Wii OS To Be Upgradeable

09 Oct

Posted by Darren Stevens as Business, Online, Software, Technology, Wii

During part 3 of “Iwata Asks… (the Wii developers)”, they discussed the Wii operating system, which is based on Linux. The software will be regularly updated after the launch, with new features etc. It’s not a big surprise, since the Xbox360 and PS3 will have the same features.

Wii is the first system from Nintendo that we can continue to be involved in (via operating system updates) after the customer buys it. This means that Wii will greatly expand and diversify the ways in which people will enjoy games in the future.

A site called Wii-Linux is already working on a custom Linux OS for the Wii. The PlayStation 3 is also built on a Linux kernel, while Microsoft would never dream of using Linux for the Xbox360 (naturally).

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Tags: Business, Online, Software, Technology, Wii

63 Responses

Zac

October 9th, 2006 at 3:48 pm
1

Uber.

“while Microsoft would never dream of using Linux for the Xbox360″ lol
STD

October 9th, 2006 at 5:22 pm
2

More good news 4 the Wii but it’s online plans still can’t match Xbox Live or Sony’s. I thought the Wii was supposed 2 focus on games and not that other stuff. It seems 2 me that these extra features are kinda like cheap 2 make and aren’t gonna be what it seems. Still though its not like Ninty wants 2 lose money on their consoles ala Micro and Sony.
Zac

October 9th, 2006 at 5:33 pm
3

“It seems 2 me that these extra features are kinda like cheap 2 make and aren’t gonna be what it seems.”

Howso?
You NEWB

October 9th, 2006 at 5:47 pm
4

[...] Via: [Digital Battle] Source: [Wii Official Site] [...]
STD

October 9th, 2006 at 5:52 pm
5

Well compared 2 what the extras the PS3 and 360 has. The whole multi-media functions of the 360 and PS3 cost them extra. Microsoft’s live service makes it seem like you can surf the internet, download movie trailers and games like a computer and the PS3 also when in fact is much slower and doesn’t work as well.

The DS and PSP’s websurfing abilities is pretty limited and isn’t used as much as u would think. The Wii’s Opera Browser is no doubt cheaper feature then having a built in DVD player. I just think that when it comes down 2 it the games are gonna make or break the Wii and putting in these features like the forum channel, web browser, and weather channel are just inexpensive add ons 2 the Wii to make it look and appeal better but there not going 2 b as good as u think. Just an opinion! ^-^
Dom

October 9th, 2006 at 8:40 pm
6

even so the ps3 price is just ridiculous
Zac

October 10th, 2006 at 12:15 am
7

Haha I guess you’re right. But is anyone really expecting the wheather channel to be awesome? I guess it doesn’t have to be, it just has to work. But from the Wii website videos it looks actually quite detailed.
Doom

October 10th, 2006 at 1:47 pm
8

If u need the weather, use teletekst or wahtever.

It’s a gimmick, as is the whole Wii.

Wiill not be able to surf with it.
Wiill be outperformed in any section by ps3/xbox360
Zac

October 10th, 2006 at 2:17 pm
9

“If u need the weather, use teletekst or wahtever”

There’s a reason the weather is on the news. But you can’t watch the news if you’re playing a game, hence the Wii addition. Wasn’t it obviouse?

“It’s a gimmick, as is the whole Wii”

So a new idea is instantly a gimmick? If you go by that, then the entire market should just go into a stasis.

“Wiill not be able to surf with it.”

Says who?

“Wiill be outperformed in any section by ps3/xbox360″

Maybe if table-space was a defining factor. Both other consoles near microwaves in size.
Doom

October 10th, 2006 at 2:22 pm
10

Yeah, if you are too lazy to pick up the remote and press teletekst, local channel or bloomberg or whatever for the weather and need to put on ur gaming system…

Ur a hopeless case.
Zac

October 10th, 2006 at 2:40 pm
11

Nice way to avoid a bunch of questions. Ignoring them. You’re oh so smart Doom. What if your gaming TV isn’t hooked up to an antenna? Since it’s a free feature, why am I to care whether it’s there or not. I’d rather have it there personally.
Doom

October 10th, 2006 at 2:55 pm
12

‘What if your gaming TV isn’t hooked up to an antenna?’

Listen to the radio dumbnut.
Zac

October 10th, 2006 at 3:02 pm
13

Haha. Avoiding questions again are you?

Nice way to win an argument Doom. Nice way to look like an idiot.

“Listen to the radio dumbnut”

Wow you spelled everything right for once.

In reply: Like I’m going to listen to advertisement filled radio for half an hour just so I can hear the weather when I can look at it on the system I’m currently using. I’m not that into the weather. But it’s a nice addition.
Emerald

October 11th, 2006 at 2:30 am
14

It’s also useful to get the weather instantly rather than wade through commercials. Plus you can get the weather for any place in the world.

Of course, considering Doom’s not-logic and ignorance, he’ll just ignore this or find some not-reason to refute this. all while making it barely readable.
$haka!

October 11th, 2006 at 4:03 am
15

I told you nintendo is always trying to copy Sony. now this they are trying to rip off the idea of fimrware updates which was 1st included in the PSP and by Sony.

now they use the same OS as the PS3.pls cant this cheap bastards be anymore ignorants.nintendo all patethic horrible ideas,really. just quit gaming business. u will be doing us all a big favor.
Taylor2k

October 11th, 2006 at 1:09 pm
16

# $haka! Says:
October 11th, 2006 at 4:03 am

I told you nintendo is always trying to copy Sony. now this they are trying to rip off the idea of fimrware updates which was 1st included in the PSP and by Sony.

now they use the same OS as the PS3.pls cant this cheap bastards be anymore ignorants.nintendo all patethic horrible ideas,really. just quit gaming business. u will be doing us all a big favor.

$haka! .. what the hell
ok fact number 1.firmware updates was first on pc .. in fact its used in near enough all periperals on the pc

2.. xbox was the first console to have firmware update (dashboard flash) and such other things like when you used xbox live for the first time it updated the dashboard . also the xbox samsung drive firmware update done before psp was even a gleam in sony’s eye.

3. now they use the os the same as ps3 then youy say cant these cheap bastards .. but wait no they both cheap bastards if they gone ahead with the os . but hey who cares about that ..

4. in some terms yes they might be doing a big favor .. and maybe at the same time they not .. reasons .. for yes . like doom has said before they using mario like a hooker … and the reason not .. where as the consoles may not look great .. it has potential.. just like all 3 consoles .. they all great

5. like i said before about you saying same os as ps3 .. *ah hem*
ps3 uses linux am i correct .. if so . well both consoles in the same type of argument you expressed stole from pc’s and mac’s since once again it was there before the wii,ps3 was in its blueprint stages.

6.ideas get stolen ..as you say .. i preffer the word competitive market .. nintendo all pathetic horrible ideas.. erm what about the ps2 also being a sort of media center. that idea was stolen from microsoft (and knowing how microsoft do buisness ,, stolen from somewhere else) but the point is ideas get stolen .. people get p****d off .. and eventually make up with that person ..

and on my last note .. sony are good at what they do but the thing that i liked when ps2 was in the market is the way they marketed it .. only letting minor details out .. running random ads for it .. and making people go wtf!? whats this here then? .. basically building curiousity which leads into you wanting it .. basicalllly like if i had a mystery box somone would be moaning at me at whats inside. .. i must say that is good marketing

…. and now .. i must be off …for as it seems i have written too much .:| “i will return”
Taylor2k

October 11th, 2006 at 1:12 pm
17

replace ps2 being a sort of media player with ps3 … ahh typo .. ahh hell we cant all be perfectionists now can we?
Marquee

October 11th, 2006 at 2:17 pm
18

“$haka! Says:
October 11th, 2006 at 4:03 am

I told you nintendo is always trying to copy Sony. now this they are trying to rip off the idea of fimrware updates which was 1st included in the PSP and by Sony.

now they use the same OS as the PS3.pls cant this cheap bastards be anymore ignorants.nintendo all patethic horrible ideas,really. just quit gaming business. u will be doing us all a big favor. ”

u truely are ignorant aren’t u? ur acting like microsoft hasn’t been doing this the 1st xbox.
Kaiser Soze

October 11th, 2006 at 3:44 pm
19

Good luck getting yourself out of that one $haka
STD

October 11th, 2006 at 4:28 pm
20

Look like I said SONY IS COPYCAT BITCHES. Look at the history of our pastime and U could tell. The analog stick, the wireless controllers, motion sensor controlls, and more. The damn PS3 is a 360 pumped out on roids! If anyone who doesn’t agree please mention the things that Sony hasn’t copied or the things that Sony thought of first. I’m looking at U Shaka!
Taylor2K

October 11th, 2006 at 8:16 pm
21

erm … i dunno … ahh .. is this one?… DISC READ ERROR
$haka!

October 12th, 2006 at 5:36 am
22

‘ ‘ u truely are ignorant aren’t u? ur acting like microsoft hasn’t been doing this the 1st xbox. ‘ ‘

Not really !
and at what price?

the PSP and PS3 firmware updates are free.
huge difference.
Taylor2K

October 12th, 2006 at 11:09 am
23

“Not really !
and at what price?”

well the cd drive firmware you can update for free
and the dashboard update comes as soon as you use xbox live
which on xbox you can use as free trial . but there are other ways as well

so price … mostly free
Emerald

October 12th, 2006 at 2:19 pm
24

As I recall, Shaka, you only claimed that $ony had firmware upgradable firmware, wich you switched around(once you were proven WRONG) to the issue of price.
It’s a tactic used by those who can’t keep their point up. So in Shaka’s case, all the time.
Doom

October 12th, 2006 at 3:19 pm
25

This is so fucking hilarious, you fanboys crying over something as totally useless as the weather broadcast on your gaming system.

I ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW THE WEATHER!

I ALWAYS HAD TO PRESS 4 BUTTONS IN ORDER TO SWITCH TO TELETEKST

I DONT USE THE RADIO FOR WEATHER (only 97% of the rest of the real world does that)
Doom

October 12th, 2006 at 3:20 pm
26

yup, sony’s software updates are free. This will be funny to watch because ofcourse no1 will pay extra for an os.

Doh, it’s a system utilized by 4 year olds and other children.
Zac

October 12th, 2006 at 4:27 pm
27

“This is so fucking hilarious, you fanboys crying over something as totally useless as the weather broadcast on your gaming system.

I ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW THE WEATHER!

I ALWAYS HAD TO PRESS 4 BUTTONS IN ORDER TO SWITCH TO TELETEKST

I DONT USE THE RADIO FOR WEATHER (only 97% of the rest of the real world does that) ”

Your arguments suck.

“ooh i have to have a DVD player in my ps3 because i’m too lazy to use the other 4 DVD players in my house!”
Emerald

October 13th, 2006 at 3:46 am
28

It’s not like the REST of the world has 24 hour weather- Oh wait, they don’t.
The Wii takes 2 buttons to get the weater. Power on and the 1 button to click on the weather channel. It’s also much faster, as you get whatever weather for whatever location you want without having to wait for it to show up on the Weather Channel.

Doom, could you get any more horrable arguments? I like using logic to squash them.
$haka!

October 13th, 2006 at 4:32 am
29

Emerald
‘ ‘ I like using logic to squash them. ‘ ‘

mmm like that time you said Sony doesnt make video games?

Hahahahahahaha.
Doom

October 13th, 2006 at 10:55 am
30

”It’s not like the REST of the world has 24 hour weather- Oh wait, they don’t.
The Wii takes 2 buttons to get the weater. ”

Rofl. this is so fucking hilarious. You have no idea what you are saying do you? Sure the wii can tell you (the very basic) weather…. ASSUMING THEY GOT INTERNET. Wups, score one for ‘team idiot’ in the wii corner.
Oh man just shut up Emerald, every post of you gets more retarded.

”mmm like that time you said Sony doesnt make video games?”

spot on shaka, spot on, hehehehe. I usually dont read all the jibberish he spells down but this one is really worth it again!

Doom, could you get any more horrable arguments?

Horrable indeed.
Emerald

October 13th, 2006 at 10:49 pm
31

“mmm like that time you said Sony doesnt make video games?
Hahahahahahaha.”
Like that time you said that Sony was the first to use anolog sticks, that the PSP has sold more than the NDS? I also explained why SONy doesn’t make games. Learn to read, idiot.

“Rofl. this is so fucking hilarious. You have no idea what you are saying do you? Sure the wii can tell you (the very basic) weather…. ASSUMING THEY GOT INTERNET. Wups, score one for ‘team idiot’ in the wii corner.
Oh man just shut up Emerald, every post of you gets more retarded.”
XD Me” Retarted? Soory, but based on the comments if I’m retarted then you’re somthing way way WAYYYYY below retarted.
You were assuming that the person has CABLE so that they can look up the weather on the TV. Whoops. Score one for team retarted fanboys!
See how many holes your so called “logic” has?

“Horrable indeed.”
Thank god you’ve admitted it. Now they’ll get readable if you use actual English instead of fanboy sprawl.
Taylor2k

October 14th, 2006 at 1:17 am
32

“It’s not like the REST of the world has 24 hour weather- Oh wait, they don’t.”

are you saying the rest of the world dont have weather in general? lol
Emerald

October 14th, 2006 at 5:49 am
33

XD
Nah, it’s just that some of us don’t have 24 hour weather channels and radio signals.
Taylor2k

October 14th, 2006 at 7:04 am
34

fair enough emerald but if the wii is going to have it included ,then wouldnt it depend on a net connection? … but if you already have a net connection then you most probably have a pc to go with it lol . (i am taking it into account that most people online have net connection for there online consoles) but majority of people would have a pc therefore weather forcast via pc .. but i guess its good for people who use the net entirley for their consoles without or even buying a pc to use.
but we would probably see that implemented into the playstation 3 whether it be on its crossbar or via its net browser

(age old console makers law)
if an idea is good .. we all use it . unless legally told not to do so ..

but there are certain loopholes in that im sure other companys have done so illegaly but what does it matter . its whatever intrests the consumer base to the console manufacturers that matters at the end of the day
Taylor2k

October 14th, 2006 at 7:20 am
35

an also
to $haka

http://www.britishgaming.co.uk/wp-content/retroguide/snescd/x.jpg

this link shows you the orginal playstation (no not the sony one)
its infact the ORIGINAL playstation
an idea by nintendo (including its name)
cd add on developed by sony
then sony backed out of the idea
screwed nintendo over
by making the system anyways
and nicking the name

now who is the copycats…

its like when they said the ps2 was the 1st 128bit console ..

i think sony failed to see that a dreamcast come out ahead of its time and was indeed …… 128bit

but company steals ideas all the time
it has to start somewhere
hell for all we know it could of started like this

“head of sony steals head of nintendo’s sandwich..also in over news head of microsoft got away with sonys happy meal”
Emerald

October 14th, 2006 at 7:21 am
36

True, it would depend on a net connection.
I’ll use the Weather channel more as a “I wonder what the weather’s like todnight/morrow/ect?” as I play a game. I wouldn’t let it be my sole weather info, but it’s a nice thing to have.
Doom

October 14th, 2006 at 1:35 pm
37

I’ms really having a laugh at this. I think the FULL world has had weather reports for over 100 years now. and you think nintendo has just invented the wheel by making this silly globe gadget. (which is also quite innacurate as I saw it)

I mean. Wake up: nobody needs this. Should it be dvd or HD playback it would at least be something useful, something which ADDS to your multimedia centre. But the weather, c’moon I just have to buy a 2,5 euro pocket radio and I got the weather. You dont wanna know the weather anyway when u wanna lock urself up for a full afternoon gaming:P:P

Although I can imagine the wii users can’t do this due to the rsi remote.. but still.
Emerald

October 14th, 2006 at 7:46 pm
38

Yes, we’ve had weather reports, but we’re not saying that Nintendo INVENTED the weather report. I’m saying that unless you have cable or a computer handy, there is NO 24 hour weather report. Radio stations may have them, but they are for localized weather, come on only once or twice every 2 hours, and only offer info at one place at a time.

Much like a weather website, the Wii Weather Channel can provide weather for anywhere you like.

The Wii isn’t striving to be a multimedia center, so I fail to see how a DVD playback or HD(which would add to the price, mind you) would improve upon what the Wii is trying to do.
Taylor2k

October 15th, 2006 at 12:19 am
39

“Much like a weather website, the Wii Weather Channel can provide weather for anywhere you like.”

hmm much like a weather website?.. then theres no need for a wii to have it .. well ok there will be but since a ps3 can access internet .. it will have access to weather websites .. (i dont check the weather website anyways for my area , if i wanna know what the weather is like i would go outside and see for myself . stay in doors and check:D)

but aint it the pointless things added to a big manufacturer name what makes it sell in the 1st place .. so nothing new here
$haka!

October 15th, 2006 at 3:37 am
40

This is useless i thought wii was 100% about fun and gamming and playing with gimmicks and n-64 graphics.

they kept saying they are not going the way the PS3 or xbox 360 were they want to replace your Home Pc or enterteaiment center.
but now they anounce a web browser( at a price ofcourse) and now this weather thing!
nintendo is bunch of stupid liars.
STD

October 15th, 2006 at 5:53 am
41

Does anyone know anybody that doesn’t lie? I mean think about it $haka. Microsoft, Nintendo, and $ony all of them tell their white little lies sometimes. You atleast got to admit that?
$haka!

October 15th, 2006 at 6:13 am
42

Sony is the only company that hardly lies.

the only lie i can remenber about them is they said you could listen to your MP3′S with the FF11 hardrive but i dont think that happend(and i understand that was years ago and mp3’s werent so popular so i understand why it didnt happend).
and well thats about it but nintendo and microsoft OMG the worst bunch of liars ever!!!
Zac

October 15th, 2006 at 6:15 am
43

“I’ms really having a laugh at this. I think the FULL world has had weather reports for over 100 years now. and you think nintendo has just invented the wheel by making this silly globe gadget. (which is also quite innacurate as I saw it)”

wow doom seems really bothered by the weather thing. really it’s an extra feature, no one would buy the system for it alone, most people won’t care that it’s there. so why is doom so upset about it? there’s no reason to argue, because some people will use it, and some won’t. who cares.
Emerald

October 15th, 2006 at 6:52 am
44

Two words: “Emotion Engine”
Of course $ony never lies. >_>
Kaiser Soze

October 15th, 2006 at 10:11 am
45

“Sony is the only company that hardly lies.”

Explain then, why people in Europe has to wait until march to get the PS3 when they were told it would be released in november. BTW, they’ve also said that they didn’t steal Nintendo’s idea of motion sencing. Another lie. And what about the degradeble power of the PS3? Or the promise of 2 million units ready for launch?
Doom

October 15th, 2006 at 1:31 pm
46

Don’t say the emotion engine wasn’t a cool idea!

But the rest of the playstation was kinda sucky:P

Every single one of the 3 lies, all software companies included. Like that totally lieing SOB Moulineux who promisses the world everytime, and everytime fails to. God man, he’s such a salesman. It’s the actions in the end that matter the most.
Emerald

October 15th, 2006 at 9:24 pm
47

“SOB Moulineux who promisses the world everytime, and everytime fails to.”

Agreed. Fable is a prime example. V_V
Taylor2k

October 16th, 2006 at 1:54 am
48

Yep all companies lie .. thats their selling point

also the emotion engine was kinda cool but i failed to see what it actually did to make it cool

but all 3 companies havent lied about somthing
they all play games (well excluding their consoles that failed to read disc . but that was bound to happen anyways)
$haka!

October 16th, 2006 at 6:29 am
49

‘ ‘ Of course $ony never lies. >_> ‘ ‘

True that!

‘ ‘ Explain then, why people in Europe has to wait until march to get the PS3 ‘ ‘

mm the same reason the system didnt luanch early this year.
the xbox 360 has been a total joke it dont sell nothing and it has nothing but PC ports and patethic games.

Sony is smart they know the xbox 360 cant even outsell the PS2 in USA and Europe thats why they can easily get away with the delays for the PS3.
doom

October 16th, 2006 at 11:42 am
50

I think that is the real reason as well, just making more money on the ps2. Scroungy basterds hehe.
Emerald

October 16th, 2006 at 2:09 pm
51

“True that!”
Congratulations Shaka. You can’t detect sarcasm either.

“mm the same reason the system didnt luanch early this year.”
Which is Blu-Ray? As I recall, $ony said that there would be a worldwide launch. Then it went back again for Europe. So you answered nothing about the question and go straight into how the other systems suck.
Kaiser Soze

October 16th, 2006 at 2:16 pm
52

““mm the same reason the system didnt luanch early this year.
Taylor2k

October 25th, 2006 at 8:22 am
53

“Sony indeed lies just as much as everybody else does in any business”
Agreed
Although i wished they wouldent … the truth goes a long way better
doom

October 29th, 2006 at 7:27 pm
54

Sony gives free surfing on the web. Please any xbox360 or wii fans wanna say they got the same? Thought as much.
$haka!

October 30th, 2006 at 3:04 am
55

Mmmmm Sony is the only one that offers real features, not some stupid crap. (forecast wheather) Hahahahahaha give me a break this guys are patethic.
if its gonna be like that just dont pretend pls the machine is a huge rip-off as it is, dont try to cover that up with stupid shTt like we give you a free pack of stupid mini games wtih n-64 graphics or this free weather crap.
good thing this company will soon become a third party for the sake of all of us true gamers.
Zac

October 30th, 2006 at 3:35 am
56

Wow I actually laughed out loud at shaka’s comment.
doom

October 30th, 2006 at 4:07 am
57

I thought it was kind of well thought out.
Zac

October 30th, 2006 at 5:19 am
58

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Taylor2k

October 30th, 2006 at 10:44 pm
59

“Sony gives free surfing on the web. Please any xbox360 or wii fans wanna say they got the same? Thought as much.”

Alot of other things sony gives us aswell

1.Delayed Launch
2.Overpricing
3.Disc Read Errors
4.Serious Malfunctions
5.Explosions
6.BullS**T
7.Bringing down the little guy (rip lik-sang)
And Many More
doom

October 30th, 2006 at 11:16 pm
60

1. true
2. opinion
3. no fact (actually xbox360 has that a lot)
4. no fact
5. no fact
6. please
7. lik sang didnt invest in courtorders so they didnt rip due to that, learn to read sources.

Man you blow.
doom

October 30th, 2006 at 11:17 pm
61

Besides you parade the point by stating your crap, that the ps3 will have a free browswer and internet acces vs xbox’s monthly fee.
Zac

October 30th, 2006 at 11:56 pm
62

If you think about it, even if the xbox internet isn’t free and is a monthly charge, it’s still cheaper for a few months because of the price difference of the consoles.
Emarald

November 1st, 2006 at 12:39 am
63

I would also pay for XBox live- which I, along with over 3 million people, do. I like the XBox Live service a lot, but it’s not fair to judge. After all, Sony’s isn’t out yet.

However, Sony was being a jerk for even suing Lik-Sang, after all, you can’t say “I’m selling you this cookie. Except you can’t let these people in these countries eat it, or else I’ll sue you.”
Even SONY’S execs used Lik-Sang.
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=4716