Wiiminder Update

Just a brief note, Wiiminder has been updated and is now fully compatible with the latest version of the Wii Internet Channel.

The update improves overall stability, adds the ability to scroll tabbed content while zoomed in, and fixes a glitch which caused the auto-hide interface to disappear.

Be sure to keep an eye peeled for some exciting things coming from Warp Pipe in the not so distant future.

More On Warp Pipe

We have a strategy for Warp Pipe which will allow us to operate somewhat independent of the traditional third party game developer system (and hopefully generate net income quickly).

Our product roadmap begins with web-based services and will hopefully result with games on shelves running on the demasked platform (a platform that will start as a web-based service). Our mantra is all about connecting gamers and keeping them in touch with each other without having to leave the game experience. This is not going to be clear initially, but the closer we get to our end goal, it will all come into play.

Times have changed since our initial venture, as we now live in an environment that is more friendly to independent game companies. There are opportunities that did not exist two years ago that will allow us to exist and grow in what is a very competitive industry. That said, we will likely be spending a lot of time (Q2 2007 - ?) developing and releasing downloadable games for Xbox 360 and possibly Nintendo Wii (largely depending on what Nintendo's plans are).

Lots of work ahead of us, expect to see some notable changes in the coming weeks.

Wii News Channel

I woke up this morning to a flashing Wii. Like the launch of the Wii News Channel, I had figured NIntendo decided to release early.

After the obligatory system update, I launched the Wii News Channel. I have to say that I am impressed by the user experience. The globe really gives context to each story. There is a slight edge case though, as most of the international and domestic stories come out of New York (a place of news distribution, not the origin of the story).

All in all, the News Channel is a channel for news. As polished and interesting as the user interface may be (resizing text gives an interesting animation), it isn't part of a stellar community-based online initiative I had hoped from Nintendo at this point.

Warp Pipe Wii Start Page Continued

I'm happy to see the Wii community embrace the project so far. I shot and uploaded a video late on Christmas Eve, check it out below. I also just made some minor revisions and improvements so point your Wii over to warppipe.com and check it out!

Warp Pipe Wii Start Page

I whipped up a start page for the Wii browser. It includes tabbed browsing, integrated google search, and address bar. You may find it useful. If you want to check it out simply point your Wii Opera browser to wii.warppipe.com.

I plan on adding integrated del.icio.us functionality and tab naming sometime later today. As always, comments are suggestions are always welcome. I want to make this as useful as possible.

NY Times Gets To The Heart Of The Wii

The New York Times have written a pretty decent overview on how the Wii works, including a fairly comprehensive dissection of the Wiimote. Interesting to see mainstream media take such detailed interest in a new Nintendo product.

To think, a year ago all the industry could wrap their minds around was the Playstation 3. Not to say the Wii spotlight is everlasting, food for thought nonetheless.

Anticipating the launch of the Opera browser tomorrow. I wonder how quickly the system update will be made available. Here's hoping for a midnight launch.

Wii Forecast Channel

I woke up this morning, went into the kitchen to make some tea and noticed my Wii blinking blue from my Living Room. I knew Nintendo had planned on releasing the Forecast Channel on Wednesday, but it looks like they made it a day early.

I didn't have much time to play with it, but from what I've seen, I love it. The interface is really clean and the navigation is incredibly intuitive. The globe feature, in particular, is really neat. Think google maps + a 3D globe (you can drag and spin by holding A+B and whipping the controller from side to side).

I'm particularly interested in the prospect of Nintendo opening up channels to developers. Everyone is looking forward to Opera, let's hope it arrives soon.

Wii Got One!

After 6 long hours in the cold, I have a Wii! More later, time to play.

Wiikend Preparation

We live in a world of mashups and APIs.

It is interesting to think back to the launch of the GameCube and how I was able to acquire it a day before street date. It was the old fashioned way, through discussion and the sharing of information on the IGN Cube Forums. The same way Warp Pipe was started.

My DS launch experience was even more primitive. I called my local Wal-Mart and headed there a few hours before midnight. This year, we have web applications guiding the way. They provide useful information and I'm sure they come in handy for some people.

Myself? I have an ace up my sleeve.

Bummer

Sometimes things don't work out. My favorite line in Ghostbusters is "everything happens for a reason". I have always lived by that and it remains true thus far. We shall see.

This week has been very hectic. Worked night and day on the victoryrecords.com relaunch, which will be live next week. It will be my year anniversary at Victory the week after next. I am very happy to get the new site out there, the difference is night and day (more on that later).

Right now, we are planning for the wiikend. It has been a long road, I will finally have a true successor to the NES in my living room. Hats off to Nintendo for that. Until tomorrow, farewell.