It’s official, Nintendo has announced their plans on releasing a new DS. As expected, the DS — now called the ‘DSi’, isn’t any different in terms of a handheld ‘gaming device’. The focus of the updated unit is to attract people who are interested in a multiunit media player, as opposed to a standalone gaming platform. In a sense, the new DSi is closer to the PSP than the original DS. At this point, Nintendo has labeled the ‘DSi‘ as a “third pillar,” meaning as of now, the DS Light is not going to be phased out.

Some of the features of the DSi include:

-12% thinner than the DS Light, main reason for it being smaller is because there isn’t a GBA slot.

-The screen size is now 3.25 inches, compared to the DS Light’s 3 inches.

- Two cameras, one of which is a 3.0 megapixel camera

-”Better Speakers.”

-An SD slot will be available in the unit and can be used for storage of pictures, play music and downloaded software. The unit will also have its won flash memory.

-A web browser will be included, as well as a DSi Shop Channel similar to the Wii Shop Channel. Applications made available will cost either 200, 500 or 800 Wii points. A select few will be free.

-Photos can synced with the Wii via the Photo Channel.

The ‘DSi‘ is going to be sold here in the states sometime in 2009, while Japan will be getting it in stores on November 1, 2008, for about 18,900 yen ($180). Obviously Nintendo is trying to go after the crowed who isn’t interested in buying just a video game handheld. At this point, the DS is probably only going to have a few years left, and Nintendo is trying to get as much life out of the device as they possibly can. The group they’re going after isn’t just the PSP crowd, but also the people who buy iPods. Although converting them over to a ‘DSi‘ is going to be near impossible.

The most exciting thing about the DSi isn’t the camera or the bigger screen, but the ability to download games through DS Shop Channel. DS games are so small, there really isn’t any reason not to put most-if not all of the library of games they have for the system. And if we’re lucky, we should even see NES, SNES, GB, and GBA games.

After the jump check out more pictures of the ‘DSi.’