Tech and Amusing Stuff

Via Gizmodo

• 12 percent thinner than DS (no GBA slot)
• The screens are 3.25 inches (compared to 3 inches)
• External .3 megapixel camera and front facing camera
• SD slot
• Built-in web browser
• The DSi will come in white or black
• It will cost ¥18,900 ($178)
• Japan will get it on Nov. 1st, U.S. “next year”

Via Engadget

The display was made by attaching a resistive touch panel to the both sides of a transparent inorganic EL panel developed by Teraokaseiko.

“When mapping software is being used, users can touch the back side of the display to operate it without hiding a part of the map with their fingers. They can see both the entire map and their fingers moving behind the display. The pixel count of the inorganic EL panel is 256 × 120. It is an orange monochrome display. The light transmittances of the inorganic EL panel and the touch panel attached to it are both 80%. And, as a whole, the display has a transmittance of 51.2%.”

Via DVICE

Akihabara News got a hold of the japanese version of Mario Kart Wii, here’s the unboxing:

Last week’s sales in Japan were dominated by the little PSP, sales spiked due to the release of Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G which they seem to go nuts over it at the land of the rising sun.

1. PSP : about 139k
2. DS : about 57k
3. Wii : about 49k
4. PS3 : about 13k
5. PS2 : about 9.8k
6. 360 : about 2.8k

Via PSPFanboy

This cradle will be available in Japan on April 24. You will be able to charge your PSP while outputting video into your TV and control it with the include remote control. Prices are:

• ¥6500 (USD$62) with cradle, AV cable and remote
• ¥4800 (USD$46) with cradle only

Via Kotaku

“Nintendo sold 331,627 units of the Wii in the four weeks to February 24, compared with 89,131 units of the PS3, Enterbrain said on Thursday.The Wii’s lead on the PS3 appears to be widening: In January, Nintendo’s game console outsold Sony’s by almost 3-to-1.

Nintendo’s own “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” for the Wii became the best-selling software for the month in Japan, with 1.33 million units sold, followed by the “Wii Fit” home fitness game, which sold 309,311 units in the four weeks, Enterbrain said.

The Wii has been leading the three-way game console battle with the PS3 and Microsoft Corp’s (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) Xbox 360 as its strategy of offering easy-to-play and innovative games to expand the overall game population has proved a big success.

Microsoft, whose videogame business is struggling in Japan, home to both Sony and Nintendo, sold 14,079 Xbox 360 units.”

Via Reuters

It’s the standard 40 GB model with the DualShock 3 controller. Available on March 6th and it’ll run you ¥39,980 (USD$374) if you’re lucky enough to live in Japan.

Via Kotaku