Nintendo has debuted the first version of its Switch smartphone app for Android and iOS, making it possible for gamers on the new console to chat and meet up online for the first time. Moving away from Nintendo's history of friend codes and clunky online interfaces, Nintendo's new app enables VOIP communication in and out of game, as well as the ability to invite friends to game from Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp.
If you're not using it specifically for communication, it also acts as a second screen during gaming, offering up information about your match history and personal statistics, though as Eurogamer points out, that feature is only available in Splatoon 2 for now. If it proves popular, it will likely extend to a number of other Switch online games.
It's worth pointing out that some people have had a little difficulty in downloading and signing into the app at this time, as Nintendo appears to still be in the process of bringing the servers online. However, since the app is currently designed to make Splatoon 2 easier to play with friends, Nintendo will likely have everything ready for July 21, when that game launches.
For anyone looking forward to this additional functionality, make sure you have a compatible headset, as you'll need one that plugs into your phone and into the Switch itself. That requires specialised cable connections or splitters, which some peripheral makers already offer, but not every headset is compatible with out of the box, so confirm yours works before diving in for a competitive Splatoon 2 session this Friday.
