Wii able to Browse the Web

[Anvil]

Opera has announced that Wii will be utilizing their Opera browser to let users browse the web via the wii console.

http://www.newsweb.no/index.asp?languageID=1&symbol=OPERA&melding_ID=127951&lang=&date_start=14.09.2000&date_stop=31.12.2014&ncat_id=114

Please delete if already thread exists.

 

[Corwin_B]

Very nice, but too bad the Wii is SD only. Browsing in 640x480 is the work of the devil.

 

[Ty]

Yea, good to have, just not sure as to the usefulness of it.

 

[pc999]

Nice, how will we tipe the site? Voice recg?

 

[Inane_Dork]

Browsing in 640x480 is the work of the devil.

Yep. Why bother? Browsing the internet at 480p is less useful than adding a cupholder.

 

[Ty]

Nice, how will we tipe the site? Voice recg?

Voice Recognition? Probably use the pointer which would still be far better than a standard controller.

 

[Corwin_B]

Yep. Why bother? Browsing the internet at 480p is less useful than adding a cupholder.

Although it has to be noted that many improvements have been made on adapting rendering to a smaller screen (PocketIE, NetFront 3.3, Opera Mobile, even the PSP browser). So perhaps it could be done. Even though I have a VGA PDA,I generally don't browse using it, except under emergency (in-meeting Google can be a career-saver).

 

[Fox5]

Still need to type in web addresses.

Anyway, maybe they'd enable higher reses just for the browser, but probably not. Strange that they're the first system since dreamcast to officially support web browsing, I think it's really something that appeals more to the developing and Asian markets though.

 

[Grall]

Typing address: USB ports -> keyboard...

Screen res: graphics scaling.


*G*

 

[Ty]

Typing address: USB ports -> keyboard...

I'm sure they'll support a keyboard but as the browser comes with the Wii by default, there will be a need to input a URL via some other method that works with default controls.

Screen res: graphics scaling.

Downscaling will help with images but text? What about webpages that are built for 1024 resolutions?

 

[sfried]

Some people are forgetting basic html code: The pixels/font-size ratio does not have to be the same as the pixel/font size ratio used on SD (16:9 I might have to add). I think it will look well.

As for images, scaling helps. And websites built on 1024 resolutions will look like it's bottom is a bit chopped off, but it's nothing that a little scrolling will help resolve.

 

[StefanS]

What stops them from using higher resolution for web browsing only? Sure the Wii hasn't enough power for HD gaming, but it should suffice for high resolution browsing, shouldn't it?

 

[Ty]

Some people are forgetting basic html code: The pixels/font-size ratio does not have to be the same as the pixel/font size ratio used on SD (16:9 I might have to add). I think it will look well.

So transparently most webpages will be fine right out of the box? And what if you have an SDTV? What then?

And if the web pages you visit aren't meant for 16:9, what does that get you?

As for images, scaling helps. And websites built on 1024 resolutions will look like it's bottom is a bit chopped off, but it's nothing that a little scrolling will help resolve.

If it's just scrolling vertically, I don't think that's an issue. Scrolling horizontally is a major pain though.

What stops them from using higher resolution for web browsing only? Sure the Wii hasn't enough power for HD gaming, but it should suffice for high resolution browsing, shouldn't it?

That could be true and thus would mitigate any concern I had other than it being displayed on an SD TV set in the first place.

So if the Wii can run at least 1024 AND you already have a decent HDTV, then it's going to be great.

 

[Type_Raver]

What stops them from using higher resolution for web browsing only? Sure the Wii hasn't enough power for HD gaming, but it should suffice for high resolution browsing, shouldn't it?

Pretty much what i thought. We know games will be SD but for 2d apps like web browsing, i dont see why it shouldnt be possible at a higher res.

 

[Asher]

Pretty much what i thought. We know games will be SD but for 2d apps like web browsing, i dont see why it shouldnt be possible at a higher res.

Are there component/DVI/HDMI outputs on it?

 

[Corwin_B]

Are there component/DVI/HDMI outputs on it?

VGA output was mentioned, IIRC.

 

[StefanS]

Are there component/DVI/HDMI outputs on it?

From the official site

Other Features: ... An AV Multi-output port for component, composite or S-video.

 

[Type_Raver]

From the official site

Other Features: ... An AV Multi-output port for component, composite or S-video.

HOPEFULLY the gumecube compontent cable will be compatible. That was hard enough in itself to find!