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Nintendo to give away the Wii Opera browser free until June 2007; More details on browser

Published September 14th, 2006 5:08 PM EDT By Daniel Goldman

More details emerged today on the new Nintendo Wii relating to the Opera browser.

The Opera browser will come as an optional download, though no price has been set yet. However, Nintendo will allow the browser to be downloaded free until June of 2007, according to ign.com.

Eventually, you would be able to purchase the browser with the Wii Points (2,000 Wii Points will cost $20).

Chris Kohler from Wired speculates that it’s likely the browser would be free once Nintendo finalizes discussions with Opera.

The browser will also include Flash support, which is an upgrade from the Opera browser for the Nintendo DS. Surfing the web will be done using the Wii Remote (Wiimote).

According to Opera’s Berit Hanson the Wii browser will support all web standards that are included in the Opera 9 desktop browser, including full support for JavaScript and AJAX.

As with the Opera browser on mobile phones and other devices, the browser on the Wii will automatically reformat the webpages to fit the size of the screen, thus eliminating the horizontal scrollbar.

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4 Comments

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  1. 1 OperaUser Sep 14th, 2006 at 5:59 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.01 on Windows Windows XP

    It seems that IGN may have gotten their information from the Japanese Wii site: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/topics/wii_preview/presentation/09.html

    I’m wondering, however, if IGN is correct to assume that the free download also applies to American Wii owners. Of course, I hope it does.

  2. 2 Steve Barker Sep 16th, 2006 at 2:34 pm
    using Opera Opera 8.52 on Linux Linux

    Out in time for Christmas, 8th December, at £179. From:

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/5349720.stm

  3. 3 Hmm Sep 17th, 2006 at 10:43 am
    using Opera Opera 9.00 on Windows Windows XP

    Where does it say that it will be $20?

  4. 4 Grah Sep 21st, 2006 at 4:25 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.00 on Windows Windows XP

    Will this help to promote Opera on a broader scale? I doubt it. Why isn’t it shipped with it as announced on beforehand? If it is free until 2007, it might as well be shipped with any Wii sold until that time. Even if Wii-Opera will be “completely free”, that doesn’t help much if it is not preinstalled.

    No offense meant to Nintendo, though… they have only eyes for profit… as have most companies these days. A sad matter, though.

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About Opera


Q: What is Opera?
A: Opera is one of the most powerful Web browsers around. A Web browser is the program that allows you to view Web pages. Opera is well known for innovation for PC browsers and bringing the full web to mobile phones and devices.

Q: Is Opera free?
A: Absolutely free.

Q: Why should I download a browser? Doesn't my computer already come with one for free?
A: It's about getting more out of the time you spend on the internet. Opera is designed to be much faster than these browsers and gives you powerful features that the default browser lacks. Default browsers like Internet Explorer are also more likely to be subjected to dangerous software such as viruses and spyware.

Q: Will Opera keep me safe from fraudulent websites and malicious hackers?
A: According to Secunia, a respected firm that tracks security in browsers, Opera has the best reputation and track record when it comes to browser security. Keeping our users safe from security vulnerabilities, fraudulent websites, and malicious hackers is a top priority for Opera. Opera is maintained by hundreds of engineers, developers and security experts who are constantly looking to make the browser even safer.

Q: Doesn't Opera copy all of their features from other browsers?
A: Absolutely not. In fact, many of the features that are popular in other browsers today were invented and pioneered by Opera a long time ago. Opera invented the precursor to tabs (in 1994), Page Zoom (1994), was the first browser to block pop-up ads (2000), first to add a Search field in the browser toolbar (2000), Sessions (1996), deleting private data (2000), Mouse Gestures (2000), User JavaScript (2005), BitTorrent support (2005), Widgets (2006), Speed Dial (2007), and much more.

Q: Does Opera support extensions, such as those found in Firefox?
A: Much of the functionality provided through Firefox extensions is already built directly into Opera, so you don't have to download additional extensions in Opera. In addition, Opera is highly customizable and supports all standard plug-ins.

Q: Can I also use Opera on my mobile phone?
A: Yes. And your Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS or almost any connected device and mobile phones. Opera Mobile oftens comes preinstalled from the manufacturers, but if it doesn't you can install Opera Mini which runs on nearly all phones.

Q: This all sounds great, so how do I download Opera?
A: -- Opera on your computer
-- Opera Mini on your phone
-- Opera Mobile on your phone
-- or learn more about Opera at www.opera.com