New firmware update adds features to Wii Shop

The most rarely updated console of the big three, the Wii today received a new firmware upgrade to add a few tweaks to the system's Internet-powered features.

The firmware update was almost exclusively linked to the Virtual Console outlet in the Wii Shop channel, an outlet for users to buy emulated versions of games from classic Nintendo systems.

The digital download store now lets users search for games by publisher or genre, in addition to lists sorted by platform and most recent additions. Also, users can enter a text search that scans the entire library of over 100 Virtual Console games.

The other addition is a list of most popular games. At the time of the new firmware's debut, Mario and Zelda titles comprised eight of the spots in the top 10 list, with the Nintendo 64's Paper Mario taking the lead.

Users can now also add points from any menu in the Wii Shop by clicking the Wii Points link at the bottom of every page.

Additionally, the Wii Weather channel was slightly updated, letting users see current conditions directly from the console's main menu. The update also added a clock display at the bottom of the Wii menu.

Unlike the PS3, Xbox 360, and PSP, none of the Wii system updates have been mandatory. Users who want the new features can upgrade the firmware from the console's "settings" menu.

Apple gives 10 GB of online storage to .Mac users

Apple has updated its online network to allow more entertainment sharing features, giving each user up to 10 GB for an annual fee.

The Web service will interact with Apple's new iLife '08 software, which was introduced today. It allows editing and sharing of multimedia content and will come packed with any new iMac purchased, beginning today.

The .Mac (dot Mac) service carries a yearly fee of around $100. Users can also pay for an additional 10 GB of storage, which tacks on around another $50 per year. A "family pack" is also available for around $180/yr, which opens up 20 GB of storage and allows users to assign four different sub accounts in addition to the master account.

89% of Americans want text-and-drive ban, 57% say they do it anyway

Around nine in ten Americans think it's dangerous to text while driving, even though more than half say they have committed the offense.

A new Harris Interactive survey found that 91% of Americans said texting while driving was as dangerous as driving under the influence of a couple drinks. 89% said texting and driving should be illegal.

Even so, 57% of the 2,049 adults polled who drive and use text messaging on separate occasions said they have also done both activities at the same time. 66% said they have read messages while behind the steering wheel.

Of those who admitted to texting while driving, 64% were between the ages of 18 and 34, and 6% were over age 55.

Washington became the first state to officially outlaw the dangerous act when it passed a texting-while-driving ban in May. California, Florida, New York, and a handful of others have introduced similar legislation in the past but none have been signed into law so far.

Pinger, the company that commissioned the survey, offers hands-free voice-driven mobile messaging services.