As I completed a microprocessors lab on the wonders of RS-232, my mind flashed back to those two rather standard ports on the back of the Wii. Yes, the Wii still has two USB 2.0 slots on its behind, and yet not a single peep has come from Nintendo regarding their usage. Were we not promised external hard drive support? A keyboard would be lovely, too; typing with the Wiimote can get excessively tedious.Besides the obvious, though, how could the Wii make good use of these ports? Is there nothing that the Wiimote's expansion port can't cover? Hmmmm.













Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-13-2007 @ 9:22AM
Glacius said...
You know, the USB ports would be great for external hard drives or something like that, but its not really needed in order to add a keyboard and/or mouse. The Wii already has the capability of communicating with devices via bluetooth, so I would expect to see a whole set of bluetooth peripherals including mice, keyboards, headsets, etc.
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 9:27AM
Dan said...
#1: They definitely could be Bluetooth, but that would add to the cost of the peripherals. I think we're more likely to see a keyboard that connects to the port in the bottom of the Wii-mote.
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 9:31AM
UVL said...
The usual USB PC usage and more:
1 - USB key for memory storage
2 - Webcam (lan play / chat)
3 - External HD
4 - Printer (??)
5 - Wiimote recharger
6 - Connection with a digital camera (not using SD)
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 9:33AM
UVL said...
A USB keyboard would be very cheap! (I've some spare at home too)
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 10:01AM
Bert said...
A HD would be nice but all that plugging/unplugging would be a PITA. If they do go the HD route they should also add an application that allows file transfers. If HD is not an option then SDHC could also be done.
Kudos if the file server is always active, such as when playing games or browsing the web, etc. or possibly when it is in sleep mode.
How about hooking up a USB TV tuner and using it either as a TV capture device or even as a dual screen setup. Imagine setting up the world's largest DS with a couple of 108 plasmas!
If the 4 controller limit is hardware based a secondary BT controller could be added to allow more Wiimotes to connect. (Didn't I see in WarioWare that some games support up to 12 players?)
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 10:14AM
Jeffro_Basic said...
Ok, enough speculation. I know what the USB ports are for. The Nintendo Robot, a.k.a ROB(Robotic Operated Buddy) is back!!! WOOOOO!
Yes it's a joke, but come on, someone had to say it...
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 10:19AM
Jasen said...
I'm very eager to see what the Linux hacker folks can pull off here. XBMC was/is pretty popular, but the Wii has more I/O options than the XBox. The Wii could turn into a SWEET little media center solution.
An Apple wireless keyboard would match the Wii nicely. The ability to team chat via standard Bluetooth headsets would be great, too.
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 10:25AM
Bishma said...
I think a hard drive is a definite possibility. I also wonder if there might be some skype like system in place eventually. Not that the online kits have gone out to developers we should be getting a better picture of what Nintendo will be doing with that sort of thing.
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 10:27AM
Geo said...
Hard drive is where its at.
Keyboard isn't totally necessary for me. I don't type that much, and the predictive text is nice.
Bert, Warioware supports up to 12 players using 1 remote.
ORB makes my wii a pretty awesome media center already.
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 10:30AM
Andy Swain said...
Being able to hook up my N93 and browse it would be pretty sweet, I mean, it had TV-out anyway, but if I could USB, or even bluetooth it to the Wii to use the photo tools, or play MP3s off it during games, etc.
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 10:39AM
marin said...
I'm using one of my Wii USB ports for Nintendo's USB->Lan adapter. Not really needed by most people since the Wii has built in WiFi, but ethernet is the most stable connection in my house.
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 11:02AM
Mr Khan said...
I'll be using the LAN adapter when i go away to college in a couple of years
And i eagerly await USB Hardrive support(although more for the modding capabilities, since you could take larger games from the 5th Gen CD systems and 6th gen systems and get them to run on the Wii)
For normal purposes, my memory worries are gone ever since i learned N64 cartridges could only hold up to 64 MB...
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 11:09AM
WillTheSecond said...
Plugging in a headset transmitter for online play would be the one I'm interested in, but that could be done with bluetooth anyway (having a bluetooth headset for my phone already I would prefer this), so I guess an external HDD?
That would probably require a firmware update but otherwise might prove useful. Although I doubt we'll actually ever need 20GB for Wii downloads, what wit no hi-def. Compatibility with USB flash drives would be another useful one, since even 2GB ones are fairly cheep now.
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 11:25AM
drtysouf21 said...
How about a web cam that can track movement to add to the whole motion sensing experience. It could track better movements in games take a picture of you and automatically generate a mii lookalike based on your photo!
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 11:27AM
Grey Acumen said...
No, no no! Input devices should ALWAYS be plugged into the bottom of the Wiimote.
These are things I will accept for USB attachment directly to the Wii:
1.) USB harddrive or other storage device
2.) Webcam for miscellaneous recording, video chat, and webcam games
3.) Docking station for rechargable Wiimotes
4.) USB NES/SNES/N64/GB/GBC/GBA game adaptor to connect previously purchased games to still be able to play via virtual console without having to purchase the game all over again.
5.) Allow one of the connect 24 updates to provide compatibility with the Xbox 360's External HD-DVD player (I know, won't happen, but let me dream already)
I don't know what else, but either way follow the basic guidelines: Input devices connect to the Wiimote NOT the Wii. Anything else is fair game, but NOT input devices.
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 11:35AM
Chuck said...
Why has nobody mentioned USB Rocket Launcher compatibility (http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/warfare/8a0f/) Now that would be funny.
Seriously, what about iPod compatibilty? I'm surprised we haven't heard that rumor yet... At the very least, I could recharge my iPod (I should try that when I get home tonight).
Once the official browser is released next month (if it's on schedule), we might get a hint about future hard drive support (will it support downloads?).
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 11:39AM
Dan said...
oooh an ipod(or other dap) channel. ittd be nice to be able to dock your ipod and use the wiimote to select music
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 11:57AM
Fort Max said...
It charges ipods real good but it can't pull anything of of them. :(
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 12:08PM
Billy_McBong said...
for keyboards and headsets i think they should stick with bluetooth
but the usb should b used for HD, Wiimote charger, and maybe some kind of external DVD player.
"4.) USB NES/SNES/N64/GB/GBC/GBA game adaptor to connect previously purchased games to still be able to play via virtual console without having to purchase the game all over again."
thats not gunna happen
and this awsome drink cooler
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/7f5a/
i have one hooked up to my computer :)
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 12:17PM
fcodc said...
Thanks to the Wii being powered 24/7, I'm already using them for recharging my 360 and PS3 controllers. Now where's Nintendo's recharge kit?
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 12:30PM
Brucedes said...
I use the USB Ports on mine regularly, albeit just to charge my iPod :P
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 1:18PM
boot said...
I would really like someone to answer these questions for me. Is nintendo making a headset for online? Will we get it in the mail for free? Does it come with certain games? How much will it cost? Will nintendo even make one?
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 2:03PM
sam said...
When I heard about DDR on the Wii I figured the mat would hook up via USB. Most folks seem to think it'd connect via the GC ports, but I think USB is more likely - at the very least it'd be a 'cleaner' look (the flap for the GC ports wouldn't need to be open.
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 2:37PM
fox619_master said...
ye you can use the usb ports and use the gamecube ports for something aswell, i dunno what but mine arent used and i wouldnt mind having things sticking out my amecube ports, i dont use them that often i still got my gamecube
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 4:46PM
colin ballast said...
To state the obvious, I think an external Hard Drive is a must, because 512 megs jsut ain't enough. On a side note, no one seemed to mention flash drives. I'd like to use my current 4 gig flash drive to store game data and pics, but the wii can't look at either of those. Not only that, but you can't run files directly off the SD card, you can only copy to/from them. Lame! Hopefully a wii update will fix this, in the meantime though, I'd scrap mentioning a USB keyboard or headset entirely, as the wii's integrated bluetooth device would take care of that. Someone above mentioned that it would jack up the cost. In regard to that, I could care less, because it's worth the price for living without wires.
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 4:59PM
bc said...
I once tried plugging my ipod into the USB port. Ocassionaly, instead of the normal "Charging" symbol, the ipod docks and shows the "do not disconect" symbol, just like a computer. Perhaps the iPod could be made to work with the wii/used as an external drive.
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 5:19PM
littleneons said...
m3p player support would be nice along with a music channel.
Reply
2-13-2007 @ 10:41PM
Paul said...
I use my Wii USB ports to charge my Xbox 360 controllers. What's cool is that the USB ports have power even when the Wii's on standby, which is nicer than leaving the controllers hooked up to the 360 (no fan noise).
Reply
2-14-2007 @ 7:26AM
WillTheSecond said...
"When I heard about DDR on the Wii I figured the mat would hook up via USB. Most folks seem to think it'd connect via the GC ports, but I think USB is more likely - at the very least it'd be a 'cleaner' look (the flap for the GC ports wouldn't need to be open."
I will definitely use the Gamecube ports, that's not a rumour it's confirmed, and for one simple reason: the are four Gamecube ports, allowing for 4 player multiplayer, as apposed to only two USB ports.
Reply
2-14-2007 @ 12:10PM
Sandalcrew said...
HDD, Ethernet adapter, wiimote rechargers, printer, DAP/MP3 players and a mind reading device. Honestly I really don't care what they come out with just let us know...everything. I am sick of not knowing when items are comming out, which VC games I can expect to come out, when will the internet channel be properly implemented, and all of that fun stuff. I love the Wii and all but my interest in the system is starting to fade.
Reply
2-15-2007 @ 3:38PM
GlitchCog said...
I remember reading a comment someone left in another post about using the USB ports to charge the batteries for their remotes. I thought that was a neat idea since it's about as close as you can get to a plug-into-the-console-to-recharge controller.
Reply
2-15-2007 @ 7:15PM
lordvader said...
dude if you guys are worried about running out of usb ports get a freaking hub thats what there for and i have a hacked usb xbox controller that has leds in the buttons and i plugged it into the wii and it did in fact get power so you could potentially get all that extra flight crap ppl like so much to use along side the wiimote for flying games or mouse or other mice/keyboards also it would be interesting for a webcam game and u could "poke" the ppl u were talkin to with your mote and play games and crap
Reply
3-09-2007 @ 2:11PM
chaos said...
maybe you could soemhow "reverse" a usb sd-card reader so that you could connect a HDD or usb-stick trough the sd slot on the wii.
ya know what i mean??
Reply
3-09-2007 @ 2:22PM
chaos said...
or maybe this:
[img]http://www.twinmos.com/flash/images/photo_usd2_1g.jpg[/img]
(if the img tags don't work just click the link)
Reply
3-09-2007 @ 2:25PM
chaos said...
ok it doesn't work:
http://www.twinmos.com/flash/images/photo_usd2_1g.jpg
Reply
3-10-2007 @ 3:48AM
chaos said...
I mean something like this:
http://www.ratocsystems.com/english/products/CFU2U.html
but then instead of a CF card a SD card
Reply