Wii update adds expanded USB keyboard support

Nintendo already dipped its toes into USB keyboard support with a previous Wii update, but it now looks to have busted that functionality wide open with the just-released 3.1 system update, which also brings with it an enhanced "Everybody Votes" channel. Among the most welcome additions is keyboard support for the Internet Channel, which will no doubt make your couch-bound web browsing experience a fair bit more enjoyable. A separate update to the Opera-based Internet Channel is also available through the Wii Shop Channel, which includes some new shortcuts to ease your Wiimote-based surfing, along with nine additional favorites slots, an option to send favorite web sites to a friend, and a new "Widget View Mode" that'll let you take advantage of Opera's various community-built widgets. The update is free for existing users, or 500 Wii points for anyone that has yet to take the plunge. Still no word on that rumored Nintendo-made Wii keyboard though.

[Thanks, Mike]

Read - Joystiq, "Wii update 3.1 includes USB keyboard support, enhanced Everybody Votes channel"
Read - Huliq.com, "The new "Internet Channel" for Nintendo Wii"

[iComment Posted Oct 10th 2007 10:19PM]

A Nintendo Wiireless-Keyboard ? One that you can wave. Wait, you can even use that can bang your kid brother on the head with it when role-playing Phoenix-Wright-Goes-Mental

[RenegadeR Posted Oct 10th 2007 10:38PM]

Finally the Wii Internet Channel has some merit to it. The fact of having USB Keyboards make it a total web browser and I can actually make my useless posts on Engadget.

So yeah, I'm typing this from my Wii right now with a wire running across my floor and I love it. Sure different than staring at a computer monitor

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 14th 2007 5:48PM]

I use a wireless Logitech S510 with no problems. Found some keyboard shortcuts through trial and error: http://www.elsonandlarissa.com.nyud.net/wiikeyboard

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 15th 2007 1:22PM]

What nintendo should really do is make a thumb keyboard that connects to the bottom of the wiimote. That would be perfect for this system.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 16th 2007 6:28AM]

Using the Gyration wireless keyboard here too....works perfectly (I'm using it to post this).

Model number is GP9110.