Wii system update: Forecast today, Opera on Friday [update 1]
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Dec 19th 2006 at 9:40AM }
If you woke up today bathed in a glorious blue light, know that your Wii received a message in the early morning hours and is eagerly waiting to tell you all about the Forecast channel. After you apply the system update, the Wii's weather service channel will be available from the main menu. Think of it as an informative warning system, constantly reminding you of the deadly UV rays, bone-crushing hail and tumultuous tornadoes that await you in the outside world. Stay inside with some games if you want to survive.In related news, the official Opera website has been updated, revealing the official release date for the Wii's internet browser. A trial version will be released this Friday, December 22nd, with the full version following sometime next Spring.
Update: As previously announced, the full version of the browser will remain free until June 2007. After that, it will cost 500 Wii points ($5) to download.
[Thanks, Spence!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
crono141 @ Dec 19th 2006 9:43AM
I saw the blue glow when I woke up this morning. I was late for work so I didn't have time to check it.
WOOT on forcast channel, WOOT on free opera for now.
shanoboy @ Dec 19th 2006 10:04AM
The trial opera browser will be free? sweet. So how about the full version. Anyone know the cost of that and how it will differ from the trial version?
Simon @ Dec 19th 2006 9:52AM
I wonder how exactly it will be a 'trial version'? Time limit? Hopefully, I'd hate for it to be some half-arsed browser that Nintendo shoved out the door as quick as they could, with half the features disabled.
Zell @ Dec 19th 2006 9:58AM
I have to say the Forecast Channel is really neat, I was just messing about with it. So easy to use and it's kinda fun spinning the globe and checking weather around the world.
Shadow @ Dec 19th 2006 9:58AM
I didn't get a blue light, what's up with that? Anyway, I hope this "trial" version isn't what Nintendo meant when they said us early adopters were going to get Opera for free. I'm going to be upset if "Early adopters get to browse the web on the Wii for free" quickly translates into "Early adopters will get the trial version for free, but still have to pay for the full version."
Also, on the last update when Nintendo updated to get rid of the Wii Store/web browser hack, did anyone's Wii update on it's own? Just wondering since mine didn't, and now I didn't even seem to get a notice that I could update for the forecast channel. I'm just hoping everything's A-OK with my Wiiconnect24 capabilities.
Easty @ Dec 19th 2006 10:03AM
Maybe it's a beta version of Opera for the Wii.
Ian @ Dec 19th 2006 10:04AM
More details from the press release:
"The final version of the Opera browser will be available at the end of March 2007, and will be free for all Wii owners to download through the end of June. After June 2007, the browser will be available for download in the Wii Shop Channel for 500 Wii Points."
Cmb @ Dec 19th 2006 10:05AM
I was happy to know my Blue light can glow!
I woke up this morning to the Glow!
You have to set it in wii settings to make the blue light glow. The weather channel thing is pretty neat.
TheKingInYellow @ Dec 19th 2006 10:07AM
The forecast channel is just fantastic. Easy to use, attractive, powerful. Great, great design.
Not something I was particularly looking forward to when I bought the Wii, but I can see myself using it frequently now.
ohyeah @ Dec 19th 2006 10:08AM
I played with the Forecast channel this morning, and it made me 40 minutes late for work...
I was playing with the globe and noticed that when you find a place that's raining, you get a raining sound. I wonder if it also plays a sound for snow. Good attention to detail though.
You know what would be nice though? Cloud cover on the globe.
Shadow @ Dec 19th 2006 10:08AM
I know you can set the Wii to glow. I have sent myself many an e-mail to get it to glow(I live a sad and lonely life with no friends. So I have resorted to sending myself e-mails...), and it works perfectly. It just seems that when it comes to things with Nintendo my Wii isn't so up to par, IE, I didn't get a message saying that the weather channel was up for download.
Thrawn @ Dec 19th 2006 10:13AM
Anyone able to get a 5 day forecast outside of their country? I can't get any outside of the United States.
jayntampa @ Dec 19th 2006 10:17AM
It's illegal to get 5 day forecasts outside your country. They're region-locked.
[note: this post is intended as humor. I do not actually believe the above comment]
White Rose Duelist @ Dec 19th 2006 10:17AM
Very neat, but I hope that it updates to put the day's forecast for your location in the window on the Wii Menu instead of the logo of the provider.
As for Opera - I can't imagine why I'd want to surf the web from my Wii as opposed to the other two computers in the house, but that won't stop me from downloading it anyway.
w()()ter @ Dec 19th 2006 11:41AM
Haha, yeah, I was kinda wondering about that when I woke up but I was late already. At first I kinda had an eerie feeling like I was thrown into the movie I,Robot and my Wii was going to sprout legs and attempt to keep me from leaving my home. And now that I think about it, as I was leaving I swear I heard something say "Stay in your home, a curfew is in effect..." Hmm... It was probably nothing. =)
Erwos @ Dec 19th 2006 10:31AM
What happened to "consoles should just be for gaming"?
I mean, seriously: you can use the 360 as a media streaming box, and that's called "unnecessary and unwanted" by Nintendo fanboys. Nintendo puts up a _weather channel_, and suddenly, Nintenbots are fawning over how great an addition it is. That's some real hypocrisy there.
juicebytim @ Dec 19th 2006 10:46AM
I haven't got a chance to play around with it this morning, but I never really understood the value of WiiConnect24 until I saw that blue light glowing this morning on my way out the door. It seriously brightined up my day that my Wii let me know I have something to look forward to the next time I turn on my Wii.
Very cool Nintendo.
Also to the above guy who doesn't understand what he would use the Wii Internet Browser for...for me, I am most looking forward to being able to watch youtube type videos with a group of friends on the couch, rather than hudling around a computer.
Shadow @ Dec 19th 2006 10:36AM
Did anyone else get a Rocket Man flashback while playing around with the globe?
*Starts singing* I've got the whole world...in my hands....
Erwos:I don't know, but there's just something eerily fun about spinning a globe around with the wiimote and finding out useless facts like the high for the South Pole is going to be 5 degrees. You don't know what you're missing until you've given it a spin, no pun intended. Oh, and has anyone tried grabbing the Earth and twisting the wiimote? Good times!
Gabriel @ Dec 19th 2006 10:36AM
From the press release:
"The final version of the Opera browser will be available at the end of March 2007, and will be free for all Wii owners to download through the end of June. After June 2007, the browser will be available for download in the Wii Shop Channel for 500 Wii Points."
unit @ Dec 19th 2006 10:46AM
@#15
why???!!!!.....was that comment really neccesary?
Spence @ Dec 19th 2006 10:45AM
If you want your Wii to be soley for gaming (like myself) then just put all the non gaming channels on the 4th page of your Wii menu- I have.
I turn on my Wii and all I see is games.
mocax @ Dec 19th 2006 10:41AM
The ninja is Opera's mascot? or the spider?
Sony has no nuts??
Austin Powers @ Dec 19th 2006 10:41AM
I had a long rant, but fuck it, it doesn't matter in the end. I am happy to see the forecast channel is available, and that the Opera free trial will be available on Friday. And if the quote from the above commenter is genuine (I'm not disputing it, I just don't have the time to personally verify it), then $5.00 for the full version is a great deal.
ohyeah @ Dec 19th 2006 10:46AM
Good question Erwos. I think the difference is a change in business model for Nintendo. The mantra of "consoles should be for gaming" was definitely the focus of the Gamecube.
The focus of the Wii is arguably more broad, trying to increase market share by targeting gamer and nongamer alike by making things accessible. If you look at it this way, a slick one-button weather (and soon to come, headline news) channel falls right in line with this philosophy.
Evan @ Dec 19th 2006 10:52AM
"As for Opera - I can't imagine why I'd want to surf the web from my Wii as opposed to the other two computers in the house, but that won't stop me from downloading it anyway."
One reason: to watch YouTube videos on your tv.
FSK405K @ Dec 19th 2006 10:59AM
Oh, weather channel. So THAT's why almost every game is getting beat up by reviewers. All the programmers were working on a weather program.
cmb @ Dec 19th 2006 11:11AM
Spence
How do you move the channels to the other screen?
Flit @ Dec 19th 2006 11:27AM
One reason to have the Opera Browser... Playable Flash games using the wiimote (there is a development site helping people make these games). All the sudden we have a free xbla. (can anyone verify this? I remember seeing the site, but it's been a while)
Shadow @ Dec 19th 2006 11:17AM
cmb:You move channels the same way you move Miis. All you have to do is hold down the B trigger and then press the channel you want moved with the A button. Drag the channel to where you want it and release A when you want to let it go. The only channel you can't move is the game channel.
j @ Dec 19th 2006 11:24AM
My wii looks like its breathing. I was afraid to turn it on but now I will.
stapleboy @ Dec 19th 2006 11:19AM
So, FSK405K, how's that PS3 working out for you? If you're grumpy, don't worry - maybe in a few months Sony can patent a Glowing Turquoise Sonylight to notify you when... I don't know... they've lost another exclusive?
But seriously, I really can't wait to find a Wii if Nintendo's done so well with something as the "eh... that's nice, I guess" Weather feature!
cmb @ Dec 19th 2006 11:27AM
Awesome now my channels are organized how I want them, thanks spence!
White Rose Duelist @ Dec 19th 2006 12:43PM
YouTube videos? I can't imagine 320x240 will look good on a lot of screens.
TeddyN @ Dec 19th 2006 11:44AM
And the bells are ringin' out for Christmas day!!!!!
Long Live Nintendo!
Long Live The Pogues!
TeddyN @ Dec 19th 2006 11:48AM
@ 13 Jayntampa
I love how it's necessary to make sarcasm explicit for fear of people taking you literally :)
mistian @ Dec 19th 2006 5:54PM
http://www.wiicade.com/Home.aspx
Skippy @ Dec 19th 2006 11:58AM
@Shadow:
So far at least, none of the updates have been automatic. They've required you to click the Update button (including this latest update). I have no idea if this will change in the future.
urabob @ Dec 19th 2006 12:03PM
The blue glow woke me up at 5 am. My entire room was lit in blue, I promptly got up and turned the surge protector off... I have to set Wii to dim. It's a little to bright for me. o.O
Edog Lost @ Dec 19th 2006 12:08PM
Man I love my wii, It's so nice to wake up in the morning and see that someone cares about me
Rod @ Dec 19th 2006 12:10PM
According to my forcast channel its 33 degrees and its snowing in Vegas!!
JG @ Dec 19th 2006 12:13PM
@31
Wiicade.com
Fwiibird.com
Fwiibird is more community based while wiicade is just games ATM
Rod @ Dec 19th 2006 12:13PM
Google Earth is so finished :D
Jay @ Dec 19th 2006 12:41PM
Nintendo has a game coming out that will utilize the weather channel. You will have to go to various parts of the world incliment weather and the like will add obstacles to the game and how your character prepares to face the elements................................ (and then i woke up from my dream).
Steve2 @ Dec 19th 2006 12:33PM
I updated. I still can't get forecasts. It says "WiiConnect24 isn't turned on". I know it's not turned on, it's not an option for me. Why can't I get the weather?
Let me press F12 on this laptop. There, Dashboard just gave me the 5 day weather forecast for my city. Let me boot up XBMC on my Xbox (original). It just gave me the 3 day weather forecast for my city. Both of these work even though the laptop and Xbox respectively are not turned on 24/7.
So why can't the Wii Weather channel? There's no reason it can't fetch the weather report when I boot up like XBMC does.
Weather channel is lame, news channel is missing, browser is still missing. You're botching this, Nintendo.
Rod @ Dec 19th 2006 12:37PM
Steve2 either you don't have a high speed connection or you don't have a Wii or you just don't have a brain, I'm guessing all 3.
Dylan @ Dec 19th 2006 12:44PM
#38:
Me too! I thought it was ...off somehow. Then I looked outside.
TheMindCemetery @ Dec 19th 2006 12:58PM
How about the possibility of Sunrise and Sunset information being accessible from the games? Sure an internal clock would work but would add another element of realism.
The system already asks for your location, I'm sure one can calculate the available daylight hours from that information alone.
Castlevania ? Daytime play could be somewhat "safe", after sundown run for your life hmmmmm....
Mario Kart? Sure we have snowy tracks, sunny tacks, how about a little blending based out the outdoor conditions? A light snow dusting on Luigi's course for example or maybe rain on star road.
Resident Evil? Finding help from non-zombies would be pretty easy during the day, after dark everyone wisely remains hidden and you're basically on your own - same concept could also work for your own survival as it would be easier to hide at midnight than at noon.
Perhaps there is more to this channel than simply relaying the weather .......
mister @ Dec 19th 2006 12:59PM
Hahaha, I don't have the wii turned on all the time, but still it shows the weather and gets info.. I don't understand what you mean Steve2 , maybe you have forgotten to turn on wii connect 24 in the main wii prefs?
SKyler Jermyn @ Dec 19th 2006 1:04PM
It's....it's beutiful!
Back to spinning the globe.
Ritz @ Dec 19th 2006 1:10PM
So then Friday I am going to be able to play flOw on my Wii? Sweet.
:P