PixlBit

The two companies plan to utilize the DS in a brand new way.

Nintendo has always sought to make people use their DS' for more than simply playing games. It started with Pictochat, then the Opera Internet Browser, and now with the DSi there are clocks, screen savers, cameras, and sound manipulators, allowing many people to utilize the handheld console for much more than its original intent.

Nintendo is taking that concept one step further now as they team up with 7-Eleven's parent company, Seven & i Holdings. According to Famitsu, Nintendo wants to begin a wireless service at their stores, in which people could use the wireless capability of their DS to download sales, store information, and coupons. They plan to test this in one of Seven & i Holdings Japanese retailers Itoyokado before the end of the year.

While the news was thought to be merely rumor, a Famitsu representative did contact Nintendo and one of their PR reps stated, "It's not an official announcement, but we're proactively looking into it."

The team-up between Nintendo and Seven & i Holdings wouldn't be the first time that Nintendo has teamed up with another corporation. Visitors at the Tokyo Disney Land have the ability to use their DS as a map.

If Nintendo's trial with Seven & i Holdings proves to be successful, perhaps Nintendo will consider bringing the idea overseas.