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[ProtomanNeo]

I found this opinion piece both interesting, and decided to share it because it does an excellent job of crystallizing not only my own issues, but ones I've heard echoed in other threads concerning the Switch. Notable takeaways include:

"imagine you're somebody who wants to spend around $300 on a tablet — what you'd want it for is precisely the list of things I just enumerated: watching video, playing games, reading books, and doing some light web browsing. It's the sort of use case that has made a market for Amazon's Kindle Fire tablets. So it's a shame that Nintendo isn't launching with those extra features — because if it did, I can almost guarantee you it would replace the space in my travel bag previously taken up by my iPad"


"...The Wii was wildly successful at that, and in a mobile context you need something more than video games to draw in that larger crowd. The ability to do just a few basic entertainment and web things could go a long way toward doing that."


http://www.theverge.com/2017/2/8/14544938/nintendo-switch-tablet-netflix-browser-opportunity

Ship me without a web browser if old.

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

Damn right.

People can't believe it when I tell them you can't use it for Netflix (yes...I know "for now").

 

[maxcriden]

It does seem like a big mistake to skip these features. Hopefully they come soon after launch when Nintendo realizes there's significant demand for them.

 

[jonno394]

I think this is just echoing a sentiment countless others have expressed. I am one of those. Nintendo is marketing this as a pure gaming device though, it's on them now to prove to the buying population that a pure gaming device that looks a hell of a lot similar to a tablet is worth the investment.

 

[Dragonslayer_023]

As someone who doesn't have a tablet already, some basic tablet functionality would make the Switch a lot more appealing. Or some basic console functionality, even.

 

[ahoyhoy]

I've thought that Nintendo was dumb for not going this route back with the Wii U before everyone and their mother had a tablet or three.

They've kind of missed the boat with that one but some extra non gaming features would certainly make the purchase price easier to swallow, especially for parents looking to get their kids a tablet.

 

[Deleted member 1235]

switch 2 if this thing takes off. you need a mature OS for those things to 'feel good' for the user and nintendo probably doesnt have the dev resources. despite what we think as gamers making a capable and non exploitable OS is a pretty serious undertaking.

 

[Spence]

Imagine if it was an all-in-one device, I would buy it in a heartbeat.

 

[Forkball]

All those features will be in the final version and not in the March to November beta test.

 

[Devilgunman]

The Switch is a tablet that can't work as a tablet since the touchscreen is inaccessible while docked.

 

[randomengine]

No thanks.

Watching videos, web browsing and non-game functions are exactly what I don't do on my 3DS.

I want the Switch to do one thing - play video games.

 

[dl77]

"Launching without" doesn't mean it never will have.

I think it's the right strategy at this point. Despite what The Verge think the Switch is a games console. Nintendo will make their money on selling games. Letting people have a Netflix subscription or browse the internet doesn't make them anything.

I think they need to initially concentrate on showing the early adopters, who are mostly what people classify as 'core' gamers, that the machine's going to have a strong focus on getting games into their hands. Once that's done they can start reaching out to the more casual audience and expand to things like browsing and internet TV. At the current price no-one's going to pick one up as a games console on the proviso that it has a web browser as well. People already have phones and tablets so at £280 I think it's a non-issue at this point.

 

[BitStyle]

Yeah, it is really disappointing that they couldn't offer these services at launch. Hopefully they're actually working on getting these released not long after. If not, what are they doing?

 

[Skittzo0413]

Yeah I agree with this kinda heavily. It feels like a majority of tablet use is broken down to web browsers and video streaming apps, so this could replicate a large amount of functionality of typical tablets.

Getting mobile games on it might be a bad idea though, as you'd be seeing mobile game prices ($0-$5) up against Nintendo game prices ($40-$60) and people may be less willing to spend money on Nintendo games. But these types of apps should have been essential. As long as they come within the first year I think they can still benefit.

 

[daxgame]

The thing is that the "larger crowd" the article refers to is not the one that buys it at launch.
While of course it would be better if all the apps were available at launch, I don't think they are missing a "golden opportunity".

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

I think this is just echoing a sentiment countless others have expressed. I am one of those. Nintendo is marketing this as a pure gaming device though, it's on them now to prove to the buying population that a pure gaming device that looks a hell of a lot similar to a tablet is worth the investment.

Doesn't help that non-gaming outlets refer to it as a tablet.

People are guaranteed going to be disappointed.

 

[cws]

No one who wants a Tablet will buy a Switch - hell Tablet sales have been decreasing for quite some time now. I dont get this point, especially since bigger smartphones do the job for most people anyway.

 

[User Tron]

An Amazon tablet costs less than €50. Why try to compete with it when you want to sell a gaming device? I just don't get it.

 

[ultratruman]

Web browsers are not bloatware. They are required functionality for any portable, at the very least because of WiFi sign-in portals.

 

[ZZMitch]

I don't care too much about a web browser but would love to see Netflix on it eventually

 

[opricnik]

who need those features tbh im posting from my mobile phone , watching netflix

u all so poor doesnt have phone? buy a phone before switch then /s

 

[BigEmil]

Why say no to more features? Basic features too from something that's coming out of 2017 you would expect

 

[Chindogg]

All these features will be implemented eventually, right now it's just a game console. I'd rather play Zelda and Bomberman portably now than in 9 months.

I get why people are upset, but that's not why people are adopting early. It's so we can play Zelda on the go now.

 

[Harlock]

Tablets are dead as smartphones become bigger.

 

[killatopak]

Preach.

You're not just competing with handhelds and consoles but mobile as well.

 

[Cymbal Head]

It's pretty clear what we're getting is a soft launch. They need to have this thing out during the fiscal year to keep investors happy, but Nintendo has its eyes on the holiday season as being the time when everything needs to be there.

I'll eat crow if the Switch doesn't have at least YouTube by Thanksgiving.

 

[Kazuo Hirai]

Frankly $300 is great price for a tablet with bunch of NIntendo games
But....

 

[mindatlarge]

I'm more interested in features pertaining to gaming, myself. Like a trophy/achievement system finally being implemented. A feature like that would be very welcome, by I'm sure, a great number of people who play games these days.

 

[Nightbird]

Releasing a Gaming-only tablet in a time where people buy devices able to do everything, regardless from whatever they actually need those features or not, does seem like a mistake

 

[dl77]

An Amazon tablet costs less than €50. Why try to compete with it when you want to sell a gaming device? I just don't get it.

Exactly. Hell, Amazon often sell the basic fire tablet for £35. That's not even impulse purchase price, that's basically the same as half a night out on the town!

 

[Ein Bear]

No thanks.

Watching videos, web browsing and non-game functions are exactly what I don't do on my 3DS.

I want the Switch to do one thing - play video games.

In what way would having the option be a bad thing?

Fair enough if you wouldn't use it, but there's certainly no benefit to not being able to watch videos, browse the web, etc.

 

[Shiggy]

I'm more interested in features pertaining to gaming, myself. Like a trophy/achievement system finally being implemented. A feature like that would be very welcome, by I'm sure, a great number of people who play games these days.

Not coming either though.

 

[random25]

Isn't it the main concern before by people is Nintendo confusing the messaging of what the Switch is to the public? It seems contradicting now that pushing it as a tablet sort of becomes a necessity for it to sell.

I can see the appeal as a multimedia device alternative. As a tablet though? Nah, there's just so many productivity options available for a true tablet device that will never be available for the Switch.

 

[Skronk]

They probably skipped the web browser because it can be used by pirates to crack the system.

 

[Loudninja]

An Amazon tablet costs less than €50. Why try to compete with it when you want to sell a gaming device? I just don't get it.

This is not the point at all.

 

[Shiggy]

They probably skipped the web browser because it can be used by pirates to crack the system.

They skipped it because it's not ready for launch.

 

[tebunker]

An Amazon tablet costs less than €50. Why try to compete with it when you want to sell a gaming device? I just don't get it.

This is a point that is clearly missed by many, including the articles author.

This isn't some huge untapped market. Tablets are more affordable and powerful as ever. I bought newer firer tablet before Christmas for $75 and it's nice and fast. I wouldn't want the Switch to do these things nir expect it to.

People argue they want a swiss army knife or 'The Homer' but rarely do they buy it bc of those features or use them.


I do want to add that i am in the group thay firmly believes the system isn't fully ready and will be fully functional in the fall.

 

[SolidChamp]

It's like Nintendo execs walk around airports or wherever in their daily lives, and the minute a kid who is playing a game or watching a Minecraft stream on a tablet or smartphone enters their peripheral vision, the blinders come on

Do you know how many kids I see picking up a Nintendo 3DS to play games here in Taipei?

Fucking zero.

 

[ekim]

They probably skipped the web browser because it can be used by pirates to crack the system.

Yupp. Same for other apps.

 

[TannerDemoz]

Releasing a Gaming-only tablet in a time where people buy devices able to do everything, regardless from whatever they actually need those features or not, does seem like a mistake

put perfectly

 

[DangerMouse]

Web browsers are not bloatware. They are required functionality for any portable, at the very least because of WiFi sign-in portals.

This is a good point too.

 

[Hoho for breakfast]

Tablets are dead as smartphones become bigger.

Tell that to my younger kids who live on their tablets playing games and watching Youtube half the day.

I won't buy them a phone for obvious reasons, but I would and do buy them tablets.

 

[Interfectum]

Tablets are dead as smartphones become bigger.

Dead might be too strong a word... Apple alone still sold like 13 million iPads last quarter. Sales might be down but it aint dead.

 

[Hoo-doo]

Come on, a Nintendo switch would have never been a suitable replacement for an iPad either way. In what world is that guy living.

 

[Yohane]

Who cares honestly?

The average Switch purchaser probably already have multiple tablets/phones

 

[Skittzo0413]

Not coming either though.

Why are you so sure about that? I thought this is essentially what My Nintendo rewards are. They have Missions where, if you achieve that mission in game, you get coins that are redeemable for actual rewards like themes and game discounts. It sounds like a far better achievement system than anyone else has because you get actual rewards.

 

[zelas]

Yeah it's amazing how defenders often suggest others should brush aside the lack of features just because they personally are only interested in playing games (one game).

The Switch as it stands now isn't presenting a good argument as to why it should be considered as a portable. If the 3DS couldn't convince people to take it along with or over a mobile device what reason will they choose to carry the Switch and all its accessories around daily?

 

[Massa]

Nintendo doesn't have the resources to do that.

 

[Shiggy]

Who cares honestly?

The average Switch purchaser probably already have multiple tablets/phones

The average Switch purchaser probably also has a Wii U. But that's also probably not really a market they want to focus on.

Why are you so sure about that? I thought this is essentially what My Nintendo rewards are. They have Missions where, if you achieve that mission in game, you get coins that are redeemable for actual rewards like themes and game discounts. It sounds like a far better achievement system than anyone else has because you get actual rewards.

There's no such integration at launch.

 

[MetalliCabombination]

Here we go again