The DS Browser

here's what's known about the DS web browser so far (key points bolded):

from the official press release - http://www.opera.com/pressreleases/en/2006/02/15/

"Giving gamers two windows to the Web: The Opera Browser for Nintendo DS™
Oslo, Norway - 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 six 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."


from eurogamer - http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=63719

"Nintendo has confirmed that the new Opera browser which allows DS owners to surf the web will launch in Japan this June, according to Nintendo Power magazine.

It'll come on a regular DS game cartridge and will be priced at 3800 yen (around £18 or $32USD), and users will be able to input information using the touch screen and stylus.

In a recent interview with cubed3.com, Opera's Berit Hanson said the DS's two screens "allow for two different modes of browsing: fit-to-width and DS mode.

"In fit-to-width mode, Opera uses both screens for scrolling up or down a page with both screens completing the view. In DS mode, an overview of the Web page is displayed on the lower screen and a pink square can be moved around an area of the page. The area you have selected is shown on the upper screen."
Hanson said you can expect the same standards of support, surfing speed and rendering capabilities as with Opera's desktop browsers. "A new feature for the DS is the ability to hand write the URL into the address field. You can currently write in English or Japanese."

Rumour has it that Opera DS will launch in the US this December - but there's no word of a European release, with a Nintendo spokesperson simply telling us: "We have not announced our plans for bringing Opera to the UK at this time."



"Opera Nintendo DS Browser Q&A" - http://www.armchairempire.com/Interv...ds-browser.htm
Conducted by Mr. Nash



February 16, 2006



Yesterday, Nintendo unveiled a number of peripherals and software that are currently in the works for the Nintendo DS. Among these is a web browser that has been made for the handheld by Oslo-based Opera. We have taken the time to talk with the Opera's Executive Vice President of Devices, Scott Hedrick to shed more light on this new software.


q
Who approached whom to create this software? Did Nintendo approach your company, or did Opera pitch it to Nintendo?


a
Nintendo came to Opera and requested that Opera work with them to port and optimize our browser for the DS.


q
Was it difficult to develop an Opera web browser for the DS?


a
Not that porting to any platform or device is easy work, but Opera has done this before and has succeeded in becoming a modular and flexible Web browser. The DS provides a unique form factor with dual screens and touch-screen technology and many of Opera’s core technologies come into play very nicely in this setting, such as Small-Screen Rendering (SSR).


q
How much functionality from the PC version of Opera will make its way to the DS version? Will Opera’s email or pop-up blocking features be present on the DS?


a
We will leave these details to be revealed by Nintendo when they are ready.


q
Will any sort of features be included in the browser to protect users from viruses lurking the web?


a
Opera is a tremendously secure browser even on Windows. On the specialized OS in the DS, Opera should be even more protected from malicious code intended for desktop browsers.


q
At this point, the Opera DS browser has only been announced for Japan. When can we expect to hear about a North American and European version of the software?


a
Nintendo is still deciding on its global launch plans. Of course Opera would like to see this browser solution for DS available to people everywhere.


q
The PC version of Opera tends to get updates every so often, currently at version 8. Will the DS version see updates for the software as well, either available through download or at retail?


a
Unfortunately, we will have to defer to Nintendo to address this question when they are ready.


q
How powerful is Opera’s DS browser? Can it display flash, or streaming audio / video footage?


a
The version of Opera we have been working with Nintendo on for the DS can surf the full Internet, but the initial version does not include Flash support.



Opera will make use of the DS touch screen as a means for users to type via a keypad. Are there any other ways that the software will take advantage of the DS’ twin screens?



Opera for DS has two display modes: Fit-to-width and DS mode. In fit-to-width mode, Opera uses both screens for scrolling up or down a page with both screens completing the view. In DS mode, an overview of the Web page is displayed on the lower screen and a pink square can be moved around an area of the page. The area you have selected is shown on the upper screen. This is a unique way to deliver the Web to take advantage of the DS hardware configuration and Opera has worked closely with Nintendo to optimize this experience."







Jam it back in, in the dark.

Very cool. I can see little flash games easy to play, too!

Oh, and porn. Lots of porn.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I wonder what the price is if it ever does get released in North America, I also believe that any version made after the Japanese launch will have many, many other features (like Dreamcast's browsers).

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I wouldn't be surprised if it came bundled with every DS after the launch, with a seperate retail release at a reduced cost compared to a standard DS game. Either way, this has sold me on a DS. Phoenix Wright, New Super Mario Bros., MP:Hunters, and a Web browser... I'm lovin' it.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Lukage

Very cool. I can see little flash games easy to play, too!

Oh, and porn. Lots of porn.

Nothing quite like looking at porn on tiny handheld devices.

Now you can look at porn everywhere you go~

I was speaking idiomatically.

I wonder how this will affect the battery life..

Either way, it looks awesome.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Neogin

I wonder how this will affect the battery life.

I would assume it's battery life would be kinda the same as playing a game online/wirelessly.

FELIPE NO

Like anyone would use this. How many places do you go that have wireless internet access but no PCs are around? Sure, there may be the odd hotspot in an coffee shop or whatnot, but most of the time there are PCs in internet cafes, computer labs, your house and pretty much anywhere else you're more than likely to find an 802.11b network.

This is just as useless as the PSP browser.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I just want it to go "OH SHIT I LEFT 4CHAN ON MY DS!"

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Oh, like "POSTING FROM MY PSP~~~" type posts then. Novelty is FUN.

Instead can we get something like a NWC enabled pictochat with voice capabilities like Hunters has? That'd be more entertaining and useful than this. =\

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I may have to get me a DS as i love opera with a passion.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

This is really awesome. I can deffinetly see myself picking this up if it makes it's way to North America, even if just for novelty puproses.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

This should help pass the time on campus next semester and yet another reason to get my hands on a DS, if only Nintendo would give details on the U.S. release for the DS Lite. I haven't raced in months.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by Colonel Skills

Like anyone would use this. How many places do you go that have wireless internet access but no PCs are around? Sure, there may be the odd hotspot in an coffee shop or whatnot, but most of the time there are PCs in internet cafes, computer labs, your house and pretty much anywhere else you're more than likely to find an 802.11b network.

This is just as useless as the PSP browser.

At least this will shut some of the PSP fanboys up, :/

This just proves that Nintendo is able to counter almost anything Sony dishes out. (Erm, handheld wise, anyway..)

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

I pretty much agree with Skills here, the whole browser on a handheld gimmick just doesn't do it for me. I can't see the point beyond a "lol" or two, although on a PSP you have space to save stuff like images or whatever on, so I suppose that's handy.

What are you going to do with a browser on a DS?

FELIPE NO

Beats me. I'm looking at my DS right now, and asking myself the same thing. It's just that the screen is a little small compared to the PSP.

I'm assuming there will be a seperate cartridge, or something, so you can store bookmarks, and whatnot..

Most amazing jew boots

Originally Posted by Grigori Rasputin

I pretty much agree with Skills here, the whole browser on a handheld gimmick just doesn't do it for me. I can't see the point beyond a "lol" or two, although on a PSP you have space to save stuff like images or whatever on, so I suppose that's handy.

Agreed, and not only that, but the PSP browser has a much higher resolution, so you don't have to scroll HUGE distances to see the entire page. On a DS, it would require even MORE horizontal and vertical scrolling. Can you imagine how much of a pain in the ass that is?

Imagine running into a :biggermiu: when using the DS to browse. Egad.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Colonel Skills

Like anyone would use this. How many places do you go that have wireless internet access but no PCs are around? Sure, there may be the odd hotspot in an coffee shop or whatnot, but most of the time there are PCs in internet cafes, computer labs, your house and pretty much anywhere else you're more than likely to find an 802.11b network.

This is just as useless as the PSP browser.

I use my DS in bed about 30-60 minutes right before I go to sleep, which is after I've turned off the main PC.

*shrug* I doubt I'll buy it, but I can see it being a neat idea.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Colonel Skills

Agreed, and not only that, but the PSP browser has a much higher resolution, so you don't have to scroll HUGE distances to see the entire page. On a DS, it would require even MORE horizontal and vertical scrolling. Can you imagine how much of a pain in the ass that is?

Imagine running into a :biggermiu: when using the DS to browse. Egad.

Actually, running into :biggermiu: should be mandatory when browsing on a DS.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by BlueMikey

I use my DS in bed about 30-60 minutes right before I go to sleep, which is after I've turned off the main PC.

*shrug* I doubt I'll buy it, but I can see it being a neat idea.

Right, but provided you want to browse the internet for another half hour, wouldn't you just leave the PC on and use that instead of using the DS? It just seems counter productive to switch machines to end up using them both for the same purpose.

Most amazing jew boots

Originally Posted by BlueMikey

I use my DS in bed about 30-60 minutes right before I go to sleep, which is after I've turned off the main PC.

*shrug* I doubt I'll buy it, but I can see it being a neat idea.

Yeah I do that too (but lately it's been 3-4 hours...). It just seems like a novelty item to have, so hopefully it's very inexpensive. It'd be neat if there was some interface so you can play games on it with other people who don't have the DS, i.e. their usual web browser on their PC. I'm giving this no thought at all and is probably coming out as an awful idea. Whatever, I don't even understand web browsing on cell phones.

How ya doing, buddy?

This is all fine and dandy, but I would much rather have the TV tuner they announced. I'm sure most people would find that more convenient than the internet browser (I would, anyway).

How ya doing, buddy?

Well, the internet browser could be the first step to have a Dual-screened PDA in your hands. And it's been proven that those are mighty useful.

A TV tuner would be like, total awesome, though.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Colonel Skills

Right, but provided you want to browse the internet for another half hour, wouldn't you just leave the PC on and use that instead of using the DS? It just seems counter productive to switch machines to end up using them both for the same purpose.

Well, no, I want to lay in bed and my fiancee has my laptop right now.

Like I said, I'm not loving the idea of it, but it has its purposes.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Ah, that makes sense then, I suppose. I guess I was wrong, there are some legitimate uses for it.

I still can't imagine it being something you'd want to use or it giving you a pleasant browsing experience, though.

Jam it back in, in the dark.