Some USB keyboards working with Wii

by Alisha Karabinus { Aug 8th 2007 at 9:45AM }

We're not sure how someone decided to randomly plug in a keyboard after yesterday's update and test it, but bless the little buggers at NeoGAF who gave it a shot -- because it works! Before you start turning cartwheels, however, know this: keyboard support seems limited. We tried an older Micro Innovations keyboard we used to use with the PS2 first, and it was a no go -- but a newer Apple USB keyboard worked like a charm for messaging and in the Wii Shop channel (but apparently nowhere else). We can only guess the Wii wanted to match. We must say, however, the cord length required some moving-around of things on our cluttered game stand and typing in an uncomfortable standing position. Still, this update bodes well -- if a future update brings keyboard functionality to the Internet Channel, things could get very interesting indeed.

Forgive us our Xbox 360 games ... we know not what we do!

[Thanks, hvnlysoldr!]

Tags: keyboard, messages, update, USB

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Hunter @ Aug 8th 2007 9:53AM

My Logitech keyboard works and I am really happy that it happened. Now that search by title function in the VC menu makes sense and I am hoping that this prefaces communication in games.

-Hunter

samfish @ Aug 8th 2007 10:00AM

I wonder if a wireless keyboard works?

vidGuy @ Aug 8th 2007 10:04AM

Cool. Hopefully this opens the door to other USB devices... like various forms of storage!

thrillho @ Aug 8th 2007 10:10AM

Hunter,

what model Logitech KB worked with your Wii?

shadow @ Aug 8th 2007 10:23AM

my micro innovations internet access elite board works, i might pick up another one, they're under $15

fsjk85 @ Aug 8th 2007 10:38AM

My wireless logitech keyboard works(S510), also i found out F4 is used to enable predicitve input lol

Keine @ Aug 8th 2007 11:03AM

Damn me for not having a USB keyboard. If other channels start supporting this I might just buy one though.

Mohan @ Aug 8th 2007 11:07AM

Well this certainly a good thing (which the PS2, PS3, and the 360 have been doing for sometime now). Hopefully we would be able to use the keyboard in the Internet Channel now that would be really cool.

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 8th 2007 11:34AM

Apparently it supports the CAPS LOCK but not the shift key... And I should probably update...

Sonic_13 @ Aug 8th 2007 11:54AM

So is this added keyboard functionality a result of yesterday's update?

Hmm. Strange that it works for messaging and the Wii Shop Channel, but not the Internet Channel...

Santi @ Aug 8th 2007 11:56AM

Mine is a Dell and supports both Caps and Shift. I also wonder if wireless keyboards work...

james @ Aug 8th 2007 12:09PM

I have a:

Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 1000

and it works... hahaha, a MICROSOFT wireless keyboard works... (mouse doesn't work at all though, both connect into one usb port)...

good thing i bought 4 of these when they were $9.99 each, haha...

Charles @ Aug 8th 2007 12:48PM

AWESOME! Maybe, a chat thing is in the works for multiplayer communication, or maybe not...but I seriously hope it works with the internet channel sometime soon

Alisha Karabinus @ Aug 8th 2007 12:50PM

My shift worked just fine! It seems really spotty for the moment; I expect another update soon.

Gareth Williams @ Aug 8th 2007 2:13PM

All things working on my Keyboards (Dell & Labtec)

Great to see things moving forward at last.

unreal mccoy @ Aug 8th 2007 2:30PM

Has anyone tried a USB hard drive? You never know....

david @ Aug 8th 2007 5:03PM

does any of them work for the internet channel the only usb one i have is a apple but im on vacation.

Alisha Karabinus @ Aug 8th 2007 5:19PM

No internet channel yet. Hard drive is a no go.

Mr Khan @ Aug 8th 2007 6:57PM

Well, as has been said before, the Internet channel is Opera's responsibility, so maybe some people should get in contact with them to tell 'em to get with the program

Mr Khan @ Aug 8th 2007 7:00PM

I'm stuck in the past, too. The 2 KB's in my house are both PS/2

do they sell PS/2 to USB adapters? I know they have some that work the other way around

Jglaus @ Aug 8th 2007 10:33PM

i have a kensington and its not working
any ideas?

xdrewfacex @ Aug 9th 2007 12:05AM

maybe the keyboard functionality was added at opera's request, now giving them the means to update the browser to support the keyboards...

mitchb @ Aug 9th 2007 2:35AM

Works with an old iMac keyboard I found lying around the house.. only usb one I have, lol.

Shift key works, too. Can't wait for internet channel support!

Gareth Williams @ Aug 9th 2007 10:26AM

My Dell and Labtec keyboards both work fully.

Good to see new things are happening in the respect!

ouj @ Aug 9th 2007 10:38AM

Again incredible innovation from Nintendo, USB keyboard support!

Sony in particular should take notice with their crappy firmware updates

Alex @ Aug 9th 2007 12:06PM

The wireless keyboard that came with an old Logitech Cordless Desktop LX300 works like a charm, complete with Shift-key capability.

BigT @ Aug 9th 2007 8:30PM

New Apple bluetooth keyboard, please!

Eric @ Aug 10th 2007 1:23PM

I plugged my Logitech wireless keyboard/mouse combo, and the keyboard worked. The mouse, obviously, didn't.

Peter Tangney @ Aug 11th 2007 3:18PM

I got the wireless MX3200 to work with my Wii. I had to plug the usb reciever into the Wii, but it works! Very cool.

I was able to type a memo. I haven't tried it on the internet channel yet. The mouse has yet to work though.

Wiiman @ Aug 18th 2007 7:27AM

I hooked up an IBM USB keyboard and it work. Makes message sending so much easier. Unfortunately I had to return my broken back to Nintendo and my free Internet Channel with it :-(

Wiiman @ Aug 18th 2007 7:32AM

*d'oh!* I managed to completely mess up my posting there...
("...it worked" and "...broken one back...") - and no I don't know where broke back mountain is ;-)