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== System Menu ==
== System Menu ==
The System Menu provides a graphical interface to the Wii's abilities. All games run directly on the Broadway processor, and either directly interface with the hardware (for the hardware common to the [[Wii]] and [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]]), or interface with IOS running on the [[ARM architecture]] processor (for Wii-specific hardware). The ARM processor does not have access to the screen, and therefore neither does IOS. This means that while a piece of software is running, everything seen on the screen comes from that software, and not from any operating system or firmware. This includes the home menu (a menu of uniform appearance that appears when the home button is pressed in any piece of official Wii software), and any error messages that might appear. Therefore, the version number reported by the Wii is actually only the version number of the System Menu. This is why some updates do not result in a change of the version number: the System Menu itself is not updated, only (for example) IOSes and channels. As a side effect, this means it is impossible for Nintendo to implement any functions that would affect the games themselves, for example an in-game system menu (similar to the [[Xbox 360]]'s in-game Dashboard or the [[PlayStation 3|PS3]]'s in-game XMB).<ref>[http://hackmii.com/2009/02/why-the-wii-will-never-get-any-better/ Why the Wii will never get any better<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
The System Menu provides a graphical interface to the Wii's abilities. All games run directly on the Broadway processor, and either directly interface with the hardware (for the hardware common to the [[Wii]] and [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]]), or interface with IOS running on the [[ARM architecture]] processor (for Wii-specific hardware). The ARM processor does not have access to the screen, and therefore neither does IOS. This means that while a piece of software is running, everything seen on the screen comes from that software, and not from any operating system or firmware. This includes the home menu (a menu of uniform appearance that appears when the home button is pressed in any piece of official Wii software), and any error messages that might appear. Therefore, the version number reported by the Wii is actually only the version number of the System Menu. This is why some updates do not result in a change of the version number: the System Menu itself is not updated, only (for example) IOSes and channels. As a side effect, this means it is impossible for Nintendo to implement any functions that would affect the games themselves, for example an in-game system menu (similar to the [[Xbox 360]]'s in-game Dashboard or the [[PlayStation 3|PS3]]'s in-game XMB).<ref>[http://hackmii.com/2009/02/why-the-wii-will-never-get-any-better/ Why the Wii will never get any better<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

== Wii System Update releases ==
This is a list of features included in Wii's System Updates.
<!-- A source is required for all features not specifically mentioned in Nintendo's update message -->
{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
|-
!width=80|System Menu Version
!width="120"|Date Released
!width=120|Region
!class="unsortable"|Channel updated and description of update
!width=120|Days until next version update (worldwide)
|-
| rowspan=3 align=center|4.3
| November 6, 2012
| align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}} {{flagicon|Australia}}
|
*New version of the Wii Shop Channel.
*Added IOS62.
| rowspan=3 align=center|N/A (final update)
|-
| September 7, 2010
| align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}} {{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|South Korea}}
|
*Updates Wii Shop Channel again (people with older firmware are unable to access it without updating theirs).
*Adds Korean IOSs to E/J/U Wiis, and E/J/U IOSs to Korean Wiis. This was done to prevent users from installing old versions of these IOSs, in order to exploit the fact that the function ES_AddTitleFinish didn't check for signatures.
*Updates all IOSs for an unknown reason.
|-
| June 21, 2010
| align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}} {{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|South Korea}}
|
*Updates Wii Shop Channel again (people with older firmware are unable to access it without updating theirs).
*Deletes the [[Homebrew Channel]] and DVDX, title IDs HAXX, DVDX, JODI, DISC, and DISK.
*DVDX does not work anymore. However, HBC 1.0.7 or later contains the HW_AHBPROT flags, which was DVDX formerly.
*Updates all IOSs to remove the "HackMii Installer Userland+Syscall IOS exploit".
*Adds IOS58 and IOS80.
*System Menu now uses IOS80.
*IOS254 was stubbed causing [[Wii homebrew|BootMii]] to be deleted if it was installed.
*Bannerbomb v2 does not work anymore. The System Menu will display "Error:004" if it finds Bannerbomb.
*NANDFS privilege escalation fixed
*ES_AddTitleFinish now checks the signature (Trucha Bug Restorer and similar won't work anymore)
|-
| align=center|4.2
| September 28, 2009
| align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}} {{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|South Korea}}
|
*Updates Wii Shop Channel (people with older firmware are unable to access it without updating theirs).
*Deletes DVDX version 1 and [[Homebrew Channel]] versions 1.0.4 and older and blocks Bannerbomb v1<ref name=autogenerated6>[http://hackmii.com/2009/09/wii-menu-4-2-a-lack-of-imagination/ Wii Menu 4.2: a lack of imagination<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* Implements stronger region checks for games by checking the last letter of the game ID.
* Refuses to boot and displays the message "Error:003" on Korean systems that have had its software region changed to a different country.<ref name=autogenerated4>[http://wiibrew.org/wiki/System_Menu_4.2 System Menu 4.2 - WiiBrew<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=183063 Error 003 - GBAtemp.net<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*Installs boot2v4 if it had not been installed. This could [[brick (electronics)|brick]] consoles, rendering the console inoperable if the process was interrupted while it was being written, or if one of the first blocks of the Wii's memory was bad.<ref>[http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/wii-firmware-casualties-small Wii firmware casualties "small" - Nintendo News | Wii | Eurogamer<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*Updates all IOSs and adds IOS70.<ref name=autogenerated4 /><ref name=autogenerated5 />
*Replaces IOSs 222, 223, 249 and 250 (spots where cIOSs are installed) with stubs.<ref name=autogenerated5>http://wii.marcansoft.com/wiimpersonator/reports/EUR/20090929-033807.log</ref>
| align=center|266 days
|-
| rowspan=3 align=center|4.1
| July 30, 2009
| align=center|{{flagicon|South Korea}}
| rowspan=3|
*A bug is fixed whereby if a Virtual Console/WiiWare game was to be played from the SD card, followed by Wii Sports Resort being played, the game would re-play the "how to use MotionPlus" video that normally only plays once the game has started.
*The Japanese update also gave the Nintendo Channel a visual makeover.<ref>[http://wiibrew.org/wiki/System_Menu_4.1 System Menu 4.1 - WiiBrew<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
| rowspan=3 align=center|60 days
|-
| July 15, 2009
| align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Europe}} {{flagicon|Australia}}
|-
| July 3, 2009
|align=center|{{flagicon|Japan}}
|-
| align=center|4.0
| March 25, 2009
| align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}} {{flagicon|Australia}}
|
*Update includes SD Card Menu to "move" files and channels between the Wii console and [[Secure Digital#SDHC|SD card]]<ref name=SD_Card_Menu>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/channelsSD.jsp |title=Customer Service &#124; Wii&nbsp;— SD Card Menu |publisher=Nintendo |date= |accessdate=2009-03-26}}</ref>
*Adds the ability to download Virtual Console and WiiWare games directly to the SD card from the Wii Shop Channel, and play them directly from the card. Though the Wii doesn't actually play it directly from SD-card. It rather copies it to the internal 512MB NAND-Flash before execution and deletes it automatically when loading a different game either from the SD card or the main console.<ref>[http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/channelsSD.jsp#cannot_launch | Nintendo - Customer Service | Wii - SD Card Menu<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref name=sys40>{{cite web|author=marcan |url=http://hackmii.com/2009/03/system-menu-40-rundown/ |title=System Menu 4.0 Rundown |publisher=Hackmii.com |date= |accessdate=2009-03-26}}</ref>
*Wii Shop Channel supports classic arcade games<ref name=Wii_SystemVer>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/systemMenuFeatures.jsp#vers |title=Customer Service &#124; Wii&nbsp;— Wii System Menu and Feature Updates |publisher=Nintendo |date= |accessdate=2009-03-26}}</ref>
*Ability to save and access Wii Channels from the SD card<ref name=sys40/>
*[[Secure Digital#SDHC|SDHC]] card (up to 32 GB) support for System Menu, Wii Speak Channel, Shop Channel, and Photo Channel. Other features may not support SDHC cards.<ref name=Wii_SystemVer />
* Properly detects and deletes every version of the [[Twilight hack]] (including 0.1beta2).<ref name=sys40/>
*Patches IOS16, which was the last official IOS with the signing bug<ref name=sys40/>
*Fixed the bug that was used in the Homebrew Channel installer (so all existing IOS-versions were updated).<ref name=sys40/><ref name=40log>http://wii.marcansoft.com/wiimpersonator/reports/USA/20090325-100218.log</ref> Another bug has since been found and is utilised in Homebrew Channel 1.0.2 and newer (within the HackMii installer)
*Added IOS38, IOS53, IOS55, IOS60, and IOS61<ref name=40log/>
*System Menu runs on IOS60
| align=center|100 days
|-
| align=center|3.5
| March 3, 2009
| align=center|{{flagicon|South Korea}}
|
*Update includes IOS52 (used by menu) and IOS254 (a copy of IOS9, to block PatchMii)<ref name=sys35>http://wii.marcansoft.com/wiimpersonator/reports/KOR/20090303-163948.log</ref>
*Update also included changes to all 4X IOS versions (IOS40/41/43/45/46)<ref name=sys35/>
| align=center|22 days
|-
| align=center|3.4
| November 17, 2008
| align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}} {{flagicon|Australia}}
|
*USB keyboard support in Mii Channel.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mahoney |first=John |url=http://gizmodo.com/5091822/newest-system-menu-34-wii-update-kills-homebrew-again |title=Wii Homebrew: Newest System Menu 3.4 Wii Update Kills Homebrew Again |publisher=Gizmodo.com |date=2008-11-18 |accessdate=2009-01-20}}</ref>
*Enhanced parental controls.
*Dramatically increased SD transfer speeds<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetanooki.com/2008/11/18/wii-sd-transfer-speeds-increase-dramatically-with-new-update |title=Wii SD transfer speeds increase dramatically with new update |publisher=Thetanooki.com |date=2008-11-18 |accessdate=2009-03-26}}</ref><ref name=qa048>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/q_and_a/048.html |title=Ｗｉｉ本体を更新する方法は？ 更新するとなにが変わるの？ : Ｑ＆Ａ&nbsp;— Ｗｉｉ |publisher=Nintendo.co.jp |date= |accessdate=2009-01-20}}</ref>
*Improved disc reading<ref name=qa048/>
*Added IOS50 and IOS254.<ref name=sys34>{{cite web|url=http://wiibrew.org/wiki/System_Menu_3.4 |title=System Menu 3.4 |publisher=WiiBrew |date= |accessdate=2009-01-20}}</ref>
*System Menu now runs on IOS50.<ref name=sys34/>
*IOS254 was added to remove "PatchMii Core".<ref name="affected1">{{cite web|url=http://wiibrew.org/wiki/System_Menu_3.4#What_is_affected |title=System Menu 3.4 |publisher=WiiBrew |date= |accessdate=2009-01-20}}</ref>
*The [[Twilight hack]] check now detected 0.1beta1.<ref name="affected1"/>
| align=center|86 days
|-
| rowspan=4 align=center|3.3
| November 12, 2008
| align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|
*[[Wii Menu#Nintendo Channel|Nintendo Channel]] updated providing a behind-the-scenes enhancement to the Nintendo Channel.
| rowspan=4 align=center|153 days
|-
| October 23, 2008
| align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|
*[[Wii Shop Channel]] updated by adding "View compatible controllers" module in the details section of a game and a classification summary on games.
*Remaining IOS (those that were not patched by the 16 June 2008 update) were patched to prevent the installation of fake-signed content.<ref name="Wiibrew: Wii System Updates">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-10-23|url=http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Wii_System_Updates|title=Wiibrew: Wii System Updates}}</ref>
|-
| July 22, 2008
| align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|
*[[Wii Menu#Photo Channel|Photo Channel]] updated to 1.1-A.
*Provided support for the Digicam Print Channel in Japan.
|-
| June 17, 2008
| align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|
*[[Wii Menu#Mii Channel|Mii Channel]] updated to allow users to move a Mii from the Mii Plaza to Mii Parade.
* Also added "[[Internet Channel]]" typing features. (Example: hitting the " - " (minus) button now acts as a backspace when naming new Miis.)
*IOS30 and IOS31 were patched to prevent fake-signed content such as the [[Wii Freeloader]] from running.<ref name="Sad, but true">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-06-17|url=http://kotaku.com/5017064/wii-update-33-kills-freeloader-too-%5Bupdate%5D|title=Wii Update 3.3 Kills Freeloader Too? [Update]|publisher=Kotaku}}</ref><ref name="HackMii 3.3 Analysis">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-06-18|url=http://hackmii.com/2008/06/june-16-wii-update/|title=16 June Wii Update|publisher=HackMii}}</ref>
*Implemented a rudimentary check to delete the Twilight hack.<ref name="HackMii Twilight Hack v0.1beta1 Update">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-08-11|url=http://hackmii.com/2008/06/twilight-hack-v01beta1|title=Twilight Hack v0.1beta1|publisher=HackMii}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=3 align=center|3.2
| March 21, 2008
| align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|
*IOS37 (the first IOS with the signing bug fixed) released.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wiibrew.org/wiki/IOS37 |title=IOS37 |publisher=WiiBrew |date= |accessdate=2009-03-26}}</ref>
| rowspan=3 align=center|113 days
|-
| March 20, 2008
| align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|
*[[Wii Shop Channel]] updated to support [[WiiWare]] game downloads<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gonintendo.com/?p=38387 |title=Wii Shop Channel prepares Wiis for WiiWare |publisher=GoNintendo |date=2008-03-20 |accessdate=2009-03-26}}</ref>
|-
| February 25, 2008
| align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|
*[[Wii Menu#Disc Channel|Disc Channel]] updated to display "Wii System Update" if the game currently inserted into the Wii contains a Wii Menu/Channel update.
* The Wii LED light will glow if information is received while playing a game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamingbits.com/content/view/3548/2/ |title=Wii System Update: Wii Menu 3.2 Now Available |publisher=Gaming Bits |date=2008-02-25 |accessdate=2009-03-26}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=3 align=center|3.1
| January 30, 2008
| align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|
*[[Check Mii Out Channel]] updated with the following features:
** The ability to view up to 500 Miis after clicking "Popular" in the Posting Plaza.
** A new button on the Posting Plaza that allows users to view Miis that they have designed and posted.
** The ability to view Miis created by a specific Mii Artisan from his or her profile screen in the Posting Plaza.
** The addition of Parental Controls. As with all other parental controls on Wii, if activated, a PIN code will be required to use the channel.
| rowspan=3 align=center|112 days
|-
| December 10, 2007
| align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|
*[[Wii Shop Channel]] updated to include the ability to give gifts. Included a new channel icon and start screen for the Wii Shop Channel<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.n-sider.com/newsview.php?type=story&storyid=3115 |title=Wii Shop Channel gift-giving coming today (updated) |publisher=N-Sider.com |date=2007-12-10 |accessdate=2009-01-20}}</ref>
*Provided support for the Photo Channel 1.1<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.com.au/nintendo/news/index.php |title=nintendo.com.au&nbsp;— News from Nintendo |publisher=Nintendo |date= |accessdate=2009-01-20}}</ref>
|-
| October 10, 2007
| align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|
*Provided full support for USB keyboards<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.n-sider.com/newsview.php?type=story&storyid=3074 |title=New Wii firmware update, brings Internet Channel perks |publisher=N-Sider.com |date=2007-10-10 |accessdate=2009-01-20}}</ref>
*[[Wii Shop Channel]] updated
|-
| align=center|3.0
| August 6, 2007
| align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|
*Corrected some stability issues when using the LAN adapter and added [[AOSS]] networking support<ref name="aoss3.0">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.ign.com/craig-ign/2007/08/08/62734/ |title=Craig Harris: Just One Guy&nbsp;— Overlooked Wii 3.0 Update Function |publisher=Blogs.ign.com |date=2007-08-08 |accessdate=2009-01-20}}</ref>
*Certain [[modchip]]s and other devices no longer work (such as the [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]] FreeLoader bootdisk from [[Datel]])
*[[Wii Menu#Wii Shop Channel|Wii Shop Channel]] updated
*Altered the Wii Menu design to include a digital clock with the current time
*The area around the Wii Message Board button will now flash when a new message arrives
*Wii Message Board:
** Adds the ability to rearrange the order of the user's Wii Friends in the address book
** Adds the ability for the user to access the Wii Friends registration screen by pressing the A Button on blank spot in the address book
** Envelope message icons will now appear on the calendar only on the dates when a message is received
** User message sending history will now be displayed in Today's Accomplishments
** Users can now scroll the message text by pressing the B button on the message screen
| align=center|65 days
|-
| align=center|2.2
| April 11, 2007
|align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|
*Provided support for the [[Internet Channel|Internet Channel: Final Version]]<ref name=autogenerated3>{{cite web|url=http://www.n-sider.com/newsview.php?type=story&storyid=2710 |title=Final Internet Channel now available |publisher=N-Sider.com |date=2007-04-11 |accessdate=2009-01-20}}</ref>
*Resolved connection issues that affected a small number of users who connected online through a specific Internet Service Provider and supplied router
| align=center|117 days
|-
| rowspan=2 align=center|2.1
| January 26, 2007
| align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|
*Update to support the [[Wii Menu#News Channel|News Channel]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.n-sider.com/newsview.php?type=story&storyid=2606 |title=News Channel goes live |publisher=N-Sider.com |date=2007-01-26 |accessdate=2009-01-20}}</ref>
| align=center|75 days
|-
| January 10, 2007
|align=center|{{flagicon|Europe}}
|
*Fixed bug with RGB SCART output (Not available in Australia){{Citation needed|date=February 2008}}
| align=center|16 days
|-
| rowspan=2 align=center|2.0
| December 19, 2006
|align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{Flagicon|Europe}}
|
*Update to support the [[Wii Menu#Forecast Channel|Forecast Channel]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.n-sider.com/newsview.php?type=story&storyid=2570 |title=Forecast Channel launches worldwide |publisher=N-Sider.com |date=2006-12-19 |accessdate=2009-01-20}}</ref>
*Altered the [[Wii Menu]] design
*Users can now write and read data on an [[Secure Digital|SD card]]
*Addition of country settings option and system update option in settings menu
*Users can now arrange all channels (except the Disc Channel) on the Wii menu by holding A and B at the same time
*Ability to set parental controls to restrict online activities and only let particular rated games to be played
| rowspan=2 align=center|22 days
|-
| November 30, 2006
|align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}}
|
*Blocked Wii Shop Channel hacks by blocking DNS redirection<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.n-sider.com/newsview.php?type=story&storyid=2541 |title=Yesterday's "useless" update actually plugged Wii Shop Channel hole |publisher=N-Sider.com |date=2006-11-30 |accessdate=2009-01-20}}</ref>
|-
| align=center|1.0
| November 19, 2006
| align=center|{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}}
|
*No [[Wii Menu#Forecast Channel|Forecast Channel]] or [[Wii Menu#News Channel|News Channel]] available. Updates were only able through the update options in the internet settings.
*Channels launched faster. Pressing 'A' on a channel immediately went to a black screen with the channel's preview music playing.
| align=center|11 days
|-
|}

== Wii Channel releases and updates ==
This is a list of the updates and releases of Wii Channels.

§ = Released as part of a system update so a separate download is not required.

Discontinued channels (as of 28th June 2013):

*News Channel
*Forecast Channel
*Everybody Votes Channel
*Mii Contest Channel/Check Mii Out Channel
*Nintendo Channel

{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
|-
!width="120"|Date Released
!width=80|Region
!width=100|Download
!class="unsortable"|Channel updated and description of update
|-
|<span style="display:none">2013-01-17</span> January 17, 2013
|align=center| {{flagicon|US}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[Amazon.com|Amazon Instant Video Channel]] released.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2012-11-15</span> December 10, 2012
|align=center| {{flagicon|UK}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[YouTube]] Channel released.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2012-11-15</span> November 15, 2012
|align=center| {{flagicon|USA}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[YouTube]] Channel released
|-

|<span style="display:none">2012-02-16</span> February 16, 2012
|align=center| {{flagicon|USA}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[Hulu|Hulu Plus]] Channel released.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2011-03-16</span> March 16, 2011
|align=center| {{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|CAN}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[Wii Menu#Nintendo Channel|Nintendo Channel]] updated:
**Software title information for the Nintendo 3DS System
|-
|<span style="display:none">2011-03-09</span> March 9, 2011
|align=center| {{flagicon|Europe}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[Wii Menu#Nintendo Channel|Nintendo Channel]] updated:
**Software title information for the Nintendo 3DS System
|-
|<span style="display:none">2010-10-18</span> October 18, 2010
|align=center| {{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|CAN}}
| rowspan=2 align=center|{{Y}}
| rowspan=2 |
*[[Netflix]] Channel released.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2012-01-09</span> January 9, 2012
|align=center| {{flagicon|UK}} {{flagicon|IRE}}
|-
|<span style="display:none">2009-11-18</span> November 18, 2009
|align=center| {{flagicon|UK}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[BBC iPlayer]] Channel released:
**Customers in the UK given access to a BBC iPlayer.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2009-10-20</span> October 20, 2009
|align=center| {{flagicon|Europe}} {{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|USA}}
|align=center|{{N}}§
|
*[[Wii Shop Channel]] updated:
**For customers to retrieve 500 points towards one NES game for the purchase of the Internet Channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/news/19958/ |title=Wii Shop Channel launches new promotion |publisher=aussie-nintendo |date=2009-10-20 |accessdate=2009-10-21}}</ref>
**Launch of the Connection Ambassador Promotion.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2009-09-09</span> September 9, 2009
|align=center| {{flagicon|Europe}} {{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|South Korea}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[Wii Menu#Today and Tomorrow Channel|Today and Tomorrow Channel]] released.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2009-09-01</span> September 1, 2009
|align=center| {{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|Europe}} {{flagicon|Japan}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[Internet Channel]] updated:
**Browser now uses Adobe Flash Lite 3.1.
**This channel is now a free download.
**Updated version uses fewer blocks.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2009-09-14</span> September 14, 2009
|align=center| {{flagicon|USA}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
| rowspan=2 |
*[[Wii Menu#Nintendo Channel|Nintendo Channel]] updated:
**Updated version uses fewer blocks on both the channel and data file.
**Users can now do recommendations on registered games inserted in their Nintendo DS system via download.
**Users can bookmark their favorite games.
**Videos can be set for either high or normal quality.
**Users can view recommendations from other users.
**Users can view records of Wii software they've played and recommended.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2009-07-15</span> July 15, 2009
|align=center| {{flagicon|Japan}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|-
|<span style="display:none">2009-05-26</span> May 26, 2009
|align=center| {{flagicon|Japan}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[Wii Menu#Demae Channel|Demae Channel]] released.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2009-05-01</span> May 1, 2009
|align=center| {{flagicon|Japan}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[Wii no Ma|Wii no Ma Channel]] released.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2008-12-05</span> December 5, 2008
|align=center| {{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[Wii Menu#Wii Speak Channel|Wii Speak Channel]] released.
**Wii Download Ticket required.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2008-12-02</span> December 2, 2008
|align=center| {{flagicon|Japan}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[Wii Menu#Today and Tomorrow Channel|Today and Tomorrow Channel]] released.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2008-11-18</span> November 18, 2008
|align=center| {{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[Wii Menu#Nintendo Channel|Nintendo Channel]] updated:
** A behind-the-scenes enhancement was made.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2008-11-12</span> November 18, 2008
|align=center| {{flagicon|USA}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[Wii Menu#Nintendo Channel|Nintendo Channel]] updated:
** A behind-the-scenes enhancement was made.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2008-07-23</span> July 23, 2008
|align=center| {{flagicon|Japan}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[Wii Menu#Digicam Print Channel|Digicam Print Channel]] released.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2008-06-26</span> June 26, 2008
|align=center| {{flagicon|Japan}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[Jam with the Band|Daigasso! Band Brothers DX Speaker Channel]] released.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2008-04-27</span> April 27, 2008
|align=center| {{flagicon|USA}}
|align=center|{{N}}
| rowspan=4 |
*[[Wii Menu#Mario Kart Channel|Mario Kart Channel]] released.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2008-04-24</span> April 24, 2008
|align=center| {{flagicon|Australia}}
|align=center|{{N}}
|-
|<span style="display:none">2008-04-11</span> April 11, 2008
|align=center| {{flagicon|Europe}}
|align=center|{{N}}
|-
|<span style="display:none">2008-04-10</span> April 10, 2008
|align=center| {{flagicon|Japan}}
|align=center|{{N}}
|-
|<span style="display:none">2008-03-04</span> March 4, 2008
|align=center| {{flagicon|Japan}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[Wii Menu#Television Friend Channel|Television Friend Channel]] released.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2008-01-30</span> January 30, 2008
| {{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[Check Mii Out Channel]] updated:
** In the Posting Plaza, users can now easily find all the Miis they have posted, without the need to enter codes.
** When viewing a Mii Artisan’s profile, a user can now find all Miis posted by that Artisan.
** If the judging of a contest is cancelled and returned to later, any Miis selected previously for the contest will be retained.
** Parental Controls are now supported in the channel. If a user chooses to block the "exchange of user generated content" from the Parental Controls menu in Wii Settings, users will be prompted to enter the Parental Controls PIN to enter the channel.
** The main menu of the channel has a ticker, that warns that the content of the channel may offend.
** When viewing Miis in the Posting Plaza under the "Popular" category, 500 of the most popular Miis over the past two weeks can now be viewed, instead of 50.
** When using the Mii search feature, the Miis Entry Number is retained on the Entry Number screen. If the Mii searched for is not found, re-entry of the number is not necessary, making it easier to modify the search.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2007-12-10</span> December 20, 2007
|align=center| {{flagicon|Europe}}
|align=center|{{N}}
|
*[[Wii Menu#News Channel|News Channel]]: Updated to have an increased number of news feeds to the channel, sourced from a larger number of news resources and agencies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gonintendo.com/?p=32000 |title=Blog Archive » Wii News Channel updated- What are you waiting for? |publisher=GoNintendo |date=2007-12-20 |accessdate=2009-01-20}}</ref>
|-
|<span style="display:none">2007-12-10</span>10 December 2007
| {{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|align=center|{{Y}}§
|
*[[Wii Menu#Photo Channel|Photo Channel 1.1]] released.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2008-05-21</span> May 21, 2008
|align=center| {{flagicon|USA}}
|align=center|{{N}}
| rowspan=4 |
*[[Wii Menu#Wii Fit Channel|Wii Fit Channel]] released.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2008-05-08</span> May 8, 2008
|align=center| {{flagicon|Australia}}
|align=center|{{N}}
|-
|<span style="display:none">2008-04-25</span> April 25, 2008
|align=center| {{flagicon|Europe}}
|align=center|{{N}}
|-
|<span style="display:none">2007-12-01</span> December 1, 2007
|align=center| {{flagicon|Japan}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|-
|<span style="display:none">2008-05-30</span> May 30, 2008
|align=center| {{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
| rowspan=3 |
*[[Wii Menu#Nintendo Channel|Nintendo Channel]] released (Now discontinued).
|-
|<span style="display:none">2008-05-07</span> May 7, 2008
|align=center| {{flagicon|USA}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|-
|<span style="display:none">2007-11-27</span> November 27, 2007
|align=center| {{flagicon|Japan}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|-
|<span style="display:none">2007-11-12</span> November 12, 2007
| {{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[Check Mii Out Channel]] released (Now discontinued).
|-
|<span style="display:none">2007-10-10</span> October 10, 2007
| {{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|align=center|{{N}}§
|
*[[Everybody Votes Channel]]: Updated to improve efficiency and voting detail.
*[[Internet Channel]]: Updated to include USB keyboard support.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2007-08-10</span> August 10, 2007
|align=center| {{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[Metroid Prime 3: Corruption|Metroid Prime 3 Preview Channel]] released.
**The channel had preview videos of gameplay and had also allowed the user to view promotional artwork by moving the Wii Remote pointer across the screen while holding the "A" button.
**As of the game's release, the features of this channel have been removed, replaced with a message suggesting that the channel should be deleted.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2007-08-06</span> August 6, 2007
| {{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|align=center|{{N}}§
|
* [[Wii Menu#Forecast Channel|Forecast Channel]]: Weather forecast for the selected region will now be displayed on the ''Forecast Channel'' icon on the Wii Menu.<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/systemMenuFeatures.jsp |title=Customer Service &#124; Wii&nbsp;— Wii System Menu and Feature Updates |publisher=Nintendo |date= |accessdate=2009-01-20}}</ref>
* [[Wii Menu#News Channel|News Channel]]: Headline news will now be displayed on the ''News Channel'' icon on the Wii Menu.<ref name=autogenerated2 />
* [[Wii Shop Channel]]: Search function on Virtual Console has been enhanced.<ref name=autogenerated2 />
|-
|<span style="display:none">2007-04-11</span> April 11, 2007
| {{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}} {{flagicon|Australia}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[Internet Channel|Internet Channel: Final Version]] released.<ref name=autogenerated3 />
|-
|<span style="display:none">2007-02-13</span> February 13, 2007
| {{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[Everybody Votes Channel]] released (Now discontinued).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.n-sider.com/newsview.php?type=story&storyid=2637 |title=Everybody Votes Channel now available |publisher=N-Sider.com |date=2007-02-14 |accessdate=2009-01-20}}</ref>
|-
|<span style="display:none">2007-01-26</span> January 26, 2007
| {{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|align=center|{{N}}§
|
*[[Wii Menu#News Channel|News Channel]] released (Now discontinued).
|-
|<span style="display:none">2006-12-22</span> December 22, 2006
| {{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|align=center|{{Y}}
|
*[[Internet Channel|Internet Channel: Trial Version]] released.
|-
|<span style="display:none">2006-12-19</span> December 19, 2006
| {{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Japan}} {{flagicon|Europe}}
|align=center|{{N}}§
|
*[[Wii Menu#Forecast Channel|Forecast Channel]] released (Now discontinued).
|}


== See also ==
== See also ==

Revision as of 20:05, 25 July 2015

Wii system software
DeveloperNintendo
OS familyNintendo proprietary
Working stateDiscontinued
Source modelClosed source
Initial release1.0 / November 19, 2006; 18 years ago (2006-11-19)
Latest release4.3 / November 6, 2012; 12 years ago (2012-11-06)
Available inGerman, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese
Update methodDirect Download
Game Disc
PlatformsWii
Wii Mini
Preceded byNintendo GameCube firmware
Succeeded byWii U system software
Official websitewww.nintendo.co.jp/wii/q_and_a/ver_history.html

Wii system software is a set of updatable firmware versions, and a software frontend on the Wii video game console. Updates, which are downloaded via the system's Internet connection (WiiConnect24), allow Nintendo to add additional features and software. When a new update becomes available, Nintendo sends a message to connected systems notifying them of the available update.

Several game discs, both first-party and third-party games, have included system software updates[1] so that players who are not connected to the Internet can still update their system. Additionally this can "force" an upgrade by requiring the player to perform the update, without which the new game cannot be played.[1] Some online games (such as Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Mario Kart Wii) have come with specific extra updates, such as being able to receive posts from game-specific addresses, so, regardless of the version of the installed software, it will install an update.[citation needed]

IOS

The Wii's firmware is in the form of IOSs (thought by the Wii homebrew developers to stand for 'Input Output Systems' or 'Internal Operating Systems'[2]), which run on a separate ARM architecture processor to other Wii software (nicknamed Starlet by the Wii homebrew community, as it is physically located inside the graphics chip, the Hollywood, so it is a small part of Hollywood. The patent for the Wii U indicates a similar device which is simply named "Input/Output Processor"[3]). These control input and output between the code running on the main processor (the PowerPC "Broadway" processor) and the Wii's hardware features that did not exist on the GameCube, which can only be accessed via the ARM.

When Nintendo releases a new IOS version, except for unusual circumstances (for example security updates to block homebrew), the new IOS does not replace any IOS already installed. Instead, it gets installed in addition to any current IOS versions. All native Wii software (including games distributed on Nintendo optical discs, the System Menu itself, Virtual Console games, WiiWare, and Wii Channels), with the exception of certain homebrew applications, have the IOS version hardcoded into the software.

When the software is run, the IOS that is hardcoded gets loaded by the Wii, which then loads the software itself. If that IOS does not exist on the Wii, in the case of disc-based software, it gets installed automatically (after the user is prompted). With downloaded software, this should not theoretically happen, as the user cannot access the shop to download software unless the player has all the IOS versions that they require. However, if homebrew is used to forcefully install or run a piece of software when the required IOS does not exist, the user is brought back to the system menu.

Nintendo created this system so that new updates wouldn't unintentionally break compatibility with older games, but it does have the side effect that it uses up space on the Wii's internal NAND Flash memory. IOSes are referred to by their number, which can theoretically be between 0 and 254, although many numbers are skipped, presumably being development versions that were never completed.

Only one IOS version can run at any given time. The only time an IOS isn't running is when the Wii enters GameCube backward compatibility mode, during which the Wii runs a variant of IOS specifically for GameCube games, MIOS.

System Menu

The System Menu provides a graphical interface to the Wii's abilities. All games run directly on the Broadway processor, and either directly interface with the hardware (for the hardware common to the Wii and GameCube), or interface with IOS running on the ARM architecture processor (for Wii-specific hardware). The ARM processor does not have access to the screen, and therefore neither does IOS. This means that while a piece of software is running, everything seen on the screen comes from that software, and not from any operating system or firmware. This includes the home menu (a menu of uniform appearance that appears when the home button is pressed in any piece of official Wii software), and any error messages that might appear. Therefore, the version number reported by the Wii is actually only the version number of the System Menu. This is why some updates do not result in a change of the version number: the System Menu itself is not updated, only (for example) IOSes and channels. As a side effect, this means it is impossible for Nintendo to implement any functions that would affect the games themselves, for example an in-game system menu (similar to the Xbox 360's in-game Dashboard or the PS3's in-game XMB).[4]

See also

Other gaming platforms from Nintendo:

Other gaming platforms from the next generation:

Other gaming platforms from this generation:

References

  1. ^ a b "Guitar Hero 5 Forces Mandatory Wii System Update". 5Frets.com. Retrieved 2009-09-02.
  2. ^ IOS: history, build process
  3. ^ US patent US20110190052, Fig. 2,11a
  4. ^ Why the Wii will never get any better
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wii_system_software&oldid=673059206"