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Gadgets Wii Browses the Internet with Opera
Marcus Yam (Blog) - December 22, 2006 7:09 PM
Print 33 comment(s) - last by rushfan2006.. on Dec 26 at 8:39 AM

Opera on Wii

The Wiimote goes international

The Opera ninja shows you how to download the browser
Warning: frantic Web browsing may endanger wrist straps

Following the new-found weather forecasting abilities given to the Wii, Nintendo’s new machine is now able to browse the Web with the new Opera browser released today. Instead of using a control stick to move the cursor, the Wii Remote allows the user to navigate in a similar way as using a mouse. Although there is no mouse-wheel that many people have grown accustomed to, users can scroll up and down Web pages by pressing the B button and moving the Remote up and down.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to deliver our browser to Wii and let the world see what Opera is capable of on a game console,” says Jon von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera Software. “Wii users will enjoy navigating the Web with the flick of the Wii Remote while viewing their favorite content with ease from the TV screen. We are proud of our product and are working hard to make the final version of Opera as revolutionary as the Wii itself.”

Given that the Wii has a maximum resolution of 480p, on-screen text normally meant for computer monitors would be difficult to read on a standard or enhanced definition TV. To offset this, the Opera browser has “Intelligent Zoom” technology that enlarges objects on the page with the + button. Once zoomed in, the Wii Remote allows you to pan around the page while remaining in zoom mode.

“Opera on Wii adds a new dimension and functionality to a video game console system. It is a unique Web experience that everyone can use, and the Intelligent Zoom feature allows consumers to read Web content on the TV from the comfort of their couch,” says Reggie Fils-Aime, President of Nintendo of America. “Whether surfing the Web or playing a Wii game, users of all kinds will find fun, new experiences with Wii.”

The browser also offers an on-screen keyboard for text entry, and supports Flash and AJAX applications for sites such as YouTube and Google Maps.

Nintendo is currently offering a free trial of Opera for Wii which is now available for download. The release of the final version of the Opera browser for Wii is currently scheduled for late March 2007. Opera for Wii will remain a free download until June 30, 2007. After June 30, Opera will be available for download from the Wii Shop Channel for 500 Wii points. Users who download Opera before June 30, 2007, can continue to use the browser at no cost for the lifetime of the Wii system.

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Xbox 360 needs this...
By Enoch2001 on 12/22/2006 9:39:27 PM , Rating: 3
Since both PS3 and Wii offer this, I hope Microsoft opens it eyes and adds a browser to the 360. If I can peruse Youtube or Google videos from the comfort of my couch over my 360, that would be hella cool.




RE: Xbox 360 needs this...
By MrFluffo on 12/22/2006 10:07:06 PM , Rating: 2
I dont think they will, they keep too much stuff proprietary and locked. They dont have an open mind.


RE: Xbox 360 needs this...
By Dactyl on 12/24/2006 5:00:29 AM , Rating: 3
So we can't explore the internet on a 360 until Microsoft develops a proprietary browser?


RE: Xbox 360 needs this...
By rudy on 12/22/2006 10:11:28 PM , Rating: 3
they will be stupid not to. Little features like this can win you percentages of the market especially if you can convince people that they may not need to buy a computer, those on a smaller budget will like it. The others probably buy all 3 systems any way so you want to win over the customers that have less money as they determine who wins and loses the console war in a way.


RE: Xbox 360 needs this...
By tuteja1986 on 12/22/06, Rating: 0
RE: Xbox 360 needs this...
By ZeeStorm on 12/22/06, Rating: 0
RE: Xbox 360 needs this...
By rushfan2006 on 12/26/2006 8:39:02 AM , Rating: 2
Does anyone else find it the least bit amusing that this person is comparing peer to peer networks and actual company based game networks in the same category? :)

I had xbox live the first year I had xbox (when it was brand new)...it was nice performance wise...but I cancelled it...I though some online gamers were childish and immature on PC games....well Xbox Live made it perfectly clear to me that the console gaming multiplayer community -- much more immature and childish. So I quit, why spend $50 annually to feel like I'm playing games with my 6 year old nephew all the time?

I long for the day that there are age requirements on networks, and you get a retinal scan to verify age before you are granted access.....now of course age doesn't mean maturity but at least its gonna narrow down the margins of immaturity.



RE: Xbox 360 needs this...
By sparks on 12/23/2006 12:21:20 AM , Rating: 2
Why does the Wii browser play YouTube videos full screen better than my PC? I've got an Opteron 175 and a 7800GS.


RE: Xbox 360 needs this...
By Thmstec on 12/23/2006 1:32:34 AM , Rating: 5
It is a scaling issue, because you Wii outputs in 640x480 (i or P) the 320x240 videos from Youtube have many fewer jaggies from better scaling. Chances are that you PC's monitor is around 1280x1024 (mine is 1600x1200), so scaling 320x240 video to normal PC resolutions...never turns out well. I bet if you hooked up that 7800GS to the TV your Wii is hooked up to, it'll be identical, if not better on the PC.


RE: Xbox 360 needs this...
By AndreasM on 12/23/2006 8:54:00 PM , Rating: 2
I was positively surprised by the Wii's browser, as it actually has flash support! Watching youtube videos from your tv is pretty neat, only problem is that youtube has been cutting back on (copyrighted) content.

Ah well, watching adult swim and the Colbert report from your tv is better than nothing I suppose. (Those shows don't air here in Finland, so no comments about the sillyness of watching tv series through youtube on your tv please :P)


RE: Xbox 360 needs this...
By MrSmurf on 12/23/2006 2:00:04 AM , Rating: 3
Internet Explorer on my 360... you should be arrested for putting that thought in my head.


It works
By Dianoda on 12/22/2006 10:34:09 PM , Rating: 3
I'm using my Wii to post this comment. It works, hooray! Pretty well, too. Typing takes a while, though. This took 2 minutes to produce. That's really slow now that I think about it.




RE: It works
By Goatjoe on 12/22/2006 11:38:27 PM , Rating: 3
Awesome!!! Now, I can surf porn, and play Zelda - all without getting off my couch!!!


RE: It works
By xphile on 12/24/2006 8:28:30 AM , Rating: 3
Oh oh - I see the new product warning label now ... "When frequently combining gaming with surfing porn, please be acutely aware of which you are doing as the Wii-mote is not designed for constant prolonged jerking action and your own joystick may not provide the expected results in Wi Tennis."

And god forbid the unimaginable class action lawsuits...


RE: It works
By bunnyfubbles on 12/23/2006 2:06:22 AM , Rating: 2
too bad there's no mic in the wiimote (only a dinky speaker), I'd think they could have implemented some sort of speech to text dealy


RE: It works
By heffeque on 12/23/2006 10:20:27 AM , Rating: 2
There will be a Mic for the WiiMote later on ;-) Although I doubt there will be any speech recognition for the Wii since they usually need a very powerful CPU, training (memory stick needed in that case), etc. I'd say they could add a keyboard to the Wii in the future to make as one of those WebTV things but better :-D


RE: It works
By ThisSpaceForRent on 12/23/06, Rating: 0
RE: It works
By Bladen on 12/23/2006 3:44:34 PM , Rating: 3
Voice activation and voice recognition (voice to text) are two very different things.


RE: It works
By glennpratt on 12/23/2006 1:06:46 PM , Rating: 3
Can you not plug in a USB keyboard like the 350 or PS3?


RE: It works
By feelingshorter on 12/24/2006 2:36:59 PM , Rating: 2
How do you enter text on the wii? I want to buy a Wii now but its all sold out around here.


rating problem
By pakigang on 12/24/2006 12:13:50 AM , Rating: 2
Why can't I rate comments anymore??? It happening since last week & yes I am logged in. Any idea if others are facing the same problem?




RE: rating problem
By althaz on 12/24/2006 5:31:16 AM , Rating: 2
Although its unrelated to this discussion, I am having the exact same problem. I'm logged in but I can't rate posts.


RE: rating problem
By Chillin1248 on 12/24/2006 8:58:05 AM , Rating: 2
I believe it has to do with a new regime recently instituted to prevent abuse of the rating system.

I believe it works with either post count or average post rating, perhaps both. For example, both of you have 8 and 6 total posts respectively and a average rating of 2.00 (default rating).

Simply click on another users name in bold under his/her headline to see this information and some more.

-------
Chillin


Cool Opera
By Einy0 on 12/23/2006 8:54:04 PM , Rating: 3
Opera is a great browser the more it gets out there the better. WTG Nintendo !!! Anything to help alternative browsers. I like Firefox too but Opera is so fast and takes so little memory space etc... I play EverQuest 2 and when I need to window out and look something up, Opera is the only way to go. EQ2 is a memory hog. Firefox can be a memory hog. My only issue with Opera is some plugins don't work that well. Also some web pages still have issues usually related to user input such as check boxes or drop down menus. That is however rare and seems to be getting less and less common.




RE: Cool Opera
By PrinceGaz on 12/23/2006 10:14:46 PM , Rating: 2
Hell yes, it's companies like Nintendo who license the Opera browser that ensure those of us using the free PC version can continue to do so.

As good as the latest versions of Firefox and IE are, they are both being hit by a lot more security breaches than Opera (probably because only a few of us realise just how good Opera actually is, so hackers don't target it).

The sites that have issues with Opera are because they don't conform to web standards, and Opera complies with the standards exactly. In the short term the answer is to use another browser for those rogue sites, then send an email to the site admin to let him know his site cannot be viewed correctly with web-standard compliant browsers.


Funny?
By crystal clear on 12/23/2006 9:29:11 PM , Rating: 2
This is great reading & advice(ha)

"For the best performance of your Wii, avoid bright light sources behind or near the TV, shining towards the Wii remote or reflecting off the TV screen," the firm recommends. µ

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=36...




RE: Funny?
By PrinceGaz on 12/23/2006 10:18:31 PM , Rating: 2
Yes, I think that is good advice for anyone with a TV regardless of whether they are using a Wii console with it or not. Bright lights around or reflecting off the TV screen will most probably spoil your enjoyment of the programme.


Why do you need a browser?
By Randalllind on 12/24/2006 2:04:54 AM , Rating: 2
No one has explain this to me are hardcore gamers ditching computers now to surf on Wii and PS3 etc?

What's the point? Use it to play games get a pc to surf the web.




RE: Why do you need a browser?
By Dactyl on 12/24/2006 5:03:24 AM , Rating: 2
Not all families have One Laptop Per Child. If the desktop is in use, someone else can still get online.

Or you can check up on a few things from the couch before/after you start gaming.


Also....
By crystal clear on 12/24/2006 6:24:51 AM , Rating: 3
"Opera to browse on Samsung cellphones"
Oslo (Norway) - Opera, the rising star in the world of specialized Internet browsers, today announced that it has scored a contract with cellphone unit of Samsung to include the mobile browser in its future set of 3G phones.

Most phones that are capable of handling Internet browsing leave users messing around with clunky interfaces that do not work well with the small screen and limited control functions. Opera has won praise for its intuitive look and feel.

"Our strategies in working closely across the board with major handset manufacturers, operators and directly with end users have made Opera Mobile an attractive product. We're proud that Opera Mobile is today's choice for Web browsing on the latest Samsung mobile handset because of its winning user experience and form factor adaptation," said Opera CEO Jon von Tetzchner

http://www.tgdaily.com/2006/12/21/opear_samsung/




DS?
By Xenoterranos on 12/24/2006 3:07:15 PM , Rating: 2
Any chance that nintendo will bring the DS browser to the states anytime soon? As much as I love browsing on my TV (TVedia does it quite nicely) I would rather have my DS turn into a palm pilot :)




Plus this
By crystal clear on 12/25/2006 1:48:53 AM , Rating: 2
An interview by Forbes with Opera......

Von Tetzchner chatted with Forbes.com recently about what's next for his company..

How do devices like Nintendo's Wii fit into Opera's future?

We see a tremendous opportunity there. People want to be able to utilize devices and get online. I think adding the browser to the game console is the logical next step, and we're delighted to be working with Nintendo. In addition to that, we're doing devices like the Sony mylo, a small communication device that uses Wi-Fi. We're doing set-top boxes for the home. We're doing in-flight entertainment. Basically anything that could have a need to display data. Our goal is to be on a significant number of those.

What's the weirdest device Opera is on?

The bar code reader is a fairly special kind of device. If you visit IBM's (nyse: IBM - news - people ) labs in Austin, Texas, you'll see us on the refrigerator. There's a few more, but I can't actually talk about all of them [laughs].

All those kinds of things that you're not really thinking that it would have a browser. Anything that has a screen--or doesn't even really need a screen. Through our partner IBM, you can talk to the browser and it will talk back. If you want to be using something like this for a car, you definitely don't want to always be looking have to look at a screen. The great thing about the Internet is that you actually can tailor it for different users.

http://www.forbes.com/intelligentinfrastructure/20...





TYPO!!
By clucku on 12/24/2006 7:03:42 PM , Rating: 1
ITS "an unique"... "a unique" is phonetically correct. However, "an unique" is grammatically correct... and recognized by old british guys that study this stuff.




"There's no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance." -- Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer

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