It looks like the Wii U is going to have a full blown app store similar to the Apple App Store or Android Market.

The Daily said:

Nintendo’s next game console, the Wii U, is months away from launch, but its touchscreen controller is already turning heads — and The Daily has learned that Nintendo plans to implement a full-blown app store for the system.

Nintendo currently maintains repositories that act as “light” app stores: The DSi Shop for its portables, and the Wii Shop for its current console. Most of its apps are games and basic utilities like Mario Calculator. The Wii U’s as-yet-unnamed store will go far beyond this, proffering a wider variety of apps, said a person familiar with the matter.

Wii U owners will be able to use apps that operate on the Wii U itself, such as MLB.TV, and others that run independently on the Wii U’s controller. Given its tablet-like design and 6.2-inch screen, it’s not hard to imagine being able to check email, browse the Web, post to social networks and even get some gaming in.

It’s unknown whether Nintendo plans to monetize its app store with a points system, which it currently uses for WiiWare and DSiWare, or with a more Apple-like pay-to-play system.

http://www.thedaily.com/page/2011/12/29/122911-tech-gaming-wii-appstore/

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@Jargon

I can't find the quote about the "not doing $1 apps" stuff, all I get is "refusing to make iOS games has cost Nintendo $1 billion" articles, hahaha. Idiots.

Iwata's statements at GDC about $1 games putting the whole industry at risk, and eShop games and apps starting at $2 will have to suffice, as evidence.

As someone who thought we'd be getting the WiiU sooner rather then later...I'm tired of not hearing any solid news on this damn system. Tell me what it is, how strong, what it can do etc etc. If its coming out Xmas 2012 then tell us so I don't have to keep waiting for it to come around sooner...

I definitely want more 2 dollar games like Aura Aura Climber, from Nintendo. In fact, I do not want to wait until the Wii U, I want them on my 3DS.

@Guillaume
So what's stopping them from charging more, if the experience was (possibly) made worthwhile as I demonstrated?

@carlosrox

Well, nothing. Doesn't mean people will buy those apps when they can get the same for cheaper elsewhere, though.

And the point I'm trying to get across is that Nintendo's store will be infinitely more controlled than Apple's. It IS infinitely more controlled, in fact. No point in speaking in the future tense.

@Xbob42 I play Pushmo at my lunch break. Or grab a few races in Mario Kart 7.

My lunch break > your lunch break, confirmed!

@Guillaume
Yes but having them on the big screen and with possibly more (or different) incentive like through multiplayer or added whatever, then people will buy it if they want to. I'd be in the market for buying some of the better iOS games on Wii U, even without anything added.

Well I'd only want good games anyway. No shit software would be nice. Not like Wiiware didn't have a ton of shit. Well...what do you mean by controlled?

It’s unknown whether Nintendo plans to monetize its app store with a points system, which it currently uses for WiiWare and DSiWare, or with a more Apple-like pay-to-play system.

Right, I'm sure Nintendo might go back to using points after the 3DS switched over to a regular money system, not just for its exclusive downloadables, but also retroactively for DSiWare titles.