I have been away from the scene for a long time now but want a HB card again to play colors! and check out the new HB and use chatrooms etc...
my problem is this:
I updated my DSi to the latest firmware a few months ago to use the 3DS transfer tool...
Could I get any HB cards to work now? If so, which ones? Which firmware will I need?
You have many choices: Acekard 2i, R4i Gold 3DS (must say r4ids.cn on front sticker, along the bottom edge), or a Supercard DSTwo (capable of playing DS and GBA games).
For Acekard 2i, go
here and just let them know it needs to be compatible with v1.4.3 firmware, which it should be already. Newest kernel is AKAIO 1.8.9z
For R4i Gold 3DS, go
here and get one of the best, newest, and easiest cards officially supported by the Wood kernel. Newest kernel is Wood v1.45
For Supercard DSTwo, click
this. Newest kernel is EOS v1.11 (this is a more complicated flash card)
All three are compatible with your current official Nintendo firmware.
By the way, firmware is different from kernel. You said "which firmware will I need?" Should have been which kernel will I need? Look up the definition of both for further clarification.