Yesterday, Nintendo unveiled a number of peripherals and software that are currently in the works for the Nintendo DS. Among these is a web browser that has been made for the handheld by Oslo-based Opera. We have taken the time to talk with the Opera's Executive Vice President of Devices, Scott Hedrick to shed more light on this new software.

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Opera Nintendo DS Browser Q&A

Conducted by Mr. Nash

February 16, 2006

Who approached whom to create this software? Did Nintendo approach your company, or did Opera pitch it to Nintendo?

Nintendo came to Opera and requested that Opera work with them to port and optimize our browser for the DS.

Was it difficult to develop an Opera web browser for the DS?

Not that porting to any platform or device is easy work, but Opera has done this before and has succeeded in becoming a modular and flexible Web browser. The DS provides a unique form factor with dual screens and touch-screen technology and many of Opera’s core technologies come into play very nicely in this setting, such as Small-Screen Rendering (SSR).

How much functionality from the PC version of Opera will make its way to the DS version? Will Opera’s email or pop-up blocking features be present on the DS?

We will leave these details to be revealed by Nintendo when they are ready.

Will any sort of features be included in the browser to protect users from viruses lurking the web?

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Opera is a tremendously secure browser even on Windows. On the specialized OS in the DS, Opera should be even more protected from malicious code intended for desktop browsers.

At this point, the Opera DS browser has only been announced for Japan. When can we expect to hear about a North American and European version of the software?

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Nintendo is still deciding on its global launch plans. Of course Opera would like to see this browser solution for DS available to people everywhere.

The PC version of Opera tends to get updates every so often, currently at version 8. Will the DS version see updates for the software as well, either available through download or at retail?

Unfortunately, we will have to defer to Nintendo to address this question when they are ready.

How powerful is Opera’s DS browser? Can it display flash, or streaming audio / video footage?

The version of Opera we have been working with Nintendo on for the DS can surf the full Internet, but the initial version does not include Flash support.

Opera will make use of the DS touch screen as a means for users to type via a keypad. Are there any other ways that the software will take advantage of the DS’ twin screens?

Opera for DS has two display modes: Fit-to-width and DS mode. In fit-to-width mode, Opera uses both screens for scrolling up or down a page with both screens completing the view. In DS mode, an overview of the Web page is displayed on the lower screen and a pink square can be moved around an area of the page. The area you have selected is shown on the upper screen. This is a unique way to deliver the Web to take advantage of the DS hardware configuration and Opera has worked closely with Nintendo to optimize this experience.

AE extends it thanks to Mr. Hedrick for taking the time to answer our questions.