Topic: Wii Input

[MaryJane]

Nintendo has yet to announce how Wii users will communicate with one another.  There has been no keyboard announced, and the few Wii interface videos that have been shown don't have a virtual keyboard. Personally I think it's a little late to announce a new periphal for a system that is going to launch in less than 16 days.

Also I was watching G4 today, and they were speaking to a Nintendo rep, and the interviewer asked they guy, how will the Mii's communicate? Text, or will little bubbles pop up over their heads? His answer was that there will be many communication features including the ability to use a message board, and leave messages for your friends, BUT, we're not revealing it yet, it's one more of those secrets we want you to wait for!

A keyboard is not a secret.

The other question is, why would Nintendo wait this long to announce such a vital part of the online strategy. It seems that besides gameplay all other features of Nintendo's online system will be available for use right out of the box. So it would seem that the method to communicate would already be included in the box.  When we're this close to launch and no extra periphal has been announced it's safe to assume one of two things: 1. As discussed and much exhausted, the Wii-mote's speaker also includes a microphone. 2 Nintendo is going to piss off a lot of people by either using the one of the slowest on-screen keyboards ever, or announcing a new peripheral.

The biggest question is why keep this secret until now? Whatever the input method is, we have seen nothing of it. It's a little late for them to be worried about Sony copying their method as the launch of the PS3 is less than 2weeks away. They still owe us more details on Wii24Connect, but even that they gave a good amount of information already. However, something as important as the way we'll all be communicating with each other should have been revealed, unless it's the simple act saying that the controller also has a mic, which for the sake of making sure there are no riots, I hope it is.

[BlackNMild2k1]

My guess is there is a headset (which we already know is coming) and they have enabled VoIP in all multiplayer games and between Mii channel and your friends list. Now group chat really will be group chat as you don't have to be in game to communicate over the headset. As far as I know that would one up Xbox LIVE, but not with anything that they couldn't fix with another update.

[Pale]

Did you watch IGN's hands on video?  It's an on screen keyboard that you use the pointer for.  There won't be a keyboard (at least not in the near future).

[MaryJane]

Actually I did watch it, and I didn't notice the keyboard, that is so F'n lame.

[couchmonkey]

You can use it like a cel phone too!  il txt u lol.

[Edfishy]

Suppose it's possible to have a "multi-port" attachment to the Wiimote?  Thereby allowing you to plug in the Nunchuck and a keyboard/headset?

I'd really prefer a microphone built into the Wiimote, it would solve so many problems.

[MarioAllStar]

It would solve the problem for games like Nintendogs (if the franchise comes to Wii), but a built-in microphone would not be suitable for online communication. The quality would likely be very low and speaking into the middle of a controller for extended periods of time would be clunky. Plus, if you are in the middle of a motion-sensitive game, then you can't just pull the remote to your mouth.

If Nintendo plans to have any voice communication, an external microphone is the way to go.

[IceCold]

What about support for a USB keyboard?

[UncleBob]

I have high hopes that my ASCII GCN Keyboard will work.

[MaryJane]

They really should be releasing a keyboard or headset with the console.

[Stimutacs Addict]

what about those yuppie-bluetooth cellphone headsets?
why can't nintendo upgrade the firmware and let us use those?

[Pale]

I'm pretty confident Nintendo is testing the waters with the on screen keyboard.  If it blows up in their face and very few people are using the message board feature, I expect to see a keyboard attachment.  While a USB keyboard would be nice, one that plugs into the Wii remote would be even cooler so I wouldn't have to worry about wires.

[Kairon]

Don't forget the entire speech-to-text rumor!

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[MaryJane]

it would be very admirable if nintendo were to use the bluetooth cellphone headsets, or usb keyboards, to give us the ability to use mass market products instead of only their specific products, much like they are doing with the SD memory cards.