Nitendo DS to get television and browser in Japan

Nintendo DS fans may soon be able to surf the Web and watch high-definition television programs on the console

15 February 2006 18:37 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Nintendo DS fans may soon be able to surf the Web and watch high-definition television programs on their devices in addition to playing games according to report on Reuters.

The Japanese company said on Wednesday it plans to begin selling a Web browser in June and launch a card with a digital television receiver by the end of the year.

"These products propose a different use for the DS in entirely new fields," Nintendo President Satoru Iwata told a news conference.

The company declined to give specific details on the television feature, but it said a card with an antenna will enable owners to watch television programs for mobile devices, which Japanese broadcasters are expected to begin offering from April 1.

The Web browser, developed with Norway's Opera Software, will be sold as a DS card in June for 3,800 yen ($32). Users will be able to insert the card into the DS, which has Wi-Fi wireless networking capability, to browse the Internet in areas with connectivity.

A Nintendo spokesman said it was considering a similar browser product in its overseas markets.