A big update is out for Wiibrew developer farter's GeeXboX program, a prototype media center program for the Wii. It's been a while since the initial release, but it looks like the wait was well worth it. This build incorporated the recently released Whiite-Linux system, which gave the program a lot of significant new features.

Although there is no support for native WiFi and DVD, there is now support for the Wii USB host controllers, which means there is now support for USB storage and other USB-related functions. However, the dev notes that the USB host controller is still "imperfect" so some USB-related features are unusable.

Also new in this build is support for bluetooth and networking features. The dev enumerates in the readme:

Major new features: bluetooth (remote control, obex file push, networking and audio partially working), USB storage, USB ethernet, http/telnet/ftp server, netstreaming, image viewer, goom visuals for audio playback, .... Most of the new features are fully or partially tested, some are not, yet.

Be sure to go through the rest of the readme for more details on the program. Here is the changelog for version 0.1alpha0:

• Based on whiite-linux-0.1a, which has USB host controller enabled. USB and network related functions of GeeXboX are therefore included in this release.
• 'Bugs' (keypressing and OSD color) in previous version no longer there.

Download: GeeXboX v0.1alpha0

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Related Wii Homebrew:

• GeeXboX - Media Center prototype for the Wii
• Whiite-Linux v0.1a: Linux for Wii, with support for USB devices
• MPlayerWii v0.03: USB storage support, Wiimote volume controls