Nintendo considering Wii keyboard peripheral

by Christopher Grant { Apr 24th 2007 at 12:39PM }

Look out Microsoft, your text input device isn't the only console keyboard peripheral in the planning stages. Our friends at Wii Fanboy got a pic from page 18 of Game Informer's May 2007 issue (that's the one with the GTA IV exclusive) that mentions, "Nintendo's development team says that it is considering adding a keyboard peripheral to the system in order to make online surfing easier." We agree, browsing the web on the Wii can be a chore, but we're not really looking forward to a clumsy keyboard hanging around our svelte Wii. All right, all right, they haven't "officially announced anything at this time," so we'll wait to see what the boys in Kyoto cook up. How about some DS touchscreen keyboard action?

Tags: keyboard, Wiiboard

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Almack64 @ Apr 24th 2007 12:46PM

"but we're not really looking forward to a clumsy keyboard hanging around our svelte Wii."

Maybe I'm missing your opinion or maybe that was sarcasm but where are you coming from? A keyboard is a great idea. I can't think of any logical reason why it wouldn't be.

Almack64 @ Apr 24th 2007 12:48PM

Or Chris are you just saying you want a stylish keyboard...? I mean that would make sense... Am I the only one missing somthing here?

C. Grant @ Apr 24th 2007 12:50PM

Almack64: keyboards are big, clumsy, and (more often than not) wired! I don't know about you, but I'm loving the wireless controllers -- the last thing I want sticking out of my entertainment console is a giant keyboard. At that point, I'll just use a computer. MS's solution, while a bit chunky, is relatively elegant and self contained. Let's hope that Nintendo goes a similar route and arrives at an elegant and creative solution instead of a USB keyboard.

Charles @ Apr 24th 2007 12:53PM

to Almack64-

I think what they mean is that a keyboard connecting to, say, the USB port in the back of the Wii would be the "clumsy keyboard".

My guess is Nintendo would opt for a keyboard with their proprietary Wii Remote connection, which would make sense.

[Personally, I love the Wii, but I'll stick to the PC for keyboard intensive purposes, such as this post]

Jack of No Trades @ Apr 24th 2007 12:54PM

Almack

Chris G. never applies sarcasm to anything. He is to the point and will let you know if he doesn't like you. He is a god among us. His post show intelligence and no mercy. Bow down to Chris! Almack! Bow down to Chris!

machrc @ Apr 24th 2007 12:55PM

as much as I love to squint and browse on the opera in vivid 480p. I would definately not use it unless ofcourse I was teaching my youngest brother how to type with my New Mavis typing styled house of the dead. Or send my wii friends( i have 0) letters so that they go w0w it turns blue!!!

Intentless @ Apr 24th 2007 1:04PM

machrc... why do you need to squint? Do you need glasses or something? I have no problem... I have a smaller end HD and it looks fine I can read it from across the room....

Almack64 @ Apr 24th 2007 1:07PM

... yeah I knew I was missing the obvious. Its for that same reason (and lack of a wavebird controler) that I rarely play my old GC games. The whole wires coming out of the wii thing is a mess.

Todd @ Apr 24th 2007 1:18PM

@Almack64

Go buy a Wavebird controller then. They're still around, being sold.

I guess it's rather moot to worry about utilizing a keyboard until Nintendo turns on this feature. Otherwise I'd say go out and buy a wireless USB keyboard and plug that into the back of the Wii.

JodyAnthony @ Apr 24th 2007 1:40PM

machrc obviously has not noticed that the +/- buttons zoom in and out on webpages. Of course, he probably didn't notice this because he doesn't really own a Wii, he is just trying to troll. Nice try though, machrc.

Prof_Chaos @ Apr 24th 2007 1:55PM

I'm guessing something that looks like the classic controller (shape and size) with a small qwerty keyboard (like the Xbox 360 one).

CNash @ Apr 24th 2007 2:11PM

Considering an official keyboard, eh? Why not just provide drivers for regular USB keyboards in the meantime? Nintendo's being lazy again...

Doug Kaplan @ Apr 24th 2007 2:33PM

CNash:

You probably shouldn't call Nintendo lazy until they actually announce this (if they do) because right now you are slamming Nintendo on something that is 100% rumor. If it comes true, feel free to rip them for being lazy but right now it's all speculation.

And as for the keyboard size, if they made it this size and weight:

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/410qh3OMwFL._SS500_.jpg

I own this keyboard and it's so small and lite and fits easily into my coffee table drawer.

samfish @ Apr 24th 2007 2:36PM

Why does it have to be a big keyboard that hooks into the back of the Wii? A little palm sized keyboard that plugs into the Wiimote would make a lot more sense.

...of course, this IS Nintendo. They make great games and consoles, but sometimes Nintendo as a whole is just dumb as Hell..

T-Man @ Apr 24th 2007 2:39PM

how bout they just let us use regular usb keyboards? or better yet write up a driver to recognize the signal from a bluetooth keyboard.

JodyAnthony @ Apr 24th 2007 2:40PM

yeah, nintendo would be so lazy if they did this! I mean, spending time and money on r&d for the keyboard, spending time and money manufacturing the keyboard, spending time and money marketing the keyboard..so so lazy!

Jack of No Trades @ Apr 24th 2007 2:49PM

JodyAnthony

Your right! They should just do a R&D copout on a keyboard like they did with the Wii's CPU, GPU & games. Genius!

JodyAnthony @ Apr 24th 2007 3:03PM

@jack - I just hope the keyboard isn't region-locked. I dont want to have to get a modchip for my keyboard for when I visit japanese or european websites.

Jasen @ Apr 24th 2007 3:05PM

USB? USB!? Are you insane?!! The Wii has this nifty technology call "Bluetooth". This "Bluetooth" is an industry standard wireless protocol that the Wii uses to talk to its controllers; and many companies make Bluetooth keyboards, including a rather nice white one from Apple (http://www.apple.com/keyboard/).

USB? Pfft.

JodyAnthony @ Apr 24th 2007 3:09PM

lol at the $60 for the apple keyboard.

NintendoFanbot @ Apr 24th 2007 3:13PM

You guys are right. Nintendo slacks off a lot when it comes to PC components.

But LOL if I care.

I wouldn't mind a small keypad like what they have on a Sidekick. They are surprisingly comfortable and accessible. But then what would I be using this for anyways? Web-browsing what?

Doug Kaplan @ Apr 24th 2007 3:17PM

Doug Kaplan @ Apr 24th 2007 3:18PM

...heart JodyAnthony :-)

(sorry, previous post got messed up, this one continues where that one left off)

Jack of No Trades @ Apr 24th 2007 3:18PM

NintendoFanbot

Everytime Nintendo gives you somthing half-ass you say, "I wouldn't use that", "Web-browsing what" or "Graphics aren't everything". lol I guess its a good way to keep you happy.

TheMuffinMan @ Apr 24th 2007 4:35PM

Logitech has already announced that they will be supporting Nintendo with peripherals that will be released later this year

paradox @ Apr 24th 2007 5:15PM

he he, a wiiboard.

It would be a pretty good idea, I could think of some pretty good uses for it.

NintendoFanbot @ Apr 24th 2007 5:22PM

Jack of no Trades:

"Everytime Nintendo gives you somthing half-ass you say, "I wouldn't use that", "Web-browsing what" or "Graphics aren't everything". lol I guess its a good way to keep you happy."

Actually the sole reason I support Nintendo and the Wii is because of Nintendo's legendary ability to support itself with games. All those "half-assed" things are extras I don't care to pay for and up to this point haven't had to. :)

So I don't think it would be surprising if I were to say that the only really good thing the Wii Browser is for (in my opinion) is for playing simple flash games or watching Youtube/flash video.

I don't care about the graphics argument (even despite the irony that N64 and GC were more powerful than certain competition ~_^), because for all I know, people who complain have the same amount of experience the guys from those commercials that say they are done with Level 3 and need to tighten up the graphics a little bit.

So what, I'm on Level 50+ Hours in Twilight Princess and still haven't gotten everything. :D

I'll tell you guys what: if you're not so impressed with "half-assed products" I suggest never owning a console, EVER, because since their conception consoles were boxes that played "half-assed" arcade ports. All the way to the Saturn/N64/PSone generation. Then when games made specifically for consoles like GoldenEye64 were coming out, it switched over to "half-assed" PC ports (though PS2/XB/GC was when it really took off).

Alex @ Apr 24th 2007 5:25PM

How many items are Wii owners going to end up owning for this thing during its lifetime?

1 wiimote (or 4 if you play multiplayer), 1 nunchuck to attach to the wiimote (or 4), one GC controller for GC games (or 4 again), a classic controller (or 2) and now a keyboard, for what? Most people who have wifi in their house already own a computer and Nintendo never supported the idea of transforming videogame consoles into multimedia systems.

And if they go along with the plan, they'll probably make the keyboard mandatary for games like Animal Crossing and the next 5 mario games after.

NintendoFanbot @ Apr 24th 2007 5:31PM

"And if they go along with the plan, they'll probably make the keyboard mandatary for games like Animal Crossing and the next 5 mario games after."

They'll probably enable voice chat before that ever happens. (they have already in some cases) And they also have a patent for a Voice-to-text speech interface.

Rubang B @ Apr 24th 2007 7:31PM

I like video games. Nintendo makes good video games and with and without new control schemes so I like Nintendo. Is that weird? Whether the keyboard uses USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or just attaches to the back of the Wii remote will not affect my decision to not buy it. I don't need it. The amount of typing I do on my Wii is so minimal that I can just point and click. It's still pretty fast. I'm not going to write essays on it. That's what Joystiq is for. Erego, I will not purchase said hypothetical keyboard peripherals, for I shall be too busy enjoying the fun games they make for my pleasure, QED.

Jackson Pritt @ Apr 25th 2007 1:29PM

I'd be more than happy to buy a keyboard for my Wii.
It'd make web browsing (and e-mail) a lot easier, and it would also make sending messages to other Wii users a lot less tiresome.

A+++ DO WANT

CNash @ Apr 25th 2007 8:19PM

Ok, seems like people are taking my "lazy" comment out of context: no, designing a new peripheral isn't lazy, and I didn't say that at all. But the fact is that Nintendo could very easily update the Wii with a driver so that it can use ordinary USB or Bluetooth keyboard. The fact that they're refusing to do that, even after large userbase demand for an easier way to type in the Internet Channel, speaks volumes about how seriously Nintendo takes the wishes of its customers. And so, I call them lazy. The amount of effort needed to implement keyboard support would be tiny.

Wiifi @ Jun 1st 2007 4:57PM

the wii already has a usb port cant you already use a keyboard?

Omnimon177 @ Jun 26th 2007 1:46AM

USB KEYBOARDS DON'T WORK! And the reason Nintendo is being "lazy" is so that if you want a keyboard then you'll buy it from Nintendo and not from some other company. They could easily include keyboard drivers in the update but there's no money made that way.