More details announced, Smaller, GBA-less handheld.

US, October 1, 2008 - Nintendo has just announced a new model of the Nintendo DS. Called the Nintendo DS-i, the unit is a smaller handheld that features larger screens, an SD card slot for digital downloads and MP3 playback, and a .3 megapixel camera (640x480 resolution). It is roughly 12% thinner than the current DS Lite model.

Using the touch screen, users will be able to adjust pitch and playback speed of MP3s as well as edit photos taken with the camera.

Newly added video (in Japanese) highlighting the features of the new DSi.

The Nintendo DS-i handheld will have browser software built-in and have access to a DSWare store where gamers can spend Nintendo Points on software. Nintendo will give gamers 1000 points for free if they visit the store by March 2010 -- games will feature four price structures: Free, 200 Points, 500 Points and Premium (800 Points).

Smaller, built-in camera, and no GBA slot.

The Nintendo DS-i will not feature compatibility with Game Boy Advance games due to the lack of a GBA cartridge slot. Though it hasn't been revealed by Nintendo, it's likely that peripherals such as the Guitar Grip for Guitar Hero will not work with the DS-i handheld.

The system will be released November 1st in Japan for 18,900 yen (approximately $180 US) in white and Matte black colors. As of right now, the system is a Japan exclusive.

Nintendo to launch camera and music-capable DS

TOKYO - Sun Sep 28, 2008 5:27am BST - Japanese video game maker Nintendo Co Ltd plans to launch a new model of its DS handheld machine that can take pictures and play music by the end of the year, the Nikkei business daily said on Sunday.

The move would pit the top-selling portable game gear with Apple Inc iPod and camera-embedded cellphones in general.

The price for the new machine, which will also be equipped with advanced wireless communications functions, is expected to be below 20,000 yen in Japan, compared with 16,800 yen for the current model, the Nikkei said.

The Wii game console and DS have been Nintendo's twin growth engines, helping its share price to grow more than three-fold over the past three years.

The DS far outsells Sony Corp's rival machine, PlayStation Portable (PSP), globally.

But in Japan, the PSP's unit sales exceeded the DS's in five consecutive months through July, according to game magazine publisher Enterbrain, in a potential sign of slowing momentum for the current DS model.

Nintendo officials were not immediately available for comment so check back here for more..

($1=105.97 Yen)