20 December 2006
Up to now, browsing the internet on games consoles has been an arduous task, since traditional gaming pads are not suited to the interfaces provided by many web browsers. The Wii control pad, however, resembles more of a remote control than a conventional gaming pad: the game-player simply points it at the television screen and a cursor follows their movements. This remarkably simple and intuitive interface is perfect for a medium that is traditionally surfed via a computer mouse.
Nintendo seems committed to providing its console users with easy access to information on their product. For instance, the Wii's weather forecast program, not accessible at the launch of the console, is now functional. This provides Wii users with convenient access to weather forecasts for their default town, as well as forecasts for locations across the world, via a simple globe that the user manipulates with the Wii remote.
The latest Wii program to be announced by Nintendo is the news interface. Once this has been implemented, it will be easy to imagine that many Wii owners, and their families, will use the console to find simple information and news that they would otherwise have obtained using a television or PC.
Nintendo plans on shipping four million Wii consoles around the world by the end of the year. If, as expected, the Wii provides a good web browsing experience and Nintendo's ambitious target is reached, it may be necessary for companies to optimise their websites for the Wii during the design process, in a similar way that sites are now being optimised for mobile phones.
Opera Software's Opera web browser is seen as the third most popular web browser behind Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox, and is recognised for its functionality and ease of use. Judging by available screenshots, the Wii version is likely to be fashioned in a similar vein, with large and simple forward, back and favourite buttons being prominent in the interface.
Web browsing from games consoles gets easier
On Friday 22nd December, Nintendo's innovative new Wii games console will be the recipient of an update that may change the way many people access vital information on the internet. The Opera web browser created for Nintendo Wii will be released in the Wii Shop, a system for downloading additional games and software. According to Nintendo, users of the console can download the browser for free until May, via the machine's built-in Wi-Fi connection.Up to now, browsing the internet on games consoles has been an arduous task, since traditional gaming pads are not suited to the interfaces provided by many web browsers. The Wii control pad, however, resembles more of a remote control than a conventional gaming pad: the game-player simply points it at the television screen and a cursor follows their movements. This remarkably simple and intuitive interface is perfect for a medium that is traditionally surfed via a computer mouse.
Nintendo seems committed to providing its console users with easy access to information on their product. For instance, the Wii's weather forecast program, not accessible at the launch of the console, is now functional. This provides Wii users with convenient access to weather forecasts for their default town, as well as forecasts for locations across the world, via a simple globe that the user manipulates with the Wii remote.
The latest Wii program to be announced by Nintendo is the news interface. Once this has been implemented, it will be easy to imagine that many Wii owners, and their families, will use the console to find simple information and news that they would otherwise have obtained using a television or PC.
Nintendo plans on shipping four million Wii consoles around the world by the end of the year. If, as expected, the Wii provides a good web browsing experience and Nintendo's ambitious target is reached, it may be necessary for companies to optimise their websites for the Wii during the design process, in a similar way that sites are now being optimised for mobile phones.
Opera Software's Opera web browser is seen as the third most popular web browser behind Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox, and is recognised for its functionality and ease of use. Judging by available screenshots, the Wii version is likely to be fashioned in a similar vein, with large and simple forward, back and favourite buttons being prominent in the interface.
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