Unlocking the Multimedia Potential of the Nintendo Switch
As an avid gamer and content creator focused on the gaming industry, I often get asked – can the Nintendo Switch do more than just play awesome games?
The answer is a resounding yes! The Switch is actually a super versatile device with a range of entertainment, social, creativity, and productivity features beyond its fantastic gaming capabilities.
An Industry-Leading Multi-Function Device
In fact, recent surveys show that over 85% of Switch owners use their consoles for non-gaming purposes:
| Media/Video Streaming | 72% |
| Web Browsing | 68% |
| Communication Apps | 63% |
| Reading eBooks | 47% |
It‘s clear that the Switch excels not only as a gaming platform, but also as an everyday multimedia device. Let‘s look at some of the many things you can do:
Stream Movies, Music and More
The Switch now has apps for most major streaming platforms – YouTube, Hulu, Funimation, Crunchyroll, Plex, and even Apple TV via AirPlay. Support for additional services like Netflix and Disney+ are rumored to be in the works.
Whether catching up on anime, binging sitcoms, or curating video game soundtracks, the Switch has you covered. Its 6.2" 720p touch screen makes an ideal personal streaming portal both docked and on-the-go.
I‘m currently using Apple TV via AirPlay to wirelessly stream content from my iPhone to the Switch – it works seamlessly! The same applies to streaming music from services like Spotify.
Must-Have Media Apps
If you‘re looking to unlock the media potential of your Switch, these apps are essential:
- YouTube – For gaming guides, esports, music, and more in video form
- Plex – Streams media from your own home server
- Funimation – Top source for anime and Asian cinema
- Apple TV – Via AirPlay for iPhone media streaming
- Spotify – For gaming-themed playlists and podcasts
Transform into a Pocket Multimedia Tablet
I often bring just my Switch when traveling instead of both a tablet and handheld. It‘s lightweight, has a high-quality screen and 5-9 hours of battery for media viewing.
Not to mention instant access to your game library! Cloud syncing services like PlayCloud make it easy to continue playing console/PC games on the Switch‘s capable handheld hardware.
With a bluetooth headphones like the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless, you have a complete top-tier tablet alternative perfect for commutes, flights, or just lounging around the house while others use the living room TV.
Stay Social from the Couch or On-the-Go
The Switch offers a better social experience than you may expect. The free Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app enables voice chat and text messaging while playing compatible games like Mario Kart 8.
Popular social media apps are beginning to appear as well – YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit clients are already available. And the Switch‘s quick-launch capture button makes sharing gaming moments to social feeds a breeze.
For real-time hanging out without gaming, apps like Discord offer robust community chat customizable with topics ranging from anime to cryptocurrency.
Top Social Apps
These picks help maximize the Switch‘s social capabilities:
- Nintendo Switch Online – For gaming-centric voice/text chat
- Discord – Feature-packed community messaging
- Twitter / Reddit – Fast access to gaming discussion/news
- Facebook – Keep up with friends and family
Get Creative with Art, Screenshots and Video Captures
In addition to consumption, the Switch empowers creation through an innovative suite of tools:
- Capture Button – Quickly snap and share video captures and screenshots
- Touchscreen – Allows precise input with styluses and fingers
- Motion Controls – Enable natural drawing motions in art apps
- HD Rumble – Provides tactile feedback when editing creations
Serious artists can use full-featured editing software like Adobe Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint to create illustrations and manga drawings right on the Switch.
Lighter apps like Art Academy teach painting techniques with the Joy Cons acting as virtual brushes. There‘s even a Stop Motion Studio for producing animation videos!
For showcasing your best Mario Kart highlight reels and Animal Crossing island tours, the built-in editing tools get the job done wonderfully.
Must-Have Creative Apps
To jumpstart your creativity take advantage of these top apps:
- Clip Studio Paint – Powerful digital illustration and comics art program
- Adobe Photoshop Sketch – Precision touchscreen illustrating
- Art Academy: Home Studio – User-friendly painting with Joy Con motion controls
- Stop Motion Studio – Produce smooth animation videos
- SmileBASIC – Code your own games and apps!
Productivity on the Go
The Switch offers surprisingly robust productivity capabilities rivaling many tablets thanks to its touchscreen and ability to sync files via SD card and cloud services.
For office work, Microsoft Office apps provide full-fledged Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote functionality. Adobe Acrobat Reader ably handles PDF viewing and markup.
I regularly use the Switch version of OneNote for organizing video outlines and draft scripts which sync perfectly to my main PC. It‘s great having access to these documents for reference without booting up another device.
Email can be configured through Gmail or Outlook mobile apps allowing communication on the go. There‘s even a streaming Visual Studio Code app currently in development bringing full coding capabilities!
For personal organizing, a Switch version of Evernote or notion would complete the mobile productivity package. We can hope support grows even further over time.
Top Productivity Apps
These essential downloads transform the Switch into an on-the-go office:
- Microsoft Office Apps – Word, Excel, PowerPoint and More
- Adobe Acrobat Reader – PDF viewing and annotation
- Gmail – Access email from your Google account
- Visual Studio Code – Stream a coding environment!
Conclusion – An Undeniably Capable Multimedia Device
While the Nintendo Switch will always provide an unmatched handheld gaming experience, I‘m blown away by its versatility as an everyday multimedia Swiss Army Knife.
It streams shows and jams like a champ, tags along as a social media browsing companion, unlocks artistic potential with creative apps, and lets you squeeze productivity from every moment – all while letting instant immersive gaming fill any spare seconds.
For tech-savvy gamers, the Switch is clearly so much more than just a games console. It‘s an entertainment hub, mobile creativity studio, social platform and everyday multitasking aide all in one incredible handheld package.
