The Wii Internet Channel

I went for an evening jog today taking the longer route that run along the canal that cut across North Irving. Today's run was different, it was a run met with numerous obstruction along the way. Since the path is only 3 man shoulder wide, I have to make several detour through the grass patch because a few trees have fallen and blocked the path during the thunderstorm 2 nights ago. That night, I woke up at 3am to see lightning flashes every few seconds and wind so strong that I thought a Tornado was coming.

Today I check out the Weather forecast for Dallas using the Nintendo Wii's Channel features. This is not just a video game console but also capable to feeding weather forecast and global news right into the living room. Looks like Dallas will be bracing for a cold front later on in the evening with temperature dropping to 15 degree Celsius.

The latest feature of Nintendo Wii is the "Internet Channel". You have to purchase and download it through the "Wii Shop Channel" that comes default on every Wii Console that allow to download old Nintendo Console games and "Wii-Ware" that provide enhancement to the basic Wii Console. The "Internet Channel" is purchase and downloaded from "Wii-Ware" for 500 Wii-points. FYI... Wii-Points is the currency use in "Wii-Shop" with an exchange rate of 1000 Wii-points cost US$10 excluding tax. I brought 1000 Wii-points today at US$10.83 so I could try out the "Internet Channel" feature.

The "Internet Channel" is a web browser powered by the software company Opera. If you are familiar with Opera, you would have know that they are also the company that created web browser for Nintendo DS Lite, Mobile Phones and PDAs. The download took about 4 minutes over broadband DSL and ready to use right away without the need to do installation. You basically surf the net with the Wii-mote which act as a mouse controlling the on screen cursor. The "A" button is your right click while holding down the "B" button allow user to scroll the websites. "+" and "-" button lets user zoom in and zoom out the web page which I think is really important for people using the regular TV sets because the resolution is pretty mediocre for small text reading. Have not test the browser on LCD or Plasma TV but I bet the higher resolution should provide better picture and text quality.

The great thing about having the "Internet Channel" is that you don't have to hook up a desktop or laptop to the TV using separate AV cables. Next buying a wireless keyboard and mouse so you surf the net on your living room couch, the table looks ugly now with all the clutter. Since the Nintendo Wii is primarily a video game console, its always plug to the TV and adding a web browsing feature instantly make the TV a web surfing tool right in the living room.

Watching Youtube video, Online Banking, checking my Yahoo mail, shopping online and the lazing around the net, all the good thing about the Nintendo Wii "Internet Channel". Adding to it are features like Search engine and Favorite features. The bad? For a starter, you have to type web address or anything else using the on screen keyboard, aiming the letters with the Wii-mote , so it feel ridiculous to type "www.ridiculouslylongwebaddrees.com/anotherridiculouslylinetotype.html". Bad number 2 is the lack of MSN Chat features but chatting using the on-screen will make your chat partner impatient.

My blog on the TV.

The Google Search Engine.

Everyone favorite website... Youtube!