new info & review of Opera DS Web Browser
AirRa...@gmail.com
http://ds.ign.com/articles/715/715134p1.html
DS Browser Sited
Nintendo opens website for upcoming browser software.
by Anoop Gantayat
June 27, 2006 - The best thing about Nintendo's new DS Browser website
is knowing that you'll be able to browse it on your DS in less than a
month! For now, you'll need a PC (or a -- gulp -- PSP!) to view the
all-Japanese site, here.
The site's Q&A section reveals a few bits on what we can and cannot
expect from the browser. First, the good. The browser supports full
stylus-based controls, for scrolling and jumping between pages, and
even for inputting characters through direct handwriting or via a
software keyboard. The browser keeps track of previously entered
phrases so you won't have to enter them again.
Now for the bad. The browser won't be capable of displaying Flash and
PDF, nor will it support video and sound. While you can save bookmarks
to your favorite pages, you cannot save images or other elements of
pages.
The Nintendo DS Browser will be available at Nintendo's Japanese
website starting 7/24. Two versions will be available, one for the
standard DS and one for the DS Lite (only the size of the included
memory expansion cartridge differs). In Japan, retail distribution is
currently not planned.
_______________________________________________________________________
http://my.opera.com/organicchunkysalsa/blog/show.dml/309706
Opera on Nintendo DS: Hands on Review
Just yesterday I had the chance to try out the prototype version of
Opera for Nintendo DS. I wanted to take this opportunity to express my
first thoughts as well as give a review of how it worked and how I felt
about it overall. Before I get to far into this I would also like to
say that the Release Date in Japan is slated for the 24th of July and
should retail for around $33 USD.
Now, my initial impression when I heard that the Opera browser was
going to be available on the DS blew me away due to the fact that a
129.99 device will have full access to the internet. With that said,
when I got my hands on a Nintendo DS Lite with the prototype cartridge
I knew I was going to once again be blown away. My anticipation was
right on track.
Getting online with the Opera software was just as easy as it is with
any Nintendo DS game. I simply turned the device on, touched the Opera
software picture on the screen to start up the browser and before I
knew it I was connected via the DS' built in Wifi. Upon booting up the
browser you are presented with a simple easy to follow guide if you
choose, but it's so simple to use I doubt most people will need it. The
navigation is very simple in the browser, along the bottom of the
screen you are presented with all the tools you need to perform
searches, change the screen layout etc.
Graphically the browser is very eye pleasing. The look is very minimal
to give you as much space to view web pages as possible. The little
things that could not be without on the browser like the navigation
buttons, the scroll bars and other necessities all fit in very well and
enhance the overall experience.
When I started it up I was browsing in dual screen mode. Basically the
page was fit to the width of the screen and the height spanned both
screens. With an easy touch of the stylus you can switch into a "zoom"
mode where you are presented with a picture of the web page on the top
screen and on the bottom screen you can drag a box around to see in
actual size what you need to view. You can also simply swap the screens
so that you can type in text as needed where fields or check boxes etc.
are presented.
Typing on the DS is a breeze. Basically when you need to go to an
address, or you need to enter text in a field you simply tap where you
are to enter text and you are presented with a keyboard on the touch
screen where you can tap away whatever it may be that you need to spell
out. The keyboard is large enough to give you plenty of space so you
aren't tripping over the other letters and mistyping. On the other hand
the keyboard isn't too large so as to block out all of your decadent
online pleasures.
Opera Software's strong focus on web standards really shines on the DS.
I surfed through a handful of web sites while I was using the browser
and didn't come upon one that didn't work flawlessly with pint sized
browser. It appears that security doesn't cause any problems as I
browsed in and out of my e-mail accounts with ease. The switching of
views proved extra handy when you wanted to get a nice shot of that
picture on your friends blog(or any other picture). The screens on the
DS Lite proved to be a great match for the browser and provided me with
beautiful images every time. What I found to be extremely nice was the
fact that Opera on DS stayed true to the speed of the desktop Opera
browser and I felt as comfortable browsing on the DS as I did on my
desktop at home.
Nintendo seemed to have knocked on the right door when they decided to
work with Opera. Opera seems to be right at home on the DS and you
would think that the software was designed at the same time the DS was.
It's not often when you get a chance to play with beta products that
work perfect right off the bat but it seems that piles of time have
been poured into making this piece of software perfect. I don't want to
speculate too much but it would be suprising if Nintendo didn't seek to
create more applications to continue to broaden the use of the DS. All
in all it would be safe to say that Nintendo and Opera have really hit
it home with this combination of Hardware and Software innovation by
providing the DS with an inexpensive, easy to use and beautiful product
that anyone can afford.
roondog
<AirRa...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1151529316.3...@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
Gary Kelman
"roondog" <roon...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:e8049c$i0g$1...@news.anglia.ac.uk...
>
> Will we be able to get it in Uk anytime soon?
>
going to retail in Japan, it's costing a fair bit more than the price off
the Nintendo Japan website ($33).
Who knows when/if they'll be an actual UK version though...
Gary