Getting More Out Of Your Wii

WiiConnect24

WiiConnect24

The Wii's always-on WiiConnect24 system automatically updates your console's channels with the latest information as long as your Wii stays connected to the Internet. Each channel is a specific application that you can run on the system. A few of the channels that go online include News, Forecast, Shop, and Internet. The News channel is powered by the Associated Press and automatically streams news headlines. Likewise, the Forecast channel gives you up-to-the-minute information on local weather patterns. Nintendo releases new channels from time to time, such as the Everybody Votes channel, which lets you vote on various poll questions and then see how your votes compare with others. Other channels have free demos and downloads for both the Wii and the Nintendo DS.

Miis

The Wii gives you the ability to make an avatar, a cartoon version of yourself, called the Mii. You can then use your Mii in compatible games such as Wii Sports. You can customize your gender, face, skin color, hair color, eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, glasses, height, and weight. You can also transfer Miis to another system by saving them to your Wii Remote, then bringing the controller to a friend's console, or you can connect your two systems online with WiiConnect24. Other players' Miis will show up on the Mii Parade screen, where you can grab them and place them in your personal Mii Plaza. Once a Mii is in the Plaza, it'll appear as an option in Mii-compatible games.

Netflix

The Wii supports Netflix streaming in the form of a free disc, which you can request directly from Netflix and then activate online. Once your disc is loaded, you can stream movies online without having to deal with any DVDs or having to mail anything back.