New Wii firmware supports USB keyboard, halts FreeLoader

[halojames]

Yesterday we reported the release of a new firmware release for the Nintendo Wii. Amongst the obvious changes were a Wii Shop Channel re-jig and a spangly new digital clock for your Wii menu. However, curious owners have also discovered that it also allows limited USB keyboard support and, annoyingly, blocks the use of Freeloader.

The console should recognise most USB keyboards, allowing the entry of composition of messages between yourselves and your Wii buddies a whole lot easier. It’ll also work in the Wii Shop Channel’s search function. Unfortunately it isn’t yet functioning via the Wii’s Opera Internet Browser (where it’d be most useful, no less). This minor omission from the upgrade is why, perhaps, Nintendo has been shy about hollering about its latest Wii update.

In further disappointing news related to the machine’s third firmware version, it has been discovered that the console no longer supports the use of FreeLoader discs. Designed by Datel during the Nintendo GameCube’s lifetime, the software disables the regional lockout in the console allowing it to play games from any region (PAL, NTSC, JNTSC etc. depending on where you live). It also used to function on the Wii, but no longer it seems.

We imagine there’s many a gutted importer out their at the moment,

[trevpimp]

nice find, lol

[halojames]

stop doing that

[ninjask88]

Sonce you can use a keyboard I wonder what other exoansions we can see from Nintendo coming in the near future.

[Dirtguy3]

so does that mean every1 is going to b making keyboards 4 the wii now

[ninjask88]

Originally Posted by Dirtguy3

so does that mean every1 is going to b making keyboards 4 the wii now

Probably, hopefully they dont start making them with sports teams on them like with the PS2 controllers.

[Agravain3]

get ready for the 3rd party flood