Nintendo Wii Internet Channel Q&A

[Netix]

There has been many questions (as well as complaints and arguments) about the features and capabilities of the Internet Channel, and some users (mainly new users) may not know the answers to them, which is why some users keep asking the same question. Well hopefully this Q&A will help solve some Internet Channel questions.


General Questions:


Can I download anything?

No. Nintendo has stated that no downloading can be done on the Internet Channel due to piracy and hacking concerns.

What does the "out of flash memory" error mean?

Because the Wii uses Flash, some websites while loading can take up a lot of Flash memory. In such cases, try either to reset the channel from the Home Menu or exit out of the Internet Channel and then relaunch it again.

How are new features determined?

New features are made by Nintendo. However, feedback is claimed by Opera and others, though it's not always certain that the feedback will be actually used for further development of the Internet Channel.

What are the specifications of the Internet Channel?

Most of this is taken from the Nintendo's Internet Channel specifications website:

Browser engine: Opera 9.5
User agent: Opera/9.30
Protocols: http, https
Supported features: HTML 4.01, XHTML 1.1, WML 2.0, CSS 2.1, ECMAScript, DOM2, SSL 2,0/3.0, TSL 1.0/1.1, Cookie (saved withen console)
Viewable formats: BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, Flash Lite 3.1 (equivalent of Flash 8)
Resolution: Toolbar-displayed: 800x525pixel (4:3), 800x396pixel (16:9)
Toolbar-hidden: 800x625pixel (4:3), 800x472pixel (16:9)
Max number of favorites: 56

What suggestions have been made to Nintendo?

Updated Flash Player (Flash 9)
PDF support
Clock on Start Page
Saved typed text
Selected text used in Web Address
Cut and paste
Higher resolution
Select and delete typed text
Minimizable onscreen keyboard
Tabbed browsing

These are just some of the suggestions that have already been made by the way...

Why is Flash 7 used instead of a newer version?

Apparently Flash 7 was the latest version available for licensing from Adobe. Furthermore, Adobe would have to fund money to create a new custom SDK, which is something Adobe doesn't want to do apparently. However, what the Internet Channel is to support is decided by Nintendo.

Recently, the Internet Channel has updated to Flash Lite 3.1, the equivalent of Flash 8. According to Adobe's Flash Lite FAQ, it also has limited Flash 9 based SWF’s (Shockwave Flash).

Can I download Flash Player 9-10?

No. As said above, no downloading can be done with the Internet Channel.


Common Questions:


Can I watch videos on my Wii?

Yes. Although there are some website video services that does not support Flash 7-8 such as Veoh and Hulu, as they have upgraded to Flash 9 or 10. There are a few (like Youtube) that supports Flash 7 and up and most videos will work on Wii.

Can I listen to Internet radio?

Yes. But as with the videos, some sites won't work on Wii. Finetune has a Wii-friendly website for the Internet Channel, as well as some others.

Can I play online games?

Depends on the games. The Internet Channel does not support java, which is used to play games like Runescape. The Wii however does support javascript, which can be used to play flash-based games. There are several Wii-friendly/compatible flash game sites available.


Additional Answers:


Check the Internet Channel's Operations Guide on the Start Page. Many questions said in this Q&A and from many other people are answered in the guide, so please check it and remember it often. It'll certainly help!


Well that's it, but if possible, I plan on updating this Q&A often. If anyone has any further questions or answers, please leave them here for others to view.

Hope this helps.

[jesse899]

to bad they didnt make a free itunes channel and you can buy charge your ipod using the wii's usb ports and download songs using wii points

[carlosjfer]

Wow this should be stickied! Helped me out, and I'm sure it'll help many others in the future. Nice thread

[007]

It has been done and moved to the correct forum

Nice job, wii internet users should definatly check this out.

[Mr.NegativeL]

dude nice threat
and was about to download stuff
but this happend thnks

[Netix]

A very common question has been why the Internet Channel has not been updated to better features, such as Flash 9, copy, cut, and paste, PDF support, etc. Well here are some possible but confirmed reasons why:

1.One of the reasons why the Internet Channel has not received an update is because Adobe refuses to make an SDK (Software Development Kit) for non-PC devices, such as the Nintendo Wii. This would be used to support Flash 9.

2.Because of this, Nintendo does not want to release an update now for the Internet Channel because if they did, it would not support Flash 9, which is something many people want to use to watch Flash 9 videos. So until they reach an agreement (if they reach an agreement) with Adobe, there will probably be no updates anytime soon.


There has been a few rumors that a update would be possible around Nintendo of Japan's release of the video Wii Channel Wiinoma. This is not to be confused with the "Opera 2.0 update" fake, but it is only a rumor.

Keep in mind that whatever is to be put on the Internet Channel is decided by Nintendo. They may not want a higher Flash Player at all. Nintendo is a family friendly company, which is why many features of a regular Internet computer has been removed from the Internet Channel. There are little kids that use the Internet as well, and the Internet Channel is a better feature to use than a computer for them since their parents can sit and watch with them in the public area of the living room for an example. The Internet Channel is not meant for people who use the Internet for several purposes.

Nintendo has hinted off that an update will come for the Internet Channel eventually.


I hope this clears up the whole Internet Channel update issue.

[Mikesta]

Oh wow, I'm not going to get the Internet Channel then, it's quite limited. I also heard they came out with something new called computers. xD

[Zaz]

I spent 500 points on this channel. I wish I had got it when it was free.

[Netix]

Even though the Internet Channel is limited, it is still quite useful in many ways:

1.Fast launch:
Booting up the Internet Channel is a lot faster than booting up a computer.

2.Exclusives:
There are several Wii-friendly websites that are exclusive to the Internet Channel.

3.Great backup:
For those who use a computer a lot, the Internet Channel is a great tool to use for when a computer is not available or has broken down.

4.Big screen TV:
The Internet Channel can be a fun feature to use when browsing the web on a television screen. It can also be fun surfing the web with others on a television screen too.

5.Quick views:
The Internet Channel can be useful for quickly checking your e-mail or anything else of importance.

6.Play free online flash games with Wii Remote:
Playing thousands of free flash games online using the Wii Remote is fun too, especially with friends and family.

7.Advantages
The Internet Channel has several other little advantages that are useful to use.


Again, the Internet Channel may be limited when it comes to internal computer capabilities, but it has quite a lot of advantages that not even a computer has. I recommend downloading it even if you have no intentions on using it.

[Netix]

I was playing around on the Internet Channel while using a USB keyboard, and I discovered some Wii keyboard shortcuts. Check it out:

• Alt + Enter: Select "OK" in the Wii virtual onsrceen keyboard.
• Alt + ESC/Backspace: Select "Quit" in the Wii virtual onsrceen keyboard.
• Right arrow/Left arrow (virtual onsrceen keyboard dictionary must be ON): browse through words, then press Enter to use them.
• F4: Virtual onsrceen keyboard dictionary ON/OFF
• Up Arrow: Scroll page up.
• Down Arrow: Scroll page down.
• Left Arrow: Scroll page left.
• Right Arrow: Scroll page right.
• + Sign: Zoom in (also num pad).
• - Sign: Zoom out (also num pad.
• Backspace: Previous page.
• Ctrl + Left arrow: Previous page.
• Ctrl + Right arrow: Next page.

[Crazy]

Dude this is so very helpful! Great, informative thread! Good thing it's stickied because it definitely deserves to be!

I learned a couple of things from this guide and am sure many people will too.

[hokieman]

nice thread but shouldnt it be locked?