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Wii + Opera = Web Browser. Interview here

A

ant1532

Banned
http://revolution.ign.com/articles/709/709705p1.html

Wii's World Wide Web
Nintendo and Opera team up to take Wii users to the Internet. Learn how it's all going to work in this exclusive interview.
by Matt Casamassina

May 23, 2006 - At the Electronics Entertainment Expo 2006, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata revealed that its forthcoming Wii console would be able to access the Web with the Opera browser. Iwata said that the Wii console could, "… power up virtual console games and applications like our Opera Web browser saved to flash ROM… in just a few seconds."

We recently chatted with Opera for Devices' executive vice president, Scott Hedrick, about its partnership with Nintendo and what benefits the Web browser will bring to Wii users.

IGN Wii: There are a lot of Web browsers on the market. Why do you think Nintendo chose Opera for Wii?

Scott Hedrick: Opera is a full Web browser for desktop, mobile and devices. We use our same desktop core to run on non-traditional devices, often with constrained resources. Opera is able to provide Nintendo with a full functioning Web browser, customized for Nintendo and working within any limitations the device presents. We are also able to use the device's features, whether dual screens or an innovative remote control, and incorporate these features into the browsing experience. I think that Nintendo quickly found that Opera was really the only browser that could meet and exceed their expectations in terms of speed, functionality and innovation. We are also very like-minded companies, placing the user experience first and ensuring that our products are not exclusive but rather inclusive, no matter age or gender.

IGN Wii: What immediate benefits does Opera bring to the table for Web browsing?

Scott Hedrick: Opera is fast, secure and features unique functionality to make the browsing experience easier. We deliver this experience on every platform Opera runs on, whether a custom Nintendo platform or Windows. Also, there is no learning curve with Opera. Once you have used the browser on your desktop, you will find the same Opera on your phone and now on your TV with Wii.


Above: When browsing IGN.com with Wii and Opera, your hands could glow with power
IGN Wii: What exactly is Opera for Devices?

Scott Hedrick: Opera for Devices is one of three business units within Opera Software. Devices is a term used at Opera to encompass all sorts of portable and non-portable products that have a screen, excluding mobile phones. Within this business unit, our customers have two uses for the browser. The first is to put the Web browser on their products in order for users to surf the full Internet. The second use of Opera is to provide a means for customers to create user interfaces and Web applications using Web technology. A customer can accomplish these results by using the Opera SDK for Devices.

IGN: Which features will Opera for Wii retain from the standard Opera browser?

Scott Hedrick: Opera for the Wii will be based on the same core as all Opera deliveries and will have the same leading support for W3C web standards and Street HTML as the desktop browser.

IGN Wii: Will Opera for Wii enable tabbed browsing, integrated search functions and voice command support?

Scott Hedrick: I'm unable to comment on that at this time.

IGN Wii: Wii doesn't have a keyboard. How will you get around this limitation so that Opera on Wii can provide users with the best browsing experience?

Scott Hedrick: The Wii remote control is an extremely advanced tool. Opera plans to use this to its full advantage and it will provide an intuitive way to surf the Web. Imagine the possibilities in terms of surfing with a motion sensitive remote control. I cannot specifically comment on the lack of keyboard, but many devices running Opera don't have keyboards, such as the Nintendo DS, and feature on-screen keyboards to solve this problem.

IGN Wii: How extensively does Opera for Wii take advantage of Nintendo's innovative new controller?

Scott Hedrick: Nintendo has not yet released this information, but we have adapted the browser to give the best user experience with this remote control.

IGN Wii: Will Opera for Wii enable users to do most anything they can when Web browsing on a PC or Mac? For instance, could you watch movie trailers, listen to streaming music, etc.?

Scott Hedrick: Nintendo has not yet revealed whether they will incorporate a media player into the Wii.

IGN Wii: Will the Wii version of Opera support Java, Flash and other Web standards?

Scott Hedrick: We will announce at a later date what Opera will support.

IGN Wii: With the latest release of Opera, you have stressed speed increases. Will Opera on Wii run quickly?

Scott Hedrick: Opera promises a fast browsing experience no matter the device, and Wii will be no exception.

IGN Wii: Will Opera on Wii come standard with the console?

Scott Hedrick: Nintendo has not yet announced how Opera will be available on Wii, but I can confirm that it will not be sold as a separate item, as it is for Nintendo DS.

IGN Wii: Will there be any interface changes to Opera on Wii? For instance, might there be a specific version designed to emphasize navigating with the Wii controller?

Scott Hedrick: We are providing Nintendo with a custom version of the Opera browser, incorporating the Wii remote control into this unique browsing experience. Much like we have done for the Nintendo DS, we are creating a browsing experience especially suited for the Wii.

IGN Wii: Finally, why do you think it's important that Nintendo owners be able to navigate the Web?

Scott Hedrick: As Nintendo touts Wii as "always connected" it is natural that a browser should be a part of their strategy, as a gateway to the Web. I believe that Web technology will increasingly be a part of the gaming experience, whether it's live content being pushed onto games or you're just checking your Web mail while playing Mario Kart. We're seeing access to the Web in more and more places and in more and more ways, it was simply a matter of time before it spread to game consoles. It's extremely exciting for Opera that our emergence in the gaming market is through Nintendo. We are honored to be working with such a leader in this industry.
Click to expand...
 
B

BlueTsunami

there is joy in sucking dick
Viewtiful Darkness said:
Hopefully the Wii will work with USB keyboards
Click to expand...

Article said:
IGN Wii: Wii doesn't have a keyboard. How will you get around this limitation so that Opera on Wii can provide users with the best browsing experience?

Scott Hedrick: The Wii remote control is an extremely advanced tool. Opera plans to use this to its full advantage and it will provide an intuitive way to surf the Web. Imagine the possibilities in terms of surfing with a motion sensitive remote control. I cannot specifically comment on the lack of keyboard, but many devices running Opera don't have keyboards, such as the Nintendo DS, and feature on-screen keyboards to solve this problem.
Click to expand...

.
 
T

Trurl

Banned
This will make it much more convenient to switch between playing Mario Galaxy and bitching about it on GAF.
 
P

Polari

Member
Fact: "Scott Hedrick" is actually a pseudonym given to Opera's PR robot. "Scott" has no home, no family, and the interview was possible thanks not to the miracle of life, but a very, very fast processor, IBM's "ViaVoice" software from 1996 and some clever programming by Opera's browser team during their downtime. They're still working on giving him emotions.
 
davepoobond

davepoobond

you can't put a price on sparks
surfing the web with no keyboard, no matter how intuitive it is, sucks.

it had better be goddamned intuitive to spew out 100 wpm.
 
Cauliflower of Love

Cauliflower of Love

Banned
Scott Hedrick: The Wii remote control is an extremely advanced tool. Opera plans to use this to its full advantage and it will provide an intuitive way to surf the Web. Imagine the possibilities in terms of surfing with a motion sensitive remote control. I cannot specifically comment on the lack of keyboard, but many devices running Opera don't have keyboards, such as the Nintendo DS, and feature on-screen keyboards to solve this problem.
Click to expand...


Read between the lines people! mic and voice recognition confirmed onboard the controller!







that or an on screen keyboard to point at.
 
L

Larry Bird

Member
IGN Wii: Will Opera on Wii come standard with the console?

Scott Hedrick: Nintendo has not yet announced how Opera will be available on Wii, but I can confirm that it will not be sold as a separate item, as it is for Nintendo DS.
Click to expand...
zuh?
 
A

AzureRonin

Member
Viewtiful Darkness said:
Hopefully the Wii will work with USB keyboards
Click to expand...

I think it would be cool for those of us who have a DS to use that to write in info with the stylus. Connectivity feature that would be useful. But a USB or wireless keyboard would be great.
 
O

Oni Link 666

Member
It would be cool if you could use the DS as your mouse and kb.

Also, I hope they have java and flash in both the DS and Wii versions. I want to be able to watch youtube on my DS. It sucks that I can't on PSP.
 
C

ChaosDent

Member
I have a feeling Nintendo plans to use Opera to power their internal menu system and provide both the local and remote browsing interfaces for the virtual console. A fully featured secure interface is going to be needed to authorise download purchases, building it on a pre-existing web platform is an easy step. Enabling on screen web browsing is a neat addition but because the interface lacks a keyboard and the display lacks the proper resolution I don't think they would add it unless they had some more important reason to use Opera's technology.
 
A

AndoCalrissian

Member
MutFox said:
Mic in WiiMote + Voice to Text Patent.
You know it'll happen.
Click to expand...
I wish there was just a mic and no speaker.

I suppose Nintendo could also just release a keyboard that plugs into the remote. That would allow for typing and still allow the remote to function as a mouse/pointer.
 
A

aoi tsuki

Member
krypt0nian said:
No keyboard = don't bother
Click to expand...
i don't mind using an on-screen keyboard as long as it's kept to entering URLs and the other random bits of text needed about the web. i've got no interest in using one to type sentences though; i had enough of that nonsense with Phantasy Star Online. If the Wii isn't compatible with USB and/or some Bluetooth keyboards, i'll be severly disappointed. i'm expecting Nintendo will release a Bluetooth Wiiboard in the future; it would be silly not to.

What would really be awesome, and this is a bit of a fanboyish dream, is if they allowed you to use the Wiimote to write characters onscreen. That and gestures would make the keyboardless Wii web browsing experience so much better, assuming they nailed the character recognition.
 
M

Mr.Potato Head

Banned
Pimpbaa said:
I've browsed at 480x272 fine with my psp while on the can.
Click to expand...

Comparing the small psp screen to a much larger and blurrier 640x480 standard tv display is apples and oranges. Believe me.. using the wii for the web will be almost unbearable for the most part using standard def.

Remember the DC's online browser? Shit sucked on a standard res tv, i dont know..maybe you'll get use to it after a while...not me though, not after my experience using the DC to surf the web. Shit was pretty blurry on my sony back then
 
K

krypt0nian

Banned
They should just limit you to a Nintendo portal with specially formatted pages for games, trailers, etc. Full web access on SD with no keyboard is really not worth anything.
 
L

lordmrw

Member
I like the Opera browser, but I only use it for porn, since everyone else I know that uses my computer immediately goes for Firefox.
 
A

acidviper

Banned
Is there going to be some ABC report claiming pedophiles can/will use wii to solicit young children. Parents Beware!!!!
 
S

sc0la

Unconfirmed Member
yeah, 640x480 sucks for browsing text etc. I wonder if they will let it output 1080i / 720p for opera since it theoretically would not be as processor intesive. An active zoom like the DSs could be interesting.

Wait and see approach here
 
Agent X

Agent X

Member
Opera is a great browser. This was a good move on Nintendo's part.

Since the Wii has USB ports, it should be possible to connect a standard USB keyboard and mouse if the user desires. They just need to ensure that it's supported in the browser.

640x480 isn't great for Web browsing, but it is serviceable. I've browsed on PDAs with only 1/4 of that resolution. I have also used the Dreamcast PlanetWeb browser a few times several years back, and it was OK, but it had a lot of limitations. Even at 640x480, Opera on Wii should be many times better just for the following reasons:

1. Opera is a very compact and refined browser that has over 10 years of development behind it, on a variety of desktop and mobile platforms. They have several different display modes geared towards low-resolution or "accessibility" restrictions, which could be applied to browsing on the family TV.

2. The Wii has a much faster processor and more memory, and supports a Wi-Fi broadband connection as standard fare.

3. Wii has 512 MB of flash RAM built in, and support for SD cards. Large lists of bookmarks should be easy to maintain, and the browser should also be able to use some of this memory as a cache.

While I doubt many of the people here would use such a rig for day-to-day browsing, it would come in handy if you're in the living room and you want to quickly view a few photos on the Web with your family and friends, or get caught up on news, sports scores, or the weather. It's like browsing the Web on a mobile phone--I wouldn't want to use it for hours on end, but there are certain situations where that ability is very handy.
 
M

Mike Works

Member
Sho Nuff said:
Awesome, I can't wait to find out what this "web browsing" thing is all about
Click to expand...
img


welcome to 9.9.99 u fag

lol
 
K

KennyL

Member
krypt0nian said:
They should just limit you to a Nintendo portal with specially formatted pages for games, trailers, etc. Full web access on SD with no keyboard is really not worth anything.
Click to expand...

That would be pretty lame... they just need full flash support. Flash animation, game, movies will display fine on any screen. And will be way more flexible than wall garden approach.
 
K

krypt0nian

Banned
KennyL said:
That would be pretty lame... they just need full flash support. Flash animation, game, movies will display fine on any screen. And will be way more flexible than wall garden approach.
Click to expand...

Not as lame as trying to read text on a SD display. The SEGANET pages were the only correct usage of the DC browser. Because the were formatted for the browser.
 
J

JoshuaJSlone

Member
krypt0nian said:
Not as lame as trying to read text on a SD display. The SEGANET pages were the only correct usage of the DC browser. Because the were formatted for the browser.
Click to expand...
Ehh, but to just flat out make going to other pages impossible is silly. Being able to visit external places made for some cool DC functions like saving JPEGs for Jet Grind Radio tags.
 
K

KennyL

Member
krypt0nian said:
Not as lame as trying to read text on a SD display. The SEGANET pages were the only correct usage of the DC browser. Because the were formatted for the browser.
Click to expand...

Have you used Opera before? There's a reason why they picked it.
 
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