Here's my take on this.
Quote
According to Mr. Miyamoto, the possibility of a wireless internet connection on the Nintendo DS is there, but Nintendo is not currently developing any software that will enable to DS to access it. Apparently, Nintendo is leaving this part up to third-parties. He said that Nintendo is not interested in developing internet software for the DS.
AFAIK, "The Internet" and "Online" are two different things. (Like IRC, Usenet, and e-mail. They're all "Online", but none of them are "The Internet".)
Quote
Mr. Miyamoto was quoted as saying: "We added the wireless LAN (IEEE802.11) to the DS mainly for the handhelds to communicate between each other,
AFAIK, the DS has two wireless modes. The 802.11 standard, and a custom Nintendo-designed one that has an even longer range. So if the Nintendo-designed one is superior, how does having the 802.11 help the "handhelds communicate better"?
Quote
but if someone releases appropriate software that allows it to connect to wireless LAN access points, it could also be used to connect to the Internet."
Notice they didn't say "connect to another handheld via the Internet." Of course, that could've just been a translation thing.
I know that Nintendo has seemed rather bullish and belligerant about online gaming. When asked about it, Miyamoto has frequently said "Online support is "an extra", like a multiplayer mode, but that said, how many times have I gone the extra mile to give you guys a multiplayer mode?"
I know it's tough, but have some faith that Nintendo knows what they're talking about.