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[[Image:Wiimen.png|thumb|300px|right|The Wii Menu as displayed in the [[widescreen]] (16:9) format.]]
The '''Wii Menu''' is the top-level menu interface of the [[Wii]] game console. It has four pages, each with a 4-by-3 grid, and each displaying the current time and date. Available applications, known as "channels", are displayed and can be navigated using the pointer capability of the [[Wii Remote]]. The grid is customizable; users can move channels (except for the Disc Channel) amongst the menu's 47 customizable slots by pressing and holding the A and B button while hovering over the channel the user wants to move. By pressing the plus and minus buttons on the Wii Remote users can scroll across accessing these empty slots.
{{TOClimit|limit=3}}

==Pre-loaded channels==
===Disc Channel===
[[Image:Disc channel.jpg|thumb|right|The ''Disc Channel'', with no disc inserted (fullscreen)]]
The ''Disc Channel'' allows users to play [[Wii]] and [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]] titles. The ''Disc Channel'' displays the name of the Wii title that is present in the drive and plays an introductory audiovisual clip. If a GameCube title is in the drive, it displays the GameCube logo and plays the GameCube's default startup sound. The GameCube titles, unlike Wii titles, do not display game logos or identifying information.

Each Wii System is region locked, which means that it treats discs from another region as unreadable. If no disc is inserted in the drive, the channel displays the image on the right. When a GameCube or Wii disc is inserted into the drive, the pictures of both discs spin until the type of disk is recognized. Once the disc type is recognized, the extra disc fades out and the recognized disc descends into a blue slot. When on the Wii Menu, after a disc is inserted, a disc will slide into the channel icon, with an animation representing the game in the slot. Clicking on the disc channel will begin that game.

Wii system updates are required before playing some games, like ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', and certain ''[[Guitar Hero]]'' and ''[[Rock Band]]'' titles. When loaded into the disc slot, an icon on the disc channel that says "Wii System Update" appears. After selecting the channel, the Wii will automatically update. If these updates are not installed, the games will remain unplayable until the update is installed, as each time the channel is loaded with the game inserted, the update prompt will appear, and declining the update will return the player to the Wii Menu instead of starting the game.

This is the only channel that cannot be moved across the Wii Menu without the use of 3rd party tools.

===Mii Channel===
{{mainarticle|Mii}}
[[Image:Mii channel.jpg|thumb|right|A Mii being created in the [[Mii Channel]]]]
The ''Mii'' (pronounced "[[me]]") ''Channel'' is an [[Avatar (virtual reality)|avatar]] creator, where users can design 3D [[caricatures]] of people (Miis) by selecting from a group of facial and bodily features. At the Game Developers Conference 2007, Shigeru Miyamoto explained that the look and design of the Mii characters are based on [[Kokeshi]], a form of Japanese doll used as souvenir gifts.

A ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired News]]'' interview of [[Katsuya Eguchi]] (producer of ''[[Animal Crossing]]'' and ''[[Wii Sports]]'') held in 2006 confirmed that the custom player avatar feature shown at Nintendo's E3 Media Briefing would be included in the hardware. The feature was described as part of a "Profile" system that contains the caricature and other pertinent player information.<ref name="caricature">{{cite news|url=http://blog.wired.com/games/index.blog?entry_id=1493873|title=Confirmed: Wii Hardware Stores Player Caricatures, Profiles|publisher=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|accessdate=2006-06-03|first=Chris|last=Kohler}}</ref> This application was officially unveiled by Nintendo in September 2006. It is incorporated into Wii's operating system interface as the "''Mii Channel''". Users can select from pre-made caricatures or create their own by choosing custom facial shapes, colors, and positioning. In certain games (including ''[[Wii Sports]]'', ''[[Wii Play]]'', ''[[Wii Fit]]'', ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games]]'', ''[[WarioWare: Smooth Moves]]'', ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'', ''[[Mario Party 8]]'', ''[[My Pokémon Ranch]]'' "[[Animal Crossing: City Folk]]", ''[[Mario Strikers Charged]]'', "[[Wii Sports Resort]]" and "[[Guitar Hero 5]]") each player's caricature will serve as the character he/she controls in some/all forms of gameplay. Miis can interact with other Wii users by showing up on their Wii consoles through the [[WiiConnect24]] feature or by talking with other Miis created by Wii owners all over the world. This feature is called Mii Parade. Early-created Miis as well as those encountered in Mii Parades may show up as spectators in some games.<ref name="IGN Wii Channels">{{cite news|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/732/732745p1.html|title=Wii Channel Breakdown}}</ref> Miis can be stored on Wii Remotes and taken to other Wii consoles. The remote can hold a maximum of 10 Miis. The Wii itself can hold 100 Miis.{{Citation needed|date=June 2008}}

In addition, Miis can be transferred from a user's Wii to supported [[Nintendo DS]] games via the Mii Channel. While in the channel, pressing A, followed by B, then 1 and hold 2 on the Wii Remote allows the user to unlock the feature.<ref>[http://www.cubed3.com/news/11049 Wii to DS Connection Found in Mii Channel]</ref>

===Photo Channel===
[[Image:Photo channel.jpg|thumb|right|An image being edited with the ''Photo Channel'']]
If a user inserts an [[Secure Digital card|SD card]] into the console, or receives photos ([[JPEG]]) or videos ([[MJPEG]]) via email, they can be viewed using the ''Photo Channel''. The user can create a slideshow simply by inserting an SD card with photos and, optionally, MP3 or AAC files (see note regarding December 10, 2007 update to version 1.1). The Wii will automatically add [[Ken Burns Effect]] transitions between the photos and play either the music on the SD card or built-in music in the background. A built-in editor allows users to add markings and effects to their photos. Mosaics and puzzles can also be created with this feature. Edited photos can be saved to the Wii (the Wii will not overwrite data on the SD card) and sent to other Wiis via the message board. According to the system's manual, the following file extensions (i.e. formats) are supported: Photos (jpeg/jpg), Movies (mov/avi), and Music (mp3/aac).

JPEG files can be up to 8192x8192 resolution and in baseline format.<ref name="File types compatible with the Photo Channel">{{cite web| url=http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/sdCards.jsp#file_types |title=File types compatible with the Photo Channel|accessdate=2007-01-16}}</ref> Video data contained within the .mov or .avi files must be in an [[OpenDML]] compliant [[MotionJPEG]] use some variant of this format for their videos.<ref name="Video Formats compatible with the Photo Channel">{{cite web| url=http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/compatibleMovie.jsp |title=Known Compatible Devices - Movie Files|accessdate=2007-01-16}}</ref> Photos, even high resolution ones, are compressed and decreased in resolution.<ref name="IGN review">[http://wii.ign.com/articles/748/748526p3.html IGN: Wii Thoughts and Suggestions<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

===Wii Shop Channel===
{{mainarticle|Wii Shop Channel}}
[[Image:WiiShopChannel.jpg|thumb|right|The ''Wii Shop Channel'' start screen]]
The ''Wii Shop Channel'' allows users to download games and other software by redeeming [[Wii Points]], which can be obtained by purchasing Wii Points (Nintendo Points) cards from retail outlets or directly through the ''Shop Channel'' using [[MasterCard]] or [[Visa (company)|Visa]] credit cards online. A feature to purchase download software as gifts for others became available worldwide on December 10, 2007. However, there are some countries that do not support purchasing Wii Points with a credit card. People in those countries will need to redeem a Nintendo Points Card.

Software in the ''Wii Shop Channel'' is currently divided into three sections:

====Virtual Console====
{{Main|Virtual Console|List of Virtual Console Games}}
The ''Virtual Console'' portion of the Wii Shop specializes in older software originally designed and released for home entertainment platforms that are now defunct. These games are played on the Wii through the [[Video game console emulator|emulation]] of the older hardware.

The prices are generally the same in almost every region and are determined primarily by the software's original platform.

====WiiWare====
{{Main|WiiWare|List of WiiWare games}}
The WiiWare section specializes in downloadable software specifically designed for the Wii. The first WiiWare games were made available on March 25, 2008 in Japan.<ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/news/6187517.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;1 Gamespot]</ref> WiiWare games launched in North America on May 12, 2008,<ref>{{cite web |author= |title=UPDATE 1-Nintendo rolls out Wii fitness game product |date=2008-02-20 |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSN2034720820080220 |accessdate=2008-02-21}}</ref> and launched in Europe and Australia on May 20, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |author=Nintendo of Europe |title=Nintendo announces Q2 release schedule |date=2008-04-24 |url=http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2008/nintendo_announces_q2_release_schedule_7920.html |accessdate=2008-04-24}}</ref><ref>[http://www.nintendo.com.au/nintendo/news/index.php nintendo.com.au - News from Nintendo<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

The WiiWare section is being touted as a forum to provide developers with small budgets to release innovative, original, and smaller-scale games without the investment and risk of creating a title to be sold at retail (somewhat akin to [[Xbox Live Arcade]] and [[PlayStation Store]]). While actual games have been planned to appear in this section since its inception, there had been no official word on when any would be appearing until June 27, 2007, when Nintendo made an official confirmation in a press release which revealed the first titles would surface sometime in 2008. According to Nintendo the "remarkable motion controls will give birth to fresh takes on established genres, as well as original ideas that currently exist only in developers' minds".

Like Virtual Console games, WiiWare games are purchased using Wii Points. Nintendo will handle all pricing options for the downloadable games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/lJUgYjCGf4pVbYMAU2qmwF3wp7DiOK5k |title=Nintendo's WiiWare Paves the Way for Fresh Games, Cool Consumer Experiences |date=2007-06-27 |publisher=Nintendo of America |accessdate=2009-12-15}}</ref>

====Wii Channels====
The "Wii Channels" are additional channels that weren't released at the console's launch. These include: The Internet Channel, Everybody Votes Channel, Check Mii Out Channel, Nintendo Channel, and the Japan-only Television Friend Channel. Currently all the titles below are free of charge.

===Forecast Channel===
[[Image:Into-the-wii-forecast-channel-20061219055952773.jpg|thumb|right|Screenshot of ''Forecast Channel'' with weather from [[Seattle]].]]
''Forecast Channel'' allows weather reports and forecasts to be downloaded onto the console from the Internet via the WiiConnect24 service. The ''Forecast Channel'' displays a view of the Earth as a globe (courtesy of [[NASA]]), with which users can view weather in other regions. The user can also spin the globe. When fully zoomed out, an accurate<ref name="star map accuracy">{{cite web|url=http://us.wii.com/story_home.jsp|title=Us.Wii.com -- The Global Wii Experience Website in English|publisher=Nintendo|accessdate=2007-04-13}}</ref> star map is visible in the background (the [[Big Dipper]] and the [[constellation]] [[Orion (constellation)|Orion]] are easily recognizable, for example). The ''Forecast Channel'' features include the current forecast, the UV index, today's overall forecast, tomorrow's forecast, a 5-day forecast (only for the selected country), and a laundry check (Japan only). The ''Forecast Channel'' first became available on December 19, 2006, one day earlier than previously advertised. Certain games (like ''[[Madden NFL 07]]'' and ''[[NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams]]'') can use the ''Forecast Channel'' to simulate weather conditions depending on the player's region.<ref name="maddenweather">{{cite web|url= http://reviews.cnet.com/Madden_NFL_07_Wii/4524-9993_7-31861374.html|title=Madden NFL 07 (Wii)|publisher=[[CNET]]|date=2006-11-19|accessdate=2007-02-14}}</ref>

There are slight variations of ''Forecast Channel'' versions in different regions. When viewing weather conditions in Japan, a different set of weather icons is used. The Japanese icons were originally going to be used for all regions, but Nintendo of America (NOA) requested that more life-like icons be used. NOA also requested that the current weather conditions be displayed on the start up screen. Nintendo of Europe made a request that certain icons be made more distinct, such as the storm clouds, so that it would be possible for the user to tell if an area is getting rain, snow, sleet, hail, or thunderstorms. Additionally, the laundry index was only featured in the Japanese version.<ref>[http://us.wii.com/story_forecast.jsp Us.Wii.com - The Global Wii Experience Website in English<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

After the August 6 update, ''Forecast Channel'' shows the icon for the current weather in the Wii Menu.
Like the News Channel, long neglect of this channel will result in the icon not appearing, although the set time is longer than that of the News channel.

The Forecast Channel is not available in South Korea.<ref name=SK>[http://www.siliconera.com/2008/04/14/wii-launches-in-south-korea-on-april-26-with-even-cheaper-virtual-console-games/ Silliconera: Wii launches in South Korea on April 26 with even cheaper Virtual Console games]</ref>

===News Channel===
[[Image:News Channel.jpg|thumb|right|Screenshot of News Channel]]
''News Channel'' allows users to access news headlines and current news events obtained from the Internet.<ref name="newschannel">{{cite news|url=http://wii.nintendo.com/wiimenu.jsp|title=News Channel|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|accessdate=2006-09-14}}</ref> News articles are available on a globe view, similar to ''Forecast Channel'', and as a slide show.<ref name="Wii gamers to get online news service">{{cite news|url= http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2003540418_wii25.html|title=Wii gamers to get online news service| last=Woodward|first=Curt|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=2007-01-25 |accessdate=2007-01-25}}</ref> The content is automatically updated and viewable via WiiConnect24 with clickable news images supported.

''News Channel'' became available in North America, Europe and Australia on January 26, 2007. Content is in a variety of languages provided by the [[Associated Press]], which currently has a two-year contract to provide news and photos to Nintendo.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wii news for gamers|date=2007-01-25|publisher=CNN|url= http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/fun.games/01/25/wii.news.channel.ap/index.html|accessdate=2007-01-28}}</ref> Canadian news is submitted by the Canadian Press for publication. Japanese news is provided by the Japanese news agency Goo.{{Citation needed|date=February 2007}} European news is provided by [[Agence France-Presse]].

Starting with the August 6, 2007 update, ''News Channel'' shows a [[news ticker]] in the Wii Menu. However, not visiting the channel for a period of some time will result in the ticker not appearing, until the channel is viewed. A December 20, 2007 PAL region update increased the number of news feeds to the Channel, sourced from a larger number of news resources and agencies, providing more news that is available per country.<ref>[http://gonintendo.com/?p=32000 GoNintendo » Blog Archive » Wii News Channel updated- What are you waiting for?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

As with the Forecast Channel, the News Channel is not available in South Korea.<ref name=SK/>

===Wii & the Internet Channel===
A channel installed to newer Wii consoles purchased after 2008. It features a demonstration video on the benefits of connecting the Wii console to the Internet. Its icon on the Wii Menu periodically displays a message that suggests users delete the channel after viewing it. <!-- There is barely any info on this channel on the Internet. However, I have seen my relatives with it on the Wii Menu; they recently bought a new Wii. Some GameStop stores have it installed. -->

==Downloadable channels==
===Internet Channel===
{{mainarticle|Internet Channel}}
''Internet Channel'' is a version of the [[Opera (web browser)|Opera]] [[web browser]] for use on the [[Wii]] by [[Opera Software]] and [[Nintendo]].<ref>[http://www.consolewatcher.com/2006/05/confirmed-Wii-will-be-using-the-opera-browser/ Wii will be using the opera browser] ''Console Watcher''</ref> On December 22, 2006 a free [[Software release life cycle#Beta|beta version]] (promoted as a "trial version") of the browser was released.<ref>[http://www.opera.com/pressreleases/en/2006/12/19/ The Opera browser for Wii launches just in time for the holidays]</ref> The final version of the browser was released on April 11, 2007 and was free to download until the end of June 2007. After this deadline had passed, the ''Internet Channel'' cost 500 [[Wii Points]] to download<ref>[http://www.nintendo-europe.com/NOE/en/GB/news/article.do?elementId=IsC-1sqxBzf2X6D1MAbsTCubYmGJRdR9 Nintendo of Europe press release]</ref> though users who downloaded the browser before June 30, 2007, could continue to use it at no cost for the lifetime of the Wii system.<ref>[http://www.opera.com/pressreleases/en/2006/12/22/ Opera Press Release]</ref> An update on October 10, 2007<ref>[http://www.n-sider.com/contentview.php?contentid=3500 New Wii firmware update, brings Internet Channel perks]</ref> added USB keyboard compatibility. On September 1, 2009 the Internet Channel was made available to Wii owners for no cost of Wii Points<ref>http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/nintendo-now-offering-wii-internet-channel-for-free</ref> and updated to include improved Adobe Flash support. A refund will be issued to those who paid for the channel in the form of one free NES game download worth 500 wii points.

Features and fixes found in the final version include: improved zooming and scrolling with an improved font, reduced startup time, the ability to hide the toolbar, and preset buttons for typing phrases such as 'www.' and '.com'.<ref>[http://wii.ign.com/articles/774/774994p1.html Final Version of Wii Browser in April]</ref>

Opera Software was previously responsible for the [[Nintendo DS Browser]] for Nintendo's handheld system.

''Internet Channel'' uses whichever connection is chosen in the Wii Settings, and utilizes the user's internet connection directly; There is no third party network that traffic is being routed through. It receives a connection from a router/modem and uses a web browser to pull up HTTP and HTTPS (secure and encrypted) web pages. Opera, the Wii's web browser, is capable of rendering most web sites in the same manner as its desktop counterpart by using Opera's Medium Screen Rendering technology. For most internet users, the Wii offers all of the functionality they need to perform the most common [[World Wide Web|web]] tasks.

The software is saved to the Wii's 512 MB internal flash memory (it can be copied to an [[Secure Digital card|SD]] card after it has been downloaded). The temporary Internet files (maximum of 5MB for the trial version) can only be saved to the Wii's internal Memory. The application launches within a few seconds, after connecting to the Internet through a [[Wi-Fi|wireless]] [[LAN]] using the built in interface or a [[Ethernet|wired]] LAN by using the [[USB]] to Ethernet adapter (sold separately).

The Opera-based Wii browser allows users full access to the [[World Wide Web|Web]] and supports all the same web standards that are included in the desktop versions of Opera, including [[Cascading Style Sheets|CSS]] and [[JavaScript]]. It is also possible for the browser to use technologies such as [[Ajax (programming)|Ajax]], [[SVG]], [[RSS]], and [[Adobe Flash]] 8 and limited support for Flash 9. Opera Software has indicated that the functionality will allow for third parties to create web applications specifically designed for the use on the Wii Browser, and it will support [[Widget engine|Widgets]], standalone web-based applications using Opera as an application platform.<ref name="Widgets">{{cite web| url=http://www.opera.com/company/investors/finance/2006/2Q06_presentation.pdf| title=Second Quarter 2006 Financial Presentation| publisher=Opera Software }}</ref> The company has also stated that some Wii video games may implement the use of the browser.<ref name="Cubed3">{{cite web| last=Temperton| first=James| url=http://www.cubed3.com/news/5329| title=Interview: Opera's Nintendo Wii Browser|date=2006-06-03| accessdate=2006-06-04| publisher=Cubed3}}</ref>

===Everybody Votes Channel===
{{mainarticle|Everybody Votes Channel}}
[[Image:Everybody Votes Channel.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Everybody Votes Channel]]'' start screen]]
''Everybody Votes Channel'' allows users to vote in simple [[opinion poll]]s and compare and contrast opinions with those of friends, family and people across the globe.

''Everybody Votes Channel'' was launched on February 13, 2007, and is available in the Wii Channels section of the Wii Shop. The application allows Wii owners to vote on various questions using their Mii as a registered voter. Additionally, voters can also make predictions for the choice that will be the most popular overall after their own vote has been cast. Each Mii's voting and prediction record is tracked and voters can also compare whether their beliefs are in line with those of the majority of voters. Whether the Mii is correct in its predictions or not is displayed on a statistics page along with a counter of how many times that Mii has voted. Up to six [[Mii]]s can be registered to vote on the console. The channel is free to download.

This channel was included as part of the Wii update on October 10, 2007.

===Check Mii Out/Mii Contest Channel===
{{mainarticle|Check Mii Out Channel}}
<!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: [[Image:Mii Contest Channel.jpg|thumb|right|Mii Contest Channel (Check Mii Out Channel in North America) in Wii Menu|300px]] -->
The ''Check Mii Out Channel'', known as the ''Mii Contest Channel'' in Europe and Oceania, and ''Canal Miirame'' in Spanish-speaking countries (it means "WatchMii"), is a channel that allows players to share their Miis and enter them in to popularity contests. It was first available on November 11, 2007. It is available free to download from the [[Wii Channels]] section of the [[Wii Shop Channel]].

After assigning a Mii as an "Artisan" to identify the user, two sections become available in the ''Check Mii Out Channel'': Posting Plaza and Contests. In the Posting Plaza, players can view posted Miis from around the world or from their own region and import these Miis into their Mii Channel, in addition to submitting their own creations to the Plaza. Each submitted Mii is assigned a twelve digit Entry Number to aid in searching. Submitted Miis are given 2 initials by their creator and a skill/talent to aid in sorting. When importing Miis, the player is allowed to give the Mii whatever name they want.

Check Mii Out is the first Wii Channel that uses the Wii Message board. Users can opt to receive messages concerning the newest contests and enter the Check Mii Out channel directly from these messages.

In the Contests section, players can submit their own Miis to compete in contests to best fit a certain description (e.g. [[Mario]] without his cap). After the time period for sending a Mii has expired, the user has the choice of voting for three Miis featured on the judging panel, with ten random Miis being shown at a time.

Once the judging period is over, the results of the contest may be viewed. If the user has submitted a Mii to the contest OR voted for other users' entries, those Miis are shown running up a mountain that represents how popular they were in comparison to other entries. The user is told their "Eye for Miis," (e.g. Average, Untrained) and hovering over each selected Mii displays a level (e.g. 9th Level, 3rd Level).

The "Level System" is based on a 1-10 scale (set with 10 being the highest possible scoring and 1 as the last). Depending on how well a submitted Mii fits the designated topic (originality, how closely it resembles) is how to get scored. The user is then shown the first place Mii, along with its "Artisan." This leads into the top 50 Miis for the contest, viewable either as a Parade or Arranged.

For some contests, those who participated in the contest can create a souvenir photo that shows their submitted Mii and their artisan placed and posed on top of a background related to the contest theme, the image can then be sent to the Wii Message Board.

===Nintendo Channel===
[[Image:Nintendo Channel.jpg|thumb|right|The Nintendo Channel start screen]]
The ''Nintendo Channel'' ('''Minna no Nintendo Channel''', lit. ''"Everybody's Nintendo Channel"'' in Japan) allows [[Wii]] users to watch videos such as interviews, trailers, commercials and even download [[demos]] for the [[Nintendo DS]]. In this capacity the channel works in a similar way to a [[DS Download Station]]. The channel provides games info pages and users can rate games that they have played (excluding games rated M). A search feature is also available to assist users in finding new games to try or buy. The channel has the ability to take the user directly into the Wii Shop Channel for buying the wanted game immediately. The Nintendo Channel was launched in Japan on November 27, 2007<ref name="EverybodysNintendo">{{cite web|title=DS demos on your Wii in Japan|publisher=Club Skill|date=2007-11-27|url=http://www.clubskill.com/article/4710}}</ref>, in North America on May 7, 2008,<ref>[http://www.nintendic.com/news/2293 Nintendic » Nintendo Channel dated for US, WiiWare integrated<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and in Europe and Australia on May 30, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2008/nintendo_announces_q2_release_schedule_7920.html |title=Nintendo announces Q2 release schedule |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=2008-04-24 |accessdate=2008-04-24}}</ref> The Nintendo Channel is updated with different DS game demos and new videos every week; the actual day of the week varies across different international regions.

An updated version of the Nintendo Channel was released in Japan on July 15, 2009,<ref>http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/features/minnano_nintendo_ch/index.html</ref> North America on September 14, 2009, and in Europe on December 15, 2009. The update introduces a new interface and additional features, options and statistics for users to view. However, the European version is missing some of these new additional features, such as options for choosing video quality.

===Photo Channel 1.1===
An optional update to the ''Photo Channel'', named the Photo Channel 1.1., became available on December 10, 2007. It allows customization of the Wii Menu by letting users replace the ''Photo Channel'' icon with a picture taken from an SD card or a picture from the Wii Message Board. It also allows playback of songs in random order. MP3 support is replaced with [[Advanced Audio Coding|AAC]].<ref>http://wii.nintendo.com/photo_channel.jsp</ref> The update also added support for MPEG-4 encoded audio files in the .m4a extension.<ref>[http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/channelsPhoto.jsp#photo1.1 Nintendo - Customer Service | Wii - Photo Channel<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Wii owners who updated to version 1.1 can revert to version 1.0 by deleting it from the Channels menu in the Data Management setup. Consoles released after December 10, 2007 will come with the version 1.1 update preinstalled, and cannot be "downgraded" to version 1.0.

===Television Friend Channel===
The ''Television Friend Channel'' ('''Terebi no Tomo Channel''' in Japan) allows Wii users to check what programs are on television. Content is provided by [[Guide Plus|G-Guide]]. The Channel is said to be "very fun and Nintendo-esque".<ref>http://www.cubed3.com/news/8895/1/TV_Schedule_and_Wii_Shop_Upgrade_for_Wii</ref><ref>[http://www.n-europe.com/news.php?nid=11197 N-Europe: News: No Wii Price Cut & A New Wii Channel<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> A "stamp" feature allows users to mark programs of interest with a Mii-themed stamp. If an e-mail address or mobile phone number has been registered in the address book, the channel can send out an alert 30 minutes prior to the start of the selected program. The channel tracks the stamps of all Wii users and allows users to rate programs on a five-star scale. Additionally, when the channel is active the Wii remote can be used to change the TV's volume and channel so that users can tune into their shows by way of the channel.<ref name="ign-tv">{{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/856/856583p1.html |title=TV Guide Hits Japanese Wii |author=John Tanaka |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=2008-03-02 |accessdate=2008-04-18}}</ref> The Television Friend Channel launched in Japan on March 4, 2008. It is unlikely to be launched outside Japan, as most countries (unlike Japan) have a guide built into set-top boxes and/or TVs.<ref>[http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9823945-7.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1001_3-0-10 Will the Wii be a set-top box?]</ref>

===Digicam Print Channel===
[[Image:Digicam Print Channel.jpg|thumb|right|The Digicam Print Channel]]
The ''Digicam Print Channel'' is a Channel developed in collaboration with [[Fujifilm]] that allow users to import their digital photos from an SD card and place them into templates for printable photo books and business cards through a software wizard. The user is also able to place their [[Mii]] on a business card. The completed design is then sent online to Fujifilm who print and deliver the completed product to the user. The processing of individual photos is also available.

The Channel became available from July 23, 2008 in Japan. It will be available in Europe, Australia and North America in the future.<ref>[http://www.nintendo.co.jp/corporate/release/2008/080723.html ニュースリリース：2008年7月23日<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

===Today and Tomorrow Channel===
The '''Today and Tomorrow Channel'''<ref>[http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2009/free_today_and_tomorrow_channel_launches_for_wii_14488.html]</ref> ('''Kyou to Ashita no Uranai Lucky Channel''' in Japan) became available in Japan on December 2, 2008, and in Europe and South Korea<ref>{{ja icon}} {{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.kr/Wii/wiichannel/channel.php|title=Wii Channels|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|accessdate=14 September 2009}}</ref> on September 9, 2009. The channel was developed in collaboration with Media Kobo and allows users to view fortunes for up to six Miis across five categories: love, work, study, communications, and money. The Channel also features a compatibility test that compares two Miis, and also gives out "lucky words" that must be interpreted by the user. The channel uses Mii birthdate data but users must input a birth year when they are loaded to the channel.<ref>[http://www.siliconera.com/2008/12/02/hands-on-nintendos-fortune-telling-channel/ Hands On Nintendo’s Fortune Telling Channel]</ref>

===Wii no Ma===
{{mainarticle|Wii no Ma}}
A video-on-demand service channel was released in Japan on May 1, 2009, it will also be released in North America in the future{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}}. The channel is a [[joint venture]] between Nintendo and Japanese advertising agency Dentsu. The Channel's interface is built around a virtual living room, where up to 8 Miis can be registered and interact with each other. The virtual living room contains a TV which takes the viewer to the Video list. Celebrity "concierge" Miis occasionally introduce special programming.

===Demae Channel===
A food delivery service channel was released in Japan on May 26, 2009.<ref>{{ja icon}} {{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/features/wii_channel.html|title=Wii Channels|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|accessdate=26 April 2009}}</ref> The channel is a joint venture between Nintendo and Japanese on-line food delivery portal service Demae-can. The channel offers a wide range of foods provided by different food delivery companies which can be ordered directly through the Wii channel. A note is posted to the Wii Message Board containing what had been ordered and the total price. The food is then delivered to the address the Wii user has registered on the Channel.

===BBC iPlayer Channel===
Wii access to the BBC iPlayer was interrupted in September 2009, when an update to the Opera browser turned out to be incompatible with the iPlayer. The BBC chose not to make the iPlayer compatible with the upgrade. This was resolved on 18 November 2009 when they released the new iPlayer channel, allowing easier access to the iPlayer.

The BBC now offer a free, dedicated Wii Channel version of their [[iPlayer]] application.<ref name=cubed3>http://www.cubed3.com/news/12032</ref> which is only available in the UK.

==Additional channels==
These channels are those that can be acquired through the usage of various games and accessories.

===Wii Fit Channel===
''[[Wii Fit]]'' allows users to install a ''Wii Fit Channel'' to the Wii Menu. The channel allows them to view and compare their results, and those of others, as well as their progress in the game, without requiring the game disc to be inserted.

The Channel is essentially a stripped down version of ''Wii Fit''. It allows users to view statistics from the game including users' [[Body mass index|BMI]] measurements and balance test scores in the form of a line graph, as well as keep track of the various activities they have undertaken with a calendar. Users are also able to weigh themselves and do a BMI and balance test with the Channel once per day. However, if the player wishes to do any exercises or play any of the aerobics games and/or balance games, the Channel prompts the user to insert the ''Wii Fit'' game disc.

===Wii Fit Plus Channel===
''[[Wii Fit Plus]]'' allows users to install a ''Wii Fit Plus Channel'', that acts similarly to the Wii Fit channel, but includes newer features added to Wii Fit Plus. Upon installing it, the user is advised to delete the old Wii Fit Channel if they have it installed.

===Mario Kart Channel===
{{seealso|Mario Kart (series)}}
''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'' allows players to install the ''Mario Kart Channel'' on their [[Wii]] console. The channel can work without inserting the ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'' disc into the console, but to compete in races and time trials the disc is required. The use of the Mario Kart Channel allows for a number of options. A ranking option lets players see their best Time Trial scores for each track and compare their results to those of their friends and other players worldwide, represented by their Miis. Players will have the option of racing against the Ghosts of the best players, or improving their results gradually by taking on the Ghosts of rivals whose times are only slightly better than theirs. Players can choose whether they want to share their Time Trial Ghosts with the rest of the world, allowing them to match their skills against the "cream of the crop" whenever they want. The ability to download a random Time Trial Ghost is also available. Players can also manage and register friends using the Channel and see if any of them are currently online.

Another feature of the channel are Tournaments, where Nintendo will, on a regular basis, invite players to challenges similar to the missions of ''[[Mario Kart DS]]''. Players are also able to compare their competition rankings with other players.<ref>[http://nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2007/going_global_with_mario_kart_wii__7448.html Nintendo - News - Going global with Mario Kart Wii<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

===Daigasso! Band Brothers DX Speaker Channel===
The Japanese-only [[Nintendo DS]] game ''[[Daigasso! Band Brothers DX]]'' supports a ''Speaker Channel'' that allows players to connect their game to a Wii console and let the game's audio be played through the Channel.<ref>[http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/19/nintendo-wii-speaker-channel-for-blasting-band-bros-sequel/ Nintendo: Wii 'Speaker Channel' for blasting Band Bros. sequel]</ref> The Channel supports multiple players.<ref>[http://touch-ds.jp/mfs/st91/mft5.html Touch-DS.jp - 大合奏！バンドブラザーズDX<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

===Wii Speak Channel===
Users with the [[Wii Speak]] peripheral are able to access the Wii Speak Channel. Users can join one of four rooms (with no limit to the number of people in each room) to chat with others online. Each user is represented by their [[Mii]], which lip-syncs to their words. In addition, users can also leave audio messages for other users by sending a message to their Wii Message Board. Users can also share photo [[slideshows]] and comment on them. The Wii Speak Channel became available in North America and Europe on December 5, 2008.

===Rabbids Channel===
A channel created by [[Rabbids Go Home]]. When the game is started up for the first time (or when the player goes to the Player Profile screen), the player may install the Rabbids Channel, which will appear on the Wii Menu after download. Also, players can use the "Rabbids Channel" to view other people's rabbids and enter contests.

===Homebrew Channel===
{{mainarticle|Homebrew Channel}}
The [[Homebrew Channel]] is a [[freeware]] [[homebrew (video games)|homebrew]] application loader that was developed to provide a way of easily running unofficial software on the [[Wii]] console. Once installed, it appears as a standard [[Wii]] Channel on the Wii Menu. When launched, it displays a list of applications found on an [[SD card]], and the user can select an application to launch by using a [[GameCube]] controller or the [[Wii]] Remote. It also accepts application uploads via a USB Gecko or [[Transmission Control Protocol|TCP]]/[[Internet Protocol|IP]] (over [[WiFi]] or [[Ethernet]]), which allows for quick application testing during development. When first launched from the Wii Menu, the [[Homebrew Channel]] will check for updates to itself and automatically download them if the user chooses to do so.

The Homebrew Channel is not officially licensed software by Nintendo and the user assumes all risk involved. If the Wii Menu software is updated with the Homebrew Channel installed, the update may remove it from the system memory as well as any files it uses; these updates can also potentially [[Brick (electronics)|brick]] the updating Wii.

==Retired channels==
===Metroid Prime 3 Preview Channel===
A temporary promotional channel for ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]'' was available in 2007 - between August 10 and December 31 in North America and between October 15 and December 22 in the PAL region. The channel features videos showing gameplay and storyline details. There is also a "game" where the player wipes off the screen to see a big picture. After the channel was retired, its videos and minigame were removed and replaced with a message saying the "Metroid Prime 3 preview has expired" and suggests that users delete the channel instead.

==Message Board==
The ''Message Board'' allows users to leave messages for friends, family members, or other users on a calendar-based message board. Users can also use WiiConnect24 to trade messages and pictures with other Wii owners, conventional email accounts (email pictures to console, but not pictures to email), and mobile phones (through text messages). Each Wii has an individual wii.com email account containing the Wii Number. Prior to trading messages it is necessary to add and approve contacts in the address book, although the person added will not get an automatic notification of the request, and must be notified by other means. The service also alerts all users of incoming game-related information.

Message Board is available for users to post messages that are available to other Wii users by usage of Wii Numbers with [[WiiConnect24]]. In addition to writing text, players can also include images from an SD card in the body of messages, as well as attaching a [[Mii]] to the message. Announcements of software updates and video game news are posted by Nintendo. The Message Board can be used for posting memos for oneself or for family members without going online. These messages could then be put on any day of the calendar. The Wii Message Board could also be updated automatically by a real-time game like ''[[Animal Crossing (Wii)|Animal Crossing]]''.

''[[Wii Sports]]'', ''[[Wii Play]]'', ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'', ''[[Wii Speak Channel]]'', ''[[Wii Sports Resort]]'' & ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' use the Message Board to update the player on any new high scores or gameplay advancements, such as medal placements in the former two titles, completions of races including a photo, audio messages, and letters from the Mailtoad via the Wii message board. ''[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption]]'', ''Super Mario Galaxy'', ''Super Smash Bros Brawl'', ''[[Elebits]]'', ''[[Animal Crossing: City Folk]]'', ''[[Dewy's Adventure]]'' and the Virtual Console game ''[[Pokémon Snap]]'' allow players to take screenshots and post them to the Message Board to edit later or send to friends via messages. Except for [[Nintendo GameCube]] games, the Message Board also records the play history in the form of "Today's Accomplishments". This feature automatically records details of what games or applications were played and for how long. It cannot be deleted or hidden without formatting the console itself.<ref name="Reasoning Behind the Wii">{{cite news|last=|first=|date=2006-09-14|url=http://ms.nintendo-europe.com/wii/?site=v3_03.html&l=enGB|title=Reasoning Behind the Wii|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|accessdate=2006-09-14}}</ref>

Subsequent system updates added a number of minor features to the Message Board, including minor aesthetic changes, USB keyboard support and the ability to receive Internet links from friends, which can be launched in the Internet Channel.

==SD Card Menu==
The SD Card Menu is a feature made available with the release of Wii Menu version 4.0. This menu allows the user to run [[Virtual Console]] games, [[WiiWare]] games, and Wii Channels directly from the [[SD card]], making it possible to free up internal memory. Applications can now be downloaded to the SD card directly from the Wii Shop Channel as well.

When running an application from the SD Card Menu, it is temporarily copied to the internal memory of the Wii, meaning the internal memory still must contain an amount of free blocks equal to the application's size. If the internal memory does not have enough space, the Channel will run an "Automanager" program, which clears up space for the user in one of many ways (selectable by the user).

The manager can place the largest channels on the user's Wii in the SD card, put smaller channels on the SD card until enough space remains to run the channel, clear channels from the left side of the Wii menu to the right side, or from the right side to the left until there are enough blocks to run the channel.<ref>http://wii.ign.com/articles/966/966290p1.html</ref>

==System updates==
{{mainarticle|Wii System Software}}
The Wii is capable of downloading updates to its core operating software. These updates may include additional features, patches/fixes, or support for newly released channels. When an update becomes available, Nintendo notifies users by sending a message to their console. Updates are included with certain Wii games, both requiring one to be fully updated in order to play and providing the update should one lack the necessary internet connection. The most recent update was to version 4.2, which was released September 28, 2009 worldwide.

==See also==
* [[Xbox 360#Dashboard|Xbox 360 Dashboard]]/[[Xbox Live#New Xbox Experience|New Xbox Experience (NXE)]]
* [[XrossMediaBar]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://wii.nintendo.com/wiimenu.jsp Wii Menu] from [[Nintendo.com]]
* [http://us.wii.com/wiichannel_gallery.jsp Introducing Wii Menu] from Wii.com

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[[Category:Wii|Menu]]
[[Category:Graphical user interface]]

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Revision as of 21:14, 17 January 2010

LR

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