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Japan divided over DS Web browser

  • By Walt Wyman, GameSpot
  • Posted Jul 7, 2006 11:12 am PT

In Famitsu poll, slightly over half express interest in the browser; remainder indifferent or unsure about it.

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With the Nintendo DS Internet browser scheduled to go on sale later this month in Japan, Famitsu.com readers were asked to give their opinions regarding the product. The results of the poll were published in the July 21 issue of Weekly Famitsu.

Of those who answered, 55.3 percent said they were interested in Web browsing on the DS, citing the convenience of being able to check Web-based e-mail, the touch-pen support for text entry, and the ability to browse the Web using Wi-Fi stations in stores or at free wireless hot spots.

In contrast, 27.7 percent stated they were not interested in the browser, and 17 percent answered that they were unsure about it.

Among the reasons people cited for not being excited about the DS browser were that they already use other devices to access the Web, a lack of support for Flash or other multimedia formats, and lack of access to a wireless LAN.

142 Comments

  • andrewham7

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 12:44 am GMT

    hey cero10,
    one thing PSP forgot to copy the nintendo DS on was games that are fun!!!

    and ssjtrunks6,
    you're an idiot ....if the DS sucks so bad, why do you own one??? the only thing the PSP kills is your wallet!!! sure the PSP has a lot more capabilities but for freakin $250 it should!!!If you want mp3's on it you need a memory stick...theyre not free!!!!..if you want to watch movies on it...go ahead!!!!but i think id rather watch a movie on a big screen!!!!!wanna browse the internet...use a pc!!!!wanna play fun games???ur outta luck...thats one feature the PSP doesnt offer...i wouldn't be dissin the DS browser till it's actually out on the market and you've tried it....i dont know about you, but i'd much rather use a stylus then an analog!!! if the PSP is so superior, how come the DS has outsold it by millions?!?!?! my advice to you is to throw your PSP away now, before you invest anymore money into it... or just go emo and cut you wrists!!!!

    nestea_king....you are the king!!!...of knowing what you are talking about!!!!

    my advice to all of you is to buy a DS, because they pwn!!!!!
    if you buy a PSP i don't care!!!at least my money wasn't wasted!!!!

  • A7Xfan

    Posted Jul 17, 2006 9:03 pm GMT

    It's another nice option. Get everything out there that you can. This and the TV tuner she definitely see American Shores.

  • MASTERCHIEFUSMA

    Posted Jul 16, 2006 11:03 pm GMT

    i agree with nestea, ppl have their own preference for alot of things, some ppl just need to grow up and leave ppl to their own descisions

  • cero10

    Posted Jul 16, 2006 10:22 pm GMT

    The PSP webrower is better than the DS. See people complain that Sony copies Nintendo but Nintendo is copying them too. They copied the stylish look for the DS Lite and the browser idea. So i think that copying is not a problem for the gaming industry.

  • remmbermytitans

    Posted Jul 16, 2006 8:53 pm GMT

    i know id by it

  • Bored1ed

    Posted Jul 16, 2006 8:25 pm GMT

    @ SSjTRUNKs- You know you dont own either. You wanted to make us feel like you're special. You're not.

    @ Nestea King- I bow to you. Someone with a brain! Couldn't agree more with your statements!

  • magnolio369

    Posted Jul 16, 2006 2:26 pm GMT

    i like nintendo for 1 main reason, they keep it simple, i buy a game console to play games not to play movies or music! thats why the psp has bad games compared to the DS, they think too much about other stuff that they forget to make the games good!!

  • bootsfansonly

    Posted Jul 14, 2006 4:21 pm GMT

    If u can use the gba cartridge to store web pages, why can't Sony use the pro duo stick to do the same thing? Gamespot never loads all the way on the psp. Dangit Sony

  • wii___man

    Posted Jul 14, 2006 12:19 pm GMT

    For web browsing the DS is the smart choice because the PSP while on the net you have to use a on screen keyboard and it takes to long to type anything up

  • jmegasite

    Posted Jul 14, 2006 10:11 am GMT

    hmm... It sounds pretty interesting. I think it might have a slight advantage because of the stylus. But I can't say much since it hasn't released yet. The PSP browser is pretty decent, and can come in handy every once in a while. I like to see what Nintendo can do with a Web Browser.

  • netslums

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 10:09 pm GMT

    I want this to come out, but the PSP browser will always be better.

  • jakemundo

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 4:31 pm GMT

    this is going to be cool for the DS

  • GaaraZanta

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 12:46 pm GMT

    TensiNothing
    I love the idea of DS Browser, which makes me love Opera.

    so what if it doesn't support Flash,Video,Audio or PDF? its just for web browsing, not an "entertainment system", that stuff is Sony, so if you want and entertainment system that has games that suck, buy a PSP and quit whinning about the DS.

    IT IS NOT A "Entertainment System"
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Correction, the DS is an "Entertainment System" Iwata himself said so, he said it is not a multimedia experince, there is a differece, ones just for entertainment and fun while the other one is a multimedia device, aka the PSP.

  • thisiharat

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 9:52 am GMT

    It's a great Idea for the DS! This way I can check on Gamespot and other sites as well, as long as I can post my comment I'll be happy with it.

  • Os1r1s

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 7:30 am GMT

    I actually want this to come out here, I enjoyed the PSP browser

  • TensiNothing

    Posted Jul 12, 2006 9:41 pm GMT

    I love the idea of DS Browser, which makes me love Opera.

    so what if it doesn't support Flash,Video,Audio or PDF? its just for web browsing, not an "entertainment system", that stuff is Sony, so if you want and entertainment system that has games that suck, buy a PSP and quit whinning about the DS.

    IT IS NOT A "Entertainment System"

  • themando

    Posted Jul 12, 2006 9:24 pm GMT

    um everybody the ds is going to include flash, go to the opera website and use ur eyes and read the part that says the gba cartridge will be used to save data and install and possible driver udates relleased by opera. macromedia flash is included with ur purchase

  • nestea_king

    Posted Jul 12, 2006 7:45 pm GMT

    To ssjtrunks6,
    You're not proving anything fool. You are just SAYING you have both, and that one is better than the other. Go look up proof, because you're not showing it. Also both are good, depending on your personal preferance. You like to watch movies, play music etc.... get a PSP. Want to play quality titles, and play something fun? Get a DS. I don't go for graphics. I couldn't care less about specs. I wipe my ass with spec sheets, they mean nothing. I care about playing the game. What people fail to realise is that, what is Sony going to do in the future? Eventually games will be so technologically advanced, normal gameplay modes will be so realistic you can't even tell if it's a game or not. SO what will companies do when there is no way to increase the graphical performance and make games look more pretty? All that will be left to do is INNOVATE! Make what is currently available BETTER! Find NEW ways to do things. This is what Nintendo realises, and do what they do. They are brilliant, and plan ahead. Sony has the wrong idea, as do you.

    Now, to fighterguard,
    You have to be a huge fanboy to say that. the DS has not sold more than the PSP and PS2 combined. It has about 17-19 mil units sold worldwide. The PSP has like 8-10 mil (not sure), and the PS2 has 100 mil. Now I'm going to do some simple math equations with you.

    According to your logic: 10+100=less than 18 mil

    Now, according to non-fanboy logic: 10+100=110, 110 mil beats the hell out of 18 mil. So I don't know how you got 18 mil > 110 mil.

    But other than that, you're right. The sales of the DS beat the hell out of the PSP's by almost double if not double or more.

    Why can't people leave other people to like what they like? If someone likes DS, or PSP then leave them alone. Why the hell do you even care?

  • BasFoot185

    Posted Jul 12, 2006 7:17 pm GMT

    Well the ds is actually made to play games.

  • braindeadhead

    Posted Jul 12, 2006 6:31 pm GMT

    I'll get it as long as it doesn't cost too much

  • MoodyFlame

    Posted Jul 12, 2006 5:28 pm GMT

    cud be good if its a title thats like brain age $20

  • fighterguard

    Posted Jul 12, 2006 12:41 pm GMT

    Sure the PSP specs are superior to those of the DS, but I kindly invite you to check SALES CHARTS. The DS has outselled EVERY SINGLE GAMING CONSOLE IN THE MARKET, even surpassing the sales of both PS2
    AND PSP COMBINED!!!

    I think that says much about a super-powerful handheld which no one wants to play with.

  • ssjtrunks6

    Posted Jul 12, 2006 12:06 pm GMT

    HAHAH that little thing, the psp still kills that thing , just the system alone, the ds really does not stand a chance agains the psp, look at the specs between the two.. the facts are the psp had alot more capabilities, and a huge difference in graffics processing, REALLY look at the specs on this web site, the psp has waaaay more to offer than the ds, and no the psp browser was not a last ditch effort or anything llike that, the psp browser can do more than the ds browser...no matter what the nintendo ds comes out with the psp will still be superior, that is a solid fact, I own both of those system, so i know what both of them can do , but some of you only own one so I can determine everything of what i said, i dont just think and say...I prove it

  • G-Unique

    Posted Jul 12, 2006 7:57 am GMT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • Articuno76

    Posted Jul 12, 2006 3:05 am GMT

    I'm suprised anyone is really caring about just some perhperal.

  • vatterott

    Posted Jul 11, 2006 10:15 pm GMT

    Ouch.

  • nestea_king

    Posted Jul 11, 2006 5:35 pm GMT

    I think it does support flash. Look at the pic, its on the Nintendo home page. It has flash on it...so it must be able to play flash.

  • PatchMaster

    Posted Jul 11, 2006 12:11 pm GMT

    Its a great idea, but I'll have to see for myself how well it works before I except it.

  • OfficialBed

    Posted Jul 11, 2006 12:14 am GMT

    would be pretty neat i guess

  • mkygod

    Posted Jul 10, 2006 11:04 pm GMT

    I've used the PSP browser and it is crap for webpages like Gamespot and Hardocp. I constantly get messages about not having enough memory to load the full page. Also typing in alphanumeric on the PSP is a pain. The interface overall is not very user friendly.

    The Opera browser on the DS looks to be much more intuitive. Couple that with the touch screen, and full set of keyboard and hand writing recognition, and you get something that easily beats the PSP for internet browsing. You can also save webpages for offline viewing due to the extra memory provided by the cartridge.

  • nailandrew

    Posted Jul 10, 2006 8:40 pm GMT

    Why the HELL would you NOT want it!?!?

  • Kbs64

    Posted Jul 10, 2006 6:15 pm GMT

    I'd get one, What if I want to go to a movie with someone and we didn't know the movie times.. I'd just pull out my DS and BAM... I know what movie I want to go. And I can find out on the go whats new on Gamespot.

  • RadLink5

    Posted Jul 10, 2006 4:21 pm GMT

    Most people have computers now. Web browsers on a handheld gaming system seems kind of pointless.

  • volumesoxxs

    Posted Jul 10, 2006 4:16 pm GMT

    ehh, im still getting it.

  • noamatt128

    Posted Jul 10, 2006 2:28 pm GMT

    im getting it still so i can lie down while on the internet at the same time, but its funny that it cant get flash considering even nintendos website runs just about anyting on flash

  • SlyrDrknss

    Posted Jul 10, 2006 11:25 am GMT

    Flan_Man, the Opera DS Web Browser is made by Opera, and there not a game company..

    this will be very handy for me, Since I'm in college and there are wifi access areas everywhere. Not to emntion that my new apartment is wifi only. So while I could use my computer, i can now also use my DS Browser if i felt like it. Esp if I am in one of my friends appartment here.

  • _TheJoker_

    Posted Jul 10, 2006 9:26 am GMT

    I know I would never use it, so meh.

  • less_than_jules

    Posted Jul 10, 2006 7:21 am GMT

    I like the idea of this Internet add on and would probably get it if it makes it over to the UK.
    I wish people would stop moaning about not being able to view flash pages though. Flash is used a lot in the making of games which are mainly controlled using a mouse on a PC.....i don't have (or want) a PSP but i'm betting you can't play Flash games with it. Also i imagine it'd be very difficult for opera to code the browser so that the touch screen could interact with flash files anyway. Most proper websites (if they didn't want to limit the amount of people that could view their pages) would provide both html and flash-enabled pages anyway.

    I have a wireless router in my house so yeah i could just turn on my computer, wait for it to load, then check my emails etc...or i could just flip open my DS and use it there and then.

    My main reason for wanting this (and it main sound a bit stupid) would be to use when i set up my own automated housing...stuff. It's possible to turn lights/appliances off in your house over the internet (with the right equipment and setup) so controlling them all with the ds would be brilliant......just imaging being in bed and thinking someone's breaking in downstairs - just use ur DS internet to turn the lights on and scare the bugger away.....or turn ur kettle on when u wake up for instance!!

    It may not have been built in but this DS add-on will be much better for internet browsing than mobiles and the PSP. Just want a tv card for it now....but i'd prob be required to buy a tv licence

  • Flan_Man

    Posted Jul 10, 2006 6:45 am GMT

    Just out of curiosity, how many people on this site do not have access to the internet already? Oh, wait. I answered my own question. Why do I need a web browser for a portable gaming system? Why don't they spend time making some good games or maybe even some games where you can face off people from around the world? Hey, maybe they will even make waiting rooms for those games where you can chat with people and maybe pick up some friend codes... or maybe a web browser is all we get.

  • rynmls

    Posted Jul 10, 2006 12:53 am GMT

    waiting for august releases...

  • Spartan175

    Posted Jul 9, 2006 10:04 pm GMT

    regarding Tigerman950, PSP truly sucks, it has no great games and it' s basicly a $250 DVD player!

    Nintendo DS is 10 x's better than PSP!

  • DSgurl

    Posted Jul 9, 2006 7:13 pm GMT

    i'm getting it regardless

  • Voltor25

    Posted Jul 9, 2006 6:11 pm GMT

    Whatever, I think it's a good idea. However, the neat idea about it is... YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY IT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO.

  • misterjoe100

    Posted Jul 9, 2006 6:07 pm GMT

    i think this is a very good idea, my brother had a psp with web and it was awsome! im also glad that they will sell the hardware serperatley so i wouldnt have to buy a new ds

  • hayngeek

    Posted Jul 9, 2006 4:13 pm GMT

    sounds pretty cool

  • SteveTwo

    Posted Jul 9, 2006 4:11 pm GMT

    No Flash? Seems like kinda a oversite. Doesn't www.nintendo.com use Flash? Does that mean you can't go to Nintendo's site with the DS?

    Still cool, I'll buy it as long as it's not a $35 title.

  • Tigerman950

    Posted Jul 9, 2006 1:38 pm GMT

    Naw it won't work. You have to buy it seperately unlike PSP, which is downloadable. I still think PSP is better, even though internet browser is coming for DS.

  • Iwudacus

    Posted Jul 9, 2006 1:35 pm GMT

    I can see how it can be a useful addition to the DS. With the touch screen it would also be a lot easier to use than the PSP's on-the-go browser.

  • rifleman91

    Posted Jul 9, 2006 11:26 am GMT

    if the ds went internet thatd be sooooooooooooooo sweet.

  • Fiku42

    Posted Jul 9, 2006 11:14 am GMT

    cool but im still left with questions to whether it be worth it?
    does it require additional equipment?
    if so just how much will they charge for it?
    will i have 100% complete acesss on the internet?
    see its cool but im unsure if even if it did come out here if i would really even want it.......still web browsing on the ds seems promising...

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