DS Opera browser lacks Flash, video, sound & PDF support

Doesn't Google convert PDFs to HTML? I wonder if it can work via the DS Browser

I'm looking forward to this browser. I'm not a fanboy or anything, nor do I prefer the DSto the PSP. But this little package lets me surf the net; check news, mail etc, and it looks nice on the good ol' eyes. Handy for a Starbucks.

Now stop whining that it doesnt have all the features we've come to expect from our PCs. If you want funny internet videos, it can at least wait until you get to a PC. Failing that, bring a laptop instead of your DS. a little positivity on the Joystiq comments page is always regarded as fanboyism. I don't see why. And just to prove it, I'm a Sonyboy.

7. This sounds cool. Being optimistic about the lack of features isn't such a bad thing. Besides, the loss of those features isn't exactly a downfall - as #3 said, it's nitpicking. You can still go to Joystiq and check your Email. It's better than nothing.

Yeah, but in reality you are paying 30 bucks for this simplified, better than nothing, in reality overpriced garbage browser. People wouldn't be complaining as much if it was free, but $30 is a lot of cash to drop on a super-simplified browser. I mean, 5 bucks more gets you a brand new game.

I've tried the Opera browser on the DS and everyone who isn't excited about it, quite frankly, is an idiot. It works great, better than I expected. The browser I used to have on my mobile sucked. I switched to Opera Mobile which was a big step up and this DS version actually blew me away. It just works. WTF would you need flash for on a DS? The DS would probably break with flash and it's 3rd party so they might not like that idea anyway. Personally I don't want to see video on the DS, but audio would've been nice. I hate PDFs.
I've never used the PSP browser or at least not long enough to tell if it is better, but since the PSPs screen I believe would be better suited for browsing than the DSs. Maybe, but who knows. I know Opera DS owns. I now also believe Opera on the Wii will be great too.

Good choice Nintendo
/me gives thumbs up

It seems Joystiq is the only one really bitchin about those missing features.

Hey #31, don't get your panties in a twist.

I'm pretty sure his performance and ease of use comment was in regards to each's web browsing options, not overall platform.

Flash support would be nice except for the fact that it's a CPU+MEMORY HOG! Why do you think FlashBlock is so popular? Simple, it's because having multiple Flash widgets open at once will really slow down your computer. The PSP can barely handle Flash and it has 222mHz (Sony throttles the CPU to 2/3rd power to save batteries) of CPU to it's credit, as well as much memory.

As for your favorite website overusing Flash, it's their problem. Flash is _not_ a W3C standard, and has not been engineered for accessibility - nor does it degrade well, as you either see Flash or you dont.

For PDFs, ... well it's the same as Flash when licensing is concerned. To use the Adobe Flash Player in your product costs $$$. It's proprietary software. Adobe's PDF reader also costs $$$ and probably would need to be tuned for portables.

Those whom study usability in the WWW emphasize against Flash and PDF usage in web design primarility because of several things:

Mobile viewers struggle or cannot view such content
Neither can blind people (no accessibility)
It is a resource hog

As for video, again you would have to license video players, or open-source the whole thing. This seems more realistic, however... but video seems more resource-hogging than we need it. Audio would work well on DS though.

I'd say my moaning is my exercising of my right as an American, but I'm not American. ;)

I have a PSP and I also have a DS. The DS has Meteos and Sonic Rush, the PSP has Lumines and LocoRoco. (Coincidentally, LocoRoco is better than anything Nintendo has released for its own handheld, but that's another story.) Both machines are worth owning for games, but as for secondary features, the DS should stop trying to compete against the PSP with only half an ass. That was the point I was trying to make.

Yes, Google converts PDF to HTML, so if you have a PDF document online you need to view, just find it in Google and you'll be able to see it.

As for flash, it's overrated. Frankly, I think it will be nice to go to websites and not see a dozen flash banners telling me I can can get a free iPod/PSP/PS3/Whatever if I just swat a fly, punch a politician, or answer a quiz.

I am glad the DS doesn't support Flash because Flash sucks.

Bah, I was thinking of this as the next step to becoming the PSP destroyer (in terms of media capabilities) but looks like we'll have to wait til Nintendo release some sort of music/movie player (setting aside Play-Yan and GBA Movie Player, of course).

What... you have to BUY the web Browser for DS? And its lacking all those features that the PSP's FREE browser was criticised for? Hey look! it even HIDES away so as not to intrude on the sexyness of the Lites curves.... you can use the stylus! WAW!!

Whatever next? A memory stick adapter in a cart to include cheap mass media? what else? An MP3 player IN A CARTRIDGE!? A Video player IN....A... FEKKING... CARTRIDGE?.... WAW! $30 for each extra function? nice....

You guys will look so funny pissing around on the trian with all them carts trying desperately to mimic the PSP.

I thought the DS was a GAMES ONLY machine....

I can't believe how most of you DEFEND this piece of shit browser and try to talk about ALTERNATIVES to its complete lack of features and that us PSP owners are already PAYING for our Browser!?? HAHAHAHAAAAAA!!!

No, I don't think so, we are paying extra for all the OTHER things the PSP does in one nice tidy case. At least there is no hidden costs.

You get what you pay for.

To make DS anywhere as NEAR the functions of PSP you'd have to spend a load.

Remember, you all bought the DS for GAMES... so go play them... What? you don't play games 24H a day and actually want to do other things with that cool little gadget... good luck trying.

Don't get me wrong, the DS lite is a nice piece of kit... but its like this thing shines out of the arse of god and can do no wrong in your eyes.

DS is a GAMES ONLY machine... you wanna do all that other "useless" stuff in the same device, get a PSP. Or if you INSIST on hating sony, buy an ipod to compliment the DS (And still wish for a web browser).

Fekking hilarious... really!

The DS isn't trying to compete with the PSP - the DS has a good catalogue of games for a start... perhaps the PSP should start trying to compete with the DS!

Sony's attitude of 'throw everything but the kitchen sink' at their products just dilutes each part and is starting to look detrimental to the overall product.

The DS IS a GAMES ONLY machine... but if people want a no frills browser with handwriting recognition they have the option. Sounds good to me... I pay less for a device that I use more, and have the option of shelling out another small amount to increase functionality IF I want it... not have it rammed down my throat like the wannabie games machine, video player, iPod, internet browsing device that Sony created.

I own both systems... my PSP is currently collecting dust. I'll probably pick up Loco Roco at some point, the demo was fun. But that's one game in a long long time - the last half decent effort was Daxter - and that was a watered down PS2 game.

Compared to my collection of innovative and more importantly FUN games on the DS - well that's the one I take when I travel anywhere - at least I know the battery will last more than a couple of hours.

I hope they throw in a dedicated e-mail client that can at least handle IMAP.

Someone said Nintendo would have to release a new cartridge in the future to have all the features the current one lacks. Not if Nintendo makes the browser catridge upgradable, which it will probably be, you can just download the updates to off your own Wifi connection.

Last, what's the update on that digital TV tuner accessory for DS Lite. When is it coming to the states?

Ok Jdoki, So you use it as a Games machine. If you want only games and the choice to pay for one or two extras then thats fine. But alot of folks are starting to talk about how the DS could become a PSP killer for media etc... thats just DUMB. Don't buy a DS and expect it to do what PSP does, thats my point.

I don't agree with you about the lack of decent PSP games.. its all down to taste. People are just spouting "PSP is crap, no games" but its WRONG. They should say "PSP hasnt got the games I like".

I don't like cutesy games that much. I used to about 20 years ago, but now im a big lad and find the PSP game library more appealing thatn the DS lite library, regardless if the Gameplay in DS games is better or not. I will say that DS has the edge right now for the amount of higher rated games, but so what? I don't like playing Mario anymore even if All New Mario is the best game ever. To me its not, its Boring and childish. I own Wipeout Pure, Ridge Racers, Mercury, Lumines, Medievil Resurrection, GTA:LCS and Burnout Legends. These to me are all really fantastic games and I like them. I plan to get Loco Roco Every Extended Extra, Gitaroo man Live, Outrun 2006, Daxter and Me + My Katamari within the next few months... thats not all games coming out for PSP, thats just my current interest, but these are all good games and rival whats out or coming out for the DS. The difference is these games appeal to me more than Nintendogs, Mario and Brain age etc.

Its annoying to see people like you say "well I actually OWN a PSP and think its shit" Then sod off and SELL it!! I can see why you want to keep it for Loco Roco though.. When I played it I felt very much like I was playing a Nintendo game, and I must admit I like it alot. The Demo is quite addictive and its VERY original, something Nintendo havent been so good at lately.

I hate to bash Nintendo because usually I am fair, Nintendo don't deserve to be bashed, but neither do Sony. The amount of crap coming out lately against Sony is just OVER the top, especially here. I feel sorry for them!

ooooo handwriting recognition.
We all know how fun that is (palm).
I wonder, is the hadnwriting similar to Graffiti or is it a whole new way of writing that I could really do without?

The bottom line is that both browsers implement a web browser the best way they can. PSP has a huge screen and a much larger HD to make use of. The DS has the touch screen and its use of the dual screen. The only reason to like one better is if you like the system's way of operating better.

Is the RAM GBA cart neccesary for the web browser to work? is the inbuilt 4MB enough just to surf the net?

DS Opera browser is gonna be way better than the PSP browser. The PSP takes FOREVER to type anything in. its hard enough typing in a web site, let a lone use a web based messenger, update your blog or even write a comment on joystiq.