Nintendo DS web browser confirmed!

[Dead Phoenix]

This browser software for Nintendo DS is a version of the Opera browser for logging onto the internet with the WiFi-enabled Nintendo DS. Using the DS card, you can connect to a network via a HotSpot or wireless router, and begin browsing on two screens. With an on-screen keypad and stylus, users can easily navigate the Web from their Nintendo DS with PDA-like functionality. The two screens are used for multifunction purposes -- both can show one web page together, or one can show a zoomed-in view of the page, and when typing, the bottom screen shows the text being entered while the top shows the webpage you are on.

Published by: Nintendo
Developed by: Opera Software (Opera Web Browser)
Genre: Productivity
Release Date:
US: June 4, 2007
Japan: Released
Source (http://ds.ign.com/objects/811/811587.html)

PSP officially has a new internet browser and PDA rival, seeing that typing words will be easier now with the DS's Touch Screen. I can bet people will start to go crazy with this browser when it comes out, and I am not going to be the exception. The only problem is that I can't afford it for now, but I can still use my PC or Wii to browse the Internet.

Discuss.

[Eltargrim]

Oooh...handy. I'll have to pick up the USB dongle; my network has WPA, and I'm not about to downgrade back to WEP.

[Squall Leonhart]

Seems like a nice gadget. But it looks more like a novelty item to me, more than anything.

Then again, the whole DS and video game concept is a novelty, not exactly a neccesity.

I'm likely to get it, if it's not too expensive. I've got games to buy, you know.

[Tendronai]

I'd rather just use the computer if I need to do Internetting. The Opera Web browser looks nice and all, but I find it too inconvenient to use the Wii for that. Plus, I feel like I should be busy finding crap in Twilight Princess.

I imagine the same thing would happen here, except my frustration would be on a smaller screen.

[Eltargrim]

I'd use it more for mobility purposes; I don't have a laptop to lug around, and yet sometimes I just have to be on the internet. Go go wardriving!

[Tendronai]

Generally speaking, though, you'd have to be near a wireless network to be able to connect to the internet. For me, this means either being at home or being on campus, and I can always use one of the computers in the lab for that. (Even if they are all Mac's).

[Tyrazial]

It's no different than with a laptop, Ten. And the DS Is alot more easy to carry around. From what I can tell, it has basic flash and image support. I haven't come across an image link it can't display, and most flash and java based videos have played on it.

The only real problem is since it's a DS, the browser moves at dial-up speeds...


And the whole WPA/WEP thing is funny. I haven't found it to really even be a downgrade going to WEP, especially if you use 128-bit encryption. :)

[Eltargrim]

There are times when I need to be on the internet at home, and yet I can't swing it due to others on the computer. Plus, I know there's a WiFi network that totally isn't being broadcast from my friend's house using a parabolic antenna so it hits about half the school and allows for browsing without restrictions. >_>

[Tendronai]

Well, I agree with the fact that it's like a smaller laptop for Internetting. Still, I'd rather just use a computer for that. If I got a free one, Hint, Hint then I would use it, but I just can't really justify the purchase to myself since I already have this.

It's more me being cheap than having any real problems with the browser itself, and since I already have other options I don't want to get another.

[Tyrazial]

And I was wrong regarding flash/java, I was thinking of Opera on the Wii, not the DS. The DS has image support, but no movies. I was talking to someone that tested it and he mis-spoke on it. :P

But it's a handy little browser, now that I've actually had my hands on it.

[Lord of Joshelplex]

Would you really wanna watch video on that tiny screen anyways? Or even try to read some of the text? I suppose if you just wanna get off to porn on the go but...

[Squall Leonhart]

[...] I suppose if you just wanna get off to porn on the go but...
... That's what iPod video is for, no?

[Tyrazial]

That's what pr0n pics are for. :)

and when I say there's been extensive in house testing on this. Believe me. There has been -extensive- testing on it's image support.

not by me, by one of my friends of course. I would -never- look at any naked women except the ones here

[Dead Phoenix]

Would you really wanna watch video on that tiny screen anyways? Or even try to read some of the text? I suppose if you just wanna get off to porn on the go but...
I think you could watch some videos. The DS is at the size of the PSP (not on technology though, but more in gaming) so it might play Youtubes or other kind of videos. Hell, the DS showed a lot of potential with FFIII's video intro so there might be a chance it can play videos too.

And I hate about 99% porn on the Internet. The 1% goes to a "cute" picture I saw on my random stroll in 4chan.

[Tyrazial]

Nah. From what it seems they opted to not put video support to not obliterate the battery and the life of the system. Plus it's a portable gaming system, not a laptop. Nintendo seems adamant on reminding people they're a video game company. Not an electronics company.

[Lord of Joshelplex]

When I get my DS, I likely wouldn't get this. I have trouble enough using a standard sized monitor on my old computer, using a DS would just rape my eyes.

[Tyrazial]

Actually it's really cool, cause the full website displays on the top, but the the touch screen is a super magnified version letting you scroll around the page up close so as to see better. :)

[Tendronai]

That actually sounds quite useful, then. I was under the impression that it would either be that both screen displayed the page, with an unavoidable gap in the middle, or that the top screen was going to have the page while the bottom screen had the keyboard or something like it.

I don't know if I'm going to get it yet, but now it has my curiousity effectively piqued.

[Lord of Joshelplex]

Stiil, I get eye strain easily, and I really dont need to get online when Im out travelling.

[Nikose Tyris]

Question- How will typing out Web Addresses work? Just like on the wii? because that gets a little frustrating for me. Will there be a DS Keyboard attachement becoming avialable?

[Tyrazial]

There's a small toolbar on the bottom, one of the buttons is a URL one that brings up the web address screen so you can enter it in.

You get that screen whenever you click on a text field so that the keyboard isn't filling up useable screen space...

If I could legally take pics and post them I would..

[greyfox]

Did you know you can use the Wii Connect24 (the internet connected to Wii) to use as a device to use WiFI for DS? I saw it on the manuals (yeah, i read manuals when im bored)

[Tyrazial]

Thing is to use that, unless you're using the Wii LAN Adapter, you already have to have a wireless network access, at which point the DS can just use that and bypass the need of the Wii.

That is, if you're not using WPA security.