Nintendo is planning on releasing an updated version of Flipnote Studio on 3DS sometime this summer, and part of the transition will unfortunately includes shutting down Flipnote Hatena, the online service where users could upload, edit, and share their creations. The actual Flipnote software for your DSi will remain active and perfectly usable, you just will no longer have the option to upload it to share with the rest of world.
However the transition to Flipnote Studio 3D will bring along some new perks, including more colors to draw with, the option to create 3D works, and the ability to save your animations as an AVI file, which should make sharing that much easier. A new online portal will also be launched that features two tiers, Flipnote Gallery: Friends and Flipnote Gallery: World. Friends will be free but limits your access to content from gamers on you 3DS Friends List, while World users will be able to share with each other without limits for a monthly fee. However, those who garners enough popularity and positive feedback can have their subscription cost reduced or altogether waived. No price point has been set at this point in time.
Thankfully, there will be an option to save and transfer your original Flipnote creations to the new version. A 3DS app will be made available prior to the change over that will allow you to transfer your content, so long as it is done prior to the May 31 shut down date. Be sure to click on the source below for more details.
Source: Nintendo
So the 3D release is confirmed as coming this month? Fantastic news.