Switch online requires Phone App? Why is no one talking about this?

[superchunk]

vivster said:

superchunk said:
It doesn't "require" the phone app. Its an added feature if you want to control a friends list or voice chat, etc. If you just jump on to play a game, then you just do that without the phone app. I'm not even sure how you pulled that it is required out of any of the information that has come out so far.

But why does that option even exist? Everything you can do on the phone is easier and faster done with the Switch itself.

That's like adding an option to play with the Switch while the joycons are heated up to 500°C. It's not mandatory, just an option for people who think having 500°C hot Joycons is more convenient.

Why?

1) Allows game console to focus 100% of resources on games vs OS functionality.

2) Allows customers to have a single focused UI for when playing and not playing to chat, plan, etc. Think miiverse 2.0 that is integrated into game experience as well as mobile.

3) Allows tie-in to their increasing mobile experience as well.

4) Allows seamless tie-in to 3DS or other console expereinces.