A Nintendo insider claims that the company is secretly building an app store similar to the one provided by Apple.
To some degree, the current Nintendo Wii console already features an "app store" called the Wii Shop Channel. Console owners can browse, purchase, and download bite-sized games called WiiWare in addition to old classics (ROMS) from the Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis and TurboGrafix 16 days. On a more technical note, some of the main Wii applications like the Internet Channel and the Shop Channel are treated like apps, requiring users to download updates from time to time.
However, The Daily reports that Nintendo is secretly building a full-blown app store for the upcoming Wii U that is similar to Apple's App Store. An unnamed source close to the matter claims that it will offer more than the "lite" weather and calculator applications seen on the Wii and DSi -- it will be a fully-loaded store proffering a wider variety of apps. What these apps will be is still unknown at this point, but we know Netflix is a likely candidate given it's already available on the Wii and 3DS, maybe even Facebook and Twitter.
"Wii U owners will be able to use apps that operate on the Wii U itself, such as MLB.TV, and others that run independently on the Wii U’s controller," The Daily reports. "Given its tablet-like design and 6.2-inch screen, it’s not hard to imagine being able to check email, browse the Web, post to social networks and even get some gaming in."
Nintendo's Wii U is slated for the second half of 2012 and will feature a tablet-like controller containing a 6.2-inch FWVGA (854 x 480) resistive touchscreen. The controller will also contain a built-in 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyroscope, a front-facing camera, typical Nintendo controller buttons and a stylus. It's speculated that the supposed Apple-like app store will cater more to the tablet itself, and could possibly even offer popular titles from Gameloft, Rovio, Electronics Arts and more.
But yeah, as Kevin himself said, it's really more expanding their current App Store. Why they even kept it this way so long is a mystery. It's only justified "homebrew" apps to enable functions like DVD/video playing and better web browsing which in turn opened the piracy homebrew. Not being more versatile with apps will push business to Sony and their Android like experience.
The new Wii U games are developed to use the new tablet as the controller so I'm assuming it will be required for use.
Then will come the dumb terminal computers and cloud storage (with FED/Spook approval) so they will control even more.
/s
Wii came out in 2001 and it has the Wii Shop Channel. "The channel launched with Wii on November 19, 2006."
Damn, it's so obvious that Nintendo copied the idea of an App Store from Apple...I mean look at the dates! Wii also has square icons with rounded corners another blatant copy! /sarcasm
Ummm...2001 was when the Gamecube came out.
He caught it already, look down here
Get your lawyers ready Nintendo...