Nintendo's DSi: A Closer Look

As we all know it, the Nintendo's new DSi hits the markets on April 5th. There are many risks and investments to be made. So before we continue on lets take a look at the new features of the Nintendo DSi.

New Features:
•17% bigger screen
•4 times the RAM
•Double the processor speed
•2 separate .3 mega-pixel cameras, one with VGA resolution
•12% thinner than DS Lite
•Online shop similar to WiiWare
•256 internal memory and SD card slot
•PictoChat, music player, photo editor, voice recorder

The DSi is obviously categorized as your portable accessory. With a bigger screen and slimmer design, this new product can be irresistible. With newer hardware and online features, this amazing hand-held console runs $40 higher than the original DSLite. Software compatibility will be exceptional for DS Homebrews and applications. Though, there are many crippling factors that you may want to consider before buying.

Dropped Features
•No slot for Gameboy Advance games or peripherals/accessories like Guitar Hero keypad
•Battery life shorter than DS Lite
•Only plays AAC music files (No MP3 Support)

Now lets talk about these. No MP3 audio support isn't part of the battle on this product. Though it seems already incompatible, there are other ways. Possible AAC conversions and transfer can be made through legal processes. The real killer here is the loss of a GBA Slot. Nintendo may loose some investment will the outdated GBA peripherals. Possibly focusing more on other extensions there are yet to be announced after the release.

According to long running GBA and DS homebrew site GBATemp, The DSi, Nintendo's update to the DS Lite, blocks almost all current flash carts from running code on the system. That includes the infamous R4, CycloDS and M3 cards.
Right now, there's no telling if this can be fixed by updating the card firmware, or if people who want to run code on their DS (homebrew and pirated ROMs alike) will simply have to wait for the next generation of flash cards to spew out from the factories of Hong Kong. Which they will.

GBA support will be supplied for the DSi by these 3rd Party companies. Though I cannot confirm with M3 and CycloDS; according to members of the R4 community, Japanese DSi's operating with japanese R4 cards. The use of the R4 is somewhat limited but one key advandatge is the use of game downloads directly to a Memory card. Memory cards support span up to 8GB of memory. Marketing in the past year 16GB Memory cards were released; however, compatibile with the DSi is still in question.
Still not convinced? A new product entitled Acekard2 is the first ever compatible flash cart for the DSi.
Features:

1. Support DSi, DSL, IDSL, DS and IDS
2. Perfect Compatibility. No need to convert, No need to flash.
3. Write save file directly to TF card. No more save type selection.
4. Auto patching DLDI. Run homebrew programs without convert.
5. Support Soft-Reset. Support Download play. Support Wi-Fi.

The DSi is nevertheless your "DSLite on Steroids". With 2x the processor and 4x the RAM; incomming homebrews and apps can possible throw the PSP off the stocks!