Wii Opera browser: Built-in, easy to use
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Jun 5th 2006 at 3:45PM }
A recent Cubed3 interview with Scott Hedrick, executive vice president of Opera for Devices, confirms that the Wii's web browser will come loaded on the system, though he thankfully never resorts to that Dreamcast-era phrase, "internet right out of the box." Unlike the DS version of the browser, there will be no need to purchase an additional cartridge in order to enjoy the many wonderful More interestingly, when questioned about the browser's ease of use, Mr Hedrick notes that surfing the web while at the helm of the Wii should be "as easy if not easier than using Opera on a desktop. For Opera desktop users, surfing on the Wii will be a very familiar experience. Opera will be integrating its unique rendering technologies to compensate for the lower resolution of TVs and the added distance of the user from the TV screen."
There's also a question about the confirmed DS-Wii functionality, though Hedrick wouldn't comment specifically on whether the portable and console versions of the Opera browser would interact at all. With vaguely similar interfaces, it doesn't seem entirely unlikely, but then surely you'd prefer looking at your favorite websites with a Wii in your hand? L0LZ0RZ!
We'll be here all week.
[Via Moz La Punk, Thanks Nushio!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Marc @ Jun 5th 2006 5:11PM
"but then surely you'd prefer looking at your favorite websites with a Wii in your hand? L0LZ0RZ!
We'll be here all week."
Ha Ha, i get it now.
But having the Wii with a web browser already built in is SWEET!
.ed @ Jun 5th 2006 5:18PM
Wii wiins.
Chii @ Jun 5th 2006 5:28PM
No, Wii Wiill Wiin. Wii aren't out yet.
Nushio @ Jun 5th 2006 5:28PM
Nice joke Ludwig.
I really wish we'd get some sort of download play that would allow DSOpera to run for free on the DS. Its wishful thinking, I know.
What's also interesting is the input, sure you could have a virtual keyboard, and you'd shoot the keys on-screen, but is there an easier way to type?
One of the first sites I know I'll visit is (Nintendo)WiiFanboy.com, I hope you'll even make a "Wii" compliant version, kinda like most sites made a "/psp" so that PSP users could browse without problems.
Sam @ Jun 5th 2006 5:42PM
I think as far as typing, they could use DS-Wii functionality in order to have the DS use a PDA-style Graffiti writing system to allow users to type faster. It would be a good use.
Marc @ Jun 5th 2006 5:43PM
I know this is WAY off topic but...
does anyone think both Mario Bros. (Mario and Luigi) should be in Super Smash Bros. Brawl?
Please state your opinion. I'm just doing a test to see if people prefer Mario or Luigi. (if you respond, thanks in advance)
AndrewNeo @ Jun 5th 2006 5:49PM
#4: I doubt they'll need to, the browser should work right with all sites. A DS version of a site, maybe. But not for the Wii.
Korexz @ Jun 5th 2006 6:07PM
What about a Keyboard? Bluetooth?
ALSO...
I am waiting to hear that Dreamcast games will be on the Virtual Console. IGN is doing a special on DC games, re-reviewing all 243 of them, and I ask myself why? Seems to make sense being that Genesis games will be on the VC. Sure the games are bigger, but what stops you from loading direct from the net? Buffer the game and load it up and query the web service again when you need to load more of the game. I think it is very reasonable to assume this is coming down the pipe. Plus it would keep “hard” copies of the DC games out of console owners hands, and off the SD memory cards.
Probot @ Jun 5th 2006 7:33PM
I'd really like to hear more about what will be supported in terms of features, e.g. flash or java. I've heard people recommend their mouse gestures system, but I've never used it personally.
The star-studded commentor Epobirs over at Joystiq brought up some interesting points about how web pages usually render poorly on TV screens, resulting in fuzzy text. True, I fell asleep in the middle of his post, but I think that's what he said. I wonder how (or if) that problem has been addressed in Wii's Opera browser.
It'll be interesting to see what effect bundling the browser has on the Wii. Seeing as Nintendo tends to focus their products on video gaming, I wonder if this, along with some of the non-game DS functions (web browser, portable TV, dictionaries, etc), is the start of a new direction for the company.
If they're targeting non-game audiences, then non-game functions might be a big draw. Despite its decline in popularity, the PSP is still doing pretty well in North America in terms of sales. This could be sending a message to Nintendo that those kinds of multimedia functions have a market as well.
I don't expect Nintendo to start making CD players instead of games, but adding more features to a systems could certainly affect the audience of that system. And, in the end, the audience determines the games.
The Big L @ Jun 5th 2006 7:41PM
I'll bet the DS will be the keyboard.
Forse @ Jun 5th 2006 8:04PM
C3: Is this Wii browser set for launch across all territories and how much will it cost?
SH: Yes, I believe Nintendo announced that Wii will be available in November 2006 and will cost less than $250. You will not have to buy Opera as an external item, as it will be available within Wii upon purchase. There is not a separate cartridge as there is for the DS.
Are they assuming that the Wii will be out for Christmas? or did I miss this gem of information?
Forse @ Jun 5th 2006 8:07PM
Sorry, the HTML didn't work. I was trying to point out this:
"
SH: Yes, I believe Nintendo announced that Wii will be available in November 2006..."
idioteraser @ Jun 5th 2006 8:21PM
web browser, portable TV, dictionaries, etc
Those are already on the DS or coming. The English Traning and tour guide stuff sell really well in Japan.
The thing is Nintendo is not charging you extra for stuff you may not need or want. PSP claims to do multimedia stuff but does it very poorly in comparison to the addons you buy for the DS and GBA. Sony passes the added costs down to you as much as they can. Without all that extra crap in the psp it would cost about a 100 bucks to you if Sony knew how to get good componet prices. Instead each psp made costs them several hundred bucks a pop.
The reason you have to pay for the DS opera version is the two carts one with the opera program the other goes into the gba slot to store data.
Opera on the Wii and DS is going to be used for primarly website viewing. Not downloading stuff. PC web browsing will still be far superior.
But if I can use the home button to pause a game then go to the web to look something up to help me get past a rough spot in the game then that would be gravy.
Probot @ Jun 5th 2006 8:56PM
#11,
Iwata has already said it'll be out before Thanksgiving in North America.
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6142572.html
#13,
First, I think most people will agree that most stand-alone MP3 players surpass the PSP, but you're the first I've heard saying the GBA Media Player or Play Yan is better than the PSP.
I'm not trying to praise the PSP. I'm just pointing out that, despite your feelings about it, the PSP is selling well in North America. And I'd imagine that if the software was there, even more people would be willing to pay for a system that plays music, videos, and PS2 games. Nintendo has to see that.
However, I wasn't saying Nintendo was taking that route. I just proposed that if Nintendo is looking to expand the market, that might be one way they could do it. The DS examples was just to show Nintendo was willing to offer various non-game functions to their system. And now that the Opera browser is being built-in to Wii, we have to wonder if Nintendo is testing the waters for including other such non-game tech in future products.
I could personally do without a web browser in a game console. Even DVD playback, another useless feature, makes more sense. Still, it's more of a marketing gimmick than anything, so I won't fault them for trying to appeal to more people.
idioteraser @ Jun 5th 2006 10:01PM
The wii does have dvd playback if you pay for the internal widget to put in it. You have to pay for the licensing and not passing the cost onto consumers who don't want it is a very smart move.
Nintendo only put in wifi when they could make it dirt cheap to not really pass the cost onto consumers.
Ever seen the DS play a video it looks very good for the size of the carts.
Play-yan as far as I know is a big seller in Japan. PSP only because of porn.
Exo @ Jun 5th 2006 11:10PM
@ #15, you are the stereo-typical fanboy idiot.
no likeing psp is one thing, but saying its only liked for porn is retarded.
Go back to your world of lies and leave everyone else alone
idioteraser @ Jun 5th 2006 11:53PM
Amen Exo go join the real world and look at what the Japanese and a lot of Americans say they use the psp for. Porn, pirated games are tops.
Movies on the play-yan you aren't being forced to buy a properity format only one company makes nor being forced to rebuy your movies to watch them on the go.
That makes the play-yan superior to the psp movie watching.
Exo @ Jun 6th 2006 12:02AM
soo, if you are an idiot eraser, Why are you still here?
Exo @ Jun 6th 2006 12:19AM
What makes you think that no one with a DS would be watching porn? unless you know everyone that owns a play yan then you can't say shit.
also 129.99(DS)+69.99(play yan)= 200 (psp normal pack)
so basicly you are paying the same price for smaller resolution and diminished quality, and not being able to be viewd in widescreen. How is it better?
DS is for playing games and it does that well. It has better games over PSP. But DS loses in the multimedia side of things, because it was never ment for anything more then games in the first place.
Next thing is you will tell me that Wii has better multimedia functions then both Ps3 and 360.
idioteraser @ Jun 6th 2006 2:22AM
Ahem widescreen on the psp? Are any movie watchers really impressed with that?
It is better because you are not forced to buy mem sticks which only work in sony products or UMDs of movies you already own. SD cards are used in numerous devices. You aren't being saddled with something you might not use and be forced to pay for it like you are with the UMD on the PSP. Heck it looks like the PSP2 will forego the UMD and go only with the mem sticks.
The PSP has porn games made especially for it as well as numerous devices made so anyone looking over a psp user shoulder cannot see what they are watching. Yeah you don't seem to find any of that for the DS do you?
Certaintly wii is seeming to be better on the internet browser and game functioning with the net then the 360 or PS3 from what has been shown so far. Some of the hinted stuff with the possible VOIP tech has enormous capabilites. Nintendo is keeping quite a lot secret.
If you mean watching movies there is no reason to suspect the wii will be supbar when compared to standard dvd players.
Baylor @ Jun 6th 2006 3:20AM
My god, I hope that on the Wii start-up menu, they call the web browser the "Web Bowser." I imagine a logo not unlike the Firefox one, with a little graphic of Bowser's arm sweeping around the globe, clutching it with his reptillian claws. And every single link on every page visited is marked by an animated GIF of Link gesticulating at it with the Master Sword. And the navigation bar is replaced by the Navi-bar, constantly telling you to "Listen!" to some banal observation about the site you're on. And whenever you enter a URL, the voice of Ash chimes in saying "http://google.com" (for example) "I choose YOU!"
... No, this is a terrible idea.
A star for effort?
Exo @ Jun 6th 2006 3:24AM
so your argument is that its bad simply because you need sony memory sticks?.
well i guess every cd console thus far is horrible then because they all have made you buy their memory cards to save data. Besides does it really matter what format you use? How likely are you to use one card for multiple things, if you are filling your sd card with movies its obvious you aren’t using it in a camera or other device. So again your argument has no relevance.
Seriously, your argument holds no water. If you what movies and other media, get a psp, if you want games get a ds.
And whoop dee doo, theres some porn on psp does that make the system bad because its not being used as intended? How about you go bash Nintendo because there is pokemon hentai. People are perverted what the hell do you want given the chance weirdo’s around the world would modify and use anything to suit their needs. Go bash Nintendo cause they put rumble in controllers which led to some gaming girls using the controller for other things
Either way its very clear how biased you are so your opinion is null and void any way. You simply are trying to use very lame reasons to knock psp for no reason.
Wayne @ Jun 6th 2006 4:33AM
Here's a question
WHAT IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN INTERNET CONNECTION?
RageOverdose @ Jun 6th 2006 2:16PM
Exo, the point idioteraser is trying to convey is that with the DS, you don't have to buy all the damn stuff if you don't want to. Its there if you want it, but if you don't want it, you don't pay for it. Also, you forgot that, with a PSP, you have to buy the more expensive Pro-Duo sticks, unlike the Play-Yan that uses SD memory sticks that many people probably have, if they're into multimedia. The Pro-Duos are also proprietory, meaning they're only used on Sony products. They are a basic waste, and bump up the multimedia price of the PSP because of it. I can buy many Pro-Duo sticks for the PSP, but they won't work with anything else, unless its more Sony. If I wanted to have a 2GB stick for multi-purpose use, I'd go SD, because those work on most portable products that need memory storage. So, I could have a digital camera with a 2GB stick, and also use it on my Play-Yan. Can't do it with Pro-Duo sticks (unless I'm a mindless Sony fanboy). That's cheaper, but yeah, you don't get the same quality video if you go Play-Yan. Probably better than the GameBoy Videos, I assure you. As for the porn, no matter what we use, if it can access porn, many people will likely use it for that. DS users with Play-Yan, PSP users, Wii users (pun), PS3, Xbox 360, etc. That's just a dumb arguement. But, there are porn games sold in Japan, and movies, so, yeah, with their greater acceptance of porn, I'm sure its sold more than a few PSP's.
As for the Opera Web Browser, that's cool. Too bad it isn't Firefox (faster, but not as secure, so...), but hey, good thing they didn't use IE. I can't wait to make my first post on this website from my Wii. However, I hope they provide USB keyboard compatability, because, typing would be a bitch without it.
I'm still more excited for the games though.
Exo @ Jun 6th 2006 2:41PM
and the point your missing is, if you want media then buy the psp, if you dont, buy a ds.
I know the DS doesnt make you pay for those things, But if YOU DO want those things, why buy a ds and track down all those add ons, just to have something that doesnt perform the tasks you wanted as well?
the play yan micro costs even more, not to mention you have to pay for shipping if you dont have an import shop near by. thats another thing, if play yan is so amazing, how come its japan only?
So in the end its not really worth it to get everything needed to make the ds a media player. and thats my damn point, tis meant as a game system and nothing more. PSP IS INFACT a media device.
and as I said before It realy doesnt matter if PSP uses a diffrent storage format. cause if you want to use the same card for more then one thing, then you will have to transfer stuff off and on it all the time, and I fail to see how having a sony camera makes you a mindless fanboy. I could say you are a mindless fanboy if you ownd more then 1 nintendo device, but that would be an ignorent assumption.
Is it really hard to understand this?
Marc @ Jun 6th 2006 5:35PM
Exo,
read your statement
"@ #15, you are the stereo-typical fanboy idiot.
not likeing psp is one thing, but saying its only liked for porn is retarded. Go back to your world of lies and leave everyone else alone."
DUDE! This is NINTENDOWIIFANBOY.COM!!!!!!
Of course he's a fanboy! He can say whatever he wants, it's HIS opinion. If he doesn't like the PSP, he can say what he wants to about it. If he wants to defend Nintendo using his opinion, let him.
If you think you're right, don't say anything! Let it go. You can't destroy EVERY Nintendo fanboy's dreams!
(Besides, most people i know actually only use their PSP's for porn, It's sad really.)
Marc @ Jun 6th 2006 5:42PM
Exo,
now, read you're other comment.
"thats another thing, if play yan is so amazing, how come its japan only?"
Because all America needs is a big American corporate company to tell them what to buy.
Go take you're (obvious) Sony fanboy rants and stay at playstation.joystiq.com
Exo @ Jun 6th 2006 6:05PM
And another idiot jumps into the fray.
I’m not a sony fanboy, and neither am I a nintendo or MS fanboy, I play games. Which IS why I don’t own a psp cause it has crap games. But it does have way better media features. So where did i say anything bad about Nintendo? I said ds is crappy for media, and it is, but then again it wasn’t made to be a media player. So take your (obvious) bad reading comprehension, and go back to school for the summer, I dont think your brain is ripe yet.
If you didn’t know Sony is a Japanese company, so who is telling the Americans to buy what?
I don’t even need to make comments to show that you are wrong, you are doing it well on your own :)
Marc @ Jun 6th 2006 8:00PM
Exo,
O.K. so I was wrong, big deal.
People make mistakes. It happens. But you gotta admit, you DO seem biased towards Sony.
But your "I dont think your brain is ripe yet." statement was out of line. How would you feel if I really was mentally disabled?
And about Sony, I know they're Japanese. But I have the sense enough to know that I and other Americans are idiots (hence Bush's second term). Which is why the Sony division in America is corrupting young Americans (go to any high school).
And now, how is someone making an innocent mistake PROVE them wrong (especially after I addmitted it myself)?
Nik @ Jun 6th 2006 8:15PM
Exo, you're in no position to call anybody a fanboy after spending the last 21 hours checking a NINTENDO fanboy sight to support the PSP and bash the DS.
Probot @ Jun 6th 2006 9:39PM
Wow, I make a comment saying the "PSP sells well in this region" and the next day I see the ruins of a flamewar. Good thing Exo was here to represent common sense.
The original point I was making was that the PSP does sell well in North America. Don't try to argue about why it sucks because I don't care. The PSP does play movies, music and games, and a lot of people like having all that in one device.
I only brought this up because Opera is a non-game function. Nintendo is adding non-game functions to this console to appeal to non-game audiences. They are trying to appeal to non-game audiences to widen the market.
I was just postulating that if Nintendo is adding non-game functions to their console (the web browser, DVD playback, rumored VOIP) then they are obviously re-thinking their philosophy of games-only hardware.
There is a difference between the PSP's media functions and the DS's media functions, being that the PSP's are built-in, while you have to buy the DS's seperately. Some see that as a good thing for the DS, others disagree.
However, there is less distinction between the PSP's built-in media functions and the Wii's built-in non-game functions. Because the Wii is compatable with USB hard drives, having to buy extra storage is similar, though it won't be proprietary, obviously.
As for the off topic debate about why the PSP is popular, that's irrelevant. Unless you can point to reliable information (i.e. non-andecdotal evidence) that says exactly what people are using the PSP for, then you can't make assumptions. The fact is the device has media functions where the main competitor does not, and it consistently matches (and sometimes overtake) its main competitor in sales.
The idea that porn is the sole generator of the massive sales of the handheld device is nonesense. It's almost as silly as Exo saying people that watch porn are perverted.
Exo @ Jun 7th 2006 1:58AM
"Exo, you're in no position to call anybody a fanboy after spending the last 21 hours checking a NINTENDO fanboy sight to support the PSP and bash the DS."
and once again you are also a retard cause I stated I thought psp is a piece of crap and I dont even own it, But in no way is the Ds a better media player. DS IS A GAMEING HANDHELD, and in that respect it blows psp out of the fcuking water. But on the media fron DS losses horribly.
Maybe if you tried to read, you woulndnt be lookin so dumb right now
RageOverdose @ Jun 7th 2006 8:21AM
Exo, drop it. Yeah, you are right. We know this, and I am somewhat of a dumbass to have not noticed the fact that idioteraser totally did say the DS media capabilities are superior, which isn't likely. Then again, quality is an opinion...
But, stop calling everyone that challenges you an idiot.
You win, we lose. Happy?
Probot, Nintendo isn't losing their philosophy of gaming consoles. That's not hard to notice, due to the fact most of the stuff isn't included with the system. Buy it if you want it. You still get games first and foremost.
sidar @ Jun 13th 2006 7:01PM
its maybe 7 days ago someone posted.
but i read allot of crap when ppl go off topic.
im not a nintendo fanboy.
im just a FAN.
PSP sucks cozz ppl claim that is a gaming handheld......|-).......RIGHT.......hey dude :D lets play Mp3:sands of time .........ppl dont even game on it they only listen music and watch video..PORN..*echo*. porn.por.po.p....im getting a DS just for the games!
and for the opera on wii .... YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH email on a big screen XD.......something what i already can do with dual view with my pc..........but hey doing it with nintendo( en noo you perverted ppl not like that) is way cooler.
o and for the PSP lovers....... SONY does make multimedia devices......doesnt mean you have to prop it in one ugly thing called the PSP......(even hitler isnt that cruel).... no and not saying this cozz im a nintendo fan( not fanboy) but my experience wit playstation from the start was just a nightmare..........! im glad nintendo is "kïddy" the games are just better !!!!!!
Hugh @ Jun 16th 2006 10:46AM
Lol, bought nds for the games, kept it for games, music and pron
wii lover @ Jun 19th 2006 11:59PM
i hav a question. can the wii web browser download stuff on the wii from offline? if it does,then i might need SD cards cuz i'll need a lot more space for downloads.
Voltz Megawatt @ Jul 14th 2006 2:07PM
I want to know: Do you have to plug in, put next to terminal, etc to get this Wi Fi to work? The DS has to do one of the two. Will the Wii just be able to access the internet wirelessly, only connected to the power outlet, TV, and VCR? Or do I need to hook it up to my phone line and/or put it near a Wi Fi terminal?