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There's a new shop management sim in town. Discounty will be released on August 21 for PC, Switch, PS4, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. The game tasks players with managing a discount supermarket in a bustling town.The core gameplay loop reminds me of the shopkeeper portion of Moonlighter, but Discounty lets folks freely organize the shop's layout. It's also more than just a management sim. Players can walk around the town and "get caught up in small-town drama" while attempting to strike lucrative trade deals.There's a story here, as the tight knit community of Blomkest will react to how well the shop is doing. Getting too popular could ruffle feathers in the town, so players will have to manage sales expectations against the needs of the community. A tagline asks "will you pursue endless profits, or find a way to benefit everyone in Blomkest?"First time developer Crinkle Cut Games promises that the game holds some kind of dark secret, and we are dying to know what it is. Do capitalistic ghosts come out at night to haunt the town's residents? We'll find out this August.This news came to us via the Wholesome Direct livestream, which happened right in the middle of Summer Game Fest. Follow all of the SGF happenings and trailers right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-cozy-management-sim-discounty-arrives-on-august-21-170037206.html?src=rss

The egg-cooking roguelike Omelet You Cook is officially available for PC via Steam. It was shadow-dropped during the Wholesome Direct livestream, which falls in the middle of Summer Game Fest. This quirky title was first revealed last year, but now we can get our grubby little paws on it.The game looks like a good combination of chaos and strategy, casting players as a line cook at a middle school cafeteria. There's a bit of Overcooked here, along with the narrative-focused cooking sim Venba and the sushi minigame part of Dave the Diver. It looks really fun.It's not just a chaotic minigame. Players can add and prep ingredients between rounds, and there are rare relics that provide power-ups. There's even a hungry dog that hoovers up unwanted ingredients.This is an early access release, so folks should expect updates and changes as the months roll on. Developer SchuBox Games is also working on a football sim that stars chickens called Dicey Birdball, but that one didn't get a surprise drop today. That team sure does love poultry.This news comes from today's Wholesome Direct livestream, which coincides with Summer Game Fest. The announcements keep coming in from SGF, so stay on top of things right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/the-breakfast-making-roguelike-omelet-you-cook-was-just-surprise-released-on-steam-170024208.html?src=rss

Monument Valley 3 is finally coming to more platforms, after being a Netflix exclusive since December. The game will be released on July 22 for PC, Switch, PS4, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Remember, Switch games are playable on Switch 2, so it should also technically be available on Nintendo's new console.Monument Valley 3 is considered a solid entry in the franchise, with plenty of fresh puzzles that play with perspective. You navigate a character through bizarre mazes and strangely-designed levels.These games are partially inspired by artists like M.C. Escher, as the pathways don't necessarily follow the laws of physics. It's a whole lot of fun, and sort of plays like a more psychedelic version of the Switch exclusive Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker.The third entry in the franchise brings in a new gameplay mechanic in the form of a sailboat that freely moves between sections. The vibes are top-tier, with gorgeous art and a great ambient soundtrack. We don't have a price yet, as Monument Valley 3 was free with a Netflix subscription, but Monument Valley 2 ranged from $5 to $8 depending on the platform.This news comes from today's Wholesome Direct livestream, which happens during Summer Game Fest. The announcements are coming in fast and hot from SGF, so stay on top of things right here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/monument-valley-3-breaks-free-from-netflix-on-july-22-170002131.html?src=rss

The Hitman trilogy, also known as Hitman World of Assassination, will be available on iPhones, iPads, as well as Mac computers, this summer. IO Interactive has announced that it was expanding Hitman's availability during the developer's showcase at Summer Game Fest 2025, where it celebrated the franchise's 25th anniversary. IO Interactive's Chief Development Officer, Veronique Lallier, said the launch on iOS means you can travel the world with Hitman in your pocket. Event attendees were given the chance to experience the game running natively on iOS.Lallier also announced that Hitman is coming to table top. IO Interactive has teamed up with board game creator Mood Publishing to make Hitman the board game, which will be available for backing on Kickstarter later this year. The board game will feature the franchise's characters, iconic weapons and backdrops. Up to four players can play as assassins going after a single target, and the one who takes the target out will get the payout in the end.In addition, the developer has revealed that Le Chiffre, the villain from the Bond film Casino Royale, will be the World of Assassination's new Elusive Target. Mads Mikkelsen, the actor who played Le Chiffre in the movie, provided the likeness and the voice for the new game character. You'll only have a limited time to go after Mikkelsen's character, as Hitman's Elusive Target missions only appear once, and you cannot attempt them again after they end. To note, IO Interactive recently revealed its James Bond game, 007 First Light, which will be coming out in 2026. If you play the Elusive Target mission with Le Chiffre, you can redeem an exclusive suit in 007 First Light when it becomes available.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/hitman-world-of-assassination-is-coming-to-ios-and-table-tops-160036401.html?src=rss

Wu-Tang Clan has a new game. At Summer Game Fest 2025, Brass Lion Entertainment has introduced its debut game, Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver. In it, you'll have to fight alongside the group's members to defeat the invading forces of the Deceiver and to save your home of Shaolin. The game is an action RPG with "anime-style fighting and afro-surrealist aesthetic." While you can play the game alone, you can also team up with up to two more friends online, and all of you can customize your fighting styles and your fashion.According to The Washington Post, the group looked for a studio that can develop a game that can tie in with Ghostface Killah and RZA's upcoming film, the supernatural thriller Angel of Dust. That's when the members found out that Brass Lion's director of music and culture was American record producer Just Blaze.Bryna Dabby Smith, Brass Lion's co-founder and CEO, said Wu-Tang loved the concepts their company presented for the game. "The script is in the horror genre, but it really worked from an interactive perspective," the executive told The Post. Brass Lion was co-founded by Manveer Heir (Wolfenstein and Mass Effect 3), Rashad Redic (Fallout 3, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim) and Smith (The Bourne Conspiracy, Sleeping Dogs). Heir previously said that the studio will focus on telling authentic underrepresented stories not just relating to race, but also to age, religion and sexuality.Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver will feature classic Wu-Tang tunes alongside new material, as overseen by Just Blaze. It doesn't have a release date yet, but you can watch a teaser below and look at some screenshots on its official Steam page.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/wu-tang-clans-new-game-blends-anime-with-afro-surrealism-140048792.html?src=rss

We're really covering all the bases with our latest slate of reviews. We've got everything from an EV family hauler to a smart pellet grill. Wireless earbuds, a unique camera and a GPU that's actually affordable are also on the list. Plus, there are new Playdate games and a VPN review if you're into those things. Whatever your preferred flavor, read on for a recap of our reviews from the last two weeks. VW ID.Buzz There really isn't an electric minivan available in the US, although the VW ID.Buzz certainly comes close. The EV is definitely a head turner, and it offers loads of cargo space for both passengers and packages. "It's just a shame that it's held back by some obvious issues," senior reviews reporter Devindra Hardawar said. "The ID.Buzz is still undeniably useful though, especially if you don't plan on taking many road trips, so there's a chance it'll become more compelling as its price falls." Weber Smoque Wi-Fi-equipped pellet grills can get very expensive very quickly. Thankfully, two of the biggest names in grilling chose to offer affordable models as part of their 2025 lineups. One of those is Weber, and the company's new Smoque pellet grill provides reliable performance alongside all of the features most backyard pit masters will ever need - for $799. "Weber really hit its stride with pellet grills last year with the Searwood, and the Smoque is proof the company has more compelling ideas in the hopper," I wrote. "Thankfully, this one saves you some money without sacrificing any of the culinary results." Fujifilm GFX100RF The GFX100RF may be a world's first, according to Fujifilm, but the camera isn't without a few substantial flaws. Despite a great design, sharp image quality and new controls, this model isn't good for low-light situations, has subpar autofocus and doesn't offer any image stabilization. As senior reporter Steve Dent noted, maybe the GFX100RF has a higher calling. "The GFX100RF is fun to use, though, and introduces several innovations like the aspect ratio dial," he said. "Though it may never have a huge market, I think products like this push the industry in new directions and create conversations that draw new people into photography." AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT Upgrading your GPU these days isn't typically an affordable task, but AMD has a $350 option that's a solid bet for most users. "The Radeon RX 9060 XT is a reminder of a world where we didn't have to pay more than $400 to get a capable GPU," Devindra explained. "So for the vast majority of players out there - the ones who aren't using monitors with crazy high refresh rates or 4K+ resolutions - it's all the GPU you really need." Two sets of midrange earbuds: Skullcandy and Sony If you're looking for a set of wireless earbuds for under $150, we recently reviewed two options in that price range. First, Skullcandy's Method 360 ANC borrows heavily from Bose's QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, although officially it only features "sound by Bose." However, Senior buying advice reporter Jeff Dunn warns against the expectation of flagship quality performance. "This is still a tier above most budget pairs we've tested," he said. "It has nearly all the features we're looking for (unlike, say, the Beats Solo Buds), it's comfortable and the sound signature will hit right if you're hungry for bass." Sony is best known for its 1000X line of earbuds and headphones, but the company has struck gold a few times with midrange devices. Its latest, the WF-C710N, has a comfy design and a lot of features for $120. However, sound quality is where you'll notice the biggest difference between it and more expensive options. "If I had been able to hit (or even surpass) Sony's stated battery life, these earbuds would be easy to recommend," I wrote. "Despite that, they're still a solid option, especially at $120, since the company once again outpaces its midrange rivals with more convenient tools than you'll find anywhere else." Playdate Season 2 and testing ExpressVPN Playdate Season 2 will deliver two new games per week for the handheld through July 3. Weekend editor Cheyenne Macdonald has already played the first two entries, Fulcrum Defender and Dig! Dig! Dino!, and a third title that Panic also released called Blippo+. Meanwhile, senior writer Sam Chapman tested ExpressVPN, observing how the service outpaces much of the competition despite its lack of customization options and its higher price.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/engadget-review-recap-vw-idbuzz-weber-smoque-fujifilm-gfx100rf-and-more-133047923.html?src=rss

Panic is not messing around with Playdate's second season. After starting off Season Two on the right foot with Dig! Dig! Dino!, Fulcrum Defender and the surprise rollout of Blippo+, the team has followed through with another strong pair of games for week two. The Whiteoutand Wheelsprung are, like the week one games, polar opposites of each other: a somber, narrative-heavy post-apocalyptic adventure and a nutty dirtbike game with realistic(ish) physics.If you're looking for any throughline between them, I've got you. It's squirrels. You'll see. (Alright I may be reaching, but as both a journalist and a wildlife rehabilitator who is currently raising orphaned squirrels, just let me have this one).This week also brought an update for the "intergalactic TV service," Blippo+, and it looks like we'll be getting new content for some time to come. The Season Two team wrote in an email accompanying the latest drop that "Blippo+ itself is going to update every week for eleven (!) weeks, every Thursday at 10AM PT [1PM ET]." Once it's all over, there will be reruns. We'll get a countdown for that on week 12, the team says. Now, let's get into the new games.The WhiteoutScenic Route SoftwareMinutes into playing Scenic Route Software's The Whiteout, I became certain that this was going to be another game that would make me cry. The narrative tone is heavy, the atmosphere is bleak and absolutely nothing about it suggests that anything is going to get better... ever. It feels hopeless from the start, but you have to keep trudging along anyway. (If you've ever read The Road, the feeling should be familiar). When I finally reached the end, though, I wasn't in tears - I was totally speechless, in a "mouth hanging open, empty inside" kind of way. It's stunning.The Whiteout is narrative driven, picking up in a barren post-apocalyptic version of the US in which a snowstorm began one spring and never stopped. The events are set in current times - the onset of the snow occurred in spring 2025 - giving it an eerie, close to home kind of quality. Everything about it feels like something that could happen. As you play through its five chapters, the story is told through the playable character's musings about the past and present. It's all beautifully written, with numerous sentimental moments that felt genuinely heartbreaking.It did manage to get a few smiles out of me though; the character makes cynical quips here and there, and a nefarious bunch called The Woodpeckers comes to be known simply as "the 'peckers," which got me every time. And the appearance of a squirrel just kind of hanging out in the background served as a refreshing sign of life amid the desolation. (I wondered while playing if the squirrel was a checkpoint, but I'd have to go through it all again to figure that out for sure.)The gameplay entails mostly linear exploration, searching for resources, solving puzzles and making choices about your next moves. There's not much in the way of action, and you spend most of the game just walking with a slowness that is at times maddening. But, while I definitely would have appreciated the option to speed up even a little (a gentle jog, maybe?), the lethargy helps to illustrate how hard it would be to carry on in such conditions. Backtracking several times to get all the resources you need to progress in some areas is painfully tedious, so the relief when you do complete the action is real. Patience is key in this game.I fear some people will give up on this title early because of the pace, and I implore you not to do that. It's worth every minute. It's also worth it to play with headphones, as recommended, to really let yourself be immersed in the setting. I stayed up half the night playing and got up early the next morning to finish it, and I'm still thinking about the ending I came to. There are multiple endings according to the creators, so I'll likely dive back in for another go once I've had more time to digest. The Whiteout is without a doubt the most memorable game of both Playdate seasons to date.WheelsprungNino van Hooff & Julie BjornskovSo, you played The Whiteout and now you're depressed. The Playdate team seems to have prepared for this, because the other game that dropped this week with the second release of Season Two may as well be the antidote. Wheelsprung is cute, charming and silly as hell. It's also a pretty challenging (and frustrating) physics game, but I do love a game that pisses me off a little.The art of Wheelsprung is instantly recognizable as that of Julie Bjornskov, one of the creators of Escape the Boardgame and Escape the Arcade, which is to say it's oozing whimsy. Bjornskov made this one with programmer Nino van Hooff. The story is pretty simple: a family with a child who loves nuts - like, enough to scatter them all over the place in joy - has briefly left their home unattended, and you're a squirrel equipped with an absurdly flexible dirtbike who is on a mission to collect as many nuts as possible in their absence. There are nearly three dozen levels to complete, each of them an obstacle course you must figure out how to navigate on the two-wheeler. There's also a level editor to create your own tracks.The squirrel's dirtbike is basically a Dr. Seuss contraption, and it's capable of some pretty impressive maneuvers. Lean in either direction using the D-pad and it can do a wheelie. Hit the down arrow and it'll instantly turn you to face the other way. But you must always be conscious of your balance. Allowing the squirrel's helmet to so much as tap an obstacle will result in a run-ending wipeout, as of course will all-out crashing. This game forces you to get extremely creative to traverse complicated tracks. There's a leaderboard and ideally you want to finish with the fastest time possible, but for a handful of levels my main goal at first was just figuring out how to make it to the end at all.I don't want to give away too many hints about how to excel in this game, but I sure have spent a surprising amount of time driving my bike upside down dangling from one wheel, or rocking the bike back and forth to creep forward like an inchworm. It is absolutely ridiculous, and lots of (somewhat rage-inducing) fun.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playdate-season-2-review-the-whiteout-and-wheelsprung-130014285.html?src=rss

Milan Kovac, who leads Tesla's Optimus humanoid robotics program, is leaving the automaker. In a post on X, Milan talked about how he joined Tesla as an engineer for the core Autopilot team in 2016 and how he started leading the Optimus group in 2022. He explained that he's leaving his position, because he's "been far away from home for too long and will need to spend more time with family abroad." Kovac stressed that it was the only reason he's leaving and that his support for Elon Musk and the Tesla team was "ironclad," perhaps insinuating that his decision had nothing to do with Musk's politics or recent fallout with the president.Tesla first announced that it was working on a humanoid robot in 2021, though it wasn't able to debut an actual prototype until a year a later in 2022. Musk said back then Optimus will be able to move at 5 mph and carry loads up to 45 pounds. He also said that he expects it to sell for $20,000 each when built at volume and claimed that the machines can give the company a $25 trillion market cap. Since then, Tesla has demonstrated Optimus' ability to handle an egg, cook meals, fold the laundry and throw the trash. The robot doesn't have a solid release date yet. Musk said back in April that the robot's production had been affected by China's export restrictions of rare earth magnets, so it's most likely not going to be anytime soon.Bloomberg, which reported Kovac's departure first, said he's leaving the company immediately. Ashok Elluswamy, who's leading the company's Autopilot group, is taking over his responsibilities.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/the-head-of-teslas-optimus-humanoid-robot-program-leaves-the-company-120015282.html?src=rss

One of the best things about an indie game showcase is that you'll see at least one preview that makes you think "huh?" and "lol!" in equal parts. For the Day of the Devs presentation at Summer Games Fest 2025, Tire Boy definitely fits the bill. Mechanics-wise, it's an open-world action-adventure game, which is pretty standard fare. However, like the name says, you play it all out as a tiny anthropomorphized tire. It looks super goofy, but in a way that might also be super great.The trio from GameTeam6 who presented the early build of the game explained that they wanted to do some odd things with scale in the world, and that's definitely been accomplished. Most other characters tower over little Tire Boy, whether they're a friendly owl, an enemy frog or just a really big heckin bunny. But there's also some sweetness promised as Tire Boy tries to uncover the secrets of his past and his tire people. It's the sort of wacky combination that can be a lot of fun in practice.The studio has a ways to go before it's ready to play; they didn't suggest any time frames for a demo or release window, but Tire Boy can be wishlisted on Steam if you want to keep tabs on this quirky project.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/tire-boy-is-a-wacky-open-world-adventure-game-you-can-tread-all-over-000036605.html?src=rss

There's a new puzzle game in town, and this one tackles remote work and corporate data manipulation. Pocket Boss is coming to Steam and the developers just dropped a trailer during the Day of the Devs showcase event, which is part of Summer Game Fest.Pocket Boss casts players as an employee working remotely, trapped by the whims of an ever-demanding boss. The game is primarily set inside of a chat window, though the puzzle element kicks in when the aforementioned job creator demands changes to data in order to maximize profits and erase competitors.When that happens, the perspective shifts to a minigame. There looks to be plenty of different designs here. One game involves flinging a competitor's market share off of the screen, while another has players navigate a physical representation of the stock market without crashing. It's like a corporation-soaked take on the WarioWare franchise.The game is published by Playables, which is the studio behind the novel-looking Time Flies and the interactive cartoon KIDS. We don't have a release date for Pocket Boss just yet.PlayablesOf course, this is just one game announced during the beefy Day of the Devs stream, and that's just one event of many throughout Summer Game Fest. It's a good time to be someone who likes to read and watch trailers about upcoming video games.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/pocket-boss-turns-corporate-data-manipulation-into-a-puzzle-game-000042457.html?src=rss

Relooted is a heist game about reclaiming African artifacts from the Western countries that stole them, developed by independent South African studio Nyamakop. Relooted is set in a future timeline where Western nations have signed a treaty to return plundered items to their African regions of origin, but things aren't going to plan. Western leaders are instead hiding the artifacts away in private collections, so it's up to a ragtag crew based in Johannesburg, South Africa, to strategize and steal them back.Relooted is broken into missions, and each one includes a briefing about the artifact, an infiltration planning stage, and the heist. Gameplay is a mix of puzzle and action as you case each building, set up your run, and then execute the plan. Once you grab your target artifact, the security alarms go off and you have a limited amount of time to escape, so thorough preparation is key.In the Day of the Devs reveal video for Relooted, producer Sithe Ncube cites a wild statistic from a pivotal 2018 report on African cultural heritage, saying, "90 percent of sub-Saharan African culture heritage is in the possession of Western collections. That is millions upon millions of deeply important cultural, spiritual and personal artifacts, including human remains, that aren't in their rightful place."The locations in Relooted are fictional, but the 70 artifacts you have to steal back are real, and they're all currently in Western and private collections, far from their original homes and owners.Nyamakop is one of the largest independent games studios in sub-Saharan Africa, with about 30 developers working on Relooted right now. Its previous game, the globular platformer Semblance, was the first African-developed IP to ever come to a Nintendo console, hitting the Switch in 2018. In order to get Semblance on the Switch, Nyamakop co-founder Ben Myres had to bootstrap his way around the world, buying one-way tickets and finding new partners on the fly in a daisy chain of game festival appearances. Here's how Myres explained it to Engadget at E3 2018:"The entry curve into being an indie game developer in South Africa is like a cliff face. Because you don't have the contacts, the platform holders like Xbox, Sony. You don't have reps that live in your country. The press that matter are all here. There isn't a big enough market locally to sell to, so you have to make works to sell to the West, which means you have to go to Western shows and you have to meet Western press. So basically, if you're not traveling a ton, you're not going to be able to make it."Nyamakop has grown significantly since 2018, and Relooted is an unabashedly African game built by a majority-POC team, Myres and Ncube said in 2024."There is the thing about making games for Africans - we say that a lot," Ncube told GamesIndustry.biz. "We say that should be a thing, we should make games for Africans because we're playing games that were made in the West. But will people even play those games, if you make them? And then if you make games targeting people ... even if you were to make one that's really good, there's no guarantee that you'll have a lot of people playing it. So I think there's some level of confusion, I can say, in terms of unexplored aspects of the African games market."Relooted is in development for Steam, the Epic Games Store and Xbox Series X/S, and while it doesn't yet have a firm release date, it's available to wishlist.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/rescue-african-artifacts-from-colonizers-museums-in-the-heist-game-relooted-000035161.html?src=rss

Neverway already looks, sounds and feels like it's going to be something special - in a grim, grotesque and hellishly depressed kind of way. (Side note: That could be a nice tagline, no? It's grim! It's grotesque! It's hellishly depressed! It's... Neverway! OK, I'll stop.)Neverway is a life-sim RPG starring Fiona, a young woman who quits her dead-end job to live on a remote island farm for a while, where she ends up becoming the immortal herald of a dead god. Fiona has to fight through nightmare realms and battle repulsive horrors, while also tending her land and maintaining relationships with townsfolk. She's able to meet and date more than 10 distinct characters, and forming friendship bonds unlocks combat abilities. The game features farming and fishing mechanics, and there's also a crafting system for secondary tools like the hookshot, which supplements Fiona's primary weapon, a sword.Neverway comes from Coldblood Inc., an independent Vancouver studio founded by Brazilian-Canadian developers Pedro Medeiros and Isadora Sophia. Medeiros is the pixel artist behind Towerfall and Celeste, two stunning indie games, and Sophia is an ex-senior software engineer at Microsoft and the creator of the open-source Murder Engine, which powers Neverway. The game also features music by Disasterpiece, the composer behind Fez and the top-tier horror film It Follows, with sound design by Martin Kvale of NokNok Audio. OuterSloth, the indie game fund established by Among Us creators InnerSloth, is providing financial backing for Neverway, and Coldblood Inc. is self-publishing it.Though Neverway was officially announced one month ago during the Triple-i Initiative showcase, it still made a splash as part of the Day of the Devs event tied to Summer Game Fest 2025 this week. Neverway is heading to PC at an undetermined future time, and it's available to wishlist on Steam now.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/bask-in-the-grotesque-pixel-art-beauty-of-neverway-000046814.html?src=rss

Fusing light psychological horror with the quiet melancholy of American Realist painter Edward Hopper, developer Thomas Waterzooi is following up his puzzle games Please, Touch the Artworkand Please, Touch the Artwork 2 by having you just watch the artwork instead. Please, Watch the Artwork is an upcoming spot-the-difference game featured during Day of the Devs that tasks you with observing a museum of living paintings and tracking down a sad clown that may be harshing the other paintings' vibe.In the game, you'll observe living versions of classic Edward Hopper paintings, like Nighthawks or Automat, and look for inconsistencies, like a character behaving strangely or objects being out of place - what one could describe as sad clown interference. You'll then click on the offending area and it'll be repainted, restoring the living painting to its normal gloomy self.Please, Watch the Artwork riffs on popular horror titles like I'm On Observation Duty, Five Nights At Freddy's and dozens of other similar games on Steam that make you look at fake CCTV footage of a garages and office buildings. Waterzooi's game just takes a slightly classier approach. The combination of classic art and eclectic puzzle mechanics has paid off well in the past, too: Please, Touch the Artwork was nominated for numerous awards, including an Apple Design Award.Please, Watch the Artwork will be available on iOS and Android for $4.99 and on Steam for macOS, Windows and Linux devices for $7.99. Waterzooi's Day of the Dev's presentation didn't include an exact release date for the game, but he did suggest that it will be out around Halloween.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/please-watch-the-artwork-is-a-puzzle-game-with-eerie-paintings-and-a-sad-clown-000022744.html?src=rss

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio first teased "Project Century" in 2024, and at Summer Game Fest it debuted a new trailer revealing the game's full name: Stranger Than Heaven. The game clearly draws on the bareknuckle brawling of the Yakuza series, but this time is set in the jazzy Japan of 1943.It's hard to get a full sense of the story from the trailer alone, but similar to RGG's previous games, it looks like Stranger Than Heaven will feature an open-world full of enemies to whoop and narrative choices that'll be as determined by who you punch as who you help. If the player character Mako Taito isn't a private eye, he does appear to be investigating something.RGG's released a Like a Dragon spin-off, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii earlier this year. Before that, it's last major entry in the melodramatic crime saga was Like a Dragon Infinite Wealthin 2024. Besides the gameplay similarities, it's not clear if Stranger Than Heaven is set in the same world as RGG's other open-world action RPGs. At the very least, it does seem incredibly stylish, though.Stranger Than Heaven is still in-development and doesn't currently have a release date.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/rggs-project-century-is-now-called-stranger-than-heaven-232848763.html?src=rss

If you've ever dreamed of being a student at a school built entirely out of escape rooms and silly puns, Coin Crew has the game just for you. Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School is heading to PC in 2026, and it's available now to wishlist on Steam. It's the sequel to Escape Academy, which is one of our absolute favorite puzzle games in recent years, particularly when played as a couch co-op experience.Escape Academy 2 expands the campus into an open world, allowing players to explore and uncover secrets between classes, ramping up the student role-playing vibe. Coin Crew also drew inspiration from games like Animal Well and The Legend of Zeldaseries, which incorporate riddles and mysteries into the standard exploration gameplay loop, creating a free-roaming puzzle flow.The original Escape Academy attracted more than 4 million players, and the sequel appears to be even bigger and radder. There's no release date for now, but Coin Crew is looking for playtesters through its Discord channel. The Escape Academy series is published by iam8bit, and the sequel was revealed during the Day of the Devs showcase tied to Summer Game Fest 2025.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/escape-academy-2-back-2-school-is-an-open-world-puzzle-game-spanning-the-whole-campus-000055295.html?src=rss

While many of us soldier on with the remakes and VR takes on the Resident Evil story, Capcom is prepping the next chapter of the story: Resident Evil Requiem. The sequel was fully revealed as part of Summer Game Fest Live, kicking off a week(ish) of gaming announcements and release dates.Intercutting the starting moments of REs of the past, Capcom did a fake-out, teasing that we'd have to wait a little longer to see Resident Evil Requiem - it turns out they only meant a 30-minute wait.The teaser trailer raised more questions than answers, teasing locations from previous games, like Raccoon City - and its ruined police department. It appears the game will follow Grace Ashcroft, as she tries unveil grim mysteries and, er, gets kidnapped. She's the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft - a Resident Evil character that I do not remember at all.Capcom confirmed a year ago that veteran director Koshi Nakanishi will lead what is definitely not the ninth chapter of Resident Evil. (If you don't count Code Veronica, who even are you?) Nakanishi was involved in the development of Resident Evil Revelations and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, among other Resident Evil titles.Resident Evil 9 is set to launch on February 27, 2026, but a demo will be playable in August at Gamescom, so book your tickets for Cologne, Germany.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/resident-evil-requiem-announced-at-summer-game-fest-2025-231136129.html?src=rss

Tribute Games, the developer behind the fantastic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge, is back with its take on another comic book IP. Scott Pilgrim EX is a beat-em-up coming to PC and consoles in 2026.This looks like a real evolution of its work with those pizza-loving turtles. There's a large map to explore with plenty of secrets, seven playable characters and, most importantly for Pilgrim fans, a brand-new story. Vegans, robots and demons have taken over Toronto! This seems only nominally better than ex-boyfriends.The developer promises "countless creative combos" and all kinds of quests "across space and time." The graphics and soundtrack are both absolutely soaked in retro goodness.If the idea of a sidescrolling Scott Pilgrim beat-em-up seems eerily familiar to you, it's not the Mandela Effect. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game was first released all the way back in 2010.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-dev-behind-tmnt-shredders-revenge-is-making-a-scott-pilgrim-beat-em-up-223721054.html?src=rss

Drinkbox Studios is back with a new title called Blighted, a 3D Metroidvania that promises to take the concept of generational memory to some bizarre and compelling new places. It will have a solo or co-op story that sees players fighting their way through a world full of monsters and secrets as they attempt to control the blight that corrupts them. And maybe eat some brains. The game was announced during the Summer Game Fest kickoff stream.The team describes Blighted as a "psychedelic western nightmare," which is pretty much exactly what I love to see from Drinkbox Studios. This company is probably best known for the excellent 2D platformers Guacamelee! and Guacamelee! 2, but don't sleep on the surreal dungeon-crawler Severed either. Drinkbox games have a powerful sense of place and clever action mechanics, so I'm very curious to see how they'll bring those sensibilities into this genre.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/blighted-is-a-trippy-metroidvania-from-the-team-behind-guacamelee-000030687.html?src=rss

It's been a few years since Yacht Club Games, the studio behind Shovel Knight, ran a successful Kickstarter campaign for the first entry in a new franchise, and now we know when that game will drop. The team announced at Summer Game Fest Live that Mina the Hollower will arrive on October 31 on PC. A demo is available on Steam until Steam Next Fest ends on June 13.Mina the Hollower is a gothic horror-influenced, action-adventure platformer, so the Halloween release date is quite fitting. It's styled after the look and feel of Game Boy Color games - so much so that the game has no 3D assets and a limited color palette (but Yacht Club did make one concession by opting for a widescreen display ratio). As the inventor and mouse Mina, you'll have a whip as a weapon and the ability to burrow short distances to cross gaps and have a moment of invincibility.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/mina-the-hollower-from-the-makers-of-shovel-knight-arrives-on-halloween-222539705.html?src=rss

Annapurna Interactive showed off a first like at Lego Voyagersat Summer Game Fest Live, the next game from Light Brick Studio, the developers of Lego Builder's Journey.Lego Voyagers is co-op puzzle game where you and a friend will play as two Lego studs, traveling through a realistic, brick-based world solving puzzles. The trailer showed off several different locales your studs will journey through, including a Lego speedboat and rocket launch. To make your way through the game's various challenges, you'll move and build new structures by picking up bricks with your studs.The game looks like it builds on the calming vibes of Builder's Journey, but with a focus on co-op gameplay. Light Brick's first game worked like a riff on Monument Valley, tasking you with building a path for your bricks through a minimalistic Lego world. Voyagers takes things in a Split Fiction-direction, just with a lot more chill.Lego Voyagers is "coming soon" to PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X / S, Nintendo Switch and PC. You'll be able to play with a friend using only one copy of the game thanks to a feature called Friend's Pass.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/lego-voyagers-is-a-co-op-puzzle-game-from-the-studio-behind-builders-journey-222331161.html?src=rss

A new co-op adventure is coming from Epic Games. Made by WiredFly and Kong Orange, Out of Words will offer a stop-motion-flavored platform adventure that's a little bit cozy and a little bit fantasy. The controllable humans have had their mouths stolen - that's why it's called Out of Words. (It's a little On The Nose.)The cute figures and creatures have been crafted by hand, and cutscenes suggest they've been stop-motion animated alongside the gaming parts. Alongside the two humans you seemingly control, there's also a cute flying stingray. According to Epic Games, much of that whimsy originates from the mind of acclaimed poet Morten Sondergaard.Epic GamesA core navigation dynamic will be the ability to invert gravity, allowing players to run upside-down alongside each other. There are other traversal powers, including monstrous arms that can grab and slingshot players across spaces.Out of Words launches in 2026, and is coming to the Epic Games Store, PS5 and Xbox Series X and S.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/out-of-words-is-a-cozy-stop-motion-co-op-adventure-from-epic-games-220803056.html?src=rss

Killer Inn is a little bit murder mystery and a little bit third-person action game, and combined, it looks like a lot of fun. Square Enix and developer Tactic Studios revealed Killer Inn during today's Summer Game Fest kickoff stream. A beta for the game is coming to Steam soon and it's available to wishlist now.Killer Inn is a lot like the movie Clue, or the TV show The Traitors, or the social improv game Werewolf, or the video game Spy Party - it's all about uncovering players' true intentions and concealing your own, with a murderous twist. Each round includes 24 players, some of whom are wolves, while the rest are lambs. As a lamb, the players' goal is sniff out the wolves and survive their attacks, and the wolves are out to blend in with the herd, stealthily killing when they can. Each kill leaves behind a clue for other players to find. The game ends when one team has eliminated all members of the opposing group. It isn't pure social strategy - there are various weapons, traps, poisons, bits of armor and masks to use, and a range of characters to choose from. Killer Inn is playable solo or with up to four players.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/killer-inn-turns-werewolf-into-a-multiplayer-action-game-220859571.html?src=rss

I have not played a single boxing game outside of Wii Sports this century, but that could be about to change. Summer Game Fest Live brought us the reveal of Felt That: Boxing, which stars puppet pugilists.This project from the appropriately named Sans Strings Studio and Seth Green's animation company, Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, is billed as "a comedic, over-the-top boxing game set in a world where the charm of furry puppets collides with the fury of boxing." The clip is structured like a trailer for an underdog sports movie and it is just delightful.The snippets of gameplay suggest there will be training minigames that include dodging slices of burnt toast that a trainer hurls at your puppet (who is named Fuzz-E) and, uh, plunging a toilet. According to the description on the YouTube video, the developers are aiming to make the "boxing mechanics are intentionally ridiculous, favoring fun over precision, with [puppet] limbs flailing about with an insane sense of chaos." Lovely.This trailer was immediately the most interesting thing during SGF Live up to that point. Felt That: Boxing does not yet have a release window, but you can wishlist it on Steam now, like I just did.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/heres-a-silly-puppet-boxing-game-you-never-knew-you-needed-215616201.html?src=rss

Developer Cold Symmetry jumpstarted Summer Game Fest Live with the first trailer for Mortal Shell II, a sequel to Mortal Shell with what looks like an equal amount of gruesome imagery. The game is expected to launch in 2026, but you can register right now to try a beta version of Mortal Shell II when it becomes available.According to the game's Steam page, Mortal Shell II is a standalone sequel to the original Mortal Shell released in 2020. It combines deliberate, Dark Souls-style action with a grotesque, dark setting, not unlike Dark Souls itself. The trailer offers ample examples is full of over-the-top enemies- of particular note, a giant armored snail - and lots of sharp things piercing soft flesh.Playing as "the Harbinger" you'll travel through "more than 60 dungeons," leveraging the "Shells" of fallen warriors to gain new abilities, Cold Symmetry writes. It sounds like the just the kind of punishing experience Soulslike fans get out of bed for.Mortal Shell II is coming to PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X / S in 2026.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/mortal-shell-ii-is-dark-gross-and-coming-in-2026-214811717.html?src=rss

Troy Baker will don the cartoon fedora and play the lead role in Mouse: P.I. For Hire. The game has garnered buzz for its unique blending of genres. Imagine a film noir-infused cross between Cuphead and Doom.Baker will play Private Investigator Jack Pepper, the game's protagonist. He's a war hero turned detective who begins his journey responding to a cliche damsel in distress. Pepper's investigation then peels back the layers of the city's dark underbelly. It sounds like developer Fumi Games ticked all the items off the noir checklist.Oh, and don't forget the minor detail that he's a rodent. Expect plenty of cheesy (meaning puns about cheese) one-liners.Being a first-person shooter, Mouse: P.I. For Hire has plenty of Rambo-style room-clearing. Pepper's weapons range from conventional (shotgun) to comically ludicrous (turpentine cleanser). There's even an ode to Popeye: Down a can of spinach to beat your foes to smithereens.The game's animation draws inspiration from the same 1930s cartoons as Cuphead. Like that game, Mouse: P.I. For Hire's monochromatic visuals are all hand-drawn. (But whether it's as punishingly difficult as the 2017 classic remains to be seen.) Watching the delightfully wacky trailers, it's easy to see why gamers are keeping an eye on this one.It sounds like a wild ride. But that doesn't necessarily point to a game in need of an industry titan like Baker. So, perhaps there's more to the game's narrative than you might expect. Or, maybe The Last of Us actor is merely checking "played rodent" off his bucket list. (Couldn't blame him!)Baker said he's been following the game's development from its first teaser. "Its art style, gameplay and 1930s lm-noir aesthetic continue to win me over. I cannot wait to keep working with the team to bring Jack Pepper to life and hope to have some exciting things to share as we get closer to launch!"You can check out the game's new trailer here. Mouse: P.I. for Hire arrives later this year. It will be available on all major platforms, including Switch 2.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/troy-baker-is-the-big-cheese-in-mouse-pi-for-hire-220033867.html?src=rss

The latest Apple iPad Mini is on sale via Amazon, bringing the 128GB model down to a record-low price. Each Wi-Fi-only model has been discounted by $100, so the 128GB version is $399, the 256GB tablet is $499 and the beefy 512GB model is $699. This deal applies to multiple colorways. This is one of the best Apple tablets, and the only choice for those looking for a compact iPad. It's the company's most powerful tablet in this size, as the A17 Pro chip is plenty capable. An M-series chip would have been nice, but it's not in the cards just yet. Having said that, this is still a full-featured iPad that can hang with its larger cousins. It offers support for the Apple Pencil Pro, which is handy, and the 12-megapixel camera on the rear takes decent shots, even in low light. The camera is also a decent choice for scanning documents and QR codes, as noted in our official review. The speakers sound much better than one would expect, though this has become the norm with recent Apple products. The display looks nice, but it is just a standard LCD with a 60Hz refresh rate. Apple tends to reserve its best screen technology for the higher-end tablets. There's no Face ID here, but that's not a deal breaker for me, as I actually prefer Touch ID or just quickly typing in a four digit security code. Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-latest-ipad-mini-drops-to-a-record-low-price-170558317.html?src=rss

Tesla has been awfully cagey with its self-driving data this week. Reuters is now reporting that Tesla is trying to stop the city of Austin from handing over public records involving its robotaxi operations in the city, which are set to expand this month. This comes just a few days after the automaker asked a judge to prevent the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from releasing certain data related to crashes that involved its cars with self-driving features.Reuters says that it requested two years' worth of communications between Tesla and Austin officials in February, shortly after Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that Austin would play home to the robotaxi experiment.Dan Davis, an Austin public information officer, told Reuters in April that third parties" were asking the city to withhold these records in the interest of protecting privacy or property." After the publication escalated the matter to the Texas Attorney General's office, an attorney for Tesla wrote Ken Paxton opposing the release of what it called confidential, proprietary, competitively sensitive commercial and/or trade secret information."Reuters also spoke with Neal Falgoust, an Austin Law Department official overseeing public records issues about the matter. Falgoust told reporters that the city of Austin doesn't take any particular position on the confidentiality of the materials involved. When Reuters pressed further, asking if the people of Austin have a right to information about the driverless cars that would be traversing their streets, Falgoust did not respond.Tesla said just last week that it had been testing driverless Model Ys in Austin for several days, which Elon Musk said was a month ahead of schedule. This would not be the first fleet of autonomous taxis on the streets of the Texas capital, with Waymo operating there since 2023 within a specific geofenced area. Waymo has also partnered with Uber in Austin since March.By Texas law, the Attorney General's office has 45 business days to decide whether the city of Austin is required to make these records public, which would be next week.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/tesla-is-reportedly-blocking-the-city-of-austin-from-releasing-robotaxi-records-155643815.html?src=rss

Sony's latest Days of Play sale is underway. It features deals aplenty on PlayStation 5 consoles, accessories and games, as well as PS Plus subscriptions. One of the more intriguing discounts is for the PS5 DualSense Edge. The premium controller has dropped by 15 percent from $200 to $169. That's the lowest price to date for the peripheral. The deal is available on Amazon and from Sony directly. The layout apes that of the regular DualSense controller, but there's a lot more going on with the Edge. For instance, there are function buttons below each thumbstick that allow you to swap between button configurations (which you can customize at any time in the PS5 settings). On the rear, there are switches that enable you to change the pull length of the shoulder triggers. There are also rear paddles, and you can choose between a set of levers or shorter half-domes. It's possible to swap out the thumbsticks as well and, because they attach to the controller magnetically, it's a cinch to do so. Other than the standard nubs, you can choose between short-stemmed convex and long-stemmed convex options. There's also a cable lock that prevents you from accidentally removing the USB-C charging cable by accident. You might want to keep that cable plugged in. One of the major downsides of the DualSense Edge is its battery life. In our testing, we got around five to six hours of use on a single charge, less than the six or seven we get with the standard DualSense. Last but not least, the DualSense Edge comes with a hardshell carrying case. There's even a passthrough flap through which you can thread a USB-C cable to charge the controller while it's cocooned in the case. There are, of course, lots of other intriguing discounts in the Days of Play sale, including one on the standard PS5 DualSense controller. That has dropped to $55, which is $20 off the list price. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/playstations-dualsense-edge-wireless-controller-is-on-sale-for-a-record-low-price-143629684.html?src=rss

The first thing you do after tearing open the Switch 2's box is snap its Joy-Con 2 controllers to the sides of the console. But unlike the Switch 1, which used flimsy rails to connect its controllers, the Switch 2's Joy-Con rely on magnets. That leads to a visceral "thunk" whenever you snap them on - it's as if they leap out of your hands and right onto the Switch, ready for some Mario Kart World action. And every time it happens, I can't help but smile.Even before you turn on the Switch 2, it's clear that Nintendo recognized one of the biggest issues of the original Switch: Those Joy-Con rails stunk. They didn't hold the controllers in place well, and they wore down over time, which could lead to Joy-Cons slipping out mid-gameplay. In my case, one bad drop just two weeks into owning the original Switch made one of my Joy-Con gamepads loose for the system's lifetime. The only fix was replacing the controller's locking buckle, or buying a new an entirely new Joy-Con set for $80.So, at the very least, it feels nice to have a new Switch console where the controllers feel sturdy. With the Joy-Con 2 attached, the Switch 2 feels almost as solid as the Switch Lite, which doesn't have removable controllers. To put it another way, the Joy-Con 2's "thunk" is like the satisfying sound of a luxury car door being slammed shut rather than the sound of a cheap economy car closing. The "thunk" means security. The "thunk" means quality. We still don't know if the Joy-Con 2 are completely free of the dreaded drifting problem that plagued the original controllers. One Reddit user claimed their launch system arrived with drifting controllers, and Redditor moshi_yo tore their controller apart and noticed that it uses the same joystick mechanism. But Nintendo producer Kouichi Kawamoto said in an interview that the company "redesigned everything from scratch." They added, "Compared to the Joy-Con controllers for Switch, the control sticks are larger and more durable, with smoother movement."Less immediately noticeable than the Joy-Con 2 "thunk" is the Switch 2's wider kickstand, which I quickly learned to appreciate. That's something Nintendo brought over from the Switch OLED model, but it's still useful this time around. As I was playing Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, the kickstand easily let me balance the system on my lap in tablet mode while using the Joy-Con 2 to mouse around on my leg. Is that an ideal setup? No. But it's certainly functional in a pinch.While the Switch 2 overall feels like a major refinement of the original, with its larger screen, dramatically faster hardware and more usable eShop, new issues have cropped up for Nintendo. The console's reliance on expensive microSD Express cards will make it tough for players to deal with increasingly large games, and similarly developers seem to be balking at actually putting games on physical carts. Instead, many titles are taking advantage of Nintendo's Game-Key Cards, which unlock digital versions of titles and can be resold like a physical used game. Unlike full-fledged carts, though, those Game-Key Cards won't work down the line when Nintendo eventually moves on from the Switch 2 and shuts down its eShop.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/the-switch-2s-best-feature-is-its-satisfying-joy-con-2-thunk-150031872.html?src=rss

Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) kicks off next week - but if I'm honest with myself, I'm struggling to care. I used to watch the shows with eager anticipation as to what new goodies would be coming to my Mac across the next year. But in recent years, a lot of the features highlighted either fell into the bucket marked wait, you couldn't do that already?" or the one marked well, that's not a thing I'm going to use."It doesn't help the rumored slate of announcements for this year is mostly stuff I know I'm not going to need to engage with. The loudest rumor is a Vision Pro-inspired UI overhaul to bring the iPhone, iPad and Mac in line with their youngest sibling. Consistency is a fine thing to aim for, but Apple is reportedly justifying this change by saying it's jarring to switch between platforms. I can't say I've ever had an issue, and my concern is Apple will forget that each of those devices is different, and operates in a different way to its stablemates.If a promise is made too often, there's a risk you'll stop believing it will ever be fulfilled. Apropos of nothing, Apple's going to make the iPad more useful as a productivity tool. The rumors hint the slates will get better multitasking and app window management to make it more Mac-esque. But unless iPadOS gets the sort of radical changes that'll make it operate a lot more like macOS, nothing will change. And I'm doubtful Apple would bring true multitasking to the iPad, lest it eat into Mac sales - not to mention the constraints of its form factor.As someone who is aggressively indifferent toward generative AI and voice assistants, tweaks to Apple Intelligence and Siri leave me similarly cold. I'm not sure I would ever want a gussied up pattern-recognition algorithm writing messages and emails in my voice. Neither am I too into the idea of using generative AI to create images. I'd much rather stay in the real world. Sure, I'm a young man yelling at a cloud, I don't care.AppleAccording to Apple, I'm clearly in the minority since the only time I ever engage with Siri is by accident. I can think, type and operate a phone far faster than I can say out loud Hey Siri, dim my living room lights by 50 percent," so the slowness of speech irks me. Of course, I'd love a virtual assistant that was as skilled and imaginative as a flesh-and-blood person who could marshal all of my data, organize it and keep me on track. But I don't believe we're close to that point, and Apple has failed to deliver on its promises in this area more than once.The only rumored feature that excites me is the AI-powered" battery management mode for iOS 19 (or 26, as the rumors indicate). I say AI-powered," since I'm not sure how much we need to oversell an algorithm that tracks your usage patterns to make power-saving adjustments. But it's the sort of feature that, if it's able to make meaningful improvements to the iPhone's longevity, could be transformative.After all, as a relatively heavy iPhone user, I rarely find my device lasting until the end of the day without a top-up charge. This isn't a new problem, either, since the iPhone's battery has been lackluster since the first model was launched in 2007. In a world where most Android handsets boast of multi-day battery life, the iPhone's battery life remains embarrassing. Yes, you can take that as a not-too-subtle dig at the rumored thin-and-light iPhone Air, which feels to me like the most egregious waste of development resources imaginable.Maybe this is a sign of my subconscious frustration with Apple that it feels so compelled to push forward rather than tidying up behind it. I groused last year that the company gave so much attention to the addition of multitrack recording to Voice Notes despite the feature already being in Garageband. I would love nothing more than Apple to do what it did in 2009 with Snow Leopard and in 2017 with High Sierra. In both of those instances, the company opted to focus on tidying up the existing code to make it smaller and run faster rather than over-extending itself with new features. That, to me, would seem like a far better use of Apple's time than repainting the home screen with snazzier icons.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/is-it-wrong-the-iphones-ai-battery-management-is-the-only-wwdc-rumor-im-excited-about-143028037.html?src=rss

Maybe you've just picked up a Nintendo Switch 2 and want to try GameChat features with your friends in Mario Kart World, but can't quite swing $55 for the official camera right now after plopping down $500 for the console and game bundle. The solution might be in your pocket.The Switch 2 supports third-party USB-C webcams. However, you might be able to use your phone instead. YouTube channel Will It Work? has demonstrated how to use an iPhone as a camera for the console.Unfortunately, it's not quite as simple as opening the iPhone's Camera app, plugging a USB-C cable into both devices and setting up the phone (perhaps on a MagSafe charger) so it points at your mug. I tried that, and nope, no dice. Instead, if you plug the cable into a USB-C to HDMI adapter, and that into an HDMI capture cable and hook the daisy chain into your Switch 2, your new console should recognize your phone as a camera. This process may work for Android devices too.Since doing this will pipe whatever's on your phone's screen into your Switch 2, you might want to use an app that hides all of the on-screen camera controls and only shows what the selfie lens or rear-facing array picks up. There are a few free options in the App Store that can do the trick. You can check that this all works by opening up the Settings on your Switch 2 and going to Controllers & Accessories > Test USB Camera.Links in the YouTube video that demonstrates this workaround point to Amazon listings where you can pick up the two cables for $31, but you may be able to find cheaper versions. Of course, that's moot if you already have both cables. A regular capture card and HDMI to USB-C cable might work too. Naturally, if you have a USB-C webcam handy, that's an easier way to go about all this.There is one downside to note before you use your iPhone as a Switch 2 camera, as Will It Work? points out. There may be some lag, which could affect lip sync. But if you can live with that, this might be an option for you.There's another accessory you might already have on hand that could save you from buying an official Nintendo or third-party one. The Switch 2 fits into the Steam Deck's case. You might want to add some padding, as the Switch 2 is a smaller device than the Steam Deck and might shift around in the case otherwise, but it's still perhaps worth considering.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/you-can-use-an-iphone-as-a-nintendo-switch-2-camera-142622005.html?src=rss

Pokemon Legends: Z-A, the much-awaited follow-up to 2022's Pokemon Legends: Arceus, is now available for pre-order. You can get the digital version for the old Switch for $60 or for the new Switch 2 for $70 from Nintendo's website. In case you have no plans to get the Switch 2 anytime soon and you do get the game for the first Switch console, you can purchase an upgrade pack for $10 to get access to better graphics and higher frame rate for Nintendo's new system later on. Pre-ordering lets you pre-load the game so you can play it as soon as it becomes available on October 16.The action role-playing game is not just a follow-up to Arceus, but also a sequel to Pokemon X and Y. It's set in Lumiose City, introduced in X and Y over a decade ago, and features three available starters: Chikorita and Totodile from Gold and Silver, as well as Tepig from Black and White. Its gameplay is a mix of the real-time capture mechanics on Arceus and the old-school turn-based gameplay of traditional Pokemon titles. The game is also bringing back X and Y's Mega Evolution mechanic, which can temporarily transform a Pokemon into a much stronger monster, boosting its power and sometimes even changing its type.The physical version of Pokemon Legends: Z-A is now also available for pre-order from retailers like Walmart (Switch, Switch 2) and Best Buy (Switch, Switch 2.). It's not clear if pre-ordering the game will get you any bonuses, but the Walmart listing URLs hint at an "exclusive gift with purchase."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/you-can-now-pre-order-pokemon-legends-z-a-for-the-switch-and-switch-2-140004626.html?src=rss

OpenAI has appealed a court ruling from last month that forces it to retain ChatGPT data indefinitely as part of a copyright violation case brought by The New York Times in 2023. CEO Sam Altman said in a tweet on X that the judge's decision "compromises our users' privacy" and "sets a bad precedent."In May, federal judge Ona T. Wang ordered OpenAI to preserve and segregate all ChatGPT output log data that would otherwise be deleted due to a user request. She said that the ruling was justified because the volume of deleted conversations is "significant." The directive notes that the judge asked OpenAI if there was a way to anonymize the data to address users' privacy concerns.The New York Times sought the order so that it can accurately track how often OpenAI violates its IP, including instances when users requested deletion of chats. A federal judge allowed the original case to proceed, agreeing with the NYT's argument that OpenAI and Microsoft's tech had induced users to plagiarize its materials.In a FAQ on its site, OpenAI painted the order as a privacy issue without addressing the millions of alleged copyright violations. "This fundamentally conflicts with the privacy commitments we have made to our users," the company wrote. "It abandons long-standing privacy norms and weakens privacy protections." OpenAI noted that the order "does not impact ChatGPT Enterprise or ChatGPT Edu customers."The NYT and other AI copyright cases are still ongoing, as courts have not yet decided whether OpenAI, Google and other companies infringed copyrights on a massive scale by scraping material from the internet. The tech companies have argued that training is protected by "fair use" copyright law and that the lawsuits threaten the AI industry. Creators of that content, in turn, argue that AI harms their own livelihoods by stealing and reproducing works with little to no compensation.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-appeals-court-order-forcing-it-to-preserve-all-chatgpt-data-120032364.html?src=rss

The Switch 2 has finally launched, and we've got our systems in-hand to show them off. This week, Devindra, Sam Rutherford and Nathan Ingraham will dive into their first impressions of Nintendo's new console and Mario Kart World. And of course, we'll discuss the chaotic launch experience. Also, we chat about what to expect from Apple's WWDC 2025, where we'll likely see a new naming scheme and facelift for Apple operating systems, as well as more details about their AI plans with Apple Intelligence.Subscribe!

After years of rumors, months of hype and weeks of anticipation, the Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been released into the world. If you successfully pre-ordered a model, then well done, and if you haven't snagged one yet, fear not. We've got literally tens of pages giving you all of the important info, so you can prepare and / or glower covetously at your screen. That includes Sam Rutherford's detailed preview filling you in on all the details, plus answering if you really need to buy one so soon after launch. The team has also cranked out this list of key questions about all the hardware and software changes in a console they do not call Le Switch Deux in France. If, after reading all of that, you decide to throw your money at the screen, we've also got a rundown of which retailers are selling.I'll be honest, I nearly joined the pre-order scrum the moment it was announced but opted not to for a couple of reasons. First, I don't have the time or opportunity to game enough to need to get a console on day one. Second, I don't think I've yet wrestled all the entertainment out of the first-generation Switch. And third, the pain of buying a new console is always in the two- or three-year wait before its games library is muscular enough for it to be worth your while. Which is why I'll be joining many of you in glowering covetously at the screen, at least for the next year.- Dan CooperGet Engadget's newsletter delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!The news you might have missed

Dead smartphones aren't so smart. If you travel, stay away from home for extended periods of time or simply forget to charge your phone occasionally, it might be wise to keep a portable charger in your bag. Over the past few years, I've tested over fifty different models to find the best power banks for different life situations. I looked at price, capacity, design and wattage to pick the candidates, then used each one to charge up a slew of different devices to see how they compare. This guide also includes info on what to look for in a battery as well the latest regulations on flying with a power bank. Here are the best portable chargers you can buy right now. Table of contents

The Nintendo Switch 2 comes with a one-year limited warranty that covers the cost of repairing unexpected defects, but any damage that falls outside that coverage will cost you. Avoiding that could be key, because based on Nintendo's customer repair portal, paying to fix a Switch 2 is noticeably more expensive than repairing an older Switch.Now, prices could vary depending on how your Switch 2 or its accessories are damaged. Just looking at repairing water damage specifically, though, here's how prices break down:

It's a big day for everyone who has successfully acquired their Nintendo Switch 2, but few hardware launches go off without a single hitch. In addition to some surprising hidden costs to finishing the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, players have also discovered a compatibility problem in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.The conditions for this issue to occur, luckily, appear to be pretty narrow. It's happening in online matches of the fighting game where one person is on a Switch 1 and the other is on a Switch 2. If one of the players choses the Mii Fighters as their character, the match may immediately end. Also, thumbnails aren't always saving correctly for the Mii Fighters, which are customizable for each person.Nintendo is aware of the problem, according to a translation posted on X by user OatmealDome. The game company said that an update for this Smash compatibility issue will be released "soon," although no more specific date has been provided. Basically, if you're going to spend launch day with your Switch 2 playing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, just don't pick Mii Fighters.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/mii-fighters-are-breaking-super-smash-bros-ultimate-matches-on-the-switch-2-212304774.html?src=rss

Walmart just announced a major expansion of its drone delivery service to five new cities. These areas include Atlanta, Tampa, Orlando, Charlotte and Houston. This makes it the first retailer to offer drone-based deliveries across five states, as the service has already been operating in Arkansas.This isn't a small beta test, like some of Amazon's pilot programs. Walmart says the service is launching at 100 stores. This is thanks to a partnership with Wing, which operates its drones within FAA guidelines.This is real drone delivery at scale," said Adam Woodworth, CEO of Wing. People all around the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex have made drone delivery part of their normal shopping habits over the past year. Now we're excited to share this ultra-fast delivery experience with millions more people across many more US cities."WalmartThese drones can deliver up to six miles from the retail location. Walmart says it's building out the service right now, but it could take up to a year to reach every store. Customers are encouraged to sign up for notifications as to when drone deliveries open up in their area. The company notes that it has made over 150,000 drone deliveries so far, with an average fulfillment time of 19 minutes. There is a weight limit, however, and Wing drones will only deliver certain items.Rival Amazon recently experienced a hiccup with its in-house drone delivery program. There were two crashes, which forced the company to put the project on hold for a bit. It's back now, and can now deliver new items like smartphones and video doorbells.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/walmart-expands-drone-deliveries-to-five-new-cities-including-atlanta-200030301.html?src=rss

Scams using AI deepfakes of celebrities have become an increasingly prominent issue for Meta over the last couple of years. Now, the Oversight Board has weighed in and has seemingly confirmed what other critics have said: Meta isn't doing enough to enforce its own rules, and makes it far too easy for scammers to get away with these schemes."Meta is likely allowing significant amounts of scam content on its platforms to avoid potentially overenforcing a small subset of genuine celebrity endorsements," the board wrote in its latest decision. "At-scale reviewers are not empowered to enforce this prohibition on content that establishes a fake persona or pretends to be a famous person in order to scam or defraud."That conclusion came as the result of a case involving an ad for an online casino-style game called Plinko that used an AI-manipulated video of Ronaldo Nazario, a retired Brazilian soccer player. The ad, which according to the board showed obvious signs of being fake, was not removed by Meta even after it was reported as a scam more than 50 times. Meta later removed the ad, but not the underlying Facebook post behind it until the Oversight Board agreed to review the case. It was viewed more than 600,000 times.The board says that the case highlights fundamental flaws in how Meta approaches content moderation for reported scams involving celebrities and public figures. The board says that Meta told its members that "it enforces the policy only on escalation to ensure the person depicted in the content did not actually endorse the product" and that individual reviewers' "interpretation of what constitutes a fake persona' could vary across regions and introduce inconsistencies in enforcement." The result, according to the Oversight Board, is that a "significant" amount of scam content is likely slipping through the cracks.In its sole recommendation to Meta, the board urged the company should update its internal guidelines, empower content reviewers to identify such scams and train them on "indicators" of AI-manipulated content. In a statement, a spokesperson for Meta said that "many of the Board's claims are simply inaccurate" and pointed to a test it began last year that uses facial recognition technology to fight "celeb-bait" scams.Scams have grown in scale and complexity in recent years, driven by ruthless cross-border criminal networks," the spokesperson said. "As this activity has become more persistent and sophisticated, so have our efforts to combat it. We're testing the use of facial recognition technology, enforcing aggressively against scams, and empowering people to protect themselves through many different on platform safety tools and warnings. While we appreciate the Oversight Board's views in this case, many of the Board's claims are simply inaccurate and we will respond to the full recommendation in 60 days in accordance with the bylaws."Scams using AI deepfakes of celebrities has become a major problem for Meta as AI tech gets cheaper and more easily accessible. Earlier this year, I reported that dozens of pages were running ads featuring deepfakes of Elon Musk and Fox News personalities promoting supplements that claimed to cure diabetes. Some of these pages repeatedly ran hundreds of versions of these ads with seemingly few repercussions. Meta disabled some of the pages after my reporting, but similar scam ads persist on Facebook to this day. Actress Jamie Lee Curtis also recently publicly slammed Mark Zuckerberg for not removing a deepfaked Facebook ad that featured her (Meta removed the ad after her public posts).The Oversight Board similarly highlighted the scale of the problem in this case, noting that it found thousands of video ads promoting the Plinko app in Meta's Ad Library. It said that several of these featured AI deepfakes, including ads featuring another Brazilian soccer star, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Meta's own CEO Mark Zuckerberg.The Oversight Board isn't the only group that's raised the alarm about scams on Meta's platforms. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Meta "accounted for nearly half of all reported scams on Zelle for JPMorgan Chase between the summers of 2023 and 2024" and that "British and Australian regulators have found similar levels of fraud originating on Meta's platforms." The paper noted that Meta is "reluctant" to add friction to its ad-buying process and that the company "balks" at banning advertisers, even those with a history of conducting scams.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/the-oversight-board-says-meta-isnt-doing-enough-to-fight-celeb-deepfake-scams-194636203.html?src=rss

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a $10 museum-like experience dedicated to playfully explaining features of the Nintendo Switch 2, and technically, it costs a lot more than $10 to truly finish. As Eurogamer writes and multiple Nintendo webpages note, you can't actually finish the game without using all of the Switch 2's many accessories.All 12 of the different areas in Welcome Tour are accessible whether you're plugging in a camera or not, but to play and beat every minigame, "additional accessories [are] required," according to Nintendo. Those accessories include a USB camera, a controller with GL and GR buttons (the kind in the Switch 2 Pro Controller's grips) and a 4K-compatible TV. If you wanted to go the official route and use Nintendo accessories, that means paying $55 for the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera and $85 for the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, assuming you already own a 4K TV.No one needs to 100-percent complete Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, of course, but it is funny that price was one of the biggest complaints about the Switch 2's answer to Wii Sports, and now to totally complete it you might have to pay even more.The patient among us (who didn't pre-order) can wait and see if the hidden secrets of Welcome Tour are truly worth spending the extra cash on accessories. For the rest, you might be better off spending your time unlocking characters in Mario Kart World.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/truly-completing-nintendo-switch-2-welcome-tour-will-cost-you-192255868.html?src=rss

As if early June wasn't already going to be a wild enough time in the gaming world with the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2, that's also when a whole host of showcases takes place as part of Summer Game Fest. Along with three main events - Sony State of Play, Summer Game Fest Live and the Xbox Games Showcase - there are a bunch of other ones in store, including the always-delightful Day of the Devs.There some brand-new showcases this year as well, while others are missing. For instance, Ubisoft won't be running its Forward event this time - perhaps because it has delayed a bunch of big games and isn't ready to talk about them. However, Ubisoft has teased that something Splinter Cell-related is in the pipeline and it's set to participate in IGN Live and PC Gaming Show.Meanwhile, CD Projekt Red popped up at Epic Games' State of Unreal event earlier in the week. To show off the capabilities of Unreal Engine, CDPR offered up a very pretty tech demo set in the world of The Witcher 4. It ranat 60 fps with ray-tracing enabled on a base PS5. Quite impressive.Anyway, as things stand, SGF is slated to run from June 4 until June 9. With E3 officially dead (that show's organizer, the Entertainment Software Association, is planning an industry-focused event for next April instead), SGF is now the de-facto replacement and the biggest event for announcements and updates this side of Gamescom in August.We'll update this preview as more details about the showcases emerge, including additional events in the SGF nebula. We'll embed videos for each stream as they become available as well.Engadget will be on the ground in Los Angeles for the in-person side of SGF, which is for media and creators. We'll be bringing you hands-on impressions of many of the games that are featured during SGF Live.Most folks will be keeping up with everything from home, though. To that end, here's a breakdown of how to watch Summer Game Fest 2025 and what to expect from the extravaganza (we're bound to get a Hollow Knight: Silksong release date this time, right?!?!).Summer Game Fest 2025 schedule

In space, no one can hear you, uh, stream. We finally have a real trailer for the upcoming Alien: Earth TV series and it looks extremely cool. FX dropped a teaser a few months back, but that was just vibes. This is an actual two-minute trailer that's absolutely packed with footage.For the uninitiated, Alien: Earth is the first TV series in the franchise's long history and is being helmed by Noah Hawley. That's the guy who made the Fargo TV series and the criminally underrated Marvel show Legion. Franchise creator Ridley Scott is also on board as an executive producer.This is a prequel that's set just two years before the original film. As the name suggests, it takes place on Earth. The trailer indicates the story will involve a ship crashing into a large corporate-controlled city. This vessel may or may not have a fearsome Xenomorph aboard, among other notable alien species.A character in the clip says that the ship "collected five different life forms from the darkest corners of the universe," going on to suggest that one is "predatory." That's right. We could be getting a dang Predator in our Alien TV show.Alien: Earth premieres on August 12 on FX and will be available to stream on Hulu. The show stars Sydney Chandler as a hybrid robot/human lifeform tasked with investigating the crash. The rest of the cast includes Timothy Olyphant, Alex Lawther and Samuel Blenkin, among others.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/the-full-alien-earth-trailer-is-finally-here-and-its-a-doozy-184921361.html?src=rss

Whatever your opinion of X, you probably don't think of it as a platform known for fostering agreement. The company is apparently trying to change that, though, and is in the early stages of an experiment that aims to boost posts that are widely agreeable to the site's users.With a new test, described by X as an "experimental pilot," the app will begin asking a small subset of users what they think of a particular post in their timeline. A screenshot shared by X shows that people can respond with a range of positive or negative opinions, like "it makes a meaningful point," "it's funny" or "it doesn't interest me." X will then use those responses to help it "develop an open source algorithm that could effectively identify posts liked by people from different perspectives."The concept is somewhat similar to Community Notes, which already attempts to take differing perspectives into account when ranking fact checks. The new program, though, isn't about surfacing fact-checked content but boosting posts that are likely to be, well, liked.X's post about the test suggests it has lofty goals. "This experimental new feature seeks to uncover ideas, insights, and opinions that bridge perspectives," the company wrote. "It can bring awareness to what resonates broadly. It could motivate people to share those ideas in the first place."Whether an open source algorithm based on data about users' likes can actually accomplish that, though, is unclear. A report published today by Pew Research shows that there is still a significant partisan divide in terms of how X is perceived and experienced by users. Overcoming that could be more difficult than boosting a few extra posts.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-tests-centrism-170939276.html?src=rss

After years of leaks and months of teasers, the Nintendo Switch 2 is finally here. We've long known what the Switch 2 will look like, and when it'll arrive. We've told you how tariffs have affected Nintendo's launch plans, we've given you a step-by-step guide to pre-ordering and told you where to buy a Switch 2 on launch day. We gave you our first hands-on preview back in early April, told you how good of a first impression Mario Kart World makes and dug even deeper with our final preview earlier this week.All that's left now is our full review, and reviews take time. While we put Nintendo's latest through its paces, you can catch up on everything you need to know about the Switch 2 below. If you want to follow the Engadget team's experiences with it on launch day, you can check out our Nintendo Switch 2 launch day live blog.What are the key new features of the Nintendo Switch 2?Display and dockThe 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 ControllerThe new Joy-Con 2 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 individual Joy-Cons more feasible. These buttons are also made of steel and attach to the Switch 2's magnets.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. However, they do not have Hall effect sensors, the use of which can minimize the risk of the "stick drift" issue that plagued the original Joy-Cons.The Joy-Con 2 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 2 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.NintendoThe new Pro Controller for the Nintendo Switch 2 comes with everything you'd expect based on the refreshed Joy-Con 2: 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 2, as you'd expect, and additional pairs are priced at $95. The Pro Controller will cost $85.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 GameChat function works with a mic built into the console, though headsets are also supported. Nintendo will also sell a $55 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.NintendoGameCube supportThe 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 specsPerhaps 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.Digital Foundry has been able to confirm a bunch of the details of the Switch 2's specsthat Nintendo hasn't explained publicly, but the highlights are the consoles custom chip and faster storage. The Switch 2 uses a NVIDIA chip with eight ARM Cortex A78C cores, six of which are available to developers, and a GPU with the company's Ampere architecture. That's alongside 12GB of LPDDRX RAM and a custom FDE (file decompression engine) that decompresses game files without drawing power from the Switch 2's CPU.Another major improvement comes in the form of networking - the Switch 2 supports Wi-Fi 6, which will improve the original's often glacial download speeds. Similarly, the new dock sports an Ethernet port for a rock-solid connection.Virtual game cardsVirtual Game Cards are Nintendo's way of making digital games replicate the experience of physical copies. They let you lend digital games to friends and family, letting them enjoy the game on their system without buying a separate copy.Of course, there are caveats. Much like a physical cartridge, only one system can play each Virtual Game Card at a time. You can only loan games to up to eight people, and each will need to be on the same Nintendo Family Account and local network. Finally, you can only share one game at a time, and the lending period lasts only two weeks. Although that's a healthy list of limitations, the feature is still more than other consoles have offered - and, if we're lucky, it will be something Sony and Microsoft are pressured to adopt.Perhaps best of all, the feature isn't exclusive to the Switch 2. It's already available for the first Switch.Game-Key cardsGame-Key cards are physical Switch 2 games that only contain a portion of their game data. The first time you slot one in, your Switch 2 will download the rest of the game to your local storage and the Game-Key card becomes the "key" you need to use anytime you want to play it.Nintendo says you'll have to have an internet connection the first time you boot up the game, but afterwards the card itself should be enough to let you play. You'll also be able to resell your Game-Key card in the same way you would a normal cartridge or disc.This fusion of digital and physical has become fairly common on other consoles as the size of games has grown larger, but it's relatively novel for Nintendo. Since the Switch 2 is going to be running more demanding, high-fidelity games, though, it's a compromise that lets people still enjoy the common-sense benefits of physical game cards.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 Worldas 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.When did the Nintendo Switch 2 come out?Nintendo scheduled its launch for June 5, 2025. From a US perspective, the first consoles reached gamers' hands on June 4, with Australians and New Zealanders sharing images online and some streaming their experiences on Twitch and YouTube.When did pre-orders open for Nintendo Switch 2?Switch 2 pre-orders were initially set to begin on April 9, but the following week, Nintendo said it was suspending pre-order plans in the US "indefinitely" in reaction to a slate of tariffs imposed by President Trump.Finally, when pre-orders opened on April 24, a hot mess ensued. Those who stayed up late trying to snag a Switch 2 were often left empty-handed as Walmart, Best Buy and Target's websites weren't fully equipped for the demand. Many customers were left with unmoving queues and error messages - a familiar process for many who've tried to pre-order a hot gaming or tech product in recent years. (Folks who pre-ordered a PS5 during the pandemic caught the nastiest case of deja vu.)No retailers are currently taking Switch 2 pre-orders. Although there's always the chance one will drop an unexpected stock refresh, your best option right now is to register your interest with Nintendo. That may not lead to a launch-day console, as Nintendo has warned, but it won't likely be a crazy delay like those familiar to GPU buyers. And if your Nintendo cred ticks the right boxes (you have been subscribed to Switch Online for at least 12 months, have opted in to share gameplay data, and have at least 50 total gameplay hours), your odds will improve.Costco is a dark-horse candidate for day-one availability. The retailer doesn't appear to have taken any Switch 2 pre-orders, but a product listing claims it will have Mario Kart World console bundles in stock on launch day.In any case, Nintendo says the console's June 5 release date is unchanged.In a somewhat disappointing update, Nintendo appears to be shipping "sold out" signs to retailers so that they can quickly let people know the Switch 2 isn't in stock. We can only read so much into that, but it seems likely that if you can't grab one on launch day from a retailer, you'll be waiting a while for them to come back in stock.How much does the Nintendo Switch 2 cost?On April 2, Nintendo announced that the Switch 2 would cost $450 standalone, or $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 Nintendo delayed the pre-orders from the original date of April 9, it said it was doing so "in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions." With heavy US tariffs levied on Nintendo's Asian production centers, the implication was that would have little choice but to pass at least some of those costs on to American consumers. But Trump's April 9 tariff pivot - reverting to 10 percent across the board for 90 days for all countries except China, which now gets a triple-digit hit - further muddied the waters. That's because it's unclear how much, if any, of the components and assembly of US-bound Switch 2 consoles will originate in China.The administration exempted some electronics from reciprocal tariffs, but they'll soon be subject to new levies on semiconductors. Some analysts suggest that Nintendo will be selling consoles at a loss in the US with even a 10 percent tariff.Nevertheless, the company is keeping the price of the Switch 2 at $450 and the Mario Kart World bundle at $450. However, it noted that it had to increase the prices of Switch 2 accessories "due to changing market conditions" and added that other price modifications may occur in the future for a similar reason.How much do the Nintendo Switch 2 accessories cost?When Nintendo announced the rescheduled Switch 2 pre-order date for the US and Canada, it confirmed price increases for many of the console's accessories. The current US prices for the accessories are as follows:

Anker's latest sale on Amazon includes a bunch of solid power banks and charging accessories. Key among them is the Anker 737 portable laptop charger, which is 41 percent off and down to $88. That's the best price we've seen all year so far, and it's only about $8 more than its record-low price. The 737 is a 24,000mAh charger that can juice up a laptop, but also works with other devices like smartphones, tablets and virtual reality headsets. The design is similar to our favorite premium power bank. This one, however, includes a trio of ports, making it a great option for multi-device charging. Anker says the battery is large enough to charge an iPhone 16 Pro over four times before requiring a refill. Beefier devices, like the newest iPad Pro or MacBook Pro, will get just over a single charge. This is a portable device, with a nice form factor that makes it easy to pack. However, it is on the heavier side. The Anker MagGo 621 magnetic charger is also on sale for $30, which is a discount of 25 percent. This one attaches to the back of a smartphone to provide more juice. The deal applies to multiple colorways. Alternatively, you can pick up this Anker 10K power bank for only $13, or half off its usual price. It's roughly the size of a credit card and has a built-in USB-C cable - both of which make it an excellent option for on-the-go power ups. This is a lightning deal, though, so you'll want to grab it while you can. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/anker-portable-chargers-are-on-sale-for-up-to-50-percent-off-152352617.html?src=rss

Tesla has asked a judge to block a request for the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration to disclose certain data related to crashes involving vehicles that have self-driving features, as Reuters reports. The company claimed in a filing the information is confidential, and that releasing it publicly would give competitors the ability to analyze the effectiveness of each version of the self-driving tech and potentially figure out the number of crashes that are linked to various systems.The Washington Post last year filed a lawsuit against the NHTSA last year to obtain access to more details about crashes that happened while driver-assistance systems, such as Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD), were engaged. The agency has said the data being requested is exempt from public records laws. The Post contended that while the NHTSA does publish information regarding crashes, it "withholds critical details about the technologies in use and the circumstances and locations of the crashes."Tesla has argued that the company and the NHTSA should be able to keep certain information related to crashes private. This includes details about driver behavior and road conditions, as well as specific versions of driver-assistance tech that may have been in use.However, the Post's lawyers claimed that information about the versions of hardware and software that may have been in use at the time of crashes isn't confidential information, since drivers can access that through their vehicle dashboards. Tesla argued in its filing this week that, "Even where Tesla's individual vehicle owners might know certain information about their own vehicles, such as the version of the ADAS software installed, where a safety incident occurred, the conditions of the road during the accident, and what they were doing leading up to the accident, this information is shared with Tesla with the expectation that it will be kept private."According to Electrek, Tesla takes advantage of NHTSA loopholes to have most data relating to crashes involving its vehicles redacted. The company contends that its "self-driving" tech doesn't make its cars autonomous and that drivers are required to actively supervise its use. In other news, Tesla expects to start deploying its first Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, this month.Until late May, Tesla CEO Elon Musk was the de facto head of the Department of Government Efficiency. That initiative is said to have cut about 10 percent of the NHTSA's staff at the beginning of this year - including about half of a small team that oversees the safety of autonomous vehicles.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/tesla-is-trying-to-stop-certain-self-driving-crash-data-becoming-public-150946549.html?src=rss

If you're already planning a bunch of outdoor getaways ahead of summer's official start, you may also want a new wearable that can keep up with all your activities. The Apple Watch Series 10 is arguably the best option for most people (iPhone users, for sure), and now it's back on sale for its best price yet. You can grab one for $299, which is $100 off its regular price. There are a few variants on sale for this price at Amazon, but they all have a 42mm case and are GPS models with no LTE connectivity. If you'd rather have the larger 46mm case, several Apple Watch Series 10 configurations with that are also $100 off at $329. Not only is the Apple Watch Series 10 a darn good fitness (and wellness) tracker, it's our pick for the best smartwatch overall. Android wielders need not apply, unfortunately, since you need a paired iPhone to set up and use any Apple Watch. If you're not looking for one for yourself, the Apple Watch Series 10 would also make for a great Father's Day gift. We gave this smartwatch a score of 90 in our review. It's a fairly iterative update, so if you already have an Apple Watch Series 8 or 9 already, it might not be worth upgrading. At least in the US, the blood oxygen feature that was available in previous versions isn't present in the Apple Watch Series 10 following a patent dispute. Some of the Apple Watch Series 10's major features are found in other models too - the sleep apnea detection function is also available on the Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. However, if you're looking for your first Apple Watch or upgrading from a Series 7 or earlier, the Series 10 is probably the best way to go. It has a larger screen than its predecessors, so it'll be easier to see notifications and such. The thinner frame looks rather fetching, too. If you're eager for an even more affordable option, the Apple Watch SE is also on sale right now for $169. Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/pick-up-the-apple-watch-series-10-while-its-on-sale-for-100-off-142236753.html?src=rss

If you have an old iPad and you're interested in externalizing some of the thousands of photos in your iCloud account, this guide's for you. Instead of buying a new digital picture frame, you can turn your retired iPad into a dedicated photo display without much effort. You'll need to change a few settings, download a photo frame app and decide how you want to prop up your new display - which can be as simple as using a stand or as complicated as getting out the drill and modding an analog frame. Here's how (and why) to upcycle your old iPad into a digital picture frame.Upcycled iPad versus a digital picture frameAn actual digital picture frame has a few obvious advantages: the necessary software is already there, it's display-ready, complete with a frame and matted display, and, as a unitasker, it won't display Gmail notifications over your photos. But the resolution for most smart frames tops out at 1,280 by 800 pixels. Even the standard iPad (9th gen) from 2021 has a resolution of 2,160 by 1,620. Plus, your old iPad is already yours. A decent digital frame will cost you around $100. And, since your iPad is certainly not a single-purpose device - it can take a FaceTime call or play an episode of Poker Face if the need arises.Amy Skorheim for EngadgetHow to turn your old iPad into a digital picture frameI figured I'd be able to use Apple's built-in software to do something as simple as creating a looping slideshow of images, but the experience wasn't quite what I was looking for. Playing a slideshow within the Photos app does so as a Memory, complete with music, and there's no way to turn that music off (though you can mute it). You can loop a Memory, but you can't randomize the images and the interval between images is far too short (anything less than ten minutes feels like yet another screen blinking at you). So, to turn an iPad into a randomized, always-on and silent digital picture frame with a decent display length, you'll have better luck with a third-party app.I tried a few and my favorite is Synched Photo Frame by Re-frame ($10, lifetime access). It doesn't pack a ton of features - no transitions, no image effects, no time and date overlay options and it'll only access images from your Photos app - but it does the best job of making photos look good on an iPad.It lets you set the viewing interval from 10 seconds to 24 hours and there's a programmable sleep function so it doesn't beam smiling pictures into the 3AM void of your living room. If your iPad is oriented differently than a photo, it shows two side-by-side images (i.e., two portrait images next to each other if your iPad is in landscape or two stacked horizontal pics if your tablet is vertical). A clean white border surrounds each split image; full-screen images go edge to edge. Images are cropped slightly to fit, which means they may lose a few details around the borders, but I think the effect is more attractive than blurred extended edges or black bars. The two-up solution is how our top pick for a digital photo frame, the Aura Carver, handles images with different aspect ratios - but you can't set that device in portrait mode.LiveFrame is another option and it's actually cheaper at $5 for lifetime access. It has more features like transitions and image filters, but there's no option for having two images up at the same time like in Re-Frame. Instead it can blur the edges, add bars or (hideously) stretch the image. I also experienced a number of glitches with the app and found the navigation a little tougher than it should be. I also tried Digital Photo Frame Slideshow but, at $30 annually, it's too expensive for my taste and it doesn't have a sleep function.How to prepare your iPad for photo frame modeStep one: Create an albumMost photo display apps will pull from albums you select in Photos. You probably already know how to make a new album, but there are a couple of elements to consider as you create one for a digital photo frame app on an iPad. All instructions are for iPadOS 18. If you're working with an older version, the steps may be slightly different.Select the Aspect Ratio Grid in the View Options menu of the Photos app so you can see which images are horizontal and which are vertical to more easily create your album. Amy Skorheim for Engadget

Team Asobi is releasing five new levels for Astro Bot, and you can get all of them for free. The developer has announced that the brand new levels will drop on July 10 at 9AM Eastern time. Like the speedrun levels and the previous levels the developer released at no cost, the new ones will be part of the Vicious Void Galaxy. Four of the new levels are called Twin-Frog Trouble, Suck It Up, Handhold Havoc and High Inflation, but Team Asobi is keeping the last one a secret. Each one will come with its own Special Bot, including a "revengeful newcomer." The developer also hinted that finishing all five levels will lead to "something really cool."Astro Bot is a 3D platformer, wherein you control a small robot named Astro across levels set in different galaxies and planets. It features unique and creative uses of the DualSense controller, such as having to hold down the analog triggers and physically tilting the device in order to move Astro's spaceship. Team Asobi has released several free levels before these new ones since the game launched in late 2024, and so far, Astro Bot has over 90 levels that you can play.In addition to announcing the freebies at PlayStation State of Play, Team Asobi has also revealed that it's launching an updated version of the Astro Bot Limited Edition DualSense wireless controller later this year. The developer promised more details in the future, but for now, you can see that the controller will come with Astro's smiling eyes on its touchpad.Team Asobi / SonyThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/astro-bot-is-getting-five-new-and-free-levels-this-july-123008291.html?src=rss