Well, it’s update time again for the Nintendo Switch! Yep, as the title suggests, Nintendo have released a new update for the system, which adds various new tweaks and features.
With the most notable being bluetooth device compatibility. Now the system is compatible with various bluetooth sound devices, like headphones and speakers. So if you want to listen to your Switch games on headphones or a proper speaker… well now you can. Just don’t expect to use a microphone here, since those can’t be paired with the system for whatever reason.
It also has a few other baffling limitations too. Only two wireless controllers can be paired with the system with bluetooth devices connected, and it doesn’t work with wireless communication active either.
Still, it’s a neat addition, and makes listening to songs and stuff easier at least.
There’s also a dock update too. This is to add compatibility with ones that include a LAN port, and has been added for the upcoming OLED model. Nothing too exciting, but hey, it’s future proofing anyway.
More interestingly, the system also has an option to keep wireless communication going while the system is in sleep mode too. This is enabled by default, and is useful for keeping downloads going or staying in online games while not at the system.
They also upped the Twitter character limit too, so messages sent on Twitter via the Switch have 280 characters like those posted via the main site or app. Minor, but a nice touch nonetheless.
Finally, there’s an option to see what frequency your connection is using. In case you need to know whether it’s using 2.5GHz or 5GHz.
So yeah, check out the full patch notes from Nintendo’s site here:
Ver. 13.0.0 (Released September 14, 2021)
Bluetooth® audio support was added.
- Headphones, earbuds, speakers, and other audio devices that connect with Bluetooth can now be paired with Nintendo Switch family systems for audio output.
- Bluetooth microphones are not supported.
- Up to two compatible wireless controllers can be connected to the system while using Bluetooth audio.
- Bluetooth audio cannot be used while local wireless communication is active.
- Depending on the Bluetooth audio device, there may be some audio delay.
- For more information, see How to Pair and Manage Bluetooth Audio Devices.
“Update Dock” was added under System in System Settings for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch – OLED Model systems, allowing for software updates to Nintendo Switch docks with a LAN port.
- Dock software updates are not available for Nintendo Switch docks without a LAN port.
- This feature was not added to Nintendo Switch Lite.
- For more information, see How to Update the Dock Firmware.
“Maintain Internet Connection in Sleep Mode” was added under Sleep Mode in System Settings.
- When this setting is enabled, systems with wired internet connections will maintain internet connection even while in sleep mode. This allows for software and add-on content to download to the system while the system is in sleep mode.
- The setting is enabled by default.
- When this setting is disabled, the system will connect to the internet only periodically, which decreases power consumption and delays downloads while in sleep mode.
Note: Systems that are not updated to version 13.0.0 or later behave as if this setting is enabled.
The method to initiate “Calibrate Control Sticks” in System Settings was changed.
- From System Settings, go to Controllers and Sensors, select Calibrate Control Sticks, then fully tilt the control stick in any one direction and keep it tilted for a few seconds to begin calibration.
Users can now view whether their wireless internet connection is using the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency band under “Connection Status” after selecting Internet in System Settings.
Then leave your thoughts on this update in the comments below, or on our Discord server today!
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