Today in disappointing news from Nintendo, we learned that the Nintendo Switch is not compatible with wireless Bluetooth headsets.
The French-language site Melty, who broke the news, originally reported Bluetooth headphones would work. It apparently learned this from an interview with Nintendo senior employee Yoshiaki Koizumi.
Melty has since posted a correction to it original article, citing a translation error which led to the misunderstanding. It now says that it is “impossible” to use Bluetooth audio devices with the Switch.
Neither the Melty article nor its Nintendo source say why Bluetooth won’t work. Melty says it will be possible to use wired audio even when the Switch is docked. All promotional images, however, show the Switch’s headphone jack on the screen and not the Joy-Con. Unless one drags an extension cord to the dock, it’s hard to say how we could use wired audio on a docked console more than a few inches away.
This comes hot on the heels of the news that the Switch will not have a Virtual Console at launch, so we wouldn’t blame those who pre-ordered the Switch for feeling a little premature buyer’s remorse.
We have contacted Nintendo for comment and will update this point if we get a response.
@KirbyTheVampire But IGN, Polygon, Kotaku, The Know etc. are all in large, spacious, office spaces with lots going on. Lots of PCs, signals, systems etc.
And that's the thing. Switch Force, GameXplain, GoNintendo, Alex here, are all in their homes. In a place youd use it. In an average sized room. Just playing it like its a system.
Therefore, I would posit the following: A lot of this is down to it being in an office. Remember, Andre had to TRY and reproduce it. But he's in a place like I am, a room. TV, monitors, bed, windows. Usual actual realistic usage.
I said it a lot when people were asking why Switch isn't a portable PS4. You have to take into account reality.
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@Operative2-0 Bluetooth is, excuse my French, crap as a long range signal. As a close range signal, its actually really good. But like anything it has its limitations. I cant ue my PS4 controller on my PC (Bluetooth) at too far a distance either.
The big problem with Bluetooth is actually from a communications angle. Its hilariously insecure. In terms of device connectivity, its alright.
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They aren't in a large, open office space with this thing like most press. It's Andre's apartment and bedroom. Smaller, more realistic usage scenarios.
What about the rooftop parties though?
I think we can still have our rooftop parties. Karen didn't seem to have any issues with the JoyCon.
It is worth noting that this is on the pre-launch firmware. And the most important thing these pre-launch systems have to do is exist at events. What does an event system need to handle? Huge amounts of interference from other Switch units. What would be the best way to handle that? Turn down the Bluetooth signal strength.
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@rallydefault
Well aside from seeing what the day one update brings, and testing it for ourselves, there's nothing much we can do.
With normal controllers, it can send the signal from the center, but with a Joycon in each hand, your trigger finger blocks the entire end of the controller where the signal would procede from. It may not be any weaker than any other controller using Bluetooth, but it could just be the fact that the signal is having to go through your trigger finger when normally it wouldn't have to.
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@skywake But can the peripherals be adjusted? Or is it just the main unit itself where changes can be made? And 10 foot is literally no distance at all, especially in front of a big screen. I hope that this can be updated with firmware or this has the potential to be a big problem. I'd like to see the Pro Controller tested out.
Blunty posted a vid explaining humans are mostly water, and water blocks radio waves. And using Bluetooth is excellent for battery life but means being prone to this. So it's either increase the signal at cost of battery life or leave it as is.
I have my own theory, that normal the signal would be fine but because the Joycons are split apart, your trigger finger is blocking the entire end of each controller from which the signal proceeds. On any other controller using Bluetooth with the exact same signal it probably isn't an issue because it's coming from the center where your fingers aren't blocking it.
With that said during the test Andre only had issues when he completely covered it with his hand or body. So my theory may only come into affect when you're at far distances where the signal is much weaker. The good news is that means blankets should not affect this whatsoever. It's just like any other Bluetooth device- you need a straight shot for the signal (learned this with my X1 controller on PC).
I measured how far I sit away and even with my 55 inch TV I'm only sitting 5 1/2 feet away (1 2/3 meters). There shouldn't be any issues, not unless I plan to play with the controllers behind my back.
@KirbyTheVampire I'm...let me think...I don't think any of my TVs are more than 8 feet from a seat or seat like apparatus. My main 40" is at the end of my bed. One downstairs hangs on the wall a distance little greater than that. At home our TV is in the corner with no more than my body length to the furthest seat...so 6 foot 1 inch.
I only know the floor distance like that because I lie on the floor and cuddle my German Shepherd. Don't judge.
Glad to know Nintendo are aware it's an issue. But it seems like something that should have been accounted for when designing the joycons.
Silly as it is, playing with my hands apart on the wii was some of the most relaxing things I could do while gaming and I'm excited the switch allows it too
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