New Web Browser and TV Tuner for the DS

[Aternyth]

Fueled by success in appealing to non gamer types with its Touch Generations lineup of alternative games, Nintendo has announced plans for two new applications that will take the DS even further beyond the gaming realm. At a press conference held in Tokyo today, the company unveiled a web browser and a television tuner for the system.

The web browser, imaginatively titled "Nintendo DS Browser," has been developed as a cooperative project between Nintendo and Opera Software. The application, which is based off Opera mobile browser software, uses the bottom screen to display pages in their full and the top screen to show close ups of content. Users can also use the two screens as one tall vertical window. The touch pen is used for inputting characters, with ATOK Japanese recognition software built in.

Perhaps even more exciting is an accessory that converts the DS into a television. Starting in April, a service called 1seg (pronounced One Seg) will begin airing digital broadcasts for mobile devices throughout Japan. A number of cell phones capable of receiving the broadcasts have been announced, and now Nintendo is getting in on the action with the tentatively named DS Terrestrial Digital Broadcast Receiver Card.

This card turns your DS into a television capable of receiving 1seg broadcasts. Channels are switched using the touch pen, with the broadcast viewed on the top screen. The prototypes Nintendo had at the press conference were running via the Game Boy Advance cartridge slot, but the final version of the card will plug into the DS card slot.

Nintendo will release the web browser to Japan in June at a cost of 3,800 yen. The digital broadcast tuner card is currently without a date. Both products are, as of this writing, set for Japanese release only, but once we hear from Nintendo of America, we'll let you know what's up on our side of the Pacific.

Pictures of both products can be found in the media section.

Source: IGN

Seems like Nintendo is on the rise again.

 

[Venice_native]

So wait, it's an addon card to the DS? Not just software?

 

[Aternyth]

Yes it is a cartridge, not firmware.

 

[Venice_native]

Hmm, built in web and TV would be better...

 

[bamthedoc]

So...after the new DS, Nintendo-produced units will have MP3, movie, browser, and TV built on or "legally" attachable ; That's interesting, at least. I'm not to sure about needing all that, but the browser function might be kinda neat.

 

[Hamtaro]

Holy crap!!!!
Tv and Internet????
Dude sooner or later it'll be able to turn into a house!!!

 

[x42bn6]

Ooo, looks tasty. But the question is, will it require lots of battery life (as Sony's PSP does) and will people use it?*

 

[Laharl]

I'm sorry, but don't people buy console systems to play the games anymore? All I seem to see are more add-ons and more ways for the companies to exploit ignorant people and run off with all their money.

 

[bamthedoc]

These are optional add-ons that don't even come with the system =/ It's your choice to buy them and attach them...

 

[Revelade]

These are optional add-ons that don't even come with the system =/ It's your choice to buy them and attach them...

Unlike Sony and Microsoft who force people to pay extra for a DVD player, image viewer, mp3 player WITHOUT giving that choice to the consumer.

 

[ReiGn]

I'm sorry, but don't people buy console systems to play the games anymore? All I seem to see are more add-ons and more ways for the companies to exploit ignorant people and run off with all their money.

Wow, I bought a PS2/Xbox console with built in dvd player and all those totally useless and unecessary extra multimedia features for only $120!? I've been ****ing ripped off!1



edit: What add-ons are you talking about anyway? There hasn't been an official add on for a console since the n64 drive.

 

[_JaKE]

Holy crap!!!!
Tv and Internet????
Dude sooner or later it'll be able to turn into a house!!!

no, thats next years model:loopy



ok so this has good pionts and bad. first the good.
-internets is great
-so is tv
-and houses

the bad.
-its turning against itself and into psp. the whole diff was trhat nintendo focused on gameing and not multimedia
-will cost more

so idunno yet. well wait and see....