Opera browser review
by Jason Wishnov 
{ Jun 23rd 2006 at 5:39PM }
Opera fanatic Jon recently got his hands on a prototype build of the Opera browser for the DS, scheduled for release in Japan on July 24th for around 33$ U.S. dollars.Jon seems quite impressed with the early build. One can use "dual screen" mode, where the page simply occupies both screens at once; also available is a "zoom" mode, where the top screen shows a downsized overview of the entire page, and the stylus can be used to drag around a box to view things in actual size. He praises the intuitive interface, high compatibility, and sleek design. Here's hoping this thing can get here fast.
[Thanks Mike!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Persiflage op het menselijk ras @ Jun 23rd 2006 6:43PM
Ongeloofelijk, ik had geen idee dat de DS dit soort taken aankon. Gebruikt de browser alleen de GBA-slot of ook de DS gamecard slot? Wel een beetje verevelend dat dit allemaal niet in de DS hardware ingebouwd zit. Dat zou zoveel eenvoudiger geweest zijn. Mss dat Nintendo in de toekomst nog een tweede SKU uitbrengt van zijn DS. Eentje die SD-kaarten gebruikt (net als zijn grotere broer de Wii) en media-functionaliteit ingebouwd heeft (zoals de browser etc.). Mensen zullen waarschijnlijk een beetje pissed zijn als ze horen dat er nog een betere versie is van de DS, maar ja niemand verplicht je iets te kopen he! En Nintendo mag ook eens komen met firmware upgrades, wat ze zijn nodig!
T. Holbrook Walker @ Jun 23rd 2006 7:32PM
Anyone know if this thing has an English mode? If so, I don't see why I should wait for the US version ...
Nushio @ Jun 23rd 2006 8:12PM
I dont know german, but I think the guy above is wondering what happens if you dont place the RAM (GBA) cartridge on the GBA slot.
I dont know either, so if someone knows, please reply!
.ed @ Jun 23rd 2006 8:13PM
haha thats my hand.
seriously
http://my.opera.com/doted
Jon and i were the first non-opera, non-nintendo people to mess with it.
it is awesome, no specific language mode that we could tell, the instructions were english and .. well.. so is the internet.
my hands on preview will be up soon, ive just been too busy.
Kyjibo @ Jun 24th 2006 12:07AM
the thing I want to know is if it supports any plugins like flash or quicktime
Kaizoku Risu @ Jun 24th 2006 12:27AM
>5
"the browser does not reproduce Flash, PDF, animations or sound content."
unfortunately, no :(
But i'm sure it'll be great anyway!
Sam @ Jun 24th 2006 12:28AM
"no specific language mode that we could tell, the instructions were english and .. well.. so is the internet."
But what about things such as buttons in the browser and the like? Is it just all in English, then?
Nushio @ Jun 24th 2006 1:47AM
I'm still wondering about Jscript (which is needed to post comments here), what happens if you lose the DS Ram cart, and is it really worth importing (if it doesnt have an english option, why bother?)
Sam @ Jun 24th 2006 4:56AM
If it won't produce animations, flash content, PDFs, or sound, then what is the point of the memory cart you put in the GBA slot?
ChuksDaDuke @ Jun 24th 2006 6:55AM
what about media streaming .... please someone tell it has the plug-in before i spent my hard cash on this beautiful black ds lite
Frexy @ Jun 24th 2006 7:20AM
First of all, that's Dutch, but I don't mind you thinking it's german, they look a lot like eachother.
Second; allow me to translate :)
"Incredible, I had no idea the DS could do this kind of stuff. Does the browser only use the GBA-slot or also the DS gamecard slot? It's a bit annoying that this isn't build into the DS hardware itself though. It would've been a lot more easier. Maybe that Nintendo'll bring a second SKU of it's DS in the future intendo. One that uses SD cards (much like it's bigger brother Wii) and has media-funcionality build in (like browser etc.) People will be a little bit pissed when they hear there's ANOTHER better DS version, but no one's forced to buy it eh? And Nintendo could also implement software updates, because they are needed!"
Well, if you ask me, he wants the DS to be much like the PSP... ;)
Question of my own now;
Does it support Java applets and stuff like that?
idioteraser @ Jun 24th 2006 9:48AM
Reason it wasn't built into the DS hardware because it would have greatly jacked up the cost of the DS if it was ready at the time which it wasn't.
The GBA slot is the memory expansion. Apparently opera can use JAVA and load most websites.
The DS lite version is just a comestic touch like the DS lite rumble pack.
I suspect the Opera webstore will sell opera replacement carts. If not you have to rebuy the opera package. If you lose your game cart you have to rebuy it after all. Don't lose your **** in the first place and you will not have to worry.
Fenix @ Jun 24th 2006 1:27PM
Very cool, $33 US is a bit less than I've been hearing for prices until now; I know in this day of free browsers paying anything might seem outrageous, but as a longtime user of Opera on the PC, I can tell you it's well worth it. To the person who asked why it can't do Flash: I can't speak for the developers, but there are many very good technical reasons why Flash would be unfeasible on a hardware as light as the DS--just off the top of my head, I can tell you that the filesizes of most flash programs are ABHORRENTLY large; this isn't a problem on modern computers, but on a tiny handheld availible space for browser cache is limited to levels that would make early 90's home computer users cringe. I imagine the cache gets pretty filled up just surfing around normally, as few sites these days seem to have any regard for things like page weight...
At any rate, I can't wait to have a portable I can actually use for portable internet that's not as bulky as a laptop--I've used internet on various mobile phones before and 9 times out of 10 a site that doesn't have a separate portal for mobile devices (read: 99% of the internet, or, at least, the English language internet) is just inaccessible, rendered incorrectly, or totally impossible to navigate.
Jei @ Jun 24th 2006 3:48PM
One question.
Can this thing use AIM Express? If it does I'm getting it for sure. I'm tired of getting on the computer just to use AIM.
Michael McGuire @ Jun 24th 2006 5:16PM
On AIM Express:
From their requirements page (http://www.aim.com/get_aim/express/aim_expr_req.adp) it appears as if they only list a browser as a requirement. There's no specific mention of flash or any other plug-in that Opera on the DS doesn't support. My guess would be that it uses just plain HTML and Javascript, so it should work. It would be nice for people to test these things out once it's released and have a list to see what works and what doesn't (like Meebo.com)
Jamesology @ Jun 24th 2006 5:32PM
WTF... $33 dollars to use the internet! Ummmm NO that $33 can just go onto a new game. It Doesnt even have flash. I'll use my PSP for internet. Good thing I carry both DS and PSP with me.
truplaya @ Jun 24th 2006 5:44PM
I heard that you can send emails with it, but I really hope you can IM people, that'll be a plus.
But even if you couldn't I'd still get it.
Mjr. @ Jun 24th 2006 6:22PM
15:
How about an actual laptop to browse the internet at hotspots? Then you can watch all the newgrounds flash animations you want.
Mjr. @ Jun 25th 2006 3:39AM
Comment was directed at 16, not 15.
Jarrod Turner @ Jun 25th 2006 11:00AM
It's previewed, not reviewed. Also, I wonder if Salling will create a clicker for the ds using the opera portal. That would be amazing.
Logger @ Jun 25th 2006 12:00PM
I hope developers will make Opera looks like on PC. But for surfing in internet I prefer PPC, not DS
Sam @ Jun 25th 2006 2:56PM
To #16:
33 dollars isn't that bad a deal when you think about it. That means you're paying the price of about a month and a half of cable internet in order to use free internet on a portable scale. Sounds like a good deal to me. If I had the choice between paying $50 for a browser with free high-speed internet or $30 monthly for internet with a free browser, I'd take the $50 browser.
Meridian @ Jun 26th 2006 9:57AM
How does the DS Lite compare to the normal DS? I have the original, and the Lite is out tomorrow... I'm wondering whether it's worth a purchase?
Jei @ Jun 26th 2006 1:01PM
I'm so hoping it does support IMing from at the very minimum AIM Express. Because I think it's a waste for me to just get online to talk to people on my computer, cause computer's use a lot of electricity, I'd rather use my DS when compared to a computer, will use very very little electricity. *crosses fingers for AIM Express* Sometimes carrying a laptop around is kind of a hassel just to go on and check email and chat to people in hotspots.
Jamesology @ Jun 26th 2006 3:18PM
to 18 & 22:
18-
Okay, umm why would you bring up a laptop into this subject? Obviously a laptop has a better IE. But now think about this... what would rather carry a PSP and a DS or a Laptop. Laptops does not have the size convenience of a PSP or DS, or even, put together. Thats why saying something stupid like why bring a PSP to the mall waiting for your GF shoppin' when you can just carry a PS2 and a TV.
22-
Umm Sam your paying for the web browser only. If you were at home you would still have to pay the $30/monthly for the internet service to use the Opera in the DS. Also, Wifi is FREE at several places (Starbuck, Blenz, malls, etc.), so $33 for a Internet browser with no Flash is really not worth it. Since I carry both my DS and PSP around, I will stick with the PSP Web browser.
P.S. Can I come and invade your town in Animal Crossing... :)