Internet Channel
| Internet Channel | |
|---|---|
| File:InternetChannelWikipedia.png | |
| Developer(s) | Opera Software Nintendo |
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Engine | Presto |
| Platform(s) | Wii |
| Release | December 22 2006 (Trial) March 2007 (Free full download) June 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 in March 2007 and will be free to download until the end of June that year. After this period the browser will cost 500 Wii Points to download.[3] Users who download Opera before June 30, 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.
Overview
The trial version of the Internet channel was released on December 22, 2006. Just like other channels, Internet channel uses whichever connection is chosen in the Wii Settings, and utilizes the user's internet connection speed directly. There is no third party network that traffic is being routed through -- the Wii works just like a PC. 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, can view just about any web page. For most internet users, the Wii offers all of the functionality they need to perform the most common web tasks. The Wii has no trouble using MySpace, eBay, PayPal and Google as long as it uses their most basic functions.
(WiiConnect24 is required to connect to the internet.)
Functionality
The software is saved to the Wii's 512 MB internal flash memory, or an optional SD card and the application launches within a few seconds. The browser is able to connect to the Internet wirelessly (802.11b) or via an Ethernet cable.
The Opera-based Wii browser allows users full access to the Web and support all the same web standards that are included in Opera 9 web browser for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux, including JavaScript. It is also possible for the browser to use technologies such as Ajax 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 plans to design the Wii browser to suit a "living room environment"; in contrast to the appearance of the Opera web browser on computer monitors, fonts will be larger and the interface will be 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 Flash (Adobe Flash 7), users can play some Flash games using their Wii remotes. Several websites, such as WiiCade.com, WiiArcade.com, Wii're Gamers - Arcade, MiiBoard.com and Wii2D.com, have been created to gather Wii-friendly Internet games. Other websites, like Albino Blacksheep, have created sections for only mouse friendly flash games that would work well on the Nintendo Wii. These games only require using the cursor to play, without the need for a keyboard, as the Wii remote acts exactly like a cursor.
Flash compatability also allows HTTP-based networked media servers such as Orb to be accessed from the Wii. This allows music, video, and other media to be accessed over a network. [7]
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 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 SSR 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 live 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 hard time handling hyper links that would normally open in a new window. 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. Also, the total number of favorites a user can save is currently limited.
References
- ^ Wii will be using the opera browser Console Watcher
- ^ The Opera browser for Wii launches just in time for the holidays
- ^ Nintendo of Europe press release
- ^ Opera Press Release
- ^ "Second Quarter 2006 Financial Presentation" (PDF). Opera Software.
- ^ 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) - ^ Wii Opera Browser: Orb Streaming Works Great! digg
External links
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