Japan Everyone gets USB keyboard support
Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 at 9:51am by Jack
Dan in Japan writes us today with some cool news out of Japan: USB keyboard support has arrived for the Internet Channel!
I live in Aomori Japan and I noticed that lovely blue glow hit my Wii just about 15 minutes ago. Looks like Nintendo just released a new updates for parental controls as well as new versions of the Internet and Everybody Votes Channels that finally allow for USB Keyboard support. I had to re-download the software from the shopping channel at no cost but I just plugged in my USB keyboard to take the new Internet Channel for a spin and it seems to work as advertised. For Japanese Wii users the kanji conversion seems to work as normal.
Dan says it isn’t too amazing, but it is an improvement. I wouldn’t mind the update myself here in the States, but then again I am pretty used to searching out each individual letter with the pointer. Oh wait, no I’m not.
Can anyone else confirm this?
UPDATE: CONFIRMED, thanks! Also, an update just arrived from Opera on this:
Also new with this release is the ability to download Opera Widgets (http://widgets.opera.com) to the Wii using Widget View Mode. Widgets available now include calendars, news readers, Internet radios and other applications.
October 10th, 2007 at 9:55 am
You may want to check your WiiConnect24 Settings, the update came to us this morning and gave us the same thing. You will need to patch any channels through the shop to take advantage of it.
October 10th, 2007 at 9:56 am
I live in Boston, MA and downloaded it this morning at 8:00 a.m.
October 10th, 2007 at 10:01 am
Haven’t checked my own Wii, but there was a picture in this months NGamer in the UK - Wii message that someone claimed he’d written with a USB keyboard due to a firmware update.
Not overly surprised to be honest - typing with the Wii-mote, awesome gadget though it is, was a right pain in the arse.
October 10th, 2007 at 10:03 am
Any chance that bluetooth keyboards are supported?
October 10th, 2007 at 10:05 am
I think maybe a wireless USB keyboard would do the trick here. I hope it would be supported. You can get them on the cheap.
October 10th, 2007 at 10:05 am
A bluetooth keyboard would make more sense but USB isn’t all bad.
October 10th, 2007 at 10:09 am
And people should read the user agreement update. It seems to hint at expanded functionality for the online services. I said it when USB keyboard support was quietly added and I’ll say it again, realtime online chat in support as a channel or in a game such as brawl.
October 10th, 2007 at 10:50 am
Note to Jack: This is in the states, too. It’s the 3.1 firmware update. Just got it myself, and Joystiq has a post about it.
October 10th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Shame there’s no bluetooth keyboard support. That would really nail it.
October 10th, 2007 at 11:04 am
So uh, can I plug in my apple keyboard. I notice you’re using an old mac keyboard for your shot there, can anybody confirm that. Ain’t got a Wii yet.
October 10th, 2007 at 11:28 am
Right! It’s time for Sega to give us some Typing of the dead action!!! Anyone ever play that on the Dreamcast? That is actually one game I could always get a girl to play with me.
October 10th, 2007 at 11:41 am
Obviously Bluetooth would be better. But that would take a little extra effort on Nintendo’s part. Being as that I don’t foresee that effort being made, a wireless USB one will do.
October 10th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
I’m pretty sure any USB keyboard’ll work, regardless of manufacturer.
Also, being an avid Opera user (even for my PC) lemme give a big hell yes for Widget support.
October 10th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
LOL I just noticed the blue glow and updated my Wii
This is our late September Surprise! First, Sonic is in Brawl and now this! I LOVE NINTENDO!!!
PS. I am typing this on my Wii using a USB keyboard
October 10th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
@Joe - I haven’t had a chance to test my USB Apple Keyboard with this update, but I could use an Apple Keyboard with the previous update that gave limited keyboard support. I assume it should still work!
October 11th, 2007 at 11:02 am
I just updated my Wii firmware, and I sent a message to my sister using the keyboard. It’s so much nicer… I just need a wireless one now…
October 11th, 2007 at 11:32 am
Sweet, now we just need a way to get an ICQ or MSN on there and my computer will stand rarely used
And TYPING OF THE DEAD for the VC, OOOOOOh yahhhh
October 11th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
Can I just say I told you so?
I am the one who called about keyboards being on the Wii a month or two ago…
I am excited I think I have a spare wireless keyboard at work…