Nintendo DSi has larger displays, 3MP camera

Nintendo announced its new DSi handheld console in Japan. The display received an upgrade rom 3" to 3.25", there's a VGA camera in the front along with an external 3 megapixel camera and the DSi, it has WiFi, better speakers, internal storage memory and a SD memory card slot for photos, audio and downloadable content.

The new DSi is 12% slimmer than the DS lite but it lacks the GBA cartridge slot. Users will be able to connect to a "DSi shop" where they can use Nintendo points to buy DSiWare games. DSi owners will be able to download a browser so they can surf the web and the gaming device will also be able to record sound.

The features look pretty good but according to Voodoo Extreme, the new DSi handheld will have a much shorter battery life:

According to official specifications released by Nintendo, the DS Lite could do 15-19 hours of play at a minimum level of LCD brightness, and 5-8 at full whack. The DSi, meanwhile, can only manage a paltry 9-14 hours of play at minimum, or 3-4 at maximum. So much for progress.

The Nintendo DSi will debut in Japan on November 1st, the rest of the world will need to wait until 2009. The DSi will be available in white and black.