REDMOND, WASH – Don’t need another game console, but need a better remote? Consider Nintendo’s new TVii app that transforms the Wii U GamePad controller into a TV remote. The catch is you still have to pay a minimum $300 for the console to get the remote features.
Available Dec. 20, Nintendo TVii is a free, integrated service for the recently launched Wii U console that “combines what you watch and how you watch into one seamless, second-screen experience on the revolutionary new Wii U GamePad controller.”
Nintendo claims its new video game console is the best solution to navigate the hundreds of satellite and cable channels options that are now available.
“After Dec. 20, you’ll never look at your TV the same way again,” said Nintendo of America President and COO Reggie Fils-Aime. “Wii U owners have already experienced the transformative effect that the GamePad has on game play and social interaction. Nintendo TVii shows how the integrated second screen of the GamePad can also transform and enhance the TV viewing experience. Welcome to the new world of TVii.”
Nintendo TVii maximizes Wii U owners’ current cable, satellite and video-on-demand services by pulling all of their available content sources into one place. This empowers Wii U owners to focus on what they want to watch and not how they want to watch claims Nintendo. And once users find the show, sporting event or movie they want, they press an icon and Nintendo TVii does the rest.
The service also includes a series of social features that enable Wii U owners to share experiences and exciting moments with friends as they are happening on live TV. People can engage with others by commenting and sharing on Miiverse, Facebook and Twitter. Or they can comment, post or tweet about what they are viewing by using the personal screen of the Wii U GamePad.
Nintendo says the TVii requires no additional equipment and can be enjoyed with very little setup, “demonstrating what’s possible when the second screen is truly integrated with the TV.” Wii U owners can also discover more information about what they’re watching by accessing information on the GamePad via an Internet connection.
At launch, the service will support cable and satellite providers in both the U.S. and Canada as well as direct integration with Amazon Instant Video and Hulu Plus subscriptions in the United States. Further integration with Netflix subscriptions and TiVo are expected in early 2013 in the United States. Wii U owners with a Netflix subscription can still access the Netflix application from the Wii U system’s main menu and enjoy their favorite content accordingly.
All elements of the Nintendo TVii service are included in the purchase price of the Wii U system. Users can define which services they currently subscribe to – including the channel lineup in their cable package and video-on-demand service subscriptions – as part of the setup process.
Nintendo TVii observes the Wii U system parental controls, and additional options specific to the Nintendo TVii features can be chosen in the Nintendo TVii settings. Every member of the family can create a different viewing profile.
