Following Netflix and Hulu Plus, Amazon on Wednesday announced the launch of its Instant Video app for Nintendo’s Wii U console. You can now download the app now on the Wii U home screen or grab it from the Nintendo’s Wii U eShop.
The news means if you use Amazon for your video needs, and you have Nintendo’s latest and greatest, you now have access to more than 140,000 movies and TV episodes available to purchase or rent from Amazon’s Instant Video library. Furthermore, if you’re an Amazon Prime customer, the app lets you stream more than 30,000 movies and TV episodes for free.
Much like the Netflix and Hulu Plus apps, the Wii U GamePad controller lets Amazon customers use the 6.2-inch touch screen on the GamePad to search and browse for titles. They can also playback video on the GamePad screen.
Parents will like these two features:
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- Kid Zone: Kid Zone on the Amazon Instant Video app on Wii U is designed for children ages 3 through 12, featuring thousands of family friendly videos.
- Parental Controls: Parents can protect children watching content that is not kid friendly, restricting content based on Rating (R, PG-13, etc.) as well as by device (web, Wii U, TV, tablet, etc.).
As for all of Amazon’s supported devices, purchasing and watching videos directly on your Wii U means you can pick up where you left off on another compatible device. You have 30 days to start watching a rented movie, and 24 hours to finish once you start.
It’s almost as if Nintendo wants to make sure everyone knows the Wii U is more than just a game console and has purposefully had its partners stagger their video launches. Actually, that’s probably exactly what’s happening here.
Image credit: Vangelis Thomaidis
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