The Nintendo DS is the newest step for Nintendo in the handheld gaming market. Released in 2004 and succeeding the Game Boy Advance, the Nintendo DS introduces two entirely new aspects for a Nintendo handheld--the touch screen and dual screen display.

The Nintendo DS takes advantage of a dual screen display. The two 3-inch screens are positioned next to each other vertically. The bottom screen has touch input that can directly affect gameplay. The system functions with a stylus that comes packaged with the hardware. The DS can read only one point of input at one time, meaning the screen will only recognize one stylus at a time.
These aren't the only things new to the handheld, though. Each system has a microphone built straight into it, between the two screens. Some games take advantage of this technology, requiring players to yell, blow, or talk into the microphone. In addition, Wi-Fi capabilities are built straight into the system as well through an IEEE 802.11b device. Most online capable games for the DS are integrated into Nintendo's own Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. This service, introduced in 2005 with Mario Kart DS, is completely free and is focused on providing the user with a simple interface for online gameplay. As of today, there are over 90 games released that are online compatible and that number is expected to grow to a total of 130 games in the near future.

As of 08/08, 77.54 million units were sold. This makes 1.16% of the world population DS owners.

Nintendo DSi

On October 2, 2008 Nintendo announced that it would be releasing its latest version of the Nintendo DS, the Nintendo DSi. The DSi is 12% thinner then the DSlite due to the lose of the GBA slot at the bottom of the system. The screens on the system will be slightly larger then those on previous versions at 3.25 inches. The DSi will come with an external 3 MP (megapixel) camera and a front facing camera built into the hinge of the system. The DSi will also come with a SD card slot on the side and will also have built in storage (although how much is not currently known).

Nintendo will also be launching a DSi Shop that will be accessible from the system via WiFi or for free at "Nintendo Zone" hotspots, which will be located in Japanese McDonalds. Currently the only content known to be available at launch will be a free Web Browsers app, a free notebook app and "DSiWare". The store will use the renamed Nintendo Points, 1000 of which will come free with the DSi until March 2010 and content will be priced in 0, 200, 500, 800 points.

Wii Points will be renamed Nintendo Points. Nintendo Points cards can only be used for one platform at a time, and Points from a single card cannot be shared between the two platforms.
 
Currently the DSi is only scheduled to launch in Japan on November 1st, 2008 for  ¥18,900 ($178). Europe and the US will have to wait until sometime next year.

New Interface

Nintendo has also updated the DS interface menu to accommodate new software. Initially you will be able to access the following programs from the main menu: DSi Camera, DSi Sound, DSi Shop, PictoChat, and download play. The menu also includes icons for starting a game from a DS cartridge and accessing system settings.

The Nintendo DSi comes with a free Web Browser made by Opera which uses built in ram & will use it more efficiently then the DS add-on web browser which came with ram that went into the GBA port.

The DSi's menu is based off  the Wii Channel interface. You will be able to add new programs that will be listed on the screen. Its unknown at this time how many programs can be seen on the screen at one time, but there is an all view option.

DSi Camera

The DSi has two cameras, an internal one which is a 0.3 megapixel camera & an external camera which is a 3.0 megapixel camera.
Selecting DSi Camera from the menu will transform your system into a digital camera. Photos that you take can be to a SD card and then taken to a PC or cellphone. You can also share photos, wirelessly between two DSis.

The camera will also include some game elements. Among the features are a facial blending tool, a method for changing facial expressions, and a means of measuring similarity between two faces. The camera itself can be set to take photos in a various modes, including normal mode, "trick" mode, and frame mode.

DSi Sound

Selecting DSi Sound from the menu will take you to a mini music player, complete with a variety of visualizers and audio tools. The system will be able to  remove vocals, allowing you to possible sing along with your favorite song. There also appears to a "music creator" included. You will be able to tap buttons with  rhythm in order to overlay sounds. You can also record 10 second audio samples through the system's microphone for use in your music sessions.

Unfortunately, those looking for MP3 support are out of luck, DSi Sound will only support AAC format.

System Specs

Screen Size

3.25 inch

Screen

TFT LCD with 260,000 colors
Resolution: 256 x 192

System Size

137 x 74.9 x 18.9mm

Touch Pen

92mm length

Power Source

DSi AC adapter and special battery pack

Weight

214g (battery pack and touch pen included)

Charge Time

2 hours 30 minutes

Battery Life (listed by screen brightness, lowest to highest)

9-14 hours, 8-12, 6-9, 4-6, 3-4

Compatible Software

DS software, DSi software

Cameras

Internal camera: 0.3 megapixel
External camera: 3.0 megapixel

Input Method

DS card slot, SD memory card slot, AC adapter connector, stereo head phone/mic connector

Pokemon DAISUKI Club edition:  July 13, 2006 

- Crystal White DS Lite Pikachu artwork on the front cover.

Pokemon Dialga and Palkia edition:  Japan: September 28, 2006 North American: TBA

- Jet Black with a glitter design of two legendary Pokemon on the front.  Dialga and Palkia.

Jump Ultimate Stars bundle:  

- Has the words "JUMP ULTIMATE STARS" printed on its case.

Love and Berry bundle:  

- Metalic pink and comes with a card reader.

Winning Eleven bundle:  

- Jet Black DS Lite that comes with the soccer game Winning Eleven. 

Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings Sky Pirates edition:  April 26, 2007 

Pirate of the Caribbean edition:  May 19, 2007 

- Has the movies log on the front with a pictures of Jack Sparrow  and the words "Where the adventure comes to life."

Seattle Mariners edition:  

- Has the Seattle Mariners logo on the front and is available for purchase from Safeco Field.

Pokemon Center Pikachu edition:  November 17, 2007 

- A Yellow DS Lite with a picture of Pikachu on the front.

RX-93 v Gundam edition:  August 9, 2007 

- A White DS Lite with a logo from the animated film on the front.

Wonderful World edition:  July 27, 2007 

- A glossy silver DS Lite with a black It's a Wonder World logo on the front left of the DS and the game title on the right.

Kirby: Squeak Squad edition:  April 16, 2007

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles:  Ring of Fates Gemini edition:  August 23, 2007 

- Crystal White DS Lite with Ring of Fates line art on the front right and the title of the game on the left.

Nintendo Connection Tour '07 edition: July 2007 

- Black DS Lite with "Nintendo DS Connection Tour '07 Champion." on the front.  Only 15 exist in the world.

Wario:  Master of Disguise edition:  September 10, 2007 

- 40 of them are in existence.

Super Mario 64 DS IQue DS edition: 

- Another limited edition release of DS Lite from IQue.

The Legend of Zelda:  Phantom Hourglass edition:  November 20, 2007 

- A gold DS Lite with a Triforce image in the bottom right of the Cover, bundled with The Legend of Zelda: Phantom hourglass.

Nintendogs edition: November 20, 2007 

- Metallic rose DS Lite bundled with Nintendogs. A pink paw is displayed on the front of the device.

Warhammer 40,000 Squad Command edition: 

- Displays a design that looks like the power armor, worn by the Ultramarines in the game, on the front cover.

Crimson/Black Dragon IQue DS edition: 

- Has images of dragons on the cover.

Bape Milo edition:  April 1, 2008 

- Released by fashion designer Nigo from Japan.

Honeyee x Fragment Design:  March 19, 2008 

- Displays an design from Hiroshi Fujiwara.

Guitar Hero  On Tour edition:  June 22, 2008 

- A Silver/Black DS Lite with the Guitar Hero logo on the front cover.

Lock's Quest Contest:
- A Black DS Lite with illuminated buttons and flame emblem