near the video display, allowing voice chat to be conducted with the entire room and as it is placed on top of the sensor bar. In 2008, Nintendo launched the Wii Speak Channel, which allows users to chat in one of four rooms with Wii Friends using Wii Speak online. The Wii Speak Channel ceased functionality after May 20, 2014 since the free Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service was discontinued. Swapnote/Nintendo Letter Box Swapnote, known as Nintendo Letter Box in PAL regions and Suddenly Exchange Diary in Japan, is a messaging application for the Nintendo 3DS family. The software was launched in the Nintendo eShop in 2011. Swapnote allows users to send hand-written/drawn messages to either registered friends online via SpotPass or other users locally via StreetPass. Nintendo suspended Swapnotes SpotPass functionality in 2013. Swapdoodle On November 17, 2016, without any prior announcements, Nintendo released a Nintendo 3DS app, via Nintendo eShop in North America, Europe, and Australia, called Swapdoodle, a spiritual successor to 2011's Swapnote/Nintendo Letter Box. It was released in Japan on November 22, 2016, under the name . Swapdoodle is largely similar to Swapnote/Nintendo Letter Box in many aspects, including the latter's discontinued online ability to share stereoscopic 3D handwritten or drawn messages with anyone listed on the Nintendo 3DS friends list, as well as receive special messages from Nintendo. Swapdoodle also features an online store where users can download mostly paid DLC, which include additional pen effects, message space, stationery, and simple drawing lessons of various Nintendo characters. The app itself is free to download. Unlike Swapnote/Nintendo Letter Box, Swapdoodle only allows the exchange of native in-game screenshots, but not generic picture and audio files. Additionally, Swapdoodle does not support StreetPass or any ability for wireless LAN exchange of messages. Wii U Chat was Wii U's online chat solution, powered by the Nintendo Network. The service allowed users to use the Wii U GamePad's front-facing camera to video chat with registered friends. While video chatting, only the Wii U GamePad is needed, since on the TV, the same picture as in the GamePad's is shown. Users could have also drawn on the GamePad during a chat session. If there is a game or another application already running, the Wii U GamePad's HOME button ring will flash indicating that there is an incoming call. The idea of the feature was originally seen in the introduction trailer of the