Nintendo has just announced the 3rd generation of Nintendo DS, the DSi. Not just a cosmetic remodel of the DS Lite, the DSi incorporates several physical changes. The DSi is approximately 2.6mm thinner and will sport bigger screens sized at 3.25 inches (previous models had 3 inch screens). As Nintendo said recently, the GBA (Gameboy Advance) is now a thing of the past, the GBA slot is no more, and in place of the GBA slot is a SD card slot. The SD card slot will allow for saving pictures taken from the two on-board digital cameras, one mounted outside and one mounted inside. Other things downloadable to the SD card will be music and games; I am betting that videos may also be supported, as it was on their Japan only GBA Play-Yan cartridge.

Games download will be offered for purchase via wireless through the Nintendo DSi shop, which sounds similar to the Apple App Store on iTunes. The DSi will also include a web browser; although there is no word on which browser yet, it will most likely be an improved version of Opera for the DS. The DSi will launch in Japan November 1st and sell for $179. No word yet of a release date for North America, Nintendo does plan for global release sometime in 2009.

We have been talking a lot lately how the gaming industry is rapidly changing into a mainstream entertainment industry. The years of 2007 and 2008 are turning points for this industry as PC gaming is declining into old age and death and the consoles are rising to complete domination. The 360 and PS3, and to some extent the Wii (I have very mixed feelings about the Wii as a gaming console), are not only fantastic gaming consoles but they are media platforms on steroids too. They are important players in home entertainment and living room evolution.

Let’s just look at the sales as I think it’s really interesting. There were some pretty fantastic games in 2006-2007 like, Gears of War, Uncharted, Bioshock, the fabulous Orange Box, etc. However, the hype around the release of Halo 3 last September was really something else. In the 24 hours after its release, Halo 3 earned 170 million dollars. That never happened for an entertainment product, movie or music record. Halo 3 would go on earning 300 million dollars in the first week.

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When Gear Diary was approached to review the new Johnny Lightning Battle Wheels, I was going pass on reviewing them. I never really was interested in robotic combat. However, Judie convinced me to accept and do the review. And, I actually had fun, thanks Judie!

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[A friendly warning, there are 100 pictures in this trip report, so you may want to wait until you have access to a fast internet connection before viewing it all]

The last time I attended a show was several years ago for the New York Auto Show and the now no longer PC-Expo. Back then, I went to see new stuff and to get swag (stuff we all get). Fast forward to present day, my visit to the Digital Life show had a new mission, to find cool products to share with Gear Diary readers. Digital Life focuses on the ultimate in consumer technology, gaming and entertainment. I feel there is a broad range of products on display of interest to everyone.

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