In Xcode, Version 8.1 (8B62), the Tooltip of this button is "Show the debug area" (not Console).

Furthermore the print statements are not shown in this area.

Hi Hedgehog!

So for consistency with the Xcode project interface, Apple calls the area at the bottom of the playground the Debug Area. In Xcode projects, this area can be subdivided into the Console, and the Variables View. In playgrounds however, Variables View isn't available, making the console and the debug area basically synonymous.

It's strange that you aren't seeing print statements in the console however. Three possibilities come to mind:
1. Have you possibly set your playground to Manually Run, and you haven't executed the playground? If you have a complex playground you may want to control when it executes, but otherwise it's usually OK to just leave it to Automatically Run. Check the play button at the bottom left is filled blue - if it is, it is automatically running. If it's just an outline, it is set to Manually Run. Click and hold to select Automatically Run.

2. It's possible that you have an error in your playground that is preventing the print statements from running.
3. It may just be a complex playground that is taking a while to run, and you just need to be patient!

Good luck with it, let us know how you go!

This is weird: now the playground works fine

I'm very sorry for wasting your time with a (now) non existing problem

Thanks for your detailed explanation and immediate help!

Regards
Oliver

No problem, and glad to hear that you've sorted it out!