news,technology

A German logistics management firm has experienced a data breachRoyal Mail may files may have been exposed as a resultGHNA hacking group previously targeted Samsung Electronics

A hacking group going by the name GHNA has put information for sale on the notorious BreachForums site, claiming belongs to the Royal Mail Group.The British postal firm was reportedly breached through a German logistics management supplier - if the information for sale is legitimate.This data includes 293 folders and 16,549 files, and is said to include personally identifiable information (PII) like names, physical addresses, phone numbers, and package details, leaving anyone affected at risk of identity theft and fraud.

Familiar exploits

“We are aware of an incident which is alleged to have affected Spectos, a supplier of Royal Mail," a Royal Mail spokesperson told us."We are working with the company to investigate the issue and establish what impact there may be regarding their data. We can confirm there has been no impact on Royal Mail operations and services continue to function as normal.”GHNA previously leaked over 270,000 customer service tickets tied to Samsung Electronics Germany, in a breach that exposed transactional and sensitive personal data.A spokesperson for Spectos GmbH confirmed to TechRadar Pro it has been the target of an ongoing cyberattack since March 29, 2025, when “unauthorized access to systems and personal customer data has occurred”, and that the attack is ongoing, but systems are being continuously monitored and secured.“The origin of the attack is currently being analyzed together with external cyber security experts.Contrary to media reports to the contrary, there are no indications of an internal attack or the use of leaked access data.”Analysis from HudsonRock suggests that AI is playing an increasingly important role in breaches such as this one, with tools like ChatGPT able to “rapidly parse through” files and extract valuable data such as PII.Via The Register

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TechRadar Gaming asked Nintendo if the Joy-Con 2 controllers have seen any improvement to avoid stick driftGeneral manager Tetsuya Sasaki says the Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers have been "designed from the ground up"The new Joy-Con's will offer "smoother movement"

Nintendo has confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con 2 controllers have been redesigned, hopefully, to avoid potential stick drift.During an exclusive hands-on preview of the Nintendo Switch 2, TechRadar Gaming asked Technology Development Division general manager Tetsuya Sasaki if any improvements have been made to prevent Joy-Con stick drift.Sasaki responded, confirming that the new magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers have been completely redesigned for smoother gameplay."The new Joy-Con 2 controllers have been designed from the ground up. They’ve been designed to have bigger and smoother movement," Sasaki said.The Nintendo team didn't offer any specifics, but according to our Hardware Editor Rhys Wood, there is a noticeable improvement in the Joy-Con 2 thumbsticks, and they "feel much smoother and less grainy than the previous model".If you own a Nintendo Switch, you may be familiar with the dreaded stick drift that can occur after using the console for a long time. Hearing that the Joy-Con 2 controllers have been improved gives me hope that I won't have to invest in another pair after only a couple of years of use.The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct aired yesterday, confirming that the console will launch on June 5, 2025, cost $449.99 / £395.99, with preorders scheduled to open on April 8.The showcase also offered a deep dive into the Switch 2's specs, revealing that the console will offer Joy-Con 2 mouse functionality, 4K resolution while docked, a bigger screen at 7.9 inches, 256GB of internal storage, and more.We're keeping the party going right now with live coverage of the upcoming Nintendo Treehouse: Live event, and you can read our full Mario Kart World hands-on preview here too.

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Mario Kart 8 and its Deluxe update have been around so long it's easy to forget that the game actually predates the Switch and can trace its origins way back to the Wii U. But every good run must come to an end, and with the forthcoming arrival of the Switch 2 on June 5, Mario Kart World is looking like the ideal launch partner.

Now there hasn't really ever been a bad Mario Kart game, but World feels like Nintendo has jammed nitrous into every corner and crevice. Even during my demo session where not all the characters were unlocked, I got the sense that its roster is massive. All the big names are there like Peach and Yoshi, but you also have baby versions of many of them alongside Toadette, Pauline, Nabbit and so much more. This feeling extends to a range of vehicles too, which includes standard karts in addition to stuff like jet skis and scooters.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

But more importantly, the world feels huge. Not only can you freely roam around tracks as they seamlessly connect from one to another, there are also little details like weather effects and day/night shifts that make things feel more alive. And there's also a seemingly huge range of tracks to choose from, organized into several Grand Prix circuits.

The most fun I had, though, was when I got a chance to play the Knockout Tour mode, which is like Mario Kart meets F-Zero 99. In this setting, you have 24 people in a single race that progresses across multiple tracks. Every few laps, the last four places get eliminated, so it's your job to dodge shells and use every last mushroom boost, shortcut and power slide to stay at the front of the pack. It's a non-stop frenzy that just keeps going and, though I don't have the same reaction speed I did when I was younger, this old-head still got first place. And even after a win, I just wanted more. (For the record, Nintendo's photography policy required me to have a person in the frame, so a friendly staff member stood in my place, but here's my receipt.)

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

I also need to call out that Mario Kart World has a 120 fps mode and it's damn good. Racing has never looked this smooth on any Nintendo console and this game might be the best first-party showcase of the Switch 2's upgraded display and performance.

That said, the best part is that I'm sure I missed some features because I didn't even have a chance to try out the outfit customization Nintendo teased in World's trailer. And I was so focused on winning that I didn't fully explore the expanded list of tricks like grinding on rails and hopping off vertical walls.

Granted, it's a bummer that Nintendo has raised the price of many Switch 2 games, particularly with Mario Kart World coming in at $80 for a digital copy or $90 for a physical cart. But that can be largely avoided by purchasing the Switch 2 bundle that comes with the game, which effectively brings its price back down to $50. So if you are planning on getting a Switch 2 at launch, opting for this combo feels like a no-brainer.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/mario-kart-world-hands-on-the-perfect-launch-game-for-the-switch-2-130003924.html?src=rss

The original Switch started a revolution when it combined the portability of handhelds with the ability to play games on your TV at home like a traditional console. But with the Switch 2, even though it's physically bigger, it feels like a sleeker, faster and more refined take on its predecessor — to the point that Nintendo should have called it the Super Switch (which apparently almost happened). And after getting a chance to try it out, I'm sold on its abilities, even with its significantly higher starting price of $450.

Design and display: No OLED, no problem

The Switch 2 has the same basic shape and layout as the original, including its signature detachable Joy-Con. But it looks more polished all around, thanks to tapered edges and slimmer bezels. Nintendo also increased the size of its joystick caps and the face buttons on the left controller, though the latter still doesn't feel quite like a traditional D-pad.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

That said, the biggest upgrade is its larger 7.9-inch 1080p LCD display, which now supports a 120Hz refresh rate with VRR and high dynamic range. Frankly, it's super bright and very colorful to the point where I don't really miss having an OLED screen. Now there's a fair bit of grumbling that Nintendo, despite the existence of the OLED Switch, didn't opt for a similar panel type on the Switch 2. But if you remember, that model didn't support HDR, so it's not like we're looking at a downgrade in display quality, though the super deep blacks you get from OLED screens would have been nice.

Also, the Switch 2 feels like it defies its dimensions because even though its display is larger than the 6.2-inch version on the base Switch, it doesn't feel that much bigger. It's only half an inch taller (4.5 inches) and a little over an inch wider (9.4 vs 10.7 inches). And while its weight has also increased to 1.18 pounds with its Joy-Con attached (up from 0.88 pounds), it never felt too heavy.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Elsewhere, there are a ton of quality-of-life upgrades, including a second USB-C port (though the one on the bottom is the only one that can do video out), a built-in mic and support for microSD Express cards. That last one is a big deal, because even though the cards are more expensive, they're also significantly faster than your standard fare and they should be a major boon to download speeds and load times. I admit the lack of analog shoulder buttons is a small downer, though Nintendo says it made that choice because analog buttons would introduce a tiny bit of input lag and it wanted to go with the more responsive solution.

Joy-Con features: Expanded detachables

During its livestream, Nintendo spent a lot of time talking about the C button on the right Joy-Con, which feels like a first-party solution that looks to recreate everything people like about Discord. But at Nintendo's hands-on experience, there weren't any chances to test out the console's new social features, so I wasn't able to dive deeper into that.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

That's ok, though, because I think the Joy-Con's new magnetic mounting system is the hidden star. Not only is there a larger button around back for popping them off, they now detach simply when you pull them left or right. There's no need to slide anything up or down first. Granted, this sounds like a small change, but it makes the whole process so much simpler and the Joy-con seem to be more securely attached as well.

Then there's the Joy-Con's ability to function as a mouse (for both the left and right controllers). I thought it was pretty gimmicky, until I played Metroid Prime 4: Beyond where I suddenly found myself favoring the mouse mode over standard gamepad controls. Everything feels a bit more precise and if you're a fan of shooters on PC, it's definitely worth trying out. The obvious limitation is that while you can use the Joy-Con on your leg, you really ought to have some sort of flat surface like a table, which may not be an option if your favorite place to game is on the couch.

Performance: Nintendo's move to next-gen tech

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Nintendo has kept relatively quiet regarding the Switch 2's processor and memory. But the company has said the system does support DLSS and hardware-based ray tracing. Now those features might not get used in every game, but it does seem to make it way easier for third-party developers to port their titles over to the company's upcoming console. When I played the new Switch 2 versions of Street Fighter 6, Cyberpunk 2077 and Civilization 7, they all ran really smooth. And without doing a straight-up side-by-side comparison next to a proper gaming PC, it was really hard to tell if the Switch 2 was cutting corners graphically, if it was even doing it at all. The only hiccup I noticed was rather long loading times in Civ, which isn't exactly uncommon for a Sid Meier game.

The flipside to this is if you told me that some of Nintendo's new first-party games like Donkey Kong Bananza and Mario Kart World were actually being run on an original Switch, I wouldn't have blinked. In some ways, Nintendo's ability to wring every last bit of performance out of its hardware and its habit of eschewing hyperrealism in favor of more stylized graphics has almost put a ceiling on the company's ability to really show off its chops. But when you pay attention, you'll really appreciate how delightfully satiny Mario Kart looks when it's running at 120 fps.

I still have questions about what's going on inside the Switch 2's new dock and how it's leveraging its increased performance to deliver 4K resolutions when connected to a TV. I also think it's a travesty that Nintendo is charging money for the Switch 2 Welcome Tour. It's barely a game, but it is a genuinely useful way to introduce the console's features to new owners and it really should be pre-installed on every system for free. It also remains to be seen how the Switch 2's battery life holds up. Nintendo says it has a larger power pack than the original Switch, but it also has increased performance and a larger screen, while the company claims runtimes may vary between two and six and half hours depending on the title.

But all told, the Switch 2 is exactly what you want from a successor to Nintendo's legendary hybrid console. Aside from the price, that is, because in addition to the console starting at $450, almost all of its standard accessories cost more than before, too. From the Pro Controller, which now goes for $80 ($10 more than for the original Switch) or additional pairs of Joy-Con that cost $90 (another $10 hike). And that's before you factor in the cost of games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza that start at $80 and $70 as digital downloads (or $90 and $80 if you want physical carts).

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-switch-2-hands-on-no-oled-no-problem-130002712.html?src=rss

Security researcher finds bug in an API used in a Verizon mobile appThe bug allowed threat actors to view other people's call logsIt was found in February 2025 and fixed in March, but users should still take care

A bug in a Verizon API allowed malicious actors to view other people’s incoming call logs until it was fixed.Cybersecurity researcher Evan Connelly found the bug in Call Filter, a free app Verizon ships with all iOS and Android devices sold directly through the telco to help users block spam calls, identify unknown numbers, and avoid robocalls.Given Verizon’s large subscriber base, the app likely has millions of users, as it offers features like spam detection, caller ID, personal block lists, and automatic blocking of high-risk calls. Call Filter also has a premium version which adds spam lookup, custom controls, and caller ID for unknown numbers.

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Targeting journalists

As Connelly explained, the app connects to an API endpoint where it retrieves the logged-in user’s incoming call history, and then displays it in the app. However, due to a misconfiguration in the API, the user’s phone number is not verified, meaning that any user could request the data for anyone else.Connelly tested the iOS version, but claims the problem is platform-agnostic, since the bug resides in the API, instead of the app itself.Seeing someone’s call log might not seem like much at first, but Connelly warns that it could be a “powerful surveillance tool”, especially against high-profile targets such as journalists, government opponents, dissidents, and similar."Call metadata might seem harmless, but in the wrong hands, it becomes a powerful surveillance tool. With unrestricted access to another user's call history, an attacker could reconstruct daily routines, identify frequent contacts, and infer personal relationships," Connelly said.Verizon addressed the flaw sometime in March 2025, but we don’t know for how long this information was exposed, so users should still take extra care.Via BleepingComputer

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What do modern speakers need? Good sound quality? As little distortion as possible? Longevity? Well, yes. Plus, according to Bang & Olufsen, marble plinths. Bang & Olufsen is debuting a partnership with Italian marble and granite company Antolini at Milan Design Week. The Beosound Balance Natura speaker features a sculptural base from Antolini that the audio company says elevates the device to its optimal height. Apparently, the plinth isn't just there for aesthetic — it's a functional audio element.

Let's face it, though: You wouldn't buy a speaker with a marble stand unless you wanted that marble pedestal. And that is why they're making the model available with various Antolini stones. You can get it with natural quartz, as well as with petrified wood and fossilized wood, if you're looking for something with earthy colors. The options have different translucency and color depth, but one common feature is the anodized aluminum ring that serves as the transition between the plinth and the bottom of the speaker.

In addition to the Natura version of the Beosound Balance speaker, Bang & Olufsen is also presenting a Beovision Theatre 55-inch TV and a pair of Beolab 28 speakers customized with Antolini's Amazon quartite at Milan Design Week. All the products it's showcasing during the event are made to order with prices available upon request, which says all you need to know about its price range, especially since the basic Beosound Balance isn't cheap to begin with and will set you back $3,300.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/bang--olufsens-new-beosound-balance-speaker-model-comes-with-a-marble-plinth-131555070.html?src=rss

The second Five Nights at Freddy's movie has a release date – but it won't be coming to streaming straightaway.The movie will open in theaters on December 5, 2025. But unlike the first Five Nights at Freddy's film it won't also be available on Peacock to stream on the same date.Five Nights at Freddy's 2 will be coming to streaming, but not immediately.

That's according to studio boss Jason Blum, whose Blumhouse is once again bringing the video game hit to the big screen.Speaking at CinemaCon 2025 on 2 April while dressed up as an animatronic monster, as reported by Variety, he "acknowledged that exhibitors [theater owners] weren't thrilled that the movie was released day-and-date on Peacock, but assured the crowd that the new film would launch exclusively in theaters".

What do we know about Five Nights at Freddy's 2?

Guess who's back / back again / Freddy's back / but not on streaming (Image credit: Universal Pictures / YouTube)

The official teaser doesn't give us much to go on, but it looks like the scary stakes have been raised for the second FNAF movie: the animatronics aren't limited to Freddy Fazbear's Pizza any more. One of the locations appears to be a school, and we also see Vanessa telling Mike that "they're out there". When he asks where, she says "everywhere".The film is directed by Emma Tammi and stars Piper Rubio, Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail and Matthew Lillard. Tammi wrote the script with Scott Cawthon and Seth Cuddeback, who also co-wrote the first movie with her, and Tammi has previously said that the first movie left "some loose ends that I think are going to have to come back in a sequel to be tied up."Expectations will be high for this one: the first Five Nights movie was Blumhouse's biggest ever hit, with an opening weekend of $80 million.

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iOS 18.5 makes it easier to simplify your Apple Mail experience on iPhone The default Mail app got new categorization features in iOS 18.2The latest beta repositions options to disable some of these features to more accessible locations

Apple has released the first beta of iOS 18.5 for developers, just days after issuing iOS 18.4 for public release, and it features a neat way to reverse a controversial change.Though iOS 18.4 brought several new features to iPhone, like Priority Notifications and the charming Ambient Music feature, iOS 18.5 is thus far lighter on significant additions to the iPhone experience.With that said, as 9to5Mac notes, the beta does seemingly make it easier to reverse a controversial change to the iPhone’s default Mail app.The Mail app got a redesign in iOS 18.2, adding categories and Apple Intelligence features to what was previously one of Apple’s simplest mobile apps.With email being one of the core functions of a modern smartphone, some users weren’t pleased with such a major shakeup – one Reddit thread on the r/iPhone subreddit, for instance, contains plenty of annoyed commenters bemoaning the new categorization features.iOS 18.5 moves some options around, making it easier to switch back. Previously, a menu accessible at the top-right corner of the app’s homepage allowed users to switch between category view and list view, but now, options to disable Group by Sender and Contact Photos have been added.This should make it quicker and easier for users to revert back to a simpler Mail app experience, while simultaneously making new features more accessible as and when they’re required.It’s worth noting that Apple never made it impossible to disable the Mail features added in iOS 18.2 – these were always optional additions. Indeed, we've got a dedicated piece on how to turn off Mail categories on iPhone, or customize them to your needs, if you're not a fan of Apple's new default setup.As for other aspects of the iOS 18.5 beta 1, the official release notes are pretty light on information. There are a few bug fixes for the Vision Pro app and Writing Tools Apple Intelligence feature, as well as the StoreKit developer framework.Let us know how you feel about these changes to the Mail app, as well as anything else you’d like to see changed with iOS 18.5, in the comments below. We’ll have the latest updates as we hear them through our dedicated iOS coverage.

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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 Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Thursday, April 3 (game #396).

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 #397) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Step on it!

NYT Strands today (game #397) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

MEATWOODTIREREALWHALEMATE

NYT Strands today (game #397) - hint #3 - spangram letters

How many letters are in today's spangram?• Spangram has 8 letters

NYT Strands today (game #396) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?First side: right, 7th rowLast side: left, 7th row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #397) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #397, are…

CONCRETEHARDWOODLINOLEUMLAMINATETERRAZZOSPANGRAM: FLOORING

My rating: ModerateMy score: 2 hints

The beauty of Strands is that it gets you thinking about things you wouldn’t normally think about, like today’s search for FLOORING.There’s a town not far from where I live in London called Staines – they’ve rebranded as Staines-on-Thames because a) they think it sounds more classy than Staines and b) Sacha Baron Cohen based his character Ali G in the town and it’s not something they’re proud of.What they are proud of, though, is that LINOLEUM made in Staines was once world-famous and was exported around the globe. What Carrara in southern Tuscanny is to marble, Staines in northwest Surrey is to solidified linseed oil. There is a beautiful statue in the city center of two men carrying a roll. A very rare example, in the UK at least, of a statue that honors working people instead of some major on a horse.Despite my deep love for lino – and indeed CONCRETE (something my father used to tell me my head was made from) – I struggled with today’s search and needed a couple of hints to get me going. You could say I was floored.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Thursday, 3 April, game #396)

LADYSTINKDOODLELIGHTNINGPOTATOASSASSINSPANGRAM: ENTOMOLOGY

What 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 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 Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Thursday, April 3 (game #1165).

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 #1166) - hint #1 - Vowels

How 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 #1166) - hint #2 - repeated letters

Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.

Quordle today (game #1166) - hint #3 - uncommon letters

Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1166) - 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 0.

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 #1166) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?• O• L• C• B

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1166) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1166, are…

OAKENLOOPYCURIOBUTTE

A day where I was very uncertain about several words — BUTTE, a landform I was unsure if I was spelling correctly, and OAKEN – a word I entered thinking “well, it sounds like it could be something made from oak”. With very few letters left I had no choice but to experiment.I was also very lucky with LOOPY, as I had typed out POLLY before noticing I had already tried the letter L in the same position.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1166) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1166, are…

DELTAUSHERBLOATSTANK

Quordle answers: The past 20

Quordle #1165, Thursday 3 April: ASCOT, JETTY, DRUNK, JOLLYQuordle #1164, Wednesday 2 April: INDEX, QUEEN, INCUR, STOLEQuordle #1163, Tuesday 1 April: HUMUS, BALMY, WORRY, ERECTQuordle #1162, Monday 31 March: RECUT, MOODY, WHERE, BRACEQuordle #1161, Sunday 30 March: CRIME, DRINK, CLOVE, TRUERQuordle #1160, Saturday 29 March: LATER, ODDLY, CUMIN, AGREEQuordle #1159, Friday 28 March: TERSE, MUSHY, PROVE, FRONDQuordle #1158, Thursday 27 March: CRONE, APNEA, LIGHT, AWOKEQuordle #1157, Wednesday 26 March: LEFTY, NOOSE, NOISE, TRIADQuordle #1156, Tuesday 25 March: SNEER, WATCH, FLORA, STAINQuordle #1155, Monday 24 March: FLOUT, SMASH, RAZOR, SMALLQuordle #1154, Sunday 23 March: ALLEY, GAMUT, GEESE, RADIIQuordle #1153, Saturday 22 March: PICKY, BRACE, BOOZE, SURLYQuordle #1152, Friday 21 March: DITTY, VALOR, TOWER, AMISSQuordle #1151, Thursday 20 March: RIPER, STILL, WAFER, NOTCHQuordle #1150, Wednesday 19 March: FLAME, CARAT, SPAWN, TUNICQuordle #1149, Tuesday 18 March: NAVEL, TREAT, COPSE, SLINKQuordle #1148, Monday 17 March: INFER, FLINT, CHUMP, SHEERQuordle #1147, Sunday 16 March: INPUT, RUMBA, ELUDE, BLANKQuordle #1146, Saturday 15 March: SPEED, CLASH, RISKY, GRATE

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 Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Thursday, April 3 (game #662).

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 #663) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

DRIVEPARKHARMONYBALANCEDIAMONDINKRESTSPINDIFFERENCEFIELDCRUISEBAYRIDETRADESTADIUMREMAINDER

NYT Connections today (game #663) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

YELLOW: The remainsGREEN: Journey by roadBLUE: Places for a home run PURPLE: Missing a letter

Need 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 #663) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

YELLOW: WHAT'S LEFTOVER GREEN: CAR TRIP BLUE: BASEBALL VENUES PURPLE: COMPANIES WITH "E" REMOVED

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #663) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #663, are…

YELLOW: WHAT'S LEFTOVER BALANCE, DIFFERENCE, REMAINDER, RESTGREEN: CAR TRIP CRUISE, DRIVE, RIDE, SPINBLUE: BASEBALL VENUES DIAMOND, FIELD, PARK, STADIUMPURPLE: COMPANIES WITH "E" REMOVED BAY, HARMONY, INK, TRADE

My rating: ModerateMy score: 2 mistakes

A muddle-through-somehow Connections today, with a great deal of shuffling.My first mistake came from thinking HARMONY and BALANCE belong together. They do, but not when you shoehorn them with CRUISE and REST. Not sure what I was thinking there.The first group I got was BASEBALL VENUES, but I didn’t get there before making another mistake by thinking that PARK and FIELD belonged with REST and BAY.It was remembering that DIAMOND was also a feature of baseball that finally cleared my mind.How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Thursday, 3 April, game #662)

YELLOW: PRINTED NOTIFICATION ANNOUNCEMENT, BULLETIN, NOTICE, POSTERGREEN: SEEN AT A GROCERY CHECKOUT COUNTER CONVEYOR BELT, REGISTER, SCALE, SCANNERBLUE: THINGS WITH TABS BROWSER, FOLDER, KEYBOARD, SODA CANPURPLE: PALM ___ BEACH, READER, SUNDAY, TREE

What 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.

The most recent Nintendo Direct went into great detail on the new Switch 2, including when fans will be able to get their hands on the console. According to Nintendo's press release, pre-orders for the Switch 2 open up on April 9 in North America, and the console will be widely available on June 5. The starting price is a whopping $450, and in addition to Nintendo’s online store, you’ll be able to get the Switch 2 at participating retailers. We expect those to include Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart and others.

The $450 price tag is for the Switch 2 console alone, but Nintendo said it will also offer a bundle with the Switch 2 and a copy of the new Mario Kart World game, a Switch 2 exclusive, for $500.

There's some fine-print attached to pre-ordering directly from Nintendo. According to the pre-order page on Nintendo's site, you must be 18 years or older, sign in with your Nintendo account and register your interest in pre-ordering. Then, you'll be sent an invitation email when it's time to play your pre-order, and the invitation will be valid for 72 hours. And then there's this bit of info: "Invitation emails will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis to registrants who have purchased a Nintendo Switch Online membership with a minimum of 12 months of paid membership and a minimum of 50 total gameplay hours, as of April 2, 2025."

That seems to mean those who have paid for Switch Online in the recent past and those who have spent a good amount of time playing Switch games as of late will get first pick at buying a Switch 2. There's no telling if these same restrictions will apply if you want to pre-order from third-party retailers.

We knew from the teaser trailer for the Switch 2 that Nintendo's new hardware would be bigger and would have a new approach to the detachable Joy-Cons. The new Joy-Con 2 have a new C button, mouse controls and a built in gyroscope for tilt control. The console has a built-in mic to support a new feature called Game Chat that will let you communicate with friends in-game. The device is indeed a bit larger, with a 7.9-inch LCD screen that supports a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR and a 1080p resolution.

When docked, you'll be able to play at up to 4K on your TV, and Nintendo says it improved the consoles internal speakers as well. The new dock also has a built-in fan to keep the console cool and help maintain performance during long play sessions. The Switch 2 has dual USB-C ports for charging, and the base storage amount has increased to 256GB. The Switch 2's storage can be expanded like the previous model, but it will only work with newer microSD Express cards.

The Switch 2 has a number of accessories that you'll be able to purchase separately as well, including the new Switch 2 camera for $50, a new Switch 2 Pro controller for $80, an extra pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers for $90, a Joy-Con 2 charging grip for $35 and more.

Pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 starting April 9 from:

Nintendo

Amazon

Walmart

GameStop

Best Buy

Target

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/pre-order-the-nintendo-switch-2-for-450-starting-april-9-140931997.html?src=rss

Researchers found more than four dozen ecommerce sites infected with a credit card skimmerThe skimmer abused a deprecated Stripe API to validate the informationUsers are advised to migrate to the new API

Legacy Stripe APIs are being hijacked to process fraudulent payments done on compromised ecommerce websites, experts have warned.Cybersecurity researchers Jscrambler have outlined a campaign which has been ongoing since at least late August 2024, with at least 49 ecommerce sites compromised with a credit card skimmer.The final number of victims is probably a lot bigger, though, since the investigation is still ongoing.

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"Sophisticated campaign"

On these 49 websites, however, the attackers injected a malicious JavaScript code that overlaid the legitimate checkout page with a fake one. The overlaid landing page then harvested people’s payment information and, upon completion, served them a fake error asking them to reload the page.The attackers would then use an old Stripe API, called “api.stripe[.]com/v1/sources”, to process the payments.Jscrambler says that the attackers could “easily do that later” as well, using carding bots or dark web services.However, there are benefits to doing it client-side, mostly since all websites were already using the API as part of their normal payment flow.Furthermore, many security tools and researchers often use invalid credit card details as part of their work, so not skimming in these cases means being less likely to be detected.How these websites got compromised is anyone’s guess, but Jscrambler speculates that the attackers were most likely abusing different vulnerabilities and misconfigurations. WooCommerce, WordPress, and PrestaShop sites were all targeted."This sophisticated web skimming campaign highlights the evolving tactics attackers use to remain undetected," the researchers said. "And as a bonus, they effectively filter out invalid credit card data, ensuring that only valid credentials are stolen."The best way to mitigate this risk is to use the newest Stripe API to process the information. The one abused in these attacks has been deprecated in favor of the PaymentMethods API in May 2024.Via The Hacker News

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Amazon is making some models of Nvidia or AMD GPUs exclusive to Prime membersA handful of RTX 5000 and RX 9070 models fall into this categoryThe idea is to stop scalpers, or at least throw another hurdle in their way

Amazon appears to have made some changes that mean those who are Prime members stand a better chance of buying one of AMD or Nvidia’s new GPUs.As you can’t have failed to notice, since they launched, it’s been a painful scramble for stock when it comes to Nvidia Blackwell and AMD RDNA 4 graphics cards, with would-be buyers finding it very difficult to secure a GPU.Club386 was keen-eyed enough to catch (via Tom’s Hardware) that Amazon in the US now has some RTX 5000 or RX 9070 models marked as ‘reserved’ for Prime members. If you’re logged into your Amazon account and are a Prime subscriber, you’ll see these GPUs available to buy. But if you aren’t a Prime member, you won’t see them.It’s also worth noting that you may not realize that these are Prime exclusives, as that isn’t flagged for those who are logged in – they just see that the GPU is on sale.To give you a quick example, if you search for RTX 5080 models on Amazon (US), you’ll see that the Asus ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5080 OC Edition is an exclusive for Prime subscribers, as is the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5080 Gaming OC.On those pages, those who aren’t Prime members will see a box to ‘Join Prime’ instead of the usual ‘Add to cart’ or ‘Buy now’ options (for those GPUs which are in stock, of course).There are still more of these (relatively) new Nvidia or AMD GPUs available to everyone than reserved models for Prime members, granted – but there’s more than a handful of the latter.

(Image credit: Future / Asus / AMD)

Analysis: Prime movers

What’s the reasoning behind this? Well, it’s another way of tempting folks to sign up for a Prime membership, of course, but it’s also a defensive measure against scalpers.Price scalping types looking to buy MSRP level graphics cards – or more affordably priced models – as soon as they come in stock, to resell in order to make a profit are a scourge on the GPU world. They’ve made it particularly hard to get hold of more expensive GPUs (Nvidia models in the main), as they can be jacked up to even more ridiculous prices, and we’ve seen exactly this happening on auction sites this year.Requiring a Prime membership for certain graphics cards at least shields them from some scalpers who, in the main, probably haven’t bothered subscribing to Prime. (Although that’s not to say some price gougers won’t, of course – or that they can’t sign up there and then).Still, this should make it a little bit easier for Prime members to grab a GPU. Right now, for example, there’s an RTX 5070 overclocked edition from Asus available for Prime members at $700. That’s still a quarter over the MSRP, but there’s always going to be a premium for overclocked models, and in that light, it doesn’t look like a terrible buy. (Or it wouldn’t if the RTX 5070 was a better GPU in general, but sadly, it falls well short of what Nvidia has managed with other Blackwell GPUs).On the AMD side, equally sadly, more affordable RX 9070 GPUs just aren’t available at Amazon currently, although they have been very recently, as Club386 highlighted. They may turn up once again before long, with any luck, and the situation with Nvidia’s Blackwell graphics cards certainly seems to be improving (dare I say it) on Amazon.As far as I can tell, this is a US-only scheme for now, and certainly Amazon in the UK isn’t running it (at least not yet, at the time of writing).

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Verdansk will return to Call of Duty Warzone later today (April 3), allowing players to relive the glory days of the ongoing battle royale shooter. Activision has now fully lifted the lid, meaning we know what to expect during our first time back in a long old while.It's now been five years since Verdansk first dropped, having arrived alongside the first iteration of Call of Duty Warzone. Since then, it's been removed, with new maps and modes taking its place. Regardless, "Warzone Verdansk" is still considered by many to have been one of the best FPS experiences of all time, so it's no wonder why many fans have been crying out for its return ever since it was taken away.Update (April 3): Now that we're just hours away, and now that Warzone is down for maintenance, we're making use of the Black Ops 6 free trial. Make sure to have everything pre-loaded, so that you can get into Verdansk as quickly as possible. For now, here's what to expect from today's update.

Warzone Verdansk return release date and time for your timezone

(Image credit: Activision)

Verdansk will return to Call of Duty Warzone on April 3 at 9 AM PT. For the Verdansk release time for your specific timezone, see below:

9AM PST: West Coast (US)12PM EST: East Coast (US)5PM GMT: United Kingdom (UK)6PM CET: Europe2AM JST (Friday, February 21): Japan4AM AEDT: (Friday, February 21): Australia

Note that Call of Duty: Warzone will be going dark for 24 hours before Verdansk comes online April 3 at 9AM PT.

Everything we know about Verdansk 2025

(Image credit: Activision)

Activision has now lifted the lid on Verdansk 2025, with an extensive and throughly detailed blog post. There's a heck of a lot to get through, so I've condensed the key points below. You'll also see that the image above features a condensed look at what's being added at launch, and beyond.

Back-to-basics gameplay with the latest in fan-favorite mechanics, there’s a wide variety of features returning or incoming to the game.Fine-tuning has been made to bring movement more in line with what players experienced in the early days of Call of Duty: Warzone.150 player lobbiesOriginal Supply Boxes, Floating Loot, Armor Satchels and Buy Station menus, coupled with current Loadouts and Perks, with High Value Loot Zones across the map where some premium loot resides.In-game loot gets a retro refresh, Thermite is back, while Contracts, In-Match Public Events, Field Upgrades and Killstreaks are back to basicsThe return of the helicopter, and four ground vehicles all rebalanced to ensure steering and handling keeps to the spirit of the original iteration of the game.Circle Collapse mechanics are just how you remember them from five years ago with Loadout Drops at the second and fifth circles. So-called endgame “dead zones” have been minimized.A variety of quality-of-life updates also hits Call of Duty: Warzone, including Squad Redeploys at Buy Stations, Attachment description at Weapon Inspects, detailed Death recaps in game, and, coming later in the season, a HUD flag so you know exactly when your Loadout is available to buy.POIs will be added over time, like the Train Station metro line

In the Verdansk 2025 reveal trailer, we see various Operators fighting their way across the map. We see a wide shot of the overall map, with iconic POIs (points of interest) like Downtown, Stadium, and Storage Town all in view.We now know what it'll look like, and it's looking very pretty indeed. In the video below, you'll find a breakdown by Beenox Studios, showcasing the new lighting systems and tech that's gone into recreating Verdansk. There's new lighting, making dark areas easier to move through. Hopefully this'll make Roze players easier to spot (sigh).There's small tweaks to the landscape as well, including more long grass, low mud and puddles, that'll all react to light in dynamic ways. Perhaps the ghillie suit skins are the way to go at launch?

The map that started it all, rebuilt from the ground up 💥

Take a deep dive with @BeenoxTeam at this first look at Verdansk - returning April 3 🪂 pic.twitter.com/ckYA5PEEJyMarch 24, 2025

Warzone Verdansk 2025 hopes

(Image credit: Activision)

Let's start off with my predictions for Verdansk 2025. I expect Verdansk to be a big deal for Activision moving forward, given that it's a huge opportunity to recapture players that have since left Warzone for other games like Fortnite, and more recently, Marvel Rivals.If Activision wants to capitalize on the massive amounts of nostalgia associated with Verdansk, it needs to offer up a classic experience that's as close as possible to what players remember. This could mean adding in old meta weapons like the Grau 5.56, and the OG Bruen. We can see that Activision is considering this, with weapons like the HDR planned for the first season.Hopefully, Verdansk 2025 will be kept as simple as possible, as I think that adding in too many new POIs and mechanics will quickly sour community opinion. We'll have to wait and see.

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Windows 11 Enterprise version 24H2 adds support for hotpatchingYou can install some security updates without rebootingAMD64 and Intel supported now, Arm64 later

Microsoft has confirmed hotpatch updates are now available for compatible business devices running Windows 11 Enterprise version 24H2, which is great news for organizations looking to reduce downtime.Hotpatch updates allow OS security updates to be installed in the background without needing to restart the device, reducing user disruption without sacrificing security.To be eligible for hotpatches, companies will need to be running a x64 (AMD64 or Intel) CPU and have an active Microsoft subscription (Enterprise E3/E5/F3, Education A3/A5 or Windows 365 Enterprise).

Windows 11 hotpatching comes to enterprise devices

In a blog post, Microsoft's David Callaghan explained hotpatch” updates take effect immediately upon installation, providing rapid protection against vulnerabilities.”Callaghan also noted hotpatched devices receive the same degree of protection as devices that updated more conventionally on the company's traditional Patch Tuesday releases, but because they don't require the PC to restart, workers will experience fewer interruptions.Companies will need to create a hotpatch-enabled quality update policy via Microsoft Intune, and keen-eyed IT admins will note different KB numbers and OS versions for devices enrolled in hotpatched updates.Four times a year in January, April, July and October, devices will still need to restart upon installation of security updates, but the subsequent two months of each quarter will not require a device reboot.In terms of eligibility, Callaghan also noted Arm64 devices are in public preview, indicating further support eventually.“From the Microsoft Intune admin center, navigate to Devices > Windows updates > Create Windows quality update policy and toggle it to Allow,” the article details.Generally available as of April 2, 2025, Microsoft only confirmed that Arm64 devices would gain support “at a later date.”

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What's the next Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive planned for 2025?(Image credit: Nintendo)The next Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive planned for a 2025 release is Mario Kart World, which launches alongside the console on June 5. In addition, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour and Survival Kids will also be available on launch day as well. To make sure you're set up and ready for the new Mario Kart, be sure to check out our Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order page.

Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives include a brand new Mario Kart game, as well as a very Bloodborne-esque multiplayer game called The Duskbloods developed by FromSoftware. There are new versions of older Switch games too, that make use of the Switch 2's new chat and camera features.In terms of upcoming games and Switch 2 launch games the next couple of months are absolutely stacked with Nintendo Switch 2 games. Some are exclusives like Kirby Air Riders, while others are new versions of old games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. One thing's for sure, there will likely be some new contenders for our best Nintendo Switch games list by the end of the year.Here are the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives to look forward to in 2025 and beyond. We'll only be covering games that have been officially confirmed for release, many of which already have solid release dates locked in. In terms of what games we've chosen to include here, these are either only coming to Nintendo Switch 2, new versions of Nintendo Switch games, or Nintendo Switch 2 versions of upcoming games. We'll indicate where each game sits with regard to these release platforms as we go.

Upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives

(Image credit: Future)

There are currently quite a few Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives planned and confirmed for future release on the upcoming console. We've listed them below, alongside their release dates where available.The games below include those only coming to Nintendo Switch 2, new versions of Nintendo Switch games, or Nintendo Switch 2 versions of upcoming games. We'll indicate where each game sits with regard to these release platforms as we go.

Mario Kart World - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)Survival Kids - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)Donkey Kong Bananza - July 17, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)Drag x Drive - Summer 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)Kirby Air Riders - TBC 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment - TBC 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)The Duskbloods - TBC 2026 (Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive)Civilization 7 - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)Breath of the Wild - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)Tears of the Kingdom - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)Tamagotchi Plaza - June 27, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)Shadow Labyrinth - July 18, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)Super Mario Party Jamboree - July 24, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)Kirby and the Forgotten Land - August 28, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar - August 28, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)

(Image credit: FromSoftware)

The Duskbloods - TBC 2026New blood

Let's kick off this list of Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives with perhaps the most surprising reveal of the latest Nintendo Direct. The Duskbloods is a brand new game from Bloodborne and Dark Souls developer FromSoftware. It's a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, and it'll launch sometime in 2026. Beyond that, we don't know too much about it, other than it. being described as a PvPvE multiplayer game. Whether this will be similar to how things work in Elden Ring, with players invading your game, or more akin to what Elden Ring: Nightreign is going for remains to be seen.

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Mario Kart World - June 5, 2025Off the beaten track

Next up is Mario Kart World, which looks set to evolve the tried and tested formula that we all love. This arrives June 5, 2025, alongside the Nintendo Switch console. The big change here is that you'll be able to explore a huge interconnected map, as you race between courses, and explore off the beaten track. Up to 24 players can battle it out in each race, and there looks to be a lot more characters to choose from this time around. Mario Kart World will only be available for Nintendo Switch 2.

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour - June 5, 2025Let's show you the ropes

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is another launch game, and one that'll help players get to know the new hardware. Part game, part tutorial, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour will guide you through the console's new features, highlighting the mouse function, the magnetic Joy-Con attachments and more. Interestingly, this isn't free with the console, but it will be Nintendo Switch 2-only when it launches.

Survival Kids - June 5, 2025Don't go it alone

Survival Kids is the third Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive that'll launch alongside the new console on June 5, 2025. This one is a revival of a 26 year old GameBoy title, adding in seamless co-op play across a series of desert islands. Alongside three others, you'll fish, gather materials, and cook as you explore and solve puzzles. Definitely a game that'll be fun to play with friends, using the new Chat button on Nintendo Switch 2.

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Donkey Kong Banaza - July 17, 2025Go bananas!

DK fans rejoice, there's finally a new Donkey Kong 3D platformer, and it looks absolutely beautiful. As Donkey Kong, you'll explore an underground world teeming with enemies to smash and secrets to unveil. Alongside new allies, Donkey Kong works to foil the plans of VoidCo, a mysterious new group that's got its eyes on the Golden Bananas that are buried in the ground. So far, it's looking like a great mix of Super Mario Odyssey, and the mine-cart mayhem of the best Donkey Kong games. We don't have long to wait either, as Donkey Kong: Bananza launches July 17, 2025 exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Drag x Drive - Summer 2025A whole new ballgame

Drag x Drive is a 3v3 sports game that makes use of the new Joy-Con mouse function. By dragging Joy-Cons up and down a surface, you'll control the character's wheelchair. You can pull off tricks, throw the ball and score points, and even play against other players online. There's no solid release date for this one just yet, only a release window of Summer 2025. Drag x Drive will be exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 when it launches.

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment - TBC 2025Back to where it all began

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a third-person action game that serves as a prequel to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. It all plays out in that classic Dynasty Warriors style, with the story set around the Imprisoning War that kicks off Link's journey to save Hyrule with the help of the Zonai. From the looks of things, we'll be able to fight as Princess Zelda against large groups of Ganon's army. There's other playable characters too, like the masked champions from Tears of the Kingdom. This one doesn't have a release date yet, only that it'll launch sometime in 2025, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Kirby Air Riders - TBC 2025The sequel to a GameCube hidden gem

Kirby Air Riders, a brand new title originated from the Nintendo GameCube classic racing-action game Kirby Air Ride, is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 this year – directed by Masahiro Sakurai. We don't know much about it yet, though it'll be a flying racing game starring Kirby and his pals for sure. The original featured items that transformed Kirby, giving him abilities like Link's sword. Hopefully this mechanic returns when the game launches some time in 2025.

Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives - new versions of Switch games

(Image credit: Nintendo)

In addition to the Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives listed above, there's also Switch 2 versions of existing and upcoming Switch games to contend with. Here are the games being upgraded and receiving separate Switch 2 editions:

Civilization 7 - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)Breath of the Wild - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)Tears of the Kingdom - June 5, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)Tamagotchi Plaza - June 27, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)Shadow Labyrinth - July 18, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)Super Mario Party Jamboree - July 24, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)Kirby and the Forgotten Land - August 28, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar - August 28, 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - TBC 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)Pokémon Legends Z-A - TBC 2025 (Nintendo Switch 2 edition)

Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives FAQ

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Is The Duskbloods only on Nintendo Switch 2?The Duskbloods is only planned for Nintendo Switch 2 as things stand. This means that it's not likely to arrive on any other platforms, even Nintendo Switch. By the looks of things, this is a collaboration between FromSoftware and Nintendo, so you'll need to pick up the new console to play it in 2026.

Will all new Nintendo games be Switch 2 exclusive?While some new Nintendo games like Mario Kart World are indeed Nintendo Switch 2 only, there are still games coming to Nintendo Switch. Namely, Metroid Prime 4, and Pokémon Legends Z-A will release on both.This will likely continue for a while, until eventually, things will move to be Switch 2 only. Even with a new console launching soon, you'll likely be able to play new games on your old Switch for a while yet, though you will miss out on the bigger titles like Donkey Kong: Bananza, and The Duskbloods.

Will Pokemon Z-A be Switch 2 exclusive?Pokémon Legends Z-A is not a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. At launch, there will be separate versions for both Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. On the new console, it'll run at a better frame rate, and have improved visuals, but the game will be functionally the same on both devices.

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Fans are demanding that Nintendo "drop the price" of the Switch 2The Treehouse: Live chat gets hijacked as fans spam the same requestThe Nintendo Switch 2 is priced at $449.99, while Switch 2 games will cost upwards of $80

The Nintendo Switch 2's controversial price has fans divided, and they're now taking their frustrations directly to the source.Nintendo's first Treehouse: Live of the week is now live, showcasing some of the Switch 2's brand new games like Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Welcome Tour.However, instead of expressing excitement for the launch lineup, fans are practically begging Nintendo to "drop the price!" of its upcoming console, which is confirmed to cost $449.99 / £395.99.With over 120K viewers watching, as of writing, it's hard to find just one comment that isn't demanding a lower price tag, with some joking that they will be "spending their life savings" on the console.

Image 1 of 4Nintendo Treehouse: Live chat (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 4(Image credit: Nintendo)Image 3 of 4(Image credit: Nintendo)Image 4 of 4(Image credit: Future)

While others are blaming United States President Donald Trump for the recent increase in tariffs, there are also fans commenting on the high cost of Switch 2 games.They're currently retailing for upwards of $79.99 / £75.99 and $89.99 / £85.99, with some arguing that a console and one single game together is simply too expensive.Following the release of the Nintendo 3DS in 2011, Nintendo significantly reduced the price of the handheld from $249.99 to $169.99, following poor launch sales. Considering the contentious price of the Switch 2, it wouldn't be surprising for Nintendo to pull a similar move if it finds itself in the same situation.The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct aired yesterday, confirming that the console will launch on June 5, 2025, with Switch 2 preorders scheduled to open on April 8.TechRadar Gaming attended an exclusive hands-on preview and spent four hours with the Nintendo Switch 2

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Barracuda research reveals the extent of data scraping botsNot all bots are bad, but many extract huge amounts of data without permissionThese "gray bots" can be highly aggressive, report warns

New research from Barracuda has identified “gray bots”, alongside good and bad bots that crawl the web and extract data - and while the “good bots”, like SEO and customer service bots look for information, “bad bots” are designed for harmful activities like fraud, data stealing, and breaching accounts.In the space between, there are “gray bots”, which Baraccuda explains are GenAI scraper bots designed to extract serious amounts of data from websites, most likely in order to train AI models, or to collect web content like news, reviews, and travel offers.These bots are “blurring the boundaries of legitimate activity,” the report argues. Whilst they aren’t outright malicious, their approach can be “questionable” and some are even “highly aggressive”.

Heightened activity

Detection software from Baraccuda found millions of requests received by web applications from GenAI bots between December 2024 and February 2025, with one tracked web application receiving 9.7 million scraper bot requests in just 30 days.These bots collect data and can remove it without permission, and can also overwhelm web applications with traffic, disrupt operations, and take copyright-protected data to train AI models, which may be in violation of the owner’s rights.There has been lots of pushback against practices like these, with creative industries in the UK launching a ‘Make it Fair’ campaign to protest against their work being used by AI models to create photos, videos, stories, or other content without permission or credit.Data privacy risks also come with this level of scraping, as some sites carry sensitive customer data - for instance those in healthcare or financial services.The bots can also obscure website analytics, making it very difficult for organisations to assess and track genuine traffic or user behaviour, making business decisions more difficult.

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Engineers at Northwestern University have developed the world’s smallest pacemaker. It’s so small, as a matter of fact, that it fits inside the tip of a syringe. This means that it’s injectable, so patients could potentially avoid a painful surgery.

It safely dissolves into the bloodstream after a time, so it’s a temporary solution. It’s designed for folks who need heart help on a short-term basis, like newborn babies with congenital defects. However, it can work with hearts of all sizes.

It’s also powered by light, which is pretty darned cool. The pacemaker is paired with a wireless wearable device that mounts to a patient’s chest. When that small device detects an irregular heartbeat, it shines a light that activates the pacemaker. These light pulses can penetrate a patient’s skin, bones and muscles.

Even though the pacemaker is tiny, measuring one millimeter in thickness, it still delivers as much stimulation as a full-sized unit. The engineers published their findings in Nature and noted that the device works with both animal and human hearts. The team also reiterated that pediatric care is the primary use case here.

“About one percent of children are born with congenital heart defects,” said Northwestern experimental cardiologist Igor Efimov, who co-led the study. “The good news is that these children only need temporary pacing after a surgery. In about seven days or so, most patients’ hearts will self-repair. But those seven days are absolutely critical. Now, we can place this tiny pacemaker on a child’s heart and stimulate it with a soft, gentle, wearable device. And no additional surgery is necessary to remove it.”

The development of this medical device was co-led by John Rogers, which is a familiar name in biomedical circles. Rogers has been behind a number of astounding innovations throughout the years. He’s advanced technology that could eventually give us invisibility cloaks and health-tracking tattoos. He also built a thumbnail-sized UV sensor and a circuit that dissolves in the body. That last one eventually led to this innovative pacemaker.

Rogers imagines a world in which physicians inject a number of these pacemakers simultaneously, to enable sophisticated synchronization. This could help terminate arrhythmias, as different parts of the heart could be paced at unique rhythms.

“Because it’s so small, this pacemaker can be integrated with almost any kind of implantable device,” Rogers said. “Here, the tiny pacemakers can be activated as necessary to address complications that can occur during a patient’s recovery process.”

This versatility could eventually open up a diverse array of medical possibilities. The tech could be used to help nerves heal, treat wounds and block pain.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/the-worlds-smallest-pacemaker-is-injectable-and-powered-by-light-153302491.html?src=rss

With Nintendo's April 2 Direct showcase over and done, we now know more about the Switch 2 than ever before, including its release date (June 5), price ($450!) and how to pre-order.

Thanks to Nintendo's January 16 teaser trailer, we've long known what the Switch 2 will look like, and that it will arrive in 2025 — over eight years after its predecessor. The Nintendo Switch 2 looks very similar to the original system, albeit with a larger display, magnetic Joy-Cons and a sleeker design. The company also reaffirmed that the upcoming console will be backwards compatible with Switch games.

Looking to catch up on everything we know about the Switch 2? Read on.

What are the key new features of the Nintendo Switch 2?

Display and dock

The Nintendo Switch 2 has a 1080p 7.9-inch display with a 120Hz refresh and HDR compatibility. It also supports up to 4K output at 120Hz (with variable refresh rates) when docked.

Joy-Con and Pro Controller

The new Joy-Con for Nintendo Switch 2 attaches magnetically with a button to release them. They have larger SL and SR buttons (the ones hidden when the Joy-Con are attached) to make playing multiplayer games on one Joy-Con more feasible. The analog sticks are no longer tiny nubs, and are closer in size to the ones you might find on a PS5 or Xbox controller. They have what Nintendo is calling “HD Rumble 2” built in, which seems to be a refinement of the original (and still very good) vibration function. Finally, each Joy-Con has an optical sensor that allows you to use it as a mouse, and a C button, which we’ll get to in a minute.

Nintendo

The new Pro Controller for the Nintendo Switch 2 comes with everything you’d expect based on the refreshed Joy-Con: Namely HD Rumble 2 and the C button. There are also remappable GL/GR buttons around the back and a standard audio jack for connecting a headset.

Both options come with Amiibo support built in. The Switch 2 comes with two Joy-Con as you’d expect, and additional pairs are priced at $90. The Pro Controller will cost $80.

The C button stands for “chat”

The new C button is a dedicated way to enter a chat session with friends. As well as the standard features you’d expect from voice chat, Nintendo has built a Discord-like video-sharing feature, which lets you show your gameplay to others and see other people’s screens while you’re playing.

The chat function works with a mic built into the console, though headsets are also supported. Nintendo will also sell a $50 camera that plugs into the USB-C port on the top of the console, which will allow you to stream your face along with your game.

Nintendo

GameCube support

The Switch 2 will work with GameCube games via the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. The three titles available at launch will be F-Zero GX, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Soul Calibur II.

Improved specs

Perhaps the biggest feature, though, is one you can’t see: The Switch 2 has an all-new processor and GPU and significantly more storage (256GB vs 64GB in the Switch OLED), along with support for faster and more capacious microSD cards. This will obviously lead to better first-party games and upgraded Switch experiences, but more importantly it will mean multi-platform games that had to skip the original, underpowered Switch will be able to be ported over. With games like Cyberpunk 2077 coming to the Switch 2 at launch, it seems like far more ports will be feasible than on the original console.

Another major improvement comes in the form of networking — the Switch 2 supports WiFi 6, which will improve the original's often glacial download speeds. Similarly, the new dock sports an ethernet port for a rock-solid connection.

What's it like to play?

Nintendo gave the press a chance to check out the Switch 2 and a few of the games it highlighted. You can read our impressions of Mario Kart World as well as more general thoughts on how the Switch 2 feels in person. Right off the bat, Mario Kart World feels like an outstanding launch title, with more depth and better visuals than we've ever seen from a Mario Kart game. The core formula is intact, but there are a lot of new features and play styles to dig into.

As for the Switch 2 hardware, it feels like a major step forward from the original Switch — it has grown up a lot and feels far more polished and refined. And while it may not have an OLED screen, the 7.9-inch LED display Nintendo did use is outstanding.

How much will the Nintendo Switch 2 cost?

The Nintendo Switch 2 will be available for $450 standalone, or for $500 with a bundled digital copy of the new Mario Kart game, Mario Kart World. That’s significantly more expensive than the original Switch, which launched at $300, and has remained at that price ever since. It’s also more expensive than the entry-level current-gen consoles from Sony and Microsoft.

The comparison looks a little better up against Valve’s Steam Deck, which costs $400 for the LCD model or $550 for the basic OLED model. The Steam Deck is more affordable than most PC handhelds.

When will the Nintendo Switch 2 come out?

June 5, 2025.

When do pre-orders open for Nintendo Switch 2?

Pre-orders begin on April 9, from a variety of retailers and Nintendo itself.

How long will the Switch 2's battery last?

Nintendo says that the Switch 2 will last between 2 and 6.5 hours. This is similar to the original Switch, which was rated for 2.5-6.5 hours, though later revisions upped that figure significantly. The company cautions that "this time is an estimate ... battery life will depend on the games you play and usage conditions."

When can I try the Nintendo Switch 2?

Nintendo is planning a worldwide roadshow to let gamers go hands-on with the console. These events start in New York and Paris on April 4-6, with others taking place throughout the following two months.

Ticket registration for many of the Nintendo Switch 2 Experience events has closed, but waitlists are available. However, given that Nintendo is taking a first come, first served approach, your chances of attending the roadshow if you don't already have a ticket (or unless you signed up for the waitlist immediately) seem very small at this point.

The full list of Nintendo Switch 2 Experience dates is as follows:

North America:

New York, April 4-6, 2025

Los Angeles, April 11-13, 2025

Dallas, April 25-27, 2025

Toronto, April 25-27, 2025

Europe:

Paris, April 4-6, 2025

London, April 11-13, 2025

Milan, April 25-27, 2025

Berlin, April 25-27, 2025

Madrid, May 9-11, 2025

Amsterdam, May 9-11, 2025

Oceania:

Melbourne, May 10-11, 2025

Asia:

Tokyo (Makuhari), April 26-27, 2025

Seoul, May 31-June 1, 2025

Hong Kong, To be announced

Taipei, To be announced

Is the Nintendo Switch 2 backwards compatible?

Nintendo confirmed in November 2024 that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be backwards compatible. It will also feature access to Nintendo Online, so users will be able to play all of those old retro titles.

In the initial Nintendo Switch 2 press release, Nintendo reiterated that physical and digital Switch games will work on the new system. However, it noted that "certain Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2." We now have more information on which games are working thanks to a guide Nintendo put together.

Nintendo's software compatibility chart on April 2, 2025.Nintendo

As of April 1, the vast majority of Switch 2 games are marked as compatible, but many popular games are said to have some issues. Nintendo has marked most of these as “under investigation,” suggesting a fix may be on the way in time for launch. Nintendo says it is manually testing every Switch game for compatibility.

Only one title is marked as incompatible: Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit. This was part of Nintendo’s Labo range of games that worked with Cardboard accessories, and is incompatible as the Switch 2 doesn’t physically fit in the VR headset.

Will old games be enhanced in any way?

The original Switch has, to put it mildly, struggled to run some of the late-generation software that's come down the pike. Could these games be enhanced to take advantage of the increased horsepower of the Switch 2? That’s unclear. In an “Ask the Developer” page on its site, Nintendo says that old games are working through a real-time translation system, which sounds similar to how Rosetta allows modern Macs to run old software. With that said, the new and old Switch are much closer in hardware than that.

In the same developer interview, it’s said that in its testing of old games for compatibility, there were some occasions “where loading times became faster, or game performance became more stable,” but we don’t have any detail beyond that.

As well as backward compatibility, Nintendo is also offering up premium ‘Switch 2 Edition” upgrades for a select few games, which have improved resolutions and frame rates, and (in some titles) some bonus features and content. What exactly that means will vary, but Nintendo did confirm that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will have 4K/60 and 1080p/120 options on the Switch 2.

In the case of the two mainline Zelda games, those will be free to Switch Online Expansion Pack members, while others will be paid upgrades. Games confirmed to have a Switch 2 Edition to date include:

Super Mario Party Jamboree

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Nintendo has not said how much the paid upgrades will cost.

What will the cartridges taste like?

You may remember that the original Switch cartridges taste absolutely awful. This was on purpose, to discourage folks from putting the games in their mouth. Will the successor follow suit and continue to dip cartridges in a foul-tasting bitter coating? Only time will tell.

What are the launch games?

We expect this list to change substantially over the coming weeks and months, but the titles currently confirmed to be available on day one follow:

Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster

Cyberpunk 2077

Deltarune

Fast Fusion

Fortnite

Hitman: World of Assassination

Hogwarts Legacy

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess

Mario Kart World

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S

Split Fiction

Street Fighter 6

Survival Kids

Yakuza 0: Director's Cut

That's everything we know about the Nintendo Switch 2 today. We'll update this article with any information we can gather directly from sources. Any changes made to the article after its initial publishing will be listed below.

Update, January 24, 2025, 12:36 PM ET: This story has been updated to include speculation about price, potential game enhancements and the taste of cartridges.

Update, February 5, 2025, 9:30AM ET: This story has been updated to note the time when the April 2 Nintendo Direct starts.

Update, February 24, 2025, 12:30 PM ET: This story has been updated to include speculation about storage and information about the new microSD Express standard.

Update, March 6, 2025, 2:30PM ET: This story has been updated to note recent FCC filings to indicate the presence of Wi-Fi 6 and NFC support.

Update, March 14, 2025, 12:15PM ET: This story has been updated to include pricing and sales speculation from analysts.

Update, March 20, 2025, 12:45PM ET: Updated to include a note about the Seattle Mariners new jersey patches featuring Nintendo and the Switch 2.

Update, March 27, 2025, 3:50PM ET: Updated to add details about the C button, Nintendo Today! and Virtual Game Cards.

Update, April 1, 2025, 10:16AM ET: Updated to add link to livestream and details on its length.

Update, April 2, 2025, 4:40PM ET: Added details from the April 2 Nintendo Direct event, including specifications, price, release date and launch titles.

Jeff Dunn contributed to this report.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-switch-2-release-date-price-new-games-and-everything-else-you-need-to-know-195136723.html?src=rss

Google's note-taking app, Google Keep, could be getting more interface upgrades First-look images provided by Android Authority suggest that its toolbar and image attachment feature could get a revamp The functions aren't live yet, but could lead to a wider roll out in the future

Google Keep, the note-taking app without which many of us wonder how we would manage our daily lives, appears to be in line for some welcome design upgrades.Android Authority has provided first-look images from an APK teardown that show changes to the app’s toolbar and image attachment feature. While these design updates aren’t live for users yet, there’s a good chance they’ll appear in a future update.Following the introduction of the app’s floating action buttons (FAB) in November 2024, as well as its very recent addition of ‘Create text notes by default’ option and an Audio shortcut for Google Keep in Android, it looks like Google’s next tweak for one of the best note-taking apps is to give it a new look - starting with refreshing its toolbar.The toolbar could be one of the next upgrades, as Android Authority’s photos reveal that its icons for functions such as inserting attachments, changing note background and color, and text formatting appear much larger than the current icons, with a rounded background that changes color depending on your device’s theme. Certain sub-heads such as H1 and H2 appear slightly smaller than before.

(Image credit: Android Authority )

In addition to its toolbar revamp Google Keep could also introduce a small change to the way image attachments appear when you upload them to a note document in the app. At the moment, when you add an image in Google Keep it takes up the full width of the screen, but the photos provided by Android Authority show that Google could introduce margins on either side of the image, giving it rounded edges and a cleaner look.

(Image credit: Android Authority)

When the in-app FABs were introduced to Google Keep last year, it made navigating note-taking features a lot easier for users as it grouped a selection of functions together in one place at the bottom of the screen. These first-look photos hint that the icons for the buttons could switch from the right side of the text to the left, and that the icons could be darker and have darker text.As mentioned, these new features aren’t live yet, so we’ll have to wait and see if they appear in a future update.

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When a movie comes the end of its theatrical release, you can almost always rely on Prime Video to bring it to the platform at some point (depending on if it gets licensed out) – it's just one of the many reasons we praise it for being one of the best streaming services.Over the past year or so, Prime Video has been quick to snatch up the streaming rights for movies fresh from the cinema, some titles that come to mind include The Hunger Games prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023) and more recently Sing Sing (2024) starring Colman Domingo. This month, you'll be able to stream Oscar nominees Conclave (2024) and Nickel Boys (2024), as well as its usual array of the best Prime Video shows.There's nothing I love more than seeing brand new movies on streaming platforms, as it gives me a chance to do some major catching up on the ones I missed in the cinema. And it goes without saying that when these movies become available, our roundup of best Prime Video movies will definitely need a fresh revamp.

Everything new on Prime Video in April 2025

Arriving on April 12 Guns (movie)12 Strong (movie)48 Hours seasons 1–5 (TV show)1984 (movie)A Fistful of Dollars (movie)A Guy Thing (movie)Alert: Missing Persons Unit seasons 1–2 (TV show)All Dogs Go to Heaven (movie)America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation (movie)Annie Hall (movie)Baby Boy (movie)Basic Instinct 2 (movie)Battleship (movie)Be Cool (movie)Beauty Shop (movie)Bones and All (movie)Bull Durham (movie)Cheech & Chong Get Out of My Room (movie)Dazed and Confused (movie)Death at a Funeral (movie)Death Warrant (movie)Death Wish 3 (movie)Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (movie)Death Wish II (movie)Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection (movie)Dog (movie)Dr. Seuss' The Lorax (movie)Dunkirk (movie)Fargo (movie)Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (movie)Fighting With My Family (movie)For a Few Dollars More (movie)Ford v Ferrari (movie)Forrest Gump (movie)Four Weddings and a Funeral (movie)Freaks and Geeks season 1 (movie)Get Shorty (movie)Green Zone (movie)Hackers (movie)Hair (movie)Hang 'Em High (movie)Hannah and Her Sisters (movie)Hannibal (movie)Harvey (movie)Hoosiers (movie)Hot Pursuit (movie)Hot Tub Time Machine (movie)Hotel RwandaIgor (movie)Jeepers Creepers (movie)Jerry Maguire (movie)Jesus Christ Superstar (movie)Joe Dirt (movie)King Solomon's Mines (movie)Kung Fu Panda 3 (movie)Lady Chatterley's Lover (movie)Lars and the Real Girl (movie)Last Tango in Paris (movie)Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (movie)Legion (movie)Lifeforce (movie)Lions for Lambs (movie)Lost in Translation (movie)Max (movie)Max 2: White House Hero (movie)Meet Joe Black (movie)Mermaids (movie)Mind the Game season 2 (TV show)Missing in Action (movie)Mission: Impossible (movie)Mission: Impossible II (movie)Mission: Impossible III (movie)Mission: Impossible IV Ghost Protocol (movie)Moonstruck (movie)Mr. Mom (movie)Navy Seals (movie)Original Sin (movie)Out of Sight (movie)Out of Time (movie)Over the Top (movie)Overboard (movie)Passengers (movie)Pineapple Express (movie)Quigley Down Under (movie)Rain Man (movie)Red Dawn (movie)Return to Me (movie)Rob Roy (movie)Robin Hood (movie)Safe House (movie)Sense and Sensibility (movie)Sleepover (movie)Soul Plane (movie)Spaceballs (movie)Speak No Evil (movie)Species (movie)Species II (movie)Species III (movie)Stigmata (movie)Street Fighter (movie)The Amityville Horror (movie)The Aviator (movie)The Benchwarmers (movie)The Big Country (movie)The Big Lebowski (movie)The Boy Next Door (movie)The Chosen seasons 1–4The Cutting Edge (movie)The Deer Hunter (movie)The Delta Force (movie)The Eiger Sanction (movie)The Game (movie)The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (movie)The Great Escape (movie)The Greatest Story Ever Told (movie)The Last Temptation of Christ (movie)The Man in the Iron Mask (movie)The Menu (movie)The Nanny seasons 1–6 (TV show)The Poughkeepsie Tapes (movie)The Prodigy (movie)The Serpent and the Rainbow (movie)The Unforgiven (movie)The Visit (movie)The Way West (movie)The Young Messiah (movie)Thelma & Louise (movie)Three Thousand Years of Longing (movie)Till (movie)Timeless seasons 1–2 (TV show)Titanic (movie)Top Gun (movie)Uptown Girls (movie)Wargames (movie)West Side Story (movie)What's the Worst That Could Happen? (movie)Women Talking (movie)Yours, Mine & Ours (movie)Arriving on April 8 Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (TV show)Spy High (TV show)Arriving on April 10G20 (movie)Arriving on April 11Utah Royals vs. Portland ThornsArriving on April 13Conclave (movie)Godfather of Harlem (TV show)Arriving on April 14Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (movie)Arriving on April 17#1 Happy Family USA (TV show)Leverage: Redemption (TV show)Arriving on April 18LOL: Se Rir, Já Era! (TV show)Seattle Reign vs. Portland ThornsArriving on April 22Gladiator II (movie)Teenage Kraken (movie)Arriving on April 24American Horror Story season 12 (TV show)Étoile (TV show)Arriving on April 25Orlando Pride vs. Angel City FCArriving on April 29Nickel Boys (movie)Wear Whatever the F You Want (TV show)

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Nintendo has released a list of over 120 Switch games that have "start up" and "compatibility issues" on the Switch 2Each game is currently "being investigated"The only game that is confirmed to not work is Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit

The Nintendo Switch 2 has officially been revealed, and although the console might be backward compatible, we've now learned that a ton of original Switch games will have compatibility issues.Following the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct yesterday, the company published two lists containing 122 games that won't run properly on the Switch 2. The first is for games with "start up issues," while the second lists games that start up but have some "in-game compatibility issues".There are no details regarding the specific issues each game has, but Nintendo notes that they are "being investigated".Games that have start up issues include the likes of Fortnite, which is also getting a Switch 2 port, Fall Guys, Warframe, and Rocket League, while titles like Alan Wake Remastered, Alien Isolation, and Overcooked! All You Can Eat have compatibility problems."The Nintendo Switch 2 system's hardware is different from Nintendo Switch, and some Nintendo Switch games may not be supported on or fully compatible with Nintendo Switch 2," the company explains.The only game that we know for certain cannot be played on the Switch 2 is the Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit, which makes sense, considering it was specifically designed for the original Switch.The Nintendo Switch 2 will launch on June 5, 2025, and will cost $449.99 / £395.99, with preorders scheduled to open on April 8.TechRadar Gaming attended an exclusive hands-on preview and spent four hours testing out the Nintendo Switch 2.

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Kaspersky uncovers counterfeit Android smartphones preloaded with Triada malwareThe researchers speculate the supply chain might have been compromisedMore than $270,000 in crypto has already been stolen

Counterfeit versions of popular Android smartphones are being sold with malware pre-installed, experts have revealed.Cybersecurity researchers Kaspersky have warned users about buying heavily discounted Android smartphones from shady online stores after it observed at least 2,600 victims, located mostly in Russia, who received their brand-new smartphones carrying the Triada Trojan.“The new version of the malware is found in the firmware of infected Android devices,” reads the machine-translated announcement. “It is located in system framework, meaning a copy of Triada makes its way into every process on your smartphone.”

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Targeting journalists

The malware was said to have a wide range of functionalities and can give the attacker “almost unlimited possibilities” for controlling the compromised devices.Among other things, Triada can steal user accounts in messengers and social networks, stealthily send messages on behalf of the victim, steal cryptocurrencies, monitor the victim’s browser activities, replace links, swap numbers during calls, monitor and intercept SMS messages, download and run apps, and block network connections.Dmitry Kalinin, cybersecurity expert at Kaspersky Lab, said Triada remains “one of the most sophisticated and dangerous threats to Android,” but added that the researchers don’t really know how the devices got infected.“It’s possible that one of the stages in the supply chain is compromised,” he said, “so the stores selling the devices may not even suspect that they’re selling Triada-infected devices.”These thousands of victims have already suffered hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses, the researchers concluded.Kaspersky claims around $270,000 in cryptocurrency was already siphoned out, suggesting that the number could be even greater since some of the transactions were made in difficult-to-trace Monero.The best way to avoid this risk is to only buy smartphones from authorized sellers. Alternatively, users could reflash their device using a clean system image from Google.Via BleepingComputer

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Windows 10 end of life is rapidly approaching, with updates ceasing on October 14 2025, and many are starting to make the switch to Windows 11.But questions still remain. Do I really need to use the best antivirus with Windows 11?Is Windows Defender good enough? Can I trust it to protect me from hackers especially when Windows is the most widely used operating system in the world? Let's find out.

Should I upgrade?

In short, yes. Once Windows 10 reaches its end of life it will stop receiving critical updates such as new security patches that stop known vulnerabilities from being taken advantage of.Considering Windows has a considerable market share for PC operating systems, it is a very lucrative target that cybercriminals are constantly trying to hit.Let me put it this way - one of the main reasons the WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017 was so devastating was because many organizations were using Windows operating systems that were well past their end of life.Even though Microsoft had released a patch that could have prevented the WannaCry ransomware from infecting their devices, some had chosen to turn off updates or were using outdated systems.Additionally, if we follow the trend of Windows 10 which was released in 2015, Windows 11 will likely also receive updates for at least the next 10 years, making it a worthy update for those who haven't made the switch already. What's more, if you are already running Windows 10, you can upgrade to Windows 11 for free!I understand that there are some purists out there who insist on using the operating system they are most familiar with - and I can sympathize.I miss Windows Vista. But aesthetics aren't everything, and its never too late to learn something new.

How big of a target am I?

It's easy to think that you are not a target when it comes to this big digital world we all live in, but there are hundreds of ways a hacker might see value in targeting you.For example, they could be looking to add your computer to a global botnet that they use to launch attacks on businesses without you even knowing.Or they could be looking to steal your social media accounts to use in disinformation campaigns, or they just want to disrupt as many people as possible with their latest malware.The Malwarebytes' State of Malware report places ransomware as the biggest threat in 2024 and attacks have grown 13% year-over-year.In 2025 this trend is likely to continue, boosted by the increase of AI agents to distribute malware and help write phishing emails that are more convincing and harder to spot.While cybercriminals have turned to targeting big companies with bigger budgets in order to make a living, small fries such as you and I are still viable targets for smaller, less advanced cybercriminal groups.Lets not also forget that a cybercriminal could be looking to steal your identity, or commit credit fraud in your name using data they can steal from your computer. Some groups just want to cause disruption and make a name for themselves by hitting anyone and everyone.

Windows Defender Antivirus: is it enough?

Windows Defender Antivirus comes pre-installed as standard with Windows 11.In numerous tests, Windows Defender Antivirus does a pretty good job of protecting against new malware threats including those distributed through the web and via email.In AV-TEST's February 2025 testing, it managed to detect 100% of 0-day threats and widespread/prevalent threats discovered in the last 4 weeks. Not bad.But, Windows Defender Antivirus is a very simple, barebones solution. Yes, it protect against malware, but it doesn't offer additional security features such as a VPN or dedicated parental controls.So when people say "Windows Defender Antivirus is enough", what they mean is it is enough for malware-based threats, not everything else that could put your device or those who use it at risk.For example, if you don't use a VPN while using a web browser, your internet traffic is likely unencrypted, meaning that anyone could intercept it and see what your are doing, or pull potentially sensitive information from your traffic.Windows Defender Antivirus' feature set is gradually catching up to the features offered by many of the best antivirus providers, but it will likely always be one step behind in its offerings as a free service.

Is antivirus for Windows 11 worth it?

As a security expert who is constantly writing about new attack vectors, data theft, and service outages, it would seem that using a premium antivirus service is probably a good choice for a number of reasons.Firstly, Windows Defender Antivirus only protects against your Windows machine, and doesn't offer any protection for the rest of your devices.Many antivirus services offer compatibility across Apple, Android, Chromebook, Windows, and Linux, allowing you to protect all of your household devices under one umbrella.But computer security doesn't just start and end with antivirus, as every single online account you use is also a potential target for a hacker.That's why many services offer password managers as an included tool, providing you with passwords that would take billions of years to crack, autofill capabilities to help you log in faster, and in some cases an authenticator app to keep your accounts super secure.And best of all, you don't even have to spend a penny to increase your protection. There are tons of great free antivirus apps that you can install on your Windows 11 device, and as an added bonus Windows Defender Antivirus can be put into passive mode to work alongside another third-party antivirus solution.

Read more: How to choose the best antivirus for you

It's the world's first sub-250g 'bi-copter' droneCreated by ZZR, the makers of our favorite selfie drone, the HoverAir X1 ProPromise of faster acceleration, unmatched agility and quieter flight

Following a soft reveal on the V-Copter website last month, Zero Zero Robotics has fully unveiled its V-Copter Falcon Mini drone on the product's crowd funding page.It's the world's first sub-250g bi-copter drone – a radically different design to the best quad-copter DJI drones, and the supposed upside is faster acceleration, unmatched agility, plus quieter and longer flight.We covered the V-Copter Falcon Mini after it appeared on the V-Copter website – it follows the beefier Falcon that largely flew under the radar, but weighs in under 250g which means it's more accessible to more people – and now we know the full specs and pricing.The tantalizing $299 list price (around £270 / AU$550) sees the Falcon Mini rival DJI's Mini 4K and Mini 3 drones, plus the recent Potensic Atom 2, and if it delivers its promises, the 4K bi-copter offering could be the best pick for people wanting extended flight fun.

Image 1 of 4(Image credit: Zero Zero Robotics)Image 2 of 4(Image credit: Zero Zero Robotics)Image 3 of 4(Image credit: Zero Zero Robotics)Image 4 of 4(Image credit: Zero Zero Robotics)

Could the V-Copter Falcon Mini disrupt the drone market?

Most of the best consumer drones are quad copters, but the Falcon Mini features just half the propellers, which sit in a v-shape above the drone's body.This bi-copter design and propeller positioning enables a range of motion – the twin rotors can work independently, tilting in opposite directions for sharp turns and precise maneuvers, hence the 'unmatched agility'.Another benefit of such a design is that the rotors can tilt downwards to optimize airflow and thrust for fast and powerful acceleration, within miliseconds of the drone being engaged. A Reverse Flight Kit debuts too, unleashing flight skills and tricks such as upside down flight and a 'reverse one foot spin' – file those under flight fun, rather than for aerial shots.Flight stability is supposedly top drawer too, thanks to real-time flight adjustments and a 0.01 rotor angle precision. Together with a three-axis gimbal-stabilized camera, users should enjoy smooth 4K video footage, with 2.7K vertical video also possible.The product is now available for backers on the V-Copter Falcon Mini crowdfunding page, with a limited number of early backers able to bag the drone for $199 (around £180 / AU$350), or for the full $299 price.As always back at your own risk. However, we would say that Zero Zero Robotics' recent history is assuring – its recent HoverAir X1 Pro 'selfie' drone was put through crowd funding, and today is the best of its kind.In fact, ZZR is doing drones differently; first was a selfie drone that DJI responded to with its recent Neo, now a bi-copter mini drone. For us, the competition ZZR is posing DJI, and more so its innovation, is most welcome.The Falcon Mini is a drone we're really looking forward to testing – and of course, we'll share our experiences. Watch this space!

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Tuta Mail filed a DMA complaint against Apple on April 2, 2025, for failing to enable Tuta among the default mail apps on iOSThe encrypted email provider issued the complaint after allegedly waiting for months for a response from the Big Tech firmThe complaint was withdrawn less than 24 hours later as Apple finally got in touch with Tuta's developers

Tuta Mail, an encrypted email service, filed a complaint against Apple on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. The action has been withdrawn, however, after less than 24 hours.The German secure email provider decided to file a formal complaint against Apple for failing to enable its service among the default mail apps on iOS as required by the Digital Market Act. Tuta did so after allegedly waiting for months for a response to its request.Yet, "after a journalist contacted Apple on the issue, Apple got in touch with us in a matter of hours," wrote Tuta's CEO Matthias Pfau on April 3 in an official announcement. "For this reason, we will withdraw the complaint to the EU, and Apple does not have to fear any consequences."

Why did Tuta issue the complaint?

The Digital Market Act, which came into force last year, has introduced new obligations for Big Tech companies to prevent them from abusing their dominant position in the market.For Apple, this means, among other things, giving everyone using an iPhone or iPad the choice of picking a third-party service as their default email application.To enable their users to do this, the app's developers need to follow the company's guidelines and submit a formal request. Tuta Mail was said to have done so on January 14, 2025, but there was no response.The team tried to get in touch with Apple via emails and X posts throughout March without much success.Apple launched alternative default mail apps with the iOS 14 release in 2020, four years before the DMA rules went into force. Apple's biggest competitors, Gmail and the popular encrypted service ProtonMail, are among the developers that have been successfully enabled as default mail apps since then.

Dear @Apple @tim_cook We'd like our users to be able to choose Tuta Mail as the default mail app on #iOSWe've contacted Apple devs as requested two months ago, sent a reminder, but so far - silence.Could you please connect us with the right people?#DefaultMailApp #AppleMarch 18, 2025

On April 2, Tuta then decided to file a formal DMA complaint against Apple for, as Pfau put it, "abusing its gatekeeping position against us."Less than 24 hours later, Tuta confirmed to TechRadar that Apple finally got in contact with the team "after a Reuters journalist wanted to get to the bottom of the matter with Apple," Tuta's Press Officer Hanna Bozakov told us.Nonetheless, this was enough for Tuta to decide to withdraw its complaint against the Big Tech giant."The main problem here is that Apple will get away with this behavior. We withdraw the complaint because it's pointless to keep it up, but next time, Apple can act in exactly the same way," said Bozakov."We would like to see large technology companies use their market power responsibly, behave correctly and fairly and not only take action when threatened with bad publicity."

Apple's response

TechRadar approached Apple for comment, and the company told us that Tuta's request was incomplete as it was missing the "mailto." This is a URL scheme that's needed for the correct function of default mail apps in iOS.Apple also told TechRadar that the company reached out to Tuta's developers as quickly as possible to help them resolve the issue.Bozakov confirmed the mistake but said the team was informed only today (April 3) about this. "I'm pretty certain we would still be waiting for a response had the journalist not contacted them," she added.

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Apple has patented a new exercise-tracking prediction methodIt says the technology can capture body motion data and determine what exercise you are doingIt could also count how many reps you've done, possibly paving the way for improved workout tracking or online class participation

While we've been hearing that Apple is preparing a pretty significant Health app upgrade for 2025, the company has also patented a new type of exercise tracking technology that could power improved workouts on many of the best iPhones in the future.A new Apple patent published April 3 and seen by TechRadar, dubbed 'exercise tracking prediction method,' reveals Apple is exploring new technology for workout tracking. It pertains to "predicting and counting repetitions of physical activity" using captured image data of a body in motion.Apple's patent aims to overcome some of the limitations of predicting and tracking the activity of a person in real-time.To that effect, Apple's technology can take image capture data and predict what activity you're performing while it is in progress and potentially provide feedback on it.That could be done using a camera on any type of electronic device, including a phone, tablet, computer, or even a wearable like an Apple Watch (which is tipped to get a camera one day). There are heavy shades of Peloton Guide here, but it looks like Apple is trying to take the tech one step further with more precise tracking.Apple exploring this technology could point to a number of implementations and upgrades for users, notably around using Apple devices to track workouts in real-time or when participating in a more collective version of an online Apple Fitness Plus class.

Apple explores workout detection

(Image credit: Future)

The best Apple Watches, Apple's Health app, and devices like the iPhone excel in certain health and wellness tracking implementations; however, one obvious missing feature is driving workouts using rep counting and tracking.Even the Amazfit Active 2, a $99 smartwatch we rate as one of the best cheap smartwatches on the market, has a built-in rep tracker for strength and conditioning workouts,If Apple could crack workout and rep tracking, it would be a big boost to the company's health and wellness ambitions, and using its device cameras could be a key to gaining the upper hand.Powerful features like LiDAR would be much more accurate than accelerometers when it comes to tracking form and reps in a workout participant, giving Apple potentially unparalleled accuracy in this regard.

(Image credit: Apple / USPTO)

Given how generally cumbersome and often antisocial filming in the gym can be, it seems like this sort of technology would lend itself more readily to use in the home.I can definitely imagine a service like Apple Fitness+ leaning on workout tracking data to give users more clinical insight into their progress, tracking reps on screen in real-time during a workout.While not mentioned here, there's also no reason to think this technology couldn't be developed further to deliver feedback and pointers on form and posture, too.At this point, the technology is only an idea on paper. If Apple ever releases a feature like this, it will likely be a year or two away from consumers. So don't expect an Apple Watch Ultra 3 with a camera that can track your workouts.More immediately, we know that Apple is planning a big blood pressure monitoring upgrade for the aforementioned Ultra 3 and the Apple Watch Series 11, both of which are expected later this year.Latterly, rumors point to a new Health app overhaul, replete with an AI agent designed to replicate your Doctor, arriving as early as 2026.

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TikTok will reportedly face a fine of over €500 million ($553 million) for transferring Europeans' private data to China. Bloomberg said on Thursday that Ireland's data protection commission, which regulates TikTok owner ByteDance's EU operations, could dish out the penalty before the end of April.

The fine results from a four-year investigation of TikTok's data handling practices. The probe reportedly concluded that ByteDance broke Europe's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) laws by transferring private user data to China to be accessed by engineers. The country is known for its widespread, high-tech surveillance.

"TikTok tells us that EU data is transferred to the U.S. and not to China, however we have understood that there is possibility that maintenance and AI engineers in China may be accessing data," former Irish Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon said in March 2021 when the probe began.

Ireland is taking the lead because, under the GDPR, the country where a company's European operations are located oversees compliance and enforcement. ByteDance's European headquarters are in Dublin. Bloomberg says the decision date and amount of the fine aren't yet finalized and could still change.

Of course, this isn't even ByteDance's biggest drama unfolding this week. The fate of TikTok's US operations hangs in the balance as it approaches an April 5 deadline to find a buyer or face a ban in America. The list of likely outcomes ranges from finding a buyer (Amazon has even thrown its hat in the ring) to its US investors rolling over their stakes into a new independent global company or the deadline passing with another deadline extension.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/tiktok-reportedly-faces-a-%E2%82%AC500-million-fine-for-sending-private-user-data-to-china-162214079.html?src=rss

Nintendo confirms that the Switch 2 features Nvidia DLSS and ray-tracingIt didn't share which games will support the techNvidia has also revealed that the Switch 2 is powered by a custom Nvidia processor

Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch 2 will feature Nvidia DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) and ray tracing.During a roundtable Q&A in New York following the big Nintendo Switch 2 Direct yesterday (via IGN), Nintendo revealed that the new console will utilize the technology, but refrained from sharing which version and which Switch 2 games will support it."We use DLSS upscaling technology and that's something that we need to use as we develop games," said Takuhiro Dohta, senior director of the Programming Management Group Entertainment Planning & Development Department, at Nintendo’s Entertainment Planning & Development Division."And when it comes to the hardware, it is able to output to a TV at a max of 4K. Whether the software developer is going to use that as a native resolution or get it to upscale is something that the software developer can choose. I think it opens up a lot of options for the software developer to choose from."When asked about the Switch 2's GPU, Dohta did confirm that it allows ray tracing but was cagey on the details, saying, "As with DLSS, I believe this provides yet another option for the software developer to use and a tool for them."Although Nintendo wasn't able to share any details on the GPU itself, Nvidia has since released a blog post confirming that the Switch 2 is powered by a custom Nvidia processor featuring an NVIDIA GPU, along with dedicated RT Cores and Tensor Cores for "stunning visuals and AI-driven enhancements."Thanks to the new tech, this allows the Switch 2 to run in 4K in docked mode and 120 frames per second (fps), which we learned yesterday when the specs were revealed.The Nintendo Switch 2 will launch on June 5, 2025, and will cost $449.99 / £395.99, with preorders scheduled to open on April 8.TechRadar Gaming attended an exclusive hands-on preview and spent four hours testing out the Nintendo Switch 2.

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The original Switch started a revolution when it combined the portability of handhelds with the ability to play games on your TV at home like a traditional console. But with the Nintendo Switch 2, even though it's physically bigger, it feels like a sleeker, faster and more refined take on its predecessor — to the point that Nintendo should have called it the Super Switch (which apparently almost happened). And after getting a chance to try it out, I'm sold on its abilities, even with its significantly higher starting price of $450.

Editor's note: This hands-on focuses on our writer's experience with the new Nintendo Switch 2, covering the hardware, playing experience and changes from the original model. If you're looking for more info on Sam's impressions of individual games, start with his hands-on with Mario Kart World, which he calls a "perfect launch game for the Switch 2."

Design and display: No OLED, no problem

The Switch 2 has the same basic shape and layout as the original, including its signature detachable Joy-Con. But it looks more polished all around, thanks to tapered edges and slimmer bezels. Nintendo also increased the size of its joystick caps and the face buttons on the left controller, though the latter still doesn't feel quite like a traditional D-pad.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

That said, the biggest upgrade is its larger 7.9-inch 1080p LCD display, which now supports a 120Hz refresh rate with VRR and high dynamic range. Frankly, it's super bright and very colorful to the point where I don't really miss having an OLED screen. Now there's a fair bit of grumbling that Nintendo, despite the existence of the OLED Switch, didn't opt for a similar panel type on the Switch 2. But if you remember, that model didn't support HDR, so it's not like we're looking at a downgrade in display quality, though the super deep blacks you get from OLED screens would have been nice.

Also, the Switch 2 feels like it defies its dimensions because even though its display is larger than the 6.2-inch version on the base Switch, it doesn't feel that much bigger. It's only half an inch taller (4.5 inches) and a little over an inch wider (9.4 vs 10.7 inches). And while its weight has also increased to 1.18 pounds with its Joy-Con attached (up from 0.88 pounds), it never felt too heavy.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Elsewhere, there are a ton of quality-of-life upgrades, including a second USB-C port (though the one on the bottom is the only one that can do video out), a built-in mic and support for microSD Express cards. That last one is a big deal, because even though the cards are more expensive, they're also significantly faster than your standard fare and they should be a major boon to download speeds and load times. I admit the lack of analog shoulder buttons is a small downer, though Nintendo says it made that choice because analog buttons would introduce a tiny bit of input lag and it wanted to go with the more responsive solution.

Joy-Con features: Expanded detachables

During its livestream, Nintendo spent a lot of time talking about the C button on the right Joy-Con, which feels like a first-party solution that looks to recreate everything people like about Discord. But at Nintendo's hands-on experience, there weren't any chances to test out the console's new social features, so I wasn't able to dive deeper into that.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

That's ok, though, because I think the Joy-Con's new magnetic mounting system is the hidden star. Not only is there a larger button around back for popping them off, they now detach simply when you pull them left or right. There's no need to slide anything up or down first. Granted, this sounds like a small change, but it makes the whole process so much simpler and the Joy-con seem to be more securely attached as well.

Then there's the Joy-Con's ability to function as a mouse (for both the left and right controllers). I thought it was pretty gimmicky, until I played Metroid Prime 4: Beyond where I suddenly found myself favoring the mouse mode over standard gamepad controls. Everything feels a bit more precise and if you're a fan of shooters on PC, it's definitely worth trying out. The obvious limitation is that while you can use the Joy-Con on your leg, you really ought to have some sort of flat surface like a table, which may not be an option if your favorite place to game is on the couch.

Performance: Nintendo's move to next-gen tech

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Nintendo has kept relatively quiet regarding the Switch 2's processor and memory. But the company has said the system does support DLSS and hardware-based ray tracing. Now those features might not get used in every game, but it does seem to make it way easier for third-party developers to port their titles over to the company's upcoming console. When I played the new Switch 2 versions of Street Fighter 6, Cyberpunk 2077 and Civilization 7, they all ran really smooth. And without doing a straight-up side-by-side comparison next to a proper gaming PC, it was really hard to tell if the Switch 2 was cutting corners graphically, if it was even doing it at all. The only hiccup I noticed was rather long loading times in Civ, which isn't exactly uncommon for a Sid Meier game.

The flipside to this is if you told me that some of Nintendo's new first-party games like Donkey Kong Bananza and Mario Kart World were actually being run on an original Switch, I wouldn't have blinked. In some ways, Nintendo's ability to wring every last bit of performance out of its hardware and its habit of eschewing hyperrealism in favor of more stylized graphics has almost put a ceiling on the company's ability to really show off its chops. But when you pay attention, you'll really appreciate how delightfully satiny Mario Kart looks when it's running at 120 fps.

I still have questions about what's going on inside the Switch 2's new dock and how it's leveraging its increased performance to deliver 4K resolutions when connected to a TV. I also think it's a travesty that Nintendo is charging money for the Switch 2 Welcome Tour. It's barely a game, but it is a genuinely useful way to introduce the console's features to new owners and it really should be pre-installed on every system for free. It also remains to be seen how the Switch 2's battery life holds up. Nintendo says it has a larger power pack than the original Switch, but it also has increased performance and a larger screen, while the company claims runtimes may vary between two and six and half hours depending on the title.

But all told, the Switch 2 is exactly what you want from a successor to Nintendo's legendary hybrid console. Aside from the price, that is, because in addition to the console starting at $450, almost all of its standard accessories cost more than before, too. From the Pro Controller, which now goes for $80 ($10 more than for the original Switch) or additional pairs of Joy-Con that cost $90 (another $10 hike). And that's before you factor in the cost of games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza that start at $80 and $70 as digital downloads (or $90 and $80 if you want physical carts).

Update, April 3 2025, 12:35PM ET: This story has been updated to include an Editor's Note pointing out where readers can find our hands-on impressions of Mario Kart World.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/switch-2-hands-on-i-think-nintendos-new-console-is-worth-the-450-130819785.html?src=rss

Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds are on sale via Amazon for just $179. This is a record-low price, as they normally cost $229. This deal is available for multiple colorways, including black, pink, beige and green.

These little cuties easily made our list of the best wireless earbuds. We admired the comfortable and secure fit and the addition of the Tensor chip to handle audio and ANC processing. They also offer a hands-free way to initiate Gemini AI.

However, the main reason we recommend these earbuds is that they sound great. They provide a good low-end, which is tough to do with earbuds, and crunchy highs. Google says it redesigned the entire audio system and it shows. We called out the “noticeable improvement” over the original Pixel Buds Pro earbuds in our official review.

There are plenty of nifty features to set these earbuds apart from the competition. They can detect conversations and automatically adjust audio accordingly. Find My Device support is also included. They offer spatial audio with certain apps. The buds get around eight hours of use per charge, but 30 hours when considering the included charging case.

There are only two downsides here. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds are incredibly small, which is cool, that means making adjustments on their equally tiny touch panels can be difficult. Also, the original asking price of $229 is certainly high. This sale alleviates that particular issue.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/googles-pixel-buds-pro-2-are-back-on-sale-for-an-all-time-low-price-164743950.html?src=rss

In June 2024, the Biden administration announced that the download, update, licensing and resale of Kaspersky software would be banned from July 20 2024.The justification was that because Kaspersky is headquartered in Moscow, the Russian government could force the company to hand over access to its systems and disrupt all of the computers it is installed on.Kaspersky has frequently denied having any connection to the Russian government, but the US has determined that that simply isn't good enough.

What does it mean for me?

Kaspersky has been a household name for antivirus in the US, with a pre-ban market share of around 35%.After the ban Kaspersky offloaded its customers the Pango Group, which promptly installed UltraAV as a replacement service which caused quite a stir.If you were using Kaspersky antivirus, you will have been asked if you wanted to switch to UltraAV. However, none of the major antivirus testing labs have released any scores for UltraAV, and customer feedback and online postings suggest that the software is less than ideal.Those who chose to forgo the UltraAV update will have been left to continue using Kaspersky - and if that includes you - your device is at serious risk.

Am I at risk if I keep using Kaspersky?

Yes. The ban prohibited new updates for the Kaspersky software, meaning that the software won't be able to protect against any new malware or threats that have emerged since the ban in June 2024.Antivirus providers release frequent updates to their software to keep your device protected from existing malware, as well as '0-day' exploits or fresh vulnerabilities that are being actively exploited. Without these updates, devices can succumb to infection and attacks that other devices would be protected against.As an additional point of concern, if you used Kaspersky on a Windows device it is likely that Windows Defender Antivirus was put into passive mode, preventing it from offering its full level of protection. If you were using Kaspersky, or still are, I would highly recommend checking to see if your Windows Defender Antivirus is still in passive mode, and switch it to active.

What should I do?

First things first, check to see if your device manufacturers default antivirus is updated and turned on.Now that you have some level of protection, have a think about if you consider default protection enough.For many devices, the default antivirus program will offer a fairly decent level of protection against malware, but will lack a lot of the other security tools that have almost become a necessity in the digital world.Take a look at my comprehensive guide to the best antivirus, and have a look through the features you think would be best for you.Many services include a VPN to help encrypt your internet traffic at is heads from your device to its destination, preventing crooks from intercepting it in transit.Others will have a parental control app that will help you block adult content from being viewed on your children's devices, as well as setting screen-time limits to help them focus on their homework or chores.Password managers are also a very handy tool to help keep your online accounts secure. If you don't use an authenticator app, you account is only as secure as your password. Antivirus alone won't stop a hacker from guessing your username and password.

Do I need to bother with antivirus in 2025?

As a security expert, my answer is 100% yes. I've seen first hand how quickly new threats and vulnerabilities can emerge, and the damage they can have not only on devices but also livelihoods.If an attacker gains access to your computer files, they can potentially steal sensitive files and data that can help them commit identity theft or credit fraud. Even if you don't want to splash out on a premium service, you can always turn to the best free antivirus to provide a good level of protection to all your devices.

Read more: How to choose the best antivirus for you