SubscribeRSS Feed

GigaOm: Will Wii Remake the Web?

Published April 13th, 2007 11:27 AM EDT By Daniel Goldman

Wii Opera browserOver at the popular GigaOm blog there’s a great article about the new Wii Opera-powered browser and how Nintendo can possibly become a major player as an Internet hardware company a few years down the road.

The article cites a recent Merrill-Lynch study which estimates that by 2011 an astounding 30% of American households will own a Wii. This means, if that figure holds up, one third of all US homes will have new kind of Web browser sitting in their living room.

It continues by debunking the naysayers who question “who’s going to browse the Web without a keyboard?”

Head over to GigaOm – it’s a great read.

If you enjoyed this post, then make sure you subscribe to my RSS Feed.

:: Post a Comment
« Opera’s Ev-Wii-where Challenge
Opera is already seeing fruit from the Wii browser in other areas »

7 Comments

Feed for this Post
  1. 1 Investor Apr 13th, 2007 at 11:42 am
    using Opera Opera 9.20 on Windows Windows XP

    Yes, read that… and agree, huge potential in comfy couch TV and DS surfing …

    Now, going forward Opera must do their part to make it a reality… Do it right, don’t let N b 2 bossy ;)

    (eg. get rid of silly scroll arrows)

  2. 2 Adrian Lee Apr 13th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.20 on Windows Windows XP

    I was going to make a comment aout the cost of the Wii browser after the end of June, but thought I’d better search and find out whatt he cost was first…

    £3.50, not bad I guess, so yeah, I suppose it’s likely that most people who have an Internet connected Wii would get the browser for it as well.

  3. 3 sonyx Apr 13th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.20 on Windows Windows XP

    s/GigOm/GigaOm:>

  4. 4 Daniel Goldman Apr 13th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.20 on Windows Windows XP

    sonyx, thanks for the correction.

  5. 5 Romain Apr 13th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.20 on Windows Windows XP

    Yes, the Wii will remake the web, and in another way: since the Internet Channel is based on Opera rendering engine, it means that some sites will have to become compatible with Opera (or better, standard compliant!) if they want to be visited by the Wii audience…

    It’s a real benefit for Opera!

  6. 6 Jadd Apr 14th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.20 on Windows Windows XP

    The article cites a recent Merrill-Lynch study which estimates that by 2011 an astounding 30% of American households will own a Wii. This means, if that figure holds up, one third of all US homes will have new kind of Web browser sitting in their living room.

    No, it doesn’t mean that. A percentage of that 30% will, and I won’t be surprised if it’s only half of all american wii owners.

  7. 7 Tadaaah! Apr 14th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.20 on Windows Windows XP

    Way to pull numbers out of your boo-tay, Jadd ;)

About this blog


Opera Watch, an Opera browser blog, is run by Daniel Goldman, who used to work for Opera Software as a Technical Evangelist.

Subscribe

Subscribe to Opera Watch, and stay in touch with the latest Opera browser buzz.

Opera Mini

Get Opera Mini

View this page in Opera Mini

Opera Mini demo

Opera Tips

(More opera tips)

Search Opera Watch

Note: I encourage you to copy and translate my blog posts to your non-English blog. Do you have an Opera blog (with more than 90% of the content Opera-related)? Let me know and I'll add it to the list above.

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