Topic: DSi Announced

[Kairon]

A camera, audio playback, internal memory, downloadable software, SD card support, built-in browser, and much more inside.  It launches in Japan this November.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=16808

 Nintendo President Satoru Iwata didn't waste any time at the company's autumn press conference earlier today in Japan by announcing the Nintendo DSi, a new iteration of the Nintendo DS platform.  It will bring a lot of new features, all in an attempt to achieve Iwata's stated goal of having "one DS for one family."    

The DSi will have a built-in camera on the top lid, facing away from the player. This camera will have a resolution of 300,000 pixels (640x480).  Additionally, the DSi will have a second camera located on the hinge pointed towards the player. As rumors have speculated, the new DSi will also have AAC audio playback capabilities, and Iwata mentioned the hardware's specific ability to adjust the pitch and playback speed of audio at will. Iwata gave an example of how this could be useful by explaining that users might be studying a language via this function, or learning a song by ear.    

The DSi is 12% smaller than the DS Lite,  trimming off 2.6 millimeters in width thanks to the removal of the GBA cartridge slot. However, the screens on the DSi will increase to 3.25 inches in size.    

The DSi is compatible with SD cards, one use of which may be to transfer images from the DSi to the Wii. The DSi can have additional applications on the handheld, including a web browser application.    

DSi owners will also be able to download software from the Internet, much the same way Wii owners can.  In fact, Nintendo is naming this new service DSi Shop. It will be using Nintendo Points, which up until this point have just been referred to as Wii Points. Downloadable DSi titles will come in several cost categories: free, 200, 500, or 800 Points.  New users will find that each DSi purchased before March 2010 will come with 1000 free Nintendo Points.    

Nintendo will also be upgrading their Nintendo DS download stations in Japan to what it is calling the Nintendo Zone. This service will also be available at participating McDonald's restaurants in Japan.    

The DSi will launch in Japan on November 1, for 18,900 yen (about $180), and will be available in black and white.  Nintendo World Report will have more information and specifics about the Nintendo DSi at Nintendo's Fall Media Summit in San Francisco tomorrow, where Nintendo of America is expected to announce the portable for the U.S. market.    

UPDATE: Nintendo's DSi flash page confirms that the DSi will have two cameras.

[Enner]

Well, this sounds like a trendy little thing. The camera resolution is a bit disappointing and I wonder if there will be MP3 support. I wouldn't mind transcoding a playlist for the DSi, but it would be more convenient if it supported MP3s and maybe other formats.

Shame about the lose of the GBA slot (What about Guitar Hero on tour D:), but I'm eager to see what DSWare will bring.

[nickmitch]

I honestly have no idea what to think of this.  I'll probably buy it, as I skipped on a DSLite, but I really don't need the camera or the AAC playback.  On the other hand, bigger screens and "DS Ware" can't possibly be passed up.  I guess instead of a new generation of hand held, we get this gen 2.0.

[Stogi]

Why change what isn't broken?

[Jonnyboy117]

Stogi, sales in Japan have slowed considerably because so many people already have a DS (or three).  Adding new features will entice some of those customers to pass along their old systems (helping the Blue Ocean strategy) and pay big bucks for the latest and greatest model.

I don't think losing the GBA slot is a big deal, but what were they thinking with that awful camera resolution?  DS Ware sounds great and opens the door for possible compatibility with Virtual Console titles (at least the older systems).

[KDR_11k]

More like iDS, amirite?

AAC-only would be fail, everything I have is MP3 and OGG. Theonly feature I'm thinking about getting this over the Lite (I'm currently looking for an upgrade because my mother wants a DS) is the DS Ware thing but I wonder if that's really for games or only productivity apps.

I bet the 1000 points don't apply to European users who'll get 1000 stars instead (250 points)...

Jonny, the Blue Ocean phase 3 is "people who don't care about gaming at all".

[Kairon]

I really, REALLY hope they give out those free starter points in the US as well. It's one of the things I had wanted them to do with the Wii.

[Bayou]

More like iDS, amirite?

AAC-only would be fail, everything I have is MP3 and OGG. Theonly feature I'm thinking about getting this over the Lite (I'm currently looking for an upgrade because my mother wants a DS) is the DS Ware thing but I wonder if that's really for games or only productivity apps.

I bet the 1000 points don't apply to European users who'll get 1000 stars instead (250 points)...

Jonny, the Blue Ocean phase 3 is "people who don't care about gaming at all".

I dunno KDR when one port appears while another port is dropped, it is a good bet that the next ports existence is in danger on the next iteration of Nintendo's handheld system, you could coneiveably now put all of the DS's software online and give out Npoints to those who hand in their old cartridges (which will be recycled of course...) to re aquire them, good chance is the cartridge may have seen its last days.... until they design SD cards with registries on them!

(see my post on WII memory solution)

[Shecky]

The DSi is compatible with SD cards, one use of which may be to transfer images from the DSi to the Wii. The DSi can have additional applications on the handheld, including a web browser application.

Be nice if that could be done wirelessly, but that would require the Wii to have some functional firmware software.

DSi owners will also be able to download software from the Internet, much the same way Wii owners can. In fact, Nintendo is naming this new service DSi Shop. It will be using Nintendo Points, which up until this point have just been referred to as Wii Points. Downloadable DSi titles will come in several cost categories: free, 200, 500, or 800 Points. New users will find that each DSi purchased before March 2010 will come with 1000 free Nintendo Points.

I think apps like the web browser will be a) from Opera and b) 500 points.  That way Nintendo only has to subsidize the software for those who would actually want it.

Rumor had dual touch screens?  I'm guessing that feature is not present?

[ATimson]

Shame about the lose of the GBA slot (What about Guitar Hero on tour D:), but I'm eager to see what DSWare will bring.

Not just Guitar Hero, but also the loss of the Rumble Pak.

Hopefully we'll still be able to use DS Ware by transferring it via Wifi from a Wii, because from where I sit this is a downgrade from my DS Phat. (Here I was, hoping that they'd come to their senses and let us use all GB carts now that they killed the GBA...)

[AV]

 Serious .3 megapixel. My God Nintendo is cheap. Apple Quicktake Camera in 1994 had equal resolution, really now using 14 Year old tech.
Any idea if it has internal rumble?
Any idea if you can play Wii Virtual Console games on it ?
Any idea if the graphics card is improved over the current DS in this machine ?
It can play ALL current DS games right ?
How much internal hardware space does it have ?
Are both screens touch or not ?

[Nick DiMola]

This seriously better mean downloadable Gameboy/Color/Advance games through the DS store.

And even better, DSWare. Similar to WiiWare, same low entry point for small devs.

[Nile Boogie]

0.3 pixels is for inside camera. The outside is 3.0.  The big deal is being able to play VC games on the DS with no need to buy again. I believe this is the reason the wont have SD wii stuff right until spring!

[EasyCure]

blah i tried so hard to believe this wouldnt be real....

I'll probably try and hold out till there are more colors than black and white, since i already have a black DSL, but if the DSWare features are too good from the get go i might have to snag one up at launch...

Damn nintendo really knows how to rob my money.

[D_Average]

Adding a camera and mp3 player to boost sales in Japan seems rather odd to me.  Unless they're in the dark ages of technology I'm sure most of their cell phones already have this.

As for me, I'll take the ability to play GBA games over a redundant feature my cell phone already does better.

[Tanookisuit]

1- The camera is more than enough for TV resolution, let alone DS resolution. 

2- Why is there no built-in accelerometer?

[Nick DiMola]

2- Why is there no built-in accelerometer?

This is an EXCELLENT question. I was wondering the same thing.

[Pale]

0.3 pixels is for inside camera. The outside is 3.0. 

This is an improtant bit of info if true... do you have a source?

[ATimson]

Why is there no built-in accelerometer?

Because games couldn't use it without being incompatible with older DSes. Unless they released an accelerometer Option Pak, I suppose.

[Caliban]

The DSi will have a built-in camera on the top lid, facing away from the player. This camera will have a resolution of 300,000 pixels (640x480).  Additionally, the DSi will have a second camera located on the hinge pointed towards the player.

No thanks.

As rumors have speculated, the new DSi will also have AAC audio playback capabilities, and Iwata mentioned the hardware's specific ability to adjust the pitch and playback speed of audio at will. Iwata gave an example of how this could be useful by explaining that users might be studying a language via this function, or learning a song by ear.

No thanks.

The DSi is compatible with SD cards, one use of which may be to transfer images from the DSi to the Wii.

Another use is piracy. I wonder how Nintendo solved this problem.

DSi owners will also be able to download software from the Internet, much the same way Wii owners can.  In fact, Nintendo is naming this new service DSi Shop. It will be using Nintendo Points, which up until this point have just been referred to as Wii Points. Downloadable DSi titles will come in several cost categories: free, 200, 500, or 800 Points.  New users will find that each DSi purchased before March 2010 will come with 1000 free Nintendo Points.

The most interesting feature that was revealed, and hopefully these DSi titles are games from the Game Boy, and Game Boy Colour.


To me this redesigned system with added features just seems like Nintendo is conducting a test to what it should add to its true next portable system.

[D_Average]

I wonder how the folk at Red Octane are feeling about the lack of GBA support.....

[UltimatePartyBear]

To me this redesigned system with added features just seems like Nintendo is conducting a test to what it should add to its true next portable system.

I thought the same thing about the original DS, but anything's possible.

[Ian Sane]

What the f*ck is this DS Shop thing?  The rest of this is all non-gaming goobley gook I couldn't care less about.  But this sounds like something I'm going to be seriously missing out on if I own an old DS.  But this isn't a true upgrade so why should I have to buy a new system?  Either do a new system or only include bonus features that aren't important for gaming.  This half-way upgrade is a f*cking rip-off.  Plus it had this DS Shop but no GBA port so it's not 100% compatible with the old DS.  So either own both systems or be compromised.

And if they release Gameboy VC games ONLY on the DSi and I can't get those through the Wii VC then f*ck 'em.  They're giving the finger to everyone who bought a DS already.  They're punishing us for giving them our business.

Do you think years ago Nintendo would EVER get away with this sh!t?  Can you imagine some souped-up SNES or something with game related features that were incompatible with the old SNES?  Never would happen in a million years.  They would get eaten alive.  But now that Nintendo thinks they're indestructible they just keep pushing it.

This is like if Nintendo's answer to the Wii storage problem was a new Wii and new "large storage" downloadable content was only available on the new Wii and there was no way to upgrade your old one.  But otherwise the two systems were the same.

[AV]

1- The camera is more than enough for TV resolution, let alone DS resolution. 

2- Why is there no built-in accelerometer?

1. Ok thats a relief. Can you take video too or just pictures? Is it safe to assume the pictures you save on your ds you can put on your sd card and than put on your computer. Nintendo has a horrible habbit of crap in the sd card is very sensitive you need special .jpg and files are hidden away.

Does it have blu-tooth so I can use it as a makeshift webcam ?

2. Exactly this is the most logical step for a hand held. Use the tech that is in WiiMotion plus since its more sensitive to small movements which is ideal for DS. I much rather use the DSi to play something like Mercury which is more easy to grip and bigger to use with both hands than wiimote its more tactical I think.

I don't really play my DS Lite as of now so I have no problem trading it in ASAP before prices drop. I wonder if its coming to USA this year or next, DS Lite is still massive in USA compared to Japan.

The idea of the DSi isn't bad but Nintendo also has to realize the reason sales have dropped for DS isn't because people don't want the system anymore its just market penetration. It seems like EVERYONE IN JAPAN include mom, dad, and kids own a DS you can't sell new systems if EVERYONE ownes it.

It is also concerning that Nintendo seems to be becoming like Apple and re-release hardware revisions to often and enjoy to alienate its user base. If its just a dig camera, sd card suupport and online stuff WHY wasn't this just put into the DS Lite ?

I agree with Ian that the shop has potential.

I really hope developers make DS versions of WiiWare games and either let you download the ds version for free if you own the wiiware or at reduced price.

Something like "Defend Your castle" is a great game for DS because its simple and basic and is something you can do while waiting in line for a movie that isn't totally involving. Same thing with Dr. Mario Online Rx.

Lots of WiiWare games could easily translate to DS controls and grapahix (sad truth). I may NEVER use the camera or audio support but I will download new games. Especially if I can do it in Mcdonalds since stupid dorm refuses to let me go online.

I will sell my DS Lite today if they confirm Virtual Console play on DSi. Now n64 and Neo Geo I can see DS not having horsepower to emulate or be to taxing to make a program for. However NES, Sega Master system, SNES, TG16, Sega Genesis, TG16 CD all seem very easy for DS to emulate.

[jakeOSX]

I do not agree that there will be any 'alienation'

the core of the DS is still DS games. (sorry Guitar Hero) and in the end, the only part of that which changed was the screen size. bigger, which is good.

i doubt the camera will be used for games. i suspect there will be a video-chat (pico-chat update) or something like that.

the ds shop, if we are lucky, will start by letting us play NES games from the Wii shop. (cross your fingers!) possibly even SNES games. who knows, we may even get that 'day planner' part we've always wanted.

i agree with whoever said this was a test for future platforms. i'll be looking forward to getting one, even though my phat still works just fine.

probably a NO to MP3, since they ditched it for the Wii, i suspect whatever made that choice (MP3 is still a liscensed thing, no?) that the same is used here. You should all have ipods by now anyway. shame on you.

oh and why no built in accel? then you have added a real feature and have limited games from DS and DSi.