Wii update quietly adds limited USB keyboard support

by Kyle Orland { Aug 8th 2007 at 10:42AM }

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]

Tags: keyboard, USB, wii

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Jerk Face @ Aug 8th 2007 10:44AM

If Nintendo released a slick, white, Wii-like keyboard that worked well on all the channels (ESPECIALLY the internet channel) I would buy it for sure.

Yishai08 @ Aug 8th 2007 9:31PM

Uhhh, get an Imac keyboard lol.

Jerk Face @ Aug 8th 2007 10:45AM

Oh, and it would have to be wireless. Didn't mention that. I'm not running a freaking USB cord from my slick, minimalist, wireless WII to my couch. Eff that.

Randy @ Aug 8th 2007 10:57AM

If it was wireless, they would just run it through Bluetooth like the controllers. That would be awesome. What it really needs is to work on the internet channel.

Shiro @ Aug 8th 2007 8:42PM

Yeah, and it would have extra USB slots so we could plug in our portable storage devices and use those wirelessly as well.

While I'm dreaming, I'd like my own SSB:B character whose every button is a macro for "win".

vidGuy @ Aug 8th 2007 10:49AM

Wonder when they'll make it universal and announce it as a real update? USB storage is SO much more important anyway.

Jaixn @ Aug 8th 2007 10:50AM

my old USB Mac keyboard works with it, its so funny.

Kye @ Aug 8th 2007 10:53AM

works fully?

If so I'll have to invest.

USB storage and direct loading of games and music would be nice as well.

Kye @ Aug 8th 2007 10:52AM

In reply to Jerk Face

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.

Jerk Face @ Aug 8th 2007 11:17AM

CouchStiqing indeed!

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.

Crono @ Aug 8th 2007 10:53AM

They need to add native support for bluetooth keyboards, since its got built in bluetooth anyway.

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.

vidGuy @ Aug 8th 2007 10:55AM

A know it's a typo, but I'm cracking up at 'mast storage'. Now only if you were one of the people with a pirate Mario avatar...

Captain Jody Anthony XVIII @ Aug 8th 2007 10:57AM

lol @ vidguy

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 8th 2007 11:06AM

I'm not a pirate. I'm a ninja. I'm just spreading the word pirates wore eye patches for night vision. Dirty little... night vision is our thing!

Almack64 @ Aug 8th 2007 1:49PM

I think the interesting thing about all of this is that there was no official annoucement made yet. That makes me think that there will be a major annoucement concerning the support just around the corner. Who knows what this really the beginning of.

Kye @ Aug 8th 2007 10:56AM

What's really on my mind is how many bluetooth devices can the Wii really support. 'Cuz this no-voice thing on online games really does suck.

What if I want to have some 4 player Wii balance board and wiimote action going on?

BPM @ Aug 8th 2007 11:14AM

Probably just like any Bluetooth connection: seven at the same time (for a total of 8 devices connected at once, including the Wii itself).

Grog @ Aug 8th 2007 11:23AM

7 at a time? I guess that explains why the Nunchuks aren't wireless...

BPM @ Aug 8th 2007 2:24PM

That, and it wouldn't be a "Nunchuk" if it wasn't tethered to the Wii Remote. :P
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.

Mr Khan @ Aug 8th 2007 3:27PM

7 is the number, as far as i know

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)

Paul P. @ Aug 8th 2007 10:57AM

Oh, by the way, this update also disables the Gamecube freeloader, if you care about that.

Crono @ Aug 8th 2007 11:02AM

There's a Wii Action Replay in the works, so I'm not too worried about it.

Zertoss @ Aug 8th 2007 11:06AM

That sucks. I wonder why Nintendo hates region-free gaming on their consoles so much when they're fine with it on their handhelds.

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 8th 2007 11:16AM

Piracy and unlicensed rubbish created such a glut before the 80's crash that you literally had $2-5 bins versus the good $50 games. The disparity created the perception that games were cheap fad that was dying. That they weren't worth the plastic and bits they were made with and all the good games suffered. The game industry lies in a giant graveyard of dead companies most from such awful garbage.

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.

t_m @ Aug 8th 2007 1:21PM

heh... i remember when UK computer mags almost all went bust, cos they were each giving away a free retail game with every issue. lol.

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?????

James @ Aug 8th 2007 11:05AM

Works with my (as of yesterday - old style) Apple USB keyboard does the whole shifting around @ and " for us Brits, unless it's my keyboard that's wrong...

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 8th 2007 11:07AM

Apparently CAPS LOCK works but not the shift key...

James @ Aug 8th 2007 11:59AM

Shift key works just fine thx. Even makes the "shift" sound just as if you pressed it on the virtual keyboard. Which is a bit annoying.

Shadow Hog @ Aug 8th 2007 11:32AM

Hopefully this means Sega can port both Typing of the Dead games (the one based on House of the Dead 2, and the upcoming one based on House of the Dead 3)... Or, you know, the Internet Channel, the channel that REALLY needs it.

Still a little annoyed over the Freeloader thing, but that's not exactly pertinent to this topic.

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 8th 2007 11:41AM

Or Mario Teaches Typing 1/2

WiNG @ Aug 8th 2007 12:07PM

Typing of the dead > every typing program and class you could ever take EVER. Your typing skills determine if you live or die. ultimate motivation. Also, great humor. Especially when 3 zombies come out, you have 5 seconds, and one of the phrases you must type is "You're screwed now" hahaha

Majortom1981 @ Aug 8th 2007 12:17PM

Just remember nintendo does not make the wii browser. OPERA does. So we have to wait for opera to update the browser for keyboard support.

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 8th 2007 12:19PM

Yay Opera Ninja to the rescue!

TWiNKiE @ Aug 8th 2007 12:17PM

Now they tell me..... I gave my USB keyboard to a friend a week ago because my PS2 stopped working! I guess i'll be needing it back....

Fred @ Aug 8th 2007 12:20PM

As for the number of devices supported, doesn't Madden allow for 8 controllers?

vidGuy @ Aug 8th 2007 12:25PM

THat would be awesome. I'm assuming four remotes+nunchuks and four GC controllers? Brawl should have that option! Any source - I can't find much info about the Wii version of Madden except for the minigame stuff.

Rob Accomando @ Aug 8th 2007 12:25PM

it's about time. lol. Come on USB HD support!

Adv2k1 @ Aug 8th 2007 1:00PM

i would totally buy a Wii Keyboard that plugs into the Wiimote, that would make more sense than back of Wii via USB

samfish @ Aug 8th 2007 1:21PM

I would buy that, too...but only if it were, like, thumb sized. Like that 360 keyboard thingy. I don't want another keyboard laying around in my living room.

Almack64 @ Aug 8th 2007 1:50PM

Jeremy @ Aug 8th 2007 1:52PM

"Ok, so this is all well and good, but where are the real features we've been looking for like playing Virtual Console games off of an SD card Nintendo?" - Engadget

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.

Rob Accomando @ Aug 8th 2007 2:11PM

that's funny, a Clock. My cable box has a clock and there's a clock on the wall by my TV. lol

Mr Khan @ Aug 8th 2007 3:33PM

In response to your whole "Bring servers to thier knees" thing. i think Nintendo underestimated themselves again, just like the Wii shortages that ran through May, they figured people hate their sucky online play, and thus wouldn't play it

vidGuy @ Aug 8th 2007 10:30PM

I'm feeling pretentious so have fun with this - I don't mean any of this in a derogatory way.

"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.