Wii U FW Update Adds Quick Launch

Version 5.0.0 U, available via an Internet connection, includes the following improvements:

New Features:

A Quick Start Menu is now displayed when users press the GamePad POWER Button or HOME Button to power on the Wii U

Users can start recently played or newly installed software directly from the Quick Start Menu *1

Wii U GamePad Alerts (special notifications from Nintendo) can be displayed on the GamePad when the Wii U is powered down

Users will be notified with an audio ringtone when a new GamePad Alert is displayed

GamePad Alerts that have been received can also be viewed through the Quick Start Menu*2

Changes to Standby Functions:

System updates will now automatically install after download when the Wii U is in Standby

Changes to the Wii U Menu:

The User Settings screen now displays when users select their User Mii from the Wii U Menu

The design and layout of the Users Settings screen has been updated

This includes the ability to switch the active user from the User Settings screen

Changes to System Settings:

Quick Start Menu options have been added to Power Settings

Wii U GamePad Alert options are located within the Quick Start Menu options

Changes to the HOME Menu

A Notification icon is now available on the HOME Menu, allowing users to launch the Notifications feature from the HOME Menu

Improvements to system stability and usability:

Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience

(*1) The Quick Start Menu is only displayed when the Wii U GamePad POWER or HOME Buttons are pressed. Other controllers, such as the Wii Remote Plus and Wii U Pro Controller, will continue to power on the Wii U

(*2) Wii U GamePad Alerts are different from the notifications received via the Wii U Notifications feature. Wii U GamePad Alerts settings can be changed via Power Settings located in System Settings.

And with this, the Wii U UI is finally where it needed to be (although I would appreciate folders and I guess Nintendo Network ID transfers), but on the whole, the functionality of the console frontend is pretty damn good now. The menu is fast and zippy, too.

The Quick Launch (and the update in general) really increase the speed of navigation on the Wii U- we're down from 40+ seconds to less than 30 seconds.

They got bigger concerns than Menus. Hell that was the least of their worries.

Yep, downloaded it last night. The performance seemed fine to me as it was, but it is noticeably snappier.

lol wii-u still alive ? breaking news!

Overall user experience is important.

What are their other issues? Games? They have lots of games, and they just released a blockbuster title five days ago. Marketing? They've been marketing like crazy since the beginning of May. Third party support? Sure, that's an issue, but that's chronic to all Nintendo systems, and it's not getting fixed till the successor at the earlier, if ever.

So what exactly is the 'bigger Wii U concern' that they should be addressing here, over trying to make the system better for users?

Why do you bother responding to those trolls?

@lglz1337: Yep, it because fun gameswill never be irrelevant.

I just want that gamepad to be recognized as a classic controller.

That's all they need to do.

Who cares

Yes the menus and faster UI are great but what about Message Notifications and a faster way to access them (Having to go into MiiVerse is a pain just to access and respond to messages) and for the love of God, when will they add Party/Game invites? These are two critically important additions that need to be made ASAP.

I remember the good old days when consoles launched with the complete OS rather than a barebones OS with multiple patches and updates.

@DaBrainz: u mean put in cart, turn on, play

Does Nintendo 64's expansion pack count?

That's a nice list of improvements.

lolvitabros

Is it at the level of the 360/PS3 interface yet?

Guess not...

System Wars negativity and bitching aside, good news. With that and Mario Kart, it's a good week for WiiU.

Shut up!

:(

Makes too much sense. Nintendo disapproves.

@charizard1605: Long way to go yet. It's hardly "perfect".

Also, Steam.

I'll download it tonight.