Nintendo DSi Handheld Console

Nintendo pioneered handheld entertainment in the '80s and famously made it fully mobile and accessible to millions around the world with the Game Boy and DS video game systems. Now, Nintendo is taking things to the next level by transforming the way people access, experience, create and share content with the new Nintendo DSi system, the third iteration of the world's best-selling portable video game system.

View larger.

The DSi external camera in action. View larger.

View larger.

The System
The Nintendo DSi is a high-powered handheld video game system in a sleek, folding design-loaded with features designed to create a unique gaming experience. Like the DS and DS Lite before it, the DSi features Nintendo's trademark stylus-driven touchscreen technology, but determined to make portable gaming simultaneously larger and smaller in all the right places, Nintendo has also created the DSi with significantly larger screens and an even slimmer body design than its earlier cousins. Other features include the ability to snap photos with built-in cameras, edit and send them to friends, play back your music with Nintendo DSi Sound, or browse the Internet with the Nintendo DSi Browser. From playing games to just playing around, the Nintendo DSi does it all.

Features:

The DSi's Two Digital Cameras
The most noticeable feature of the slim Nintendo DSi system are its two cameras - one camera is situated on the external body pointing away from the user, and the second one points at the user when the device is flipped open. As the first truly interactive digital camera in a video game system, the DSi Cameras feature 10 different interactive "lenses" that can manipulate your photos, offering an easy way to take and share your photos with family and friends. The cameras also present people with unprecedented ways to interact with their games, and in the process provide developers with a new tool to devise creative games and experiences. If the touch screen gave Nintendo DS a sense of feel and the microphone allowed it to hear, the two cameras give Nintendo DSi the sense of sight.

DSi Sound
Another enhanced feature is the Nintendo DSi Sound application, which serves as both an interactive voice recorder and music player that allows users to play with their music while they listen to it. Users can access different audio filters or control the pitch and speed of recorded voice or music files to alter voices or change the tempo of a song. The mic is located between the two screens when the device is flipped open, and there is also a stereo headphone output that lets users listen to music saved on an SD card, even with the screen shut.

The DSiWare
In the world of software, Nintendo DSi will be the platform for the most relevant and fun on-the-go games and applications. The Nintendo DSiWare application will populate Nintendo DSi with software that can be downloaded using Nintendo DSi Points directly to the portable system, just as WiiWare has with Nintendo's Wii console. Developers big and small are invited to create software that makes use of the properties and functions of the hardware. Nintendo DSiWare games and applications will be available at a range of values, starting at 200 points.

Games and Backwards Compatibility
In addition to downloadable games, Nintendo DSi is able to play games made specifically for the system and sold at retail. The system can also play most Nintendo DS games, and will have access to a library of more than 850 titles originally made for that system. As an example of the quality of games that DSi players can expect to see both from both Nintendo and third-party game developers, at the launch of the DSi Nintendo is also releasing Rhythm Heaven. A wildly popular rhythm game in Japan, where it has sold nearly 2 million copies since its release in mid 2008, Rhythm Heaven features catchy tunes, charming characters, and a wide variety of rhythm games as it makes maximum use of the DSi's functionality.

What's in the Box
Each DSi comes complete with: one Nintendo DSi System, one Nintendo DSi stylus, one Nintendo DSi AC power adapter, an easy start guide, manuals (basic and controls) and a support booklet.

Nintendo DSi and DS Technical Specs Compared:

	DSi:	DS:
Display:	3.25 inches	3 inches
Overall size:	Width 137mm, Length 74.9mm, Thickness 18.9mm	Width 133mm, Length 73.9mm, Thickness 21.5mm
Power Supply:	AC adapter for Nintendo DSi	AC adapter for DS Lite
Weight:	Approx. 214g (with touch pen)	Approx. 218g (with touch pen, Game Boy Advance cover)
Charging time:	Approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes	Approx. 3 hours
Battery life:	The lowest brightness (9-14 hrs), low brightness (8-12 hours), medium brightness (6-9 hours), high brightness (4-6 hours), highest brightness(3-4 hours)	The lowest brightness (15-19 hrs), low brightness (10-15 hours), high brightness (7-11 hours), highest brightness(5-8 hours)
Software:	Software for Nintendo DS, Software for Nintendo DSi.	Software for Nintendo DS, Software for Game Boy Advance
Input-output:	DS card slot, SD memory card slot, AC adapter connection, stereo headphone/mic jack	DS card slot, Game Boy Advance cartridge slot, AC adapter connection, stereo headphone/mic jack

The Nintendo DSi is the thinnest and lightest member of the Nintendo DS handheld console family. 12% thinner than the Nintendo DS Lite, the Nintendo DSi has a bigger, brighter, 3.25” screen and is packed with new features. With two 0.3 megapixel cameras built into the console that are able to accurately detect facial features and players’ movements, moving in front of the camera can allow new games to be played by movement alone, bringing a whole new way of interacting with the handheld. With cameras facing inside and outside mounted on the console’s flip-up lid, snap away however you choose with Nintendo DSi Camera software--11 special camera effects to shoot your picture, your way. Edit your new pictures during, even or after they’re taken with the Stylus to twist your image, add accessories and features or frames. One you’re done, save it all into a personal photo album that you can carry in your pocket, or share with friends and family wirelessly or through saving onto an SD card in the DSi’s new memory card slot. With enhanced speakers and sound quality, play your music on the Nintendo DSi (in AAC format), or become a music producer and use Nintendo DSi Sound to experiment and produce sound and music – changing the pitch, speed and even apply effects. Record your own voices and add sound effects to create new fun with sound by changing the speed or adding sound effects to songs creating your own unique mixes. You can customise your Nintendo DSi by downloading games and applications from the DSi Shop. A variety of fun software will be available for download over time including an animated cartoon maker, mini-movies maker and WarioWare--using the motion-detecting camera for a completely interactive experience. Download the Nintendo DSi Browser for free from launch, and you can get quick and easy internet access from their Nintendo DSi wherever a compatible wireless connection is available.

The Nintendo DSi is the third model of the Nintendo DS platform, following Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite, and Nintendo has developed Nintendo DSi with the aim to further expand the Nintendo DS audience.Some typical functions include the ability to change the pitch and the speed separately by using the touch screen. The ability to freely manipulate the audio pitch and the speed can expand how the audio player can be used in more practical ways as well. You can fast-forward a podcast to economize the time. When you use the repeat-run function with the stylus, it becomes easier to copy the music, to play a musical instrument or to practice foreign languages.Also, since Nintendo DSi has a microphone, Nintendo is incorporating the DSi sound function to make use of it. Nintendo DSi has internal memory, just like Wii. After storing the data there, you can choose to activate this data from the menu screen.

The Nintendo DSi is a high-powered handheld video game system in a sleek, folding design?loaded with features like touch screen control for a unique gaming experience. Snap photos with the built-in camera, edit and send them to friends, play back your music with Nintendo DSi Sound, or browse the Internet with the Nintendo DSi Browser. From playing games to just playing around, the Nintendo DSi does it all.