As we previously shared, the latest Wii U system update (4.0.0J) has been pushed live prior to the Nintendo Direct set to air on October 1st.
Now, we can learn precisely what Nintendo have added in aside from the usual tinkering to improve performance, and it certainly impresses. Notes provided by Nintendo of America share the following:
New Features
* A feature to output video and sound to the Wii U GamePad when using Wii Mode¹ (Users can choose to output to the TV and GamePad, or just the TV)
* A feature to automatically receive recommended software and demo titles from Nintendo using SpotPass
Support for USB keyboards
* An option to disable use of a Nintendo Network ID on non-Nintendo hardware, such as PCs and smartphones
Support for Dolby® Pro Logic II Surround Sound when playing Wii software
Changes to Wii U Menu
* Added a friend list icon to the Wii U Menu for easier access to the Friend List
Changes to System Settings
* An option to automatically receive recommended software is now available under “Internet”
* A setting to select which cable outputs sound is available through “TV” (Users can choose to output sound through an HDMI cable, non-HDMI cable, or both cables at the same time.)
* A setting to adjust the hourly interval in which standby functions are performed is available under “Power Settings” when Standby Functions are enabled
Changes to Wii U Chat
* Added the option to view a friend’s profile on Miiverse when sending or receiving a chat request
* Users can now chat using a headset connected to the Wii U GamePad
Changes to Internet Browser
* Pressing the R or L Buttons on the Wii U GamePad will skip video playback forward/back a small amount of time
* Holding the R Button will speed up video playback
* Ability to save username and passwords for websites that require login²
* Ability to launch the Internet Browser during gameplay and upload screenshots
* Added support for viewing PDF files³
* Added features intended for website developers that allow the user to enable developer tools and set user agent
Improvements to system stability and usability
Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience
¹ Wii software displayed on the Wii U GamePad cannot be controlled by the GamePad. This feature only allows Wii software to be displayed on the GamePad. A Wii Remote Plus or Wii Remote is required to play Wii software titles.
² Users can delete saved usernames and passwords from the Internet Browser settings.
³ Sometimes data may not be displayed correctly depending on the size and format of the PDF file. PDF files cannot be saved.
Nintendo provide details on latest Wii U system update
Really loving this update. At first the off TV Wii play excited me the most, but being able to choose where the audio comes from is even better.
For me personally, my main problem is being able to play games at night without waking the whole family up. Of course, I could turn the sound off, but I’m a bit of an audio-whore. Choosing to have the audio come from the gamepad + a pair of headphones fixes this completely.