When Nintendo released its Nintendo Switch Online app for smart devices, it’s not entirely off base to say that it was a complete dumpster fire. The app was hokey and difficult to use, prevented you from using any other apps beside it, and demanded that your phone’s screen be on all the time. In short, it was next to useless compared to other alternatives out there.
Nintendo has now put out an update for the app which improves on a number of problems, with the most notable being that it can now be in use while using other apps or putting the phone into sleep mode. Here’s the patch notes:
Version 1.1.0 patch notes
Voice chat will now continue when other apps are opened. (*1) Voice chat will now continue during sleep mode. (*2) Improved support for Bluetooth devices. (For Android devices only.)
(*1) This excludes apps with audio output or apps that use the microphone.
(*2) If the power-saving feature is activated on devices using Android 6.0 or later, voice chat may be interrupted after the device has entered sleep mode. To use voice chat during sleep mode, go to Other Settings > Power Saving Settings in the app and deactivate battery optimization on the Android device. For more details, please refer to the official website for your smart device.
There’s still a long way to go before we’d say the app even feels ready, but at least Nintendo is putting in some effort to improve it.
What do you think? Do you use this app? What other changes would you like to see made? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Comments 37
lol
Better than nothing.
Watch out Discord! The Nintendo Switch App will take your crown soon enough, just you wait!
Still haven't used it when I can just use Discord or call my friends
At least they're trying. It baffles me that a company as large as Nintendo could let such an unfinished app be released, though.
It's a step.
They might as well cut it loose and update the switch os instead.
I like how the last paragraph that's critical of the app is made to look like it's part of the patch notes. Like even Nintendo themselves know it's crap. I'm going to go with that rather than it just being a copy and paste error.
All I want is to be able to log on and see what stages and modes are available in Splatoon 2. Shouldn't be terribly difficult, Nintendo!
Wait...the app used to stop working when not in focus ? O.o
Nobody to chat with even if I wanted to. I need friends.
This is definitely an improvement, since one of the larger complaints was the fact that you couldn't continue chatting outside of the app, let's just hope they continue to make more improvements
Now we're talking.
Now the app can actually be used. I'll give it a go next time I voice chat. I figured they were gonna fix it cause they want that online cash, and they know consumers won't pay for shoddy service.
@OorWullie aw they fixed it, that was the best part!
While the App is still a far cry from what it should be, these are very important fixes none the less. I'm happy to hear it. But they've still got a long way to go.
Yay...now an app nobody wants to use is actually usable!!
It's only use is to buy more clothes in splatoon. Yay!!! When the only function of the app is completely tacked on, it means you ARE doing something right! Right?
@KirbyTheVampire Nintendo isn't that big. Last time I checked, they had 5000 employees. This is quite low for a multinational company.
@Ralizah that is already available, far left option of the Splatnet app.
Happy to see this finally added.
Would like it if you could see which friends were online though. Was available before on the Splatnet website for Wii U/Splatoon 1.
Also a messaging system that could be used anytime would be very welcome.
No stability?
@yokokazuo Oh, really? Fantastic! Thanks.
@Ralizah Habe you even used the app? Because, as far as I remember, you can do this since day one. 🤔
Is it now as good as My Nintendo?
It'll always be bad as long as you've to use your phone. The Switch should be doing all this.
I still see no reason why this isn't on the Switch itself and it will never be a good enough solution until it is
I use Splatnet 2 every day to check stats and buy gear. I can't see me using voice chat too much. It was something I never really got the appeal of. Too many toxic people out there to make it worthwhile. Voice chat has hindered my experience more than enhanced it.
Hate voice chat and will never use it so doesn't effect me, but why Nintendo did just integrate it into the console, for people who do, I will never know, it's not like the don't have bluetooth tech already built in for the controllers or anything
So far, it can be used only with Splatoon and since I don't have that game yet it's useless right now.
Anyway, never liked or used voice chat before so...
Still waiting for MK8DX voice chat!
@carlos82 beat me to the comment. What he said. Like his comment, people. Click on that heart. You know the guy is right.
"Voice chat will now continue when other apps are opened. (*1) Voice chat will now continue during sleep mode. (*2) Improved support for Bluetooth devices. (For Android devices only.)" Does this mean I can now use my Bluetooth headphones with my Switch?
My lack of any friends to play online with and my general fear of talking to strangers prevents me from using any form of game voice chat.
My whole argument with this is the lack of voice chat games. Even games with chat on the Wii u have dropped chat on the switch. Mario kart, Minecraft?
@Therad Even so, I would think they could hire somebody who actually knows how to make an app that's halfway functional.
I think the SplatNet ordering page is a fun way to incorporate interconnectivity between the game and your phone. Voice chat aside, I'd love to see this app turn into something other than a minor add-on for Splatoon. Kinda surprised a Mariokart 8 option never became available.
@KirbyTheVampire Other 3rd parties do it all the time
Now all they have to do is add it to the actual system instead of using a phone.
It's a improvement but... still sucks hard.
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