Miyamoto: Wireless Internet Browsing a Possibility for DS
Third-party assistance sought for Dual Screen emergence proper.
Nintendo and its ‘connectivity’ mantra has become something of a standing joke in the games world, with various company executives underlining the firm’s case that hooking up a few consoles is the same, if not better, than playing online. Which is clearly wrong.
So it’s with some interest that we noticed Nintendo’s very own Elvis figure, Shigeru Miyamoto, making some insightful comments as to the possibility of the soon-to-launch DS carrying wireless LAN capabilities.
“The main reason we added the wireless LAN (IEEE802.11) to the Nintendo DS was to enable the handhelds to communicate between each other," said Miyamoto-san. "However, if a third-party releases appropriate software that allows it to connect to wireless LAN access points, it could also be used to connect to the Internet."
This is interesting, in that it confirms that Nintendo, for reasons known only to itself, will not be providing Internet tools, or even a basic browser, with the DS when it launches.
Miyamoto went on to explain that the reason such technology would not be included with the DS out of the box is because Nintendo “...wants to make the DS enjoyable, by itself, as far possible,” a comment that clangs bells of terror across the deserted plains in Nintendo cyberspace.
So it’s with some interest that we noticed Nintendo’s very own Elvis figure, Shigeru Miyamoto, making some insightful comments as to the possibility of the soon-to-launch DS carrying wireless LAN capabilities.
“The main reason we added the wireless LAN (IEEE802.11) to the Nintendo DS was to enable the handhelds to communicate between each other," said Miyamoto-san. "However, if a third-party releases appropriate software that allows it to connect to wireless LAN access points, it could also be used to connect to the Internet."
This is interesting, in that it confirms that Nintendo, for reasons known only to itself, will not be providing Internet tools, or even a basic browser, with the DS when it launches.
Miyamoto went on to explain that the reason such technology would not be included with the DS out of the box is because Nintendo “...wants to make the DS enjoyable, by itself, as far possible,” a comment that clangs bells of terror across the deserted plains in Nintendo cyberspace.
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Comments
Joji 14 Jul 2004 11:33
1/9
Like the idea but it needs to be done properly and not some half hearted attempt like the GC. Because of this lack of sight GC owners have been denied what we are gonna get anyway eventually, online play.
Even if it's from the others, MS and Sony.
Even if it's from the others, MS and Sony.
nickeedoo 14 Jul 2004 12:08
2/9
Why would Nintendo create a web browser? They make games and hardware FOR games. I agree with them, that if some other company makes the software that allows people to browse the Internet, then that's great.
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Brown Force 14 Jul 2004 12:34
3/9
I'm not too bothered about a online browser. I just really hope they bring out a device that lets you play DS games online. Handheld online service would work for me. I mean why shouldn't your DS be able to share a broadband connection with your computer using wireless technology.
But then this is Nintendo we're talking about...so its more of dream. Makes you wish Microsoft was making an Handheld...they'd make it online.
But then this is Nintendo we're talking about...so its more of dream. Makes you wish Microsoft was making an Handheld...they'd make it online.
wmfms 14 Jul 2004 13:09
4/9
But if Nintendo are going to include wireless LAN capabilities, why not just quickly knock-up a simple browser for it? It's another case of having the technology, but not using it to its full potential (once again).
I'd be extremely impressed if they did have a mini-browser in the OS, even just to check emails from my sofa - trivial of course, but sure as hell I'm not going to pay 30 quid and wait three months for a thirdparty one when it could have been included at the beginning. That just leaves me feeling cheated... Pretty much like the whole GBA/SP lighting issue. Not good at all.
I'd be extremely impressed if they did have a mini-browser in the OS, even just to check emails from my sofa - trivial of course, but sure as hell I'm not going to pay 30 quid and wait three months for a thirdparty one when it could have been included at the beginning. That just leaves me feeling cheated... Pretty much like the whole GBA/SP lighting issue. Not good at all.
Joji 14 Jul 2004 13:19
5/9
Well I believe someone will step in and sort the browser part out at some point. Nintendo are about games so that's what they will focus on. If we want it bad enough they'll hire some one to sort it out. Surely Yahoo would be a prime candidate since they have no MS/Sony connections. Who knows.
Arse McAdams 14 Jul 2004 13:50
6/9
This whole "just about the games" idea is becoming a bit tired now. Games themselves are evolving to become more than "just games" and if Nintendo intends to continue to compete then it needs to adapt - of course a DS browser would be a fantastic addition to the machine - and one which, considering the second screen and touch-screen interface, would be a clear advantage over similar PSP functionality. With the arrival of plug-in mobile devices from the mobile network companies, both machines should be looking to support online gaming quite seriously.
If the "just about games" is to continue to be the motto of the once-undisputed gaming legends then perhaps it shoud do just that, and leave the hardware to Sony and Microsoft (a la Sega). No GC online gaming is just shameful.
If the "just about games" is to continue to be the motto of the once-undisputed gaming legends then perhaps it shoud do just that, and leave the hardware to Sony and Microsoft (a la Sega). No GC online gaming is just shameful.
mrnull 14 Jul 2004 14:19
7/9
Joji wrote:
>Well I believe someone will step in and sort the
>browser part out at some point.
I'd like to see a return of PlanetWeb, the fine people who hooked us up with the Dreamcast browser. I wonder if they're still around? Their 2.0 browser was awesome: e-mail, irc, css, javascript, etc. I hate to say it, but making browser probably requires a TON of effort. Maybe Nintendo just doesn't have the time.
>Well I believe someone will step in and sort the
>browser part out at some point.
I'd like to see a return of PlanetWeb, the fine people who hooked us up with the Dreamcast browser. I wonder if they're still around? Their 2.0 browser was awesome: e-mail, irc, css, javascript, etc. I hate to say it, but making browser probably requires a TON of effort. Maybe Nintendo just doesn't have the time.
config 14 Jul 2004 15:04
8/9
mrnull wrote:
>I hate to say it, but making
>browser probably requires a TON of effort.
>Maybe Nintendo just doesn't have the time.
They should just use Firefox (formerly FireBird), the lightweight, ultrafast browser from the Mozilla stable. It's ace, has a bazillion great extensions (including some very useful developer tools) and is much, much better than IE (and more secure)
For email/UseNet, there's its stablemate, ThunderBird.
>I hate to say it, but making
>browser probably requires a TON of effort.
>Maybe Nintendo just doesn't have the time.
They should just use Firefox (formerly FireBird), the lightweight, ultrafast browser from the Mozilla stable. It's ace, has a bazillion great extensions (including some very useful developer tools) and is much, much better than IE (and more secure)
For email/UseNet, there's its stablemate, ThunderBird.
Pandaman 15 Jul 2004 22:34
9/9
If the DS isn't actually online, the GBA2 will be.