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PS3’s Web Browser Usage Ahead of Wii

Rob Crossley's picture

By Rob Crossley

January 2, 2009

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It may come as a surprise that, as Nintendo continues to dominate the TV console market, Sony’s PS3 is more widely used for internet browsing.

Both consoles feature capable browsers that are compatible with some of the most widely used online entertainment portals, such as the BBC iPlayer and YouTube, yet business statistics group Market Share shows that a larger percentage of internet traffic is delivered through Sony’s machine.

The PS3’s browser has a 0.04 share of the ‘internet market’, a miniscule proportion when compared to, say, the PC’s 88.7 percent majority, yet it’s a figure which sits comfortably ahead of the Wii’s 0.01 percent.

Worldwide estimates number the Wii’s global userbase at some 44 million, more than double the estimated 19 million PS3s sold internationally. The contrasts in web traffic bring to light the demographic trends in both audiences, with PS3 owners generally being considered more embedded in tech and game culture than most Wii owners.

Kimblebrook's picture
On January 4th Kimblebrook said:

Not too sure about the Wii web browser capabilities (I've got a Wii, but not prepared to shell out for the browser), but the (relatively) recent upgrade to the PS3 browser has really made a difference in our living room, particularly the support for flash videos. Being able to play youtube videos has led to some good laughs when entertaining, especially when our friends have been misquoting Monty Python. All together, being able to surf the web from the TV has kept many a late night party going - watching clips of Fonejacker is good fun at 2 in the morning. iPlayer works really well too.

YoctoYotta's picture
On January 3rd YoctoYotta said:

So, the PS3 has three people using its web browser and the Wii has two?

Ozzman_79's picture
On January 3rd Ozzman_79 said:

Bingo. Who wastes their time web browsing on a console? What, you don't have enough good games to play? Besides, PC is way better for web browsing....and who doesn't have a PC accessible SOMEWHERE?

YoctoYotta's picture
On January 3rd YoctoYotta said:

You know, actually, I kind of take that back. I do use the PS3 browser once or twice a week to download some video shows off of Revision 3, CNET, and 1UP. I know I could just download the videos through the PC and stream it to the PS3, but it's usually a spur of the moment decision while I'm at my TV, and since you can start watching downloads while they're still in progress, it's ends up being a time saver. Kind of handy, but not for web browsing.

ArronC07's picture
On January 3rd ArronC07 said:

I use the PS3 to surf sometimes in particular youtube and BBC iPlayer.

toadwarrior's picture
On January 3rd toadwarrior said:

That's quite sad when someone's taken stats about web surfing on a games console.

The average Wii gamer probably does lean towards casual and as such will separate gaming (on their Wii) from internet surfing(on their PC) so this is no real surprise.

E. Zachary Knight's picture
On January 2nd E. Zachary Knight said:

This could be do to the Wii browser costing $5 or to the fact that most of these people would rather browse the internet on a PC where they can use a mouse and keyboard.

kgouviea's picture
On January 2nd kgouviea said:

OR

They don't even know they can browse the web or wouldnt want to in SD.

Dan_Chippendale's picture
On January 2nd Dan_Chippendale said:

That's cos wii owners are too busy playing wii sports

Tycalibre's picture
On January 3rd Tycalibre said:

Damn right, the internet is full of tossers anyway, oh hang on.....