Opera Browser for the Nintendo DS [Archive]

grobian

02-15-2006, 03:41 AM

Opera Software announced today that they will be launching a version of their web browser for the Nintendo DS. It wil be sold as a DS card in Japan in June.

"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.
No mention of a release outside of Japan yet.

Source (http://www.opera.com/pressreleases/en/2006/02/15/)

Suicidal ShiZuru

02-15-2006, 03:56 AM

Good, at least its not Firefox. Opera is the best browser.

Syl

02-15-2006, 03:59 AM

I think that viewing anything on that tiny DS screen is going to be nearly impossible. The resolution per screen is only like 200x250 (max)

Still, ignoring all browser wars, having any sort of browser on a DS is a great thing.

TheEpicOfTyler

02-15-2006, 04:10 AM

Top screen zooms in on what you're looking at, the bottom screen shows the entire pages. I like this alot. :)

Stormwatcher

02-15-2006, 04:19 AM

Hooray for the DS.

thiby

02-15-2006, 04:42 AM

Dr Quincy

02-15-2006, 05:05 AM

It does have a cool gesture system integrated into it, which as only been implemented in Firefox as an add-on to my knowledge. Plus... its just better than IE. So w00t!

Royal Fool

02-15-2006, 05:10 AM

Opera has a great zoom feature that easily transforms pages and content depending on the size you want, they could make them fit on the screens. The stylus could be used for gestures and managing the settings, along with the obvious mouse-clicking.

Oh, and Opera supports speech... so yes, who knows if this DS version will have voice commands like the desktop versions.

Very cool. If it has English I might even be tempted to import it.

benig

02-15-2006, 05:40 AM

I wonder if this is a DS cart or a GBA cart with DS software on it. I would love for it to be the latter, so I can just leave it in all the time. I wonder if,while you're on the web browser, if Nintendo could send you messages when someone on your friend list logs into a certain game, and then you could just boot your game into wifi mode from the browser. That'd be slick.

TrackZero

02-15-2006, 05:43 AM

Whoa, interesting. Didn't see Opera jumping on board for this, though it makes perfect sense (smallest program size and uses gestures to control the browser). Can't wait to see how this turns out.

TrackZero

02-15-2006, 05:43 AM

see colon

02-15-2006, 06:08 AM

opera has the best portable browser i've ever seen.they are the only ones to get scaling right on a cell phone.

bboy

02-15-2006, 06:09 AM

OperaDS = sweet! I'm selling my two old DS's this week and pickin' up two Lites on 03/02.
Now I can cruise the net on by keitai, PHS/Wi-Fi on my lappy, and my DS...sheesh how many ways do we need to connect to the net...lol.

Will try to flash up the firmware soon as I get it so I'll let you all know if it went ok. ;)

Salesmunn

02-15-2006, 06:37 AM

Geez Nintendo, how about some decent games!

WastelandDan

02-15-2006, 06:47 AM

I've been using Opera for a couple of years now and I really like it, even though it isn't supported by a lot of websites. I know a lot of people who hate it though, which I've never really understood.

Serapth

02-15-2006, 06:54 AM

This is slightly off topic I use firefox for browsing and never used opera, is it better? Or more of the same thing? If it is why, what does it offer that firefox doesn't? Should i just download it and try it for myself and then decide which one I like more? I think I'm going to do that. Thanks guys you have been a great help.

Opera does basically everything better then Firefox but in one small, stable package. Firefox is all about plugins, but from what ive experienced, the more plugins you add, the less stable the browser becomes.

In the Opera end, you download one file and you have basically everything you would want out of the box. Tabbed browsing, mouse gestures (try them, they make a big difference ), RSS, email ( email client is pretty terrible ), newsgroups, the best zoom you will ever see, undo, etc... Basically Opera invents a feature then Firefox clones it poorly. Oh, and Opera is perhaps the quickest renderer ive ever seen.

As to Opera on the DS, I expect it to be great. Im using Opera Mini on my Treo over the builtin browser and its WAY better then the stock browser. Additionally, my boss is using Opera on his smartphone, and says it is much better then the builtin in IE. They do small screen scaling much better then any other mobile browser ive seen.

Lastly, if you are vision impared, apparantly opera is definatly the browser for you.

Can you tell what browser I use? ;)

Lizard Dude

02-15-2006, 06:57 AM

Geez Nintendo, how about some decent games!

Uhhhhh... yes, wherever could I find some decent DS games?

Kyle Jones

02-15-2006, 07:08 AM

Still, ignoring all browser wars, having any sort of browser on a DS is a great thing.

Agreed! This is pretty neat.

Royal Fool

02-15-2006, 08:04 AM

Geez Nintendo, how about some decent games!

Already taken care of, check your nearest game retailer.

TrackZero

02-15-2006, 08:31 AM

Geez Nintendo, how about some decent games!

Try going to a place called the store, they're full of great ones for the DS, troll.

boratika

02-15-2006, 08:48 AM

Here's how it really is:

Opera=good
Firefox=good

I use both. Depends on what I'm doing.

Anyway it's good news that if someones doing this that it's Opera.

Also Opera invented tabbed browsing, so they deserve respect of some sort.

Opty

02-15-2006, 09:51 AM

Geez Nintendo, how about some decent games!Don't worry, I understand your sarcasm mocking those who say the same thing in Sony threads where it's warranted. The patrons of this site need to learn how to interpret sarcasm based on context rather than subtle voice change. Everyone takes things at face value way too often.

Hellstorm

02-15-2006, 10:41 AM

Sell your PSPs! It's all over!

ChaosDent

02-15-2006, 12:34 PM

Wow, in any scenario I could imagine the DS getting PDS-ish features, an Opera browser was at the very top of my list. Opera's speed and scalability are legendary, and their small screen renderer is the only contender in its league for quality. Open their PC browser, pick any random web page and select View->Small Screen to see it in action, some pictures and some CSS formatting can get lost, but almost any content is readable and clearly organized.

Even if I have to import, I'll probably get this.

...Edit: I just realized a very important point. Since Nintendo has licensed Opera's web renderer, presumably they will have acess to it outside of the domain of this full browser card. This means they are probably also producing a very lightweight package to handle router redirects when setting up the WiFi connection for games. One of the biggest problems with the DS WiFi connection--the inability to acess many public WiFi points because of login or disclaimer screens--may be solved by this deal.

aversion2k

02-15-2006, 03:03 PM

Awesome, It'll probebly be hard to view the page, and I wont use it much, but I'll still get it.
Also picked up one of these for my ds http://www.supercard.cn/eng/
Adds in a heap of new features, Music, text, movies (though the compression is bad), and it also lets you run some roms.

mister_slim

02-15-2006, 05:01 PM

I've been begging for Opera for a while, so I'm excited. Couldn't ask for a better browser for the DS. Now, how about a US release?

Pumped'Up

02-15-2006, 06:40 PM

Sell your PSPs! It's all over!
LOL, Nintendon't for completely obvious reasons:

1. its not a FREE firmware upgrade (unlike the PSP). Money bye-bye for spending on actual games.

2. Clumsy in every way - remove to play games, and plug back in to surf. You'll have to carry this additional cart and all other bulky carts where ever you go.

3. have fun waiting till 2007 when MAYBE it becomes availabe in NA.

The PSP is by far the superiour gaming-multimedia portable. In addition to surfing for free, the PSP can even stream movies (PMP) off your computer through wifi.

I wonder when the DS will be able to do all of this.

Pigeon

02-15-2006, 06:51 PM

Yes, DS carts are sooooooo bulky. I threw my back out putting in Mario Kart

KamaItachi

02-15-2006, 07:01 PM

ChaosDent

02-15-2006, 07:18 PM

LOL, Nintendon't for completely obvious reasons:

1. its not a FREE firmware upgrade (unlike the PSP). Money bye-bye for spending on actual games.

2. Clumsy in every way - remove to play games, and plug back in to surf. You'll have to carry this additional cart and all other bulky carts where ever you go.

3. have fun waiting till 2007 when MAYBE it becomes availabe in NA.

The PSP is by far the superiour gaming-multimedia portable. In addition to surfing for free, the PSP can even stream movies (PMP) off your computer through wifi.

I wonder when the DS will be able to do all of this.

You did pay $100 extra for the PSP alone, so you would expect there to be some added value... It certainly can't be found in the games and the limited, expensive storage and lack of video out make the iPods far better media players for the price.

$30 for a web browser application is a good deal, this is Opera, not some half-assed renderer someone threw together in-house.

Pumped'Up

02-15-2006, 08:41 PM

You did pay $100 extra for the PSP alone, so you would expect there to be some added value... It certainly can't be found in the games and the limited, expensive storage and lack of video out make the iPods far better media players for the price.

$30 for a web browser application is a good deal, this is Opera, not some half-assed renderer someone threw together in-house.
As for pure portable media players, iPods are overpriced, lack functionality, and bought only by idiot tech-snobs. This isn't the place to discuss your points lacking merit, but do some freak'n research before posting bub. Keep in mind, the PSP does everything great (however, arguably not the best) which is more than what the iPod or any media player can do.

As for the PSP browser you call half-assed, hey it works like a charm and best of all, it's been FREE since last fall. What'd you say?

Bushido

02-15-2006, 09:25 PM

BOING, i dont think I anticipated how successful the DS would be, I was sort of in the group mentality oh the PSP will prolly smoke it but boom we get the game gear fiasco all over.

alienchild

02-16-2006, 02:50 AM

I'm personally not all that negative to the PSP, except for the fact that I hate Sony with a burning desire. If only the PSP could get some good games, and stores would actually start to import them. Most of the games available here (Norway) are the release games, and a few movies. Very fucking exciting.

Stormwatcher

02-16-2006, 04:34 AM

The success or failure of the DS has NOTHING to do with the success of failure of the PSP and vice-versa. They are different products. They offer different visions... PSP is doing bad for lack of killer-app grade games and the fact that sony is not very sure of what they want... They keep nerfing homebrew apps, when that is the only big advantage of the PSP over its competitors: i.e. Ipod.

The DS is a very solid gaming machine with some outstanding and UNIQUE games. it is also a bit of a tech demo for the revolution - wifi, "natural" controlling interface instead of and arbitrary metaphoric one. The lauch of the online multiplayer games was a success, and it is doing very well on its own. I don't think that the PSP has interfered with the DS market performance much...

Anyways, a DS+Opera cart is still a lot less expensive than a PSP, and it is a very good combo.

Pumped'Up

02-16-2006, 01:25 PM

Anyways, a DS+Opera cart is still a lot less expensive than a PSP, and it is a very good combo.
a lot less expensive for that combo????? wtf youngster?

The DS is a cherry. Plays games, and a few (i count 3) good ones. The PSP is a fruit basket. The slightly higher cost of the PSP is justified as it can do exceedingly so much more than what the DS is capable of doing.

Opera isn't even confirmed that its coming outside of Japan.

Nuff said.

TKO

02-16-2006, 02:38 PM

Holy shiat! Pumped'Up, tell what drugs you be taking there boy! They must be da bomb! (or bong?) :D Did some bully do nasty things to you with a DS stylus or sumthing, coz you got some real *hate* going on there. ...Just to be trying to claim (and you seem quite serious) that the DS has no/few/no-good games, man, you *gotta* be in some wicked twilight zone right now, or on a Sony payroll.

Yeah, that PSP browser has *gotta* be sweet. ..Be interested to see the blazing speed you'll be able to write URL's into that thing .. that brick .. that sleek shiny shiny finger-print-magnet overpriced brick, with it's amazing games (game?) ..and many overpriced movies.

And I may be a Firefox user on computers, but Opera is the king of mobile browsers, has been for a long time. Best re-rendering for small screens there is. I'm half tempted to get me a DS now. (y'see, I can just impulse-buy it .. a PSP requires more serious financial outlay .. I think yer paying for the extra suckage .. or whatever it is yer smoking.) ;)

mister_slim

02-16-2006, 04:16 PM

As for pure portable media players, iPods are overpriced, lack functionality, and bought only by idiot tech-snobs. This isn't the place to discuss your points lacking merit, but do some freak'n research before posting bub. Keep in mind, the PSP does everything great (however, arguably not the best) which is more than what the iPod or any media player can do.
How much is a PSP and a 60 gig memory stick, anyway?

Stormwatcher

02-17-2006, 04:03 AM

a lot less expensive for that combo????? wtf youngster?

The DS is a cherry. Plays games, and a few (i count 3) good ones. The PSP is a fruit basket. The slightly higher cost of the PSP is justified as it can do exceedingly so much more than what the DS is capable of doing.

Opera isn't even confirmed that its coming outside of Japan.

Nuff said.

Wow, you are either a pre-school drop out and counts anything beyond two as being three (I know of at least 10 excellent DS games... no to mention the just good ones)... And only someone devoid of any mathematcial skills whatsoever would call a difference in price of more than 50% slight. If you consider the value pack (and it would be stupid to buy the standalone system, even if it is available) it is MORE THAN TWICE AS EXPENSIVE than the DS. So, Q.E.D., you are stupid.

Or you are on very cheap, bad drugs. Lay down the glue, sniff-o.

I'm not even saying that the DS is 100% superior to the PSP or anything... I was making a point that they're both very different products with widely divergent value propositions. The PSP is an excellent media machine (which plays games), the DS is an outstanding gaming device.

And Yeah, an european company won't surely release their product on the West... even considering how Nintendo's DS Wi-Fi strategy is global. Sure.

Congrats, you did a hell of a job of making a fool of yourself.