One of the more striking features of the Nintendo Switch is the speed at which the whole operating system can move; it's fast, simple, and clean. Of course, the other side of this, then, is that there are many features missing which would be considered as relatively basic inclusions in a typical tablet OS, such as a web browser or streaming apps. There's hints that more features are due to be added in the future, though, and one of the rather odd discoveries made recently is that the Switch does actually support USB keyboards.
GameXplain recently put up a video showing off the feature, as relatively useless as it may be now. As long as the Switch is docked, a keyboard can be plugged in and used wherever there's text entry, such as when adding text to a screenshot. In the future, this will likely get much more use as more software is developed to take advantage of it, but hey, it's there now, too.
What do you think? Will a web browser show up eventually? Will you be making use of this? Drop us a comment in the section below.
[source youtube.com]
Comments 27
I used a keyboard a lot on the Wii, namely in Animal Crossing City Folk, so that would be cool if you could do the same here.
I can't see myself making any use of this but it's still good to have.
Maybe we'll see Typing of the Dead on VC
I do like that the Pro-controller is compatible with mobile games though.That I will definitely make use of.
Good to have.
Now if it only had an internet browser.
The Learn With Pokémon: Typing Adventure keyboard lives on!
As it was cancelled for the Wii U, I'd like to see a port of Kerbal Space Program for the Switch with touchscreen/keyboard support.
@Frosty_09 Wow, that thing is awesome!
Was awesome using a keyboard on wii with monster hunter. Will do again once monster hunter launches.
Damn! I want my Pokemon Typing Adventure Keyboard to work! Best Keyboard ever! ( but bluetooth lol)
@Frosty_09 Still have my one of those from years of PSO!
Hopefully it's intended for a browser or chat app that's coming soon.
Wait, so future updates could bring things other than stability? Mind blown.
Hmm, i wonder if bluetooth keyboards work as well?
@Frosty_09
Gamecube Keyboard ?
Wow, that was sooo.... big controller.
Likely it will have a web browser as hackers have proven it comes with a full feature browser that is merely disabled. They have it streaming video now in the browser as well.
@SetupDisk Well, that's interesting. If it's already there, I wonder why they're holding back?
I know keyboard worked on Wii, I have use it, for various stuff. Not sure about the Wii U as I never tried (I should, makes it easy to name my horse(s) in Breath of the Wild). But this is handy and it could be used in the future.
@SetupDisk @SwitchVogel It is very likely that the browser is used to display the eShop. Maybe even the whole GUI of the Switch is html-based.
@OorWullie I dreamed of Dreamcast on the Wii U Virtual Console.... maybe we'll be so lucky this time around. I'd kill for an easy way to play Skies of Arcadia, Grandia 2, and Shenmue on a portable.
Now, if they also have or can add mouse support, we might get some amazing FPS game... or even better, Minecraft full PC controls!
"But only in docked mode"
You can use a USB keyboard in portable mode too. I've tested and it does work. You just need a USB-C OTG cable/converter...like what comes with the Google Pixel for example....not that i'd lug around a keyboard with a Switch on the go but the option is there I guess.
Any theories on what Nintendo could do with that in the future?
@Jessica286 Harken back to their love hotel days and set up a dating service app ?
More likely, certain online games such as Splatoon 2/Monster Hunter might use it.
@Frosty_09 They could make a keyboard like that which had the ability to slide the joy-cons on the side!
@Ernest_The_Crab I like the love hotel idea more 😉
That's actually good news! Although it would be great if keyboards would also work in handheld mode through a future update.
But if they should add a browser (or other apps like notes/documents or a chat), then I would definitely prefer to use a hardware keyboard and it would actually make the Switch more attractive for me.
@SwitchVogel
Some people are guessing they did it so the console wouldn't be hacked but they messed up by only disabling the browser, not actually removing it.
Who is going to figure out how to enable it? Hackers of course. Kind of funny actually.
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