Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has detailed some of the business strategy behind the Nintendo DSi, stating that the goals of its new online capabilities, audio playback and camera features did not include reaching parity with competitors like the Sony PSP and Apple iPhone.
Speaking in an interview with Nikkei Net, Iwata said that instead the goal was to make the hardware more essential to users.
"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 mentioned 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.
I'm sure most DS owners in Japan have more than one. I heard they rush out and buy them as soon as a new colour is available, so they should go mad these too.
Iwata speaks the truth. the sales of the ds weren't at all effected by the iphone, and focussing on competing with other companies goes against nintendo's current direction anyway.(the one that prints money)
In the news today: Satoru Iwata confirms that the Nintendo DSi *is* a response to iPhone by specifically denying it.
I love Nintendo as much as the next guy here, but this is what CEOs and company spokespeople do. When they're bothered by another companies product introduction / sales / market share / whatever, they make statements to say that they are not.
See Kaz Hirai, Phil Harrison, Steve Ballmer etc...
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