Wii will web browse from launch

June 5th, 2006, 17:06 Posted By: wraggster

Last time we reported on Wii's web browsing features, being developed by Opera, the company's executive vice president Scott Hedrick wasn't in a particularly revelatory mood. Now though, he's feeling a bit more outspoken, revealing that Wii's browser will be available from launch and included on the console's 512MB internal Flash, amongst other things.

Speaking to website cubed3.com, Hendrick confirmed that, "The Opera browser is saved to the Flash ROM on the Wii console, and does not require a separate memory card as Opera for DS does," also promising, "The browser can be launched in only a few seconds, immediately delivering a great user experience."

.As for the browser's availability, Hendrick also confirmed that, "You will not have to buy Opera as an external item, as it will be available within Wii upon purchase. There is not a separate cartridge as there is for the DS."

Touching on the thorny issue of the browser's interface and how it will be used with the Wii's controller, in lieu of any announced keyboard/mouse/monitor attachment, Hendrick explained: "The biggest challenge has been to create the best 'living room' Web experience, leveraging the unique capabilities of Wii."

"Navigating the Web with Opera on the Wii will be as easy if not easier than using Opera on a desktop", Hendrick continued, "For Opera desktop users, surfing on the Wii will be a very familiar experience. Opera will be integrating its unique rendering technologies to compensate for the lower resolution of TVs and the added distance of the user from the TV screen [...] For example, fonts will be larger and the user interface will be simplified so that the Web is easier to view and use from a distance while navigating with the Wii remote."

As for navigation itself, Hendrick referred back to Opera's "built-in mouse gesture-based navigation" on PC, although didn't confirm whether we could expect to see such a system on Wii - although it sounds like a good bet to us. "Nintendo's vision is to expand the appeal of its products to as large of an audience as possible. We aim to make a browsing experience that leverages the intuitive capabilities of the Wii remote, ensuring that anyone from an experienced gamer to your grandma can surf the Web on Wii", said Hendrick.

Via CVG

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