, general manager of 3D Vision at NVIDIA. “3D fans have been waiting for more affordable glasses, and we’re expecting our new 3D Vision wired glasses to hit the sweet spot for them.”

NVIDIA 3D Vision wired glasses are expected to be available beginning in late-June 2011 from the NVIDIA Store, as well as from leading retailers and e-tailers. For more information about 3D Vision visit www.nvidia.com/3dvision.

About NVIDIA 3D Vision
NVIDIA is the worldwide leader in 3D technology for personal computers. NVIDIA 3D Vision technology, which includes 3D Vision software and advanced active shutter glasses, delivers breathtaking stereoscopic 3D images for gamers, movie-lovers and photo enthusiasts when configured with NVIDIA GPUs and a 3D display or projector. NVIDIA 3D Vision technology supports the richest array of 3D content available, including more than 525 3D games, Blu-ray 3D movies, 3D photos and streaming Web video. It also enables users to upload, share and view full-resolution 3D photos, as well as enjoy 3D movies at NVIDIA 3DVisionLive.com, the world’s first 3D Vision online community. In addition, NVIDIA 3DTV Play™ software enables consumers to attach their PC or notebook to 3D HDTVs and HDMI 1.4-capable audio/video receivers and enjoy all the latest 3D content in the comfort of their living rooms in full HD 3D, and with HD surround sound audio.

NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro™ technology is a combination of wireless active shutter glasses and advanced software, which automatically transform business-oriented applications into full stereoscopic 3D to improve the usefulness of the applications and increase productivity. 3D Vision Pro technology is designed for multi-user, collaborative viewing and production environments, and features long-range, bi-directional 2.4GHz radio communication.

About NVIDIA
NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) awakened the world to the power of computer graphics when it invented the GPU in 1999. Since then, it has consistently set new standards in visual computing with breathtaking, interactive graphics available on devices ranging from tablets and portable media players to notebooks and workstations. NVIDIA’s expertise in programmable GPUs has led to breakthroughs in parallel processing which make supercomputing inexpensive and widely accessible. The Company holds more than 1,800 patents worldwide, including ones covering designs and insights that are essential to modern computing. For more information, see www.nvidia.com.

Certain statements in this press release including, but not limited to statements as to: the benefits, features, impact and availability of NVIDIA 3D Vision wired glasses; and the effects of the company’s patents on modern computing are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause results to be materially different than expectations. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include: global economic conditions; our reliance on third parties to manufacture, assemble, package and test our products; the impact of technological development and competition; development of new products and technologies or enhancements to our existing product and technologies; market acceptance of our products or our partners products; design, manufacturing or software defects; changes in consumer preferences or demands; changes in industry standards and interfaces; unexpected loss of performance of our products or technologies when integrated into systems; as well as other factors detailed from time to time in the reports NVIDIA files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, including its Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 1, 2011. Copies of reports filed with the SEC are posted on the company’s website and are available from NVIDIA without charge. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and speak only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, NVIDIA disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

© 2011 NVIDIA Corporation. All rights reserved. NVIDIA and the NVIDIA logo, 3D Vision, 3DTV Play, and 3D Vision Pro are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of NVIDIA Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. Features, pricing, availability, and specifications are subject to change without notice.