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Nothing plans to launch the Phone 3, its first proper flagship, on July 1, the company announced today. We already knew the phone was coming this summer, thanks to a teaser Nothing shared during last month's The Android Show I/O Edition. During the segment, Nothing CEO Carl Pei said the new device will cost around £800 ($1080), which would easily make it the most expensive handset the company has produced to date. Pei also said Nothing plans to go "all-in" on Phone 3 with "premium materials, major performance upgrades and software that really levels things up."

Phone (3). It's a magic number. Coming July 2025. pic.twitter.com/WEQ7Vcf72H— Nothing (@nothing) May 20, 2025

It will be interesting to see how Nothing builds on the Phone 3a and 3a Pro (pictured above), the two mid-range handsets the company released earlier this year. I reviewed both phones for Engadget, and felt they offered great value for the asking price of $379 and $459. I'm also curious to see if Nothing decides to make a proper push into the US market. While you can buy the company's phones stateside, they don't have robust carrier support. In any case, we'll find out more about the new Phone 3 next month.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/the-nothing-phone-3-arrives-in-july-134121908.html?src=rss

More than 200 inmates escaped from a prison and at least one was killed in a shootout in Karachi, Pakistan, after they were temporarily moved out of their cells due to earthquake tremors, officials said Tuesday. The provincial law minister told reporters the inmates were allowed into a courtyard and there was "panic" because of the tremors. A group suddenly attacked guards, seized their weapons, opened fire and fled. A senior police official said 216 inmates fled the prison, and 78 had been recaptured. None of those who escaped were convicted or facing trial as militants.

Edifier's Doo Ace on-ear headphones are Bluetooth 6.0Just 100g, so much lighter than the equivalent Sony cansAudio codec support is a little disappointingWe've been waiting a while for the first Bluetooth 6.0 headphones to arrive, and it looks like Edifier has beaten its rivals with the launch of the terribly named but quite funky Doo Ace on-ears.The Doo Ace – a name that gets worse each time I type it – are Bluetooth 6.0 with multi-point pairing. But the presence of the latest Bluetooth doesn't necessarily mean you're going to want to buy them, as there are a few downsides to the spec – and as they're currently only available in China, you might not be able to buy them at all.(Image credit: Edifier)Edifier Doo Ace headphones: key features and pricing The Doo Ace headphones promise AI-based noise reduction, 32mm drivers and an audio jack for wired connections. There's a game mode with reduced latency, and Edifier says that you can also use them as a remote shutter control for your phone's camera.However, as Notebookcheck.net reports, the audio codec support is limited: SBC, A2DP, AVRCP and HFP – not only is there nothing like aptX or LDAC, there isn't even LC3, the better default Bluetooth audio codec that's part of Bluetooth LE Audio.At 100g, these headphones are very light compared to rivals such as the 147g Sony WH-CH520, but that light weight means less battery capacity: battery life is a claimed 25 hours, half that of the Sonys. Fast charging will give you 5 hours of playback from a 15-minute charge.There are four colors, Mother-of-Pearl White, Sunset Orange, Earth Brown, and Secret Night Blue, and the price tag in China is CNY229 (about $32 / £24).It's unknown whether the Doo Ace will be launched in other markets but of course if they are we'll let you know. As far as we can tell, they're the first headphones revealed with Bluetooth 6.0 – we can't find evidence of any others, but let us know in the comments if you've seen any announced.They're not exactly a flagship showcase of what Bluetooth can do compared to the best wireless headphones, but they're funky looking, inexpensive, and the lightness is very impressive.You might also likeThe best cheap headphones 2025, all tested by our expertsThe best on-ear headphones 2025 for all budgets, testedThe best budget wireless earbuds 2025, all tested by our very own ears

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 wireless gaming headset is available nowThe headset has multiplatform compatibility across all consoles and PCIt has a bevy of features at an impressively competitive price pointHardware manufacturer SteelSeries has just revealed its new Arctis Nova 3 wireless gaming headset lineup.Sporting multiplatform capability (that's PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC in addition to mobile devices), custom drivers, a new companion app, and a rather impressive feature set, it may just be one of the next best wireless gaming headsets to enter the market. Doubly so when you take its price point into account.The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 wireless gaming headset comes in at $119.99 / £99.99 and is available to purchase from the brand's website or select retailers in your region. You can choose from four distinct color options (black, white, aqua, and lavender), as well as a 3P (PlayStation) or 3X (Xbox) variant.This means it's close but undercuts its SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 - a headset we love - brethren, offering an even more aggressively priced wireless option.While this is a multiplatform headset, keep in mind that the 3X version is not compatible with PlayStation consoles. However, the 3P model does work with Xbox alongside all other major platforms. If you game across all consoles regularly, then the latter is the one to go for.In terms of features, then, the Arctis Nova 3 is certainly packing a lot into a very competitively priced gaming headset. The brand's custom Nova drivers are featured here, offering full 360-degree spatial audio and compatibility with the PS5's Tempest 3D audio as well as Microsoft's own spatial sound solution.An on-board 'quick switch' button lets you instantaneously swap between a 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.3 connection; handy if you're expecting a call or for listening to music while you game. The headset also features a ClearCast 2.X microphone, which should provide clear voice quality for online multiplayer with pals.In terms of battery life, SteelSeries claims you'll get an impressive 30 hours via 2.4GHz and around 40 hours via Bluetooth. Fast charge is also supported, with the brand noting you'll get nine hours of battery life from just 15 minutes of charging.Lastly, SteelSeries is launching a new Arctis companion app for Android and iOS devices. The app features more than 200 game audio presets, which can be swapped and customized on the fly even while you're playing. That's pretty nifty if you're the type to set profiles on a per-game basis for maximum immersion.You might also like...Nintendo Switch 2 is forecasted to sell 100 million units by the end of 2029, according to industry analystsNintendo reveals that the Switch 2's GL/GR buttons are easily customizable, and can be mapped for any game in the console's quick menuThe Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake finally has a new launch window, but we'll still have to wait a while

Looking for a different day?A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Tuesday, June 3 (game #1226).Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.Quordle today (game #1227) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 5*.* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too). Quordle today (game #1227) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 3.Quordle today (game #1227) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appears among today's Quordle answers.Quordle today (game #1227) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:Quordle today (game #1227) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?• B• S• S• HRight, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.Quordle today (game #1227) - the answers(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)The answers to today's Quordle, game #1227, are…BANALSTOUTSEDANHIPPOToday’s Quordle nearly unraveled for me, but I managed to pull it back.My starter words delivered all five letters for SEDAN and it was a simple case of rearranging them, but my next word had multiple options.I figured that the word must end O-U-T but despite knowing it started with the letter S I had several options and sadly chose the wrong one before guessing STOUT.From here it was more straightforward. For HIPPO, I had the H,I, P and O, so it wasn’t a great leap, while there was no other choice for BANAL.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.Daily Sequence today (game #1227) - the answers(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1227, are…AMONGEXILEPRONGSOLVEQuordle answers: The past 20Quordle #1226, Tuesday, 3 June: FUGUE, SYRUP, FLACK, WORSTQuordle #1225, Monday, 2 June: THINK, BELLE, CRONE, BOULEQuordle #1224, Sunday, 1 June: POINT, MERIT, WHOOP, APHIDQuordle #1223, Saturday, 31 May: CRUMB, ELFIN, DRIER, QUITEQuordle #1222, Friday, 30 May: RAJAH, CAUSE, BLACK, ETUDEQuordle #1221, Thursday, 29 May: CRIER, DRAPE, STRUT, NEIGHQuordle #1220, Wednesday, 28 May: HELLO, BEADY, VIGIL, PURERQuordle #1219, Tuesday, 27 May: TWEET, RANGE, POPPY, RADARQuordle #1218, Monday, 26 May: BLEAT, HOWDY, ASIDE, SCOOPQuordle #1217, Sunday, 25 May: OCEAN, AMBER, PIPER, GLEANQuordle #1216, Saturday, 24 May: HUSKY, HEIST, FOGGY, POLARQuordle #1215, Friday, 23 May: SHIRE, GIANT, AWAIT, CAPERQuordle #1214, Thursday, 22 May: LOSE, GLOVE, STINT, EXCELQuordle #1213, Wednesday, 21 May: NOVEL, CHOSE, DIRTY, DONUTQuordle #1212, Tuesday, 20 May: DECOY, SHAKE, MAPLE, PURERQuordle #1211, Monday, 19 May: LINK, HANDY, DITCH, WAIVEQuordle #1210, Sunday, 18 May: QUACK, ROACH, PURGE, DOWNYQuordle #1209, Saturday, 17 May: STRIP, RANGE, UNITE, GEESEQuordle #1208, Friday, 16 May: SHEEP, SNUCK, DRIFT, BREAKQuordle #1207, Thursday, 15 May: PAINT, CROUP, PEDAL, FLUKE

Looking for a different day?A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, June 3 (game #457).Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.NYT Strands today (game #458) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Monster questNYT Strands today (game #458) - hint #2 - clue wordsPlay any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.MANYCAKEFEELPOLITEMOCKWIRENYT Strands today (game #458) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?• Spangram has 8 lettersNYT Strands today (game #458) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?First side: top, 3rd columnLast side: bottom, 4th columnRight, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.NYT Strands today (game #458) - the answers(Image credit: New York Times)The answers to today's Strands, game #458, are…YETIBIGFOOTKRAKENCRAWLERMOTHMANJACKALOPESPANGRAM: CRYPTIDSMy rating: ModerateMy score: 1 hintToday’s quest had us searching for mythical beasts, including the fantastical wild man Sasquatch (also known as BIGFOOT) – one of the most enduring CRYPTIDS of North American folklore.The history of Bigfoot sightings goes all the way back to 1811, with some scientists claiming that the ape-like giant could be a remnant of the Neanderthals.Of course, it is also entirely possible that once the mythology spread, certain mischievous people might enjoy dressing as a giant ape-like man and running around the country being elusive (see the Beastie Boys' video for Triple Trouble for further information).They’re a shy bunch, are mythical beasts, even the more recently seen ones like MOTHMAN first seen in West Virginia in the 1960s.After several couples reported seeing a large winged black creature whose eyes glowed red, the Point Pleasant Register ran a news story with the headline “Couples See Man-Sized Bird ... Creature ... Something".He hasn’t been seen much since, but rather than fear the beast in their midst, the town has taken them to their hearts and there is now an annual Mothman Festival in Point Pleasant where you can watch live music and take part in a pancake-eating contest.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Tuesday, June 3, game #457)VELCROJACUZZIKLEENEXPOPSICLECHAPSTICKSPANGRAM: TRADEMARKEDWhat is NYT Strands?Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Looking for a different day?A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Tuesday, June 3 (game #723).Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.NYT Connections today (game #724) - today's words(Image credit: New York Times)Today's NYT Connections words are…PIPEHOOKROOTAPPLECHEERCONSOLECLOUDBRIDGERUNNERBOWLERREFRAINWHISTLEBENCHCHORUSCLAPCOAT RACKNYT Connections today (game #724) - hint #1 - group hintsWhat are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?YELLOW: Elements of a hitGREEN: Fan worshipBLUE: Hallway stuffPURPLE: A surrealist classicNeed more clues?We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…NYT Connections today (game #724) - hint #2 - group answersWhat are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?YELLOW: PARTS OF A SONGGREEN: SUPPORT AUDIBLYBLUE: THINGS IN AN ENTRYWAYPURPLE: IMAGERY IN MAGRITTE PAINTINGSRight, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.NYT Connections today (game #724) - the answers(Image credit: New York Times)The answers to today's Connections, game #724, are…YELLOW: PARTS OF A SONG BRIDGE, CHORUS, HOOK, REFRAINGREEN: SUPPORT AUDIBLY CHEER, CLAP, ROOT, WHISTLEBLUE: THINGS IN AN ENTRYWAY BENCH, COAT RACK, CONSOLE, RUNNERPURPLE: IMAGERY IN MAGRITTE PAINTINGS APPLE, BOWLER, CLOUD, PIPEMy rating: HardMy score: 2 mistakesA game of two halves today. After I got the first two groups fairly quickly I hit a roadblock and saw no connection between the eight remaining words (I’ll count COAT RACK as one word).Completely stuck, I pressed shuffle to see if it would give me any clues and selected a few random groups of four.It was thinking visually that changed things, as I imagined each item. I would not have been able to tell you the name of the artist – but APPLE, BOWLER, CLOUD and PIPE were all things I imagined in a painted form, and indeed there are all items that reoccur in Magritte’s surrealist paintings along with umbrellas, candles and doves.His most famous piece is The Treachery of Images, better known for the phrase beneath a painting of a pipe which reads Ceci n'est pas une pipe (this is not a pipe). For a moment I felt quite clever, before admitting to myself that it was just a wild guess.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Tuesday, June 3, game #723)YELLOW: BE OSTENTATIOUS GRANDSTAND, POSTURE, SHOWBOAT, SWAGGERGREEN: COPACETIC FINE, HUNKY-DORY, OK, SWELLBLUE: KINDS OF BRACELETS CHARM, FRIENDSHIP, ID, TENNISPURPLE: THINGS YOU CAN PRACTICE LAW, MEDICINE, SELF-CARE, WITCHCRAFTWhat is NYT Connections?NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

A next-gen Nintendo only comes around once a decade, which makes the Switch 2's launch feel like a birthday, graduation and Christmas (or your holiday of choice) all rolled into one. However, like many gift-giving celebrations, obtaining the Switch 2 comes with several implications for your wallet and how it will fit into your life. So after getting the chance to play the Switch 2 for nearly 15 hours across two different sessions, I wanted to put together one last preview about Nintendo's next console and if you should (or should not) try to snag one when it officially goes on sale on June 5.

Note: Another big reason for this second preview/hands-on is because unlike in years past, members of the media won't be getting review units prior to launch. So this story features as much info as we have right now before open sales begin later this week.

Design

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Nintendo hasn't deviated too much from the original Switch's template for its successor. You still get what is essentially a small tablet with two detachable Joy-Con, a built-in kickstand and a dock for hooking it up to your TV. That said, it feels like Nintendo has upgraded almost every component in some way.

The Switch 2’s screen is significantly larger at 7.9 inches across (up from 6.2 inches), while also having a higher resolution (1,920 x 1,080 vs 1,280 x 720). And while it's not an OLED panel, LCD tech has really come a long way to the point where it's honestly hard to tell (especially if you're in a well-lit room). You also get support for HDR and variable refresh rates at up to 120Hz on its native display.

You can see HDR support for the Switch 2's built-in display on things like the reflections coming from the truck's bumper.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

The Joy-Con, while retaining a familiar shape, have also basically been redesigned from the ground up. Not only are they a bit larger, they also feature a new magnetic attachment system with a larger button that makes snapping them on and off a breeze. Haptic feedback has also been enhanced with HD Rumble 2, which provides a stronger and wider range of vibrations.

But that's not all because there's even a new C button for Nintendo's Game Chat feature (more on that later), along with what may be one of the biggest hardware surprises on the entire console. Thanks to small cameras built into the edge of each Joy-Con, when tilted on their side, they can turn into mice. This functionality is something I was skeptical about at first, but it quickly grew on me to the point where using the right Joy-Con as a mouse and the left as a traditional controller became my favorite way to play shooters like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.

You can activate mouse mode for the Switch 2's Joy-Con simply by turning them on their side in supported games.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

As a mouse, the Joy-Con work surprisingly well even when you don't have a flat surface in front of you. I tried using them on the arm of a couch and my pants rather successfully. That said, if you're a true mouse and keyboard aficionado, there's still a gap in accuracy and responsiveness between Nintendo's Joy-Con and a traditional desktop mouse, though part of this is because when rotated sideways, the narrow controllers sometimes tilt over a bit too easily.

Sadly, the big question I can't answer yet is whether these new Joy-Con will suffer from drift similar to what many people experienced with the original Switch. Nintendo says it's using a new setup inside that should be significantly more robust, but only time and lots of mashing on those analog sticks will tell us for sure.

Performance

Nintendo

While the Switch 2 is significantly more powerful than its predecessors, to what exact degree we may not know for some time. Its core specs include a custom chip made by NVIDIA that features support for real-time ray tracing, G-Sync, DLSS and what the company says is 10 times the graphics performance of the Switch 1. It also has 12GB of RAM and 256GB of built-in UFS storage (of which 232GB is available out of the box). There's also a microSD Express card slot for expandable storage, a 3.5mm audio jack, Wi-Fi 6 and not one but two USB-C ports (though only the bottom jack supports video out).

But what might be the biggest indicator of the Switch 2's improved horsepower is the sheer number of third-party ports that will be available at launch (or at least its first month on sale). This includes titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Yakuza 0 Director's Cut, Hitman World of Assassination and others, which are all games that developers didn't even really try to bring to the Switch 1 due to its more limited performance.

Battery life

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Featuring a 5,220mAh battery, Nintendo's official longevity estimate for the Switch 2 ranges from 2 to 6.5 hours, depending on the exact game you're playing. For a more real-world evaluation, during my second preview, I played Mario Kart World in handheld mode with the Switch 2's screen set to max brightness (with ambient lighting disabled) starting from 100 percent battery. After 30 minutes, the console had 81 percent left, so if you do some rough back-of-the-napkin math, that translates to a total runtime of around two and a half hours.

That number might seem a bit low, but in many respects, this represents a worst-case scenario, as the device was connected to Wi-Fi and its screen was on full power. Furthermore, while I can't say for sure the Switch 2 is like this, some gadgets discharge power slightly faster when their battery is at or close to max capacity. In short, I wouldn't be surprised that by tweaking its settings a bit, it would be possible to boost that time up to three hours or more. And of course, if you're playing a less demanding game (particularly an older Switch 1 title), I think Nintendo's upper limit of six and a half hours is very plausible.

Nintendo's launch titles and third-party games

It's important to note that the Switch 2 bundle with Mario Kart World comes with a digital download instead of a physical game cartridge.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Over time, the original Switch sort of became the system you whipped out when you wanted to play first-party Nintendo games or smaller indie titles as the console simply didn't have the horsepower to keep up with the latest Xbox or PlayStation. And while there are a number of third-party games like Elden Ring, Borderlands 4 and more that are planned to arrive on the Switch 2, the number of brand new games from Nintendo for the Switch 2's launch is rather thin: it's just Mario Kart World and the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour.

Granted, by the end of 2025, that list will look a lot better with Donkey Kong Bananza, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Kirby Air Riders slated to arrive later this year. The Switch 2 is also backwards compatible with games designed for the Switch 1, which gives it a rather large library out of the gate. But for anyone without a huge backlog, the lack of fresh launch titles is one of the biggest reasons that people shouldn't feel like they are missing out if they can't get their hands on a Switch 2 at launch.

The Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome tour generally consists of tutorials and quizzes about the console along with mini games like this one which requires you to use mouse mode to help the UFO dodge spiky balls.

Nintendo

Furthermore, while I've warmed up to Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour as it's a great way to learn about the console's capabilities. I still feel like it should have been a free pack-in that comes with the system instead of an additional $10 purchase. It's not nearly as fun or endearing as Astro's Playroom was for the PS5 and I would say it's only a must-buy for the most die-hard Nintendo completionists.

On the flipside, Mario Kart World is everything you want from a new installment in one of Nintendo's most iconic franchises and then some. According to Nintendo itself, this game has been in development since 2017 and it really shows. Between the interconnected tracks and free roam mode, Mario Kart World's map feels absolutely massive. The full roster and list of vehicles is also immense and there's a fun new mechanic that allows you to generate boosts without needing to drift or jump up onto ledges, railings and walls to do tricks. I've even heard that you can use this skill to dodge blue shells, though I haven't been able to nail the timing myself just yet.

Cheep cheep might be my favorite new character in Mario Kart World. Seeing a fish drive a car and throw bananas will never not be funny.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

At its core, the game has the same polished driving and item slinging that people adore. Just one word of warning: With the game now supporting up to 24 players in a single race, being in the middle of the pack is even more chaotic than before. You're basically asking to get constantly bombarded. Regardless, buying a Switch 2 without Mario Kart World feels like a mistake. That said, anyone planning on purchasing the bundle with both the console and game included should know that Mario Kart World comes as a digital download instead of a physical cartridge, which is a small bummer because otherwise the package essentially knocks $30 off the normal $80 price tag for the game.

Important add-ons and accessories

In addition to your usual assortment of cases, screen protectors and portable battery packs, there are two types of Nintendo Switch accessories you're going to want to give some extra special consideration. The first is a microSD Express card, because while the Switch 2 comes with much more onboard storage than its predecessor (256GB, up from 32GB), with games like Mario Kart World featuring a file size of 23.4GB, depending on how big your digital library is, you might run out of space faster than you think.

Nintendo

Furthermore, you won't be able to use the same basic microSD cards used by the OG Switch, as the Switch 2 is only compatible with the newer microSD Express format. The good news is that this memory is significantly faster than before (potentially up to four times speedier), which should provide quicker file transfers and loading speeds in games. The bad news is that microSD Express cards cost more than your garden-variety expandable storage with 256GB options costing around $60 or closer to $200 for larger 1TB models. For a more in-depth rundown, please check out our full guide on the best microSD Express cards for the Switch 2.

The other accessory you'll want to think about is a camera, as you need one if you want to use the Switch 2's new video chatting capabilities. On top of that, there are some features in titles like Mario Kart World and the updated version of Super Mario Party Jamboree that use the camera to superimpose you or your friends' faces inside the game to add some extra personalization to the fun. Thankfully, Nintendo's official camera is relatively affordable at $50, though there are some intriguing third-party options like this adorable Piranha Plant-themed one from Hori.

The importance of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack

There are two different tiers for Nintendo Switch Online. The basic $20 per year plan includes support for online play and Game Chat along with access to select classic titles from the NES, SNES and Game Boy. You also need it if you want cloud saves or the ability to transfer saved data between your original Switch and a Switch 2.

While not strictly necessary, the Switch 2's Pro Controller is pretty much a must-buy for people who primarily play the console while docked to their TV.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

That said, Nintendo makes a strong case for upgrading the more expensive NSO + Expansion Pack plan ($50 a year) which adds in games from the N64, Sega Genesis and Gamecube. But perhaps more importantly, this premium tier also gives you access to upgrade packs for original Switch games including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet and more. The updates not only make these games run smooth, they also include some extra features like the Zelda Notes app and even support for HDR for select titles. So if you're worried about not having enough games to play on the Switch 2 at launch, NSO + Expansion Pack feels like a great way to instantly flesh that out.

Game Chat

One of the biggest additions to the Switch 2 is Nintendo's Game Chat feature (which includes a dedicated chat button). I admit, it's easy to write it off as Nintendo simply copying Discord and including similar functionality natively, but based on my experience with Game Chat so far, I've been impressed with how simple and convenient it is to use.

Nintendo

You can host your own chat room or join another (with people sourced from your friends list) and from there you can select between several sharing layouts and other options. There's a voice-only mode along with small and expanded views that show what your friends are playing in dedicated windows along the bottom of the screen. Up to four video streams can be open at the same time and a total of 12 people can be in the same group simultaneously. There's even a setting to turn on speech-to-text (or text-to-speech if you want to read what others are saying) with support for multiple languages as well.

Parents also don't need to be worried about who might pop into their children's rooms because they can manually approve who is allowed to participate in chat rooms with their kids via Nintendo's Parental Control app.

My only gripe is that some video features are a bit low-res, which results in some aliasing (aka jaggies) when you activate the face cutout mode or turn on the setting that removes your background.

TV compatibility

One potential complication you don't really need to think about with the Switch 2 is if your TV can take full advantage of the console's capabilities. As long as it can handle 4K (3,840 x 2,160) at 60 fps or 1440p at 120 fps, you're pretty much set. That's because while the Switch 2 technically supports VRR at up to 120 fps, that spec only applies to the console's built-in display.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

That may be a bit of a bummer for some, though depending on the title, the Switch 2 may be able to send out 120 fps content at 1440p, which isn't quite as good as what you get from some games running on the PS5 or Xbox Series X. But considering the OG Switch couldn't do 4K at all, I'll take what I can get.

Budget considerations

Priced at $450 (or $500 for the bundle with Mario Kart World), the Switch 2 carries with it a bit of sticker shock compared to the $300 launch price of the original Switch. Now I'm not here to tell you if that's too much or simply too expensive in this economy. However, I think it's important to point out that when adjusted for inflation, $300 in 2017 is worth about $400 in today's money and that's before you factor in things like tariffs and taxes.

Furthermore, you'll want to consider your total spend, which may include the price of NSO, any games or accessories, or if you're lucky enough to buy multiple units, the cost to get more than one Switch 2.

Future outlook

When I got my original launch Switch back in 2017, I had no idea it would hold me down over the last eight years as well as it has. Personally, I'm planning to put my own money down on what looks to be a very thorough upgrade over its predecessor. And it's a similar situation for anyone lucky enough to snag a pre-order, as your mind is probably already made up.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

The Switch 2 retains almost everything people love about its predecessor while adding extra polish and performance across the board. Yes, simply by the numbers, it's a lot more expensive than the original, but I'd argue that its upgraded specs and the ability to serve as both a home console and a portable game player puts it on equal footing when compared to similarly priced rivals from Microsoft and Sony.

I do wish Nintendo's first-party software lineup was a bit deeper at launch, but I think the Switch 2's backwards compatibility and much stronger third-party support are doing a lot to fill in the gaps until DK Bananza and Metroid Prime 4 arrive later this year.

That said, not being able to obtain a model at launch shouldn't be a major downer. Mario Kart World is the only major new first-party Nintendo game out of the gate and while it's so good that I'm certain everyone will be playing it for the next decade, those who can't won't be left in the dust. I feel like the real goal for serious gamers is to simply get (or save up for) one by the end of the year when more flagship titles become available. After all, as good as the Switch 2 has been during my previews, it becomes so much better when you can play it with friends and it's going to take time for supply to catch up to demand.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-switch-2-the-final-preview-faq-140055895.html?src=rss

PlayStation has announced its next State of Play presentationIt's happening on June 4 at 2pm PT / 5pm ET / 10pm BST / 11pm CESTThe show will be around 40 minutes, focusing on upcoming PS5 gamesIt's a PlayStation surprise as a new State of Play presentation has been announced for tomorrow (June 4).Announced via a post on PlayStation's official X / Twitter account, this State of Play presentation is expected to be around 40 minutes long, according to the accompanying PlayStation Blog announcement.This State of Play presentation will focus on "news and updates on great games coming to PS5." No information has been provided beyond that, though it's reasonable to expect potential updates on upcoming games like Sucker Punch's Ghost of Yōtei and Housemarque's Saros.The State of Play presentation will air on PlayStation's official YouTube and Twitch channels. The show will go live on June 4 at 2pm PT / 5pm ET / 10pm BST / 11pm CEST. It will also be uploaded to PlayStation's channels after the fact if you're unable to catch the show live.Sony is perhaps cutting it fine with this State of Play announcement, but it's really not much of a surprise. This is arguably the biggest week in gaming, with the Nintendo Switch 2 launching on June 5, followed by Summer Game Fest and the Xbox Games Showcase on June 6.We're going to be seeing tons of new game announcements in the latter half of the week, then, so it's not too surprising that PlayStation is looking to get ahead of the curve here.You might also like...It seems that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will let players wield the awesome battle guitar featured in the game's trailerHitman developer IO Interactive will show off its new James Bond game, 007 First Light, at a special showcase this weekElden Ring Nightreign has sold more than 3.5 million copies as devs confirm DLC and two player mode

Is the conversation around remote work models finally petering out? Data suggests a shift in focus, with many firms reassessing their approach to the modern workplace. The reasons for these changes are myriad and nuanced. But while businesses and employees adapt to new ways of working, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as the crucial factor that could actually shape the future of hybrid work.Its application holds the potential to shift the focus away from location to how employee experience can be optimized and unlock new levels of efficiency and productivity. Our recent research highlights this shift, noting that 70% of businesses have integrated AI to enhance communication and workflows.AI is driving the evolution of hybrid work, from intelligent workspaces to enhanced collaboration and personalized work experiences. 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These systems can recommend breaks, suggest more efficient working patterns, and help managers better understand their teams' needs.Embracing the shift with AI In short, the binary in/out debate is becoming less relevant. Organizations preoccupied with tracking office attendance have missed the bigger picture: AI is fundamentally changing how teams work together, regardless of the location.Modern workplaces use intelligent systems to eliminate the mechanical aspects of coordination, allowing teams to focus on creative problem-solving and meaningful collaboration. A workplace with AI at its core removes the traditional tension between flexibility and productivity, between remote efficiency and in-person connection.A future in which intelligent agents empower individuals to shape their workday is close. Our collective evolution towards agentic AI means work becomes less about rigid mandates and more about personal agency. By removing friction and enhancing individual experience, AI can foster the next era of work, where even the decision to go to the office is less about obligation and more about genuine choice.As we embrace this shift, the workplace of tomorrow will be defined not by where we work, but by how effectively we can work together, augmented by the intelligent systems that empower us.We've featured the best productivity tool.This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro