Nintendo DS Browser
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Nintendo DS Browser | |
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| Developer(s) | Opera Software Nintendo |
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Engine | Presto |
| Version | 8.50[1] |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi |
| Release date(s) | JP July 24, 2006 EU October 6, 2006 AUS January 18, 2007 NA June 4, 2007[2] |
| Genre(s) | Web browser |
| Mode(s) | Single user |
| System requirements | Nintendo DS Memory Expansion Pak (included) |
The Nintendo DS Browser is a version of the Opera web browser for use on the Nintendo DS, developed by Opera Software and Nintendo. The Nintendo DS Browser comes in separate versions for the Nintendo DS and the Nintendo DS Lite;[3] this is due to differing physical size requirements for the memory expansion cartridge included with the browser.
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[edit] Launch
On February 15, 2006, the Opera Software company announced plans to develop a web browser for the Nintendo DS. Opera Company also worked to put Opera Web Browser onto Nintendo DS.[4]
The Nintendo DS Browser was released first in Japan on July 24, 2006 and it was released later in Europe on October 6, 2006 for £30 (the same as an ordinary DS game). The Australian release date was on January 18, 2007 and retailed for AU$69.95. (~US$60)[5] However, in Australia, only the DS Lite version was released in stores; a limited stock of the DS Original version was only available directly through Nintendo Australia.
The North American release date was on June 4, 2007 for $29.99.[2] Like the Australian release, only the Lite version was available in stores, and the DS Original version was only available online in US.[6]
[edit] Features
Nintendo DS Browser makes use of the Nintendo DS's touchscreen for input, with an on-screen keyboard as well as handwriting recognition and a stock of pre-set text (for example, the .com and .org top-level domains).
The browser can render pages in two modes, Small Screen Rendering (SSR) or Overview. In Small Screen Rendering mode, the contents of the page are displayed in a single column fitting the width of the screen - for example, a page featuring two columns of text side-by-side would be displayed as a single column, one after the other. In Overview mode, a scaled-down version of the page is displayed on the touchscreen with a small selection box which can be moved around using the stylus. The contents of the selection box are displayed on the top screen at their full size. This selection can be brought into the touchscreen to perform such actions as click on links or entering text in boxes.
The browser connects to the network through IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi access points or hotspots using the built-in wireless capability of the Nintendo DS. While WEP encryption is supported, WPA encryption is not.
Nintendo has partnered with Internet security company Astaro to integrate web filtering technology into the Nintendo DS Browser. Called Astaro Parental Control, the technology acts as a proxy filter, providing the option of blocking inappropriate content.[7] This is provided free of charge and can be activated through a simple menu option.
The Nintendo DS browser supports JavaScript and SSL in web pages, but does not support plugins like Adobe Flash.[8] Due to limited system resources, most other dynamic media, such as videos or sound, will not work in the browser.
[edit] DS memory expansion pak
The Memory Expansion Pak, much like the Rumble Pak for the Nintendo DS is a DS Option Pak. When inserted into a DS's GBA slot, the Memory Pak adds 8MB of RAM to the DS.[citation needed]
Two versions of the Memory Expansion Pack are available. One is compatible with both the DS and DS Lite, although the cartridge's size causes it to stick out of the latter. A smaller version is available which fits flush with the body of the DS Lite, but it can be used in the original DS if modified. Two different Browser packages are available, one containing the large Expansion Pak, and one containing the Lite-only Expansion Pak. Availability varies by region - in Japan and Europe, both were available at launch, while in North America and other regions, the version containing the larger Expansion Pak is only available by mail order.
It has slight similarities to the Nintendo 64 Expansion Pak. The Nintendo DS Browser is the only official Nintendo DS software that requires this hardware, but it has been suggested that the expansion could be used for other software,[9] including optional graphical updates that would allow a better experience if the card is inserted, in addition to other games that could require the expansion. However, it has been utilised in a number of pieces of homebrew software such as DSLinux unofficially. It has also been cloned as part of the EZ Flash 3-in-1 SLOT-2 device.
The Nintendo DSi, a newer model, no longer includes the Game Boy Advance slot (SLOT-2), so it cannot use the memory expansion pak. However, the DSi does have more RAM and a built-in web browser.
[edit] Critical reception
Reviews for the Nintendo DS Browser were generally mixed. Many reviewers noted shortcomings such as extended loading times and lack of Flash support for audio and videos.
In August 2007, the Nintendo DS Browser was quietly discontinued in North America,[11][12] although the Original DS version is still available from Nintendo's online store for the Nintendo DS.[13]
[edit] References
- ^ "Mobile Browser ID (User-Agent) Strings". ZyTrax. 2007-08-10. http://www.zytrax.com/tech/web/mobile_ids.html. Retrieved on 2007-11-28.
- ^ a b "US Browser info". Nintendo of America. http://www.nintendo.com/gamemini?gameid=ZRIHM-K7C6pLPkN--ZjWFInT-vIEngbV. Retrieved on 2007-06-04.
- ^ "Nintendo Online Sales (任天堂オンライン販売 ?)" (in Japanese). 1UP.com. July 27, 2006. http://shop.nintendo.co.jp/GoodsList.do?CATEGORY_ID=browser.
- ^ Opera Software (2006-02-15). Giving gamers two windows to the Web: The Opera Browser for Nintendo DS. Press release. http://www.opera.com/pressreleases/en/2006/02/15/. Retrieved on 2008-02-1.
- ^ "AU date for DS Browser". nintendo.com.au. http://games.nintendo.com.au/title.php?id=1227.
- ^ "Original DS browser available online only". Gamespot.com. http://www.gamespot.com/pages/news/story.php?sid=6170135&part=rss&tag=gs_news&subj=6170135.
- ^ "A Nanny for your Nintendo DS". Astaro Corporation. August 8, 2006. http://www.astaro.com/company/news/a_nanny_for_your_nintendo_ds.
- ^ | Nintendo - Customer Service | Nintendo DS Lite - Nintendo DS Browser
- ^ "DS Expansion Pak". http://rlk89.com/gameinfluence/2007/06/13/100th-blog-entry/. Retrieved on 2007-11-19.
- ^ "IGN's Review". http://ds.ign.com/articles/802/802002p1.html. Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
- ^ Ponte, Christian (2007-08-27). "Nintendo DS Browser being discontinued in North America". The Tanooki. http://www.thetanooki.com/2007/08/27/nintendo-ds-browser-being-discontinued-in-north-america/. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
- ^ "Nintendo DS Lite Browser". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/Nintendo-DS-Lite-Browser/dp/B000OAO494/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-7569560-8340930?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1192679747&sr=8-1. Retrieved on 2007-10-18.
- ^ "Nintendo DS Browser (Original Style Nintendo DS)". Nintendo. http://store.nintendo.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=129204¤cy=USD&catalogId=10001&tranId=0&lastAction=setCurr&storeId=10001&languageId=-1&categoryId=58694&ddkey=http:SetCurrencyPreference. Retrieved on 2008-05-04.
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[edit] External links
- Official site for American version
- Official Nintendo of Europe site
- ニンテンドーＤＳブラウザー Official Japanese site (Japanese)
- Official "Opera for Nintendo" website
- [1] A walk-through, how to operate the Nintendo DS Browser.
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