Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus available on Nintendo Wii U
updated 06:31 am EST, Thu November 22, 2012
Streaming services added days after US console launch
Nintendo has now expanded the streaming video options for the Wii U from the initial offering of Netflix. Both Amazon Instant Video and Hulu Plus have been included in the Wii U, just days after the console's US launch. Netflix, the natural competitor for both companies, has been included on the console since November 18th.
Amazon Instant Video offers 140,000 TV shows and films for on-demand rental and purchasing, and also includes access to around 30,000 Prime subscription videos. Whispersync and Smart Lists make the transition, while the Wii U Gamepad controller offers touchscreen controls for search and playback, as well as a secondary display if the television is being used by someone else.
Hulu Plus also uses the second-screen principle, allowing users to not only watch the show on the GamePad, but to also display additional information about an episode, such as the cast list or the plot, and even queue up the next program for viewing.
While Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus and Netflix have been brought to the console, the TVii app itself, as a central location for streaming media and TV guides, is not expected until next month.
