Internet
The Wii Browser is a planned version of the Opera web browser for use on the Wii by Opera Software and Nintendo. The Wii Browser will be free of charge for all Wii users until June 2007. After that, the browser will be available for purchase from the Wii Shop Channel, and will be stored in the Flash ROM of the Wii. The browser will be able to connect to the Internet wirelessly or via an ethernet cable. A similar piece of software is the Nintendo DS Browser, also developed by Opera Software and Nintendo.
Functionality
Until June 2007, the Wii Browser can be downloaded for free, after which it can be downloaded in exchange for Wii Points. The software will be saved to the Wii's 512MB internal Flash Memory, and the application will be able to launch within a few seconds. Details of how the Wii Browser will allow users to browse Internet on their Wii consoles is yet to be announced.
The Opera based Wii Browser will allow users full access to the Web and will support all the same web standards that are included in Opera 9 web browser for PC, Mac OS X and Linux, including JavaScript. It is also possible for the browser to execute advanced web applications, such as Google Maps, using technologies such as Ajax and Flash. Opera Software has indicated that the functionality will allow for third parties to create web applications specifically designed for the use on the Wii Browser, and it will support Widgets, standalone web-based applications using Opera as an application platform. The company has also stated that some Wii video games may implement the use of the browser.
Opera Software plans to design the Wii Browser to suit a "living room environment"; in contrast to the appearance of the Opera web browser on computer monitors, fonts will be larger and the interface will be simplified for easier use, similar to the style employed for MSN TV.
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