Wii Channel Menu And Official Set Of Hardware Now Made Public

For those who just can’t wait to know what the Wii will have to offer once it’s finally released in November, then here’s a list of some of the features that users will be able to look forward to, as well as some pictures of the pieces of hardware that should be included in that box once you do purchase it.

Because the Wii aims to revolutionize how video games are played, they have also included a variety of features that can turn the Wii into a complete entertainment, information and communication hub. Since the Wii Channel Menu will be the first thing that users will see on their TV screens, Nintendo hopes that this way, the Wii will become integrated with people’s everyday lives.

Read the full features of the Channel Menu and view Wii Hardware pics after the Jump!

For those who just can’t wait to know what the Wii will have to offer once it is finally released by November of this year, then here’s a list of some of the features that users will be able to look forward to, as well as some pictures of the pieces of hardware that should be included in that box once you do purchase it.

Because the Wii aims to revolutionize how video games are played, they have also included a variety of features that can turn the Wii into a complete entertainment, information and communication hub. Since the Wii Channel Menu will be the first thing that users will see on their TV screens, Nintendo hopes that this way, the Wii will become integrated with people’s everyday lives.

Features found in the Channel Menu will include the following:

• Disc Channel: allows users to play either Wii game discs or the entire library of Nintendo GameCube™ discs.

• Mii Channel: Fun caricatured portraits created in this channel can be used as characters across a variety of Wii software. Portraits can be stored in a userÂ’s Wii Remote and taken to a friendÂ’s house to play on another Wii console. Each member of the family can have his or her Wii Remote personalized with a caricature.

• Photo Channel: allows users to take digital pictures stored on an SD memory card and display them on their television screens. Users also can manipulate the photos in a variety of fun and creative ways, such as zooming or creating mosaics, puzzles or slide shows. They can draw, add stamps, and copy and paste. They also can change the “mood” of photos by brightening them, converting them to monochrome, inverting the color or changing them to stark black and white. Users can even add an MP3 tune to their slide shows. It provides a fun and easy outlet for people to edit their digital pictures. Users also can send their pictures to other Wii consoles by attaching a photo to the Wii Message Board.

• Forecast Channel: Users who have connected their Wii to the Internet can access free local weather forecasts just a few seconds after turning on the Wii console. The WiiConnect24 service automatically updates local weather information. Users can view forecasts for cities around the world on a 3-D globe.

• News Channel: Users can access breaking news with the touch of a button. When connected to the Internet, the WiiConnect24 service automatically updates this free channel and organizes it in a variety of topical categories. Users can see where news is happening by viewing the location of news stories on a 3-D globe.

• Wii Shop Channel: where users go to buy Wii Points or redeem them to download classic video games to the Virtual Console. Users also can use points to download the Opera browser used in the Internet Channel.

• Internet Channel: Users download the Opera browser with Wii Points. Then they can surf the Internet right from the comfort of their couch. They can do quick research while watching a television program (“What was that actor’s name again?”). Or book travel plans and shop during commercials. The service is compatible with Macromedia Flash.

• Wii Message Board: Users can leave messages for other family members on a calendar-based message board. They also can use WiiConnect24 to send messages to people outside the home as well. Even better, people can trade photos and text messages with cell phone users. The service also allows for incoming messages targeted at software, such as a new map or weapon for a game. Games can constantly be updated, thereby extending their playability.