BETA Wii Internet Channel

[bignds]

Update-Press release from NoE today recnfirmed that the Internet Channel will go live in a Trial run (but with most looking at it as the BETA version) on the 22nd of December. Still no word on a confirmed day for North America and for the rest of the world. My guess is that its world wide release, despite constant speculation that Europe will be getting it first.
And finally, from Opera:

[Lkr]

this is awesome news. When I open my Wii and set it up, will I just be able to download the newest update and start playing?

[Pilot_51]

I was wondering when they were releasing it, that's good to hear, and it's a day before I leave, so I should have the opportunity to check it out on Friday.

Originally Posted by Lkr

When I open my Wii

You make it sound like the Wii folds like the DS.

[zimma]

hmm is that release US only???, meh i still have like 2 updates to install or something first :P but cant wait for the internet channel... as long as australia gets it :P

[bignds]

Originally Posted by Lkr

this is awesome news. When I open my Wii and set it up, will I just be able to download the newest update and start playing?

Yes, all you is click on the forecast channel or even the news channel and then click latest update, or do it manually from system settings. It will be just one update, and you'll get both the forecast channel and the internet channel through this.

Zimma, its worldwide, not a US exclusive.

[Pilot_51]

You can also go to the message board and open the message from Nintendo (on the day of the update or whenever you got the message) and then click update.

[zimma]

sweet as, im about to move the router so i can get the SD card update now :P but once the internet channel ones out im gonna work out a better option for sure :D

[bignds]

Update; credit to Skeptical Gaming;

A source close to the Wii Opera project", as they've wished to be identified, has given yours truly a little bit of info on what you'll be able to expect from the trial version of the Opera browser that's being made available to Wii owners this Friday.

For starters, the most important thing is that "trial" is really just a nice way of saying "beta". While Opera has delivered some stable builds to Nintendo to try and get the browser released in time for the Wii system launch, Nintendo has rejected all of them due to Quality Assurance concerns. At the same time, Nintendo has been pushing Opera to get the software released, since the browser was promised as part of the initial system launch. With no final build in site, Opera instead offered up this "trial" version of the software. It's not the full and complete experience you'll get in March… think of this as Diet Opera, or Opera Lite.

Several key features are expected to be nerfed from the trial build. Most notably, full Javascript support. From what we've heard, part of the Opera Wii Browser QA issue is that several areas in the Wii's architecture can be exploited through Javascript, and Nintendo wants Opera to patch that before any release. Nintendo's so worried about potential violations and exposures of the Wii software, they're playing it safe.

Remember that mysterious November 30th system update that was going to make "enhancements" to the Wii Shop channel? It turns out that was to block a tiny little workaround, where Wii owners were able to browse the web using the Wii Shop Channel. And the Wii Shop Channel is, essentially, just a web browser.

Other things you'll notice with the trial version: Flash may not work correctly. It appears that Opera is custom building their Flash plug-ins to limit the security exposures that the plug-in presents. And while that's great from a control standpoint, it's expected to cause some compatibility issues. You'll have problems accessing some sites that utilize Flash.

Widget support is being hurriedly rushed in a desperate attempt to get it included in the Wii Browser on Friday, but it's not expected to be made available. Support for the Ajax technology is expected to work fine, however.

The final version of the Opera Wii browser is expected to be made available in the last week of March. Nintendo has put their foot down on the software release. They want this made available to Wii owners, pronto.

Youtube has, apparently, been a big focus for development. The developers have claimed they're trying to make the experience flawless for both 4:3 and 16:9

Theoretically, the browser resolution is set to something near 550 x 460.

But beyond that… you're not going to see a lot of great stuff here in the trial software, and it'll earn that "trial" moniker quite easily. In fact, this is less of a "trial" and more of an "Open Beta". It's your chance to test out the software for Nintendo and Opera. You're going to have problems with sites, because the rendering of some sites will play havoc with the Wii Opera Browser

[Mr286]

What all will the "trial" version and the full version run? I was wondering if it played...Runescape. I don't play it, but, my friend wanted to know. Will it be able to run java things like that?

[bignds]

Apperantly Javascript will be diabled for the trial, im not sure, but we'll find out in a matter of hours.
Just of question,are these things auto released and not manually released by a push of a button? Because if its automatic, then i can get on the itnernet channel in like 4 hours?