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C3 Exclusive Interview | Opera's Nintendo Wii Browser

on 03.06.2006 at 13:18 User Icon Posted by James Temperton (Mr. T)
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Interview: Opera's Nintendo Wii Browser
Conducted by James Temperton :: June 3rd 2006


The Opera Wii Browser is somewhat shrouded in mystery, so in an attempt to find out some facts and work out just what to expect when it launches we hooked up with the good folks at Opera. Scott Hedrick the Executive Vice President with Opera for Devices agreed to answer some of our questions and respond to some speculation. Obviously there are some rather tight NDA agreements around his neck, but he still managed to provide us with some rather interesting answers.

Cubed3: Will the Opera browser be embedded from launch on the 512MB internal Flash or included with the system via a memory card?

Scott Hedrick: 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. The browser can be launched in only a few seconds, immediately delivering a great user experience.

C3: Have there been many challenges moving from the computer platform to delivering a secure and functional game console browser?

SH: Not really any big challenges, since Opera has experience with porting to many different devices and mobile phone platforms. The biggest challenge has been to create the best "living room" Web experience, leveraging the unique capabilities of Wii. Opera has worked closely with Nintendo to achieve a breakthrough experience, especially in terms of incorporating the revolutionary Wii remote into the browsing experience.

C3: As a very successful software developer what challenges does the WiiConnect24 service provide, and what do you think of this specific feature?

SH: Nintendo's network-centric approach with WiiConnect24 will enable rich new services and capabilities, the full extent of which Nintendo has yet to reveal. For Opera, WiiConnect24 presents more interesting opportunities rather than challenges.

Opera has long been working with set-top box manufacturers, for example, that use Opera to create Web-based user interfaces. These IP-based set-top boxes are always connected, like Wii, and can be easily and dynamically updated with live content or new menus.

C3: To what extent will user customisation be allowed?

SH: Nintendo isn't ready to discuss if there will be any user customisation allowed for Opera on Wii. Opera's desktop browser is highly customisable and "skinnable", and the latest version, Opera 9, even includes small Web-based applications called Widgets. We have announced that Opera Widgets will be available on devices and it would be cool to see them on Wii.

C3: Are there any plans to include advertising via the Opera browser on Wii?

SH: No, there are no plans to include advertisements within the Opera browser user interface for Wii, but the same ads you see on Web pages on your desktop will show up when browsing using Opera on Wii. Nintendo hasn't confirmed if Opera could be used to deliver Web-based advertisements into games, for example.

C3: Will the Opera DS and Opera Wii browsers be able to communicate or interact in any way?

SH: Nintendo has not announced any plans for this, but it would be great to enable this.

C3: How easy is it to control and navigate the Internet using the Opera Wii Browser?

SH: Navigating the Web with Opera on the Wii will be as easy if not easier than using Opera on a desktop. 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.

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.

C3: What will the Opera Wii Browser allow you to do outside surfing the 'normal' Internet? Will there be any additional features/functionality?

SH: Based on Opera 9 for Devices, the Wii browser will be not only able to surf the full Internet, but execute Web applications using technologies such as AJAX. In addition to the ability to use advanced services such as Google Maps, third parties could theoretically develop Web applications specifically for the Wii.

C3: Will the Opera Wii Browser be integrated into any games?

SH: In addition to being a full Web browser, Opera also serves as a presentation engine for devices, such as set-top boxes. This means that you it is possible to create dynamic Web-based applications and user interfaces using Web technology running on Opera
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The Mariner Reply Quote #1 

The Mariner

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Number of comments 2903 178 Number of comments 07.03.2004 Wi-Fi Name Ben

Great read, and nice interview James Smilie

The Opera Browser sounds excellent, there are SO many great new features for the Wii! How the hell will they cram it all in to that little box?! Smilie

( Edited on 03.06.2006 14:29 by Ben )

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Spydarlee Reply Quote #2 

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Awesome stuff, sounds great!

I'm still a Firefox boy myself, but I've heard nothing but good things about Opera. Smilie


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knighty Reply Quote #3 

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The Wii has USB ports....why not just have a USB keyboard? <_>

Or maybe there will be, and I misread....

Noice interview.
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James2t3 Reply Quote #4 

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Well it would be kinda messy unless it was wirless and not everybody has USB keyboards but It wuld be nice to have the option to stick in a mouse and keyboared.


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dojo Reply Quote #5 

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Lol, the bit of PR at the end is great!




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mariocdl Reply Quote #6 

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So he also confirmed the Wii coming in November. Nice. I suspect there may be some sort of usb keyboard compatibility or even Nintendo might release one with a sensor specialy for the oprea browser, with like a small touch pad mouse in it.
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knighty Reply Quote #7 

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Blade2t3 said:
Well it would be kinda messy unless it was wirless and not everybody has USB keyboards but It wuld be nice to have the option to stick in a mouse and keyboared.


How on earth could you possibly try and write without a keyboard? It's hard enough on the DS...

( Edited on 03.06.2006 16:23 by knighty )

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James2t3 Reply Quote #8 

James2t3

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How on earth could you possibly try and write without a keyboard? It's hard enough on the DS..


I dunno point and click on the letter? All i'm saying is you can't make it only work for keyboards there has to be some crap way of writing with the wii remote.


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HazukiSan Reply Quote #9 

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knighty said:
Blade2t3 said:Well it would be kinda messy unless it was wirless and not everybody has USB keyboards but It wuld be nice to have the option to stick in a mouse and keyboared.
How on earth could you possibly try and write without a keyboard? Its hard enough on the DS...( Edited on 03.06.2006 16:23 by knighty )


That's my big fear, pointing and clicking to type sounds clunky. A third party keyboard will be made eventually.

Great interview though.
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James2t3 Reply Quote #10 

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Maby even a first party one to connect to the wiimote, then the wiimote would be free to act as a mouse.


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HazukiSan Reply Quote #11 

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Blade2t3 said:
Maby even a first party one to connect to the wiimote, then the wiimote would be free to act as a mouse.


Yeah, definitely. Although 3rd parties could do it aswell...
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James2t3 Reply Quote #12 

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Yeah but I never trust third party controllers Smilie


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HazukiSan Reply Quote #13 

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Blade2t3 said:
Yeah but I never trust third party controllers Smilie


Rightfully so, they suck.
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The Mariner Reply Quote #14 

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I sometimes get them as presents. My brother comes up to me with one and he's like "Here I bought this fo-" and I'm like, "Yeah, whatever!"

Smilie
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James2t3 Reply Quote #15 

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Yeah 3rd party accesories like extension cables,RGB cable etc are one thing because once you have connected them there either beind the TV or blend in. Controllers though are a big no no cause you have to feel that piece of shite everytime you want to play a game.


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Flynnie Reply Quote #16 

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Indeed third party accesories such as extension cables,RGB cable etc are one thing because once you have connected them there either beind the TV or blend in. Controllers though are a big no no cause you have to feel that piece of shite everytime you want to play a game
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TheStratMan Reply Quote #17 

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Interesting interview.

Having spent many hours trying to use the internet on various different divices, I know I need a keyboard to feel comfortable.

In my opinion, using the net on handhelds like the PSP and mobiles is just a novelty. If Nintendo want Opera on the Wii to be taken seriously they have to at least offer a keyboard option.

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HazukiSan Reply Quote #18 

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Soundworks said:
Interesting interview. Having spent many hours trying to use the internet on various different divices, I know I need a keyboard to feel comfortable. In my opinion, using the net on handhelds like the PSP and mobiles is just a novelty. If Nintendo want Opera on the Wii to be taken seriously they have to at least offer a keyboard option.


Indeed, the Dreamcast recognised this and Sega had a keyboard from launch...

took them 3 years to get a mouse out though Smilie
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knighty Reply Quote #19 

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Pro Logic 3 pad > GC official pad

I love mine. NGC free gift with subscription Smilie


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