New Nintendo DS model this year

[patsu]

2 cameras: one facing inside and one outside ? Is that how the (instant ?) face comparison work ?

I wonder what kind of games Shigeru will make.

 

[V3]

Hmm it seems to have shorter battery life and doesn't have MP3 playback.

 

[one]

This is Nintendo, 0.3 Megapixels camera is more likely.

Indeed, fixed it!

Hmm it seems to have shorter battery life and doesn't have MP3 playback.

Yeah but charging time is 30 minutes shorter (2h30m). It's also 4g lighter.

It's 2000 yen more expensive than the DSL, but I guess Japanese sales charts will show consumers in Japan quickly forget the old model and run to buy DSi. Also the addition of 2 cameras makes it very cellphone-like.

The updated article also mentions a download store called "DSi Shop" at which users can download software that are not available for older DS models.

 

[obonicus]

What about the games that have been using the GBA slot as a peripheral slot? Like Guitar Hero, or the Arkanoid paddles released. (It does make R4-alikes impossible, of course.)

 

[tongue_of_colicab]

They are out of luck.

 

[obonicus]

They are out of luck.

That'll teach Activision.

 

[RudeCurve]

Questions:

1. Can it play videos? Which formats?
2. Does it have visualizations during music playback like PSP?
3. Does it have some kind of EQ for music playback like PSP?

 

[assen]

That'll teach Activision.

Of course, how dare they sell a third-party game on a Nintendo platform so well?

Questions:

1. Can it play videos? Which formats?
2. Does it have visualizations during music playback like PSP?
3. Does it have some kind of EQ for music playback like PSP?

Are you trying to come up with the most irrelevant questions for a portable GAMING console?
The PSP/iPod comparisons are strained, and don't come from Nintendo themselves.

 

[RudeCurve]

Are you trying to come up with the most irrelevant questions for a portable GAMING console?
The PSP/iPod comparisons are strained, and don't come from Nintendo themselves.

Those are honest questions I need answered before I buy one when it comes to the US.

 

[Skrying]

I don't see the point of visualization on a portable music playing device. That's simply a waste of battery. Do you seriously listen to music and stare at crappy graphics swirl around? I would hope not. So while it might be, I hope it's not to say the least.

As for EQ and video... the DS itself can play video. If Nintendo is implementing it I have no honest clue. And EQ, again not sure. A software EQ is a possible option, but again no clue if Nintendo would implement it.

Personally I'm more interested in seeing if these changes would put more life into DS homebrew, especially when it comes to the net and with the addition of a SD slot a lot is possible that wasn't before.

Nintendo needs to realize that for the market they're targeting with these hardware changes they'll need to go a bit open. Something they've NEVER supported. The SD card slot MUST support SDHC. It MUST be able to use a non-special card at that. The wireless MUST bring support for WPA. They MUST offer more than AAC audio support (MP3, please! Me and millions of others don't want to have to convert our collections). Video would go a long way as well. If they do this, and honestly much easier to do this than close the device up, then they'd have me automatically and I already own a DS Lite.

 

[RudeCurve]

I don't see the point of visualization on a portable music playing device. That's simply a waste of battery. Do you seriously listen to music and stare at crappy graphics swirl around? I would hope not. So while it might be, I hope it's not to say the least..

How can it be a waste of battery if it's plugged into an outlet?

 

[Skrying]

How can it be a waste of battery if it's plugged into an outlet?

Might I suggest the use of a better device such as a computer or audio equipment for outlet based usage. I do believe Nintendo intends this device to be for mobile usage and has designed it as such. Even then, why would stare at a visualization? You must forgive me though, I've never understood the desire to stare at a visualization. Instead, might I suggest some activity or during deep listening the closing of eyes.

 

[patsu]

Actually, I play music and slideshow on the PSP very often (almost daily). I treat it like a musical photo frame... when I'm not playing game on it.

EDIT: As for DSi, I am still intrigued by the dual camera setup. Will they make a "Boy A + Girl B = Baby (A+B)" photo game ? (or something like that...). I think I saw it in an arcade somewhere.

 

[RudeCurve]

Might I suggest the use of a better device such as a computer or audio equipment for outlet based usage. I do believe Nintendo intends this device to be for mobile usage and has designed it as such. Even then, why would stare at a visualization? You must forgive me though, I've never understood the desire to stare at a visualization. Instead, might I suggest some activity or during deep listening the closing of eyes.

Visualizations are like screensavers on a computer. I like the light show and I'm sure others do too. It's not as out there as you make it out to be. If I had a PSP docking station I would turn the visualization on while listening to music. I would feed the audio out to my stereo. It's just one of those things that has a calming effect when you turn down the room lights, knida like lava lamps or a nice fishtank. I don't have a PSP but I would like to achieve these things with a DSi when I get one.

Anyway as far as the DSi is concerned, I would love for someone to make a video conferencing program for it. It would guaranteed to be a hit.

 

[one]

DSi teadown report by Impress PC Watch
http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2008/1101/nintendo.htm