Wii U Firmware 4.0 is live – Output Wii games on the GamePad and many more changes included

The update we’ve all been waiting for is here, Nintendo have pushed version 4.0.0 of the Wii U firmware to consoles worldwide. There are a raft of changes here from small updates to applications and USB keyboard support to being able to output Wii games on the Wii U GamePad.

This does not mean that Wii games are playable on the Wii U GamePad, just that you can select to display games in Wii mode now on the GamePad. You will still need the original controllers to play the games.

We’ve listed all the changes below with a brief explanation of all of them. The update is 701mb for PAL consoles and is available now.

The ability to output Wii-only software to the Wii U GamePad

• Currently once you boot Wii mode the GamePad shuts off, now you can choose whether you want the Wii-mode to display on the “both the GamePad and TV” or “TV only”.
• This is not Off-TV play, you cannot control the Wii games with the GamePad, you still need a Wii remote.

The ability to automatically receive demos and trial software from Nintendo

• Don’t want Wii Fit U? Nintendo is probably going to download it for you anyway. (optional)

Added USB Keyboard support

• Got some long Miiverse posts to type? Write it on a Keyboard

Added Nintendo Network ID setting

• You can now edit and manage your Nintendo Network ID from computers and smartphones.

Wii-only software now supported Dolby Pro Logic II

• Was missing since launch.

Update to the Wii U Menu

• Friends list is now viewable from the Wii U menu.

Update to ‘Settings’

• Allow or disallow automatic downloads of software.
• You can now output sound via the analogue port and not just HDMI or even both at once. This will come in handy when connecting to older AV systems.

Updates to Wii U Chat

• You can now use a headset connected to the Wii U GamePad for chat.
• Added the option to view a friend’s profile on Miiverse when sending or receiving a chat request

Updates to the Internet Browser

• You can now fast forward and rewind videos by holding L/R buttons during playback.
• You can now save and manage passwords for websites.
• If you use the internet browser while in a game you can upload the current screenshot to websites, social networks and blogs. Much like the website for Animal Crossing New Leaf. It will also automatically use the games hashtag on Twitter.
• PDF files are now viewable.
• If you’re a web developer there are now web developer tools and user agent switching features.

Improvements to system stability and usability

• Of course they were going to include this one right?