Nintendo has denied that it is planning to phase out its DSi handheld console in anticipation of the release of the Nintendo 3DS over the coming weeks.
Kotaku.com had translated a report from Japan that suggested Nintendo would stop making and selling new units of its DSi handheld, although it would keep manufacturing and marketing the larger-screen DSi XL model alongside the new 3DS.
“We plan to still manufacture and supply DSi consoles in a range of colours in the UK in 2011,” Nintendo said in a statement to the media. “On an on-going basis, continuing supply is based on retail and consumer demand.”
The Nintendo 3DS handheld console will launch in Japan on February 26th and will follow in North America and Europe in March. Nintendo is to ship 1.5 million units of the device to Japan to avoid supply shortages that were experienced with older iterations of the console.
The 3DS will sell for ¥25,000 in Japan.
Result for: anticipation
BoyGeniusReports has posted a small blurb today saying that AT&T has confirmed to its store managers that the Apple iPhone 4G will launch in June.
The site even says that the phone will be ready in early June, meaning the launch could be imminent in the next two weeks.
New to the 4G are a front-facing camera for video conferencing, a better standard camera (including larger lens and flash), a Micro-SIM slot (just like the iPad), 960×640 resolution, a second mic, metallic exterior (not plastic) and split side buttons for volume.
The form factor is very different as well. The back is flat and not rounded, slightly smaller screen, a more “square” design all around with less wasted space, a larger battery, and smaller internal components.
Wal-Mart announced this week that it is slashing the price of the iPhone 3GS in half, with the 16GB 3GS model going on sale for $97 USD with two-year contract. The smartphone currently costs $199 through Apple. The move has led many to believe that Wal-Mart is clearing out remaining stock in anticipation of the new iPhone launch.
Result for: anticipation
According to leaked photos of a new bundle being prepared for sale at Best Buy, Sony appears to be wanting to clear out current 80GB PS3 inventory, perhaps in anticipation of the launch of the oft-rumored PS3 Slim.
The new bundle will include the A-list PS3-exclusive games Killzone 2 and Metal Gear Solid 4 and the 80GB system will cost $399, just like the console without the bundled games. The deal is pretty good as Killzone retails still for $50-60 USD and still brings in $30-40 USD used on auction sites such as eBay.
Employees of the retail chain say the bundle will become available this Sunday.
It is widely expected that Sony will drop the price of the console by $100 USD in August while at the same time releasing the 120GB ‘PS3 Slim’ to replace the phased out 80GB model.
