While Nintendo's hybrid handheld-home console the Switch has been a hit ever since its launch back in 2017, many fans have argued that it has felt like one of the Japanese video game company's most barebones systems to this date. Of course, the Nintendo Switch has access to an online shop, photos app, friends list, and more, but for years fans have clamored for noticeably missing features like folders to organize their games with, as well as themes, which were abundant on the handheld 3DS.
Just a few days ago, fans were puzzled to see the Nintendo Switch be updated to firmware version 12.0, which was a considerable jump up from the previous version 11.4. What seemed even more bizarre to many, however, was the lack of apparent significant updates. Typically, fans tend to expect noticeable changes when jumping to a new firmware version, but it seemed all the update did was fix a bug. However, dataminers later discovered evidence of a Switch Pro in the update, and now it seems a long-awaited feature could come to the Switch soon as well.
Over on Twitter, popular Nintendo Switch dataminer OatmealDome posted a tweet suggesting that the new 12.0 update contains even more interesting back-end data than previously thought. While information on a Nintendo Switch Pro dock came as a surprise, OatmealDome mentions that the newest update also added audio support to the system's Bluetooth driver, though it seems unclear what exactly it is/could be used for at the moment.
Courtesy of yellows8 via SwitchBrew, a wiki dedicated to datamining and homebrew on the Nintendo Switch, multiple mentions of audio are now found in the system's Bluetooth driver. While the console has had Bluetooth functionalities since its launch, fans have never been able to listen to their Switch's audio through wireless headphones or speakers without the help of a third-party Bluetooth dongle. OatmealDome notes that it seems highly unlikely the feature would be enabled for "no reason," but it is currently unknown if or when fans could ever see it be utilized.
Fans are speculating as to whether this is a feature that could come to all Nintendo Switch consoles soon, or be saved for the highly-rumored Switch Pro. It is very likely that Nintendo is aware of fan demand for Bluetooth audio functionalities on the console, but as OatmealDome notes, "Nintendo works in mysterious ways."
As confirmed just recently, Nintendo is set to make an "appearance" at this year's all-virtual E3 experience. Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser has also gone on record expressing his own excitement for the event, looking to make the virtual format both "fun and engaging."