![]() That's a major issue that Nintendo has to address as soon as possible. In the end, if you can't use your GamePad exclusively to control your TV, you probably won't use it at all. TiVo is on the list of partners to be added at some point in the future, but it's annoying to not be able to access your stored programs or to use your GamePad to record one. If we had two gripes, it would be the following: DVR support has yet to arrive, first off. Finally, a good second screen solution for pay-TV customers. ![]() It was without a doubt the most stunning success of our entire Wii U experience.įrom there, the TVii portal let us change channels, swap TV inputs, adjust the volume, tune to various networks, see what times our favorite shows were coming on, etc. We honestly never expected this to work all that well - it sounds impossible given the near-limitless amount of combinations that consumers will have - but it worked like a charm. You just punch in your ZIP code, select your provider, select your channel package, and then follow the wizard to find your TV and set-top box manufacturer. ![]() It took us under five minutes to fully program our GamePad to control our TV, control our set-top box, and find upcoming programs from the local cable company. For example, the WatchESPN app requires you to use one of only a handful of pay-TV providers. Usually, these kinds of innovations have a catch. It's an extremely useful feature, and it'll work so long as your GamePad is within 25 to 30 feet from the Wii U console. With two taps, your video moves onto the GamePad's 6.2" display and continues playing, while your sibling can now use the HDTV for whatever they wish. So, imagine this: you're watching an Amazon Instant Video on your HDTV via the Wii U, but then a sibling comes in and wants to watch a cable channel. On the flip side, it's as simple as tapping a single logo while viewing an Amazon video in order to move the entire experience to the controller. Sure, these features may arrive with future updates - but they aren't here today, and the launch period is absolutely the most vital period for a console's growth. ![]() With just the suggestions above added, the YouTube-on-a-console experience would be so far superior on the Wii U that it would make rival consoles pale in comparison. With the entire GamePad display at your disposal, why can't YouTube viewers see and add comments? Why is there no scrub bar on the GamePad's display? Why can't you like or dislike a video from the screen that's sitting right there in your lap? Why can't you scroll through related videos on the GamePad while a video plays on the connected HDTV? Why can't you add favorites or subscribe to playlists? Here's the issue: the GamePad has so much potential, but it's so very underutilized. The cool factor is obvious, but it's pretty clear that more can (and should) be done. Over on YouTube, you're able to scroll through the video description and see how many views, likes, and dislikes a clip has as it plays along on the television. It's the ultimate "second screen" experience, because the relevant information flows directly to the GamePad rather than asking you to search for it manually on something else. As an example, any movie you stream through Amazon Instant Video shows an IMDb listing right on the GamePad, enabling users to sift through the actor profiles, check out the full cast, and even enjoy X-Ray on supported titles. Due to the GamePad being a part of the equation, the experience is a notch above other consoles. But it's important to note that these features aren't just regular ports. The Wii U has added support for Hulu Plus and Amazon Instant Video, while retaining Netflix streaming. While Nintendo consoles have long since appealed to casual and younger gamers, those very people are great targets to hit with multimedia innovations. And on the surface, it completely blew the doors off of everything else out there. Given the Wii's inability to do much more than handle Netflix, Nintendo had a big challenge ahead with the Wii U. At this point, it's an understood expectation for modern consoles to double as entertainment centers. Gamers routinely use their consoles to stream movies from Netflix and Amazon, while also tuning into YouTube on the big screen. Just look at how consoles have changed recently - even the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 double as multimedia machines. While gaming is at the heart of the Wii U, you could easily argue that it's not nearly as dominant as it once was.
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