Actually wasn't there a similar rumor near the beginning of the year citing that Nintendo might be starting Wii production in April. In all actuallity I wouldn't be to surprised if the production has already started. I t gives them some time and I'm sure part of the final dev kits is an actual Wii. It would also explain why Nintendos biggest response to people moaning about the name is "Deal with it." That pretty much says it's a done deal right there. My Prediction is this, assuming production has started:
What we'll see at E3 will be first run Wii's.
By the end of the month/begining of next month Final Dev kits we'll be out with actual final Wii's.
About a month after that Since Nintendo insists that we must feel the Wii to know the Wii. Press Wii's will go out with a strict agreement that if you sell these Nintendo will no longer do business with you.
Just a note Nintendo will have dedicated resources to prevent the sale and the punishment of the seller of these units.
A month of Press coverage/unit shipping.
So that puts at a September launch.
I feel that this would be the best way to go about it give maybe a Month or Two on the launch and the press Wii's. (So instead maybe September/August or August/October or even August/November but no later than August on the Press Wii's) Another note at the point before launch Nintendo will know by serial number who Wii belongs to who.
Also since Wii ends in a vowel is it Wiis or Wii's. Because with GCN it's GCN's because it's a acronym. The fun of made up words.
Edit: I found the link my comments when the memory shipments were told to be September. I think it helps with my timetable.
What I said when the Memory shipment was rumored