Wii Web browser Friday, weather channel today

Beta version of Opera Web browser at end of week, Forecast channel now live; News Channel coming January 27.

While much of the hoopla surrounding the Wii has so far involved arms flailing around with the new Wii Remote, the Wii is also taking Nintendo in other new directions. Downloadable old-school games, user-to-user messaging, and multimedia functions are intended to bring in the all-important nongaming crowd.

This week sees two major additions to the Wii's functionality to go with gamers' morning coffee. On Friday, Nintendo will release the beta version of the Opera Web browser, enabling Internet-connected Wiis to surf the Web. The beta version will be available on the Wii Shop Channel for free.

The final version of the software will be available "at the end of March 2007" and will also be free through the end of June 2007. After that, new adopters will be charged 500 Wii Points ($5) for the application.

Mixed weather coming up for EA's headquarters.

Wii owners can also now be prepared for the worst (or best) that Mother Nature throws at them. Now available is the Forecast Channel--a free channel devoted specifically to giving the latest information on the outside elements. To get the channel, Wii owners need only click on the Forecast Channel and download an update.

Gamers can bookmark local weather as their favorite and check up to a five-day forecast, or they can pan out and see how hot it is all over the world with an interactive to-scale globe.

Nintendo told GameSpot that the last major Wii channel, the News Channel, is due out on January 27.

319 Comments

  • TorugotoShinsan

    Posted Dec 30, 2006 7:21 am PT

    I find it more convinient to fire up my PSP to check news, weather and e-mail but it's good to see that Nintendo are jumping on the "!convenience of being able to hop onto the internet between games" bandwagon. But neihter will realy replace my PC for everyday internet use.

  • Catmanmatt

    Posted Dec 29, 2006 10:46 pm PT

    wish the news channel didnt come so late

  • marioman50

    Posted Dec 29, 2006 11:57 am PT

    yay

  • Fatal_Blade

    Posted Dec 25, 2006 12:30 pm PT

    woot for a post from wii browser

  • Ivangelion00

    Posted Dec 24, 2006 5:44 pm PT

    If nobody believes my last post, please read this: http://www.opera.com/pressreleases/en/2006/12/22/
    If you read where it says availability, they mention that people who have it downloaded before June can keep it at no cost.
    I hope this ends the controversy :/ ...

  • littlewiz77

    Posted Dec 22, 2006 1:39 pm PT

    Does it cost money or points, after June, for those who got it before June?

  • dougphisig

    Posted Dec 22, 2006 11:18 am PT

    Had a chance to look at the Weather Channel pretty nifty where you can grab the hand and just rotate the world map around, although i was a little disappointed since my city wasn't available on the weather channel. I'm gonna get the Web browser tonight and check it out which will be kind of nice since right now my computer is on the fritz so i'll be able to surf the net via the Wii.

  • Shtinky

    Posted Dec 21, 2006 9:32 am PT

    no you have to pay for the alpha version, you get the beta version free but it will expire, after that you must pay to use a web browser... PAY to use a web browser....

  • gwds

    Posted Dec 21, 2006 12:27 am PT

    Nintendo porn?

  • Ivangelion00

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 9:50 pm PT

    "After that, ***NEW ADOPTERS*** will be charged 500 Wii Points ($5) for the application."
    Just for the record, you only have to pay if you didn't before June!

  • diangelogrey

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 9:00 pm PT

    Its a shame the browser will be a purchase item, but hey its all good I guess.. Now all Nintendo needs to do is fix the friend codes so they are easier to remember and add some more cool channels and Wii will be set

  • theKSMM

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 6:23 pm PT

    I'll never abandon my PC for a game console, but I'm glad to see all that general-purpose computing power and Internet connectivity being put to good use. With downloadable updates, all the consoles released in the past couple of years have exciting potential for becoming more than they were when they first came out of the box.

  • Markman219

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 3:44 pm PT

    yay! finally, i just downloaded the forecast channel. its pretty cool.

  • PiMacleod_basic

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 1:58 pm PT

    Yeah, I would LOVE if they'd use this for Animal Crossing, or Sim City. Something like that.

    And I played around with the globe function...that's neat, being able to zoom around the entire globe, checking weather anywhere you want, even the South Pole!

    ...even if it doesn't serve an immediate purpose to me. :/

    EDIT: And why do so many people seem to make the comments about how Nintendo usually states that it's all about the games, as if this takes away from it? What if they were planning on using it in the future to add more realism to a game with current weather effects? Isn't that something?

    Or is it just that your PS3/360/PSP is allowed to have extra little add-ons that don't mean much to gamers, but that the Wii isn't? Let's add up all the features that the PSP has that most people don't use....or how about all the TV episode downloads on the 360, where they charge you a buck or three for ONE EPISODE of a show? Yeah, forgot about those useless features, eh?

    ...one good feature comes out that isn't game related, but belongs to Nintendo, and all the anti-Nintendo fanboys start screaming. Geez, you don't see me screaming over the nearly useless motion-sensitivity on PS3 controllers currently.

  • kingkongchau

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 1:48 pm PT

    Imagine if Nintendo use this Weather feature and incorporate into gaming. Real weather in games like Zelda, RE, Animal Crossing, Sim, etc.

  • shoogiebaba2

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 1:23 pm PT

    I've never really known about the weather but now i can turn on my wii and check it in about 20 seconds instead of having to change it to the weather channel and wait for my local area to pop up

  • PuffstaJones

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 1:16 pm PT

    wow.. i downloaded it and its mad fun. Its actually a pretty useful feature.

  • Agreb91

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 1:08 pm PT

    I'm glad these features are starting to come out.

  • Zoomer30

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 12:52 pm PT

    heheh its the Wii Weather Wiiport.

    Its wiily wiily wiicked out there today.

  • CamisadoBlue

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 12:47 pm PT

    Yeah. last time i checked the weather it was 3 degree's, having been updated at 3:00am, not very useful really lol.

  • ChucklesMginty

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 12:38 pm PT

    The weather and news stuff is cool but I wish they'd put more of a priority on online features. I've checked out the weather on my Wii and its not really that acurate either. Can the PS3 give the weather and news...? NO so shutup.

  • jokr121

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 12:14 pm PT

    ryowolf

    cuz why???

  • tonkin

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 12:12 pm PT

    mmmmmmm, delightful. i must say, i will certainly work this into my morning schedule, perhaps even relax with a cigar and some cognac in the evening and check the weather on my wii. mmmm yes, that is what i will do with this tremendous service. SPECTACULAR! http://youtube.com/watch?v=x7Cig0--opg

  • Robinvd

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 12:09 pm PT

    haha cool stuff from Nintendo.

  • asimplerapper

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 12:08 pm PT

    Yeah I also got it yesterday and it's amazing.

  • DexGen34

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 12:07 pm PT

    I'm sorry but why is that every time I go through the comments of an article on Gamespot, I see PS3 fanboys and Microsoft Junkies bashing the piss out of Nintendo. First of all I don't know who said it but the weather, net and other channels are EXTRAS. You don't go OMG I GOTTA GET A WII TO CHECK THE WEATHER!!! Wii, PS3 and XBOX all have their place, stick to your own news and leave us alone...

  • Wiifanboy_4life

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 11:52 am PT

    Yeah, I downloaded it yesterday. Weather used to be boring, now it is all I can think about!

  • ArchAngel2284

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 11:31 am PT

    cool

  • RipVanWinkle_

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 11:07 am PT

    lol, a fairly useless feature. go to the weather channel on your tv and voila, you check the weather faster than you can boot up a wii.

  • thitsa

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 11:02 am PT

    I've never had that much fun before looking at the weather forecast. The interface is very well done with lots of nice touches like the sound cues; sounds of rain and thunder as you hover over various cities. I might actually use it to check weather when I travel since it's quicker than waiting for the PC to boot.

    It's a step in the right direction to make Wii a console for 'everyone' (not just gamers). I'm looking forward to the web browser and News channels. It would be very cool if the News channel is also integrated into the globe so that I can spin the globe to the relavent locations to read the news.

  • sabru8

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 10:53 am PT

    Too bad I don't own a Wii yet.

  • princeofgames90

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 10:52 am PT

    why would i want to know my weather from my gaming system

  • anthony_roselle

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 10:49 am PT

    cool i like it especially in Madden...now when the Internet Browser comes out there will be no reason to leave my room....

  • Ryowolf

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 10:13 am PT

    umm, cuz...
    V
    V
    V
    V
    V
    V

  • jokr121

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 10:03 am PT

    why the heck do you need a weather channel on a video game system!

  • Cloud737

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 10:01 am PT

    Great, although I`m a little disappointed that Nintendo will charge money for the browser after June.

  • puablo

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 10:01 am PT

    The forecast channel is suprisingly cool. I think it's largely the Weather Channel-esque looks and soothing music. I thought it was pointless but it's faster than waiting for the "real" Weather Channel to get to my weather, and less intrusive than their website. So I might actually use this now to check forecasts.

  • willripyouanew1

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 9:57 am PT

    Hey I'm MEXICAN, watch what you say Boy.

  • Schillinger

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 9:55 am PT

    Wow, this really proves that Nintendo never have superfluous add ons and focus solely on TEH GAMEZ

  • GamesAnytime

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 9:54 am PT

    MEH!

  • fuzzybunny566

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 9:41 am PT

    haha earthquakes and mexicans!

  • teknicz

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 9:18 am PT

    haha I live in So Cal, it's always sunny here!

    ...Well, besides the last few days anyways =p

    Still very cool though, I need to pick up a Wii soon to get that free Opera Browser and try it out.

  • G_W_X

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 9:17 am PT

    Cant wait for them to use this in games!!!

    Imagine in an online game over WiiConnect24?
    The weather changes according to your countries weather?
    I wonder how will that work?
    hmmm?

  • Muazzin

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 9:14 am PT

    the opera browser is free! so is the forecast channel! which i don't think i'll use as much as the opera browser

  • mike_515

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 9:02 am PT

    Cool can't wait until it all comes together.
    Although i might never check the weather it's a nice feature to have just Incase.

  • StrikerGold

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 9:00 am PT

    Hey, its free! The price is right.

  • Berfomek_666

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 8:58 am PT

    Sweet ass! for a gamer like me who does'nt check the noews to often this great! I 1-UP for nintendo!

  • 135961

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 8:58 am PT

    how about u go back to your crappy 360 tonkin so that wii gamers can have fun with good games a-hole

  • tonkin

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 8:51 am PT

    you know what would be cooler than this boring idea? having a wii channel where you could spectate xbox 360 games and see people that are actually having fun with their next-gen systems. that would rock!!!!!! don't take my word for it: http://youtube.com/watch?v=x7Cig0--opg

  • overlordbill

    Posted Dec 20, 2006 8:42 am PT

    kamikadze2
    ...PLEASE go back to elementary school english. ...and it's 480p.

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