Nintendo launches Digicam Print Channel [update]

by JC Fletcher { Jul 23rd 2008 at 1:48AM }

Nintendo of Japan has just started a new Wii channel that allows users to view and even print digital photos from the Wii. Through a collaboration with Fujifilm, Japanese Wii users can now order prints of digital camera photos through the Wii for 30 yen (28 cents) each. Users can also purchase special Wii Photo Books for 1,575 yen ($14,71), or deluxe Mario-themed Wii Photo Books for 2,480 yen ($23.16).

In addition, the service offers meishi (like Japanese business cards, but even more prevalent) in multiple colors, emblazoned with the Mii of the user's choice, at a rate of 500 yen per 30 cards.

We think this is a really cool and unique feature that we wouldn't mind trying out oursel -- oh, wait, we're supposed to be "hardcore gamers." We almost forgot to hate it and blame this new service for the death of gaming! Oh, man, how embarrassing.

Update: Now with more video!

[Via NeoGAF]

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Tags: business-cards, channel, digicam-print-channel, photos

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Santos L. Halper @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:04AM

Were you trying to make some kind of point at the end? What does the Wii having a digital photo printing channel have to do with casual or hardcore games?

David Hinkle @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:18AM

JC was just having a laugh, what with everyone all up in arms about Nintendo at E3.

Dustin @ Jul 23rd 2008 5:31AM

The way I perceived it was that the author was pointing out the absurd categories Nintendo and the fans have created for gamers. By stating that hardcore gamers could never be interested in such an idea, he or she was ironically stating just the opposite.

But that's up for debate.

David Blackett @ Jul 23rd 2008 5:28AM

Harumph, we never get anything cool like this in the UK. Harumph

ramuji @ Jul 23rd 2008 5:17AM

I just updated my Wii, downloaded this channel, and had a quick look through it. It seems pretty cool at first glance. I messed around with designing a business card, and it's pretty straight forward but there aren't many different basic designs available. Maybe they'll expand a bit if the channel is popular and they get a lot of orders. I think I'll try ordering a set of 30 cards today or tomorrow, since I'm fresh out anyway.

ramuji @ Jul 23rd 2008 5:20AM

Oh yeah, the Everybody's Nintendo Channel was also updated. Most of the changes seem to be cosmetic, but one nice new feature is the addition of a pause button just underneath the video that is currently playing. I believe some search functions have also been improved, but I haven't looked into that yet.

Jamar @ Jul 23rd 2008 5:27AM

Bah, it'd be nicer if they allowed you to hook up your own USB printer and print stuff. Money's not an issue- I don't live anywhere near Japan; do they deliver internationally?

Nathew @ Jul 23rd 2008 5:31AM

love the paragraph at the end--it pretty much sums up how i feel about all this "WHINE WHINE WHINE TOO CASUAL" bawwww-fest.

meist3r @ Jul 23rd 2008 7:16AM

Maybe this is just my western paranoia but doesn't that mean you can track every Wii that ordered some prints? You got the Wii ID, the username and postal address. I don't like the idea of this. I can carry my SD card to the next photo store, thank you.

Ianiscool @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:27PM

i tottaly agree. creepy.

Sonic_13 @ Jul 23rd 2008 4:36PM

I'm not sure what the issue is...please explain.

meist3r @ Jul 23rd 2008 5:45PM

@Sonic_13: I hope the number in your nick doesn't tell me your age. Anyhow, the issue is that basically you could trace peoples Photographs to their home. If you say, take nude pictures of your girlfriend and order them through the Wii channel (which is a completely ridiculous example but nonetheless feasible). Someone could trace those photographs although shot, ordered and printed anonymously back to you. Someone in the company managing the orders could generate a database of Wii users, their nicknames, IPs on the time of order and postal address. Therefore you would have a list that shows every Wii owner who ever ordered a picture through this service. As we all know companies and governments have developed a hunger for data and I wouldn't been all too surprised if Fuji started sending out Advertisement to the people according to the things they photographed. It's all theory, but plausible.

I know most of the people here don't give a fuck about their privacy but I come from a country with a brutal history of data mining and horrific consequences from that and I am allergic to anything that invades my privacy even if it's "just" a potential threat.

BebopFox @ Jul 23rd 2008 12:36PM

It'd be nice if we got some more of these channels (the tv one, and now this one). Sure, it could be useless to some, but it would make up for the lack of games out right now :( [yes yes, i've played through all the goodies and can't stand lag-fights in smash bros.]. The only thing I'm really looking forward to right now is Mad World, to compete against the awesome power of No More Heroes :)