Looks like no 3G/LTE or Upgradable Battery for Nintendo Switch =(

[KBG29]

Miyamotoo said:

KBG29 said:

The problem is people gamers are expecting very little from gaming devices, but the general public is expecting them to be just as functional as the next device. Things like Netflix, Hulu, PlayStation Vue, Pandora, Spotify, Blu-ray Playback, and a web browser as absolutly vital to any device, games device or not. 3G/LTE are in the same league as these apps and services. People expect a mobile device to be connected in 2017, and lmited wifi availablity is not an acceptable answer. So will tether, but most people don't want that hassel on a regular basis, or can not use that due too restrictions.

Wrong, handheld consoles are not something new, people know what can expect from handheld console,people know they are not phones that they are gaming devices on 1st place. 3DS and Vita proves that 3G/LTE are not important feature for handheld consoles.

I honestly can not believe you are using 3DS and Vita as the example here. PSP and DS sold nearly 250M devices by being leaders in the mobile elctronics world. Vita and 3DS have sold not even sold 1/3 of that, thanks to the lack of evolving with the times. Now, than with this blunder, I will be surprised if Switch can make it to 30 million units. Console and handhelds are not impervious to changing market. If they continue don't grow, and stay competitive with the competition (PC, Laptops, Tablets, Set Top Boxes, Smart TV, Smartphones) then they will become unsustainable.

dark_gh0st_b0y said:

shit!! would be great to use online features on the go, not necessarily multiplayer...

it's even worse if you think what that means, that it probably won't have that many online features and applications to make 3G connectivity worthwhile :S

If they are lacking the basic applications (Web Browser, Netflix, Hulu, Music, Photos, etc.) then I will be completely :S

Bajablo said:

KBG29 said:

Multiple sources are saying that the FTC testing for the Nintendo Switch show no signs of 3G or LTE support, and no way swap for a larger battery.

http://www.technobuffalo.com/2016/12/28/nintendo-switch-to-support-bluetooth-and-5ghz-wi-fi-no-3g-or-lte/

http://gadgets.ndtv.com/games/news/nintendo-switch-possibly-region-free-does-not-have-3g-or-lte-support-1642707

 

This is highly dissapointing news to me. The Switch is the first Nintendo console I have been looking forward to for a long time. I still really like the concept, but without any kind of mobile connectivity, I just reall don't see the purpose of this being a portable device. The absolute refusal from both Sony and Nintendo to offer connectivity to their portable devices blows my mind. In a day and age where you can get data plans for the Kitchen sink, this is a major low blow to those that support devices built for games and entertainment.

Hopefully, this is not the full story, and we will learn more come January 12th. I have not fully given up on the Switch, yet, but if it lacks mobile data, then even if I do buy it, it will go from a device I planned to use daily, to a device, I will only use for the rare Nintendo exclusive.

wifi from phone hotspot.. and a USB battery
easy solutions to your 'problem'

Easier solution, continue to use my 3G Vita, because it appears mobile/handheld tech decided to come to a dead stop, and then proceed to reverse over the last five years. It blows me away that my Phone from 5 years ago is still a more versitle, and entertaining device than the latest Xperia I had.

Qwark said:
Wasn't there a Vita model with access to 3g?

Yes, and it remains the best mobile device ever made. Unfortunatly, Sony decided to cease support and seriously gimp it, in order focus its efforts on the Xperia Google Phone line instead. To the tune to over 3 billion in losses in the years since to top it off. Had they released constant updates to the Vita, including 4G model, and a full fledged phone model, perhapps, we would actually have some options in the mobile industry instead of the current dead end douply we have right now. And, we might have some actual mass market games coming to mobile, instead of the great but niche titles we have right now.