The Wii U console will also include a Broadcom Bluetooth 4.0 chip, allowing players to use older Wii controllers and other peripherals, such as headphones.
NFC, the newest of the wireless systems in the Wii U, is largely a question mark but may offer the most original uses. It's designed for communication between two devices tapped together and mostly has been used for payments by phone. Nintendo hasn't spelled out exactly how the Wii U may use NFC, but the company has suggested users will be able to tap the GamePad against playing cards or figurines.
What makes NFC well-suited to that application is its low power requirement, Bekis said. One element in the link, such as a card or figurine, could use NFC without any power, so it could be made without a battery, he said. NFC might also be used for payments on the Wii, such as for purchases on Nintendo's planned video-on-demand service. Because there's an NFC chip in the GamePad, users might be able to tap an NFC-equipped credit card or phone to that device instead of entering payment details, Bekis said.
Stephen Lawson covers mobile, storage and networking technologies for The IDG News Service. Follow Stephen on Twitter at @sdlawsonmedia. Stephen's e-mail address is stephen_lawson@idg.com
