DS browser comes to Europe

LONDON--The Nintendo DS Browser went on sale across Europe today, letting users access the Internet as well as play games. The browser, which is made by Opera Software, has been available in Japan since July. No US release plans have yet been announced.

The browser is on a DS cartridge, which once attached lets users connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi at any of Nintendo's 6,000 free Wi-Fi Connection hot spots and other public-access hot spots. There are two separate software packages--one for the original DS and one for the DS Lite--because of hardware differences. Each will only work on their specific console.

Any Web page should be viewable on the DS, according to Berit Framnes, public relations officer for Opera Software, who said, "There are no sites that you can't access. However, it does not support Flash, so you will be unable to view Flash animations or videos."

Users can choose from two different viewing modes--the faster is a fit-to-width mode that's similar to Opera's browser for mobile phones. This shows Web pages in a single column across both screens. Alternatively, surfers can choose DS mode, which shows an overview of the page on the lower screen with a magnified image of the selected part of the page displayed on the upper screen.

The browser also makes use of the touch screen by showing a virtual keyboard on the lower screen to make typing in URLs and e-mails faster than text messaging.

"It's so people can access the Web on the go. We see people using this in the library or waiting at the airport. It's a cheaper alternative than a mobile phone because the Nintendo Wi-Fi points are free," Framnes explained.

When asked if there were any plans for a US or Australian version, Framnes said, "Nintendo haven't released that information, but we're just as keen as everyone else for it to happen. I think it's just a matter of getting all the hot spots set up and a partner to provide a proxy filter so parents can block content."

The Opera Browser for the DS and DS Lite is priced at £29.99 (about $56) in the UK and across Europe at €39.99 (around $50).