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Internet Channel

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Internet Channel
File:InternetChannelWikipedia.png
Developer(s)Opera Software
Nintendo
Publisher(s)Nintendo
EnginePresto
Platform(s)Wii
ReleaseDecember 22 2006 (Trial)
March 30, 2007 (Free full download)
June 1, 2007 (Free download ends)
Genre(s)Web browser
Mode(s)Single user

The Internet Channel is a version of the Opera web browser for use on the Wii by Opera Software and Nintendo.[1] On December 22, 2006 a free beta version (promoted as a "trial version") of the browser was released.[2] The final version of the browser will be available on March 30, 2007 and will be free to download until the first day of June that year. After this period the browser will cost 500 Wii Points to download.[3] Users who download Opera before June 1, 2007, can continue to use the browser at no cost for the lifetime of the Wii system.[4]

Opera Software was previously responsible for the Nintendo DS Browser for Nintendo's handheld system.

The trial version of the Internet channel was released on December 22, 2006. Internet channel uses whichever connection is chosen in the Wii Settings, and utilizes the user's internet connection directly; There is no third party network that traffic is being routed through. It receives a connection from a router/modem and uses a web browser to pull up HTTP and HTTPS (secure and encrypted) web pages. Opera, the Wii's web browser is capable of rendering most web sites in the same manner as its desktop counterpart by using Opera's Medium Screen Rendering technology. For most internet users, the Wii offers all of the functionality they need to perform the most common web tasks.

Functionality

The software is saved to the Wii's 512 MB internal flash memory (can be copied to an SD card after downloaded). The temporary Internet files (maximum of 5MB for the trial version) can only be saved to the Wii's internal Memory. The application launches within a few seconds, after connecting to the Internet wirelessly (using Wi-Fi) or via an Ethernet cable.[citation needed]

The Opera-based Wii browser allows users full access to the Web and supports all the same web standards that are included in the desktop versions of Opera, including CSS and JavaScript. It is also possible for the browser to use technologies such as Ajax, RSS, and Adobe Flash 7. Opera Software has indicated that the functionality will allow for third parties to create web applications specifically designed for the use on the Wii Browser, and it will support Widgets, standalone web-based applications using Opera as an application platform.[5] The company has also stated that some Wii video games may implement the use of the browser.[6]

Opera Software designed the Wii browser to suit a "living room environment"; in contrast to the appearance of the Opera web browser on computer monitors, fonts are larger and the interface is simplified for easier use,[6] similar to the style employed for MSN TV. Currently the user can zoom in on a detail on a web page, with animated transitions.

As the browser supports SWF files up to player version seven, users have the ability to play Flash based games using their Wii remotes. These games only require using the cursor to play, without the need for a keyboard, as the Wii remote acts exactly like a cursor. As a result, several websites have been created to gather Wii-friendly Internet games. Other websites, like Wiicade.com and Albino Blacksheep, have created sections for only mouse friendly flash games that would work well on the Wii. Recently, Wiicade.com has also managed to create an API that allows developers to read the values of the Wii Remote buttons. This allows for games that previously required keyboard controls to be converted for use with the Wii Remote. [7]

Flash compatibility also allows HTTP-based networked media servers such as Orb, and online playlist websites to be accessed from the Wii. This allows music, video, and other multimedia to be accessed over a network. [8].

Trial version

A trial version of the Internet Channel was released in December 2006. Although still in the beta stages of the development, this version of the Opera web browser implements some of the most widely-reported features of the prospective final version. For example, it is possible to zoom in on web pages (by one increment) with the "+" button on the Wii Remote and pan around by holding the "B" button, and both Flash and AJAX functions are present. In addition, an alternative single-column rendering mode with large-print text can be toggled by pressing the "2" button on the Wii Remote, similar to the Small Screen Rendering mode seen on Opera's Nintendo DS Browser.

Similar to other web browsers, the trial version has a "Favorites" system to allow users to bookmark sites. The Favorites page can be accessed either by pressing the '1' button on the Wii Remote or the on-screen button which has a star symbol. Favorites can be added, deleted and edited from the Favorites page. The browser displays a thumbnail image of each bookmarked site.

The functionality of the trial version is limited in some respects. Web addresses can only be entered on the home page and there is no browsing history (only the basic back/forward system for accessing previous pages). The browser has a difficult time handling hyperlinks that would normally open a new window via Javascript. There are no user-configurable settings such as custom home pages (the browser has a default splash page), preferences for cookies, or parental control features (although the Internet Channel can be locked out entirely via parental control configured from the Wii menu), and there is no way to hide or "auto-hide" the navigation bar. Also, the total number of favorites a user can save is currently limited to 25 webpages.

In order to increase additional functions, users may use Wiiminder, a javascript-based page that enables tab-based browsing.

See also

References

  1. ^ Wii will be using the opera browser Console Watcher
  2. ^ The Opera browser for Wii launches just in time for the holidays
  3. ^ Nintendo of Europe press release
  4. ^ Opera Press Release
  5. ^ "Second Quarter 2006 Financial Presentation" (PDF). Opera Software.
  6. ^ a b Temperton, James (2006-06-03). "Interview: Opera's Nintendo Wii Browser". Cubed3. Retrieved 2006-06-04. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ http://www.wiicade.com/api.aspx
  8. ^ Wii Opera Browser: Orb Streaming Works Great! digg
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