Iwata: DSi not a reaction to iPhone

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has detailed some of the functions of the new DSi, whilst dismissing the idea that the product is reaction to the success of iPhone or the technologoical ability of PSP.

In an interview with Nikkei Net, Iwata said that instead the goal was to make the DSi – which includes a camera, audio layback functionality and online capabilities – more essential to users.

He said:

We wanted users to have the device on them at all times,” he stated. By downloading subway maps and other things, for instance, the DSi can be useful for applications other than playing games. We wanted to create an offering that would fit naturally into people’s everyday lives.”

Iwata also commented that the DSi’s improved online function will better allow users to customize their DS experience, and that the hardware would probably” launch in the US and Europe in 2009.

Thanks to Edge.