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Internet Channel updating next month with WiiSpeak support, tabs, huge buttons

by JC Fletcher on Nov 11th 2008 4:22PM

The Internet Channel will finally receive a significant update next month, according to GameReactor Magazine. We haven't been able to find the exact location of this item in GameReactor, so we're currently relying on GoNintendo's summary.

The new version will support the WiiSpeak microphone in some unknown capacity. It will finally allow tabbed browsing in the form of an exceptionally wacky Tab Cube, each side of which shows a tab. It'll also include the ability to check your Wii messages from inside the browser interface. On top of that, the browser has been updated with big, ugly navigation buttons.

The new browser will probably be a free update for current Internet Channel owners, and 500 points for everyone else.

Source

Tags: browser, internet-channel, opera

Reader Comments (26)

The cube looks a lot like a Compiz desktop.

I agree, but it could also be "Beryl" (linux guy here...), or it could be DeskSpace (XP, Vista only) BUT Ubuntu's built-in one is probably the best

jceggbert5: Well, the team behind Beryl merged with the compiz team and produced a product called 'Compiz Fusion' - which is basically the Beryl effects (heh heh, FIRE) running on the Compiz engine.

Ubuntu's "built in" effects are actually based on Compiz Fusion.

BTW - good to see another Linux guy out there. I'm running Ubuntu 8.04 64-bit on an Athlon X2 with a 7600gt.

Will we finally be able to view hulu or shows on other sites like nbc/abc/fox?!?!?

you kidding? only geeks and otaku would want that...

I really hope they've updated the flash player.

Now that Flash 10 is out, your wish might come true.

voip via WiiSpeak, maybe?

I've been looking for it on Game Reactor's website as well since I first read the story earlier today, but I haven't been able to find it either.

The buttons aren't bad, but of course they are hideable.

I'm really interested to know what Wii Speak might be used for. I don't use my laptop's microphone for anything in my daily web browsing, so I wonder if it is merely just providing the option in case a web app wants to use a microphone or if there is some specific Wii Speak functionality built into the web browser (group internet browsing? voip?)

Of course, this could all be made up since no one can seem to find the source and all we have to go on is a post on gonintendo.com

Hmm, that screenshot looks kind of fugly/fake but tabs are a welcome addition, if I ever used it anyway. Hopefully they update the Flash too.

YES!!!
Please also add at least Flash 8 and if WiiSpeak will be compatible with VOIP, then maybe someone will find a way to chat via different devices.(8 Player Private Chat rooms, 360? How about 50 chatters and on a computer chat!?) And let us choose between an "Original" and "New" look. I really love they added tabs also, but do I really need an ugly 3D cube in my way? Hopefully they'll allow actual tabs on the top of the screen.

the people over at gonintendo are convinced that, because of the exact wording of the source info, that if you didnt pay at all before then you will have to pay this time. So if you got the browser for free when it first came out, then you would need to pay a 5 dollar upgrade fee. I hope what you guys are assuming is true though...

We can't really follow what gonintendo says necessarily since they only are summarizing a source that no one else seems to be able to find.

But a download is a download. The Wii Shop Channel doesn't have any way to distinguish who paid for it and who got it free. Updates are simply released to those who downloaded it.

ok just wanted to put that out there tho but you do make a good point

I'm guessing the WiiSpeak support is via a Flash update since Flash on actual computers supports Microphones.

Or this is just that horrible Microphone feature in the Opera browser, where you control everything with your voice.

PLEASE!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!please!!!

wait but it doesnt say anything about the flash player?
thats the only thing that matters!!!
i demand flash player 8(or is it 9 now?)

Further incentive for Wii Speak is good

Tabbed browsing: thank you! Updated Flash would be nice too, but I ain't holding my breath.

Updated flash would be nice, but it will never happen.

http://my.opera.com/haavard/blog/2007/04/13/wii-browser-out-but-why-flash-7-and-not-8-or-9

Updated Flash could happen, but would require Nintendo to actually pay the Opera developers for that update to happen.

Will Nintendo do that? I'd be tempted to say no... but using that logic I didn't expect to see ANY updates to the Internet Channel. If Nintendo are paying for an update anyway (which is what this news appears to be) then it would seem odd NOT to add Flash at the same time.

@Uberjoe
This post from Opera is outdated, because Adobe launched the Open Screen Project since.

http://www.openscreenproject.org/about/

They have absolutely no technical reason to not do it, it's just that either Nintendo or Opera either lazy or do not want to spend money on it.

Could the WiiSpeak connectivity deal with something like Skype?

I'd love to see at least some form of IM communication, even if it has to be limited to Skype VoIP like the PSP. =/

Come on, where is that frigging Flash update?!

i concur, flash update is sorely overdue.

Where is this already?? It's December 28th!

Was this whole thing just a fake like the $99 dollar iPhone rumor at Wal-mart?

Does anyone know if current users still have to pay, or can we upgrade and how?

Below is the story of the upgraded Opera on Cnet

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-19167_1-10134469-100.html?subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20&part=sphere

Breaking News

Internet Channel updating next month with WiiSpeak support, tabs, huge buttons

Reader Comments (26)

Posted: Nov 11th 2008 4:27PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Nov 17th 2008 10:46AM jceggbert5 said

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