An unofficial software development kit for making Wii-compatible browser games is now open to the public, thanks in large part to the work of Daniel Gump. More than simply tracking the position of the Wii-mote cursor, the custom Javascript libraries will detect the remote's distance from the sensor bar, the pressing of any remote buttons, and the movement of the device along the Z-axis.

Gump developed the custom code for use in his own game, Hullbreach, a massively-multiplayer game designed to be played in the Wii Opera browser. Though the code was previously available by request, this marks the first time the SDK and its documentation have been made fully public. It will interesting to see if this in any way encourages future Wii homebrew development... and gets people using their Wii browser.

[Via GoNintendo]

We knew we shouldn't have expected much from a new Wii system update, what with the last update and the Metroid media dump so close in our rear view mirror, so imagine our surprise and joy to find out that the new update adds a slot for Nintendo 64 cartridges as well as fixes a problem that some have been having with the Opera browser freezing and adds some stability for those using the Wii's LAN adapter.

...We regret to inform you that the Joystiq labs have just discovered that the new update does not, as one of us insisted, add a cartridge slot to the Wii. In other news, our Wii is broken ... as is our copy of Quest 64. We're sorry for the inconvenience, and hope one of us will take this a lesson to lay off the hooch.

The best things in life are free. The Wii's internet channel isn't one of them, but it's free, and time is running out on that part. Wii owners have been able to download the final version of the browser for their Wii free since April 11; however, beginning July 1, the application will cost 500 Wii points ($5) to download.

Wii owners who download the Opera powered browser before the July 1 deadline will "retain the application at no cost for the life of the system." So even if you aren't going to use it -- get it. When a global corporation gives you an item for free, even if you're just going to pocket it, unless it's some vast conspiracy to take over our minds, we aren't going to say no. Who knows, we fear we may be stuck in bed some day soon and not be able to make it to our computers with a desperate need to watch a YouTube video or something else important. When that time comes -- if it comes -- we'll be happy to have our free Wii browser.

[Via Press Release]

A forum member at NeoGAF recently posted impressions of the Opera DS browser just released in the US. Some early rumors suggested this version would support both Flash and Java, features missing in the Japanese and European releases. Unfortunately the rumors turned out to be nothing more than wishful thinking and the U.S. browser is just as crippled as the others.

The browsing interface is intuitive (and snazzy if you ask us), with handwriting recognition, bookmarks, and excellent use of both screens. With image loading turned on it takes upwards of a minute to load most web pages. Not exactly our idea of a good time. The verdict: excellent for quick on-the-go info-checks, but with so many other devices offering web access these days, the DS browser doesn't offer anything revolutionary.

To coincide with the release of the full version of the Opera browser for the Wii, My Opera has opened a page dedicated to video game news and reviews. The community-based site aims to pull together anyone interested in gaming, not just those who can (and have) beat Quake with their eyes closed. Although the introduction focuses on Wii gaming, My Opera Games will feature news and articles covering all major consoles, handhelds, PC games, and even the Mac.

The final version of the Wii's Opera browser is now available for download. We haven't had a chance to really put the system through the paces, but we're guessing that it has all the details we previously wrote about:

• Auto-hide toolbar
• Display cursors from multiple Wii remotes (though only Player 1 can actually click)
• Favorites page immediately accessible
• Improved website compatibility
• Improved zoom leaves text crisp at all levels
• New and better scroll interface
• Search button on the toolbar
• Start up time decreased by 5 seconds
• URL text (www and com) easily accessible

We'll be testing the final version, along with every other Wii owner, over the next couple of days. The free download of the browser ends in June. After that, late adopting Wii owners will be charged 500 Wii Points ($5 USD) for the browser. So, what do those giving the browser a workout think?

[Thank you to everyone who sent this in]

No doubt drawn to the rampant popularity of the Wii, the Virgin Radio network is launching a customized web application for use on Nintendo's waggle wonder and the other console equipped with a web browser, the Sony PlayStation 3. The Dreamcast might feel a bit excluded, but its days of being part of a "home entertainment media centre" are long gone. The broadcaster, which claims to be the first UK network to offer such a service, wants nothing more than to be heard in your living room.

According to BBC News, Wii and PS3 users will be able to listen to radio broadcasts, watch videos and purchase concert tickets from the comfort of their uncomfortable and lumpy couches. Downloadable songs are also promised, though it's unclear whether or not the feature applies to both consoles. In addition to central Virgin Radio, the accessible stations are Virgin Radio Classic Rock, the "soulful" Virgin Radio Groove and the awesome-to-the-max Virgin Radio Xtreme.

Nintendo's official U.S. Wii website recently featured a translated discussion with the Internet Channel's development team in Japan. Working closely with Opera Software, the group crafted the trial version of the Opera Wii browser and are still fine-tuning it for the official release in April. Based on user feedback, a number of improvements have been made to make Wii surfing easier and faster:

• Auto-hide toolbar
• Display cursors from multiple Wii remotes (though only Player 1 can actually click)
• Favorites page immediately accessible
• Improved website compatibility
• Improved zoom leaves text crisp at all levels
• New and better scroll interface
• Search button on the toolbar
• Start up time decreased by 5 seconds
• URL text (www and com) easily accessible

The better zoom and auto-hide toolbar should free up screen real estate, one of our chief complains with the browser. Unfortunately Flash or Java support enhancements weren't mentioned.

[Via Digg]

So, there's good news, and bad news in the Wii camp. Which do you want first? Okay, the bad news it is: the final version of the Wii Internet Channel is delayed. Although delayed in the nick of time, as it were. It was supposed to be available in late March ... and here we are in late March. No final Internet Channel sighting over here, up in the crow's nest? Negative sir, only the beta. Opera tells us that it will now be available some time in April ... although no actual date has been announced yet. Our money is on late April, it's possibly too much to hope for an Easter surprise.

Onto the good news, then: the Wii Opera browser will be available longer for everyone's favorite price ... FREE! That's right folks, don't order yet because er, you don't need to. You can just go ahead and download the free beta, and then grab the real goods when they're offered up in April. The Opera browser will cost 500 Wii points ($5 for Americans) after the free period, which was set to end in June, but will now be sliding to July. The only great unknown is the current beta browser, which was good until the end of March -- will they be extending that until the real one comes out?

[Thanks, tqt]

Almost a year after its release in Japan and nine months after the same in Europe, Nintendo is finally sending the Opera DS browser to North America on June 4. Although it lacks Flash, video, sound and PDF support (yikes!), the package includes full stylus control as well as handwriting recognition. You can create bookmarks and display images, but forget about saving sexy pictures of Anna Kournikova to your DS. It's definitely a gimped way to surf the web, but reports say it's a generally smooth experience. The browser retails for roughly $32 in Japan and $52 in Europe, but no pricing has been mentioned for the North American release.

The Wii's support for downloadable Flash games through the Opera browser has made it easier than ever for indie programmers to get their games off the computer and onto the living room TV. But Wii-focused Flash development has been hampered by the browser's inability to recognize basic button presses on the Wii remote past a simple "click" of the A button. While pointer-based games have flourished under this setup, developers who wanted to go any further with their Wii input designs were out of luck ... until now.

Flash game aggregator Wiicade has posted a downloadable API that lets Flash developers finally utilize all the buttons of the Wii remote in their games. The site has a full tutorial and documentation to help any Flash developer unlock more of the the system's control potential in their games. Now, if someone could just get Flash support for the remote's tilt-sensitivity, we could see some really interesting gameplay experiments. Wii hacking community... get on it!

Our sister site Nintendo Wii Fanboy has already reported on the niftiness and tabbed browsing offered by Wiiminder, but we thought we'd offer it up as today's video of the day. The really cool thing is that this is just the tip of the iceberg for things that users will be whipping up for the Wii. Very impressive.

We have no doubt that custom sites and homebrew efforts for the Wii will slowly take over the entire planet, so just prepare for the Wii-shrines to be erected all over the place. Wii-motes left and right, mass hysteria. You have been warned.

We were playing around with Yaplet tonight, and by complete chance we ran into the whirlwind of energy that is Gary Vaynerchuck. He REALLY loves two things; wine and the Wii. He doesn't just love them, either ... he is extremely charged up about both as we found out firsthand.

Gary runs a website called Wine Library, where he sells wine. He also runs a "vidcast" about wine called Wine Library TV, appropriately enough, where there are over 186 episodes (!) about wine. He's not some snobby "We serve no wine before its time" Orson Welles-ish character, instead he's a bit 'in yo face!' and Marv Albert about things. Of course, he's from New Jersey, so can you blame him?

However, what's even cooler (and of more interest to you, dear readers) is the latest site Gary has co-founded called WiiTube. It's meant to be a social site for Wii owners, with profiles containing Wii numbers, and also a spot for people to come to share tips and tricks. Can't beat a certain boss? Post about it on WiiTube, then someone can upload a video on the site showing how it's done.

The site is built around Opera and meant to look great with the Wii browser. They also collect the best Wii videos and game trailers from YouTube and link them all in one central location, so you don't have to go searching through YouTube on your own and sift through loads of spam vids and those bizarre Japanese entries that are impossible to read.

Gary and his team will be giving away Wiis through the site very soon, so you might want to head over and sign up if you're interested in something like, oh not much ... just a free Wii. Plus some Wii-centric goodness for your Wii browser.

When it comes to video games, marketers tend to focus their in-person efforts on youth oriented events like sports, concert tours, and extreme sports-infused concert tours. Sony is taking a bit of a different tact, marketing the PS3 to the audience at the English National Opera (ENO).

As the London Times reported last week, Sony will be placing a PS3 kiosk in the foyer on the London Coliseum, the ENO's home stage. The kiosk will accompany a Sony-sponsored version of Puccini's La Boheme and an initiative aimed at convincing British schoolteachers that the PSP is useful as a learning tool. Personally, we've learned a lot about taking out cops from our PSPs.

The Times piece goes on to draw a link between controversial games like Grand Theft Auto and controversial operas like Strauss' Elektra or Berg's Wozzeck. Where are the Jack Thompson wannabes crying about the deleterious effects of opera on our troubled youth? Oh, that's right ... our troubled youth doesn't care about opera. We forgot.

The Wii Opera browser beta is available to download now from the Wii Shop channel for ... free. Free, that word just never gets old. Nintendo states in their press release that the final browser will be available at the end of March 2007 for ... FREE! The fun and joy of the free ends in June when Wii owners will be charged 500 Wii Points ($5 USD) for the browswer, but you've got a little over three months in there to download it for -- wait for it -- free! Wii owners have until March to test the point-type-point-type-point-type beta and after that till June to get it for free. Very nice.

See also: Can Wii break nongamer barrier with Opera browser?

[Thanks to all that sent this in and big ups to Engadget Japan's Ittousai for the pics!]