Nintendo’s Opera: Has the Fat Lady Sung?

 

Our friends over at Nintendo Wii Fanboy brought up an interesting talking point the other day that I’m interested in finding out with our WiiNintendo readers.

Remember all the hype that went with Nintendo announcing the Opera browser and Internet Channel?  Visions of web surfing and video watching dancing in gamer’s heads! I know the browser was free for a couple of months and now it sits pretty at 500 Wii Points.  So the question is, do you still use it? And if so, what for?

Another question:  If you don’t use it or use it less frequently than you used to, how can Nintendo suck you in to being a true Nintendo Wii interweb junky?

My suggestion? Flash Lite.  Heard of it?  Well, we all know that the Nintendo Opera browser only supports Flash 7 right now which really limits the amount of cool “flashy” things you can do.  What cool flashy things am I referring to? Oh, like the cooly flashy ability to view streaming video for one.

I could go on and on and on on why Nintendo and Opera need to UPDATE the flippin’ browser to include this little gem, but if you want to check out what I’m throwin’ out, head on over to Adobe’s info page on Flash Lite here. You’ll get what I’m saying.  I mean, if my cell phone can view streaming video (the technology is there!), why can’t my little white box? 



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  • Simon

    Well for one the fact that the browser now costs roughly 5 euros (regardless of how little money that is) really creates a threshold for many people. The only question then is how many more people would use the browser if it would have been free. To be honest I think that would really make a difference.

  • scullum2001

    I still use mine quite often. The biggest thing I use it for is to view videos (especially when I have a group of people over). Instead of gathering around a small monitor, we turn on the Wii and watch YouTube or whatever on the TV and listen through the stereo. It is also nice to have for other things as well. However, one thing I really like is the internet-based games that keep coming out especially for the Wii Browser.

    I was lucky to get mine for free, because I have had my Wii since launch day. I’m sure, though, that the people who would enjoy it and use it, already have it downloaded. Others don’t really care. It’s amazing how many people don’t even have their system connected to the Internet. I’m wondering if they even know they can…

  • http://www.savethezombies.com Gonzo

    Yea I use the browser but I got it back when it was free. For basic web stuff I only really use it if the Mrs is doing something on the computer.

    I really like the wiicade.com channel. Try Dice Wars: it really is a cheap and simple game but it’s also hell of a lot of fun.

  • http://wiinintendo.net Canaroo

    I’m a big fan of wiicade myself! And, I also use the thing for YouTube video watching goodness… As for the cost of the thing–I think for all the benefits (and by that i mean simple flash games you can play) I don’t think it’s all that high.

  • swestwood

    i use mine about everyday

  • swestwood

    Im on it right now :)

  • Onikokoro

    There is not a day that I don’t use it. It’s the best thing on the Wii right now

    I watch youtube videos, other videos that don’t use flash higher then 7 or media player, Forums, Searching for info

    Right now my favorites are maxed i probable use the Wii internet 5 hours a day

  • markopoloman

    using it right now too! the wife is on the main pc.
    it is really good. i got it free also.
    i agree, we need an update from ninty + opera

  • JQ

    I use it for orb to stream videos.

  • http://www.xanga.com/relaxing_roth Roth

    I still use it to check my feeds, test out the music I uploaded on my SoundClick (Roth), and of course YouTube.

    It’d be sWiiter if they added AJAX support and DivX for stage6.com. \:D/

    What I’d really love to see though is a stand-alone Wii Instant Messenger; either part of the Internet Channel or a channel by itself.

    // Roth

  • http://www.xanga.com/relaxing_roth Roth

    Actually, know what? It would really set the bar even higher if they featured a friendly online co-op so you can surf with a Wii friend. \:D/

    // Roth on DS

  • blastermaster

    I use it every day, is more relaxing using it while on the couch. Hope they improve flash and add java support.

  • c

    I use it to stream music from imeem.com on to my stereo. Dont really use it for anything else. I also got it when it was free.