Wiiminder: The first step
It was only a matter of time before someone totally made some amazing software to take advantage of the Wii’s amazing Internet Browsing capabilities. Whether it be the ability watch/play Flash animations/games, or watch YouTube videos, or just otherwise, browse the web in style, we knew it was coming.
Well, I am happy to point a video to what will otherwise, as far as I know, be the first in this series of innovations. It’s called Wiiminder, and it’s brought to us by Warp Pipe. Warp Pipe, for those of you that may not know, are the guys that, about 3 or 4 years ago, implemented the means of playing otherwise local multiplayer games for the GameCube, such as Mario Kart Double Dash and… games such as Mario Kart: Double Dash available to played online versus other players provided you had an internet connection and a broadband adapter.
[the first step not the final one]
Although their software didn’t get much use due to the lack of even LAN supported multiplayer games, low supply of broadband adapters, and even lower supply of people willing to invest the effort required to set up the connection, the software worked, believe me, I was one of the few that actually set it up at home to play people online. It was an excellent step in software development, and I can’t begin to describe how good of a learning experience it must have been for them. Well, I’m glad to see their next software creation, and I look forward to using it as well!
Anyway, as for Wiiminder itself, I am happy that the this software was developed, but I additionally think that its use will be limited in quantity. Outside of the novelty of using your Wii to surf the web, I don’t think most people will spend much time actually sitting at their Wiis surfing the net because it’s just not currently practical. Though what they did with Wiiminder makes what uses for Wii surfing that would otherwise be desirable, quite practical. Quickly accessing your stored bookmarks, easy searches on Google as well as the wealth of YouTube videos to play in your living room, use of your entertainment center to play your favorite music with finetune in the comforts of your living room with your Wii (despite other setups making this undoubtedly easier).
Regardless though, we are currently dealing only with the trial version of the Internet Browser for the Wii, so I wouldn’t be too suprised at all if something including these kinds of options make their way into the actual full version of the Internet Browser. Needless to say, Wiiminder is definitely a must when surfing the web on your Wii!
As I said, this is the first step, I believe, of things to come. It is a look at the window of possibilities that the Wii has opened for us. An easy means to let anyone with knowledge in developing a website, being able to create individual, unique applications for the Wii. Sure we currently view the Internet Browser as a means of simply surfing the Web, but what about in the days to come when we have flash games designed exclusively to be played on the Wii? What of other new and interesting development that simply make use of the internet and the Wii’s browsing capabilities to make use of these applications? Imagine instant messaging, pictochat, logging onto your favorite online sites with Wii Interfaces and exclusive Wii Services? On the internet, anything is possible, and it is that kind of gateway that this all represents.
Add comment February 19th, 2007 by Anuj
