In the first major firmware update that actually has more than one or two line items, Nintendo has added a fun feature to their hybrid/portable console: the ability to use a keyboard via USB.
The patch notes state that the keyboard (which obviously has to be USB, because it’s 2017 and nobody really uses PS/2 these days) is only usable whenever a keyboard appears on the screen. That’s handy if you have a super long password to type in (like the mini-novella required to access your the Wi-Fi at your parents’ place), although I’ve found the Switch’s touchscreen makes it pretty helpful as is.
There’s plenty of other updates as well too:
Added the following system functionality:
- Register a channel to receive News for specific games
- Add friends from your Nintendo 3DS and Wii U Friend Lists
- Receive notifications when your Friends go online
- Find paired controllers within communication range by activating the vibration feature
- Change the user icon order on the Home Menu
- Select from 6 new Splatoon 2 characters for user icon
- Change the system volume from the Quick Settings
- Lower the maximum volume for headphone or speakers connected to the audio jack volume
- Change display colors to Invert Colors or Grayscale
- Connect a USB keyboard to the dock to type whenever the keyboard is on the screen
- Use the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller via wired communication by connecting the USB charging cable
- Update connected controllers
- Added a feature that suggests deletion of software data when insufficient space when downloading other software
General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience, including:
- Resolved an issue that caused game software updates to fail and prevented the software from starting
- Improvements to prevent unintended HDMI input change with certain TVs while the console is docked in Sleep Mode
You can download the update on your Switch from today.
Comments
6 responses to “You Can Use A Keyboard With The Nintendo Switch Now”
Take note, Sony and MS. It only took Nintendo a few months.
Well, it’s also 4 years later as well. What a console is exactly has been changing over recent years.
Fair point. They’re more like PCs than ever aren’t they? It’s amazing to look back at all the PSX FMV cutscenes and how I thought at the time that there’d never be anything with better graphics.
Man was I wrong…
I actually haven’t got a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller but I am planning to get one later this year and hopefully connect that USB hard drive to the controller but no that’s really cool how you can now use your Nintendo Switch hybrid console as a keyboard just be plugging in your USB hard drive into the USB port and charging up your Switch using the USB charging cable is even better.
So many great features Nintendo you’ve shown us how Nintendo Switch works keep up the good work and happy gaming.
Great.
I played a bit (4 continuous glorious hours) of Zelda yesterday for the first time in a while and I’m unsure but did they do something to Zelda recently? The game seems prettier than I remembered.
The ability to turn off the console from the menu when docked would be nice.