Rumor: Wii U 'e-reader'

[garyopa]

Anonymous developer claims Wii U Tablet controller will also be an 'e-reader' device

http://www.maxconsole.com/maxconsole/contents/RKLS000000506/icon_xl.jpg

First we reported on the plans for Nintendo to have an 'app store', now rumors are coming in that besides games, the tablet controller will also handle 'books, magazines, newspapers, comics'

According to an unconfirmed report, Nintendo is putting together applications to read digital books on the Wii U/3DS.

An anonymous software developer speaking to Forget the Box states that the studio he works for has been approached by Nintendo to port iOS applications to the Wii U and 3DS as well.

3DS players would be able to read on the move, whilst Wii U owners could sit back with the tablet controller as a form of eReader.

The application would let players download books, magazines, newspapers etc with SpotPass being a likely feature for daily/regularly updated content like nationwide newspapers, for example. More gaming-related content would be be available - Virtual Console guides, instructional manuals for downloadable games and even a library of past editions of US magazine Nintendo Power.

NEWS SOURCE: Wii U e-reader rumor (via) WarpZoned (http://www.warpzoned.com/?p=16860)

Our thanks to 'Stevetry' for another great news item!

[billysastard]

this isnt a rumour, the only unknown is what format the ebooks will take and what cross platform compatibility (if any) it will offer, that said there seems to be a kindle "app" coming to both systems (now that is a rumour).

[wewii]

So I'm guessing the tablet controllers will have to be partially independent devices. If you need the WiiU running... just to get internet access... that would be very impractical.

[billysastard]

So I'm guessing the tablet controllers will have to be partially independent devices. If you need the WiiU running... just to get internet access... that would be very impractical.

they arent, you need the wii u running to do anything on the controller

[JonathanD]

they arent, you need the wii u running to do anything on the controller

I am wondering how much is in the controller, I am sure they didn't go balls out to make it able to play streaming content on its own or anything, but something simple like text on a small bit of on-board memory might be possible to hold and read a book or two.

I am going to say my gut feeling is that no its just a controller and thats all its going to be used for, but there is a slight hint from the past that it might do more.

http://wiihacks.blogspot.com/2006/12/howto-transfer-mii-from-your-wii-using.html

I haven't tested this myself, the only thing I have ever done is that animal crossing thing with the DS and the Wii, that was kind of weird to me.