Nintendo TVii | experience it all.

A new app is about to land on Wii U. Nintendo TVii, a second-screen experience that changes the way you “find, watch, and engage” entertainment content, was supposed to launch with the console in November, but it was delayed due to lack of app support. Now that Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Amazon Instant Video are available to download on the Wii U, the stars have aligned for TVii to launch at last. In short, TVii is a free service that functions as a “personalized program guide, remote control, and social second screen,” collating TV shows, movies, and sports from various content providers including the aforementioned video streaming services, live TV (cable and satellite providers), and DVRs powered by TiVo. In addition to searching across these services and watching content, you can make the experience social by commenting on what you’re watching and sharing your thoughts with friends via Miiverse, Facebook and Twitter. According to a new press release (in full after the break), the app will only support Hulu, Amazon, and live TV at launch; Netflix and TiVo integration “are expected in early 2013.”

Nintendo TVii comes to Wii U tomorrow, December 20, as a free download. Watch a demo after the break.

Update (12/20): As promised, TVii is now available on the Wii U. It isn’t delivered as a download however; simply fire up your Internet-connected console and you should find it hanging out in the home screen. In related news, Nintendo has specified that TiVo support is coming in January, with support for other DVRs coming “in the future.”

[Via Nintendo 1, 2] Continue reading Nintendo TVii comes to Wii U December 20 →

66 days. That’s when Nintendo’s next generation home console the Wii U releases. Calculating… the Wii U ships November 18, 2012. Consumers will have two SKUs to choose from: a $299.99 basic set and a $349.99 deluxe set. The basic set includes an 8GB Wii U console and GamePad splashed in white, one GamePad stylus, the sensor bar, an HDMI cable, and AC adapters for the console and controller. The deluxe set adds a Wii U console stand, a Gamepad cradle and stand, a deluxe digital promotion for redeemable points in the Nintendo eShop, and the Nintendo Land game. This slightly more expensive model also upgrades the internal storage to 32GB and switches the console and GamePad’s color to black. The console stand, GamePad stand and cradle will be sold separately, along with the Wii U Pro Controller. Nintendo has confirmed that they won’t be separately selling GamePads at launch since games don’t support two at once just yet.

More than 50 games will be available for Wii U adopters during a launch window that extends from launch day to March 31, 2013. In typical fashion, Nintendo has a Mario game in the mix along with the anticipated Pikmin 3 but you may be surprised to discover many high profile third party games coming to the Wii U as well including Call of Duty: Black Ops II from Activision, Assassin’s Creed III from Ubisoft, and Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition from Warner Bros. Jump after the break to view the full list of launch windows games.

In addition to announcing the Wii U’s pricing, availability, and games lineup this week, Nintendo also previewed a new service that takes advantage of the GamePad. It’s called Nintendo TVii and it serves as an interactive second screen experience playing on the way you “find, watch, and engage” entertainment content. It’s a free service that functions as a “personalized program guide,” collating TV shows, movies, and sports from services like Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, live TV, and your DVR (if it’s powered by TiVo). The user interface is straightforward; click Movies and you’ll be able to browse a collection of flicks provided by the streaming video companies you subscribe to. Click one and it will begin to play on your big screen TV. During the course of the movie, your GamePad is a second screen that provides additional information pertaining to the content that’s being played. While a TV show or movie is on, you can access social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Nintendo’s own MiiVerse to share and comment on what you’re watching and interact with your friends. The Sports section shows you scores from your favorite teams; tap a scoreboard for additional information related to that game and if it’s playing in your region you can hit play to watch it on your TV. Jump after the break to watch a video demonstration.

The Wii U is up for preorder today at GameStop. Get a closer look at the HD-capable console in the gallery below. PR after the break.