Nintendo issues an update to the Wii's firmware, adding a couple of new features to the Menu and Shop Channel.

Both the Wii Menu and Wii Shop Channel have been tweaked by Nintendo in this latest downloadable firmware update. Answering the wishes of many users, a digital clock is now displayed on the Menu, while the Forecast and News Channel's icons have been updated to show the current weather, and a scrolling selection of current headlines, respectively.

The Wii Message Board has been re-coloured a rather dingy grey to match the background of the Wii Menu, with the "Today's Accomplishments" message now similarly discoloured to distinguish them from actual messages you've received from other people. Indeed, just having the "Accomplishments" message for the day is no longer classed as a day with any activity on the calender, and will consequently no longer be highlighted with a little envelope sign. Happily though, users can now also organise their Address Book entries, by dragging contacts around into other free spaces.

The Wii Shop Channel has also seen a re-design, with a new-look start screen displaying a selection of "recommended titles" (mostly Nintendo's own). Additional changes include handy new search functions to find specific titles or genres, as well as information on how many titles are included from each publisher and in each genre.

Nothing earth-shattering, but a couple of neat changes nonetheless.

Update: Its now also been discovered that the update also provides compatibility with USB keyboards, though currently only for the Wii Message Board. Until Opera updates its browser to support the devices too, it'll be a while yet before N-Europe posts its articles via Wii.

Unfortunately, the update also blocks use of the Freeloader - so users who still wish to play imported GameCube titles on their Wii should not update!

Update 2: We've now got a pack of screens for anyone not yet updated to check out how the new stuff looks. Download them here!