I actually sold my SP because, you know, the DS/DSL plays GBA games and had no need for it.  That would be like me keeping my PS2 around when I have a backwards compatible PS3.

Apple didn't make the AAC by the way.

 Right, but you obviously have a DS or Lite already so it is really that big of a deal? If it was because you were looking to sell the older model, how much money would you even get for it? And also, it's rare that any cartridge based system has had backwards compatibility. I can only think of the DS in fact. If they were to make the system smaller while actually having a bigger screen(s) and more features, something probably had to go and that appears to be the GBA slot.

And with console, it's nice to have the backwards compatibility so you can store the system  away since they can take up a lot of space. Handhelds take up little space and don't generally sit in the entertainment stand with the TV and other consoles anyway. Just my opinion on both subjects.

The DS/DSL is compatable with the GBA.
The GBA is compatible with the GBC and GB.
The GBC is compatible with the GB.

Also, when releasing a new model like the DSi, one of the goals is to get people that already have one of the older ones to get a newer one.  You generally do this by adding features and not taking away important features (just because you don't use it doesn't make it not important to everyone else).  I know they say the DSi isn't supposed to compete with the DS but that's just PR talk to make you want to buy them both because they know the DSi can't replace the DS.

So yes, it is kind of a big deal.  I could probably make myself live with the decreased battery life but not the lack of GBA slot.  By taking away that, they've taken away a potential sale (or a lot actually since despite what you think many people take full advantage of the GBA slot).  I'm not going to own both at the same time.  Ever.  There's just no point.  If I want a camera and mic, I'll just get something else that is better and cheaper.

Never once used the GBA slot so that's not a concern for me, but the reduced battery life definitely is.

Were you this upset when the DS was revealed to be unable to play GB/GBC games? sheesh, it happens. DSi is basically a new handheld that is backwards compatible with DS games, but just as the DS didn't go two generations back, neither will the DSi.

 1. The needed demographic is small. Yes there are lots of people that still use it, but they still have the machine to use it.  The DSi is to slow phase out this archaic BC.

2. The DSi is not meant to take high qaulity imagery. The resolution is fine for casual pictures. What a lot of people forget though is that a Mega Pixel is Width x Height x colour bit depth and factor in the contrast ration. The external camera could reasonably take some really nice pictures depending on depth and contrast.

3. People were gloating the DS Phat life battery over the PSP. With the increase to the screen size and extra battery consumption power of the speakers, SD Card slot... it not unreasonable. If the battery life still beats the PSP why are we still complaining? sorry for brining the PSP into this.

4. umm yeah, this sucks. AAC? wtf? MP3 is the standard? question though does it cost a licsence to commercialy play MP3? This could be a reason why a lot fo small music players play MP4 isntead. We know Nintendo likes to minamize cost.

5. This is not a con. We might as well ask why the PS2 and GC can't have PSN or WiiWare.

6. This is a pretty standard con across the board everywhere. Does the 360 and PS3/2 have it too? This is a non factor in todays expecting society. Instead if it wasn't region blocked would be a pro.

7. Fire Fox while an awesome browser that I use on my PC. Is in fact a memory and CPU hogs. FF is incapable of running on minimal design and lesser systems. You shouldn't expect a browser only coded for medium end(500mhz,512mb) PC qaulity. Opera is a pretty darn good PC browser and it's kernel is extremly small,efficient and ready to be ported. They are the only good option for smaller devices. Safari doesn't count considering the iTouch/Pod as a 500mhz+ and good amount of memory.

The browser is not a con. It's a pure pro. It could come without it and appeal to less of the distant market. With the DSi having built in flash memory and a SD card slot. It could run better than the current Opera DS with it's limited 8mb expansion.

Anyways I really like it. I will get it. The time it takes will depend on how soon software it will have to replace my PDA.

See, I don't consider this one the next step.  It's just another DS like the PSP-2000 is another PSP.  If it were the next step I would just deal with it and be fine with it.

more money for Nintendo.

Price increase is also a con.

Some split opinions here indeed. I will be getting one, it will by my 4th DS after 3 DSLites & one original. My DS are my children. I do wish Nintendo had done something about the battery life though.