A new patent indicates that Nintendo may have a solution for the inconvenient setup of the Switch cables with a new ‘swivel block’ attachment.
While rumors about the Switch 2 have mainly focused on the expected improvements in power there is widely believed that its physical design will be quite similar to the current console. and screen sizeIn the original Switch models, the cables from the AC Adapter, HDMI, and LAN ports all come out of the same gap in the back of the dock – so depending on the position of your TV’s ports, it might be awkward to set up the Switch and have it facing the right way.
A recent patent dated April 2, 2024 aims to solve this issue by introducing a new rotating input/output panel, allowing the dock’s ports to be positioned on either side of the console.
Described as a ‘swivel block’ by Nintendo, the patent illustrates how the new panel can be switched from left to right, with two USB ports located on the opposite side. These are currently positioned on the front exterior of the dock, so this would allow you to switch them around as well.
As described by Nintendo, this addresses a ‘troublesome’ problem with cable positioning, as indicated in the patent’s description shared on Reddit by shadeOfAwave.
The patent states: ‘If a connector for connection to a television receiver or other video display device is fixed to a specific position of the outer circumference of the device holder, there is a possibility that the operation for laying the cables to be connected to this connector will be troublesome.’ The USB ports could also be repositioned (Picture: Nintendo) It’s important to note that many patents are filed but not all of them end up being used. If this one does come to fruition, it seems unusual that Nintendo would update the current Switch model so late in its life cycle, so it’s more likely to be a feature of the next console.
The successor to the Switch is not expected to be released this year. Several sources have claimed that Nintendo has postponed the console’s launch to 2025, possibly to strengthen its launch line-up, which may include a new 3D Mario game or the next
A new patent indicates that Nintendo has a solution for the ‘troublesome’ Switch cable setup through a new ‘swivel block’ attachment.
So far, Nintendo has announced nothing about its next console. Rumours suggest it will feature an 8-inch LCD screen, be backwards compatible, and that it might be only an ‘iterative’ improvement over the original Switch – which this patent certainly seems to imply.
Don’t expect the Switch successor to arrive this year though. Many sources have claimed Nintendo has pushed back the console’s launch to 2025, to bolster its launch line-up, which might include a new 3D Mario or the next Mario Kart.
