Nintendo has released the final version of the Internet Channel for the Wii. Created by Opera, the Internet Channel allows the user to surf the internet from the comfort of their sofa via the TV screen.

Although previously released in beta form, the Internet Channel is now concidered to be complete, and is available for free download unit 30th June 2007 after downloading a small update for your Wii. After June, the Internet Channel will be available to purchase for 500 Wii Points.

The new version appears to be a lot more flexible, with customisable features such as setting the controls bar to hide, much smoother scrolling and zooming functionality, and quicker launch time.

Here are some shots of the new features, taken by me and my new camera-phone:

The new Internet Channel logo

The new Internet Channel program page – with funky new animation!

The Internet Channel homepage

The controls page, showing what each button on the Wii-remote does

The favourites page, with new favourites management system

The new control bar, with added search button

Full screen surfing!

More information about the new Internet Channel can be found at the Nintendo-Europe site.