What do I need for NDS?

VikoZurita · December 11, 2005, 09:57:49 PM

I know this has been posted before, and answered before, but, I still don't get some things...

I'm a Happy owner of a Supercard SD, and a GB Micro, I love both, but I want to buy also a NDS.

The main reason is for its PDA-like capabilities... Stylus and WiFi...

So, is there any homebrew app that functions as a web browser for the NDS? Over WiFi networks... Could be possible right? Much better experience than on PSP since it has a better input devide (the stylus).

If there is actually an app, well, where can I find it? And

What do I need to run apps on the NDS? I already have a Supercard and I don't really wan't to run backup NDS games, maybe GBA backups, but not NDS. Not yet at least. I wish to continue playing my Micro and usig the NDS as a replacement for a Laptop, I get tired of carrying it around, a NDS is well, more practical for just webbrowsing and maibe AIM clients, or listening mp3. Don't want to buy an iPod.

Is it possible?

Thanks

Koji · December 11, 2005, 10:10:22 PM

There are currently no web browsers for the NDS... there probably will be one... but do NOT get a DS for web browsing... The resolution is poor, there is only 4 megs of ram, so data would constantly need to be redownloaded and reloaded into RAM would make it VERY slow and uncomfortable.

If you don't understand that, take a look at the PSP's wifi... While it CAN be used for wifi, images have to be reloaded on it on any large website and it has 8 times more ram then the DS does.

754boy · December 12, 2005, 03:06:44 AM

Quote from: "Koji"There are currently no web browsers for the NDS... there probably will be one... but do NOT get a DS for web browsing... The resolution is poor, there is only 4 megs of ram, so data would constantly need to be redownloaded and reloaded into RAM would make it VERY slow and uncomfortable.

If you don't understand that, take a look at the PSP's wifi... While it CAN be used for wifi, images have to be reloaded on it on any large website and it has 8 times more ram then the DS does.

They can have it read and write the data to the CF or SD card. That way it'll act as cache for all the pics and stuff.

markus · December 12, 2005, 03:33:05 AM

The only reason you should get an NDS for is to play NDS games.

If you need a simple web browser, look into getting a PDA or that Nokia Web Tablet. Those things are made for web browsing. It will be a more enjoyably experience.

I'm able to surf the net on my symbian phone. I can even surf for free via a bluetooth connection at home, but I don't use it alot. It's a bit slow loading the sites, and it just doesn't look the same.

In the end it works, but it's not alot of fun to use.

Koji · December 12, 2005, 03:39:35 AM

Quote from: "754boy"
Quote from: "Koji"There are currently no web browsers for the NDS... there probably will be one... but do NOT get a DS for web browsing... The resolution is poor, there is only 4 megs of ram, so data would constantly need to be redownloaded and reloaded into RAM would make it VERY slow and uncomfortable.

If you don't understand that, take a look at the PSP's wifi... While it CAN be used for wifi, images have to be reloaded on it on any large website and it has 8 times more ram then the DS does.

They can have it read and write the data to the CF or SD card. That way it'll act as cache for all the pics and stuff.

That's still only 32 megs of ram... that makes 36 megs total. In that respect it'd be barely be any better then the PSP, which again, often has to reload images on the same page just because it doesn't fit into ram.

This page is probably best viewed in a minimum of 800x600. Now imagine fitting an 800x600 image on 2 256x192 screens (or imagine it as 1 256x384 screen). Either way, it'd be ooooooooogly and you'd have to do a lot of sideways scrolling.

One last thing to add. The DS uses the slowest form of 802.11b... with a maximum transfer rate of 2mbit (maximum speed of 256K download). That doesn't sound too bad... but realize no one EVER gets the maximum transfer rate. In fact, you'll probably average around a 5th to a 10th of that... So expect 25-50k maximum download speed. Not as bad as dialup, but still only about the speed of ISDNx2.

VikoZurita · December 12, 2005, 11:44:48 AM

Thanks for the info and the fast response, I really apreaciate it.

And, has anyone modded a NDS? Like the GBA SP overclocked or something? You know, a paintjob or anything?

Also, is recommended to get a new DS (like the Mario Kart Hot Rod Red) or is it better an old one?

Thanks again, you're really helpful.

carlb007 · December 12, 2005, 02:48:33 PM

id like to add that the DS wifi and UDP/TCP have been succesfully hacked up now also..so homebrew browsers are likely to come soon.
As for the res, lets not forget thats theres 2 screens to span websites across, and mobile phone web browsing is a massive business with lower resolutions than the ds!

m2pt5 · December 12, 2005, 02:51:21 PM

Yeah, the wifi lib test/wardriver is fun, but I'd really like to see a web browser for DS. The ability to hop onto any available hotspot and browse the internet would totally kick ass. (I know it can be dome with a laptop, but I think it would be neat to be able to do so on a ~$130 handheld game system.)