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Nintendo DS Browser (Nintendo DS)
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Description:
In a nutshell:
The DS finally gets its very own Web browser, as Nintendo firmly embraces the Internet age and finds some clever new uses for the touch screen and stylus. The lowdown:
The DS Browser comes on both its own DS cartridge and a memory pack that fits into the GBA slot of your DS (there are two version of the Browser, with memory packs to fit either the original DS or the DS Lite). The obvious benefit of surfing the Web on a DS is the large screen area afforded by two screens and the stylus - which also makes typing in Web addresses a lot easier. The problems though are a low screen resolution and the fact that the browser doesn't support Flash files, movie files, sound files, PDFs or anything else that needs a plug-in to work. As long as you recognise the limitations though, this is still a cheap and easy way to access the Internet when on the move. Most exciting moment:
The big problem with accessing the Web outside of PC monitor is that it doesn't all fit on screen at once. The DS overcomes this problem in perhaps the most elegant manner yet, with an option to put an overview of the whole page on the top screen while letting you scroll around on a zoomed in version on the touch screen. Since you ask:
The DS Browser is based on a PC application called Opera, developed by Opera Software. The same company is also creating a version of the browser for use with the Wii console, which will be free for the first six months of the console's life. The bottom line:
Surf the Web on the move, but don't expect an entirely smooth ride. -HARRISON DENT
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5/5 |
ds browser
(August 31, 2008) |
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this is one of the best gadgets i have bought in a long time, allows me to accsess all the things i want like email, bank accounts, ebay, amazon etc. yes it is slow and no you can't watch videos but anyone expecting more on the ds is daft. even with broadband some pages can be a little slow sometimes, but remeber when we was on dial-up it could take ages for a page to load so to criticise the small ds for this is not fair. i do not have a lap top so it is great being able to look at things in another room or in bed so for anyone like myself it is highly reommended. |
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5/5 |
Perfect for what it is
(June 03, 2008) |
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As other reviewers have said this browser can't and won't replace the PC. However I don't think anyone who understood the product seriously expected it to. It should instead be compared to other portable internet browsers like 3G phones, PDA's, Blackberries Ect.
Unfortunately that's not a comparison I can make myself as I don't own any of those things. But that's why I bought the DS browser. I've found myself travelling a lot lately and needing to get online when I do. I don't own a Blackberry or 3G phone or anything like that, can't afford one and if I'm honest don't want one. What I do have is a DS that goes nearly everywhere with me. So the DS Browser was a perfect solution.
If you're thinking about buying this to use while you're sat at home then don't. It'd be a waste of the browser and your money. If however you're like me and looking for a cheap, convenient way of getting online when you're out and about then I'd very strongly recommend it.
The internet access isn't as fast as on a PC but with a good connection (which I've never had trouble finding) it's quick enough that it won't present any major problems or turn getting online into a chore.
The only problem I had was the discovery that wireless in American airports is subscription only, but that's a problem that would affect me no matter what I was using to get online.
The controls are easy and intuitive to use, a quick flick through the manual and 5 minutes of experimenting and I was away, I especially like that it includes a favourites menu (very useful since I have a hard time remembering all those website addresses) and the buttons to turn images on/off and switch viewing modes (which I do frequently, it takes a second at most), are some of my favourite options and they make what could be a very tiresome exercise much easier and more enjoyable.
The touch screen keyboard is another great feature. With a little practice I found myself typing nearly as fast as on a real PC, and it's actually easier to find symbols as these are displayed on their own menu rather than hidden away as extra functions on other keys or embedded as un-displayed codes.
I could be wrong about this but I'm also fairly certain that it can't get viruses because to my knowledge no one has ever written one that's compatible with the DS operating system. (Same reasons Mac's can't get PC viruses and visa versa.) Of course there could be exceptions but I don't know of any.
In short if you want a cheap, quick and easy way of getting online outside the house and already own a DS buy this.
If you want something to get you online at home buy a PC. |
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1/5 |
Absolutely rubbish ( for macs !)
(April 08, 2008) |
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I thought at first this would be a good thing since I'm only 10 and I don't have a laptop.
When I first got it I searched for the connection and it told me to do some kind of set up. I did this eventually, but with difficulty finding the information, especially the wep [as we have WPA] code and it still didnt work. We have a mac so the wi fi connector will not work with this because that also only works on microsoft.This information should be available before buying it. It is possible if you wave wep key |
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2/5 |
Effectively Useless
(July 22, 2007) |
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The concept of the browser for DS and DS Lite is simple, an Opera based web browser optimised for the system allowing you to view web pages on your Nintendo handheld. While it accomplishes this the end result is effectively useless, the Nintendo DS just was not designed for web browsing and this is very obvious. Reading most text requires zooming in to a degree that excessive scrolling is required, loading speeds are generally slow and macromedia flash is not possible due to the memory limitations.
While having a web browser on the DS has its uses, it is rarely as enjoyable as using a computer. This combined with the limited functionality of the browser create a heavily overpriced item. For the £20-£30 people are spending, this needed to be something above expectations. It isn't. |
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4/5 |
Useful Net Access for Travellers
(April 11, 2007) |
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Do you get out and about a lot but are afraid to lose contact with your far away internet buddies? Then this nifty piece of software is perfect for you! Available in both DS and DS Lite versions (the first will stick out of the Lite, naturally), the DS Browser is perfect for checking and sending e-mails or looking up the odd bit of data. It has an in built handwriting recognizer which makes writing more simpler than the point and click method. Password and minor customization features are also included.
And yes, the DS Browser also works in America! I bought one for a friend over there and it checked out great with her.
Just remember, with its limited supply of memory included in the GBA memory cart, visiting websites with a lot of imagery isn't a good idea. You can't view anything that requires a plugin, so Flash movies are a no-go. And you certainly can't use any form of IM chat (but in browser chat clients like GTalk may well be an option). But for keeping in touch when you're on the move, it's very handy and a lot cheaper to maintain than mobile phone text messages. Just make sure you keep a list of the nearest Wi-Fi hotspots handy. |
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