Almost 4 years since the release of the Nintendo DS, the Japanese company has announced at the Nintendo conference that a new product is on it’s way.

Known as the DSi, it looks like slimmer, more updated version of the immensely popular DS.  Here are some key features:

• SD card slot and 512mb internal memory.
• 3-megapixel camera on the outside, and a VGA camera on the inside.
• Web browser built-in.
• Larger, 3.25-inch screen (up from 3 inches).
• Slimmer, 0.74 inches (down from 0.84 inches).
• Better speakers.
• Able to store and load games, content and pictures on the SD card.
• Game Boy Advanced slot removed.

Also, there would also be a new online store to purchase content, called the DSi Shop which would be introduced in conjunction with this.  

The new handheld looks a little like:

Nintendo DSi Closed

Nintendo DSi Open

It will be available in matte black or matte white, and should be on sale in Japan on 1st November 2008, with the rest of the world following in 2009.  And it should cost 18,900 yen, which is about SGD$258.  

Not a bad price really.  Now this really gets me contemplating whether I should get one of these to play Mario.