Wii News Channel is live
by Ross Miller 
{ Jan 26th 2007 at 10:40AM }
The service uses a globe for news searching much like the forecast channel, which could be seen as an educational tool for those with geographical deficiencies. According to Gamasutra, the service will be offered in English, French, Spanish, Dutch, German and Swiss-German by the Associated Press, while Japanese-language news will be provided by Japanese news company Goo.
There are some bugs with the globe-trotting format, as reader Ralph Kruse discovered. Give the new channel a whirl, let us know what you think and of any other bugs / easter eggs you find.
[Thanks to the plethora of tipsters who sent this in!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
JodyAnthony @ Jan 26th 2007 10:44AM
i love it so far, the music is even better than the weather channel music.
Jason @ Jan 26th 2007 10:46AM
I found that my remote powered down a lot more than normal. Not a huge deal, but a little annoying at times.
Chairman @ Jan 26th 2007 10:49AM
Aww, I'm not first! I put some pics up here:
http://maosaywhat.com/blog/2007/01/26/news-channel-arrives-on-the-wii/
aosth @ Jan 26th 2007 10:49AM
They should have more articles though.
fawazr @ Jan 26th 2007 10:57AM
Sadly, this will probably become my main source of non-gaming news since I don't read the papers and I don't watch television. So it has some limited appeal to people like me.
kelekod @ Jan 26th 2007 10:57AM
There goes my system update channel..
It's awefully big, unless a ton of people are downloading it right now..... it's taken like 5 minutes and its about half done.
Deven @ Jan 26th 2007 10:57AM
The way the text rearranges itself when you zoom in or out is pretty nifty looking. Also the most zoomed out view looks very viewable on my 50" TV. Overall the text is pretty easy to read. Yet, like the weather channel, I don't know if I would actually use it regularly.
Ralph @ Jan 26th 2007 10:58AM
You can also highlight the context of articles with the 1 button on the wiimote. I'm not sure what the real use is there besides highlighting :/
Shiro @ Jan 26th 2007 11:05AM
Gosh, I just HAD to wake up late today, missing out on any Wii time this morning. Now I have to wait until school's out. Blargh. I disappoint myself.
kelekod @ Jan 26th 2007 11:05AM
PS.. you can click on the cat and it goes Meow! Then the loading thing turns into Cats and you can click on those and they make different pitches.. its fun to play while it loads... unless that's just my boredom. You can hold down the A button and it makes different pitched sounds.. just thought to let people know
Rob @ Jan 26th 2007 11:05AM
I like it, esp the "Globe" feature. I can't wait for more chanels to come
DS DEMO CHANNEL FTW!!
Intentless @ Jan 26th 2007 11:07AM
YAY!! Can't wait to get out of work and check this puppy out...
Fred T @ Jan 26th 2007 11:08AM
Here's a thought. Use the Internet Channel (to the left of the news channel) and go to a news source of your choice; now set it as your start-up page. Ta-da!
Wii seems to be built on novelties.. first the wiimote, then the weather channel, and now the 'news' channel. But, the fanbois are always like .. WOWEE .. the weather.. on my tv.. now, the news.. brilliant..
Novelty of nes channel wearing off in 3..2..1 ..
Almack64 @ Jan 26th 2007 11:09AM
Yeah I clicked on the cat and it told me to click on its "sister" in photo channel. In general I like the news channel. The globe is a nice feature. IT makes looking at world news fun because you can actuallly go to that part of the world and click on their news. I also agree about the cool music.
RYAN @ Jan 26th 2007 11:12AM
YAY!! CAN'T WAIT TO GET HOME NOW!!
I think *cough* I'm getting a little *hack* sick *wheeze* AMIRITE? :D
Duscrom @ Jan 29th 2007 4:29AM
Yay, the final feature nintendo promised us at launch. After 3 months the launch system is completed!
Vince @ Jan 26th 2007 11:13AM
Fred T, get the fuck out of this comment section, I'm tired of seeing your bullshit posts. You ONLY post when something has to do with the Wii is posted, and its ALWAYS negative... just fuck off, man. We get it, you don't like the Wii. You don't need to keep repeating it.
SynikaL @ Jan 26th 2007 11:21AM
"which could be seen as an educational tool for those with geographical deficiencies."
Most compelling reason I've heard to get a Wii so far.
Seriously, my geography is terrible, I'm almost too ashamed to admit it.
Geography should be a required course in every high school and college. I fail to understand how people are graduating from universities and can't point out Iraq on a map this day and age (this was me not long ago).
-SynikaL
Almack64 @ Jan 26th 2007 11:14AM
Wow I'm usually "slow to be angered" but Fred T is really getting annoying. And I know making this comment is probably giving him the attention he wants and actually is encouraging him to write more mess but still.
Freddie I think you need a hug, please go watch Barney or Mr Roger's and stop writting such foolishness or just start your own blog where you can write as much crap as you want and have other people comment on you.
BTW I'm sorry if your parents didn't love you enough but there are other much more productive ways to get attention. Try feeding the homeless or something.
Evorgleb @ Jan 26th 2007 11:29AM
i cant wait to hear what else is up thier sleeve. im hearing miyamoto is working on a "health channel". wonder what that will be
RYAN @ Jan 26th 2007 11:15AM
well I
Darkness @ Jan 26th 2007 11:20AM
I like the channel so far. It's easy to use and I like how the news is arranged. Being able to get news from around the world is good, especially if you travel a lot. I wonder how often the AP updates the channel, but from what I saw, there were news updates up to 15 minutes ago. So that gives me faith that the AP will keep everything up to date.
Also, the interface is nice. Nintendo deserves credit for that. I think I'll actually end up using this as I have a hard time getting news from Japan in english most of the time.
Vince @ Jan 26th 2007 11:20AM
God, Fred and moreso Truth remind me of Rory the Sony Boy (anyone remember his blog?)Good thing I put that fool in his place.
Just 2 more to go...
POOLSCLOSED @ Jan 26th 2007 11:26AM
Eh, they even talk about the PS3 being released in March under the "Technology" category of news.
Rob @ Jan 26th 2007 11:30AM
The Wii makes Fred T insecure and that makes me warm inside.
LOL
Fred T....
Genius @ Jan 26th 2007 11:32AM
If I want news Ill get on the internet. Its a gimmick whether you admit it or not, its just another way for Nintendo to add a "hey we also have this!" to thier list of rather useless channels on the Wii. Despite this, children may get a hoot out of it, since they typically arent interested in world events it will be useful for them.
I also find it ironic how the fanboys here get in a hissyfit when anybody has a problem with a useless tool on the Wii. Yet they race over to the inevitable "bash Sony thread" of the day and spit insults and doomsday predictions about Sony througout 100+ comments. Yes, some of you guys crack me up.
Charles @ Jan 26th 2007 11:40AM
Back in college I used to get all my news from Jon Stewart. Soo.... maybe this is a good thing?
Rob @ Jan 26th 2007 11:41AM
Hey Genius, what happens if someone who doesn't read the paper or watch Fox News has their computer stolen or it becomes unusable due to a virus or is being used by aother family member and they want to see what's the latest in the news?
Maybe you are too young (or stupid) to see the importance of being able to read the news, or the importance of news period
Obviously the news channel isn't for you, but to say it's completely useless only proves how narrowminded and self-centered you really are.
Those are some really shamefull faults to have as a self respecting (which I assume you are) individual.
Alex @ Jan 26th 2007 11:50AM
Goddammit Freddy, you've gone and upset all the shut-in nerds again.
Almack64 @ Jan 26th 2007 11:44AM
I agree it is a gimmick however I do think it accomplishes Nintendo's purposes to get anybody and everybody to get and use the wii. I personly like being able to "scan the globe for news". Its in my opinion a lot more interesting than other means. If the forcast channel wasn't broken I probably would like that too. I really don't mind dedicated channels if they are implemented right.
LongshotX @ Jan 26th 2007 12:44PM
Text in SD is just plain terrible. Believe me I tried with the Dreamcast Web Browser, it was nice little novelty but it quickly wore off once I realized how really inconveniet it was. It was easier to just go to my PC, type and click. But its still kind of cool.I don't know how this makes it any easier than just changing to the weather channel, but to each his own.
Finn @ Jan 26th 2007 11:49AM
"If I want news Ill get on the internet. Its a gimmick whether you admit it or not, its just another way for Nintendo to add a "hey we also have this!" to thier list of rather useless channels on the Wii. Despite this, children may get a hoot out of it, since they typically arent interested in world events it will be useful for them."
and honestly, how useful is 1080p, how many people have it and yet Sony and Microsoft go off about it like it's something special. All 3 companys try to add as many "gimmicks" as they can to get people to buy their shit... what so achievments improve gameplay, blue ray is needed to make a game any good. Come on how this is just something kinda cool that nintendo through in, and if some people use it all the time THEN GOOD FOR THEM... and if you don't, it doesn't take away from your gaming at all
kennethrios @ Jan 26th 2007 11:51AM
People are bizarre. If you do not like the News Channel than do not use it or if you have a disturbing antagonism against the Wii than please feel free to keep your resentment to yourself. There used to be a time where people actually felt reluctant to voice opinions that revealed their personal weakness because they thought it would cast them in a negative light with other gentleman. Something to consider, my friends…
As for the News Channel, it is nice to have. It was entirely free and took hardly anytime to download. It is not a major selling point for the system but it is, I think, it is still worth the time and the capital (free) to use it. Also, the AP releases interesting, completely un-newsworthy stories sometimes that are a blast to read. What is that AP, a cat has befriended ten mice and they are drinking from her? Sweet.
playclever @ Jan 26th 2007 11:51AM
The news channel is nice.
Where it really comes into its own is the "slideshow" mode - it flicks between news stories, zipping around the globe automatically and giving you a brief summary. Press any button, and you get the full report.
I can imagine coming in, turning on my Wii, and flicking the news channel on to "slideshow" so that it loops around in the background while I kick off my shoes / open the mail / that kind of thing.
The PROBLEM with the channel is with content. There is not enough, and it is not sufficiently well-tuned for the world map:
1) There are only TWO technology stories right now
2) Almost every news story in the UK appears under "London", even a story specifically about Wales, which is another country entirely...
3) None of the stories about Afghanistan seem to know where it is on the map - that would be nice, surely?
I would really, really love to see the BBC get the rights to this next.
Wolfrider @ Jan 26th 2007 11:53AM
I really like this feature. The AP is a great news source, especially when in comparison to Fox or CNN. I'll probably use it alot, I'm a news junkie and this is so much better than powering on my laptop every morning.
And news on TV doesn't exist anymore. Now all we need is the ability to save articles, a commenting feature, and an in game alert feature. How sweet would that be?
Okay, I'm getting greedy. I'm surprised but the Wii is very quickly becoming the media center in my house. News, Weather, Web Browsing (which makes watching online videos so much more fun). All I need now is a reliable streaming content service and my laptop will never be touched again.
Martez @ Jan 26th 2007 12:05PM
kennethrios, I envision using the News Channel in the exact same way. I like the idea of having my TV going through a slideshow of current worldwide news. Then, once I'm all settled in, grab the remote and play a game. It'd be great if they eventually let you customize the type of news you can get.
Oh, and to the people that make long posts 'proving' how FredT and Truth are idiots as if any of it will get through to them, you're almost as bad and just as off-topic. I wish the comments on Wii stories had actual discussion about the news story, and less people telling FredT how stupid he is. You're clogging up the comments worse than they are.
RYAN @ Jan 26th 2007 12:06PM
@ ROB...
how about posting the same comment 3 times. Is that shameful?
Martez @ Jan 26th 2007 12:07PM
My bad. I meant playclever not kennethrios. Although I do agree with kennethrios' assessment of AP news.
WarioMan @ Jan 26th 2007 12:16PM
Anybody else find it ironic that the "Hold Your Wee for a Wii" contest isfirst in the slideshow?
Virtua Fanboy @ Jan 26th 2007 12:16PM
Hey dumbass, if someone get's their computer stolen, they don't need to sit w/their thumb up their ass playing a Wii.
Second, if someone doesn't watch Fox News, or doesn't read a newspaper, they don't give a shit about the news anyway mustless the "News Channel" on a fucking video game console.
It is a gimmick,
END OF STORY, DONE.
BUT, if Wii owners like it and think it's the hottest thing since sliced bread then you know what? It is!
Good day to be a Wii owner.
Genius @ Jan 26th 2007 12:18PM
Hey Rob you are an idiot, plain and simple. Not only did you post the same reply THREE times, but you made no sense in the process.
Your reply definitely won the award for the special post olympics. If somebodys computer gets stolen? If they dont watch the news? If they dont read the paper? Dear God, what did these poor people do before the oh so holy Wii came out? You are a complete dumbass, please dont post anymore, I feel sorry for the fanboys you are trying to represent.
ALH @ Jan 26th 2007 12:22PM
Pretty nifty, its not going to replace the BBC news homepage as my news destination of choice by any means, but its pretty cool to see the exact location of the news, especially if its about an area your geography isnt too hot on.
NintendoFanbot @ Jan 26th 2007 12:55PM
"I also find it ironic how the fanboys here get in a hissyfit when anybody has a problem with a useless tool on the Wii. Yet they race over to the inevitable "bash Sony thread" of the day and spit insults and doomsday predictions about Sony througout 100+..."
Maybe because Wii players don't have to pay $600 to use it.
Maybe Nintendo has better things to do with their time. Like making games.
Just saying.
Dorky @ Jan 26th 2007 1:24PM
Fred T is part of the SDF.
Any positive Wii or 360 news, he'll jump right on it and start trolling. To be so emotionally attached to a conglomerate that's shown itself to be pretty awful to consumers indicates mental problems.
Z-247 @ Jan 26th 2007 1:00PM
I think the slideshow feature is great. And watching the stories stack up by region on the globe is neat too, especially as it's something my web browser isn't doing when I read the news elsewhere.
And it's updated more frequently than the weather channel, making it actually useful.
Overall, thumbs-up.
Miles @ Jan 26th 2007 1:11PM
I agree with LongShot. It was kinda cool to do on my dreamcast for the first 20 minutes, then I just turned on my desktop. And whoever wrote all that crap about getting your PC stolen , and not reading the newspapers is just grasping at straws to make this seem like a big deal. There is always a radio and your television to give you the news. I'm pretty sure the FCC makes them have a news division by law. Remember that its just a gimmick and nothing more.Play Zelda and wait six months for the next game worth owning.
JP @ Jan 26th 2007 1:19PM
All the console companies are guilty of using gimmicks to sell their products. If you don't like or care for the news channel (or whatever channel), than don't bother using it. Simple as that. Don't go and try to convince other people otherwise because some of you have a hatred or grudge against Nintendo.
LongshotX @ Jan 26th 2007 1:48PM
You know I believe Nintendo is a great game company. They have released a countless number of classics and must have games. Their consoles have also proven their ability to stand the test of time. I remember looking back at my collection of games and seeing that golden Nintendo Seal of Quality. Everything from Nintendo was quality made, but when I see things like this, shoddy attempts to do more than gaming, I ask myself what is Nintendo really trying to do?
The Nintendo Wii Channels are pretty cool, don't get me wrong, but I question why it is only now that they are starting to get these channels out. Shouldn't the Wii have had all those blank channels full by launch? Were they just rushing to get to the market? Some of the channels are completely unnecessary. Take for instance this Weather Channel, Photo Channel, Internet and Wii News Channel.
Weather and News is constantly updated over the internet and television. Unless you're looking for slight degree changes on a minute by minute basis. Uploading pictures to the Photo Channel effectively lowers the quality of higher resolution pictures an d downgrades them to 480i quality, and browsing the web isn't nearly as intuitive and as simple a K/M combination. It's also in SD, which has been shown time and time again to hurt the internet browsing experience (I'm eying you Internet TV, DC Web Browser, etc) because text, video, and pictures are displayed in a less than optimal resolution.
All in all I think the Wii is a decent system. But if Nintendo was so hell bent on "gameplay over graphics, the games, its the game" mentality than why are the Wii Channels even necessary? All aspects of it seem crippled with little room to be improved. But I guess, to each his own. I do remember when I was about 14 or 15, give or take, thinking how cool the DC browser was. It was so cool to browse the internet on my TV, in my room, but eventually that novelty wore off when I found how crippled it really was. And that's my point: things like this don't promote or add anything to the Games. So is the Wii really a system focused on games?
The Xbox Live ecosystem seems more focused on gaming than the Wiis'. The combination of Xbox Live Arcade & Marketplace along with the ability to watch trailers, get the latest updates on new releases, communicate with players all over the country and even download and play demo's was compelling enough for me to justify a purchase. I won't get into the Media features of the 360 and how they integrate into the ecosystem. We all know you can listen to your own music from the system while playing your games etc.
Anyways, before you Nintendo Fans criticize me and tear me apart just take what I say with a grain of salt. I have to hear it all the time; being a 360 owner and someone who champions that particular system. In any case, I'm still wondering if Nintendo thinks that its just about games, why does it have crippled features as such that provide nothing and add little to the games. Which by the way I would like to know or ask: Where are they? First party games aside, where are the games that really show what this system is capable of. Show me the games!
Zell @ Jan 26th 2007 1:52PM
Very cool. Played around with it for a good 20 minutes. I definitely see myself using it quite a bit, like the Forecast Channel. I find myself using that and the Internet Channel more than I expected. The Internet Channel streams faster than my computer most of the time.
I only wish there was integration with the Internet Channel since some of the news articles have links.
Oh, and to the troll who said to just go to the Internet Channel and set a 'start up page', as far as I know the Internet Channel doesn't let you create a start up page. I could be totally wrong.
Eugene Turner @ Jan 26th 2007 11:04PM
At the "Where are the games" comment, I'd like to kindly remind you that the games on every system are relatively poor at launch, with only one or two games that are *really* worth buying. The Xbox Launch wasnt much better (http://www.joystiq.com/2005/10/06/launch-titles-for-the-xbox-360-get-official/) - with oblivion being the only stand out game (and it had already been released on PC).
I say it for the PS3 and I'm saying it for the Wii too, give them 6 months or so and then we'll start seeing the good games coming through.