If 3DS has 3G I probably would not ever buy a smart phone and it would make the functionality of the device go up immensely.  In my opinion they really should be pushing for that because it would move the DS line from being a secondary tech device (used solely for games while a user owns an iphone/other smartphone for everything else) to being primary. 

I mean who would buy an iphone to play shovelware when you could play Ocarina of time/Metal gear solid 3/ etc in 3D when they have the same functionality in all other aspects?

Exactly, that is why I mentioned that they should just enable it so you can tether it to a phone like sony did with the PSP Go. So if somebody has a bluetooth enabled phone that also has a 3g service, they can connect it and play. 

Regardless of whether the 3DS has 3G connectivity, most people will still need a mobile phone.

My only concern is that 3G connectivity isn't free. Most cell service providers charge about $30 a month for unlimted data 3G access and there is no way in hell I'd pay $30 a month to keep my $200 portable game system connected, unless it WAS a phone in addition to being a game system and it replaced my iPhone (of which I don't see either happening).

But then this comes from someone who already has a 3G network subscription plan and naturally wouldn't pay for a second one for a device that would stay at home all the time as opposed to a mobile phone.

Of course whether it has 3G connectivity or not won't effect buyers who aren't interested in paying for the service, which would be optional. There won't be any "required monthly service plans" for buying a 3DS anyway.

So I file this one under "neat" if it doesn't add to the cost of the 3DS, but something I won't use even if data subscription plans were an extremely low (for 3G connectivity) $10 per month of service.

If Nintendo can work out some sort of deal that allows the device to use an owner's existing 3G data service plan, then it would have no downside at all (assuming you're not paying additional montly fees from either Nintendo or your cell service provider).

Sounds like wishful thinking, but I'm all for it.

i know this is filed under the nintendo section and all but reading the article in the OP i give at least 2:1 odds that if this rumor as any merit it is in regards to a psp2 or some other non-nintendo handheld.

Of course as an ammendium to your post it could be like the Kindle and only or mainly use 3G to download digititally digistributed games. They could roll the cost of the 3G download into the price of all the items on the store so just as cartidge based distribution would have costs involved, so would 3G distribution. It gives them a way to compete directly with Apple in terms of being able to get games on demand when/where the person wants. Also considering the games are probably still under 1GB each, it wouldn't be too much of a stretch if the console itself had between 4 and 16GB of space with an expandable SD card slot for more.

no way in hell any company anywhere on this earth will allow the 3DS/psp2 use their 3G services and not charge you to do so.  so yeah, wishful thinking.

e-books are small download size in comparison though.  i just checked the rates of ATT and they charge $10 per GB.  offhand, i think i remember that the 3DS carts will go up to 1.5 GB which means the delivery cost could be up to $15.  

In regards to the "free" piggyback 3G access, I said "wishful thinking" to keep things civil. Pipe Dream is a better way of putting it.

But sure, Nintendo could arrange for pre-paid 3G bandwidth similar to AT&T rates, which would bring the cost of DD games from $30 to about $45 for the convenience of being able to buy and DL your game anywhere you have 3G connectivity.

Maybe it's just me, but not worth it; I'd just as soon DL my games at home using my existing network at full speed.

If they offer some sort of "pay as you go" per GB service through a deal with existing 3G network service providers, that bandwidth will probably be better spent on network enabled apps, rather than downloading large files (ie games and media) over 3G.

You're forgetting that the cartridge costs $3-5 or so. Retail margins are 20% or so, distribution costs are a few dollars etc. If Nintendo approached one of the major networks im pretty sure they could get a volume discount in order to make 3G distribution about as expensive or less so than cartridge if they wanted to. The distribution costs for a catridge based game are $10-15 anyway, so it wouldn't cost any more than that.