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If Nintendo adds a Blu-ray drive to the Wii, then Microsoft will be the only manufacturer without a BDP gaming console

Don’t let the recent painting of the black Nintendo Wii fool you: it’s not actually a new console, it’s a three-year-old plastic box that is in desperate need of an overhaul. Could the rumoured Wii 2, with Blu-ray drive, be the next proper upgrade to the Nintendo line?

Speculation has increased about the Wii 2 launching in 2010, with the gaming website MaxConsole crediting a Nintendo France marketing chap as telling them it will contain a Blu-ray drive and able to handle 1080p games and movies – just like the PS3.

It’s expected to go on sale worldwide in the third quarter of 2010, and Nintendo will offer a trade-in for the first Wii. It’s peculiar that trade-in information is being speculated on this early in the game, but it’d be unlike Nintendo not to offer such a scheme after doing similar with the DS portable consoles.

Verizon has announced the launch of the Epix HD movie channel this weekend, allow subscribers to watch movies on-demand via their TV or online.

You can check the site at epixhd.com, and the service will cost $10 USD per month.

"We’re taking the lead in delivering the richest and best entertainment to movie-lovers, on whatever platform they choose," adds Verizon vice president of content strategy and acquisition Terry Denson.

Epix is a joint venture from Paramount, Lionsgate, MGM and Viacom and will include thousands of films from the studios.