TV and Wireless Internet Browsing on Your DS?! |
Today
during Nintendo's Spring Conference two new services/products were
announced for the DS, a TV watching program using Seg-1(Wansegu) and
the Wi-Fi enabled browser. Keeping in mind, these were only announced
for Japan at the moment, but it's a matter of time before they should
come state side.
First, Seg-1 will be starting up in
April. The top screen will be used to watch programs and the bottom
screen will be used to change channels. The service will be enabled by
plugging a card/antenna combo into the DS slot. Thus, the DS will be
able to pick up digital signals and be able to navigate channels very
easily using the touch screen.
Next,
what most DS owners have been waiting for, is the Wi-Fi enabled web
browser. Set to debut in June, the browser will utilize a customizable
Opera system and the software will use the DS and GBA card slots on the
DS for a "double attachment". As would be expected, the bottom screen
can be used much like it is used in Pictochat, were you input
characters and type there. What's interesting is that webpages can be
displayed on both screens, where the lower screen can be used to click
on links and icons. Nintendo is promising easy character input (this is
Japanese, remember) because of the touch screen capabilities.
To quote Scott Hedrick, Executive Vice President of Opera Software, "The
incredibly popular Nintendo DS is already Wi-Fi enabled to support
real-time gaming, so adding Web browsing capabilities was a natural
evolution for this device. Gaming devices are growing more advanced and
a great Web experience is becoming a product differentiator for gaming
manufacturers. Opera is excited to work with Nintendo to deliver a
unique dual screen, full Internet experience on Nintendo DS." Truly, a
great day when Opera and Nintendo become good allies.
Considering the TV is digital and the Internet is Wi-Fi there are no charges other than that to buy the hardware and software.
I'm
usually pretty opinionated and yet reserved about what happens in the
game world, but I only have one comment for this: 'Bout damn time.
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Comments
... but I would have preferred if they could have kept this in ROM like Pictochat, as this means carrying the DS and GBA cartridges around with your DS, as well as a few games. It would be better if it didn't need to be carried round separately.
What's the point of a tv tuner? Aren't they planning to phase out analog broadcasting in the next few years?
This is to support my comment above: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/digitaltv.html "When Will the DTV Transition Be Complete? Television stations serving all markets in the United States are airing digital television programming, although they can continue providing analog programming until February 17, 2009. At that point, broadcasting on the current (analog) channels will end and most of that spectrum will be put to other uses. Until February 17, 2009, most television stations will continue broadcasting on both their digital and analog channels"
hmm, wise choice to base it on opera, should work well on a device like the ds :)
they aren't going to just drop analog broadcasting. It jsut means that the TV stations sill be required to have there digital channel by then. They won't just stop analog all at once. Think of all the old people that don't even own a HDTV.
wow, the DS is becoming more like a psp little by little. I really dont care for a web browser, as most of my PDAs already have web browsers. What i really want is a Palm OS in the DS. That would be the day. Since nintendo already licensed the Palm OS, why not implement it onto the DS?
Sony PSP sucks compared to this!
is this browser all kapanese say you went to google\yahoo canadian\american made sites will it be in english or japanese
In the UK analog won't be gone until 2012 so it's still 6 years of viewing and I doubt many people will be using the DS in 6 years because there'll be a newer handheld out
what i am wondering is how good are the graphics gona be like are we talking totally clear resception or like fuzzy looking tv programs?
"7. ยป Sony sucks Sony PSP sucks compared to this! by Anonymous (Unregistered), at Feb 16, 2006 at 03:56PM" how so? because the psp has had a web browser for a year now (built in and completly free mind you)? or because the psp can already be used to watch videos?
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