This is the only move by Nintendo that I think is really lame. Charge people for something that should be free with the system. Grrr...
Well either way I'm not going to be strong-armed into buying a Wii any earlier unless they have some cool games show up soon.
Featured Content
Review: Metroid: Other M
No, not that M. That other one over there.
Review: Worms Reloaded
Oh, those homicidal annelids.
Gaming Unplugged: Thurn and Taxis
Surprisingly, there are no cabs in this game.
Review: Limbo
Short and sweet... the perfect summer snack!
Snackbar Speculator: Zombie Duke
Is Gearbox bringing DNF back from the dead? Also: Mass Effect on PS3?
Indie Dev Diary: Getting what you need
Finding art, music and everything else.
Latest ReviewsMORE REVIEWS >
- Metroid: Other M (Wii)
- Worms Reloaded (PC)
- Ys Seven (PSP)
- Singularity (X360)
- Limbo (X360)
- Clash of the Titans (X360)
- Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (PS3)
Opera Beta for Wii Free on Dec. 22nd
Nintendo just sent word that the beta of the Opera browser for the Wii would be available on Dec. 22nd. To get the beta you just need to be connected to the internet and have activated the Wii Shop Channel.
The final release of the Opera browser will be available in March 2007 and will be free until June 2007. After June, it will cost you 500 Wii Points to get it. I think it goes without saying that you should aim to get it when it's released.
The Internet Channel provides an optimal Web browsing experience on people's home television. The Adobe Flash-enabled beta version of the Opera browser puts the Internet right onto owners' television screens and lets them browse with ease, enabling them to check sports scores, plot maps or visit their favorite Web sites. Multiple family members can gather around the television to plan a vacation or make online purchases. The pointing abilities of the Wii Remote(TM) allow users to click on links they want to see or to zoom into any part of the screen through the motion of the controller. In addition, the Wii Remote can be used with an on-screen keyboard to make text entry as easy as point and click.
Dec 19, 2006 - 11:11 am - Chris Rasco | 25 comments
Comments
wytefang wrote:This is the only move by Nintendo that I think is really lame. Charge people for something that should be free with the system. Grrr...
1) It's hardly a necessary feature. If someone's Wii is connected to the internet, then it's a reasonable assumption that they have other means for browsing web sites at their disposal.
2) It's five bucks after June. If this is a financial hardship for you, then maybe you have other problems that need attending before you purchase a Wii.
Dec 20, 2006 5:54 am
Yeah, but it's five bucks for Opera. They should pay you five bucks.
Kidding, but I used to use Opera a lot and it's just gotten sloppy recently. IE7, Firefox 2, and Safari are all easily more reliable on both Mac and PC (where available).
Kidding, but I used to use Opera a lot and it's just gotten sloppy recently. IE7, Firefox 2, and Safari are all easily more reliable on both Mac and PC (where available).
Dec 20, 2006 9:33 am
Yes, the principle. Because God forbid someone take the time and money to create a piece of software and then charge a fair price for it.
Dec 20, 2006 4:48 pm
Yes, God forbid someone charges for an internet browser WHEN EVERY OTHER ONE IS FREE. 
I don't recall paying for my copies of Firefox or IE...hmmm..? But hey, if you both prefer to pay for things that the rest of us get for free, by all means, knock yourselves out!
I don't recall paying for my copies of Firefox or IE...hmmm..? But hey, if you both prefer to pay for things that the rest of us get for free, by all means, knock yourselves out!
Dec 21, 2006 6:04 am
anyone remember opera the bork edition?
its always nice to see a company who has a sense of humor.
its always nice to see a company who has a sense of humor.
Dec 21, 2006 11:04 am
Pin, I was referring to you because you also said something sarcastic about a company charging for their software.
Dec 21, 2006 12:27 pm
So because I used sarcasm, you immediately assumed I was being serious? I don't get it.
Dec 21, 2006 12:41 pm
wytefang wrote:Yes, God forbid someone charges for an internet browser WHEN EVERY OTHER ONE IS FREE.
I don't recall paying for my copies of Firefox or IE...hmmm..?
If Microsoft could charge for IE, they would. In a way, they do, since it's part of Windows.
Dec 21, 2006 12:54 pm
Opera used to charge for their browser. It was a long time before they went free and we'll see how fast Microsoft or Mozilla take to release a Wii browser.... oh wait getting a free browser for your computer is TOTALLY different from getting one for a game console.
Dec 21, 2006 1:58 pm
I can't believe this is a huge issue. It's five freakin dollars to get the thing, which is free for half a year to begin with.
I guess I don't do a whole lot Wii defending around here, but this just seems like nitpicking.
I guess I don't do a whole lot Wii defending around here, but this just seems like nitpicking.
Dec 21, 2006 2:05 pm
Actually since the PC IS considered a gaming platform every bit as much as the Wii, there IS no difference, Cone.
Chris, as mentioned previously, it's not a HUGE deal at all, but if people are going to throw out comments that don't seem to make sense to me then I am going to respond with my thoughts. As we all do on forums.
Chris, as mentioned previously, it's not a HUGE deal at all, but if people are going to throw out comments that don't seem to make sense to me then I am going to respond with my thoughts. As we all do on forums.
Dec 21, 2006 3:23 pm
Most people buy PCs now-a-days for the purpose web browsing, e-mail, and word-processing. Most people buy Wiis now-a-days for playing games. I don't know of anyone who got excited about the Wii saying "gee willickers! I can't wait to browse the web! Since I have the Internet but no real PC to browse it on!" Also, making a browser for the Wii would be -completely- different considering the total difference in input methods.
Nitpicking indeed. $5 is fair.
Nitpicking indeed. $5 is fair.
Dec 21, 2006 3:38 pm
I suppose it really doesn't matter since I have no plans to ever actually own a Wii.
Dec 21, 2006 7:01 pm
wytefang wrote:Actually since the PC IS considered a gaming platform every bit as much as the Wii, there IS no difference, Cone.
You have a choice on the PC. Each developer is vying for market share. On the Wii you get one option take it or leave it. It's the difference between a closed monopolistic market and a free market with fierce competition. It's comparing apples to oranges.
Likewise, people release freeware homebrew PC games pretty often, that doesn't happen for consoles.
Dec 21, 2006 9:39 pm
Snowcone wrote:On the Wii you get one option take it or leave it
I'm using it to make this post and I'm voting "leave it."
Even ignoring the inconvenience of typing with the Remote (I wonder if it would even recognize a USB keyboard), the main problem I've encountered this morning has been resolution. Simply put, a 27" TV screen isn't what most web pages have in mind. Everything is tiny, and using the zoom just makes you have to h-scroll as well as v-scroll.
It's good for looking at photos, movies, and to a lesser extent comics, but that's about it.
In the long run, just let Grandma keep using IE.
EDIT: Just found out that the 2 button changes display modes to "zoomed-in and fit-to-screen." Better, but royally fucks most layouts.
Dec 22, 2006 5:58 am
I agree with Vyolence here, why would you even want to browse the net with a console. It's ill-suited for doing such things in the first place.
Dec 22, 2006 7:18 am
I have a 720p widescreen TV. I would browse the internet on that. But the Wii doesn't support 720p. Also: Opera.
Jan 1, 2007 3:08 pm
Post a Comment
Please login to post a comment
LINKS
