Joystiq

PSA: Nintendo TVii live in North America

JC Fletcher — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:30:00 EST

Nintendo TVii is up in North America for Wii U, allowing users to set up menus of favorite shows, channels, and movies, and manage their broadcast or cable TV through a touchscreen interface. You'll be happy to learn that no download or enormous system update is required: just tap the TVii button on the home menu and setup will begin.

The service currently supports broadcast, cable, Hulu, and Amazon Video, and will suggest ways to watch a selected show. Netflix and TiVo support will come early next year.

PSA: Nintendo TVii live in North America originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo TVii available on Wii U in North America on Dec. 20

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:15:00 EST

Nintendo announced this morning that its Nintendo TVii for Wii U will launch in the US and Canada on December 20. Nintendo TVii, originally intended as a launch application, enhances the console's connectivity with the living room glow box. It provides a single navigable experience of cable and satellite shows, as well as on-demand services through the WiiPad.

Netflix, YouTube, Hulu Plus and Amazon Instant currently have separate, functional apps on North American Wii U consoles.

Continue reading Nintendo TVii available on Wii U in North America on Dec. 20

Nintendo TVii available on Wii U in North America on Dec. 20 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo's TVii comes to 'selected regions' in Europe next year

Jessica Conditt — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EST

Nintendo's TVii is scheduled to launch in "selected regions throughout Europe" in 2013, an official product page displays. TVii was previously described as a feature exclusive to the US and Canada, and is set to hit these regions in December.

TVii is an enhancement for existing television features, throwing a programming guide on the GamePad that allows navigation of cable and satellite shows, as well as YouTube, Netflix, Hulu Plus and other on-demand services. Netflix, YouTube, Hulu Plus and Amazon Instant all have separate, functional apps on North American Wii U consoles right now.

Nintendo's TVii comes to 'selected regions' in Europe next year originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 25 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wii U's 'TVii' launching in December, video on demand (Netflix, etc) in 'coming weeks' [update]

JC Fletcher — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 09:30:00 EST

Originally thought to be out at the system's launch, the Wii U's "TVii" feature is now slated for December. The TVii functionality, exclusive to the US and Canada, puts a TV program guide on the Wii U GamePad, and allows users to use the pad to view and control programming from cable and satellite, along with YouTube and popular video on demand services. Through the Wii U, TVii also allows commenting and sharing via Twitter, Facebook, and Miiverse.

Speaking of those video on demand services, don't expect Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, and Netflix to work on day one. Nintendo now says that those services will be available "in the coming weeks."

[Thanks, Eric!]

Update: Netflix tells Engadget that its service will be on Wii U "at launch," but won't be part of TVii until Q1 of next year.

Continue reading Wii U's 'TVii' launching in December, video on demand (Netflix, etc) in 'coming weeks' [update]

Wii U's 'TVii' launching in December, video on demand (Netflix, etc) in 'coming weeks' [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Nov 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget speaks to company behind Nintendo TVii

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 18:00:00 EST

i.TV is the company powering Nintendo TVii, the integrated television system for the company's Wii U console. Speaking with Engadget, i.TV CEO Brad Pelo said that despite there clearly being more powerful tablet devices out there, the Wii U and its WiiPad makes sense for what it's trying to do with Nintendo TVii.

"You might not think of it as the ideal hardware compared to an iPad if I really had a dedicated second screen," Pelo said. "But it is in the living room, and it's persistent. It doesn't even really work outside of the living room - it's attached to the main viewing service in the home."

Asked about similar initiatives with Sony's PlayStation Vita or Microsoft's Smartglass, Pelo says what's been shown on those devices isn't a unifying experience that works for every show or app.

Pelo explained, "This is a comprehensive solution, and what some of the other game consoles have at least talked publicly about, I don't see as comprehensive solutions. I see them as models that, to some degree, have been tried already in the market, particularly in the last year. We've tried this siloed app experience with television and that isn't lasting, so I just believe that this strategy would be the winning strategy."

Read more of Pelo's conversation with the site at Engadget.

Note: i.TV powers parent-company services AOL TV and HuffPo live.

Engadget speaks to company behind Nintendo TVii originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Sep 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo TVii supported by 'all' major US, Canadian cable and dish companies

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:30:00 EST

Nintendo's director of strategic partnerships, Zach Fountain, has said Nintendo TVii will support "all" cable and dish carriers in the US and Canada. Speaking with Engadget, the executive said the only requirement for signing up is entering your cable or dish provider account information into the Wii U.

DVR and TiVO functionality will work in a similar manner, with subscribers inputting information via web, with functionality then accessible through Wii U. Nintendo TVii launches November 18, it is currently exclusive to North America.

Nintendo TVii supported by 'all' major US, Canadian cable and dish companies originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo announces Nintendo TVii, brings TV experience to Wii U [update: trailer]

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 10:33:00 EST

As part of its Wii U conference, Nintendo has revealed Nintendo TVii. Nintendo president Reggie Fils-Aime introduced the service, which will allow users to watch movies, sports and television via the Wii U. The service includes social features, allowing viewers to connect with other Wii U users via Twitter, Facebook and other services.

Nintendo TVii features a personalized program guide, which brings together what's on your television, "popular services" including Netflix and Hulu Plus, and even your DVR. Every user has their own profile, and Nintendo TVii will make program recommendations based on each profile's taste.

Browsing the service via the Wii U Gamepad, you can see what your friends are watching, mark favorite shows and even schedule a Tivo recording. The sports section allows users to quickly check scores, check out highlights and, of course, watch live games. Nintendo TVii is headed to both the United States and Canada. It will be included with every Wii U at no cost, with no monthly fee. Nintendo is "exploring" expansion across the Americas.

Nintendo announces Nintendo TVii, brings TV experience to Wii U [update: trailer] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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