YouTube arrives on Nintendo Switch today

YouTube launches on the Nintendo Switch today. It's only the second major video application on the console since the Switch's release in March 2017. (Hulu led the way last November.) YouTube can be downloaded for free from the Nintendo eShop.

The application is exactly what you expected, providing access to the infinite selection of videos from the platform. And YouTube also points out that the Switch version fully supports 360 videos. You can control YouTube with the left joystick and the main buttons of the switch. And the touch screen partially works in portable mode, which will facilitate the search of videos and its consultation. I say in part because you can not slide up and down to navigate the application, which is pretty unfortunate. Hulu still does not have touch screen support.

Strangely, the correct JoyCon joystick can not be used to navigate the application; this only works for 360-degree video planning. YouTube tells me that it will continue to evaluate the best ways to use Nintendo hardware.

Switch owners can sign in to YouTube with their Google Account to get their subscriptions, recommendations, and personal video library. Theoretically, you should Also be able to stream your Movies Anywhere library too; These titles usually appear in purchases made on YouTube. This is not to say that the Switch Display is ideal for extended viewing of movies in portable mode. But it's a big plus when the console is docked.

Now that Hulu and YouTube are taken into account, the obvious question is where is Netflix. Amazon Prime video? Generally, the list of non-gaming content on Switch is incredibly thin. You have two free video applications, Korg's "Music Production" app, worth $ 48 (more of a fun toy than a creative tool), and that's it. Hopefully the arrival of a second major player will increase the likelihood that other companies will bring their popular services to Switch.