Nintendo Wii Fanboy

The update that will make the Photo Channel lose MP3 support is finally here, and we can only imagine how utterly gutted you are. Or maybe "utterly indifferent" would be more fitting.

Fortunately, if you're like us and think this "upgrade" makes no sense (even though we don't even use the Photo Channel), there are steps you can take to resist switching to AAC compatibility. First, you can avoid downloading the Photo Channel 1.1 upgrade altogether, which is the easiest course of action, as this means you don't have to do anything. If it's too late and you've already downloaded the upgrade (for curiosity's sake, perhaps?), then you also have the option to downgrade the Photo Channel back to version 1.0, which allows MP3 playback. Just follow Nintendo's handy instructions here to get the downgrade.

Of course, this will only work with Wiis sold before December 2007, so if you've gotten yourself a shiny new Wii for the holidays, you're out of luck.

[Thanks, hollyw0od!]

Nintendo will be making some changes to the Photo Channel next month, including two neat features and one annoying feature. First, the neat feature: you'll be able to create your own Photo Channel icon for the Wii Menu from one of your pictures. Also, random song selection will be enabled for music files.

But about those music files. The other feature seems to have been added with the best of intentions, but is a misstep as far as we're concerned: the MP3 support is being removed in favor of AAC format support. Nintendo cites the improved sound quality of AAC files versus MP3's, but the files won't sound very good at all if you can't play them. Unless the file is 4'33", which may sound even better.

The problem is that most of the AAC files on anyone's computer are songs downloaded from the iTunes Music Store. These songs are protected by DRM and, thus, won't work if they are moved to a system that is not authorized by iTunes. Since there's no iTunes client for the Wii (only programs that let you stream iTunes-controlled music), the files just won't do a thing.

Only if you have ripped your CDs to AAC, or if you've paid out the extra the same amount for "iTunes Plus" versions of your music will you be able to play AAC's. Unless Nintendo works some kind of DRM-breaking magic, which won't happen. Of course, if you're like us, this update probably won't impact you in any real way. We personally have never used the Photo Channel for anything.

[Via GoNintendo]

Do you mess around with the photo channel? Regularly? Or did you maybe try it a few times just for the novelty and then give up on it? We can't help but wonder if a few of you use it to show off pictures to several people at once; after all, it's often easier to gather around the Wii than around the computer.