Topic: No apps? Who cares.

Why people are complaining about lack of apps on their switch is lost on me. Why does it matter if it has hulu, netflix, etc. when literally everyone who can afford one has a smartphone with all of these features.

No need in docked mode either because of chromecast and appletv,

Nintendo was right to focus soley on making it a good gaming machine, and putting these added featuers on the backburner.

I think people just want these apps because they are used to the trend of having them on another device, when in reality after it's there they will likely be reaching for their smartphones or topboxes for these features anyways.

I don't blame them after getting an Nintendo Switch to be honest. Its nice to have but I wish I have it. When I got it, I plug it into my TV by unplugging my smart Blu-ray player because my TV only have two HDMI ports. I have fun with Nintendo Switch. Until one day, I feel like watching Netflix. I noticed that I have to unplug my Nintendo Switch then plug in my smart Blu-ray player to watch Netflix.

I have Nintendo Switch, PS TV (no Netflix support but crunchyroll is supported), smart Blu-ray player. My TV isn't an smart TV and smart TV are usually terrible for Netflix unless you got most recent models.

My point is that, its be more convenient for everybody since most TV have limited inputs and not all devices have apps that is connected.

I supposed I could hook up my HDMI switcher again.

@Super_Gravy

You should look into a chromecast. It's a far superior experience for streaming. I have one on every tv in the house and just open the app on my phone and press a button and it's on my tv. You also get volume control, and can move your show to any room with one in it just from a few presses on your phone.

I also use the apps for my tv and receiver so I can use my phone as an all in one remote, it makes life a lot easier since my kid likes to hide the remotes throughout the house haha.

@Dokkaebi:

Yea I used it once and its awesome! I used my dad's chromecast but he need it all the time for NHL. I did ask for it last Christmas and now I forgot about it. I should get my own now. Thanks for the reminder! XD

It's not as if Netflix and Hulu on day one would've taken away resources from the games or anything like that...

@Octane That's true, but I still believe the vast majority would use them a few times just because they are new on the system and then go back to their smart devices though.

This is what I did with the WiiU. (Oh cool, I can watch netflix, and hulu from my console. A week later back to using chromecast because it's more convenient than picking the gamepade up out of the cradel, powering on the console, waiting for boot.)

Not to mention with the short battery life of the switch it doesn't make sense to use it on the go when a smartphone's battery easily lasts double that while streaming and has access to much more content.

Also, even if it doesn't take more resources on the machine, the devs still have to implement it, and I'm willing to bet they were rushing just to get the switch out on March 3rd.

My point is that the Switch is an awesome gaming device, and delivers on giving us the console experience with the added ability to take those titles on the go seemlesly, unlike anything before it.

To complain about not having an app that you can access to litterly everywhere else is silly.

@Dokkaebi I don't know. I use my PS4 for Netflix on the TV. Portable Netflix on the train or something like that would be neat. The screen's bigger than the my phone, that's for sure.

Is it a huge issue? Obviously not, but it is kinda expected these days, so having these apps is always better than not having them.

I'm grateful for the lack of apps, although we all know they will come later. However the days of the game console are over. We are are in entertainment box land.

I use my WiiU for Netflix & Youtube, don't presume because you don't use it no one does.

I would rather watch on the switch than on my phone due to the bigger screen when away from home and who wants to take another device when the switch could and should have them?

I really think what Nintendo is doing now with this is the exact same thing they did with Wii/WiiU and DVDs.
They assumed everyone had a DVD player of some sorts so they just left it out to save money.
The only difference now is Netflix or Hulu doesn't require them to have any extra hardware installed on the device, so it is a little puzzling why it doesn't already have streaming apps.
I have a smart tv though, so I'm good.

I'm definitely of two minds on this. Personally, I have no need of apps so I'm good. Gaming is my big media hobby; not really into TV or movies.

But I also feel like this sends the message to the public that the Switch is a second-tier machine. People might not even use Netflix on it, but they'll notice the absence and think the Switch is just a kid's toy. That'd be fine, but people already think that about Nintendo and they really need to start changing minds if they want to break back into the market.

@mav-i-am

So you would rather watch it on a lower quality screen on a heavier devices for 1 or 2 inch difference in screen size? It's marketed and sold as a gaming console, not a multimedia device.

Also, why would you not take a cell phone with you if were on the go? Chances are the cell phone is in your pocket regardless so you will always be carrying two devices if you take the switch. Let's be honest, even if it could play netflix, it's not going to replace your phone.

@World

I think it's more of a marketing thing than the lack of apps or general features. So far it seems like the target audience of the switch is middle aged adults, but then again that might just be because parents aren't dropping $300 on new system a few months after Christmas for their kids.

I think Nintendo will do well this generation, even if they are behind every other compeitor they are still a multi-million dollar company that makes great IPs. There will always be people that buy their consoles just for their IPs.

I've done this with every one of their consoles since I was old enough to make money, and usually only purchase play 5 to 10 games on it in it's lifetime. You are never too old to rock out on some Mario.

I must admit, I was expecting Netflix etc by now. We're almost a month in and nothing.

I definitely hope you're right! I might have a somewhat more negative opinion on what it means to not have Netflix, but I'd love to be shown up as a crank. Like I said, I personally really don't care if it ever gets apps and I'd love to see this thing really take off.

I don't care about Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc since I don't use them, but I totally get why many would want them. Since it doesn't hurt me for them to be available, I'm all for it. I can't imagine they won't come eventually. I was really surprised they showed up on the Wii.

For me, all I'd be interested in is a Plex app, because that IS something I use all the time.

I think the OP has a point. For those of us who DON'T have Chromecast, AppleTV, etc. then yea, we use our game devices to stream Netflix and such, so the absence of that on the Switch is perhaps felt a bit more.

But for a lot of people (maybe even the majority) who have better streaming options, having Netflix and stuff on Switch would be nothing more than a novelty, especially when connected to the TV. The mobile element does introduce a wrinkle, though. I still say out of all the apps YouTube would be the best to have - view gaming videos and such before/after a play session.

It matters because just like the 3DS and PS Vita, we've become accustomed to portable gaming devices having apps, mainly an Internet Browser. I could live without a Netflix or Youtube app as long as Nintendo adds an Internet Browser because I could use the web versions.

And no, Chromecast or AppleTV is not a solution. Most people, such as myself, only have 2 HDMI ports on our HDTV's. I already have the dock plugged into 1 and the 2nd is for my Xbox One. I don't mind switching video source, turning on my XB1 and launching Netflix from there rather than my Switch, but it sure would be a lot more convenient if I could just stay within the Switch's environment to launch Netflix.

But that's not the biggest issue. When in handheld mode, not having apps really sucks! I bring my Switch everywhere I go and you have no idea how much I would just LOVE being able to browse the Internet, watch Youtube and Netflix on my larger screen Swith rather than on a tiny iPhone screen! I'll be travelling this summer and I will be very VERY disappointed if Nintendo doesn't add an Internet Browser by then! Not having to bring along a laptop and instead use my Switch to browse the net and watch online videos would be awesome!

I didn't complain that much when the 3DS didn't have a browser at launch... or maybe it did? I forgot. But anyways, the 3DS screen was so tiny I was better off just using my Smartphone. But the Switch is pretty much a tablet!

Think about it for a second: you're in you're hotel room, you have access to free Wifi and you just want to watch Netflix and browse the Internet. Would you rather do all that on a tiny Smartphone or on the Switch's larger screen?

And PLEASE don't bring up Chromecast or AppleTV! Once again, that means having to carry around more junk while travelling and I like travelling light! The 3DS had an Internet browser and tons of apps, so why can't Nintendo hurry up for the Switch? It's only logical for a portable device to have them in this day and age.

Oh and not only that, but Chromecast sucks. I gotta navigate through the UI on my Phone's screen and then cast the streaming video on the TV! Why can't I see the menus on the huge TV???? On top of that, it eats up my phone's battery. So in the end, Chromecast is a terrible solution! Never suggest this to anyone ever again, please!

Uhhh I care. I don't want myself or my kids to have to carry multiple devices. If they're going to play some games and maybe watch a show, I'd rather it just be on one device...whether using wifi Netflix or local media file playback.

Because everyone uses their devices differently. Just because you do not care, does not mean the next person doesn't either....