DSi - Weak browser performance

[Ancalagon]

But it looks like the major problem with the new DSi interface is the speed. According to the report, accessing the DSi store takes 30 seconds from the main menu, while any other action usually features a 5-10 second wait. This could prove to be very frustrating, especially when you simply want to quickly download a game on the go.

Even worse than the interface speed, however, is the web browsing. It sounds as though the download version of the Opera browser is actually slower than the retail version released last year. During testing, Yahoo News took over a minute to load. And once loaded, there are page rendering issues, which require very slow scrolling. A number of other notable sites like FaceBook, Gmail, and IGN failed to load entirely.

Well, I for one am not convinced by the DSi. My Lite will do me fine, thank you very much.
DSi has 256MB of storage, but the downloadable version of Opera isnt so hot. (http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2008/11/04/dsi-features-256mb-memory-poor-browsing)

[NoName]

I don't understand why anyone makes a device with less than 1 GB of storage these days. It's dirt cheap even at a tiny scale.

Also, this news isn't helping my complete lack of interest in this new DS.

[biosc1]

I don't think I expect the DS to outperform my iPhone in regards to web browsing...

Now...if the iPhone could outperform the DS in gaming...one can dream...

and if the iPhone was a stable piece of hardware like the DS

[Gormanimal]

Yeah, it's a shame Nintendo didn't step up and make a real advancement in the DS design. Looks too much like a cash grab to me.

[J Arcane]

I don't think I expect the DS to outperform my iPhone in regards to web browsing...

Now...if the iPhone could outperform the DS in gaming...one can dream...

and if the iPhone was a stable piece of hardware like the DS
Hardware wise, it whoops the DS in the ass.

Problem is the controls, namely there aren't any really, except the touch screen and accelerometer, which leaves you stuck with even more shitty casual gimmick games than the DS.

[biosc1]

Problem is the controls, namely there aren't any really, except the touch screen and accelerometer, which leaves you stuck with even more shitty casual gimmick games than the DS.

Then I see a game like Real Soccer (http://www.macworld.com/article/136526/2008/11/realsoccer2009.html) and I wonder if there is hope.

[Heretic Machine]

The DSi looks terribly unappealing. I'm really not sure why you would buy it, besides the camera, maybe. It doesn't look like a new platform, and as a new DS, it fails to improve over the Lite; I'm not sure I understand what's going on over there at Nintendo. Maybe they just need to get some new hardware on the shelves to bring in some cash?

[Froghourt]

Then I see a game like Real Soccer (http://www.macworld.com/article/136526/2008/11/realsoccer2009.html) and I wonder if there is hope.

But couldn't be played just as well on, for instance, a DS or PSP? It seems that the only difference is the d-pad and buttons are on the screen instead of next to it.

[biosc1]

But couldn't be played just as well on, for instance, a DS or PSP? It seems that the only difference is the d-pad and buttons are on the screen instead of next to it.

Oh, absolutely...I was just mentioning that it was great to see a game of that supposed quality on the iPhone.

[J Arcane]

Oh, absolutely...I was just mentioning that it was great to see a game of that supposed quality on the iPhone.
I'd withhold judgement until an actual game reviewer plays it. It's a Gameloft game, for one thing, a company known for nothing so much as the same shitty cell phone games that've been pumped out for years, being reviewed by a magazine for a platform whose own game library consists largely of ancient ports and shitty casual games.

[King3567]

Anyone know how the sound/camera is on it?

[maverick106]

Nooooooooooo! DSi must sell well, so used DS Lites will trickle down to me.

[claws]

Bit disappointed in the web performance - I'd rather have had a faster processor (with backwards compatability) then two webcams. I could definitely imagine using the DS for casual browsing, and it'd be a good excuse to update my aging Fat DS.

[Froghourt]

Oh, absolutely...I was just mentioning that it was great to see a game of that supposed quality on the iPhone.

Oh yeah, that would be nice. I just can't see myself paying to play games on my Iphone, when I have a DS and a PSP.

[Purple Santa]

I'm still waiting for an interesting game I would play. Still no interest...

[Cyndair]

For some reason I thought that the thread title read "Weak Bowser Performance." Was wondering how one measures Bowser's performance. I mean, if we are going solely off his number of wins against Mario, I'd say he performs poorly on every Nintendo platform... not just the DSi. I call shenanigans.

[Variable Gear]

The DSi looks terribly unappealing. I'm really not sure why you would buy it, besides the camera, maybe.
What about the potential of downloadable GB/GBC games? That's what got me interested in the DSi.

[Chris_D]

I'm kind of happy that I don't even need to consider the DSi. If it was much lighter or the screen was much better then there was a chance it could have sucked me in. But as it is, my wallet is entirely safe. The region locking on the online store is just another nail in the coffin.

As for the browser, unfortunately the DS hardware is just not capable of displaying modern web pages with decent performance. Also, even with the touch screen interface, I think the tiny low resolution screen was never going to provide a satisfying web experience.

For the time being I will still really enjoy the occasional great 2D game on DS but I have real trouble looking at 3D graphics on the platform anymore.

[Libuke]

Seems as good as place as any.

Is the DSi supposed to be a new handheld? I just assumed it was like the DS light but some of the comments in this thread have me confused. I didn't pay attention when it was announced because as I just mentioned I thought it was just another DS light type thing.

[J Arcane]

The DSi is basically some weird bastard child of the DS, with a built in camera and storage, and no GBA slot. As I understand it, it's not even planned for US release (of course, Nintendo lie about everything related to releases, so who knows).

[Libuke]

Hmmm.. sounds kinda weird.

[Chris_D]

Considering it's such a weak upgrade over the DS lite, and the DS lite still selling like gangbusters, I could easily see Nintendo passing over this and going straight to the DSi+ for western markets (or whatever assy name it will be).

[Ondo]

As I understand it, it's not even planned for US release (of course, Nintendo lie about everything related to releases, so who knows).
Everyone who's been paying attention knows - it is planned for US release, sometime next year.

[Heretic Machine]

Everyone who's been paying attention knows - it is planned for US release, sometime next year.

April, last I checked.

[Chris_D]

Everyone who's been paying attention knows - it is planned for US release, sometime next year.

That's what Reggie said, but there's no reason why that couldn't change. If the DS keeps selling as it is then there is no hurry to release it. Especially if not much is ready for the US store.