Nintendo unveils DSi handheld, still coy about NA release

As many of you may have heard, Nintendo has just announced the DSi, a new model for the DS, at the Japanese console maker’s Media Summit. It’s crammed with new features that could give the DS Lite and Sony PSP a run for its money.

Just what are the new features? DS Fanboy has provided a comprehensive list:

• 

  The new Nintendo handheld comes in two colors

  Overall size has been reduced — DSi is 12% or 2.6 millimeters slimmer than the Lite.

• Comes with an external 0.3 Megapixel camera (for 640 x 480 pixel pictures) and a VGA camera located on the hinge, directed towards the user. You’ll be able to edit pictures using the touchscreen.
• Full music playback functionality, including adjustable pitch and playback speed.
• Both screens have been expanded to 3.25 inches.
• SD memory card slot is included, and there’ll be on-board memory also.
• Will ship with a built-in Nintendo DS web browser.
• DSi will allow users to download games from DSWare, a new service that operates with Wii Points — or, as they are now known, Nintendo Points.
• Logging onto DSWare for the first time will grant users 1,000 free Nintendo Points.
• DSWare comes in four pricing categories: free (!), 200 Nintendo Points, 500 Nintendo Points, and 800 Nintendo Points.
• Will come in lovely matte white and matte black.

The DSi would be released in Japan on November 1st, and would cost ¥18,900, or about $179. According to Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime, the rest of the world would get the DSi “well into 2009.” Nintendo of Europe was a bit more definite, announcing that the upcoming handheld is slated to launch in Europe in the spring of 2009.

If one is familiar with industry practices, then it’s reasonable to assume that North America would get the DSi at an earlier date. However, details are yet to be provided. Stay tuned for updates.

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