Browser developer Opera has confirmed that the Wii Internet Channel, which offers full web browsing access via a free trial version of its browser, will no longer be free to download after July 1st, instead costing console users 500 Wii Points ($5).
Opera notes that purchasing the channel through the Wii Shop Channel will net users full access to the browser, while those who download before the current trial period expires will retain the application at no cost for the life of the system.
First launched in December, the Wii's Opera web browser includes support for Adobe Flash and other more advanced online features.
Other features found in the Internet Channel include support for AJAX-based applications, such as Google Maps, as well as Intelligent Zoom, which allows users to point the Wii remote at an object on the page and zoom in on that object with the + button. Once zoomed in, the Wii Remote allows users to pan around the page while remaining in zoom mode.
