Joystiq

Wii U browser runs on NetFront, doesn't support plug-ins

Jordan Mallory — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EST

The specifications for the Wii U's internet browser have been made public, and it's no surprise that the software shares its technical underpinnings with the 3DS' browser. Specifically, the Wii U's window into the web is actually NetFront NX, which is a WebKit-based browser designed for smart TVs, mobile devices, game consoles and the like. NetFront, in one form or another, has powered the 3DS, PSP, PlayStation 3 and Vita's browsers.

Like some other first-party applications, the browser can be pushed to the WiiPad's screen and used from there, freeing up the television for other activities. Since the WiiPad's resistive touchscreen doesn't support multitouch, however, familiar tablet maneuvers like pinch-to-zoom will not be present. It also won't be possible to save any images found while browsing, or conversely to upload anything saved in local memory.

Flash support is a no-show, as is compatibility with any other plug-in, although HTML5 is supported and in fact, the browser renders HTML5 websites more efficiently than any other console (and even IE 10 on PC), according to this benchmarking site.

Wii U browser runs on NetFront, doesn't support plug-ins originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PS3 gains instant pizza-ordering functionality

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:15:00 EST

We're finding it difficult to decide whether this piece of news indicates the beginning of a beautiful, shining era for humanity -- or whether it's an irrefutable sign of the swiftly approaching end of days. The PS3's internet browser home page now includes a "Papa John's" button, which allows esurient clickers to order hot, delicious pizza with a few quick taps of the DualShock 3's face buttons.

To put it in Console War terminology, the PS3 just discovered the atomic bomb. Unless the Xbox 360 learns how to give foot massages, or the Wii actually starts printing money, the unthinkable invention of PSPizza has ensured Sony's inexorable reign.

PS3 gains instant pizza-ordering functionality originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hulu to PS3 users: 'Naw, son!'

Xav de Matos — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

Yesterday morning, PlayStation 3 owners discovered access to Hulu was no longer functioning through the console's Internet browser. According to Engadget, PS3 users of the video content provider were treated with an apologetic error message, citing the desired content was not available on their "platform" of choice. Engadget is quick to point out that, while Hulu's recent Terms of Service changes make no mention of the console, changing an Internet browser's user-string to match the console reveals it is specifically being targeted. Conspiracy theories? Throw them in the comments below while we try to clear up this cloudy situation.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in. Image Credit: FormatWarCentral.com]

Hulu to PS3 users: 'Naw, son!' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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