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DS Lite Conference - Opera Web Browser & More

Nintendo of Japan held a conference for the formal unveiling of their sleek DS redesign, and let fly with other hardware and software details...

This afternoon in Japan (just after 9 p.m. Modojo time) Nintendo formally unveiled their previously-announced trimmer, sleeker DS design, named (appropriately) the DS Lite. The company also used the conference as an opportunity to announce a variety of other hardware and software details.

Internet rumors had been flying all week that Nintendo would shortly be announcing web browsing capabilities for their dual-screened handheld, and today those rumors were confirmed. The Opera DS browser will presumably be based on the company's popular Opera Mobile browser, which is designed specifically to display sites on small screens, and not on the company's more full-featured PC browser.

What has been confirmed is that the browser makes good use of the DS's unique dual-screen design. The bottom screen shows a "zoomed out" image of the entire width of the site, which on its own isn't too useful given the DS screens' relatively low resolution. Selecting a section of a site with the stylus brings up a zoomed in, readable version of that section on the top screen.

The browser is currently slated for a June release, with a 3800 yen pricetag, or about $32.

Nintendo also revealed an additional new functionality for the DS, via a digital TV add-on. No additional details about the TV-viewing device have yet been announced.

Both the browser and TV functionality is achieved via an add-on and will not be made available via firmware upgrade, unlike functionality added to Nintendo's handheld competitor the PSP. Both features have thus far only been announced for Japan, although it seems likely that at least browser support will make its way to the US.

On the software front, no massive news ala Pokemon DS was revealed as some Nintendo fans had hoped, but there was good news nonetheless:

Other new software announcements included an untitled DS cooking game, Calligraphy Training DS, and Kanji Easy-to-find Dictionary.

Nintendo of Japan also showed off new media for a variety of previously-announced DS titles, including Super Robot Wars, Dynasty Warriors, Winning Eleven, Xenosaga, and Children of Mana

Dual-screen web browsing in action

TV add-on revealed

Images courtesy of http://watch.impress.co.jp/