Topic: Wii U Internet Browser Scores High on HTML Compatibility Test

[Killer_Man_Jaro]

The Wii U's browser has the greatest HTML support of any game system.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/32362

The Wii U internet browser has the most comprehensive compatibility with HTML5 of any dedicated game console to date, according to benchmark-testing website HTML5test.com.

The testing website, which ranks browsers out of a possible 500 compatibility points plus an additional 15 points for specific video and audio-related features, graded the Wii U browser with 323 + 8. 

By comparison, the current leading console browser, the Xbox 360 Internet Explorer 9, scores a 120 + 5, while the Nintendo 3DS and Wii web applications clock in at just 109 +0 and 94 + 0, respectively.

HTML is the coding language used for displaying almost all elements of a web page, including forms, notifications, and images. These ratings essentially translate to how well the browser is able to run and display these elements.

[azeke]

As a web developer I'm glad that Wii U is gonna have good web compatible browser.

I'm just sad it's not Opera browser anymore (of which i'm a huge fan). Loved Wii's Opera browser, it seriously helped me out during one month when i broke both my PC and my leg.

Wii U's browser is NetFront again, right? Like on 3DS?

Their efforts towards building a robust web browser understandable considering it's gonna be the foundation of their entire interface system.

[Oblivion]

What about a PS3 comparison?

[NWR_insanolord]

Comparing it to other game consoles really isn't setting a very high bar. Still, good to hear.

[WiiUIVLife]

I'm deeply impressed!  I wonder if the Wii U's web browser is powered by either Opera or Chrome.  It doesn't matter to me, this is ultimately one sexy BEAST!!!!!!

[Ceric]

Here ya go its the result page so you can do comparisons.

[azeke]

Here ya go its the result page so you can do comparisons.

Laughing my head off at Maxthon being at first place.

But the link you should be looking for is actually

http://html5test.com/results/gaming.html

Also, the address needs to be fixed in article, cause html5.com site seems to be unrelated.

Also a few points while looking at detailed report:

http://html5test.com/compare/browser/nintendowiiu.html

Both SVG and canvas elements are supported, which basically opens up possibilities for HTML5-based games.
Video seems okay, Youtube is gonna work at least
Access to webcam and uploading video from gamepad camera seems to be locked down on purpose which is a shame

[rlse9]

That's definitely a good thing but I wonder how many people regularly use the browser on their game console.  I couldn't tell you the last time I used the browser on the Wii.  Having a screen on the controller helps but it still seems like it'd be pretty small and low res for using the internet compared to just using the computer or a tablet.  If you don't have either I suppose it's useful but most people have so many tech gadgets that are better for accessing the internet.  But either way, it's good that they seem to have done a good job on the browser.

[Ceric]

Here ya go its the result page so you can do comparisons.

Laughing my head off at Maxthon being at first place.

But the link you should be looking for is actually

http://html5test.com/results/gaming.html

Also, the address needs to be fixed in article, cause html5.com site seems to be unrelated.

Also a few points while looking at detailed report:

http://html5test.com/compare/browser/nintendowiiu.html

Both SVG and canvas elements are supported, which basically opens up possibilities for HTML5-based games.
Video seems okay, Youtube is gonna work at least
Access to webcam and uploading video from gamepad camera seems to be locked down on purpose which is a shame

Its was implied that others were looking for comparison to non-gaming.

That's definitely a good thing but I wonder how many people regularly use the browser on their game console.
...

Maxi at the very least.

[Oblivion]

I'd probably use it, as I want a browser on my new TV, but using my laptop is too much of a hassle. A Wii U seems perfect.


I don't know why the site would have a DSi comparison, but not a PS3 one.


EDIT: Wait, the Vita scored lower than the DSi? LOL!

[NWR_insanolord]

I've only ever used the Vita browser to go through the process of connecting the system to my campus network, and even in the brief time of visiting one site that was probably put together almost a decade ago I could tell that that browser is complete ****. It's a shame, since with that big beautiful screen and touch interface it would be a pretty nice device to browse on.

[MegaByte]

Comparing it to other game consoles really isn't setting a very high bar. Still, good to hear.

Another low bar, but it scores higher than IE10 on Windows.

[NWR_insanolord]

Scoring higher than Microsoft on a test of implementing open industry standards is probably a lower bar than doing a better job than the other game consoles.

[MrPhishfood]

Scoring higher than Microsoft on a test of implementing open industry standards is probably a lower bar than doing a better job than the other game consoles.

ZING!

[rlse9]

I actually thought of one case where the browser would be useful, for watching online video on the TV.  Do the network sites, hulu.com, etc block browsers that are in a device that is typically connected to a TV?  I seem to remember that they were doing that a while back (which I found silly, since a laptop can be easily connected via HDMI to a TV, and the simple fact that you'd think they'd want people watching in any way, not turning viewers away) which kinda ruins what would be the main use I'd think of for a browser on a console.  I guess there's also video podcast networks like TWiT and Revision3 but we use the Roku for that.

[NWR_insanolord]

Hulu is blocked on anything that's not a PC; they want you to use Hulu Plus to watch on a TV or mobile device, and that has an app for Wii U that's part of TVii. It should work great for YouTube, though.

[TJ Spyke]

To be fair, Microsoft has been getting much better at implementing HTML5.

[NWR_insanolord]

It would have been hard to get much worse.

[Shaymin]

What about a PS3 comparison?

It would've been mentioned if it was relevant. Since it wasn't, I'm guessing the score is something like LOL.

[ShyGuy]

So the flash based ads on NWR won't work?

[azeke]

I actually thought of one case where the browser would be useful, for watching online video on the TV.

Well, you know what internet is for.

[rlse9]

I actually thought of one case where the browser would be useful, for watching online video on the TV.

Well, you know what internet is for.

That video was a great way to start a Saturday.  Classic.