We've received word that Hullbreach Online has just released the second version of their Wii Opera Software Developer's Kit. Also new is a 3D Mesh gallery that displays works submitted by up-an-coming developers for the Wii's internet browser. Details are available in the full article.

 

With the release version of Opera for the Wii out, Games-Digest wanted to do a side-by-side between that and the PS3's built-in web browser. The short version of their findings is that when it comes to surfing the Web 2.0 hallmarks, the Wii does have a slight edge compared to the PS3 in some cases (it is Opera, after all), but things can, after all, change with an update.

The more concrete results:

• Games-Digest found that Google Maps and Bloglines, for example, "didn't work at all on the PS3 browser." On the other hand, a comment to that article charged that is is possible to do Bloglines ("hold down the X button on a news link and the RSS feed will open in a new window").
• The PS3 browser does have some issues formatting certain sites, or that browsing on some sites is less smooth or incomplete (e.g., Digg, Last.fm, MySpace). Both browsers also have browsing hitches with other certain sites (del.icio.us and Vox being examples, as well as Gmail).
• The PS3 seems to hold the advantage in uploading photos "and (possibly) video" vs. the Wii (Flickr).
• Both browsers performed equally well on other sites (Twitter, YouTube, eBay and Amazon).

The survey's writer also mentioned that the sites themselves could be redesigned in the future to have PS3 or Wii-specific mirrors that the browser will be redirected to. It is also quite possible, from where we sit, that firmware updates to either console could improve the browsing experience on either with a few tweaks and updates.

Besides, this is just one comparison. People will need repeated tests to get definite results.

Well, for those fans of the Wii out there who've heard about the release of the Opera browser, you'll be glad to also know that the My Opera website has its Games page up for people to browse around. Even more poignantly, however, is one of the opening articles made on the site, which seeks to give an even-handed look at videogaming in general, talking about both the good and the bad of console gaming from the perspective of an average gamer.

In Anton Espinoza's "Welcome to Video Games" article, he describes the gaming rhetoric, from what a "gamer" is to what games and gaming consoles are out to do. From describing the feelings of parents everywhere, to describing the tension between gamers and the media today, he makes gamers proud because he goes past fanboy stereotypes to talk about one of the greater issues about games: what they truly are in relation to the people who buy then.

He even likens video games in general to a washing machine, saying that despite the numerous settings a washing machine may have, it has one goal: to clean clothes. In the same vein, regardless of the games you buy, each and every game and console out there has one goal, he says: "to bring entertainment to the home." The only issue there is finding the appropriate game for your household.

That's something for every gamer to figure out, we suppose, but there's a lovely voice of reason in this article that definitely won't steer you wrong.

The Wii Opera Browser has rolled out a few days ago now. And while you might be feeling your way through and learning the ropes, how sure are you that you know of the full controls for using the Wii remote on your browser?

If you've read the manual and controls list for the Wii Opera browser, then it'd be redundant for you to read on. Now, just in case you haven't read the manual (tsk-tsk, that's the first thing you should do, silly!), then by all means, you might use this as your Wii Internet Channel bible.

Someone had posted a "Hidden Wiimote Controls in Opera Browser," but as a lot people have pointed out, they aren't really hidden. The only thing hidden about them is that they're hidden in the manual. LOL! So, if you're feeling lazy to pick it up, here's the low-down:

• B + Up: Refresh
• B + Down: Bookmarks, Favorites
• B + Left: Search (just like hitting CTRL + F)
• B + Right: Enter URL
• B + (-): go Back one page
• B + (+): go Forward one page

Of course, these are not all. And here, we'd have to leave you doing what some would say is the "responsible" thing and read up more on the manual (if you haven't yet) yourself. Keep those fingers sticky on the web!

The final version for Nintendo Wii's Opera Internet Channel has finally been released. Last we heard was that it was delayed to April, without a certain specific date. Surprise, surprise: Nintendo decided to roll it out today, without so much as a big banging announcement. But that's not stopping us from reporting it, now is it?

As we know, the Internet Channel is free for download (but only until June), and it allows you to surf the web on your console by using the Wii remote as a mouse. While features of the browser run a mile long, what concerns us more right now is getting that final version update onto your system.

1. Go to the Wii settings menu -> choose to update your system
2. Go to the Wii Shop Channel -> Go to the Wii Ware area -> download (or update) the Wii Internet Channel
3. Go back to the menu to check if the new version successfully installed itself.

Once you're good to go, try visiting QJ.net on your Wii, why don'cha? It's one thing surfing the net on your computer, but it's the "in" to surf on your Wii.

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Update: Now we have a video clip of Nintendo Wii's Opera Internet Channel strutting its stuff. Check it out below.

*UPDATE* Our original source for this was the Japanese Wii developer's site "Us.Wii.com(.jp)." Just recently, all the Japanese-language text has been conveniently translated to English, and we have updated the Read link, so you can get the devs' own thoughts without the cumbersome humor of Engrish translations.

Trust us - their commentary is a heck of a lot better than backseat analysis.

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There are a bunch of new videos showcasing the improvements added to the Wii Opera browser over at Wii.com. As of right now, the current list of improvements include the following:

• Better zooming and scrolling
• Better-looking zoomed font
• Quicker startup times
• Quicker access to your favourites
• User can now erase the toolbar
• Buttons that instantly type common preset letters ("www", ".com", etc.)

The videos can't be embedded, though, so if you wanna check them out you can do that by clicking on the "read" link below. To watch the vids, just click on the blue links next to the Play icon that you'll come across on the website.

Also, the website's in Japanese, but if you're just looking for a demonstration of Opera Software's Wii browser's new and improved features then you won't need the ability to read and understand Nihonggo like a native. Kudos to Virgil for the heads up.

Nintendo of America Inc. has released a press release that confirmed the information we gathered the other day from the Japanese wii.com section on the Internet Channel.

The Internet Channel is the Wii's very own version of the Opera Internet browser from Opera Software, and as you know, Wii owners have been able to download a trial version of the Opera Internet browser since December of 2006. Thanks to the Wii Opera Browser feedback page, Nintendo developers were able to make improvements to the final version of the browser.

As announced earlier this week, the final version will be coming out on April 2007 and will feature the following improvements:

• Improved zooming and scrolling
• An improved zoomed font
• Shortened startup times
• Quicker access to "favorites"
• An ability to hide the toolbar
• Buttons that will instantly type common preset letters, such as "www" or ".com"

Some sources had placed the release of the final version sometime in the last weeks of March, but delaying the release until April is necessary so that developers have the time to put in all those features and enhancements listed above.

Even though the final version of the Opera browser Internet Channel will be available in April, the browser will remain free for Wii owners to download through the end of June. After June, you will need to pay for the software download: users who haven't already downloaded the Opera browser can go to the Wii Shop Channel to download it for 500 Wii Points.

Opera Software and Nintendo confirmed today that release date of the final version of the Opera-powered Internet Channel for Nintendo's next gen Wii videogame console has been moved to April of this year. The channel was previously slated for a March release.

The press release from both companies stated that Opera and Nintendo are "continuing to finalize what promises to be the ultimate Web surfing experience on the Wii console. The two companies are working closely together to meet user requests for browser features and to enhance the overall Wii Web experience."

The final release date in April for the Wii's Opera browser has yet to be finalized. Keep checking back here on QJ for updates.

Looks like we better expect some good things to come from Nintendo very soon. Information from Play Nintendo indicates that we are assured of internet channel goodies that have absolutely nothing to do with porn in the near future.

According to their article, an Opera rep told them that they could expect the final version of the Wii Opera browser to come out in late March or early April. Previous estimates were for a March release, so we should probably expect the Opera browser to come out during the last week of March.

On the flipside, They also mention that the Opera software will have regular updates to its software. Couple that with the rumors of a keyboard attachment for the Wii, and we can expect that one of those future updates will introduce compatibility for certain types of keyboards. Unfortunately, that last one is only speculation, but it's still good to dream, right?

Over at The Pensive Gamer, there's a newbie-friendly article that simply discusses the potential of mass-market homebrew for the Wii. That article raised a lot of interesting points, so we made this article as a response, throwing in our take on the matter.

As you will see, one argument for Wii homebrew centers around Opera, the cross-platform web browser. But we have to remember that there are other avenues for Wii homebrew, too. (The Internet Channel, the Wii's version of the Opera browser, is currently in the free beta phase. You can download the browser and try it for free.)

This article you're reading now is the short version. To read the full version, click on the "Full Article" link below. We'll cover the following points:

• Web-based games for Wii owners to visit using Opera is something the average Adobe Flash hobbyist can get into. Now!
• The future is not so bright for mass-market downloadable homebrew applications.
• Is security is an issue?
  

Conclusion: Wii homebrew is a reality. Here's our conclusion (you can read The Pensive Gamer if you want to see their conclusion). We have this outline of what's happening and what will eventually happen. See if you agree or disagree.

• Web-based homebrew makers. Web-based Flash and JavaScript homebrew games are already a reality... (Continued in the Full Article.)
• No official support? Based on the lack of homebrew-friendly statements from Nintendo, it looks like Nintendo won't be supporting mass-market homebrew sharing or swapping via the Wii... (Continued in the Full Article.)
• Hacks and exploits. Finally, people will continue to push GameCube homebrew on the Wii. They will make modchips that allow GameCube homebrew and copied (and pirated) games to play. They will look for more hacks and exploits. Because the only things we can be sure of are death, taxes, and homebrew.

Read our full article after the Jump. Click on the "Full Article" link below and see if you agree or disagree with our points.