Eurogamer: Switch Has A Multitouch Display; Right Joycon Has IR Sensor.http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-10-27-nintendo-switch-has-a-6-2-multi-touch-screenA number of sources, including those who informed me of the Switch's design and detachable controllers back in July, have all confirmed other capabilities which Nintendo is currently keeping quiet.
Let's start with the Nintendo Switch's screen. It is 6.2" in size, 720p and - for the first time in any Nintendo device - boasts a capacitive multi-touch screen.
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So, how will the touchscreen work when the Switch is docked? While connected to your TV the Switch itself is out of reach - you play either with both JoyCon controllers attached to the system's grip or with a Pro Controller. The Switch's touchscreen is almost entirely obscured within the console's dock.
The answer may lie hidden in the right-hand JoyCon, which houses a short-range IR sensor in its base. This could be used to point at the TV to replicate basic touchscreen functionality, picked up by a corresponding IR sensor in the docked Switch.
Given that these sources include the one that was spot on, I think these rumors are all but confirmed. And if they're true, then it's possible to have 3DS backwards compatibility. The only thing needed to allow Wii/U compatibility is a gyroscope or accelerometer.
If Nintendo wants to start a subscription service that allows you to play their entire backlog, like people have speculated, it makes sense to support the control style for all their games, whether within the system already or with the actual old controllers.
Others have speculated that the system may run a similar OS to android, and thus might allow Andriod games to be played. Having a 10-point multitouch screen certainly allows it, but unless Nintendo receives some money per download, I don't think Nintendo would allow it. If it runs Andriod OS, though, it'll be an interesting piece of hardware to jailbreak.
Finally, I loved House of the Dead on the Wii. It's hilarious to play with a friend. The action, the dialogue, the bosses; it's a solid game. It's unfortunate, due to the left Joycon apparently not having an IR sensor, that if a game came out similar to HOTD I can't play it on the system out of the box. I'd have loved to talk my neighbor on a flight to join me in killing some zombies.