Opera coming to the DS

[Doctor Oak]

Reggie said he wanted it and expected it but if I'm honest, I certainly didn't expect it.

Today, however, it was announced that the DS' WiFi Connection would be enhanced even further thanks to Opera, the poshest of Web Browsers.

Launching in Japan at an undisclosed date, Opera will deliver all that the current PC Browser offers over the 2 screens as well as using the bottom screen like a PDA for a keyboard etc.

One thing's for sure, it's bound to be better than the PSP's attempt at it. For one thing, the PSP runs an IE browser hacked to pieces, for another it's also pretty slow at loading.

Add that to the fact that the PSP relies on a mobile phone style keyboard operated by the D-pad and buttons and it simply can't compare to a touch-screen keyboard.

The scrolling, operated by the stylus on the DS, should also be a lot easier and managable than the PSP.

However, one more major clincher could be what plugins are available on the Opera software card. The PSP is unable to run Javascript and Flash as it has a small cache because of the fact it's running solely off the hardware itself. If Opera DS uses the card as a cache as well, it may well be able to run Flash and Javascript among other plugins.

One thing's for certain, it could be invaluable for Pokemon Trainers - giving them litterally a Pokedex on the go by visiting sites with a Pokedex...

There's a picture in Full Story featuring the DS Lite and we'll make sure to get you all the news on its release in Japan and Worldwide as it comes.

Piccie:

Press Release:

Giving Gamers Two Windows To The Web: The Opera Browser For Nintendo DSTM

February 15, 2006: Opera Software today announced that it will deliver the World Wide Web to Nintendo DS users in Japan. In Opera's agreement with Nintendo, Nintendo DS users will now be able to surf the full Internet from their systems using the Opera browser. The Opera browser for Nintendo DS will be sold as a DS card. Users simply insert the card into the Wi-Fi enabled Nintendo DS, connect to a network, and begin browsing on two screens.

Earlier this year, Nintendo reported that 13 million Nintendo DS systems were sold to consumers around the world within just 13 months of its debut in November 2004. Nintendo DS combines unique dual screens, touch screen, voice recognition and wireless and Wi-Fi communications capabilities. According to an independent market research company in Japan, Nintendo DS has become the fastest selling video games machine to top the 6 million sales mark in Japan in just over 14 months since its Japanese debut, breaking the old record held by Nintendo's Game Boy Advance.

"The incredibly popular Nintendo DS is already Wi-Fi enabled to support real-time gaming, so adding Web browsing capabilities was a natural evolution for this device," says Scott Hedrick, Executive Vice President, Opera Software. "Gaming devices are growing more advanced and a great Web experience is becoming a product differentiator for gaming manufacturers. Opera is excited to work with Nintendo to deliver a unique dual screen, full Internet experience on Nintendo DS."

With an on-screen keypad and stylus, users can easily navigate the Web from their Nintendo DS with PDA-like functionality. Based on the same core as the Opera desktop browser, Opera delivers superior speed and rendering of Web pages on the Nintendo DS.

"Within just five seconds of turning on the system, the Nintendo DS is already fully operational. This makes it the ideal device to enable people to swiftly obtain the latest information from the internet, wherever they are," says Masaru Shimomura, Deputy General Manager of Nintendo's R & D Department. "Opera exceeded our expectations with its user friendly interface, quick access to all your favorite sites, ease of use and, most importantly, in making the best use of the Nintendo DS system's unique double screens and touch screen features. Opera is an important partner for Nintendo in our efforts to further expand the users of the Nintendo DS."

Nintendo Co., Ltd. held a presentation today in Tokyo, Japan, to announce updates for the Nintendo DS. Information on the availability of the Opera browser DS card has not yet been announced.

 

[Trip]

Finally, now I have an excuse to run out and get a DS. All I have to do is wait for a US release date for this browser.

Yes, I know it seems like something stupid to be putting off a DS for, but I'm not prepared to spend that much money unless the device I get will do everything I want. I'm not so much of a gamer that I need one just for the games.

Link to an article: http://ds.advancedmn.com/article.php?artid=3341

- Trip

 

[Archaic]

Why wait for a US release date? If it's Opera, you should be able to configure the language settings within the browser software itself. I'll be happy to pick people up copies and send them over, for a small fee of course.

 

[Rayne]

Wow, again not expected, but this is possibly the best thing to
happen to the DS since sliced bread. Now I should really get on
the ball in picking up a router or the little USB network dongle now.

 

[Archaic]

Official word from Opera on their browser

* Will not support Java applets (that's applets, not javascript, which it does support), Adobe Flash or PDF formats
* Two browsing modes: fit to width and DS mode
* Zoom
* Bookmarks
* Handwriting - write in the URL rather than type
* Runs on reg DS and DS Lite

 

[Kadabra]

Gotta wonder if it has the compatibility of PSP's browser...

 

[Swifty]

It's Opera dude. It's one of the most versatile browsers in the world aside from that open source browser people seem to gush over about.

This just proves that the DS is ripe for personal data applications. I await the day more non-entertainment software gets released for the DS. PDA software could increase the appeal of the DS moreso than the PSP; games and movies versus games and productivity software. If I could get an awesome handheld with a decent electronic organizer, I'm so there.

 

[Trip]

Why wait for a US release date? If it's Opera, you should be able to configure the language settings within the browser software itself. I'll be happy to pick people up copies and send them over, for a small fee of course.

When they come out (June is it?), and it's confirmed whether or not the language can be changed, I will gladly do that.

- Trip

 

[Doctor Oak]

Opera DS has no date yet. The DS Lite is out in a fortnight.

 

[nYoo]

I am currently laughing at some German news sites which believe that the price of 3800 yen, which was actually announced for Tetris DS, will be the price of the browser.
And of course, they won't even listen to me when I try to explain that they got something wrong.

 

[Archaic]

Opera DS will be out in Japan in June. That's an official date.

 

[GrnMarvl14]

Interesting article on this and the TV add-on at CNN.com.

Iwata also unveiled Nintendo's planned lineup of software for Japan, such as a foreign language guide for travelers, a reference guide in Japanese and English, training software to improve penmanship in Japanese and a cooking guide giving step-by-step voice instructions for recipes.

I'm really loving the various applications they're coming up with for the DS.

And the article above has the Opera thing coming in at 3,800 yen.

 

[doodler243]

Yea i'm loving the things they're coming up with for the ds i'm just hoping they will all be available for europe aswell.