Nintendo Dsi Xl: Another E-book Reader?

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I must confess, I do not have a Nintendo DS, but I have friends who do and I must admit it’s a cool little product. With the integration of gaming, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a camera, the only thing this device was missing was eBook functionality. Being released later on this month is the Nintendo DSi XL, with a built-in library of 100 Classic Books.

The first reaction is, that this device will not compare to a Kindle or Nook in this initial version. I believe that this statement is true, but if Nintendo sees a growing market for consumers wanting to use this product for eBook reading in conjunction to gaming, I believe it will expand this feature and take the device to the next level.

Even though this gadget is mostly for gaming, the Nintendo DS has marketed itself to an older audience (other than teenagers) by casting Lisa Kudrow and even Beyonce in commercials to show the diversity of the product.
Lisa used the Nintendo DS to help her prepare a meal with her daughter by using an interactive recipe game that walked her through the prep and cooking process. Beyonce used the device by playing a video game that helps train her singing voice. Liv Tyler was also in a Nintendo DS commercial playing a game that helped her practice her piano playing skills on a piano training game. Also, with games like Brainage to help keep an aging mind young, this product is fun for all ages.

Will the Nintendo DSi be a competitor for the iPad? If you think about price, then yes. At $190, the DSi sounds more affordable than $499, the least expensive of the iPad versions. In portability, the DSi is more convenient due to its small size. It also features two screens and comes in a variety of colors. I might sound pretty excited about it, but the truth is, if you have the extra cash, the iPad is ahead of the Nintendo DSi if you want a well designed device that does everything the DSi does, but also allows for reading printed media interactively and playing your iTunes. Well, one thing the iPad does not have is a camera.

So the verdict is, apparently, everyone wants a piece of the eBook reader pie. It also doesn’t hurt to mention your device includes a book collection while there is so much buzz going on about eBook readers. Overall, this is an excellent product for its functionality and value. Anything that gets you or your kids excited about reading is a good thing.