What to know about the new Nintendo Switch OLED model

By Vikka Abat-Francisco

A lot of fans were left disappointed when Nintendo didn’t announce a new console during this year’s E3 event. When the company’s presentation ended without a mention of a new console whatsoever, the rumors of a Pro or upgraded variant were put to rest.

But to everyone’s surprise, Nintendo has released a new launch video a new version of the Switch — the Nintendo Switch OLED model.

While not the pro variant everyone was expecting, the new Nintendo Switch OLED model comes with a couple of upgrades that may make some users want to pick it up.

It’s the same size body with a bigger screen

The current Nintendo Switch has a 6.2-inch screen. This new OLED model will have a slightly bigger 7-inch screen. While not a big difference, the OLED panel should provide a noticeable upgrade with crispier details and darker blacks.

Despite having a bigger screen though, the console size itself roughly stays the same. The new Nintendo Switch OLED model is apparently just 0.1-inch thicker.

We’re getting a wider kickstand and a LAN port

The new OLED variant will have a new wider kickstand that unlocks a new Tabletop mode. Compared to the previous design, this new kickstand makes the Nintendo Switch more stable and ideal to use for playing undocked but not handheld

It’s also adjustable so players can have the perfect viewing angle.

On the dock is a new built-in LAN port. Players will no longer need to buy a separate accessory for this feature and can now easily connect their network for a faster online co-op or multiplayer.

It will have bigger storage, a new color, and better audio

One of the most noticeable changes seen in Nintendo’s launch video is the new white color. The Joy-Cons and the dock are the one in white, though. The console body remains black.

Nintendo will also be offering a classic neon blue and red color for the Joy-Cons accompanied by a black unit and dock.

The new Nintendo Switch OLED model will also be upgraded from 32GB of internal storage to 64GB of internal storage. It will still be expandable via a microSD card and can accommodate up to 2TB.

Nintendo says that this model also has enhanced audio. The company didn’t detail further than that.

It will launch on the same days as Metroid Dread

Interestingly, Nintendo has timed the release of this OLED model with the newest entry of the Metroid saga, Metroid Dread. In a press release, Nintendo says the OLED screen will help players feel immersed in this long-awaited game.

The Nintendo Switch Oled model will launch on October 8 with a price of US$349.99 (approx. PhP 17,443)

All released Joy-Cons and games are compatible

For those worrying about their current Joy-Cons and their compatibility, you don’t have to worry. Nintendo has already said that all previously released Joy-Con controllers will work on this new model.

This is also true for the Nintendo Switch’s current library of games. The company does note that this new 7-inch system will not perfectly accommodate the Nintendo Lab series. The company also notes that some game experiences may be different on this new console because of the screen size.

We’re not quite sure what that means yet but it may be that some games will not adapt to the bigger screen size.

This is what the packaging will look like

And that’s pretty much what to expect from the Nintendo Switch OLED model. The company will soon release pre-order information and other details soon.

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Smart Home Starter Series: Smart speakers

03/10/2020

What exactly makes a home a smart home? It’s actually pretty simple. A smart home is basically one that has a series of interconnected devices that can be locally or remotely managed, monitored, or controlled. To make it even simpler, think of it like having a controller that uses the internet to control other devices and appliances such as your TV, lights, speakers, security cameras, and even your washing machine and fridge.

Now, you’re probably wondering why you’d make the switch to a smart home when most smart devices cost a lot more than their non-smart counterparts. Having a smart home is an investment, that’s for sure, but you’re able to reap a lot of benefits that can increase your quality of life at home. Not to mention that a lot of smart devices are designed with energy conservation technology that will bring your electricity bill down and most likely save on consumption in the long run.

Smart bulbs, for example, are made with LED lights that use up to 75 percent energy than regular lights. Partnering that the ability to dim at will and automate its usage can help you save energy and use less electricity.

With our Smart Home Starter Series, we’ll take you through the initial steps in setting up your very own smart home. We’ll talk about the basic devices you’ll need and how to set them up. So to kick things off, we’ll start with what will act as the foundation of your smart home: a smart speaker.

Hey, Alexa, Google, and Siri!

Every smart home needs a virtual assistant and virtual assistants live in smart speakers. Though it sounds a bit like an episode from Black Mirror, your selected virtual assistant will act as the median for all your future smart devices. The assistants on smart speakers are activated with voice control and, depending on which device you have, a keyword or phrase will “wake” the assistant up and follow the corresponding voice commands.

Currently, Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant are the two main players in the industry with a plethora of devices that support them. Depending on your needs, Alexa and Google can come in the form of smart speakers, smart display, or even a refrigerator. But smart speakers are considered the most accessible and most affordable way to start your smart home.

Smart assistants, at their core, are capable of almost the same tasks. They are the managers of your smart devices and can control them according to your voice instructions alongside dedicated companion apps. Additionally, they’re also able to do “assistant” tasks such as set reminders and alarms, search the web, compute equations, and even access apps such as Spotify and Youtube.

The most popular smart speakers on the market today are the Amazon Echo and the Google Home. Apple has the Homepod but, compared to the other two, it still has long ways to go before it becomes a competitive speaker. With the Homepod, you’re limited to iOS devices and applications as well as limited support for third party devices. So unless you live in a complete Apple ecosystem, it’s best to start with either Alexa or Google.

There’s a lot in comparing the two but, as mentioned earlier, they have almost the same functions. Once you’ve got your smart speaker plugged in, download the companion app and follow the instructions to get your assistant set up. You’ll have to train your assistant to recognize your voice which is easily done by repeating a couple of phrases.

It’s good to note that smart speakers aren’t limited to one user. You and the rest of your household can train the assistant to recognize each voice so that it can easily associate which accounts belong to whom. You can then start connecting apps (Youtube, Spotify, Amazon Prime, etc.) via your phone or desktop to give your assistant access as well as connect any smart devices you may have (Philips Hue, Zero LED lights, Smart TV, Security cameras, etc.).

Let your assistant handle your day

Now that you’ve got your assistant set up, what exactly can you do with it? Plenty. As you wake up, bidding your assistant good morning will prompt it to tell you the time, date and weather forecast for the day. It can also remind you of your schedule for the day as well as play you the morning news from your selected news outlet. Set your reminders and alarms for the day and, as you head out, have your assistant close all your lights and activate your security system, should you have one installed.

Have your assistant play any song via Spotify or Amazon Prime. Just call out the title of the song, artist, or album and your assistant will find it for you. If you have a smart TV connected to your assistant, just call out to it to play any show or video from either Youtube, Netflix, or other streaming platforms.

Ask your assistant for recipes if you’re stuck on what to make for dinner, it will not only find you a recipe but also guide you step by step via voice prompts. If you have a smart fridge, it can even make suggestions on what to make depending on the ingredients you currently have in stock. As the day ends, bid your assistant good night for soothing ambient noise to put you into a deep sleep.

All that is just scratching at the surface. Apart from the basics, there are also a bunch of novel commands such as singing you happy birthday, telling a joke, or even changing the voice to Samuel L. Jackson (only for Alexa). Continuous software updates keep it from being dated which means you won’t have to constantly replace your unit once a new one comes out. While the smart speaker is a great device, its full potential is truly unlocked when connected to a family of smart devices. But all in all, it’s a great place to start a smart home.

CHECK OUT: Smart Home Starter Series: Connected lights