http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081002-nintendo-shows-off-new-dsi-with-camera-app-store.html

""""Nintendo hosted its latest press conference in Tokyo last night, and with the gaming giant not displaying its goods at this year's Tokyo Game Show, the press was expecting some big announcements from the event, and no one was disappointed. New hardware, new games, and new services were all announced and detailed, but the biggest news has to be the revamped Nintendo DS, called the DSi.


The shell of the DSi
While not being positioned as a "sequel" to the DS—this is more of a sister product—the DSi has some welcome new features, in addition to being slightly lighter and thinner. The screen is now larger, 3.25" instead of the 3" screen the normal DS enjoys, and there will be two 0.3 megapixel cameras on the hardware, on both the inside and the outside of the case. The hardware will also feature an SD card slot, as well as internal storage to store pictures and move content from the DSi to the Wii. A browser will be built-in, as well as image-manipulation and music playback software. The system will be available in Japan on November 1, for around $180. There is no release date yet for North America, although if the hardware is as import-friendly as the original DS, that may not matter for gamers willing to pay a premium.


The screen of the DSi is slightly larger than the DS
The GBA slot has also been removed, meaning no backwards compatibility with your older games, and no more Guitar Hero: On Tour or rumble. Sorry, peripheral lovers!

The hardware will launch alongside the DSi Shop, where one can download DSi Ware, including both games and applications. The prices are set by Nintendo, and range from free, 200 points, 500 points and Premium, or 800 points. Nintendo will also be giving away 1,000 points with the system for a limited time.

The Wii wasn't left out of the show, however. Starting in Spring of 2009, you'll be able to put your games and content onto SD cards up to 2GB in size. This effectively solves the storage problem, and will hopefully open the door for downloadable content, a feature Wii owners of games like Rock Band have been clamoring for. A new Wii version of Punch-Out was announced, as well as Sin and Punishment 2. Certain GameCube titles will also be rereleased on the Wii, although the extent of the improvements to the games isn't clear. The titles to be rereleased, including Pikmin and Metroid Prime, seem specially suited for Wiimote use.

The DSi will also come with software allowing you to play with your images and to slow or speed up audio files. While these things may sound more like toys than anything else, it could make the system popular among people learning new languages or practicing playing along to their favorite music. The interface for these features appears easy to use, even playful.

The DSi offers a large array of improvements, as well as introducing some new limitations. Our guess? Nintendo is going to sell eleventy billion of them. """"

What do you think?? Is it really worth spending money on another DS?

Well, I won't buy one. Especially since it's region locked and has no GBA slot. But it looks interesting. Maybe when the price goes down, I'll think about it.

hmm so far the only bad news is the removal of the GBA slot. i'd want one, cuz its basically a Nintendo psp + camera. i dont know tho, they usually don't region lock portable systems..

No, I have a DS Lite and that's all I need. Plus, it's kind of a bitch slap to the creators of Guitar Hero: On Tour since you need the GBA slot.

Lol DSI is pretty interesting with the BIGGER SCREEN and the BUILT IN CAMERA and the INTERNET and err SONGS TO DOWNLOAD

maybe i should've got this instead of an ipod touch .....nah

r4 still work on it?

If my DS had a camera it would already have all the features of the DSi and do them better.

i heard r4 wouldnt work... but who knows, there is some1 out there always finding a way to crack it.. so eventually, there will be a similar product of r4..

mine already has one. i just duck tape this one time use camera to it and my mp3.
~~~~~~~~~~
i had an orgy when i heard about this. this will go along with my nice little collection of game boys-DS..

its really funny nintendo didnt mention of the reduce battery life...

it's sexy....

but price is high :\

That is srsly awesomeee.
But region locked...? No... D:

I'm fine with the no GBA slot.

CAMERA. INTERNET <3
I wantt.

I neeeeed it!?! It was sweet to find out there was a new DS!?!?

No,not going to get it. All the new features can be found on any phone now ~