wtf dont they make sure it has a bigger screen, longer battery life and etc at launch, I mean they already know people want them? O right, The money >_>

IMO this isn't going to happen in the short term for the following reasons:

1. For the first time Nintendo is losing money on every system sold. This isn't anything new to Sony and Microsoft but for Nintendo it is. In order to gain back what they've lost they need to keep pumping out the same hardware until they break even on lower manufacturing costs, profits from software, etc. It does not make sense financially for them to release a new model unless they can make it for less money. That would mean removing components or using cheaper ones rather than adding any. So the chances of any near term redesign featuring and second analog stick, bigger screen, more powerful battery are slim and none,

2. The current model is selling very well now. Until momentum slows or stalls there is no reason for them to release a new model.

The time between the original DS and the DS Lite was around 13 months. That would put us around April 2012 but given the above factors it would be prudent for Nintendo to wait several months for next holiday season or all the way to March/April 2013 before releasing any new design.

Things get slimmer or gets bigger screen, longer battery when technology allows it at an affordable price so that’s why things get improved upon as time goes. Don’t tell me you have been playing games for a long time and still haven’t figured that out!

Just got a 3ds for xmas.  I wonder how game developers will program the extra controls if true

they dont appearently need a 2nd stick the 3ds is selling very good already without one,
stop your whining and go buy the 20 dollar add on if thats so important to you, ,

as for 3ds lite nintendo has already said not to expect one anytime soon! this rumor is bullshit plus how do you make the 3ds any smaller --- the dslite is the same size as the 3ds , there is no way to make it smaller without affecting screen size-- and that would be a disappointment

A 3DS Lite is inevitable, but I would be really surprised to see one in 2012, except in Japan in November/December. It just seems way too soon for a redesign, even by Nintendo's standard. Of course Apple releases new iterations of virtually every one of their products each year and every mobile-phone seems to have a new version each year so it wouldn't be unusual that much I guess. I would almost certainly get one depending on how much the battery life was increased.

wouldnt say this is a rumour moreso a fact. I am pretty sure it will include the extra circle pad too.

awww you got my hopes up. I was like "Yes! now I can have a set decision on when to buy a 3DS!" Then I found out it was just speculation not a rumor. Now I'm like grrr. Oh well. It doesn't matter I'm going to have to buy 2 3DSs for pokemon

My thoughts exactly, on a full blown redesign; Nintendo will try to keep the current model until it makes financial sense to add more features to the current platform.   I see a second analog stick being as important to Nintendo's future gameplay plans as Wii-Speak or Wi-Fit board to the Wii.  It just ain't happening and the fact that it's a Gamestop exclusive shows how important a second stick is to the platform.  Secondly, I don't see a refreshing until sometime in 2013 or holiday 2012. I expect that model will have a better/bigger screen, longer battery life,  and better ergonomics that cost a little more than the current model.($189-199) to compete a bit better than the PSV (I don't think Sony is crazy to drop the $ on the Vita for a while it's a loaded spec system).  Right now it's only speculation, which is predictable and not a very good one at that!!! (since everybody knows Nintendo refreshes their  handheld system every 2 years or so)

A 3DS lite is a certain.