Nintendo has announced an enhanced version of its DS handheld, the DSi, featuring a camera, music playing abilities, an SD card slot, built-in flash memory, and digital downloads via the new 'Nintendo DS Shop'.

As covered live from a Tokyo press conference by a number of Japanese weblogs and reported on by Wired News, the enhanced version of the DS will launch on November 1st in Japan for 18,900 yen ($180).

It will include the following upgrades compared to the DS Lite:

- dual interior/exterior 640x480 (300,000 pixel) camera included.
- built-in Nintendo DS web browser.
- New 'Nintendo DS Shop', where users can digitally download games at prices ranging from free to 800 Nintendo Points ($8)
- 1000 Nintendo Points will come free with the DSi until mid-2010.
- SD card slot, allowing use of the media for storing music, plus saving photos and other data, including downloadable games.
- two larger screens compared to the DS Lite, increased from 3 inches to 3.25 inches in size.
- the removal of the Game Boy Advance cartridge port.
- the DSi is 12% thinner than even the DS Lite, thanks to engineering improvements.
- WPA/WPA2 support and "improved security features" for WEP

The new handheld will be available in white and black when it launches in Japan this November, and a Japanese-language information page for the handheld is now open.

There is currently no information on launch plans outside the territory - though Nintendo is holding an event in San Francisco on Thursday, where more details on the DSi's Western debut may appear.