Well, at least I can use Bluetooth headphones. I can go through the need of using two devices if that's the case.

I'd prefer that the app was optional though. Still feels a really clumsy solution.

I guess the thought process behind it is to try something different to see if it's possible to hand over the dummy work of voice app onto the phone so that the Switch can focus on pumping out splatoon at 720p (or close to it) / 60fps on the go, the machine really doesn't have a ton of extra power to be throwing away where there is another option which could be utilised, simple fact is if you are using the switch online outside you likely have a phone tethered to the switch or else connected to the same wifi hotspot you have the switch connected to. So why not make use of the processor in the phone to run that app?

Yes, that's Nintendo's rationale on how to save money by offloading services they don't want to provide on the consumer.

Now the real kicker is: why are there consumers trying to defend that scummy behavior?

That's what I've been saying. If they offered a 4G model, I would have bought in day one, or been on the hunt for one. The 3G Vita is the best mobile device I have ever owned, and I really want the Switch to be the successor to it at some point. 

Hopefully, it won't be long before we get a Switch revision. I would love to have online services, calling, texting, all built in, directly from a Switch Phone in the next couple of years.

Is it voice chat that consuming though? I think it's another case of Nintendo trying to reinvent the wheel when there's a simpler solution.

Kinda agree with this, Nintendo have a history of skimping on features and basic hardware and offload the cost and hassle on the customer. Such behavior shouldn't be condoned or defended in any way, by any company. This is why I stopped buying phones from Samsung, Sony or Apple, just got tired of all the BS with their phones and software and the insanely priced peripherals and repairs.

I don't think Nintendo is that clueless. They must've had a reason why they had to offload this app. Taking too much resources away from the games seems like a plausable reason.

I've also read some reviews that said the app wouldn't work in the background. Maybe Nintendo just couldn't get it to run in the background on the Switch? That would be quite pitiful for a software developer though.

Either way it sucks and it boggles my mind how anyone could defend this awful decision in a world where pretty much everyone has mobile devices figured out. The fucking Vita can do this shit.

Maybe the same reason why the 3G Vita went away really fast?

Because it's a companion app. Besides, the Vita 3G version should say enough.

The same 3G Vita Sony got sued over and lost?