WiiLi - A Linux Live CD!
Darealbigtigga and squeakypants has informed me that a Linux Live CD is in development for the Wii. You can check out all of the juicy details
here.
Two things I want to clear up:
First: This project is not being developed by Nintendo or anyone working with Nintendo but rather someone who is creating this as a last college project.
Secondly: For those who don't know a Linux Live CD is essentially a full Linux OS that boots off of the CD into memory without the need to install anything. You simply stick the disc into the disc drive and it will fully boot into an OS capable of internet browsing, movie playback, games, etc. You take the disc out and the Wii just boots right back into the main Wii dashboard with no signs of Linux ever being used. I am not sure if you need a modded Wii to use this or not. From the sound of it any Wii will work with it without a mod chip and of course it will be a free download. For those who don't know much about Linux
here is a screenshot for you.
It is also worth noting that with this software you can view divx movies or any format movies (EX: WMV, Quicktime, ETC) browse the web with flash support, play games, emulation (EX: NES, SNES, MAME, ETC), use word document software and pretty much anything else you can think of. If this project really works out it could be a huge deal for the Wii. Sony has actually partnered with Yellow Dog Linux to release an installable version of Linux onto the PS3. It comes packed with over 2000 programs on the disc and will be available in stores, online order or download. Essentially turning a PS3 into a fully operational computer so it's nice to see that the Wii is at least getting a Live CD version. I am not sure whether or not if you can install it onto a Wii memory card or not but as it stands right now you can only use it and then lose all saved data when you take out the disc. Look through the above link for a ton of information on this highly ambitious project.