YouTube video comes to Wii and PlayStation 3 game consoles

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Google announced today it has started piping YouTube videos directly to Wii and PlayStation 3 game consoles that are connected to the Internet. Google simplified the interface for a TV experience so viewers can navigate the site using the arrow keys on their Wii remote or PS3 controller.

It’s part of Google’s plan to distribute its products far and wide beyond the traditional computer and into places like the living room, where the television reigns supreme. Last year, for example, the search giant struck deals to pipe YouTube videos directly to connected Sony Bravia TVs, Panasonic Viera TVs, the Apple TV device and TiVo’s digital video recorder.

Gamers already have a penchant for watching videos via their consoles. Microsoft’s Xbox Live online game service for its Xbox 360 console, for example, boasts a library of more than 30,000 movies, videos and TV shows (no YouTube videos, though). Google says 15 hours of footage are uploaded to YouTube every minute. WiiTube or YouStation 3, anyone?

-- Alex Pham

Screenshot of YouTube on a PlayStation 3 console