Update: Nintendo clarifies some of the language on its website.
Update: Nintendo has revised some of the text in their website post, removing the reference to "standard double-layered DVD discs", and replacing it with the following.
"Nintendo's legions of loyal fans will be happy to learn that Revolution will be backward compatible, playing both Nintendo GameCube 8cm disks along with its own 12cm optical disks in the same self-loading media drive."
At this point, we don't know why the change was made, but it could unfortunately be due to the confusion as to whether or not Revolution will be able to play DVD Movies as well as games. GameCube's GD-ROM discs are based on DVD technology, but with key anti-piracy features and other differences. It now seems that the Revolution media will have more in common with the GameCube discs than the "standard" DVD media.
The original quotes from the website are below ...
Nintendo updated their website this morning with a few more details, building off of Perrin Kaplan's statements to The New York Times from yesterday.
"In its final form, Revolution will be about the thickness of three standard DVD cases and only slightly longer. The versatile Revolution will play either horizontally or vertically, allowing the user total flexibility in setting up a gaming session wherever they have a television."
"Thanks to Nintendo's hardware development partners IBM and ATI, the small system will be packed with power that will enable it to wow players with its graphics. Nintendo's legions of loyal fans will be happy to learn that Revolution will be backward compatible, playing both Nintendo GameCube 3-inch disks along with its own standard, double-layered DVD disks in the same self-loading media drive."
Nintendo goes on to off-handedly mention quick start-up times, quiet and low-power operation, and of course, wireless internet included.
Four days left ...