Internet Channel

[Pegasus]

So I didn't know where to stick this one... but it said Wii Software! :P

Anyone else think this is nothing more than a piece of popsnizzle? I really don't ever see myself using that thing again. Downloaded it once, tried it, and removed it immediately. Who in their right mind wants to browse the net on their TV, anyways? (too bad there is no bleeding-eyes smiley) I'll be using my computer for that purpose instead of a console browser, any day of the week.

Side-note: I wish there was a way for me to remove the Weather and News Channel, since they're completely wasted on me.

[iNma]

I totally disagree. I have it on in the background playing online flash streams of TV shows all the time.

And the News Channel has some of the best and most comprehensive news articles anywhere, the vast majority of websites included. As a total news addict, I would know.

[Jazzem]

It's a nice freebie. Quite handy I imagine in a house with only one computer that has internet access. The Wii pointer works well with a few flash games too :D

Actually, as a reminder to anyone who hasn't downloaded it, it shall be 500 points from this Saturday onwards, so download it soon!

[Pegasus]

Well, if it was situated in a different room it might come in handier, but since both my lappy - which tends to idle in sleep mode most of the time anyways - and the console are in the same room it shouldn't be difficult to see that's it a bit pointless to a person such as myself.

[Mendez]

I don't really like it, and probably won't use it much. Once my Wii's memory becomes full, that'll be the first thing I'm deleting as it uses up a hefty 250 odd blocks.

[Joxe]

I'm using it everyday, probably 90% of my posts on this forum is written from my Wii. Will buy it when it cost money.

[Jazzem]

I'm using it everyday, probably 90% of my posts on this forum is written from my Wii. Will buy it when it cost money.

No no, it won't cost money if you've already downloaded it! =] It's only those who haven't downloaded it who will have to pay the initial 500 points price.

[Joxe]

Why should it be that? It clearly says that it will cost 500 points from the 31st June and forward. Haven't heard a word that it would be free just if you downloaded the trial version.

[Pegasus]

According to IGN if you've already downloaded it you won't have to pay for it when re-downloading.

[Mendez]

According to IGN if you've already downloaded it you won't have to pay for it when re-downloading.Yeah, I heared it somewhere else too..

If it did turn out we had to pay though, which we definitely won't, I wouldn't waste 500 points redownloading it.

[Joxe]

I think it would be a major loss for Opera if they gave out the channel for free, I mean how many applications will you get for free when the trial is over on a PC?

It just sounds weird to me that it will be free. I think it's pretty generous to have it free until now. But if it's free after this I'm not the one to complain ;)

[Tull]

I love Opera(best browser). And they let me surf the web on telly for free, thats so damn kewl. Streams is fun too as mentioned over^^. To all not downloaded it yet do it today, its becoming pay June 30 ;)

[Hendo]

It is entirely free to use Joxe if you have downloaded it before the 30th (tomorrow), forever and then some. You find it weird that Opera are giving it away for free? When was the last time you paid for a browser on a PC? Never I hope!

Personally, I love it. I was very disappointed by the beta version but used it often, but I really like the proper browser. Sometimes if I can't sleep I don't want to fire up my PC, so I just lay in bed doing random surfing. Bliss!

To be honest, I only use the browser and Everybody Votes channels - for some reason I'm addicted to Everybody Votes.
I don't bother with photos on my SD card so the photo channel is pointless for me, I rarely use the News channel and if it wasn't for the possibilities in Wii games I would delete the Weather Channel as apart from the fact that the weather is often very wrong, I just find it pointless.

[Joxe]

Never paid for a browser indeed, what I find weird is that those who have the trial get it free and the others don't...my little mind is messed up ^_^
I won't sleep until I find the answer myself, onward to surfing around! Or maybe just Wikipedia ;)

[Makeda]

I find it funny how my views are nearly the same as iNma's all the time O_o but anyways.. as he said
News Channel has some of the best and most comprehensive news articles anywhere, the vast majority of websites included.

It sure beats trying to find out what's happening around the world when your still dead tired. For me I mainly use my Wii's net based channels late at night, when Im playing the console or my PS2 or lastly in the morning as it loads a bit quicker than my PC does and I don't have to really fiddle around with it. The weather is great and even though I have that type of feature on Vista.. its still a pain to get OUT of my bed to turn it on and such when I can just use th Wii mote which is always by my bedside if not in my hand ^u^
I just wish Nintendo would release a little patch that allowed you to use a wireless (USB) or direct to USB keyboard to type because that would be awesome.. or even make a mini attachment for the bottom of the Wii mote.

I must say... I probably wouldn't have bought the internet channel if I didn't get it free but nonetheless I honestly do like what it is and the easiness it brings. The Weather and news channel though are bloody lovely and I could not do without them!

[Joxe]

Well it seems like you guys were right (damn you) about the internet channel. Using it right now and I haven't paid anything as far as I know. Happy surfing!

[Jaxathon]

Well it seems like you guys were right (... you) about the internet channel. Using it right now and I haven't paid anything as far as I know. Happy surfing!you wont have to pay for it. if you downloaded the beta or downloaded the final version before they start to make people pay for it, it will be free to you forever. Whoever didnt get the internet channel at that time is going to have to pay credits for it =p

[Pegasus]

Seeing how some people are using the Wii for net surfing as alternative due to borked computers, I have given it another try; just in case my aging Mac dies on me, one day. While it may be unlikely, it's still better to be safe rather than sorry. ;)

Overall, it works rather well, and I have no real issues regarding general web-surfing. Yet there are downsides to it. Since the browser is currently only running the old Flash 7, it renders one of my most frequented sites, Gametrailers.com, useless. Also, because it doesn't support javascript it makes a part of another one of my favorite websites inaccessible.

That said, now that I have given it a second look, it would do well as a temporary replacement, even if I have to do a good amount of zooming and scrolling. Also, entering lengthy paragraphs can be a bit tedious with the virtual keyboard. Thankfully, the auto-word completion can come in handy.

I give it a six out of ten. Oh, and I wrote this post on my Wii.

[The shoemaker]

Nice but I useally go here on my wii so im used to writeing.

[Valien]

I rarely use it but when I do it's namely for VC Reviews, Google, and that's about it. hehe.

[ICEknight]

Youtube + Wii = Awesomeness

[jackaroo]

Youtube + Wii = Awesomeness

I 100% agree. Its great for me since my computer is downstairs in the same room as the tv my mum and dad watch. So if i want to watch my own tv or just catch certain episodes of shows then streaming media and youtube are great to have on the wii :D.

[The shoemaker]

But all the internet chanel needs now is a better flash player or quick time.

[fartbarker]

Is it supposed to look like crap or is it just my TV?

[The shoemaker]

just your TV :p

[Joxe]

Depends what you mean with "crap", a TV have lower resolution than a computer which makes it hard to see text that's zoomed out or in a size that would be normal size on a computer.

[fartbarker]

Depends what you mean with "crap", a TV have lower resolution than a computer which makes it hard to see text that's zoomed out or in a size that would be normal size on a computer.Yep, that's it. I can't read any of it unless I zoom in on it. I wonder if having HD would help at all.

[SegaFan]

Yep, that's it. I can't read any of it unless I zoom in on it. I wonder if having HD would help at all.
The Wii doesn't support HD so that won't help (it would if it did). The Wii is a much lower resolution than a PC so it's to be expected.

[The shoemaker]

Videos on my wii look better on my Tv. I guess it because my computer ins't that good and my tv is a flat screen. And my Wii is faster than my computer.