Nintendo has confirmed that it will be releasing the update to its DS handheld, the DSi, on April 5, 2009. The Nintendo DSi will be available in both blue and black. Knowing Nintendo, it will just be a matter of time when the other colors will stop popping out. White is already available as a color option in Japan. MSRP is said to be $169.99.

The first major noticeable difference you will see between the Nintendo DS Lite and the DSi is the availability of cameras (Yes, there are two. One on the inside and one on the outside) on the latter. A list of other differences have been mentioned here.

In my opinion, there is really no need to step up from the Nintendo DS Lite to the DSi if your only concern is about playing games.  The following are the three main highlights for the DSi:

1. Cameras. These would allow you to take pictures and share them with your friends.
2. Sound/music player. This transforms your DSi into somewhat like an MP3 player. There has been no mention as to what file types the product will be supporting. Files are stored on SD cards.
3. Nintendo DSiWare™. This is similar to the WiiWare™ in concept, this allows developers to create software which is able to utilize the DSi’s hardware along with its functions.

More information elsewhere:

• Nintendo DSi Launches April 5 in the United States (Nintendo Press Room)
• Let’s Compare The DS Lite and the DSi (Kotaku)
• Nintendo announces Nintendo DSi (Joystiq Nintendo)
• Nintendo launching DSi in North America on April 5 (Joystiq Nintendo)
• Nintendo DSi April 5th for $170 (Gizmodo)