GoNintendo is reporting that a Japanese newspaper has published a story detailing a Nintendo DS redesign to be announced very, very soon. There are many high-profile sources given for the information, so if this is a hoax it might be one of the most unnecessarily elaborate hoaxes in some time. That, or it's another contest on Cheap Ass Gamer - who knows. Here is the translation:

Nintendo will release a new style Nintendo DS by the end of this year. For the first time a camera will be built into a portable device, and music playback is also possible. With enhanced wireless communication, it suggests it will be used as an information terminal. Since the DS has appeared on the market 4 years ago it has reached a sales number of 77 million units worldwide. It seems that the new style Nintendo DS will cross over from the gaming handheld industry and compete with the cellphone industry. (translators note: this last sentence is speculation by the author and NOT a fact!)

So, apparently the update is to give the Nintendo DS MP3 Playback via an SD Card, a camera, a larger screen, improved wireless functions (see: google maps), and more. They also say that the camera might be worked into games, which is the one piece of information that makes me skeptical of this. If Nintendo were to add something to the DS's hardware that would make previous editions obsolete, I doubt it would take the form of a camera.

Many reputable people are putting their credibility on this one, making it worth paying attention to slightly more than your average Nintendo DS redesign story, so stay tuned to Gamervision for the news, as it happens.

Related Articles:

Halo DS Will NOT Come Out

Nintendo Announces DS Download Service For Japan

Rumor: New DS To Appear At E3?