Nintendo DS to take pictures and play music. Just like other gadgets
Japanese video game maker Nintendo Co Ltd plans to launch a new model of its DS handheld machine that can take pictures and play music by the end of the year, the Nikkei business daily said on Sunday.
The move would pit the top-selling portable game gear with Apple Inc iPod and camera-embedded cellphones in general.
The price for the new machine, which will also be equipped with advanced wireless communications functions, is expected to be below 20,000 yen [£105] in Japan, compared with 16,800 yen for the current model, the Nikkei said.
I excitedly called my chums at Nintendo who said that they "do not comment on rumour and speculation," (apart from to say that they do not comment on rumour and speculation).
Still, these features would make sense on the DS. The DS has been successfully marketed as a fun handheld gaming device for the everyday commuter, intended to have mass appeal. The ability to take pictures and play MP3s might not appeal to the hard-core gamer, but then the DS has never really tried to. All in all, I'm pretty happy with anything that can play Mario Kart.
I agree! Just about everything that fits into your pockets does more than 1 thing now, so it's only natural for the DS to have these extra bells and whistles. The PSP can do other bits, so why not the DS?
Posted by: Mun Yin | Sep 30, 2008 1:56:09 PM
I have been a hardcore DS user for a long time.
But I don't think I will shell out any more money to get the DS with a few bells and whistles that are on my phone anyway.
Unless you can incorporate it into my DS, I will pass.
Posted by: David McKibben | Sep 30, 2008 8:50:45 PM
With the right software the current DS will play video and MP3s, plus you can use it as an e-reader
Posted by: Martin | Oct 2, 2008 12:31:58 PM
Wouldn't it be wonderful if portable versions of educational software like Rosetta Stone were available?
I could learn French whilst on my commute!
Posted by: Richard Boyce | Oct 2, 2008 1:09:42 PM