“DVD Wii” to be available in Japan in 2007
Even before the Wii gets released, Nintendo already has let out the word that a 2007 model will be coming out. But instead of adding horsepower to the cute little console, what they will be featuring in that model will be a built-in DVD playback functionality. And this will only be available in Japan.
Relaying the news through Edge, a UK gaming magazine, Nintendo discloses that they plan to launch it some time in the early part of next year, however, they have no plans of making it available in the European or North American markets. They also have yet to determine the pricing or availability of the “DVD Wii”.
This announcement spurred speculations that the company just may be on the track of producing a “more powerful” Wii model. The Wii model coming out on November 19th went for a “low-power” approach, thereby enabling the console to have an “always-on” functionality, even when it is put in sleep mode, and to be a small, portable unit. However, while being small does have its advantages, what is the common worry is that it won’t have as much CPU power, hence stunting the potential of the console.
Nintendo, however, refuses to comment on the rumors of a more powerful Wii, and understandably so. Of course, they wouldn’t want to say anything that may cause potential damage to the Wii’s sales, and have people waiting instead for a higher version of the Wii.
But that won’t be the news ’til next year. So for now, let’s keep our eyes on the first Wii. However, you can bet we’d still be on the lookout for more developments on the DVD Wii.
Via ars technica
Even before the Wii gets released, Nintendo already has let out the word that a 2007 model will be coming out. But instead of adding horsepower to the cute little console, what they will be featuring in that model will be a built-in DVD playback functionality. And this will only be available in Japan.
Relaying the news through Edge, a UK gaming magazine, Nintendo discloses that they plan to launch it some time in the early part of next year, however, they have no plans of making it available in the European or North American markets. They also have yet to determine the pricing or availability of the “DVD Wii”.
This announcement spurred speculations that the company just may be on the track of producing a “more powerful” Wii model. The Wii model coming out on November 19th went for a “low-power” approach, thereby enabling the console to have an “always-on” functionality, even when it is put in sleep mode, and to be a small, portable unit. However, while being small does have its advantages, what is the common worry is that it won’t have as much CPU power, hence stunting the potential of the console.
Nintendo, however, refuses to comment on the rumors of a more powerful Wii, and understandably so. Of course, they wouldn’t want to say anything that may cause potential damage to the Wii’s sales, and have people waiting instead for a higher version of the Wii.
But that won’t be the news ’til next year. So for now, let’s keep our eyes on the first Wii. However, you can bet we’d still be on the lookout for more developments on the DVD Wii.
Via ars technica
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