Wii Browser final version released today

[Xisiqomelir]

Go forth and snatch it, all you with connected consoles.

Cost:

Now to June: Free
Post-June: 500 Wii points ($5 US)

Changelog:

- Parental Control support
- Optional Internet content filter provided by Astaro (available soon)
- Improved start-up speed
- Clearer text when zoomed-in
- Improved Wii Remote navigation
- Improved scrolling and zooming
- Built-in search via Yahoo! or Google
- Option to hide Toolbar
- New cursor animations and operation sounds
- Ability to view page security information
- Option to delete cookies
- Built-in support manual

[Hotfoot]

The fact that they are charging cash for this past June strikes me as odd, unless newer consoles come complete with the latest version. How big is the download?

[Xisiqomelir]

How big is the download?

285 blocks.

EDIT: Wrong number

[Hotfoot]

Since I don't have a Wii, any idea what that is in bytes, or at least some sort of reference point?

[Xisiqomelir]

Wiis have 512 MB of flash memory for storage, which are listed on the Wii menu as ~2000 blocks.

So a block is probably slightly less than 262 kB with formatting.

[Hotfoot]

So it's a roughly 75MB download unless the numbers are different. Was there an initial fee for the Wii Browser to start, or was everything up until now effectively a beta test and now they're rewarding the testers? It just seems odd that they would start off making this free and then charge for it later.

[SirNitram]

So it's a roughly 75MB download unless the numbers are different. Was there an initial fee for the Wii Browser to start, or was everything up until now effectively a beta test and now they're rewarding the testers? It just seems odd that they would start off making this free and then charge for it later.

Yes, the trial version was free. It is odd.

[RThurmont]

It's a promo designed to build further hype around the Wii's launch. Brilliant marketing. I really think its a shame that the PS3 is being so heavily whipped by the Wii in every conceivable way, as from a purely technical standpoint, I find the PS3 more appealing. Nintendo, however, has somehow (since the launch of the Gamecube, which, correct me if I'm wrong, was always the weakest of the previous generation of consoles), managed to put together a stellar marketing team, rivalling their original success with the NES and SNES in the 80s/early 90s.

[Dalton]

It's a promo designed to build further hype around the Wii's launch. Brilliant marketing. I really think its a shame that the PS3 is being so heavily whipped by the Wii in every conceivable way, as from a purely technical standpoint, I find the PS3 more appealing. Nintendo, however, has somehow (since the launch of the Gamecube, which, correct me if I'm wrong, was always the weakest of the previous generation of consoles), managed to put together a stellar marketing team, rivalling their original success with the NES and SNES in the 80s/early 90s.

The best thing they ever did was to hire Reggie Fils-Aime.

[Ace Pace]

It's a promo designed to build further hype around the Wii's launch. Brilliant marketing. I really think its a shame that the PS3 is being so heavily whipped by the Wii in every conceivable way, as from a purely technical standpoint, I find the PS3 more appealing. Nintendo, however, has somehow (since the launch of the Gamecube, which, correct me if I'm wrong, was always the weakest of the previous generation of consoles), managed to put together a stellar marketing team, rivalling their original success with the NES and SNES in the 80s/early 90s.

The best thing they ever did was to hire Reggie Fils-Aime.

Seriously, the guy gets people interested in bloody kids games. Nevermind the hype he manages to cook up around waving a bloody controller around.

[Spanky The Dolphin]

Seriously, the guy gets people interested in bloody kids games.

You know what? I think it's more accurate to describe a lot of such games as titles appropriate for a general audience rather than something so easily stigmatisable as "kids games."

Because really, if you look at Nintendo's product, their content and presentation, there isn't a lot that's straight-out modeled for the child market. Most of it really is just for a plain general audience.

[Alferd Packer]

Oooh, sweet. Now we just need to get the Wii Keyboard at some point, and I can post to SD.net from me Wii all day long!

[Stark]

Don't regular USB keyboards work? Or doesn't the software support such input?

[Mad]

Was there an initial fee for the Wii Browser to start, or was everything up until now effectively a beta test and now they're rewarding the testers? It just seems odd that they would start off making this free and then charge for it later.

It's been known for some time that the Wii Browser would be free for a limited period of time, as a kind of reward to those who purchased a Wii early on. (Also stated in the press release.) Anyone who got a Wii after that point would need to pay for it.

(since the launch of the Gamecube, which, correct me if I'm wrong, was always the weakest of the previous generation of consoles)

"Weakest" in what way?

[Archaic`]

(since the launch of the Gamecube, which, correct me if I'm wrong, was always the weakest of the previous generation of consoles)

As I've had it explained to me, in terms of the actual power of the consoles, the PS2 would have been the weakest of the last generation. Gamecube was arguably on par with the original XBox technically, better in some areas, worse in others.

[Hotfoot]

Thanks Mad. I figured that had to be the only option that made sense, but it's good to have some confirmation. I do have to admit, it feels odd paying for a web browser, but given that it's a web browser on a console using a magic wand, I suppose I can see the reasoning.

Kind of sucks for everyone who can't find a Wii right now though. Of course, the insane popularity of the Wii means that everyone who buys it will net Nintendo quite a fair amount of cash. Soon they'll need a second moneybin to dive around in.

Out of curiousity, how easy is it to use the Wii Browser? I mean, obviously the wii-mote is as close to a mouse as you're going to get, so clicking and such is fine, but I have to imagine typing is only slightly less painful than using an analog stick.

[Mad]

Thanks Mad. I figured that had to be the only option that made sense, but it's good to have some confirmation. I do have to admit, it feels odd paying for a web browser, but given that it's a web browser on a console using a magic wand, I suppose I can see the reasoning.

Kind of sucks for everyone who can't find a Wii right now though. Of course, the insane popularity of the Wii means that everyone who buys it will net Nintendo quite a fair amount of cash. Soon they'll need a second moneybin to dive around in.

Yeah, but remember that Netscape and Opera weren't always free. The Opera Wii Browser is only $5 (USD), too, which isn't too bad.

Out of curiousity, how easy is it to use the Wii Browser? I mean, obviously the wii-mote is as close to a mouse as you're going to get, so clicking and such is fine, but I have to imagine typing is only slightly less painful than using an analog stick.

It's fairly easy. My TV is a bit too blurry to be able to read SDN comfortably (zoom in to see the text, but then have to scroll left/right to read), but it's very clear with a widescreen HDTV. Many sites that are more liberal with width requirements work well.

Typing is assisted by predictive text. You can enter text using a keyboard and a list of words will appear at the top, or you can use a cellphone-like pad, also using predictive text. The cellphone pad might be quicker to use, since you have less buttons to press. (Don't expect to easily carry on debates on message boards, though.. You can only see 2 lines of your message at a time when editing a field, though you can scroll up and down, of course.)

Though typing in web addresses can be a bit more painful (aren't always real words). But that's what search is for, usually.

So far, we've mostly used the browser (trial version until yesterday) to watch videos on YouTube.

[Praxis]

The fact that they are charging cash for this past June strikes me as odd, unless newer consoles come complete with the latest version. How big is the download?

If you buy a Wii before June, the browser is free. If you buy it after June, you have to pay. Nintendo announced this waaaay back before the system launched.

It's an incentive to buy the system early, I guess.

[Praxis]

Nintendo, however, has somehow (since the launch of the Gamecube, which, correct me if I'm wrong, was always the weakest of the previous generation of consoles),

To the contrary; Nintendo has always had one of if not the most powerful consoles. NES, SNES, and N64 were far beyond their competitors graphically, especially N64 (PS1 had more storage, N64 had far better processing power and graphical capabilities as well as no loading times and no need for a memory card and a lower price point).

The GameCube was going to be the same too; it was far more powerful than either the Dreamcast or PS2, and in fact, the XBox wasn't that much more powerful (rather impressive, considering that the GameCube sold at $200 for profit while the XBox sold at $300 for nearly a hundred dollar loss per system).

[Dalton]

You know, I'd download it if I could get my fucking Wii to connect to the Internet. I mean, I got one of the rare Blue Glows just last night (the mail about the internet browser) and yet I'm having a hell of a time trying to connect to the Internet. I can do it just fine via my DS and Nintendo WFC. Is anyone else having a bitch of a time with this?

[Stark]

You know, I'd download it if I could get my fucking Wii to connect to the Internet. I mean, I got one of the rare Blue Glows just last night (the mail about the internet browser) and yet I'm having a hell of a time trying to connect to the Internet. I can do it just fine via my DS and Nintendo WFC. Is anyone else having a bitch of a time with this?

If you get the messages you're connection settings must be fine - if you're having trouble gettting into the shopping channel or updates, the servers are often very, very slow. I had to start my update download three times before I got anywhere.

[Xisiqomelir]

You know, I'd download it if I could get my fucking Wii to connect to the Internet. I mean, I got one of the rare Blue Glows just last night (the mail about the internet browser) and yet I'm having a hell of a time trying to connect to the Internet. I can do it just fine via my DS and Nintendo WFC. Is anyone else having a bitch of a time with this?

Try changing your router's broadcast channel to 11.

[Dalton]

If you get the messages you're connection settings must be fine - if you're having trouble gettting into the shopping channel or updates, the servers are often very, very slow. I had to start my update download three times before I got anywhere.

Thanks. I just tried the "Everybody Votes" channel and it was pretty fast.

Try changing your router's broadcast channel to 11.

You are a rock star.

[Xisiqomelir]

Try changing your router's broadcast channel to 11.

You are a rock star.

You're welcome.