Wii: first a symphony, now Opera

by Christopher Grant { May 11th 2006 at 5:15PM }

Nintendo's keynote on Tuesday began with a symphony: Miyamoto came out onto the stage conducting with the Wiimote. The following day they announced an Opera ... web-browser for the Nintendo Wii. According to Nintendo's Genyo Takeda:

"For our Wii console launch in 2006, we required a browser that was fast and secure with support for the latest standards including AJAX. Opera proved perfect for our purposes and is an exceptional addition to both the Nintendo DS and the Wii console."

Nintendo made a similar arrangement with Opera in February to bundle the browser with their Nintendo DS handheld system. Sony has their own (Gecko-based) browser for the PSP. Question is, will the PS3 ship with a built-in browser, and why hasn't Microsoft dropped their own Internet Explorer onto the 360?

[Thanks, greatslack]

Tags: e32006, opera, Web browser, WebBrowser

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Liquidd @ May 11th 2006 5:18PM

That image should have been of Opera Man!!

epobirs @ May 11th 2006 5:24PM

Ugh, another NTSC web browser? Didn't the world learn its lesson after WebTV and Dreamcast?

Now, a browser on the Xbox 360 or PS3 at 720p would be very effective. A steady, widescreen version of the resolution most commonly used today.

Jacob @ May 11th 2006 5:26PM

Actually... the PSP's browser is a NetFront one (don't we all wish it was Gecko!)

dsub @ May 11th 2006 5:32PM

web browser = hacked consoles/viruses/spyware/malware

I don't want that shit on my 360. Next thing you know I'll have to do a spyware sweep or format my HDD before I can play my games. No thanks. I have a PC for a reason.

Smellslikepie @ May 11th 2006 5:33PM

"why hasn't Microsoft dropped their own Internet Explorer onto the 360?"

I remember someone from Microsoft saying that it was a security threat or something like that. Check with Moore or Larry. It's much easier for an attack to be made the console if you allow web support. I mean, and I may be wrong here ( and if I am don't laugh at my ignorance, just correct me), if you allow a web browser on a computer or console, doesn't that leave it vulnerable to viruses from certain sites, etc. also, microsoft has stated that their console is for GAMES. Or, at least, that was the excuse for having a seperate HD-DVD drive, which I can relate to, because if you just want next-gen gameplay they offer it, along with the Wii, at an affordable price, and allow you to choose if you want the upgrades. (didn't mean to deviate from the topic then, sorry)

Jordan @ May 11th 2006 5:35PM

the controller will make surfing the web a breeze simply point to whatever link you want and there ya go, and the system already has usb so you can use a wireless keyboard, it'd be much harder to pull off a browser on the ps3 or 360 simply because of the analog contols, similar to the difficulty i have with my psp browser, hard as heck to surf more than 3 sites somewhat in 20 minutes or more, ds browser all you do is touch the link, like a palm browser, very good ideas

Paul @ May 11th 2006 5:36PM

WTF? The black Zyuranger without his helmet, and he's wearing a cape? He doesn't look like either of the American black rangers(Walter Jones or Jonny Bosch) and he also doesn't look like the Sentai version.

devi8i @ May 11th 2006 5:37PM

Added to #3 If you put a web browser on 360 then MS would allow its captive audience to find music, movie trailers, and oh my gosh maybe even an IM client that isnt a MS product. Then How could MS's PR department brag about the high number of downloads from XBL???

They would also have to allow for JAVA and FLASH to be incorporated into the browser and allow for updates of said plugins. If you could do that I think you would qucikly see exploits to the OS itself allowing you to play pirated games.......

Imagine the world of a hacked 360 acting as a web server dishing up ripped games.......

JodyAnthony @ May 11th 2006 5:39PM

"the system already has usb so you can use a wireless keyboard, it'd be much harder to pull off a browser on the ps3 or 360 simply because of the analog contols"

USB mouse?

tristan @ May 11th 2006 5:45PM

I agree there would be alot of spyware, hacking, and easier modding. It would make it easier for what Microsoft doesn't want to happen (modding) alot easier for them.

Jordan @ May 11th 2006 5:47PM

to Jody Anthony:

yea, a USB mouse would work, but i don't know about you, but I've used one with a television, trying to bend over and use a table, or put a hard mouse pad in my lap and use it would not even come close to the fluidity and ease of using the wii remote with a television, you can recline, relax, etc. by just pointing, keyboard is easier than a mouse

Concerned citizen @ May 11th 2006 5:54PM

"WTF? The black Zyuranger without his helmet, and he's wearing a cape? He doesn't look like either of the American black rangers(Walter Jones or Jonny Bosch) and he also doesn't look like the Sentai version."

AMAZING, this guy actually know the name of the power rangers actors!!! does anybody here speak Klingon too???

Presentlight @ May 11th 2006 6:01PM

@dsub #4

You said it.

Paul @ May 11th 2006 6:12PM

Austin St. John, Walter Emmanuel Jones, Amy Jo Johnson, David Yost, Thuy Trang, Jason David Frank, Paul Schrier, Jason Narvy, Johnny Bosch, Steve Cardenas, Nakia Burrise, Katherine Sutherland, HELL YEAH I know the actor's names, at least up through Zeo except I am forgetting Aisha's name.

I can give a few more names from random seasons, but don't press me. You want the voice actor for Lord Zedd? Robert Axelrod. Is that not the coolest name ever?

The ZeroCorpse @ May 11th 2006 6:46PM

Hey... Why not add a word processor to the game consoles, too?

I'll tellya why: They aren't meant to be cheap-ass home computers. They're dedicated games consoles. If I want web browsing on my TV, I'll either hook up my Mac mini to the DVI connection, or I'll pick up an MSNTV like my parents.

Browser = Bad idea on home console.

Ryuukuro @ May 11th 2006 6:46PM

I downloaded Opera yesterday. I'd never used it before but I like it. It's not Firefox but I love that it has a true full-screen mode with no extra bars, just the page. And since Opera is the number three browser, far behind Firefox and That-which-sins-against-us I imagine it will be very secure until the anti-Nintendo hacker has his way.

Henry @ May 11th 2006 7:34PM

Seriously, hook up a keyboard and mouse to your PS3 and what have you got? A PC! Im sure some crazy modder could install an OS on there.

James @ May 11th 2006 8:14PM

Yeah, and what about all of us who don't have Mac Mini's or MSNTV? What about the people who cannot afford/ want 10 different boxes under our TV?

Your argument could be used to have 1000 different household appliances in one house? Indeed, why have a console to play games when you could have a top of the range PC with DVI?

The worlds of digital media, gaming, computing and television are all converging. A usable browser on a console is a necessay step.

Kudos to Nintendo if they have found a control method which make this work well. Just wish we had a chance of higher resolutions.

Brian @ May 11th 2006 10:56PM

With a web browser and 24-hour connectivity it's hard to see how a wii virus/hack won't occur.

Capt. Castellanos @ May 11th 2006 10:57PM

sounds interesting.
i would like it.
except for all the hacking.
but it'd still be a neat experience.

blendmaster @ May 11th 2006 11:36PM

It just needs to support flash and I'm in.

I wonder if its going to be built into the firmware, or offered as a disk + usb thumb drive or somthing to store data, like the ds version. a separate disk would be a lot more secure, but not as convienent. Also, the resolution, as others have mentioned, would be limiting too. Maybe if it catches on, sites will make special Wii friendly pages, like some of the PSP websites out there.