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Tech Watch | InfoWorld Staff » Nintendo Wii gets browser, we win

December 22, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Nintendo Wii gets browser, we win

The announcement that the Nintendo Wii game machine which allows players to use a remote control device to play games on their TV will get the Opera browser is very big news.

If you've ever tried to access your email on a hotel tv which had built-in Internet access you know what a pain that can be. But with an easy to use remote, rather than a cordless keyboard, access becomes far more comfortable and natural, especially to gamers in whose hands the future of high tech rests.

The browser on Wii also puts yet another obstacle in the way of Microsoft's strategy to become the center of the universe in the family room.

Yes, you can browse the Web with Xbox if you are technical genius and can figure it out. But it takes a consumer electronics company like Nintendo to make it simple.

In the battle for dominance in the home, PC versus TV, or who controls the home entertainment center, this is yet another example of how the TV will reign supreme.

Apple had a better chance than Microsoft at dominance but at the end of the day I would put my money on the consumer electronics companies.

After all didn't Comdex, the giant computer show of yesteryear disappear while the Consumer Electronics show is bigger than ever.

Of course, the TV of the future will have processors built in, along with Wi-Fi and maybe a VoIP phone hanging off the side [I'm speaking figuratively here] with a video VoIP call displayed on the screen.

On the inside it won't look like your father's TV. But on the outside it will look just about the same.

And we won't call it, HD TV, or flat panel TV or a Computer TV, we will just call it TV.

Posted by Ephraim Schwartz on December 22, 2006 03:04 PM


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This was one of the most structerless articles i've ever read..

yes i'm aware that i can't spell

Posted by: A man at December 23, 2006 03:18 PM

Dear A Man:
First of all you can't spell "structerless" because the word doesn't exist.

You should look for an alternative way to say the same thing, such as, "the blog lacks structure."

But why do you say that? Since I wrote it I would like to know what exactly you mean.
Ephraim

Posted by: Ephraim at December 23, 2006 05:18 PM

yea, whether or structerless is a real word, this article is meaningless. Nintendo is definatly not trying to battle the PC for dominance in anything. Even the Nintendo Execs have said the future of video games is intergrated computer boards. Eventually all home technology will merge as it can been seen happening today, Nintendo Opera browser is great and very handy, but it does not replace the full functionality of PC internet and functionality. You should not be writing tech articles if your experience is limited to checking your email and playing instore game demos

Posted by: chris a at December 24, 2006 12:22 AM

Apparently you two are journalistic pros. What papers to the two of you write for?

Posted by: Diggbooboo at December 24, 2006 10:07 AM

And if all you have time for is insulting people you should find something more useful to do. But besides that you happen to be wrong. The PC is almost dead, eventually being morphed into an access device with all programs, Web-based programs. Under those conditions it does not matter what kind of device you use to access the Internet you will be able to do everything you want to do via the Web.
Merry Christmas,
Ephraim

Posted by: Ephraim at December 24, 2006 11:25 AM

Ephraim lol comeon, he's just a troll out to push your buttons. I'm surprised you even bothered replying to him!

Posted by: buoy at December 24, 2006 11:26 AM

This is the first instance of the use of the term "structureless"?

COOL! I'm on the crest of the meme for once!

Posted by: DrCruel at December 24, 2006 07:29 PM

Insults aside, the biggest question left in my mind after reading this article is how would a user enter information into said browser? Sure, waving you arm around to move a cursor is one thing, but the lack of a keyboard makes this app a bit clumsy, no? Even with a superimposed qwerty display on the screen would be a bit awkward. The accuracy of the Wii's sensors leaves a bit to be desired. I'm sure it'll improve in future models, but as it is now a Wii browser would be more frustrating than useful.

Posted by: imolaavant at December 25, 2006 12:24 AM

The point is what Wii represents not what it is itself.

Of course you have a point. But as with all things high tech accuracy will improve with models. Yes, the industry sort of uses the public as its beta test site but Wii seems to be awfully popular even if it is not perfect.

The on screen keyboard is not ideal but if Wii grows in popularity there will be an aftermarket vendor selling keyboards if not Nintendo itself.

We are still in the early stages of the digital age. Everything from gesture technology where an electronic glove becomes your keyboard to voice technology will improve.

My main point again is that with radio chips inside and one and zeros just about anything is possible.

Ephraim

Posted by: Ephraim at December 25, 2006 11:37 AM

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