Wii Update Brings Full Internet Channel

Nintendo has pushed out the full version of its Internet Channel for the Wii, offering the full version of the Opera Browser, plus Yahoo and Google search.

Nintendo has released the full version of its Internet Channel for its hot-selling Wii video game system, including a full version of the Opera Web browser for Wii, plus search functions from Google and Yahoo. The update is free for download in North America through June 30; after that, the Internet Channel will be available for 500 Wii Points (currently $5), although updates to the channel will be free for the lifetime of the system.

Originally introduced for the Wii in beta form in last December, the full version of Opera for the Wii brings many new features, including a manual zoom function to examine parts of a Web page—and yes, the existing automatic zoom feature is still there if you want it. The full version also features collapsible toolbars, multiple onscreen cursors, and displays “crisp and readable” text at all zoom levels.

The Internet Channel also offers built-in search support for Yahoo and Google, so users don’t have to navigate to a search engine site every time they’re looking for something; users can also define their own default search engine. Pre-loaded Opera bookmarks include links to Yahoo, Google, My Opera, and Nintendo. Users should also enjoy improved performance over the beta version of the Internet channel for Wii.

The Wii system update also includes parental controls, available in the Wii Settings, which will be a key component to Nintendo offering online play and multiplayer gaming for the Wii.