On September 28, „The Nikkei Business Daily” informed that Nintendo would be releasing a new version of the DS portable gaming machine. The gadget, slated for a first launch in Japan, was reported to be fitted with a music player, a camera and enhanced communication functions.

The Kyoto-based company has announced that Nintendo DSi was the first handheld gaming device to feature an on-board camera.

Nintendo, which also designs the Wii game console, has stated that the DSi would be released on November 1 in Japan, followed by an overseas launch later on this year. The console will be priced at 18,900 yen ($179) and is aimed at shifting into high gear the holiday season competition on the handheld gaming gadgets market, Nintendo pushing to outrun Sony Corporation’s PSP (PlayStation Portable) line. The latter includes the PSP, the PSP Slim and Lite and the PSP-3000 series. Announced during a press conference that was held on August 20, 2008, the model 3000 is to be released in Japan, Asia, North America and Europe this month. Moreover, the version is said to feature an improved LCD screen, a built-in microphone and expanded video-out.

Since the dual-screen (DS) handheld gaming machine was first introduced in June 2004, Nintendo has sold approximately 23 million units of the product worldwide. Nevertheless, it has been reported that during this year’s first fiscal quarter that ended in June, the sales for the Nintendo DS have amounted to 580,000 units, which translates as a major downfall from 2.08 million within the same period in 2007.