Keyboard Functionality on the Wii

[Dr.Finger]

It looks like the most recent Wii update did more than just lock out some import gamers (http://evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33966). IGN discovered that you can now use a USB keyboard on your Wii (http://wii.ign.com/articles/811/811436p1.html), although not in every channel.Currently, you can make use of the keyboard within the Wii Shop (where you can type in game names in the search box) plus, rather handily, when writing memos or mail via the Wii Message Board. Unfortunately, keyboards can't be used in the Internet Channel at the moment - which might explain why Nintendo's been a little reluctant to tout this inconsistent upgrade too much so far.Okay, why can't you use it in the internet channel? I don't use it too often, but it would still be nice to have that option available. Oh well, maybe in the next update.

[TheFlyingOrc]

'bout time. This makes a lot of things less useless.

[Doctor Setebos]

Okay, why can't you use it in the internet channel? I don't use it too often, but it would still be nice to have that option available. Oh well, maybe in the next update.Well, the internet channel is the only one developed by an outside source, so I'm assuming that would be the reason. But really, that's just idle speculation.

Great to hear this, though! Now I need to pick me up a wireless keyboard with a USB connection and try it out. :D

[brokenFUN]

How can they mess this up? how many games are out on VC that would you require you to do a "search" for them?

[Skyelan]

Also worth noting that, even if there's no way to access them in any menu, many people who have tried USB HDDs say they are now lighting up as a sign of working, when they didn't do that before.

That's rather interesting. One and one half (as one is still just idle speculation at this point) fairly big things happen in the updates that aren't obvious, like the cosmetic changes are, and they don't get a single word about them? And when next month is supposed to bring some sort of 'nice surprise'?

I won't make any silly claims, only say that I'm a little intrigued. :p

Gamma: Mess what up? What are you talking about?

[RUSKULL]

Does anyone actually use the "message board"? Or send messages through their Wii to other people?

[TheFlyingOrc]

Gamma: Mess what up? What are you talking about?
Yeah...looks more like "isn't complete" than "is messed up" to me.

edit:

RUSKULL: I actually would occasionally if it didn't take so long to type them. I might use this now.

[PathMaster]

Also worth noting that, even if there's no way to access them in any menu, many people who have tried USB HDDs say they are now lighting up as a sign of working, when they didn't do that before.

That's rather interesting. One and one half (as one is still just idle speculation at this point) fairly big things happen in the updates that aren't obvious, like the cosmetic changes are, and they don't get a single word about them? And when next month is supposed to bring some sort of 'nice surprise'?

I won't make any silly claims, only say that I'm a little intrigued. :p

Gamma: Mess what up? What are you talking about?

I am intrigued by this line of thought as well. I love when extra things are slipped into updates. If they Wii was able to use any External HDD, that would be cool.

[Skyelan]

Yeah...looks more like "isn't complete" than "is messed up" to me.

edit:

RUSKULL: I actually would occasionally if it didn't take so long to type them. I might use this now.

Well he confuses me because he brought up the VC, which made it sound like he was complaining about the shop channel to me. Or I'm bonkers in the head.

Also, it's true. Ironically enough, I was just talking to a friend extensively about how I was surprised that with peripheralitus shit that many third parties put out on the Wii, there's been nothing like the text pad for the 360... Which makes no sense, because there are so many instances of the Wii needing typing, and it actually has online.

If/when Opera updates their Wii browser to support keyboards, I think I might even start relying on it a bit more, if only so the rest of the family can have some time on the computer when I'm home. :p

PathMaster: All I know is that, even if it doesn't pave the way for bigger and better features, it would be in Nintendo's best interests to let people use their own drives as they want to simply have more space for more downloads.

And hey, I'm just saying; Nintendo answered flatly that they weren't going to be putting out an HDD. No one asked them if they'd start doing a simple thing like supporting them.

And on one last note: I'm glad to see Nintendo seems to be slipping out of their 'You can only use this' propriety accessory crap, which was already pointed to with an SD card. No doubt the product Logitech is making for the Wii is some liscensed 'official' keyboard, but they still leave the options open.

[boratika]

Also worth noting that, even if there's no way to access them in any menu, many people who have tried USB HDDs say they are now lighting up as a sign of working, when they didn't do that before.

Could be in anticipation of WiiWare games. 512MB doesn't go that far. If you could just store VC games on an external hard drive it would be nice.

There was talk (in Japan) at one point about releasing Gamecube games on the VC. I won't get my hopes up, but Nintendo (among other console manufacturers) have been doing quite well off digital distribution, I would be surprised if they made it easier for people to spend more Wii points.

But again, no breath holding.

[Doctor Setebos]

You know, hearing that all of a sudden USB keyboards and USB hard drives function on the Wii makes me think that Nintendo didn't actually "add" keyboard support with this latest update. It almost makes me think they actually always had keyboard support, but simply turned on the USB ports. And with the update coinciding with EA's release of Boogie -- containing a USB microphone -- that seems the likeliest situation.

[TheKeck]

Hmmm, this is intriguing. Could one assume that the internet channel will EVENTUALLY support this as well?

[TheKeck]

Does anyone actually use the "message board"? Or send messages through their Wii to other people?
In a word, yes.

[TheFlyingOrc]

You know, hearing that all of a sudden USB keyboards and USB hard drives function on the Wii makes me think that Nintendo didn't actually "add" keyboard support with this latest update. It almost makes me think they actually always had keyboard support, but simply turned on the USB ports. And with the update coinciding with EA's release of Boogie -- containing a USB microphone -- that seems the likeliest situation.

That's what it sounds like to me, Doc. I think those ports are on now.

[Skyelan]

You know, hearing that all of a sudden USB keyboards and USB hard drives function on the Wii makes me think that Nintendo didn't actually "add" keyboard support with this latest update. It almost makes me think they actually always had keyboard support, but simply turned on the USB ports. And with the update coinciding with EA's release of Boogie -- containing a USB microphone -- that seems the likeliest situation.

This has already been talked about and disproved. Even if we ignore the various power drawing devices that rely on the USB ports, like chargers, we can't forget one very important thing.

The USB to Lan adapters have worked this whole time. The USB ports have been on, this is new.

[boratika]

This has already been talked about and disproved. Even if we ignore the various power drawing devices that rely on the USB ports, like chargers, we can't forget one very important thing.

The USB to Lan adapters have worked this whole time. The USB ports have been on, this is new.

And things which noticeably distinguish between a power only or data exchanging USB port (ie The iPod's do not disconect screen) showed the latter.

Actually IIRC, you could previously install an external hard drive on the Wii, it just stopped there though. No signs of life.

I guess it's possible they dropped a driver in that made the Wii recognise certain peripherals when they were stemmed before, but it seems odd to have keyboard support ready but just shelve it and not even tell Opera it's in there waiting to be awakened.

[Skyelan]

Okay, that does it. I see no reason to deny the urge anymore. I'm in full on conspiracy theorizing mode.

http://gonintendo.com/?p=22640

This is not just some coincidence. Damn you, 'tendo!

[Sl1pstream]

If they'd allow keyboard support in the internet channel, it would be huge. If the message board would update more frequently, it could be used as a replacement computer for kids. The lack of a normal instant messenger (where you can be added quite easily compared to nintendo's FC system), would mean parents wouldn't have to be scared of kids chatting with unwanted strangers.

[Heretic Machine]

If they'd allow keyboard support in the internet channel, it would be huge. If the message board would update more frequently, it could be used as a replacement computer for kids. The lack of a normal instant messenger (where you can be added quite easily compared to nintendo's FC system), would mean parents wouldn't have to be scared of kids chatting with unwanted strangers.

I don't understand that logic. It isn't more difficult to add people to your friends list on the Wii... just more tedious.

[Sl1pstream]

It is annoying and tedious and I hate the system. However, a lot of parents are glad that they have to go through the trouble of adding their kid's friends before they get to play together. It keeps away the bad people.

[Heretic Machine]

It is annoying and tedious and I hate the system. However, a lot of parents are glad that they have to go through the trouble of adding their kid's friends before they get to play together. It keeps away the bad people.

What is stopping their kids from adding people they meet online, with the built-in web browser?

[H1PO]

This is definitly a step in the right direction. I might pick a cheep USB keyboard up now.

[Sl1pstream]

What is stopping their kids from adding people they meet online, with the built-in web browser?

Nothing right now. They could add a parental control setting for that though.

[Heretic Machine]

Nothing right now. They could add a parental control setting for that though.

And Microsoft could add parental controls that prevents a profile from adding friends without typing in a parent-code, making Live just as kid-friendly. This idea that friend-codes somehow make kids safer is total bullshit, it just makes the experience inconvenient for everyone.