Nintendo is no stranger to updating its hardware in order to drum up new enthusiasm and sales, even if it simply means adding a new color and pack-in game and calling the bundle a limited edition. Updates of note—those that add functionality or change the design of a system—are much more rare. If a report in Japan’s business daily Nikkei is correct, we’re going to see one such update of the Nintendo DS before the end of the year, with some significant new features.
While there are no images of the updated system, the details are pretty significant: the system will now come with a camera, the ability to play music, feature a larger screen, and include an improved antenna for wireless communications. It’s also reported that the system will be able to share data with the Nintendo Wii via SD cards, leading us to believe the system may have an SD slot built-in. Given Nintendo’s feelings on piracy, however, that seems somewhat unlikely.
There are no pictures of this new device, and while the source is a solid one, this should still be treated as rumor or speculation until we have some more solid information. Nintendo won’t make that easy, as the company won’t confirm or deny the report. “We are always developing new products,” the company commented. “However, since nothing has been announced officially, we are unable to comment at this time.”
Now, that’s a non-denial denial worthy of Richard Nixon.
Perhaps an accelerometer? It’s already in the wiimote/nuchuck + the iphone/ipod touch.
Video support, e.g., divx and xvid, would be awesome. But I won’t hold my breath.
It looks cool. PSP, DS, and iPhone all pushing each other means more fun for me.
I decent web browser that could play YouTube videos would be great.
5. “You can already load videos and mp3’s on a DS”
Thanks, I’ll get right on that. It sounds like a lot of fun to spend a lot of time trying to get a homebrew software to work. Wow, maybe after I could try and remove my gall bladder for the fun of it.
Seriously, I was thinking more about a solution that involved me putting videos on it and them playing without any work from me. You know, like maybe native Xvid and Dvix support?
But maybe I’m just getting old. Since I turned 40, I still enjoy technology, however, I no longer enjoy the process of getting it to work.
@pedro
#4 I don’t know if it can play youtube videos, but there’s a version of Opera for the DS.
He said a DECENT browser. The DS version is particularly horrible.