Internet Channel updating next month with WiiSpeak support, tabs, huge buttons

by JC Fletcher { Nov 11th 2008 at 4:22PM }

The Internet Channel will finally receive a significant update next month, according to GameReactor Magazine. We haven't been able to find the exact location of this item in GameReactor, so we're currently relying on GoNintendo's summary.

The new version will support the WiiSpeak microphone in some unknown capacity. It will finally allow tabbed browsing in the form of an exceptionally wacky Tab Cube, each side of which shows a tab. It'll also include the ability to check your Wii messages from inside the browser interface. On top of that, the browser has been updated with big, ugly navigation buttons.

The new browser will probably be a free update for current Internet Channel owners, and 500 points for everyone else.

Tags: browser, internet-channel, opera

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

meist3r @ Nov 11th 2008 4:27PM

The cube looks a lot like a Compiz desktop.

jceggbert5 @ Nov 17th 2008 10:46AM

I agree, but it could also be "Beryl" (linux guy here...), or it could be DeskSpace (XP, Vista only) BUT Ubuntu's built-in one is probably the best

Hel @ Jan 8th 2009 2:08PM

jceggbert5: Well, the team behind Beryl merged with the compiz team and produced a product called 'Compiz Fusion' - which is basically the Beryl effects (heh heh, FIRE) running on the Compiz engine.

Ubuntu's "built in" effects are actually based on Compiz Fusion.

BTW - good to see another Linux guy out there. I'm running Ubuntu 8.04 64-bit on an Athlon X2 with a 7600gt.

Steve @ Nov 11th 2008 4:37PM

Will we finally be able to view hulu or shows on other sites like nbc/abc/fox?!?!?

Gewurz Man got equipped with... Guitar Hero! @ Nov 11th 2008 6:45PM

you kidding? only geeks and otaku would want that...

bhengh @ Nov 11th 2008 4:40PM

I really hope they've updated the flash player.

mapi @ Nov 11th 2008 7:30PM

Now that Flash 10 is out, your wish might come true.

Hunter @ Nov 11th 2008 4:58PM

voip via WiiSpeak, maybe?

Sonic_13 @ Nov 11th 2008 5:12PM

I've been looking for it on Game Reactor's website as well since I first read the story earlier today, but I haven't been able to find it either.

The buttons aren't bad, but of course they are hideable.

I'm really interested to know what Wii Speak might be used for. I don't use my laptop's microphone for anything in my daily web browsing, so I wonder if it is merely just providing the option in case a web app wants to use a microphone or if there is some specific Wii Speak functionality built into the web browser (group internet browsing? voip?)

Of course, this could all be made up since no one can seem to find the source and all we have to go on is a post on gonintendo.com

iofthestorm @ Nov 12th 2008 2:00AM

Hmm, that screenshot looks kind of fugly/fake but tabs are a welcome addition, if I ever used it anyway. Hopefully they update the Flash too.

TheOverlord#2 @ Nov 11th 2008 5:15PM

YES!!!
Please also add at least Flash 8 and if WiiSpeak will be compatible with VOIP, then maybe someone will find a way to chat via different devices.(8 Player Private Chat rooms, 360? How about 50 chatters and on a computer chat!?) And let us choose between an "Original" and "New" look. I really love they added tabs also, but do I really need an ugly 3D cube in my way? Hopefully they'll allow actual tabs on the top of the screen.

iambob98 @ Nov 11th 2008 5:24PM

the people over at gonintendo are convinced that, because of the exact wording of the source info, that if you didnt pay at all before then you will have to pay this time. So if you got the browser for free when it first came out, then you would need to pay a 5 dollar upgrade fee. I hope what you guys are assuming is true though...

Sonic_13 @ Nov 11th 2008 5:47PM

We can't really follow what gonintendo says necessarily since they only are summarizing a source that no one else seems to be able to find.

But a download is a download. The Wii Shop Channel doesn't have any way to distinguish who paid for it and who got it free. Updates are simply released to those who downloaded it.

iambob98 @ Nov 11th 2008 5:49PM

ok just wanted to put that out there tho but you do make a good point

Hugh Isaacs II @ Nov 11th 2008 5:29PM

I'm guessing the WiiSpeak support is via a Flash update since Flash on actual computers supports Microphones.

Or this is just that horrible Microphone feature in the Opera browser, where you control everything with your voice.

rouroniJohn @ Nov 11th 2008 5:32PM

PLEASE!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!please!!!

wait but it doesnt say anything about the flash player?
thats the only thing that matters!!!
i demand flash player 8(or is it 9 now?)

Mr Khan @ Nov 11th 2008 6:19PM

Further incentive for Wii Speak is good

Atlantis1982 @ Nov 11th 2008 7:12PM

Tabbed browsing: thank you! Updated Flash would be nice too, but I ain't holding my breath.

Uberjoe @ Nov 11th 2008 7:14PM

Updated flash would be nice, but it will never happen.

http://my.opera.com/haavard/blog/2007/04/13/wii-browser-out-but-why-flash-7-and-not-8-or-9

ejamer @ Nov 11th 2008 7:31PM

Updated Flash could happen, but would require Nintendo to actually pay the Opera developers for that update to happen.

Will Nintendo do that? I'd be tempted to say no... but using that logic I didn't expect to see ANY updates to the Internet Channel. If Nintendo are paying for an update anyway (which is what this news appears to be) then it would seem odd NOT to add Flash at the same time.

m-p{3} @ Nov 12th 2008 11:24AM

@Uberjoe
This post from Opera is outdated, because Adobe launched the Open Screen Project since.

http://www.openscreenproject.org/about/

They have absolutely no technical reason to not do it, it's just that either Nintendo or Opera either lazy or do not want to spend money on it.