Credit to Forbes for pressing Nintendo of America's president, Reggie Fils-Aime, on the take-it-anywhere capabilities of the Wii U's touch-screen controller.
In an interview, Forbes' David M. Ewalt asked Fils-Aime whether it was possible to watch streaming video on the controller. "The messaging comes right from the console. So the programming would need to originate off the console," Fils-Aime said. Pressed on the point, Ewalt asked Fils-Aime if it was possible to watch Netflix-streamed content with the controller.
"Theoretically, that's possible," Fils-Aime said. Now, this does not make the Wii U controller into a go-anywhere device independent of the system. Whatever content it's showing, "It's got to be powered through the console," Fils-Aime said.
The takeaway: If it comes from the console, it can go to that controller, and if Nintendo isn't touting the ability to watch Netflix content on it, it's only because they haven't crossed Ts and dotted Is on that agreement yet.
What Is Nintendo Planning With The Wii U? Reggie Fils-Aime Explains It All [Forbes.com via RipTen]