Oh thank god, I was worried Nintendo would actually get something done without any problems for once.

Without Netflix for me its a what the point.  Wii U has a really uphill battle to win over my PS3 to be my Media box which is a shame.

They must have some more kinks to unwind.  I pretty much agree with you, though.  PS3 has been my dedicated "tivo/netflix" box for a while now, and while I will probably tinker with the Tvii features when it launches, this will hardly convert me to using the Wii U as our multimedia device.

In this case, I'm happy they're releasing what they have available now instead of waiting until January until it was all completed, though.

Since I don't have cable, the main reason I'm looking forward to TVii is combining Netflix and Hulu into one interface (I'm not an Amazon Prime subscriber).  So I'll play around with it tomorrow, but this won't be useful to me until next year.

Curious about this. Im taking my Wii U home for Christmas and my parents have cable.

I'm hoping that the omitted services will be added shortly (like January) instead of later in the new year. In this age of gaming services, I don't expect everything to be ready day one with the understanding that the service is constantly going to be improved upon. I hope Nintendo will continue the pace of improvement of its services that they've set for themselves with the WiiU until consumers (me) are completely satisfied with it.

With that said, it is exciting to be playing with another new feature of the console tomorrow.

You can still use Netflix on the Wii U through its own app, so it's not a big deal that it will be a few weeks before being integrated into Nintendo TVii.

Problem being I can also watch Netflix on a dedicated app on pretty much any other device.  Until it's fused with other services in Early 2013 (hopefully January), Wii U isn't the clear front-runner as my go-to TV-Helper.

This.

In my current setup I have 5 devices (including TV) that I can watch Netflix on using the TV Screen.  That's not counting the Laptop, 2 Smartphones,  and 3DS.  So effectively in my living room I can be watching 7 different shows on Netflix at any given point, Laptop, 2 Smartphones,  3DS, TV, and Gamepad.  What makes the WiiU different and Better.  At the moment it doesn't match the quality of the PS3 version of Netflix.  Doesn't match the pure features as  a media device as the PS3.  The Value add feature of TVii would be the only good reason then to use the Wii U version.

I'm in the same boat, BUT have you done a real side-by-side comparison?  I've compared Netflix on Wii, Wii U, PC, 3DS, Ipad, Ipod, and AppleTV, and the Wii U and/or PC are BY FAR the best.  The streaming and browsing speed on Wii U and PC are nearly the same, which is incredible since the Wii U is in Wifi.  I don't know how that happens.

And while the Ipad/AppleTV combination is the most comparable to the Gamepad/WiiU Netflix experience, you can't browse on the Ipad's screen, and you can't switch between Ipad display and AppleTV display at all.  And of course, using your Ipad to control your AppleTV is HORRENDOUSLY SLOW and misses inputs, because the Ipad connects to your AppleTV via Wifi.  The Ipad does not have an IR blaster.  I don't know how the Gamepad communicates with the Wii U (Bluetooth, maybe, or RF?).  But those who've used it know that it is super fast.

I'm also curious:  does anyone here actually own and regularly use a DVR?  Why?  In the age of Hulu and Netflix, I can't imagine any reason other than sports to use a DVR.  It's the most ridiculous relic of the VCR age that we have.  20th century technology to make up for the greedy little hands of the TV networks and cable companies, who must know that the writing is on the wall. 

DVRs are good for watching shows not on Hulu or Netflix. For instance, something like Breaking Bad, if you want to go week to week and not wait for the full season to go up on Netflix it's better than having to sit through commercials.

How doesn't it match the PS3 version of Netflix? It has tablet viewing of shows, touch screen interface, easier typing for searches. What does it lack?

I have the PS3, Wii, and Wii U and I use the Wii U for Netflix.

I found the PS3 version snappier, better looking, and having better Audio quality.  I search so rarely that the better searching and the touch screen is relatively a non-factor.  If I'm going to watch something on the tablet I'll probably just use my phone.  I like the Win Phone interface for Netflix.

Yes.

What time will the update go live?

Use it and love it.

I don't have Netflix or Hulu Plus memberships.  My wife watches a lot of crappy Food Network and Bravo shows that aren't all available though these services last time I checked.  Just set the DVR to record and watch whenever.

Not to mention, the internet we have here isn't the most reliable of things.

So without Netflix and TiVo, what's the point?

There is still Cable, Satellite, Amazon Instant Video, and Hulu Plus. So it is still worth it. Plus, it's free.