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Revision as of 21:01, 1 April 2018

Nintendo Switch system software
Operating system and user interface of the Nintendo Switch
DeveloperNintendo, HAL Laboratory[1]
OS familyUnknown (internally named "Horizon", possible derivative of Nintendo 3DS system software, uses FreeBSD components)
Working stateCurrent
Source modelClosed source
Initial release1.0.0 / 3 March 2017; 7 years ago (2017-03-03)
Latest release5.0.1 / 26 March 2018; 6 years ago (2018-03-26)[2]
Available inAmerican English, British English, European French, Canadian French, German, Latin American Spanish, European Spanish, Italian, Dutch, European Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean
Update methodDirect download
PlatformsNintendo Switch
Preceded byWii U (system software)
Official websiteen-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/p/897/a_id/22525

The Nintendo Switch system software is an updatable firmware and operating system used by the Nintendo Switch gaming console.

Technology

System

The Nintendo Switch system software's licensing information includes reference to the FreeBSD kernel, leading some to assume its kernel is based on FreeBSD, similar to the PlayStation 4's system software.[3][4][5][6] However, hackers have found reference to the kernel being custom.[7] The kernel is internally called Horizon, which is also the name of the Nintendo 3DS system software. A hacker found system calls to be similar to those of the 3DS software but speculates that those were rewritten.[3][8][9]

In addition, several components from Android are present in the Switch's operating system, such as the Stagefright multimedia framework.[10] Rendering of web content is done via WebKit. Although an end-user web browser is not available on the console thus far, a WebKit applet is still accessible when connecting to a network that requires a web login, and the WebKit applet is also used for several operating system functions, such as the Nintendo eShop.[4][11]

User interface

Home Screen

The Nintendo Switch home screen has battery, internet and time information in the top right corner, and below it is a grid showing all software on the system, downloaded or physical. Underneath that it has shortcuts to OS functions such as the Nintendo eShop, settings, a sleep mode button and more.

News

The News function of the Nintendo Switch software allows users to read gaming news and advertisements provided by Nintendo and third-party developers. News is also displayed when the system is locked.

The News interface was originally available in the 1.0.0 version of the software, however new headlines were not transmitted until the 2.0.0 update was released. The 3.0.0 update revamped the News system, adding multiple news "channels" for different games that users can subscribe to. The news headlines that appear depend on which channels are subscribed to. The 4.0.0 update further improved the News screen, updating its layout.

Nintendo eShop

Main article: Nintendo eShop

The Nintendo eShop option on the Home menu opens a WebKit-based interface that allows games to be purchased and downloaded from the Nintendo eShop.

Album

The Album stores captured screenshots and videos. Pressing the "Capture" button on the controller, in supported software, will save a screenshot, either to the microSD card, or to the system memory. The Album allows users to view screenshots that have been taken. Screenshots can be edited by adding text, and they can be shared to Facebook or Twitter. In addition, in supported games, holding down the Capture button briefly will save the last 30 seconds of video to the Album. It can then be trimmed and posted online.

The 2.0.0 update added the ability to post screenshots to Facebook or Twitter from within the system UI, making it easier to share screenshots. The 4.0.0 update added support for saving 30 second videos, in compatible games.

Controllers

The Controllers menu allows for controllers to be paired, disconnected, or reconnected. The 3.0.0 added the "Find Controllers" option, which allows any nearby controllers that have been paired to be remotely turned on and vibrated, to help find lost controllers.

Settings

The Settings option allows for system settings to be changed, and includes other functionality, such as creating Miis.

History of updates

The initial version of the system software for Nintendo Switch on the launch day consoles was updated as a "day one" patch on 3 March 2017, the console's launch date.[12] The update added online features that were previously missing from the original software before its official launch date. Some notable features of this update are access to the Nintendo eShop as well as the ability to add friends to a friends list, similar to that of the Nintendo 3DS.[13]

} [2]

References

  1. ^ "HAL Laboratory developed various parts of Switch".
  2. ^ a b "Nintendo Switch System Updates and Change History". Nintendo. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  3. ^ a b "What hackers know of the Nintendo Switch so far". Wololo.net. 9 March 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  4. ^ a b Cunningham, Andrew. "Nintendo Switch ships with unpatched 6-month-old WebKit vulnerabilities". Ars Technica. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  5. ^ Marc Sauter; Andreas Sebayang; Michael Wieczorek (1 March 2017). "Nintendo Switch im Test: Klack und los, egal wie und wo" [Nintendo Switch review: Click and go, no matter how and where] (in German). Golem Media GmbH. p. 7. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017. The most interesting thing is that the operating system is not based on a classic Linux or Android, but on FreeBSD. The latter also takes Sony as the basis for the system of the Playstation. This avoids Nintendo's licensing requirements for the Linux kernel, but can easily use Nvidia's proprietary graphics driver. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ Bhartiya, Swapnil. "Nintendo Switch introduces a new concept for consoles".
  7. ^ Console Security - Switch - Homebrew on the Horizon
  8. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8mMg_hQWSo&feature=youtu.be&t=12m8s
  9. ^ http://wololo.net/2017/06/26/plutoo-dumps-binaries-nintendo-switchs-firmware-modules/
  10. ^ "Hacker nehmen Nintendos Switch ins Visier". heise online (in German). Heinz Heise. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  11. ^ Spawn Wave (12 March 2017), The Nintendo Switch Was Hacked?, retrieved 6 May 2017
  12. ^ Kyle Orland (1 March 2017). "Nintendo Switch review: Meet the Game Boy Entertainment System". ArsTechnica. Condé Nast.
  13. ^ Craig Majaski (23 February 2017). "Day 1 Nintendo Switch OS Update Details". NintendoTimes.
Nintendo Switch System Software Release History
Version Release date Features
1.0.0 Before console release Initial release of Nintendo Switch system software
2.0.0 March 3, 2017; 7 years ago (2017-03-03)
  • Games can now be played online
  • Friends list added
  • Screenshots can now be posted to Facebook and Twitter
  • Nintendo eShop made available
  • Nintendo News added
  • My Nintendo reward points can now be earned for retail games
  • On TVs compatible with HDMI-CEC, the TV will automatically turn on when the Switch turns on
  • Battery percentage displayed on Home Menu
  • Added microSD format option
2.1.0 March 27, 2017; 7 years ago (2017-03-27)

Undisclosed changes

2.2.0 April 17, 2017; 7 years ago (2017-04-17)

Undisclosed changes

2.3.0 May 15, 2017; 7 years ago (2017-05-15)

Undisclosed changes

3.0.0 June 19, 2017; 7 years ago (2017-06-19)
  • Channels for specific topics can now be subscribed to in News
  • Users can now send requests to people already on their Nintendo 3DS and Wii U Friend Lists
  • Notifications for when friends go online
  • Paired controllers can now be found through the vibration feature
  • The order of user profiles can now be changed
  • 6 new Splatoon 2 profile icons added
  • Quick Settings now allows users to change the system volume
  • The maximum sound volume can now be altered
  • Inverted Colors and Grayscale color formats are now available
  • USB keyboards are now usable when docked
  • The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller can now be used over a USB cable
  • Option in Settings to update the firmware of controllers
  • The system will automatically suggest software to delete when there is not enough space for a download

Undisclosed changes

3.0.1 July 31, 2017; 7 years ago (2017-07-31)

Bug fixes, including:

  • Addressed an issue in which the remaining battery charge can't be displayed accurately
3.0.2 September 5, 2017; 6 years ago (2017-09-05)
  • Added "Nintendo Switch Online" service
  • Online play now available in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru (for free, until the paid service launches in 2018)

Undisclosed changes and bug fixes

4.0.0 October 18, 2017; 6 years ago (2017-10-18)
  • Users can now hold the Capture button to record the last 30 seconds of gameplay to the Album
  • 12 profile pictures from Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild added
  • User profiles and save data can now be transferred
  • Games on the Nintendo eShop can now be pre-ordered
  • New design for the News Feed
  • Unfollowing a news channel will now remove all of its content from the News feed until it is re-followed
  • New feature that allows a group of players to update their software
  • Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Korean languages made available
  • Support for USB headsets
  • Support for USB controllers, such as GameCube Controllers via adapters

Undisclosed changes and bug fixes

4.0.1 October 25, 2017; 6 years ago (2017-10-25)

Bug fixes, including:

  • Changed the HDMI connection process specification to match that of version 3.0.2 to address video and sound output issues with some TV models.
4.1.0 December 4, 2017; 6 years ago (2017-12-04)

Bug fixes, including:

  • Resolved an issue that caused motion controls to respond incorrectly when playing games that use this feature
5.0.0 March 12, 2018; 6 years ago (2018-03-12)
  • Friends can now be added via Facebook and Twitter
  • 24 new profile pictures, based off of ARMS and the Kirby series
  • Purchases made using a PC or phone now start downloading faster
  • Filters added to News
  • Parental Controls PIN entry interface changed
  • Captured videos in Album are now restricted based on Parental Controls
  • Specific games can now be whitelisted using Parental Controls
  • A notification is now sent when pre-purchased software is made available to play
  • The UI now displays the color of Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers

Bug fixes, including:

  • Fixed bug that caused incorrect play time display on user pages
5.0.1 December 4, 2017; 6 years ago (2017-12-04)

Undisclosed changes

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