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Final Wii browser released News

Wii News by Tom Bramwell

12 April, 2007

Nintendo has released the final version of the Opera web browser for Wii, improving start-up, scroll and zoom speeds, adding built-in Google and Yahoo search tools, and implementing various parental controls for fans of the "Internet Channel".

The new version will be available to download once you've grabbed a small system update, and is free for everyone to download until June, after which newcomers will have to pay 500 Wii points to grab it.

The Wii browser originally launched in trial form on 22nd December last year, but users came up against some irritating limitations. The final version promises increased speed, better bookmarking facilities, clearer fonts and buttons that allow you to introduce things like "www." and ".com" to your URLs without having to faff around with an on-screen keyboard. You'll also be able to use more than one Wiimote as a pointer.

Will you use any of it? Who can say, but the fact that it's there has caught the attention of various companies, with the UK's Virgin Radio this week announcing that its website is fully compatible with the Wii and PlayStation 3 web browsers, allowing surfers to listen to its music through their console.

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Comments: 1-50 of 71 Next →

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Beano
12/04/07 @ 09:00
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Web browsing in standard def..... brr....
agparrot
12/04/07 @ 09:00
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and is free for everyone to download until June, after which newcomers will have to pay 500 Wii points to grab it.

What if people still haven't been able to buy a Wii by then? Isn't that a bit mean?
Wayne
12/04/07 @ 09:04
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"...is free for everyone to download until June, after which newcomers will have to pay 500 Wii points to grab it."

I think that's wrong. I think everyone will have to pay in June if they wish to continue using it.
spazmo
12/04/07 @ 09:07
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no. You're wrong buddy.
Basselito
12/04/07 @ 09:08
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Don't get some people. Why do you WANT to pay for something that's free?

Beats me.
Beano
12/04/07 @ 09:14
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"What if people still haven't been able to buy a Wii by then? Isn't that a bit mean? "

Get at PS3... free (and far better) webbrowser for all ;)
flec
12/04/07 @ 09:16
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Wonder if they've done anything with the flash player for google video / youtube. I use that now and then, mainly cos they look pretty good once a SD tv adds some free anti aliasing
Ignatius_Cheese
12/04/07 @ 09:16
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Hmmm, seems to browse all right in 480p...

Plus, the ability to access TV-Links.co.uk from the comfort of your sofa means infinite* TV programmes to entertain the masses.










*not necessarily true
DeveloperPump
12/04/07 @ 09:17
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>Get at PS3... free (and far better) webbrowser for all ;)

I agree. Being able to view it in 720p instead of 480p makes all the difference! Plus I can use a mouse and keyboard on the PS3, instead of the Wiimote.

But my Wii is still so pretty. Sitting there. Gathering dust.
Edited 1 times, most recently on 12/04/07 @ 09:17
Greebo
12/04/07 @ 09:17
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It's a big improvement on the Beta. Fonts are clear (even zoomed out) and the zoom function works fine. Also the annoying menu bar has had a redesign and can be set to move off the screen when you're not using it.

It's definitely by far the best Standard Def TV browser I've seen (you'll need an RGB cable for clear text; composite looks fuzzy still), but I expect I'll still only use it for the odd youtube clip...
ryohazuki1983
12/04/07 @ 09:19
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500 points is only about 3 quid, i like to browse the web on the wii when some1 is using the PC or i just can't be arsed going downstairs.

Won't bother with the online radio tho, bit pointless unless it has tabbed browsing otherwise you'd be stuck on the site if you wanted to listen to the radio and not be able to do anything else!
Beano
12/04/07 @ 09:19
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Are the borders still present in the final version ?
bushwod
12/04/07 @ 09:19
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http://www.wiicade.com is one of the few reasons to actually use this. Free games! wiiiiiiiii
Sanzai
12/04/07 @ 09:21
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Is anyone else getting an error message when trying to play Youtube videos?
thefilthandthefury
12/04/07 @ 09:23
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Excellent news. I use the browser on my Wii all the time so to have a final version is brilliant for me.
DeveloperPump
12/04/07 @ 09:24
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>http://www.wiicade.com is one of the few reasons to actually use this. Free games! >wiiiiiiiii

But let's face it. They're not that great yet, are they. Although, they are improving and well, free.
spiny
12/04/07 @ 09:25
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I wonder if eg tv will work now?...
Raya
12/04/07 @ 09:25
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It's much better now - very fast, 480p borderless - full screen - turn on the auto zoom and forget about needing to zoom - it's perfect. All in all I'm impressed. Seems they've tweaked the flash video as before I couldn't watch Eurogamer TV on it and now I can :-)

We've added a Wii section at miniclip. Just point your wii browser to http://www.miniclip.com for some flash games for Wii.
Edited 1 times, most recently on 12/04/07 @ 11:12
myk
12/04/07 @ 09:26
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I find resolution to be pretty irrelevant, you have to increase the point size or zoom in to make any webpage readable on a tv, whether it's a pc outputing 1080i or a Wii outputing 576i.

I don't see web browsing on the tv as useful at all, the only reason i've got my pc connected is for videos, tv streams and games.
space ace
12/04/07 @ 09:28
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internet? that will never work :D
ryohazuki1983
12/04/07 @ 09:31
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"Plus, the ability to access TV-Links.co.uk from the comfort of your sofa means infinite* TV programmes to entertain the masses. "

Cheers for the link - didn't know that site existed, trying it out now but all I get is loading.... once i click a video :(
Beano
12/04/07 @ 09:35
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"don't see web browsing on the tv as useful at all..."

I'm using the PS3 browser all the time... pretty nice to listen to music and browsing the web (all on the PS3) in the living room on a big HDTV ;)
The_Programmer
12/04/07 @ 09:37
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@Mapster

"PS3 browser > Wii browser "

PC > PS3 browser > Wii browser. You can also buy a PC for cheaper than the PS3.
Edited 1 times, most recently on 12/04/07 @ 09:37
CannonAnBall
12/04/07 @ 09:42
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Came here to read comments from other Wii users but again we're undated with PS3ers.

...we know you spent a small fortune on it, we know it looks all glossy and nice and we know you want brag about it, but the vast majority of peeps don't really give a feck.

Wii - £179.99 > PS3 - £424.99

....of course I'll go out and get a PS3 cos of the better web browser.....t0ssers!
Beano
12/04/07 @ 09:44
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"PC > PS3 browser > Wii browser. You can also buy a PC for cheaper than the PS3."

Yes, but a PC is usually very noisy and has a long startup time... and not really convenielt for the living room.
FaceOmeter
12/04/07 @ 09:45
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> Get at PS3... free (and far better) webbrowser for all ;)

I wouldn't exactly call it 'free'! And no-one's going to buy a console for its browser, of course. PCs have that market sewn up pretty tight, and will for some time yet. But there are some interesting reasons to have the Wii's internet. Wiicade got mentioned by DeveloperPump above, and the Homestarrunner guys have some basic games up on http://www.videlectrix.com/vii, with more on the way.

What the Opera browser on the Wii potentially does is open the Wiimote to the amateur dev market. Who's gonna tell me this is a bad thing, even at £3.50?
lennon
12/04/07 @ 09:58
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"I'm using the PS3 browser all the time"

And theres me thinking it was an expensive games console

Turns out its also a expensive web browser too. ;)
Katsumoto
12/04/07 @ 10:01
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fuck! the PS3 has an AMAZING hi-def browser?! and all I have to do is spend 425 quid? time to chuck the pc i feel!

wait... does the ps3 have a keyboard? Oh i hear you can plug USB keyboards into it? Now all you need is a nice desk to use it at and you're sorted. can you use MS Word on the PS3?
Edited 1 times, most recently on 12/04/07 @ 10:05
Beano
12/04/07 @ 10:06
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"can you use MS Word on the PS3? "

You can use Linux and Open Office which is 100% free.
prawnking
12/04/07 @ 10:08
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Just downloaded the wii browser very impressed, straight eurogamer it is none too shabby.

Won't replace my PC but it is handy all the same
Beano
12/04/07 @ 10:08
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"Turns out its also a expensive web browser too. ;) "

Yes of course... added features are always twisted around by Sony/PS3 haters.

Why always so negative?

I own a Wii and will download this because it's free... but I'll prefer my PS3 for webbrowsing in my living room - simply far better and faster.
Edited 1 times, most recently on 12/04/07 @ 10:09
Katsumoto
12/04/07 @ 10:08
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!!! blimey. ok ok so, it's got word and it's got usb keyboards. can i also plug a mouse in and a flash drive to store my essay?? This is getting sinister

And Beano: "why so negative" - I agree, we should try to be more open to other consoles, but in fairness read the rest of this thread, or in fact any Wii thread. It's a cacophany of "haha wii is shite" atm.
Edited 2 times, most recently on 12/04/07 @ 10:10
jonsaan
12/04/07 @ 10:12
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Actually the test browser was pretty good IMO.
Beano
12/04/07 @ 10:14
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"flash drive to store my essay"

Of course... it got virtually all features a Linux PC has.

Yellow Dog Linux (and Fedora I guess) includes a full suite of applications and tools.
A PC is faster for Linux (YDL at least since it's not really optimized for PS3) than a PS3, but Linux on PS3 is still a nice bonus and completely supported.

No, nobody are supposed to buy a PS3 over a PC for Linux only.. it's a BONUS!
Edited 2 times, most recently on 12/04/07 @ 10:18
Nova5lag
12/04/07 @ 10:16
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Yeah I had no problems getting all the prawn I needed on the test browser... every site I tried worked great.

But getting caught with the old pants down in the living room by the missus took a bit of explaining.
Beano
12/04/07 @ 10:16
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"Actually the test browser was pretty good IMO. "

Agree... its not *totally* bad actually ;)

But the standard def "limitation" just makes me use the PS3 browser instead since I have this option... if I didn't have a PS3, I would use the Wii Opera browser.


"But getting caught with the old pants down in the living room by the missus took a bit of explaining. "

LOL!
Edited 1 times, most recently on 12/04/07 @ 10:16
zuljin
12/04/07 @ 10:22
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@Ignatius_Cheese
"Plus, the ability to access TV-Links.co.uk"
Grrr I hate you. There I was trying this link, finding Scrubs series 6 only to discover most of the vids had been taken down...

Darn you for getting my hopes up!
rprince
12/04/07 @ 10:28
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@FaceOmeter
"What the Opera browser on the Wii potentially does is open the Wiimote to the amateur dev market. Who's gonna tell me this is a bad thing, even at £3.50?"

It only really opens up the 2D point and click aspect of the Wiimote, which is basically a mouse with less accuracy. At least as far as I know, the browser cannot pass any of the rotational gyro readings to Flash games or Java applets...
chupachups
12/04/07 @ 10:29
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"Web browsing in standard def..... brr...."

...and without a proper keyboard.

Interactivity sort of grinds to a halt when you remove the web's primary input method (yes there's an on-screen one, but it takes ages to write anything).


"I agree. Being able to view it in 720p instead of 480p makes all the difference!"

...only if you have a HDTV, which most people still don't have.
lennon
12/04/07 @ 10:30
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Yes of course... added features are always twisted around by Sony/PS3 haters.

Why always so negative?

Not sure if your reffering to me but as a PS3 owner I prefer to play PS3 games on the expensive piece of kit i purchased.

Ive used the browser. Its ok but far more hassle than just switching my PC on. The wii browser is again ok but not as good as the PS3 or the PC although I have got quite quick at typing with the wiimote.
ryohazuki1983
12/04/07 @ 10:36
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Its just a fucking browser, chill out, different strokes and all that.......
Greebo
12/04/07 @ 10:42
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Works with Weezo too, so I can stream music, vids and photos from the PC upstairs to the TV and Stereo. Nice little bonus feature I reckon.
jebus
12/04/07 @ 10:45
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zuljin
12-Apr-07 10:22:14 @Ignatius_Cheese
"Plus, the ability to access TV-Links.co.uk"
Grrr I hate you. There I was trying this link, finding Scrubs series 6 only to discover most of the vids had been taken down...

Darn you for getting my hopes up!

That's what bit torrents are for surely? Get a PC and point your browser to here :¬)
http://isohunt.com/torrents/?ihq=scrubs
Irien
12/04/07 @ 10:50
#44
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Regarding Wii availability, a colleague decided he wanted a Wii this week, ordered from Gameplay on Tuesday/Wednesday and received it today. Either he was amazingly lucky, or supplies are now far more readily available, at least off-highstreet.
Killerbee
12/04/07 @ 11:26
#45
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You'll also be able to use more than one Wiimote as a pointer

Hey, two finger typing - just like with a *real* keyboard! :)

Will download this tonight and give it a spin.
CannonAnBall
12/04/07 @ 11:31
#46
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I'm impressed with the Wii browser after having tested it. Sure a PC, sorry Mac, is going to be better but if you can't be bothered going upstairs and turning your Mac on then it certainly has it's uses, esp for reading the latest news headlines, etc.
Killerbee
12/04/07 @ 11:37
#47
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Wiis really shouldn't be that hard to get - I got mine at launch (pre-ordered), but since then I've had at least four opportunities to just walk into a shop and buy one. Admittedly the "out of stock" signs are usually up again the next day, but if you pre-order with a store like Game or Gamestation (or online) you should easily get one within a week or two - shipments do seem to be fairly regular.
Darren
12/04/07 @ 11:40
#48
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The new browser is a vast improvement on the earlier one in my opinion but if I'm going to browse on a console then I'd rather do it via my PS3 thank you as I can use a mouse and keyboard with that system. The Wii's Opera browser is much faster though and you can't really complain at a freebie I suppose. Just wish Nintendo would put as much effort into releasing first-party Wii games as they do the Channels that's all...
gelf
12/04/07 @ 12:11
#49
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I like the browser. Its kinda nice laying back and surfing using the wiimote. If I needed to use a mouse and keyboard I probably wouldn't bother as they would be too fiddly to have in the living room. I wouldn't use it to do any major browsing, but its nice particularly on video sites.
Rash'
12/04/07 @ 12:13
#50
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I'm using this wii browser now. it's very good. fast & intuative. no pc or mac but certainly a reasonable alternative. i see myself using this more than the ps3's browser just for the faster load times. good job ninty.
Edited 1 times, most recently on 12/04/07 @ 12:13

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