WiiNintendo

A new firmware update has just been released that brings Wii owners to the 3.4 version. So far, all that we know about this update officially is that it added USB keyboard support to the Mii Channel, enhanced Parental Controls, and possibly blocked some hacks. WiiRevolution1 on NSider 2 did some snooping and found an announcement about the new firmware update on the Japanese Nintendo site. The Google translation says, “In some of the SD Memory Card to improve the speed of reading and writing. Wii will improve the ability to read the disk.”

That sounds like it might make it faster to transfer things to and from a SD card. WiiRevolution1 tested it out and said it now took him 3 seconds to transfer 90 blocks, which from what I’ve experienced in the past, is a significant increase. Hopefully we’ll get more details on this firmware update. Oh, and there are some that believe this update added the section on the Wii Shop Channel to enter Wii Download Ticket Numbers. That actually came a few days ago, so that’s not a part of the new firmware update.

UPDATE: Looks like those with the Homebrew Channel will have it removed and then won’t be able to re-install it. So homebrew users can just not update, right? Wrong. Nintendo just updated their Terms of Service:

“We may without notifying you, download updates, patches, upgrades and similar software to your Wii Console and may disable unauthorized or illegal software placed on your Wii Console to ensure that your Wii Console is operating properly and efficiently, comply with applicable laws, assist law enforcement, protect us and our customers, or prevent the use and distribution of software obtained through improper channels.”

So basically if you don’t want to update, you better disconnect your Wii from the internet because Nintendo may auto-update your Wii. I guess Nintendo is really taking action against homebrew users.

UPDATE 2: There have been various reports on the speed of copying things. Some people say they have no change in the speed, while others say it’s much faster. This could be due to different SD cards being used. Also, the previous report isn’t totally accurate. WiiBrew is now reporting that the update won’t remove the Homebrew Channel if you already have it installed. It still blocks it from being added though. I also changed the picture in the post to be of the message that Nintendo sent out about the firmware update.

[Via NSider 2, Nintendo of Japan, WiiBrew, and NintendoRAW]

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