[quote]Wii Surf for Free
For a limited time, the Opera Web browser will be available for free on Wii, the company confirms.
by Matt Casamassina

September 26, 2006 - Last week Nintendo revealed a new Channels based interface for its Wii console. The company explained that users could simply point their Wii remote at on-screen icons to connect to different Wii Channels, including everything from weather forecasts and news updates to an Internet browser.

Of course, the console will utilize the Opera Web browser to connect to and surf the Internet, but after last week's conference there was still some confusion about whether or not Opera would be available on Wii for free or for a price. Nintendo's Japanese branch said that it would be free through June of 2007, but the company's American subsidiary noted that the browser could be purchased for Wii points.

This week Opera Software issued a press release that offered further clarification and there's good news for US buyers. Opera's release confirmed that the browser will be available for download "free of charge as a temporary promotion" through June 2007 from the Wii Shop Channel. After that, Wii owners will be able to buy the browser using Nintendo's previously announced Wii Points system. Nintendo has not yet specified how many Wii Points the browser will cost after the free promotion ends.

Opera for Wii will make use of Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connection to enable surfers quick access to the Web. The browser offers support for Flash and AJAX-based content and is fully compatible with the Wii remote. Users can use a new zoom function to enlarge portions of the screen, add bookmarks, and more. And accessing content is always as simple as a point and click away.

The Opera browser is also available for Nintendo DS. Although browsing the Web on Nintendo's handheld is not ideal - users call the experience slow - surfing the Net on Wii should prove much speedier.

IGN will update in the coming weeks and months with much more on the Opera web browser for Wii.