Nintendo Dates European DS Web Browser Launch

The Nintendo DS Browser will be available across Europe on October 6, 2002, for an estimated retail price of £30 (about $57). Based on a DS-optimized version of the Opera browser for the PC, the program will provide DS owners with wi-fi access to the internet, albeit with some limitations. The DS Browser is not compatible with Flash, PDF documents, or most multimedia files, although it does enable stylus-assisted data entry, scrolling and magnification via the DS's touch screen.

Nintendo previously announced that the Japanese version of the browser, scheduled to launch on July 24, 2006, will be compatible with a subscription-based content filtering service from Digital Arts for a monthly fee of ¥315 ($2.70). For the European release, Nintendo has partnered with internet security firm Astaro to provide proxy content filtering. The cost and other details of Astaro's service have not been disclosed.

Nintendo has not yet announced a U.S. launch date for the DS Browser.