Last week, we reported on some FCC filings creating speculation on a patented Nintendo device. Today, that device now seems weirder.
In our original report, we referred to Remote Play Gaming reviewing the patent. Remote Play Gaming speculated that this could be a device a player would attach to their body, to track their body movements. But new documents related to that patent have changed the picture completely.
Remote Play Gaming also found and reviewed those new documents, and they have shared the new details on the device. We will share their summary from their post on the GamingLeaksandRumours subreddit:
- Indicates earlier testing date than the the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi part
- Shows distance of 24GHz antenna from each side of the device. This gives us size, shape, and dimensions
- The dimensions should be approximately 90.6mm x 90.6mm x 83.7mm (width x height x depth) give or take a little bit for plastic etc. This was calculated with antenna placement measurements. For example the 24GHz antenna is 10.5mm from the Top edge and 80.05mm from the bottom edge, giving us a total height of 90.6mm.
- In the video a 3D model is shown to see the scale of the device
- Nintendo submitted this as a Wireless Device while the original Switch was submitted as a Game Console
- The device is listed as a UMPC portable device (Ultra Mobile PC or tablet-esque)
- UMPC devices according to the FCC have some type of screen. It is reasonable to expect a screen or glass on the front of the device.
- According to the FCC this is a portable device and thus it can be inferred there is a battery, as it cannot run portably without power. Likely a rechargeable and non removable battery.
- UMPC devices/tablets are meant to be held or carried around. Not set on a table or a dock and left in one position permanently.
- SAR testing was done for the 24GHz piece as well (Specific Absorption Rate of the RF signals into the body)
- Keep in mind while we show a cube, there could still be attachments or the device may have curved edges or bevels etc.
So they now believe the device will be shaped like a small cube, and is referred to as a UMPC portable device. To be clear, while there was a specific kind of small portable PCs in the 2000s called UMPCs, or ultra mobile personal computers. However, in patent language, UMPCs can also refer to tablets, as the legal and technical language describing tablets and UMPCs are the same.
Remote Play Gaming shared their own speculation, but it certainly sounds like this device could be some kind of IoT device. It’s entirely possible now that this has nothing to do with the Switch or Switch 2, which have their own screens.
On the flip side, they also showed us a small plush toy to give us an idea of what size and shape it would have. You can see that image in this article, and you can watch the video where they talk about it in detail below.
