Open up the latest portable game gadget from Nintendo, the DSi, which goes on sale today, and you'll be able to log onto a new online store carrying a small catalogue of software titles. If you see one that grabs your interest, you can buy and download it to your device on the spot, with prices starting at $2.
This type of purchase probably doesn't seem exotic any more, thanks largely to Apple. Apple's App Store, which offers software for its iPhone and iPod Touch, has had 800 million downloads since it opened last summer. Now, other mobile gadgets like Nintendo's DSi are quickly creating their own retail outlets on the Web. Last week, for example, Research In Motion rolled out an online software store for its BlackBerry users, called BlackBerry App World. Smartphone makers Nokia and Palm have similar offerings on the way.
Source: Washington Post