Nintendo announces DS-i

[Flawless]

DSi Specs

Quote:

Of particular note at the site is a spec list. Here's how the new system compares to the current DS Lite. Screen Size DSi: 3.25 inch DS Lite: 3.0 inch Screen Both TFT LCD with 260,000 colors System Size DSi: 137 x 74.9 x 18.9mm DS Lite: 133 x 73.9 x 21.5mm Touch pen DSi: 92mm length DS Lite: 87.5mm length Power source DSi: DSi AC adapter and special battery pack DS Lite: DS Lite AC adapter and special battery pack Weight DSi: 214g (battery pack and touch pen included) DS Lite: 218g (battery pack, touch pen, GBA connector cover included) Charge time DSi: 2 hours 30 minutes DS Lite: 3 hours Battery life ** listed by screen brightness, lowest to highest DSi: 9-14 hours, 8-12, 6-9, 4-6, 3-4 DS Lite: 15-19 hours, 10-15, 7-11, 5-8 Compatible software DSi: DS software, DSi software DS Lite: Game Boy Advance software, DS software Input method DSi: DS card slot, SD memory card slot, AC adapter connector, stereo head phone/mic connector DSLite: DS card slot, GBA card slot, AC adapter connector, stereo head phone/mic connector The spec page also confirms something that we speculated in our original article -- the DSi will not be able to accept peripherals that attach to the Game Boy Advance slot. In addition to housing a bunch of pics of the new hardware, the special site Nintendo set up offers a few extra details that were missing from our original report. As reported earlier, the DSi will ship to Japan in white and black varieties on November 1. It will carry a 18,900 yen price point, making it 900 yen less than the PSP (both the current model and the 3000 series revision) and 2,100 yen above the current DS Lite. The 18,900 yen will get you the DSi system, an AC adapter, two touch pens (extra length, as you can see in the spec sheet), a "simple start guide" of some form, an instruction manual, and a support book. That's right, three booklets! In addition to the physical changes, Nintendo has updated the system's interface menu to reflect some newly included software. You'll initially be able to access the following programs from the main menu: DSi Camera, DSi Sound, DSi Shop, Picto Chat, and download play. The menu also has icons for starting up a game off cartridge and accessing system settings. The DSi's menu is akin to the Wii Channel interface in that new programs can be downloaded and added to the interface. It's unclear how many programs can be downloaded, but the interface does provide an "all view" button allowing you to view all included software at a glance. Select DSi Camera from the menu, and you'll quickly transform your system into a digital camera. Pics that you've taken can be transferred via SD card to your PC and cell phone. You can also send snaps between two DSi systems wirelessly. In typical Nintendo fashion, the camera will include some game elements. Among the fun features are a facial blending tool, a method for changing facial expressions, and a means of measuring similarity between two faces. The camera itself can be set to take pics in a variety of modes, including normal mode, "trick" mode, and frame mode. Select the DSi Sound option from the menu, and you'll have yourself a mini music player, complete with a variety of visualizers and audio tools. The system can remove vocals, allowing you to sing along for yourself. Nintendo also appears to have included a built in Band Bros. of sorts, as you can tap buttons along with the rhythm in order to overlay sounds. You can also record 10 second audio samples through the system's microphone for use in your music sessions. Unfortunately, those looking for MP3 support are out of luck. The DSi Sound program will only support AAC format. Finally, there's the DSi Shop, a program that serves as the DS version of the Wii Shopping Channel. You'll be able to download free and paid programs from this under the "Nintendo DSiWare" label. Two free programs have been mentioned by Nintendo, an internet browser and a digital notebook that lets you create moving comics.

Nintendo DSi 'Debut'

[Candyman5]

Wow a DS and a Digital Camera Mix. Plus Internet Browsing. I like what I am hearing. Just wondering how good the Camera will even be though. I mean it probably wont be a high shutter speed or anything.

[mgoblue]

Meh...I don't need a camera with the DS, so this is useless for me...

[ExtremeGamer]

Sad day they ditched the GBA slot.

No need for a camera, my cell phone has one, never use it either. Wifi? No thanks, I have it on my PSP, my iPod Touch, etc. My DS works fine.

I bet Activision is pissed right now, those Guitar Hero sales are about to die.

[Candyman5]

Quote: Originally Posted by ExtremeGamer

Sad day they ditched the GBA slot. No need for a camera, my cell phone has one, never use it either. Wifi? No thanks, I have it on my PSP, my iPod Touch, etc. My DS works fine. I bet Activision is pissed right now, those Guitar Hero sales are about to die.

Wow holy...I totally missed that part. Thats pretty dumb imo.

[mgoblue]

Quote: Originally Posted by Candyman5

Wow holy...I totally missed that part. Thats pretty dumb imo.

I don't know...pretty much everyone has a DS all ready, and this version is aimed at people looking to upgrade for the new features. I think GBA support is just slowly being phased out because that gets to be an older and older technology.

I'm not sure it's a good move, but I don't think they're phasing out the regular DS, so it shouldn't be that big an issue.

[DJ]

Meh...nothing here that really entices me to upgrade when it's released here. Losing the GBA slot is a big deal, and like someone said, Activision can't bee too happy about that as their Guitar Hero game for DS (which sold quite well) won't be compatible on the new version.

[bkfount]

sigh...more lame use of the letter 'i'...

also, I figured most phones come standard with a camera now, why the hell go out and buy a new DS just for this? It really just seems like a marginal improvement to try to combat the R4 card's ability to allow video and mp3 play on the DS.