March 16^th, 2004 (12:00am) - In an analyst report issued today, P. J. McNealy of American Technology Research revealed that Nintendo’s upcoming dual-screened portable, the Nintendo DS, will offer an Instant Messaging feature that will allow Nintendo DS users to communicate to others with a local Instant Messaging function. This IM function will work in a similar fashion as Nintendo’s wireless WaveBird controller for the Nintendo GameCube, using an RF spectrum to communicate with others over short distances. The messages themselves will be written by use of a stylus, which is a pointed instrument used as an input device on a pressure-sensitive screen, or a touch screen which the Nintendo DS does indeed offer. In addition, the Nintendo DS will feature two directional pads, similar to Nintendo’s long forgotten failure, the Virtual Boy.

"There will be two flipper controls, two directional pads, and an ’a’ and ’b’ button. The stylus will be used for gaming, Instant Messaging, and other multimedia functionalities." P.J. McNealy on the DS’ control layout.