Post by Ztrl on Feb 17, 2006 23:38:27 GMT -5
Yesterday, Nintendo held a press conference, and took the opportunity to show off a Web Browser and a TV Card for the DS, as well as the new DS Lite.
Since then, more details about these devices have surfaced. Some will delight you, others may leave you slightly disappointed.
First of all, Opera have announced a RAM expansion for the DS, to be shipped with the Web Browser. This will allow the DS to view heavy text and images on the web. The device will come in the form of a GBA pack, and is only for use with the Opera Web Browser. The pack will come in two forms: one for DS and one for DS Lite. The former is the size of a standard GBA cartridge, and also works in the DS Lite. The latter, however, will only work in the DS Lite due to the smaller GBA slot in the Lite. Check out the picture below.
Secondly, some disappointing news for all those looking forward to the TV Tuner for DS. In April this year, a new service, called 1seg, will broadcast digital television in Japan for mobile devices. IGN have stated that many mobile phones in Japan are connected to this service, and Nintendo will follow these steps with the TV Tuner. However, this service is only available in Japan. This means the chances of seeing the TV Tuner outside of Japan are looking slim, unless a lot of changes are made to allow the device to pick up broadcasts that are free to air.
Finally, the DS Lite is living up to the name. Nintendo promised a much brighter screen, and they have delivered on that promise. Check out the difference below.
At a Nintendo Press Conference, Opera and Nintendo announced that they would be making a web browser for the DS. You can read the press release below.
In Opera's agreement with Nintendo, Nintendo DS users will now be able to surf the full Internet from their systems using the Opera browser. The Opera browser for Nintendo DS will be sold as a DS card. Users simply insert the card into the Wi- Fi enabled Nintendo DS, connect to a network, and begin browsing on two screens.
Earlier this year, Nintendo reported that 13 million Nintendo DS systems were sold to consumers around the world within just 13 months of its debut in November 2004. Nintendo DS combines unique dual screens, touch screen, voice recognition and wireless and Wi-Fi communications capabilities. According to an independent market research company in Japan, Nintendo DS has become the fastest selling video games machine to top the six million sales mark in Japan in just over 14 months since its Japanese debut, breaking the old record held by Nintendo's Game Boy Advance.
"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.
"Within just five seconds of turning on the system, the Nintendo DS is already fully operational. This makes it the ideal device to enable people to swiftly obtain the latest information from the internet, wherever they are," says Masaru Shimomura, Deputy General Manager of Nintendo's R & D Department. "Opera exceeded our expectations with its user friendly interface, quick access to all your favorite sites, ease of use and, most importantly, in making the best use of the Nintendo DS system's unique double screens and touch screen features. Opera is an important partner for Nintendo in our efforts to further expand the users of the Nintendo DS."
Nintendo Co., Ltd. held a presentation today in Tokyo, Japan, to announce updates for the Nintendo DS. Information on the availability of the Opera browser DS card has not yet been announced.
It is suspected that the device will retail for around $30 US. However, just where this browser will see the light of day remains unknown.
Since then, more details about these devices have surfaced. Some will delight you, others may leave you slightly disappointed.
First of all, Opera have announced a RAM expansion for the DS, to be shipped with the Web Browser. This will allow the DS to view heavy text and images on the web. The device will come in the form of a GBA pack, and is only for use with the Opera Web Browser. The pack will come in two forms: one for DS and one for DS Lite. The former is the size of a standard GBA cartridge, and also works in the DS Lite. The latter, however, will only work in the DS Lite due to the smaller GBA slot in the Lite. Check out the picture below.
Secondly, some disappointing news for all those looking forward to the TV Tuner for DS. In April this year, a new service, called 1seg, will broadcast digital television in Japan for mobile devices. IGN have stated that many mobile phones in Japan are connected to this service, and Nintendo will follow these steps with the TV Tuner. However, this service is only available in Japan. This means the chances of seeing the TV Tuner outside of Japan are looking slim, unless a lot of changes are made to allow the device to pick up broadcasts that are free to air.
Finally, the DS Lite is living up to the name. Nintendo promised a much brighter screen, and they have delivered on that promise. Check out the difference below.
At a Nintendo Press Conference, Opera and Nintendo announced that they would be making a web browser for the DS. You can read the press release below.
In Opera's agreement with Nintendo, Nintendo DS users will now be able to surf the full Internet from their systems using the Opera browser. The Opera browser for Nintendo DS will be sold as a DS card. Users simply insert the card into the Wi- Fi enabled Nintendo DS, connect to a network, and begin browsing on two screens.
Earlier this year, Nintendo reported that 13 million Nintendo DS systems were sold to consumers around the world within just 13 months of its debut in November 2004. Nintendo DS combines unique dual screens, touch screen, voice recognition and wireless and Wi-Fi communications capabilities. According to an independent market research company in Japan, Nintendo DS has become the fastest selling video games machine to top the six million sales mark in Japan in just over 14 months since its Japanese debut, breaking the old record held by Nintendo's Game Boy Advance.
"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.
"Within just five seconds of turning on the system, the Nintendo DS is already fully operational. This makes it the ideal device to enable people to swiftly obtain the latest information from the internet, wherever they are," says Masaru Shimomura, Deputy General Manager of Nintendo's R & D Department. "Opera exceeded our expectations with its user friendly interface, quick access to all your favorite sites, ease of use and, most importantly, in making the best use of the Nintendo DS system's unique double screens and touch screen features. Opera is an important partner for Nintendo in our efforts to further expand the users of the Nintendo DS."
Nintendo Co., Ltd. held a presentation today in Tokyo, Japan, to announce updates for the Nintendo DS. Information on the availability of the Opera browser DS card has not yet been announced.
It is suspected that the device will retail for around $30 US. However, just where this browser will see the light of day remains unknown.