Nintendo Announces a Slew of Price Hikes, Beyond Just the Switch 2
Nintendo disclosed 20 price adjustments, including a $50 hike for the Switch 2 in the U.S., Canada and Europe effective Sept. 1, raising the console to $499.99. The company cited ¥100 billion ($638 million) of added component costs, especially memory chips, as “market conditions” driving the changes. Nintendo reported 19.9 million Switch 2 units sold in the first nine months but now projects only 16.5 million for FY2026‑27, a drop of over three million. The announcement also marked the retirement of veteran game creator Takashi Tezuka, while Sony warned its PS5 sales may be limited by ongoing chip shortages.
Turn Your Living Room Into a Full-On Arcade & Save $60 on the Nex Playground
The AI‑powered Nex Playground, an active‑gaming system that turns any living room into an interactive arena, is now priced at $239—a 20% discount from its regular cost. The console connects directly to a TV via HDMI and uses a built‑in...
Amazon's $100 2-in-1 Laptop and Tablet Comes with a 7-Piece Productivity Bundle
Amazon is offering the Ehfidc A30 Pro 2-in-1 laptop‑tablet for $100, down from $150 after applying a clippable coupon. The device ships with a seven‑piece productivity bundle that includes a wireless keyboard, mouse, case, screen protector, stylus, charging cable and...
Amazon Is Rebranding Fire TV—Here Are the 3 Big Changes, Including the New Name
Amazon has renamed its line of smart‑TV hardware from Fire TV to Ember TV, aligning the brand with its newly launched Ember Artline model. Existing Fire TV sticks and cubes keep their original name, while all physical TV models—2‑Series, 4‑Series, QLED and Mini‑LED—receive the...
New Smartphone Study Finds Samsung Users Pay Up to 60% More for Repairs Than iPhone Users
A new Insuranceopedia analysis shows Samsung users pay between $100 and $120 for insured repairs, which is 30% to 60% higher than the roughly $75 AppleCare+ cost for iPhone repairs. The study attributes the gap to Samsung Care+’s variable pricing...
Your Old Smartphone Is Secretly the Best Smart Home Device You Already Own
The article shows how an unused iPhone—or any old smartphone—can be turned into a dedicated smart‑home controller, especially for Apple HomeKit. By resetting the device, enabling Guided Access, and mounting it, users get an always‑on touch panel that eliminates the...
Pixelated 099: Should We Be Worried About the Pixel 11?
In episode 99 of the 9to5Google podcast, hosts Abner, Damien, and Will dissect the latest Pixel 11 rumors, suggesting a summer 2026 launch with upgraded camera sensors and a mysterious "Pixel Glow" feature. They also flag potential downgrades such as...
4 Big Things We Just Learned About the Future of Sony's PlayStation
Sony’s 2025 fiscal report reveals a pivot toward digital revenue, with dynamic pricing tests on the PlayStation Store offsetting slowing hardware sales. The company is embedding generative AI into first‑party studios, enabling facial‑animation and hair‑model automation that could cut development...
3 Features that Make Google Pixel’s “Context-Aware” Voice Typing Better than Any Keyboard
Google’s Pixel phones now pair Gboard with advanced, context‑aware voice typing that goes beyond simple dictation. Users can insert punctuation and emojis by speaking, edit text hands‑free with commands like “delete last word” or “change X to Y,” and on...
Google Unveils Screenless Fitbit Air, New Google Health App
Google introduced the screenless Fitbit Air, a $99.99 wearable that tracks heart rate, sleep, oxygen, temperature and activity without a display. The device pairs with the rebranded Google Health app—formerly the Fitbit app—offering a unified dashboard that aggregates data from...
Target Has a $360 Smartwatch for $36 that Runs up to 7 Days on a Single Charge
Target is offering the Veatool Smartwatch, originally priced at $360, for just $36—a 90% discount. The device features a 2.01‑inch HD touchscreen, Bluetooth 5.3, IP68 water resistance, and over 180 sport modes. Its battery lasts up to seven days of...
Don't Connect Your Smart Plug to These 5 Household Devices - an Expert Warns
Smart plugs offer convenient remote control for low‑power devices, but most are limited to a 15‑amp (≈1,800 W) rating. Connecting heavy‑duty appliances, medical life‑support equipment, power strips, heating tools, or continuously cycling devices can overload the plug, cause overheating, or interrupt...
Shockingly, Way Fewer People Are Buying PlayStation 5 After Sony Hiked Its Price
Sony’s latest price hikes triggered a sharp drop in PlayStation 5 sales, with Q4 2025 shipments falling to 1.5 million units – a 46% decline from the same quarter a year earlier. Overall, FY 2025 console sales were down 2.5 million units year‑over‑year, even though...
A $30 USB Drive Just Saved Me From a $500 PC Repair Bill
A $30 dual‑connector USB flash drive can serve as a multiboot rescue kit, letting users store Windows 11 installers, live Linux environments, and essential drivers on a single stick. Using free tools like Ventoy, ISOs are copied like regular files and...
Nintendo Praises Switch 2 Third Party Support, Says Game Lineup Is the "Largest Ever Following a Platform Launch"
Nintendo highlighted unprecedented third‑party support for its upcoming Switch 2 in its latest financial report, calling the current game lineup the largest ever seen after a platform launch. The company noted that a steady flow of new titles from major publishers...
Braun Series 9 Pro+ Electric Shaver Review 2026
The Braun Series 9 Pro+ electric shaver impresses with a high‑speed motor and multi‑element foil that delivers a razor‑smooth finish on both facial and head stubble with few passes. Battery life hits the advertised 60 minutes and a five‑minute quick‑charge keeps it ready...
I Changed One Setting in Device Manager and My Wi-Fi Jumped From 260 Mbps to 430 Mbps
Windows laptops that use Modern Standby (S0) often keep the Wi‑Fi adapter in a power‑saving mode even while the system is active, which can cut throughput by half. By opening Device Manager and changing the adapter’s advanced property—MIMO Power Save...
Apple Is Reportedly Working on a Holographic iPhone, an AI Pendent, and AirPods Pro with AI Cameras
Apple is reportedly prototyping three AI‑driven devices: a spatial iPhone with a holographic display, an AI‑enabled pendant that attaches to the iPhone, and AirPods Pro equipped with miniature cameras for visual AI processing. Leaks from tipster Schrodinger and Bloomberg’s Mark...
Apple’s Camera-Equipped AirPods Reportedly Reach Late-Stage Testing
Apple is reportedly in late‑stage testing of a new version of AirPods that includes built‑in cameras. The camera‑equipped earbuds aim to capture first‑person video and support augmented‑reality experiences directly from the user’s ears. Analysts say the feature could differentiate Apple’s...
Google Rolling Out Big Snapseed 4.0 Update for Android
Google has released Snapseed 4.0 for Android, ending the app’s year‑long iOS‑only status. The update brings a refreshed interface with a grid homepage, three bottom tabs, and dark/light theme toggles. A new Snapseed Camera lets users shoot with real‑time film‑style...
Windows Rivals to MacBook Neo Are Arriving - but Can You Handle Their Shortcomings?
Apple introduced the $599 MacBook Neo, the cheapest MacBook ever, delivering high‑end specs such as a 2408×1506 Retina display, 8 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD. The device’s premium build and seamless ecosystem have quickly outpaced typical budget Windows laptops, creating a...
Meta Can See Your Instagram Messages Now, and It's Time to Stop Using It
Meta has removed end‑to‑end encryption from Instagram direct messages as of May 8, 2026, allowing the company to read and analyze message content. The change is justified by low adoption of encrypted chats and Meta’s desire to improve moderation of harmful activity....
Nintendo's Switch 2 Price Hike May Have Been Inevitable, But It's Still Hard To Stomach
Nintendo announced on May 7, 2026 that the Switch 2 will increase $50 to $499.99, effective September 1. The hike follows similar price raises by Sony and Microsoft, reflecting tighter component costs and inflation. While the console offers backward compatibility, the lack of new...
New AirPods to Feature Cameras for AI-Powered Visual Intelligence: Report
Apple is in the final development stages of new AirPods that embed low‑resolution cameras in each earbud, turning the devices into visual sensors for Siri. The cameras, housed in longer stems, will capture environmental cues to enable context‑aware answers, cooking...
NeuroHUD Puts Tesla Navigation and Alerts Where Drivers Can See Them
NeuroHUD, a startup targeting Tesla owners, has launched a Kickstarter for the first true heads‑up display built specifically for Tesla vehicles. The device projects navigation, speed, autopilot status and safety alerts directly into the driver’s line of sight, eliminating the...
Schlage Arrive Review: This Electronic Deadbolt Is One of the Simplest Smart Devices I’ve Ever Used
The Schlage Arrive electronic deadbolt delivers a straightforward smart‑lock experience, installing in about 20 minutes with a Phillips screwdriver and four AA batteries. It offers built‑in Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth, allowing remote lock/unlock and up to 250 programmable access codes via...
Nintendo Hiking Price for Switch 2 Consoles
Nintendo announced price hikes for its Switch 2 console, raising the Canadian retail price to $679.99 CAD (about $503 USD) and the Japanese price to 59,980 yen (≈$402 USD). The increases reflect soaring memory‑chip costs, exchange‑rate pressures and recent tariff hikes. Despite the higher price,...
Deals: Fitbit Air Pre-Order Offers, Pixel 10 Pro/XL up to $500 Off, Legion Go 2 Windows Handheld $482 Off, More
Best Buy is bundling a free Obsidian Google Active band with Fitbit Air pre‑orders, mirroring Amazon’s $35 credit. Google’s Pixel 10 lineup sees deep cuts, with the 256 GB Pixel 10 Pro XL open‑box priced at $701, nearly $500 off. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S11 falls to $540...
Nintendo Raising Switch, Switch 2, Playing Card, and Hanafuda Card Prices
Nintendo announced worldwide price hikes for its Switch and Switch 2 consoles, with U.S. and Canadian Switch 2 units climbing $50 to $499.99 on September 1 2026. In Japan, all Switch models will see roughly ¥10,000 (≈$71) increases in May 2026, while Europe’s Switch 2 rises...
Govee’s Solar-Powered String Lights Are Already on Sale for 20 Percent Off
Govee’s 34‑foot Outdoor Solar String Lights have been reduced to $79.99 on Amazon, a $20 (20%) discount from the regular $99.99 price. The set includes eight IP67‑rated LEDs, a 6 W solar panel and a 4,800 mAh battery that can power the...
![YouTube App for Google TV, More Revamps Side Menu with Easier Library Access, Recent Channels [Gallery]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://i0.wp.com/9to5google.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/10/YouTube-Google-TV-1.jpg?resize=1200%2C628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
YouTube App for Google TV, More Revamps Side Menu with Easier Library Access, Recent Channels [Gallery]
YouTube’s TV app is receiving a refreshed sidebar that moves the Subscriptions and Library sections higher up, reducing the clicks needed to reach the most‑used areas. The redesign also adds two persistent channel shortcuts that stay visible even when the...
Nintendo to Hike Price of Switch 2 Console Due to Memory Chip Prices
Nintendo announced a price increase for its upcoming Switch 2 console, with the hike taking effect in Japan on May 25 and later in North America and Europe on September 1. The company attributes the adjustment to rising semiconductor memory costs that are...
OnePlus’ Latest Phone Cuts OS Updates in Half, because Clearly Everything Is Fine
OnePlus launched the Nord CE6, a mid‑range phone priced under €300 (≈$327), featuring a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset, 8 GB RAM, a 50 MP camera and an 8,000 mAh battery. The company advertised a “Fast and Smooth for 6 years” experience, but the device will receive...
Valve's Steam Controller Reservation System May Give You Steam Deck Flashbacks
Valve is launching a reservation queue for the Steam Controller on May 8 at 6 pm UK time, letting existing Steam users sign up to buy the device as stock arrives. The system mirrors the 2022 Steam Deck launch, offering a first‑come‑first‑served...
Anker Solix C2000: A Lower-Priced Power Station I’d Be Grateful to Have During a Blackout
Anker’s Solix C2000 power station delivers 2,400 W continuous (4,000 W surge) output and a 2,048 Wh LiFePO₄ battery, positioning it as a mid‑range, cost‑effective backup for homes, RVs, and off‑grid use. Weighing 41.7 lb, it offers five 120 V AC outlets, multiple USB‑C ports,...
ValiDrive Helps Detect Fake USB Drives and Storage Devices
ValiDrive is a utility that quickly spot‑checks USB flash drives by writing and reading random 4 KB blocks across 576 evenly spaced locations, covering about 2.36 MB of the device. The tool exposes counterfeit drives that claim 1–2 TB of capacity but actually...
Maingear MG-1 (2026) Review: Fast and Clean, for a Price
The 2026 Maingear MG‑1 review highlights a refreshed MK.II chassis that prioritizes clean cable management and robust airflow while supporting flagship components such as an Nvidia RTX 5090 and AMD Ryzen 9950X3D2. Base configurations start at $2,249, but a fully specced build...
Hyperscalers Ate My Next Computer
The AI boom has forced hyperscalers to commandeer semiconductor capacity, driving DRAM prices up 172% and pushing a 32 GB DDR5 kit from $90 to $530. Nvidia’s RTX 5090 now retails above $3,000 after a 30‑40% production cut, while Intel’s market cap...
Beyond 'MacBook Ultra': Here Are the Macs We Expect Apple to Upgrade Next
Apple is rumored to be preparing a high‑end “MacBook Ultra” that could introduce a touchscreen interface, signaling a potential shift beyond the current MacBook Pro line. The iMac lineup is also expected to receive a refresh with new color options,...
Nintendo Increases Switch 2 Price Starting Sept. 1
Nintendo announced a $50 price increase for its Switch 2 console, raising the base model to $500 effective Sept. 1. The hike marks the first adjustment since the device launched in June 2024 and is attributed to sustained market pressures, chiefly a...
Nothing Is Refreshing the Ear (Open) with a Color that Stands Out
Nothing announced a blue‑colored version of its Ear (open) earbuds, slated for release on May 11. The new shade is purely cosmetic; the earbuds retain the same open‑ear architecture, 14.2 mm drivers, AI‑powered microphones, up to 30 hours of battery life, and an...
The Morning After: Google's New Wearable Doesn't Have a Screen
Google unveiled the Fitbit Air, a screenless wearable strap that can be worn on the wrist or chest. Weighing just 12 grams and priced at $100, it enters pre‑order alongside a $130 special edition. The device is powered by the Gemini‑based...
Need Math Help? Try Using This iPhone Messages Feature
Apple’s iOS 18 update upgrades Messages with an on‑the‑fly calculator and unit converter, letting users type equations or conversion requests directly in chat. By appending an equals sign, the predictive‑text bar instantly displays the answer, which can be tapped to insert...
The Eye in Your Pocket
The essay argues that digital devices—smartphones, laptops, wearables—are human‑made artefacts, not natural or neutral tools. Their design embeds surveillance and predictive analytics, turning everyday gadgets into instruments of social control. The author critiques early tech pioneers, especially libertarian figures like...
The New Wild West of AI Kids’ Toys
AI‑enabled toys have exploded onto the market, with more than 1,500 Chinese startups and brands like Miko selling hundreds of thousands of units. Independent testing has uncovered dangerous content, from instructions on making fire to adult‑themed language, and privacy lapses...
Official Xbox Dashboard Mockup Hints At Potential Changes Across Console, PC & Mobile
Microsoft showcased a mockup of a unified Xbox dashboard during the GDC 2026 Game Dev Update, illustrating a consistent UI across Xbox Series X, Series S, PC, and mobile devices. The design shifts the profile icon to the top‑right, rearranges top icons, and...
Windows 11 Can Block Google Chrome's 4GB AI Model From Reinstalling Itself on Your PC — A Simple Registry Tweak...
Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge now download a 4 GB on‑device Gemini Nano AI model by default, prompting privacy and storage concerns. Windows 11 Pro introduces a Registry policy, GenAILocalFoundationalModelSettings, that lets administrators block or remove the model for both browsers. The setting...
As if We Needed More Problems, Pixel Users Now Struggle with Wonky eSIMs
Google’s Pixel 9 and 10 series are experiencing a widespread eSIM activation bug that displays generic error messages and prevents digital SIM provisioning. Users report that the same eSIM works flawlessly on other Android devices, indicating a device‑specific fault. The...
Medion Signium 27 S1 All-in-One PC Review: A Smart, Cheap, Upgradable AIO PC
Medion’s Signium 27 S1 all‑in‑one PC retails for about $960, undercutting rivals such as MSI’s Pro AP242P and Lenovo’s ThinkCentre M90a. It combines a sleek matte‑silver design with a 27‑inch 1080p IPS display that covers 126% sRGB and 90% DCI‑P3. Powered by a 10‑core Intel Core 7 240H,...
From Apple Watch to Fitbit Air: Top Smartwatches and Fitness Bands of 2026
The 2026 roundup spotlights a diverse lineup of smartwatches and fitness bands, ranging from ultra‑affordable models like the Fastrack Reflex Vox at roughly $30 to premium devices such as the Apple Watch Series 11 at $565. All devices emphasize health...