Is the Wii browser available yet?

Yes

any impressions?

Resolution isn't the best -- makes smaller print tough to read, and it can be tough to click on close links with the big wii pointer hand. Otherwise, it works fine. I imagine I'll still use my laptop about 99.5% of the time.

Resolution isn't the best -- makes smaller print tough to read, and it can be tough to click on close links with the big wii pointer hand. Otherwise, it works fine. I imagine I'll still use my laptop about 99.5% of the time.


Agreed. Its just the beta though, so perhaps they'll make the final better.

It's not bad... I've had it crash once or twice though.

Good for a beta though.

It doesn't support MP3, MPEG, QuickTime, AVI, WMV, etc. It also doesn't do a good job of handling sites that open another window when you click on a link.

-Dan

Gah! So no movie trailers? Pointless.

It's pretty limited right now. I agree though, it is pretty stable for a beta version.

My son is the only one who uses this & he uses it because others in the family will kick him off the PC, but not kick him off his Wii. He has found a few sites (via Wikipedia & others) that are "Wii-friendly" to play games, etc. In it's present form, it is a nice little add-on to the Wii system. Once fully enabled, I expect more.

OT, but does anyone know anything about the web browser for the DS?

Resolution isn't the best -- makes smaller print tough to read, and it can be tough to click on close links with the big wii pointer hand. Otherwise, it works fine. I imagine I'll still use my laptop about 99.5% of the time.

Use the + button - it intelligently zooms in a way your "cursor" becomes the center of the area.

In zoom mode I think there's nothing wrong with resolution, it's excellent and easy to read, even with my failing (over 2m) eyes. :)

It doesn't support MP3, MPEG, QuickTime, AVI, WMV, etc. It also doesn't do a good job of handling sites that open another window when you click on a link.

-Dan

Agreed - but Youtube works fine and that's a big plus. :) New windows confuse it and it's random which one makes it into the creen actually... but pretty stable, I never had it crashed (didn't spend too much time with it though.)

How do you enter a new address without going back to the WWW start page?

In zoom mode I think there's nothing wrong with resolution, it's excellent and easy to read, even with my failing (over 2m) eyes.
But most pages have text that is in wider columns than the zoomed in screen. It's very annoying to try to move the page back and forth as you read each line.

I never had it crashed (didn't spend too much time with it though.)
I've had it lock up solid. Had to unplug the power cable (or maybe just press the power button in the Wii -- I don't remember which).
How do you enter a new address without going back to the WWW start page?
You can't. But I don't see that as any big deal, because the start page comes up pretty quickly.

-Dan

But most pages have text that is in wider columns than the zoomed in screen. It's very annoying to try to move the page back and forth as you read each line.
Agreed. It's a problem viewing this forum.

-Dan

The browser has locked my Wii up hard at least three times. I do like it though-if I can figure out how to get things into favorites. And it loads/displays fast.

Agreed. It's a problem viewing this forum.

-Dan

Actually if you keep the hand in the middle of the desired text/column then the zoom function will stop at its width so you won't have to move while reading it - it's a pretty intelligent zoom function.

The browser has locked my Wii up hard at least three times. I do like it though-if I can figure out how to get things into favorites. And it loads/displays fast.
I don't think you can add favorites in this beta version. Also the speed increased dramtically when I changed my routers channel to 11.

I don't think you can add favorites in this beta version. Also the speed increased dramtically when I changed my routers channel to 11.

I have some favorites (including a simple 'portal' page I created on my web hosting). You can create and rearrange favorites quite easily. If I remember correctly, navigate to a webpage, then hit the favorites button. There should now be an 'add' button on the bottom left.

Actually if you keep the hand in the middle of the desired text/column then the zoom function will stop at its width so you won't have to move while reading it - it's a pretty intelligent zoom function.
Ah, I'll have to try that. Thanks!

-Dan

I don't think you can add favorites in this beta version. Also the speed increased dramtically when I changed my routers channel to 11.

I have already added at least 15-20 favs...

I have already added at least 15-20 favs...Sweet, I'll have to try this tonight.

Actually if you keep the hand in the middle of the desired text/column then the zoom function will stop at its width so you won't have to move while reading it - it's a pretty intelligent zoom function.
I tried this on this forum, and it doesn't work. You still have to pan. Did you try it on this forum, and if so, what forum skin are you using?

-Dan

I'm not having much luck with my Wii beta browser. For me its been completely unstable...

Crashes all-the-time. Can't play youtube videos without crashing. Can't scale websites with any Flash without crashing... Won't even successfully browse the Nintendo Wii site.

I just got to the point where I decided to wait until another revision is released before trying it again.

I found a website that is good for the wii and you can use it to tab browse.
Try it out, you'll probably like it.
Here (http://brentalan.com/wiitabs/)

The low resolution of the Wii makes it virtually useless IMO.
It we could use 1080P (or even 720P) it would be reasonably functional.
It looks to me like they render the page at approximately double size and then filter it down, resulting in blurred and very hard-to-read text unless you "zoom" in to 1:1 size.

I wouldn't say useless... But it would be nicer under component 720P.

However, if they could speed up browser launch/exit it would be MUCH MORE useable. Even at 480P.

Mine has locked up just once. I clicked on a link that I think was some type of video, can't remember for sure. I had to completely unplug the system to reboot.

I don't see myself using this feature often, but it will be useful when riding the exercise bike in the home theatre and wanting to surf the web a bit instead of watching TV or playing a game.

The low resolution of the Wii makes it virtually useless IMO.
It we could use 1080P (or even 720P) it would be reasonably functional.

I wouldn't quite go that far, but the low resolution does really limit it's usefulness. It's good for a few quick things, but it's no real solution.

What WOULD be cool, but what won't happen, is that Ninty could release a patch when the real version goes live that allows it to output for component users to 720 or 1080....but I don't see that happening, sadly.

This version of Opera works with Orb. I installed it just for use with Wii. I was looking at a way to play back my digital music and movies on my HDTV and surround sound system. Last year I looked into boxes by PixelMagic and TIVX. This is may not offer the HD playback those do, but for around the same price I can play games. I can also use it stream a slide show with more pictures than I ever fit on an SD card. Opera was a huge bonus for me!

I don't see myself using this feature often, but it will be useful when riding the exercise bike in the home theatre and wanting to surf the web a bit instead of watching TV or playing a game.
My wife and I actually love it. When we're watching a movie, we can quickly jump over to IMDB and find out where we've seen a particular actor before. Also, when we're watching Ebert and Roeper, we can update our Netflix queue if there's something we want to see. Quite usefull.

-Dan

Sorry but where do you go to DL the browser?

Sorry but where do you go to DL the browser?
Go to the shopping channel. I don't remember what the name is, but pick the option that is the rightmost of the two -- *not* the option for downloading VC games.

-Dan

Yeah I found it, sorry.

My wife and I actually love it. When we're watching a movie, we can quickly jump over to IMDB and find out where we've seen a particular actor before. Also, when we're watching Ebert and Roeper, we can update our Netflix queue if there's something we want to see. Quite usefull.

-Dan

Good thinking. I'll probably do the same. Much easier for us lazy folk that don't want to walk to the next room and get on the computer. :)

After using it, I'd much rather walk in the other room to get my laptop. Using the wiimote to type is a PITA.

After using it, I'd much rather walk in the other room to get my laptop. Using the wiimote to type is a PITA.
I agree that typing with the Wiimote is slow, but when using IMDB, you don't have to type very much. I guess it all depends on how much effort it takes to get off the sofa!. :p

-Dan

The Wii browser needs some tweaking, no doubt (it IS a beta, after all), but it is not a bad little browser. I know it would be difficult for the Wii to do 720p or 1080i in games, but it should be no problem for the system to handle it in the menus/channels. Would make the browser infinitely more user-friendly.

Killer Apps: YouTube, WiiCade (and similar game sites)