The Nintendo Wii main interface is designed based on channels.

You have boxes to choose which channel you want to use. This image shows the original channel listing, which was available on launch.

Each button becomes animated in turn, showing a little image of what the channel is about. Let's start from the top left.

Game Channel
The top left icon, shaped like a CD, lets you play the currently loaded game. Click the icon and get playing!

Mii Channel
The next icon to the right is the Mii profile channel. This is where all the gamers organize their information, track high scores, and create a personal avatar.
Mii Channel Details

Photo Channel
The photo channel is great if you have a SD card for your camera - but is sort of iffy if you're not using a SD.



Wii Shop Channel
Buy new downloads here! This is where you can get new channels and games for your system via the download area. You have to pay for these.
Wii Shop Channel Details

Forecast Channel
Learn more about your weather - this is NOT available at launch. It became available on January 26, 2006 - Forecast Channel Information

News Channel
What's going on in the world? This is NOT available at launch. It became available on January 26, 2007 - News Channel Information

Also, in the lower right corner is an envelope icon. This is how you access your Wii mail and messages.
Wii Mail Information

Below is the updated channel listing, of what became available on January 26, 2007.