Nintendo is preparing an app store for the Wii U console according to sources with News Corporation’s The Daily. The app store for the Wii U will not be like the DSi or Wii stores. The Wii U store will go beyond what Nintendo has right now and will offer a wide variety of game apps. Netflix and other apps that are on the Wii already will also be offered. [The Daily]

The list of supporters (PDF) of the Stop Online Pirate Act (SOPA) has been updated. it appears that Sony and Nintendo have both dropped out, which indicates that they are not directly in support of the bill as a company any more. Both of these companies were endorsing the bill back in November. Likely the two companies saw the outrage that Internet advocates have made about the bill and decided to no longer be associated with SOPA. [Electronista]

The next Nintendo console is a handheld device called the Wii U. The Wii U is a set-top box that is interlinked wirelessly with a tablet-style controller. The Wii U controller is the size of a paperback novel. The interlinking means that you can switch the game back-and-forth between the TV and the controller.

Over the weekend one of Nintendo’s website servers got hacked temporarily. The hack attack was less severe than the hack that affected Sony’s PlayStation Network. The hack that Nintendo was hit with did not lead to the leak of sensitive information or cause any operational damage.

Nintendo has announced that the next 3DS update will be available on June 7th. The Nintedo 3DS will have a web browser and E-Shop added to their consoles through the update. The E-Shop will allow users to download new mini-games and classic Nintendo games. The Nintendo Wii uses the Opera browser so it is pretty likely that Opera will be used for the 3DS also. [BusinessInsider]

Nintendo Co. Ltd. said that they plan on launching a Wii console successor in 2012 as they recently reported a slump in profits. Nintendo is expecting that profits will be remaining flat in the current financial year. Nintendo plans on demonstrating the Wii replacement at the E3 game show on June 7 in Los Angeles, California.

Nintendo has announced that they have sold 400,000 of the 3DS units in the first seven days of launching in the U.S. The 3DS retails for $249, which may have caused some consumers to hold back on being early adopters. Nintendo sold about 2.5 million Pokemon games in March. The older DS console outsold the 3DS by 60,000 units. “Both Nintendo 3DS and the Nintendo DS family had a strong month, indicating that Nintendo has something for everyone,” stated Nintendo of America senior director of corporate communications Charlie Scibetta. [VentureBeat]

According to manufacturer’s warnings, the 3-D screen on the Nintendo 3DS shouldn’t be used by children 6 or under. But optometrists say that it is a good idea for kids to try and use the 3-D screen. It won’t do any harm to them and it may help them catch vision disorders early on.