
The latest Wii system update is just the gift that keeps on giving -- we're still finding new, unannounced features included in the downloadable update. Case in point, you can now plug a USB keyboard into those vestigial USB slots in the back of the system for easier text input in some situations.
The support is far from universal -- while you can use the keyboard to type out message board messages, you can't use it to enter a name for you Mii, suggest a poll question on the Everybody Votes Channel or, most importantly, fill in web addresses and forms on the Internet Channel. The Wii Shop Channel, oddly enough, does support the keyboard for typing in search terms, and it was the only channel to receive a significant overhaul in the latest system update. Could more expansive keyboard support be on the way? You'll know as soon as we do.
[Thanks James]













(Page 1) Reader Comments
Reply
Reply
While I'm dreaming, I'd like my own SSB:B character whose every button is a macro for "win".
Reply
Reply
If so I'll have to invest.
USB storage and direct loading of games and music would be nice as well.
I would prefer to pay a VERY small fee that would enable me to use any keyboard I wanted to. But who ever heard of being charged to use a keyboard.
But yeah, a Wiikeyboard would be nice.
Joystiqing on teh couch, FTW.
Reply
I use the Internet Channel mostly when friends are over and we're drinking and watching bullsh*t YouTube videos all night. Has anyone besides me tried to accurately type a web address with the wii remote from couch distance while intoxicated!? Not an easy task, my friends.
So a WiiBoard© would be perfect for that.
Notice I totally just copyrighted that sh*t. Reggie, you have my number.
And USB mast storage is far more important.
On keyboard support, I heard a rumor a little while ago that some company was in talks with nintendo to add keyboard support for a future Wii MMO.
Reply
What if I want to have some 4 player Wii balance board and wiimote action going on?
Reply
It'd just be... Wireless Analog Stick? I dunno of a good name for it...
Anyways, if they were to add keyboard support without using the USB ports, they could always make one that plugs into the Wii Remote.
But nobody (Nintendo or others) seem to realize that Wii supports BlueTooth, they keep making these USB or GC port peripherals
But i need a ps/2 to USB adapter (the reverse of what most PC's use) so i can get new use out of my old GC Keyboard (which REALLY helped the PSO experience)
Reply
That's why Nintendo sneaked the NES as an entertainment system and with R.O.B. the robot toy. And created such draconian measures like restricting 5 games a year could be produced, you had to up-front buy all the cartridges from Nintendo, can't port to another system for 2 years, and it had to pass the Nintendo Seal of Quality. It restored the authority of video games in the eyes of the consumer and the games industry was saved from the 80's crash. It can be argued if they need to be so strict in this age.
Still.. as an english speaker living in japan its FRICKIN ANNOYING that i can't just buy a japanese Wii and then buy games in english off the web.
Instead i'm forced to try and buy a US wii off ebay and get it shipped to japan. Or look into Wii modchips to let me play english games on a japanese console.
My DS, on the other hand, is awesome. I can use english games for story/text heavy games, and pick up japanese games when the dialogue isn't important. Now why can't nintendo do that with the Wii?????
Reply
Still a little annoyed over the Freeloader thing, but that's not exactly pertinent to this topic.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
How come you can't turn on your Wii to play a GameCube game and navigate to start the GameCube game using just the GameCube controller?
Why can't I exit a GameCube game without having to turn off the Wii console?
Why are my VC games stretched on my widescreen? (FYI: 360 Live Arcade games automatically put bars on the sides when in widescreen mode)
Where's the promised USB storage support?
Why can't I download game demos on my Wii?
Why do I have to use my phone to chat with my friends when playing an online game? (too busy working on that Wii Fit scale instead of a headset?)
Hell, why can't I even see when my friends are on their console and chat with them even?
Why did a game like Strikers already bring Nintendo's online servers to their knees when it was first released in both countries? What does this mean for blockbuster titles like Brawl?
Thanks for the clock Nintendo...can't wait for the next update in another 6 months.
Reply
"How come you can't turn on your Wii to play a GameCube game and navigate to start the GameCube game using just the GameCube controller?"
Because it's a Wii, not a Gamecube. If the 360 and PS3 weren't using nearly-identical controllers to their predecessors they'd have the same 'problem'.
"Why can't I exit a GameCube game without having to turn off the Wii console?"
Because when you play a GC game, the Wii pretends to be a Gamecube, and Gamecube's didn't have a HOME menu.
"Why are my VC games stretched on my widescreen?"
Big problem number 1. Can't believe they haven't fixed this yet.
"Where's the promised USB storage support?"
Big problem number 2. Ditto.
"Why can't I download game demos on my Wii?"
Where would you store them? See above.
"Why do I have to use my phone to chat with my friends when playing an online game? (too busy working on that Wii Fit scale instead of a headset?)"
How would you propose connecting the headset? Between the remote and nunchuk, creating a tether to your hands that are moving around, or via Bluetooth, preventing four players from playing locally? There's problems here and making a headset is going to be trouble.
"Hell, why can't I even see when my friends are on their console and chat with them even?"
This isn't LIVE, Nintendo doesn't have those features in place. Cool things but not on Nintendo's priority list when they can't seem to get lag-free gaming working. Guess that's what you get for free online play.
"Why did a game like Strikers already bring Nintendo's online servers to their knees when it was first released in both countries? What does this mean for blockbuster titles like Brawl?"
Underestimated loads. Strikers debuted with nearly as many online connections as the top DS games see, and there's a lot more data transmission. I wish they'd fix this... Brawl needs a ton of dedicated servers to meet the demand it's going to see.
Reply
Reply
Since my Wii is closer than my computer.
Laziness ftw!
Reply
Reply