Summary In January, I wrote an article predicting 10 games we’d see in the Nintendo Switch 2’s first year. I was surprised about how many of these showed up during the console’s reveal presentation, yet it’s that same reason that’s left me feeling disappointed. I Got These Predictions Correct While it’s likely thata few predictions out of tenwould hit, the ones that did weren’t the ones I most expected. Donkey Kong’s new design inMario Kart Worldunsurprisingly foreshadowed his new platformerDonkey Kong Bananza, yet I didn’t anticipate it being a stand-in for classic 3DMarioplatforming....

I used to update to the latest version of Windows the moment it became available, but when Windows 11 launched, I didn’t really like it and quickly reverted to Windows 10. Now that Windows 10 support is ending soon, I’ve given Windows 11 another try, and it’s not as bad as I thought. Why I Upgraded to Windows 11 When I built my new PC last month, I was faced with two options: stay with Windows 10 until October and then consider updating, or bite the bullet and make the switch now....

Summary Everyone, including Sony, is moving away from the PlayStation 4, and for good reason—it’s old. But an “incident” with my PS5 caused me to revisit this last-gen console, and I discovered it has plenty of life left in 2025 and beyond. How My PS5 Bit the Dust It was a very rainy day, and I thought I’d cozy up on the couch and play someFinal Fantasy XVI. That’s when lightning caused a power surge that not only tripped the main breaker, cutting power to the entire house but also caused something to explode in the direction of the PS5....

Summary Good posture is important, but it’s tricky to maintain. That’s why I was surprised to find that my Samsung Galaxy Buds can lend a helping hand in preventing neck ache. The Galaxy Buds Warn You of Poor Posture You may have heard of “tech neck”, which comes as a result of leaning your head down to stare at your tech device. Your head is heavy, so it puts a lot of strain on your neck, shoulders, and back when you’re glued to your phone for a long time....

Here’s something weird for you contractors and campers; a Makita portable microwave that runs on power tool batteries. Launching in Japan for ¥71,500 (about $550 USD), theMW001GZpromises to heat food on the go with up to 500 watts of power (and a maximum cook time of nearly 2 hours—but only under specific conditions). I’m seeing a lot of misinformation about this microwave, so let’s get the facts straight. In terms of shape and size, we’re looking at a pretty typical compact microwave—an 8-liter capacity (big enough for a bento box, in Makita’s words) and a weight of 8....

Quick Links Summary TheOnePlus Keyboard 81 Prois a great mechanical keyboard for enthusiasts. The switches, keycaps, and software can all be altered. But the beauty of OnePlus’ first entry into this space is that its components make for a compelling, fully assembled product and an easy entry for novices into the world of mechanical keyboards. OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro features a CNC-machined aluminum frame, custom keycaps and switches, and an 81-key layout, all of which combine for a premium typing experience....

Quick Links Summary TheOSOM Privacy Cableis designed to keep your personal data safe and secure when using public USB-C ports for charging your phone, tablet, or laptop. And while the cable does an admirable job at protecting your on-the-go gadgets, its data transmission capabilities leave a lot to be desired. OSOM Privacy Cable The OSOM Privacy Cable delivers fast USB-C charging for your phones, tablets, and laptops, along with the ability to switch off data transmission between Device A and Device B....

With movie budgets increasing, how much money is spent on making a movie these days is impressive. Studios will shell out hundreds of millions of dollars in hopes of the next big summer blockbuster or Christmas hit. If they fail, however, that loss can make one question how a studio handles its cash. But what about the directors willing to put their money on the line? The only thing harder than getting a studio to give you a budget is to cover the costs yourself....

Summary The PC is the most popular gaming platform in the world, but things are far from perfect. A growing problem that’s drawn the ire of many gamers over the past few years is the introduction of launchers which are required to buy, launch, and even update your games. There Are Too Many Launchers While typing this piece, I counted six game launchers on my PC: Steam, the Xbox app, GOG Galaxy, Epic Games Store, the EA app, and Ubisoft Connect or whatever it’s called this week....

Sennheiser’s popular AMEBO Soundbar Plus is now available in a compact form factor. TheAMEBO Soundbar Minimeasures just 27.5 inches wide and does not include a subwoofer, but it promises deep bass, robust spatial audio support, and convenient music streaming over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It’s available today for $800—yeah, more expensive than the average compact soundbar, but a reasonable price for those who appreciate Sennheiser audio. The AMEBO Soundbar Mini is about half the size of its bigger sibling, theAMEBO Soundbar Plus....

Massasche & Consument claims that digital games are, on average, 47% more expensive than physical copies, even though Sony likely has lower costs for distributing digital games. The group argues that this price difference is due to how the PlayStation Store operates and Sony’s control over the gaming market. The reason the group can sue is that there are no other options for buying PlayStation games. This is unlike other platforms like the Microsoft Store or Epic Games Store, which is a key part of the company’s case....

Quick Links Ever since I got my first smartphone in 2012, I’ve been using the same home screen layout. It wasn’t until my fiancée asked me to use my phone and couldn’t find the app she was looking for that I realized my phone isn’t “organized” in the traditional way; it’s just that I know where everything is. A Phone Is a Tool If you look up the word “tool” in a dictionary, you’ll quickly realize that a phone fits the definition perfectly....

Quick Links Do I use Spotify, YouTube Music, or Apple Music? None of the above. I prefer to buy my music outright and listen to it offline—and I’m not talking about vinyl or CDs. That’s right, I still buy MP3s. Considering how many online music stores remain around, I’m not alone. I can’t speak for others, but here’s why I haven’t made the switch to streaming. I Can Use Any App or Device I Want Back in the heyday of the iPod, I remember browsing through alternative portable MP3 players....