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Nintendo TVii misses 2013 European debut, company apologizes
Nintendo TVii, a free service which allows users to connect to internet-based video on demand services like Amazon Instant Video, Netflix and Hulu Plus, as well as cable and dish networks through the Wii U, has been delayed in Europe. Nintendo TVii was scheduled to arrive in European markets by the end of 2013, but almost three weeks into 2014, TVii is still a no-go. Nintendo has apologized for the delay on their UK website. "We would like to apologise that we were unable to bring the Nintendo TVii service to Europe in 2013 as originally planned," a post reads. No specifics were given as to when the service might make its debut. Instead, users are asked to "please continue to keep an eye out for further announcements regarding this service in the near future."
PSA: Nintendo TVii live in North America
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.
Nintendo TVii available on Wii U in North America on Dec. 20
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.
Nintendo's TVii comes to 'selected regions' in Europe next year
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.
Wii U's 'TVii' launching in December, video on demand (Netflix, etc) in 'coming weeks' [update]
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.
Engadget speaks to company behind Nintendo TVii
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.
Nintendo TVii supported by 'all' major US, Canadian cable and dish companies
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 and Canadian cable companies, dish services
Nintendo TVii will support "all" cable and dish carriers in the US and Canada, Nintendo director of strategic partnership Zach Fountain told Engadget this afternoon. He said that no major carriers are excluded, and the only requirement for signing up is inputting your cable company's account information to the Wii U. DVR and TiVO functionality are plugged in similarly, where users input information via web, and services resultantly pop up on the Wii U. Nintendo TVii launches with the Wii U on November 18 in the US and Canada for free, and remains exclusive to North America for the time being.
Nintendo announces Nintendo TVii, brings TV experience to Wii U [update: trailer]
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 unveils 'Nintendo TVii' for Wii U (video)
Nintendo showed off some of the Wii U's new television functionality during its New York City press event -- first unveiled during E3 2012 -- including DVR and TiVO, and search across several content providers (Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant, and cable television, to name a few). It's unclear whether the DVR functionality is built into the console or not, but we'll be sure to find out as soon as possible*. Nintendo's director of strategic partnership Zach Fountain's calling the service a "personalized program guide" and he showed off how you'll be able to interact with content -- movies and television shows can be searched via text entry, or explored in a general category sense (movies, tv, sports, etc.). If QWERTY text isn't your kind of thing, a rotary entry in the lower right corner offers another way to seek out content. The service is only for US and Canadian Wii U owners for now, but Fils-Aime said the company's exploring an expansion into other parts of the Americas. Nintendo TVii is free with the purchase of a console this November. Click on past the break for the company's brief video demo. Update*: DVR/TiVO functionality is not built into the hardware, we confirmed.%Gallery-165230% Joseph Volpe contributed to this report.
