Confirmed: Wii has MP3 playback support
by Jason Wishnov 
{ Oct 10th 2006 at 6:20PM }
In the most recent "Iwata Asks" interview, Iwata talks with Kouichi Kawamoto about the Photo channel for the Wii. Aside for some basic Photobooth functionality, Kawamoto mentions an interesting tidbit: MP3's stored on the SD card along with the photos will be played in the background during a slideshow.
While this seems horrendously not cool, consider the fact that this functionality is in fact very similar to the Xbox 360's ability to play personal tracks during gameplay. In fact, a developer could most likely easily implement this functionality into any game they desire, so keep on the look out. If nothing else, it's an easy cop-out if Nintendo wants to add an extra "music channel" to expand functionality.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SpeZek @ Oct 10th 2006 6:26PM
Go Wii!
Even more features!
Rammsetin rules!
Wiiiiiiiiiii!
pj_rizzl @ Oct 10th 2006 8:01PM
so,can I plug in my ipod to the wii and listen to it?
(ipods don't take SD cards!!! :()
penas @ Oct 10th 2006 9:22PM
true ipod dont take sd cards, but it could be possiable threw USB.(maybe)
amiga_tone @ Oct 10th 2006 9:26PM
Now that would be a cool channel: the iPod Channel! Hey doesn't the XBox360 already have this feature?
Ignatius @ Oct 10th 2006 11:07PM
Don't iPods use some crappy format from iTunes?
Zouden @ Oct 10th 2006 11:41PM
I'm not interested in playing MP3s from the SD card... but streaming over the network? That would be great!
penas @ Oct 11th 2006 6:56PM
you can just drag and dop the mp3 file directly into ur ipod( my ipod runs linxus XD, thnx Jess!)
Aaron @ Oct 12th 2006 10:14AM
The OLD xbox allowed you to play Custom Tracks which you uploaded to its HD. The 360 streams tracks from any device on your wireless (or wired) network and plays them either during the game or in the dashboard. Wireless streaming media... Mmmmraaaa... It also streams photos from your HD and (if you are one of the few who owns a Media Center PC) videos, and live TV. I want the Wii to do some more media finctions, it doesn't even have a DVD player.... *sigh* at least the games look cool.
Justin @ Oct 11th 2006 12:05AM
I have an SD slot on my PC, so I should be able to communicate between Wii and PC pretty easily.
This sounds great. I bet they will make a music channel - that would rock.
Erich @ Oct 11th 2006 2:10PM
I think in retrospect (with the virtual console, wiiconnect24, the various channels etc) Nintendo really should have considered a Harddrive for this beast. It sounds like it really needs it even more than the 360 or PS3.
Chimpee @ Oct 11th 2006 2:35AM
@Erich
We can only hope that a future firmware update will allow usb hard drive.
Sam Goldman @ Oct 11th 2006 7:53AM
If any of the 3 hardware providers were to sign a deal with Apple to allow Fairplay-DRMed stuff to play on their systems, it would be Nintendo, I think. That would be so sweet; Ninty should seriosuly think about it.
Korey @ Oct 11th 2006 8:03AM
Know whats really wierd, I was just listening to this CD its in my alarm clock.
jadnice @ Oct 11th 2006 8:35AM
Sweet....Nintendo Please add a music channel and support external hard drives. I have over 20gigs of MP3 music files and being able to personalize my pics or play my favorite music during a game will be great!!! This option is a must have. DO YOU HEAR THAT NINTENDO!!!!
Dignan17 @ Oct 11th 2006 9:29AM
Why would you say "this seems horrendously not cool"? That seems a little extreme. I'm not sure what there is to not like... You make it sound like somebody just made out with your mom.
Dumani @ Oct 11th 2006 11:32AM
Aww, Nintendo. Don't go the way of Sony. Focus on prime games and not poor features. :( Support for something like FLAC would be glorious, though.
"We can only hope that a future firmware update will allow usb hard drive."
Is this unconfirmed now?
The S @ Oct 11th 2006 2:39PM
Looks like Windows Vista
Leper Messiah @ Apr 1st 2007 11:36AM
Thats pretty sweet, but unless it supports my 30gb ipod, I really dont care about it, with my little 512mb sd card and all.
But hell, at least that picture (be it wii or not) has some quality music on it, but I'd prefer some actual Maiden over a tribute any day.