Internet Channel: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox VG |
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| title = Internet Channel |
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| image = [[Image:InternetChannelFinal Wikipedia.png|300px]] |
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| developer = [[Opera Software]]<br/>[[Nintendo]] |
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| publisher = [[Nintendo]] |
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| distributor = |
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| designer = |
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| engine = [[Presto (layout engine)|Presto]] |
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| version = |
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| released = April 11, 2007 |
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| genre = [[Web browser]] |
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| ratings = |
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| platforms = [[Wii]] |
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| media = |
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| requirements = |
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| input = [[Wii Remote]], [[USB Keyboard]] |
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| preceded by = [[Opera (web browser)|Opera]] |
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| followed by = |
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}} |
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The '''Internet Channel''' is a version of the [[Opera (web browser)|Opera]] 9 [[web browser]] for use on the [[Wii]] by [[Opera Software]] and [[Nintendo]].<ref>http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/channelsInternet.jsp</ref> [[Opera Software]] also implemented the [[Nintendo DS Browser]] for Nintendo's handheld system. |
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Internet Channel uses an internet connection (set in the Wii Settings) to retrieve pages directly from a web site's HTTP or [[HTTPS]] server, not through a network of proxy servers as in [[Opera Mini]] products. Internet Channel is capable of rendering most web sites in the same manner as its desktop counterpart by using Opera's Medium Screen Rendering technology. |
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==History== |
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On May 10, 2006, the [[Opera Software]] company announced plans to develop a web browser for the Wii.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.opera.com/pressreleases/en/2006/05/10/ |title=A Web Revolution in the Living room: Opera partners with Nintendo to put browser on the Wii game console |publisher=[[Opera Software]] |date=May 10, 2006 |accessdate=2008-02-19}}</ref> |
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===Trial version=== |
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A trial version of the Internet Channel was released in December 2006, and a full version followed in April 2007. While in the [[Software release cycle#Beta|beta]] stages of the development, this version of the Opera web browser implements some of the most 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. |
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The functionality of the trial version was limited in some respects. Web addresses could only be entered on the home page and there was no browsing history (only the basic back/forward system for accessing previous pages). The browser had a difficult time handling [[hyperlink]]s that would normally open a new window via [[Javascript]]. There were 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 was no way to hide or "auto-hide" the navigation bar. Also, the total number of favorites a user could save was limited to 21 URLs. |
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===Release version=== |
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The full version of the Internet Channel was released in April 2007.<ref>{{Cite press release |url=http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=11946 |title=Nintendo News: Full Internet Channel Now Available for Wii|date=2007-04-12|publisher=Nintendo |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070416162226/http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=11946 |archivedate=2007-04-16}}</ref> It was available as a free upgrade to owners of the trial version, but if the trial version had not been previously downloaded, Nintendo charged 500 [[Wii points]] on July 1, 2007 to September 1, 2009.<ref>{{Cite press release |url=http://www.opera.com/pressreleases/en/2007/04/12/ |title=Get to Know the Web on Wii: Full Version of Wii Internet Channel Powered by Opera Available for Free Download |publisher=[[Opera Software]] |date=April 12, 2007 |accessdate=2008-09-14}}</ref> |
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Before the release of [[Opera (web browser)|Opera]] 9.5, the Internet Channel's [[layout engine]] was actually more advanced than Opera for [[Desktop environment|desktop]]s, as it included bug fixes that were not available in the desktop edition prior to version 9.5.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://weblog.timaltman.com/node/857 |title=The Rendering Engine for the Wii |last=Altman |
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|first=Tim |date=April 17, 2007 |accessdate=2007-10-30}}</ref> |
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===USB Keyboard support added=== |
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USB Keyboard support was added in an Internet Channel update on October 10, 2007.<ref name="ref11">{{Cite press release |url=http://www.opera.com/pressreleases/en/2007/10/11_2/ |title=Communication Made More Useful: The Updated Internet Channel for Wii |publisher=[[Opera Software]] |date=October 11, 2008 |accessdate=2008-09-14}}</ref> In addition launch time was reduced. Increased the number of favorites to be saved to 56 and gave the ability to send Favorites to people in the Wii's Address Book. It added the ability to highlight words on a Web page and copy it to the "Search" function and the ability to type longer messages without the [[virtual keyboard]] lagging. The pricing remained the same as the release version. 500 Wii points to initally download, free to update any previous version.<ref name="ref11" /> |
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===Flash Lite implementation=== |
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On September 1, 2009, the Internet Channel was updated and made available for free. Users who downloaded it when it cost 500 Wii Points are to be compensated with a free [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] game download of their choice from the [[Virtual Console]], worth 500 Wii Points, between October 1st and December 31st 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/FBiLHnDngyGCSshskXzSItvnZglSF8oY |title=Nintendo Makes It Easy For Wii Owners to Access the Internet |date=1 September 2009 |publisher=Nintendo |accessdate=14 December 2009}}</ref> In addition it updated Flash Player to [[Adobe Flash Lite]] 3.1 which corresponds to a full implementation of Adobe Flash version 8 with certain features of Flash 9.<ref>Note: The Wii Browser now Identifies its self as "AFL 9,1,122,0" to Flash applications as can be seen by visiting http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/155/tn_15507.html in the Wii Browser.</ref> |
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==Features== |
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The Opera-based Wii browser allows users full access to the [[World Wide Web|Web]] and supports all the same web standards that are included in the desktop versions of Opera, including [[Cascading Style Sheets|CSS]] and [[JavaScript]]. Like Opera 9, the Internet Channel fully passes the [[Acid2]] web browser test. It is also possible for the browser to use technologies such as [[Ajax (programming)|Ajax]], [[RSS]], and [[Adobe Flash]]. 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. The company has also stated that some Wii video games may implement the use of the browser.<ref name="ref5">{{cite web |last=Temperton |first=James |url=http://www.cubed3.com/news/5329 |title=Interview: Opera's Nintendo Wii Browser |date=June 3, 2006 |accessdate=2006-06-04 |publisher=Cubed3}}</ref> Due to certain limitations with Wii's hardware, the browser cannot support any language characters except for [[Latin alphabet|Latin]], [[Cyrillic alphabet|Cyrillic]], [[Japanese writing system|Japanese]], and [[Chinese character|Chinese]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} |
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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,<ref name="ref5" /> similar to the style employed for [[MSN TV]]. Currently the user can zoom in on a detail on a web page, with animated transitions. Users are also able to insert a [[USB]] keyboard into the Wii system for text input. This functionality was added in a Wii system update and Internet Channel update (downloaded from the [[Wii Shop Channel]]) on October 10, 2007. |
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As the browser supports Flash, users have the ability to interact with Flash-based software using the [[Wii Remote]]. As a result, several websites have been created or expanded to gather Wii-friendly Internet games. Windows Media Player and Real Video content at this point are incompatible with the Internet Channel. The Internet Channel also supports Wii Remote button shortcuts that allows access to Favorites, Refresh, Stop, Search, and Enter web page. The shortcuts are: Favourites: B+down, Refresh: B+up, Search: B+left, WWW: B+right |
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===Third-party web applications=== |
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Third party [[API]]s and SDKs have been released that allow developers to read the values of the Wii Remote buttons in both Flash and Javascript. This allows for software that previously required keyboard controls to be converted for use with the Wii Remote.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2007/03/01/7273 |last=Caron |first=Frank |title=WiiCade API creates new possibilities for Wii browser play |publisher=ARS Technica LLC |date=March 1, 2007 |accessdate=2008-09-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://gonintendo.com/?p=31868 |title=Wii Opera SDK Now Open to the Public |publisher=GoNintendo.com |date=December 19, 2007 |accessdate=2008-09-14}}</ref> |
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The browser was also used to stream BBC [[iPlayer]] videos from April 9, 2008 after an exclusive deal was made with Nintendo UK and the BBC to offer their catch-up service for the Wii.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2008/04/bbc_iplayer_on_wii.html |title=BBC iPlayer On Wii |first=Anthony |last=Rose |publisher=BBC Internet Blog |date=April 9, 2008 |accessdate=2008-09-14}}</ref>However, the September 2009 update caused the iPlayer to no longer operate. The BBC acknowledged the issue and created a dedicated channel instead. <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/help/playing_programmes/nintendo_Wii/ |title=Why am I unable to view BBC iPlayer on my Nintendo Wii |publisher=bbc.co.uk |data=7 September 2009}}</ref> |
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In June 2009, [[YouTube]] released YouTube XL, a Wii-friendly version of the popular video-sharing website. The regular page will redirect you to the page if you are on a Wii.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://youtube-global.blogspot.com/2009/06/experience-youtube-xl-on-big-screen_02.html | title=Experience Youtube XL on the big screen |first=Kuan |last=Yong |publisher= YouTube blog | date=June 2, 2009 |accessdate=2009-12-23}}</ref> |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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<!-- Please limit links to official site of the Internet Channel from Nintendo and Opera, or links from news sites, as anything else may pose a [[Wikipedia:Conflict of Interest]]. See [[Wikipedia:Spam]] and [[Wikipedia:External links]] for more details --> |
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* [http://us.wii.com/channel_internet.jsp Internet Channel] - From Nintendo's official U.S. Wii site. |
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* [http://www.opera.com/devices/wii/ Opera For Nintendo] - Opera's official web site for Nintendo Wii |
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* [http://www.opera.com/docs/specs/opera9/?platform=wii IC Wii Web Standards] - Web Standards Support in Opera for Nintendo's Wii |
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{{Wii}} |
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{{OperaBrowser}} |
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{{Web browsers}} |
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[[Category:Opera Software|Wii]] |
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[[Category:Wii]] |
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[[nl:Wii Browser]] |
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[[ja:インターネットチャンネル]] |
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[[pt:Internet Channel]] |
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[[ru:Internet Channel]] |
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[[fi:Internet Channel]] |
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[[sv:Internet Channel]] |
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Revision as of 16:24, 15 February 2010
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