Nintendo DS LiteThe iPhone is a lot of things, including:

  • a cell phone
  • an iPod
  • a photo viewer
  • a video player
  • a wireless web browser

This package of features will retail for $499 (4GB) and $599 (8GB) USD and be available in June in the US.

Now let’s switch gears and talk about another touch-sensitive device. The Nintendo DS.

The Nintendo DS is currently the most popular hand held gaming device on the planet. Because of its’ widespread popularity, it also has a massive fan following. Part and parcel nowadays with a fan following, is a modifications following; a group of individuals who seek to unleash the DS for all that it can be. Some of these modifications and newfound abilities the DS has come across make the Nintendo DS:

  • free VoIP wireless phone
  • an iPod
  • photo viewer
  • video player
  • web browser
  • personal organizer
  • a TI-85 calculator
  • AIM, MSN Messenger, and IRC chat
  • Linux
  • a Gameboy, a SNES, and a Dreamcast emulator
  • a live weather updater
  • an FTP client
  • and many, many more

Here’s a video of the iPod homebrew program running on a DS Lite:

Something of note here, is that in order to be more than just a regular Nintendo DS, one would need to purchase a Nintendo DS storage device. One such storage device is the R4DS which requires no actual modding of the Nintendo DS in order to run homebrew programs.R4DS cartridge

The Nintendo DS retails for $129.99 USD. The R4DS retails for $44.95, and a 4GB micro SD card with USB adapter for the R4DS retails for $118.99.

The grand totals:

Apple iPhone:
$499 USD (4GB) and $599 USD (8GB).

Nintendo DS Lite + R4DS + 4GB Micro SD card storage:
$293.93 USD.

Micro SD cardOf course, the iPhone is made by Apple, and many of the homebrew applications for the DS are made by any regular Joe, so they definitely won’t be as pretty. All told, however, if you don’t absolutely need a new cell phone, and want to save a few bucks, the Nintendo DS is the clear winner for features and price.