DS (original) Web Browser questions

[red.yoshi]

I was checking out Wiki for Pokémon Diamond features when I stumbled across the DS Web Browser "upgrade" for the DS and the DS lite. Its more of two game cartridges than an upgrade (one is the actual browser software while the other serves as a "memory card" for downloaded information, such as cookies, etc. etc. which is placed in the GBA slot.) It shocked me to see that the DS lite had somewhat of a different "upgrade" than the original DS; the memory card is a bit larger in size. This "upgrade" was scheduled for June 4th of this year, and I did a little research since I was interested in having a palm-sized free internet available at the touch of my fingertips.

First, I observed that the DS lite version was available for retail in video game stores on June 6th. It wasn't the 2 day wait that ticked me off, but the fact that in order to purchase the original DS version of this "upgrade," you must purchase it elsewhere on the net. I myself own an original DS system.

A little more research taught me that the DS lite version is available for pre-order....on the net....where as I cannot find anywhere to pre-order the original DS version anywhere. This leads to my question: Does anyone know where I could pre-order this for the original DS in the North Americas? I'm interested in the North American version only.

Lets push that a little aside for now, and check out the features and history of the DS Opera web browser.

Looks great, It really does. You can alternate screens as the bottom touch-pad of the DS can serve as a keyboard while the top will be the web page. With the press of a button, you can make the actual web page drop from the top screen to the touch pad, enabling you to use the stylus as a mouse, clicking on hyper links and whatnot. I observed that other modes include: Viewing a portion of a page in an enlarged state; or viewing the web page as a whole in dual screens. Great Nintendo, you are genius!

This "upgrade" came out in Japan almost a year ago since the scheduled release date of the DS lite version in the United States. It wasn't favored much since it lacked plug-ins like Flash and JavaScript. It also took a much longer loading time (about 3 minutes) to load web pages from the DS, even with fiber optics. It also lacked music, and lacked a video media player.

I'm interested in purchasing the North American version of this "upgrade" because it has JavaScript, Flash 9 (I believe,) a faster uploading time of web Pages, video media player and sound. It has a great anti-virus program built in, along with controls such as blocking explicit web pages. (This means the availability of Myspace, Runescape, flash games, youtube and many others straight from your DS.)

I began to check out reviews for the DS lite, which made me proud that I own a copy of my own (new bought) DS original system. It happens that the DS lite wasn't tested to work for the North American games, so some North American titles wont work on the DS lite, or else they may function improperly. Thats a bit off topic, but getting the DS lite for an earlier DS browser "upgrade," to me, wasn't worth it if the DS lite was only good for surfing the web in a comfy arm chair rather than playing awesome North American titles like Big Brain Academy.

So, to sum it up, I have a two questions to ask: Online Pre-ordering for the North American "upgrade" (original DS) available anywhere in North America yet? and Would anyone share why the DS lite has a possibly larger GBA game slot?

Comments? Discussion? I sure was awed at this hope-to-be Nintendo masterpiece.

[Not-Garr]

Yeah, this has been out in Japan for quite some time, and I do believe it's even been out in the UK. It's really made by Opera, not Nintendo alone, the same people who made the Wii's web browser.

Sadly it does not support flash or Java, if I remember right, because the DS's ARM processors can't take it while rendering the web page or something similar to that. A neat little addition I'd love to have for my DS, the only real difference between the DS Original and the DS lite is the cartridge shapes, to accomidate the altered size of the DS Lite's GBA slot.

There's also a spiffy DS MP3 player.

Also: As for buying either of them, I checked eBay once when i first heard about it, wanting one myself, and there were a few there. Amazon.com or newegg.com might have them as well.

[Max "Snow" Andershi]

As far as I've read, the version of the browser for the original DS will be available from Nintendo of America's online store, but they don't have an item listing for it on the site yet that I can find, so they might not have it available for pre-order, as lame as that sounds

Also, you're slightly off.. The DS Lite version has a -smaller- RAM cart, as they wanted the cart to be flush with the DS Lite's edge, instead of sticking out of the slot like the cart for the original DS version will, as it's simply a GBA cartridge with RAM in it

Both versions have the same amount of RAM, however

I think Gar's right about the lack of Flash support in the Japanese and UK versions, which means that more than likely it won't be in the US release either, tho that strikes me as kind of odd that they wouldn't try to at least tweak things for the US release considering how much time they've had.. But who knows

So yeah, keep checking Nintendo's website, as soon enough I'm sure they'll mention who will be selling the original DS version.. Perhaps the same websites that offered Electroplankton?

[red.yoshi]

Excerpt taken from Wiki after a little research.

Gar was right in a way that the previous versions of the DS browser do not support these functions. Who knows if Wiki is accurate or not, but JavaScript (not Java) and Flash should be available for the North American release if Wiki is accurate. Take that this is true, Nintendo should be tweaking things for the US release.

The Websites which are selling these DS browsers are probably not releasing the North American version of this title, especially if you can have the title delivered to you in about a week.

[Max "Snow" Andershi]

Huh, how strange.. I looked at the same Wikipedia article before posting, and I don't remember seeing the last part of that sentence.. I'd prefer to take it as true, anyhow XD

Also, I was referring to websites that sold the US version of Electroplankton; I'm well aware that sites such as Play-Asia are not currently selling the US browsers.. Wait, actually, Play-Asia is offering pre-orders on both versions, I believe Link

I hope that helps

[red.yoshi]

I'll check it out, thanks for your help, max! And I read that about a month ago, so it wasn't added recently.

[red.yoshi]

An answer to my prayer, Best Buy's website has the original version of the DS browser on stock for pre-order. It surprises me that they aren't carrying the DS Lite version of the browser too =\.

[Max "Snow" Andershi]

Wow, really? Well that's kind of cool ^^ Tho I suppose Best Buy might be keeping people from ordering the DS Lite version online so that more people will go shop at their stores XD I wouldn't be too surprised, anyway...

Also, if that doesn't work out, Nintendo of America's online store is offering them now as well =3 Just click here to look at the product info ^^

I hope that helps anyone else who might be curious!

[emvee]

I picked up this little gem today. It's honestly quite nifty, but can be slow at times. Loads YC just fine (I'm actually posting from it at another location).

Pick it up if you like browsing with your DS. Otherwise, just use a PC XD

[red.yoshi]

No Flash player = a sad red.yoshi =(. At least you can post on forums, blogs, look up information, etc. It is useful if you don't want to start up your slow computer. The DS gets a bit warm while using it, but its as silent as if no one was there. Keep in mind that your DS uses extra power when communicating with other DS' or devices such as your router. Keep your DS plugged in when you use this utility =).