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Forums - Nintendo Discussion - The Wii U's browser is pretty awesome.

Paatar on 02 December 2015
sc94597 said:

So i have finally bit the bullet in preparation for Xenoblade Chronicles X and bought a Wii U. It just got here today, with Nintendo Land. I played a little bit of that, but I was not very entertained. (I am holding off on buying games until after my finals.) Then I decided to look something up in the browser. To my amazement the browser was fast, fluid, easy to use, and supports multitasking (youtube sound can play in background.) I have an android tablet and an android smartphone  and using the wiiu browser on the gamepad is such a breathe of fresh air compared to those devices. I was not expecting this feature to be that great considering how poorly the 3DS's applications work, and how the Wii browser was very limited as well. Now it will probably be what I spend the most time on my Wii U for! 


Nintendoland is one of those games that is mainly only fun with other people. 

Congrats on your purchase though! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do :D



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HylianYoshi on 02 December 2015

I have almost 4000 hours clocked in on this thing. At that point, some of its bigger problems become apparent, but I can't deny that I use this more than I play games on my Wii U. This is being typed from the browser, btw.



bet: lost

Platina on 02 December 2015

I don't use Internet Browsers on gaming console because it definitely won't be better than a Laptop or Computer :p

Maybe I should try it out sometime...



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Mandalore76 on 02 December 2015

Yes, I agree. At home, I do the majority of my web browsing from the WiiU/Gamepad.



baloofarsan on 02 December 2015

I have to give more tips!

Be sure to check the manual, especially: Basic Controls: Browser Screen Controls

ZL/ZR to change between tabs.
L/R triggers to go back or forward in browsing history.

Push down (to click) right thumb stick to center on text (works 90% of the time).
Push down (to click) left thumb stick to toggle bottom bar.

When writing, move the cursor back/forward with L/R triggers. Hold to auto move.

To copy text hold the stylus for a second (where you want to start copying) and move whitout lifting. An extra menu make you choose between copy & paste.

To erase text use the key (x in a black box) on the top right on the screen keyboard.

To open link in new tab: go to link with D-pad and hold A.
To close tab: hold B

Zoom with right thumb stick, or +& -

When watching videos you can put the video on the TV and continue browsing with the pad. (Hard to explain in text, but you figure it out quite easily)

THE UGLY:
You can only have six tabs simultaneously.
When going between tabs you often have to download the site again! :(

If you are not writing in english, french, german, dutch, russian, spanish, portuges or italian (EU version) you have to hold a letter for half a second to get the other letters: a (hold) gives you à, á, â, ã, ä, å, æ

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sc94597 on 02 December 2015
Platina said:
I don't use Internet Browsers on gaming console because it definitely won't be better than a Laptop or Computer :p

Maybe I should try it out sometime...


It is not better than a laptop or desktop of course, but it is much better than my android tablet. On my tablet I have to go through an ordeal to get multitasking to work and it has many more flaws. PDF files must be downloaded and opened separarely. The youtube app bugs out and freezes often. The Wii U doesnt have these issues. The advantage of the Wii U browser over a laptop or desktop is that the gamepad is more portable and handheld.



LemonSlice on 02 December 2015

It's a fantastic browser. The friendliest browser on anything I've ever used, including Mac and PC.

P.S. did you try holding down ZL and ZR? :p



ednice on 02 December 2015

No joke I have like over 200 hours on that internet browser



Ruler on 02 December 2015

Can you watch youtube on it?



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baloofarsan on 02 December 2015
Ruler said:
Can you watch youtube on it?

It is better than the youtube app.You can play the youtube clip on the TV while still browsing on the gamepad. Or choose to watch it on the pad. You can fast forward/backward with the L/R buttons or the left thumb stick.

EDIT: Pro Tip. if you want to see non-common video formats:

  • Go to Start Page
  • Go to settings (top right)
  • Go to "Switch User Agent"
  • Choose iPad 
  • Go back and try to play the video again.

Unfortunately this resets when you turn the Wii U off.