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What’s this new mystery Nintendo device?

Topher

Topher

Identifies as young
Nintendo has filed a new 24GHz wireless device with the FCC — and it isn’t the Switch 2.

Nintendo has submitted a mysterious new wireless device to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) this weekend, and it isn’t the Switch 2 console we’re expecting to be revealed before next April. The CLO-001 model number doesn’t reveal what it actually is, but it appears to be an entirely new product line given the “001” codes used on devices like the original Switch (HAC-001) and DS (NTR-001) consoles.

It’s tagged only as a “wireless device,” not a “wireless game console” or any kind of controller like a Joy-Con. A basic diagram within the documents shows an outline of where the FCC label will be “displayed in a depression area on the bottom” of something with a squarish footprint and rounded-off corners.

The documents also show that there’s no body-worn accessory involved with the testing and that it doesn’t have a battery and can only operate plugged in — it was connected to the same USB-C charger that Nintendo ships with its Switch consoles in tests, but that only reveals it can be powered by USB-C.

The CLO-001 is surprisingly light on wireless technology — there’s no 5GHz or 6GHz Wi-Fi radio and no Bluetooth, but it does sport a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radio and a 24GHz mmWave sensor.

A simple device diagram taken from Nintendo’s CLO-00 FCC filing.

What the? Image: FCC

The 24GHz mmWave sensor is the most interesting detail we have. It could be a radar sensor to track movement, like closely following gestures or detecting when someone is nearby the device, causing it to turn on automatically like we’ve seen in the 60GHz sensors found in devices like the Pixel 4 and Aqara’s smart home presence sensor.

The Wi-Fi hardware in the first-gen Switch was created by Cypress Semiconductor, a company that was acquired a few years ago by Infineon, which is now promoting the capabilities of its 24GHz radar sensors. 24GHz radar can provide a detection range of up to 100m, with penetration possible through obstacles, at the tradeoff of a larger size and lower resolution, according to Infineon. We couldn’t tell which hardware is inside this device, but the Infineon website includes comparisons to 60GHz sensors.

So then... what is it? Guesses include a new gesture control interface, an upgraded dock for some kind of device at Super Nintendo World theme parks, or maybe even a return of the “Quality of Life” sleep tracking initiative Nintendo attempted a decade ago. It could also be something to support AR features by detecting real-world objects — meaning it could be used for new Mario Kart Live hardware or even a Pokémon Go-like system.

It really is anyone’s guess right now given the limited information available. But it’s rumor season with the Switch 2 coming, so let us know if you have any better ideas!

www.theverge.com

What’s this new mystery Nintendo device?

A new 24GHz wireless accessory has been filed with the FCC.
www.theverge.com www.theverge.com

Motion controls?
 
Last edited:
Saber

Saber

Member
Maybe it's one of those weight or execise stuff they usually launch for their games and everybody hates.
 
Robb

Robb

Gold Member
Feels like a long-shot, but the latest Switch 2 leak showed a new USB C port on the top, so, assuming that leak is true, maybe they have accessories planned that you’ll be able to attached directly to the top of the console.
 
Last edited:
blacktout

blacktout

Member
Robb said:
Feels like a long-shot, but the latest Switch 2 leak showed a new USB C port on the top, so, assuming that leak is true, maybe they have accessories planned that you’ll be able to attached directly to the top of the console.
Click to expand...

I don't think that's a long shot at all. Didn't that Chinese YouTuber who 3D printed the Switch 2 mock-up imply that the top USB-C port was for a camera? Now she may have no idea what she's talking about, but it makes perfect sense for Nintendo to utilize that port for accessories. That would allow them to chase Blue Ocean functionality without the added cost and bulk that would come with making those features a permanent part of the device.
 
Last edited:
Robb

Robb

Gold Member
blacktout said:
I don't think that's a long shot at all. Didn't that Chinese YouTuber who 3D printed the Switch 2 mock-up imply that the top USB-C port was for a camera? Now she may have no idea what she's talking about, but ot makes perfect sense for Nintendo to utilize that port for accessories. That would allow them to chase Blue Ocean functionality without the added cost and bulk that would come with making those features a permanent part of the device.
Click to expand...
Haven’t seen that, but yeah, in that case it might be more plausible.

I was thinking the unit in the leak might be more of a dev unit in which case having more ports than the final product would make sense.

Parazels said:
Head tracking camera for pseudo 3d image.

Click to expand...

Man, this takes me back.

Would be cool to see something like this though.
 
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GoldenEye98

GoldenEye98

posts news as their odd job
there's no 5GHz or 6GHz Wi-Fi radio and no Bluetooth, but it does sport a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radio
Click to expand...

That's kinda weird. What would you specifically use 2.4GHz Wifi for these days?

Presumably not for anything data intensive
 
T

tr1p1ex

Member
looks like it is right up their motion control and fitness alley. also it's radar so maybe it can map out a room.
 
Last edited:
IAmRei

IAmRei

Member
Mystery box which if we hit it with our head we can hit the "?" With a mushroom or fire flower or star?

I'm no tech savvy, but if its could detect, it can be used as new kind of input(?) which means could be used as Mixed Reality thing or something else
 
Mownoc

Mownoc

Member
Well the square footprint... Could be weight scales. For a fitness game. Though not sure why that'd be 24ghz.
 
Last edited:
Dacvak

Dacvak

No one shall be brought before our LORD David Bowie without the true and secret knowledge of the Photoshop. For in that time, so shall He appear.
The occipital and temporal lobes of the brain can be acutely affected by targeted frequencies between 18-24Ghz. Usually this is used for reading specific neurological actuations (or “brainwaves”) for mapping how the brain functions under certain visual and auditory stimulus. However, it also has the inverse effect of actually creating visual and auditory “hallucinations” (for lack of a better term) in the brain. Usually these are reported as flashing lights or just high pitched buzzing sounds, but there’s been a significant amount of breakthrough in just the last 6 years what allow for rudimentary shapes and sounds to essentially be experienced in the mind.

In other words, this is definitely a module that will wirelessly beam your Switch 2 games to your brain. You likely won’t be able to control the games with your mind (as the motor and prefrontal cortex are not able to be read at these wavelengths), so you’ll still need a controller. But at least we’ll finally be able to play Mario without having to use our pesky eyes. This will be great for blind and deaf gamers, as well.

ron burgundy anchorman GIF
 
Last edited:
LordOfChaos

LordOfChaos

Member
www.theverge.com

What’s this new mystery Nintendo device?

A new 24GHz wireless accessory has been filed with the FCC.
www.theverge.com www.theverge.com

Nintendo has submitted a mysterious new wireless device to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) this weekend, and it isn’t the Switch 2 console we’re expecting to be revealed before next April. The CLO-001 model number doesn’t reveal what it actually is, but it appears to be an entirely new product line given the “001” codes used on devices like the original Switch (HAC-001) and DS (NTR-001) consoles.
It’s tagged only as a “wireless device,” not a “wireless game console” or any kind of controller like a Joy-Con. A basic diagram within the documents shows an outline of where the FCC label will be “displayed in a depression area on the bottom” of something with a squarish footprint and rounded-off corners.
The documents also show that there’s no body-worn accessory involved with the testing and that it doesn’t have a battery and can only operate plugged in — it was connected to the same USB-C charger that Nintendo ships with its Switch consoles in tests, but that only reveals it can be powered by USB-C.
The CLO-001 is surprisingly light on wireless technology — there’s no 5GHz or 6GHz Wi-Fi radio and no Bluetooth, but it does sport a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radio and a 24GHz mmWave sensor.

nintendo.fcc.jpg



'Member all those "Supplemental compute device" patents that were getting people excited during the early Switch rumours? Probably no relation, but I 'member


 
Fbh

Fbh

Member
It's a new wireless device that gets tied to your Switch 2 account and lets you generate an easy to remember 38 digit code that's valid for exactly 24.9 seconds.
Exchanging this code with someone else is the only way to add friends on the Switch 2.
 
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