Nintendo Locked Down the Switch 2's USB-C Port, Broke Third-Party Docking (theverge.com)
- Reference: 0178262994
- News link: https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/25/07/02/2136241/nintendo-locked-down-the-switch-2s-usb-c-port-broke-third-party-docking
- Source link: https://www.theverge.com/report/695915/switch-2-usb-c-third-party-docks-dont-work-authentication-encryption
> If you've been wondering why there are basically no portable Switch 2 docks on the market, this is the reason. Even Jsaux, the company that built its reputation by beating the Steam Deck dock to market, tells us it's paused its plans to build a Switch 2 dock because of Nintendo's actions. It's not simply because the Switch 2 now requires more voltage, as was previously reported; it's that Nintendo has made things even more difficult this generation.
[1] https://www.theverge.com/report/695915/switch-2-usb-c-third-party-docks-dont-work-authentication-encryption
[2] https://www.amazon.com/ChargerLAB-KM003C-Portable-Charging-Voltmeter/dp/B0BJ24PVNJ
Re: (Score:3)
this would violate the laws on right to repair that have recently passed in many states.
Then so does HDMI, because that's also encrypted.
Re: (Score:2)
lock in an Nintendo only changer? That is not allowed with USB.
I like Nintendo (Score:1)
Nintendo stands for quality. I love most of their games. I back their aggressive attacks at people who try to pirate their shit. I have to ask the pirates, why don't you try to spend your time making quality shit instead of just stealing IP from others?
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
> Nintendo stands for quality. I love most of their games. I back their aggressive attacks at people who try to pirate their shit. I have to ask the pirates, why don't you try to spend your time making quality shit instead of just stealing IP from others?
It's not about the piracy, it's about the "third-party docks and accessories". And manufacturers who try to lock purchasers into their "official" accessories and supplies are scum, full stop. It's is pretty much equivalent to HP forcing owners to buy HP-only ink cartridges - you may remember how unpopular that shit was around here.
I hope the people who specialize in breaking this kind of protection succeed in giving Nintendo buyers the freedom that they should have by default.
Re: (Score:2)
There is no equating HP to Nintendo. If I need to expand on that thought more, ask me.
Re: I like Nintendo (Score:2)
Buying Nintendo like Apple products is a choice consumers make when they want to be locked into whatever a company has to offer in hopes for exclusivity or better servuce. However, if said company wants to raise software prices, suddenly make a product obsolete, use your info for marketing, youve already signed the waiver so too bad. Id love to believe locking out those USB ports means better company support but funny thing is, it never does.
Re: (Score:1)
If you look at this rationally, Nintendo has about 100 video games that people love. This is different than Apple. Nintendo is a completely closed ecosystem. They are successful and loved. Let them reap the rewards, and let them completely determine the terms in which people play their video games. I think I am in. If others are crying an pissing their pants because they can not connect with USB C, well.. crybabies, wa wa wa. Go cry in your pillows. If Nintendo was open back in the day, they
I want an 3rd party controller with auto fire! (Score:2)
I want an 3rd party controller with auto fire!
Re: (Score:2)
me too lol.. :-)
Re: (Score:2)
Apple is not a completely closed ecosystem. You can use a Dell keyboard and a Logitech mouse with your Mac Mini, for example. There are legal battles being fought right now to make it even more open.
You have no basis whatsoever for your prediction "If Nintendo was open back in the day, they would not be the Nintendo we know now." That statement is based on nothing but pure imagination.
Open ecosystems provide consumers with more choices. That is an awesome benefit! I like the option to use Dell keyboard
Re: (Score:2)
Nintendo is a purely game company, and Apple is a multinational corporation. I can see the difference, can you?
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I have not yet found a product like Zelda that fires my brain cells. Nintendo provides that to me. It is a choice. Nintendo is closed. Buy their products with $$$ or go somewhere else. That is the cold hard choice.
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
> Buying Nintendo like Apple products is a choice consumers make when they want to be locked into whatever a company has to offer in hopes for exclusivity or better servuce.
I'd accept the analogy if Apple was caught hobbling third party USB-C accessories like Nintendo.
As an example Apple supports charging to and from the standard USB-BC and USB-PD in addition to their own BrickID. Plug in any USB-C charger that supports any of those standards and the Apple device will charge. For someone with an older BrickID charger from Apple there can be devices that will fall back to the 4.5 watts from early USB charging, as opposed to 10 or 12 watts as advertised on the tin, but that is
Re: (Score:2)
Comparing Apple to Nintendo is like comparing Apples.. to... well you get the analogy. One is a Trump supported Multinational Corporation, and the other is a relatively small Japanese Company.
Re: (Score:2)
I think there's a solid case to be made for both Apple and Nintendo that keeping control of ther platform ensures better reliability. I don't know enough about Nintendo to say, but my experience with their stuff vs. third party stuff is that theirs works better, even on the wii. Apple has, historically, made a way for some third party hardware stuff, partnerships the form with certain companies who seem to be able to extend functionality in an Apple kind of way, and with concomitant support of the products
Re: (Score:2)
Nintendo is a small game company, and you are equating them to a huge Multi-National Corporation? That must be a huge compliment for Nintendo!
Re: (Score:2)
> Buying Nintendo like Apple products is a choice consumers make when they want to be locked into whatever a company has to offer in hopes for exclusivity or better servuce. However, if said company wants to raise software prices, suddenly make a product obsolete, use your info for marketing, youve already signed the waiver so too bad. Id love to believe locking out those USB ports means better company support but funny thing is, it never does.
That's the thing, Apple has never gone that far. Yeah, the Lightning connector was locked down, but they also made a USB adapter that could adapt it to connect to compatible USB accessories, and that included a wide range of stuff from hubs and SD card adapters to gigabit NICs. And their USB-C port has never been locked down at all.
The closest Apple ever got was not allowing third-party DVD drives to work with some of Apple's software, but that was done for MPEG licensing reasons, not revenue.
If Nintendo
It's all in the name. (Score:3)
Don't like it? Switch.
Re: (Score:2)
No doubt about it, Nintendo is a flame, it is a light. So all of the creeps fly around it. Leave it alone and let it shine!
do they have the USB logo on the system? (Score:3)
do they have the USB logo on the system?
Re: (Score:2)
Is sending encrypted data over USB prohibited? I hope not.
Re:do they have the USB logo on the system? (Score:4, Insightful)
The "evil" here is blocking compatibility with third party components. Open systems are good for the economy and good for the end-user.
Whether the way Nintendo went about it is illegal isn't for me to say. I am not a lawyer and anyway I don't have all the facts. But I DO know that Nintendo is extremely successful in this market and charges a premium for their hardware and their games, so it feels injuriously greedy of them to block third party hardware as well.
They could have chosen to do right by their customers, but they took the low road.
Shame on you, Nintendo.
Re: (Score:3)
No, but calling it USB when the data is encrypted in a way that doesn't comply with the standard might be.
Re: (Score:2)
My suspicion is that they are probably in the clear. the USB PD spec includes 'vendor-defined messages'; both 'structured VDMs' that are standardized and 'unstructured VDMs' that are basically whatever the implementer feels like. This obviously doesn't prove that Nintendo are in full compliance with what the USB-IF really wants the USB trademarks applied to; but(along with the reports that it plays just fine with 3rd party chargers) it looks a lot more like a basically-compliant-minus-any-bugs-or-compatibil
Re: (Score:2)
They do label the cable "USB" on the box.
Doesn't the EU have a new standard in place that mandates All new small and medium-sized portable electronics including Laptops have a USB-C connector and must support fast charging the battery from that connector?
Re: (Score:2)
> Doesn't the EU have a new standard in place that mandates All new small and medium-sized portable electronics including Laptops have a USB-C connector and must support fast charging the battery from that connector?
Yes, the Switch 2 supports USB-PD just fine - you can plug it into any compatible charger just fine.
The problem here is using a USB-C dock - the Switch 2 only works with specific docks that are authorized, and not any generic USB-C dock you can buy anywhere.
Re: (Score:2)
The EU directive applies only to devices that could be classified as "Radio equipment".
Because the Nintendo Switch 2 doesn't communicate with the outside world, they are off the hook, for now.
Re:do they have the USB logo on the system? (Score:4, Informative)
Oh, it does have Wifi and "Handheld video games consoles" is mentioned in the annex. So, no, Nintendo should not be off the hook this time.
I'm stupid of course (and posting at 2 am ...)
Re: (Score:2)
Doesn't Switch 2 support wifi? Or does that not count?
Re: (Score:1)
Not sure if it counts because the wifi is only used for peer-to-peer connections with other Nintendos or Nintendo servers. There's no stock web browser or generic media players or such in the store and no way to connect to unlicensed 3rd-party applications or make generic ad-hoc data transfers of any sort, so it might be arguably still a closed ecosystem.
Re: (Score:1)
supports crossplay, so very much open, thus must comply in the EU
Re: (Score:2)
Apparently it does support charging, mostly. If you plug in a USB-C charger.
It balks when the video mode is negotiated if you plug in to a dock that supports alt modes.