Nintendo DS Web Browser

The Nintendo DS Browser is a version of the Opera web browser for use on the Nintendo DS, developed by Opera Software and Nintendo. The Nintendo DS Browser comes in a version for both the Nintendo DS and the Nintendo DS Lite. this is due to the physical size differences in the memory expansion cartridges used by the browser (Game Boy Advance sized cartridges do not sit flush within the Nintendo DS Lite). It was released first in Japan on 2006-07-24, and in Europe on 2006-10-06. The North American release date is not announced; however, an Opera spokeswoman has confirmed that the browser's next stop will be the US, although no timelines were disclosed. It is estimated [citation needed] that it will cost $32. A Nintendo Australia spokesman said there "was no word on a local release" for the Web browser in Australia.

The Nintendo DS Browser makes use of the Nintendo DS's touchscreen as input as well as handwriting recognition and memorization of phrases. However, the browser doesn't support Flash, PDF, or audio and video, mainly due to the DS limited hardware resources. The capacity for the memory expansion pack is said to be 10MB.

The Nintendo DS Browser connects to the Internet through IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi wireless networks or hotspots using the built-in Wi-Fi capability of the Nintendo DS. According to the service's website, the browser can be used at free Nintendo hotspots, however it is unclear if this applies to all hotspots in the Nintendo WiFi Connection partnership, or only certain providers. Currently, attempting to connect to a The Cloud or BT Openzone hotspot launches the payment interface. However, connecting with a game first allows the browser to be used for free.

DS Browser hardwareOn August 29, 2006, internet security company Astaro issued a press release announcing that it has partnered with Nintendo to integrate web filtering technology into the Nintendo DS Browser. Called Astaro Parental Control, the technology acts as a proxy filter, providing the option of blocking inappropriate content.