New Nintendo DS Model, the 'DSi', Not Available in the US Until '09
It was rumored to be so, and that rumor was proved to be true last night at Nintendo's Fall Press conference in Japan. The new DS model called the DSi and containing significantly improved functionality, will be available in Japan beginning in November, but according to Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime, not in the US until late '09 and even then not as a competitor with the iPhone.
Makes perfect sense with the holidays nearly here. Hopefully this also means cheaper deals on the existing DS Lite or at least game bundles. We'll see. What it definitely means is that if you might be in the market for a DS, whether for the first or as an upgrade, you should probably be watching how the launch goes in Japan. Check out images of the DSi (noting the interior and exterior digital camera and SD memory slot) and its preliminary specifications below:
- Slimmer body due to the removal of the GBA slot...:(
- 17% screen size increase to 3.25" wide.
- .3 megapixel (640x480) digital camera functionality both on the exterior body and inside between the two screens.
- Pitch, playback and recording "audio enhancements" allowing for speeding up and slowing down of recorded tracks as well as the recording of voice tracks via the units built-in mic.
- SD memory card slot for storage and transfer of games, music, images, other.
- Built-in browser.
- Available colors: white and black.
- Access to the upcoming 'DSi Shop" for digital download of games, video and other content.
- 1,000 free points to spend at the DSi Shop that are good until March 2010.
- Available in Japan on November 1st and US in late '09.
--Tom Milnes
Xeon on January 22, 2009 at 06:41 PM
Personally I could care less, since I never buy the first version anyway.