Author Archives: Xordac Prime

Hey Nintendo, US Gamers Want The Same Switch 2 Revision That’s Headed To Europe

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Hey Nintendo, US Gamers Want The Same Switch 2 Revision That's Headed To Europe
Gamers in the European Union are getting a revised version of Nintendo’s popular Switch 2 console that will make battery replacements a cinch, according to a Japanese news report. Assuming the report is accurate, the special hardware revision is in response by recent EU regulation that requires portable devices to have user-replaceable batteries.

Technically,

This 360° Action Camera Bundle Is $100 Off, Days Before Amazon’s Spring Sale

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Amazon’s Spring Sale is set to kick off later this week, but some early discounts are already live. One worth paying attention to is the Insta360 X5 Essentials Bundle. Currently listed at $559.99 (originally $659.99), this is the lowest this bundle has ever reached, according to price trackers. It’s also worth noting that PCMag gave the X5 an “outstanding” rating and named it the best action camera of 2025. That context makes the $100 discount feel more meaningful, especially since this bundle already includes most of what you need to get started, including a selfie stick and a carry case. You’ll still need to factor in a microSD card, but this gets you most of the way there without needing to piece things together later.

The X5 is built around the idea that you don’t have to frame your shot perfectly while filming. It captures everything in 360 degrees at up to 8K, so you can decide what the shot should look like later in the app. That approach makes a lot of sense for fast-moving situations like biking, traveling, or navigating crowded places where stopping to adjust angles just isn’t practical. It can also shoot 4K at 120fps for slow-motion clips and take 72MP photos that are detailed enough for social media. You can take it straight into the water too, since it’s waterproof up to 49 feet without needing a case.

One of the more practical upgrades is the user-replaceable lenses. Scratches are common with action cameras, and this lets you fix the problem without replacing the entire unit. Plus, the touchscreen is easy to work with, and the app does a decent job of guiding you through edits with AI tools that can pull together highlights or suggest templates. That said, the learning curve is the main trade-off. You can shoot quickly, but getting polished results takes some effort, especially when reframing clips and applying edits. As for its battery life, it’s rated for up to 185 minutes in endurance mode, though that number drops with higher resolutions and frequent use of features.

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‘Microsoft Flight Simulator’ PSVR 2 Gameplay Revealed Ahead of April Update

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Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is getting its ‘Sim 5’ update soon, which is slated to bring PSVR 2 support to the PS5 version of the game.

MFS ’24 has been available on PC with full VR support since late 2024. Late last year though, developer Asobo Studio revealed that the PS5 version of the game would be getting PSVR 2 support some point after launch.

Now, the studio revealed PSVR 2 support is slated to arrive with the free Sim 5 update coming in April.

Note: the video below is a compilation of clips revealed in the PS blog post.

In a PS blog post, Head of Microsoft Flight Simulator Jorg Neumann details just what into creating the PSVR 2 mode:

“Cockpit interactions in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 are complex. There are so many different instruments, knobs, and switches to interact with. Every interaction model had to be redesigned to fit the PS VR2 Sense controllers to action them in a natural and intuitive manner,” says Neumann.

While Sense controller-supported cockpits add a layer of complexity, Neumann explains that maintaining a smooth framerate for such a visually demanding game was a challenge in its own right.

“Getting foveated rendering with Flexible Scaled Rasterization right was quite a challenge,” says Neumann. “It impacts the entirety of the rendering pipeline, and subtle off-by-on-pixel bugs during development could result in dramatic quality issues.”

The PSVR 2 mode, which is said to support the game’s 125 different aircraft, also relies on frame duplication to increase perceived frame rate, Neumann says.

“Another tech developed specifically for PS VR2 support was frame duplication, where the render thread would iterate twice for one frame of the main thread, updating the camera position in-between. This technical approach was another key in achieving the framerate needed for PS VR2 support.”

The studio says Sim 5 should launch as a free update sometime in April, although there’s no exact release date yet.

Simulation Daily got a chance to go hands-on with a beta version over the weekend at the MSFS 2024 booth during FSWeekend 2026 in Lelystad, Netherlands, which includes a 10-minute video of their impressions.

“I wasn’t expecting the level of spectacle you’ll see in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on a $4000 PC, but the PS5 version absolutely punches above its weight when paired with PlayStation VR2, likely in part due to the headset’s technological prowess,” Simulation Daily’s Giuseppe Nelva notes.

You can check out Nelva’s hands-on below, which notably was shown working with the standard DualSense gamepad.

The post ‘Microsoft Flight Simulator’ PSVR 2 Gameplay Revealed Ahead of April Update appeared first on Road to VR.

Among Us 3D: VR Definitive Edition Delayed To April

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Schell Games’ parting gift to the Among Us 3D community needs extra time in the oven.

Earlier this month, we reported that Schell Games would be transitioning out of development on Among Us 3D, a move it says was ‘always the plan.’ On the way out the door, Schell announced the release of the Definitive Edition of the game. This new version would bring fan favorite limited-time event features and cosmetics back to the game permanently.

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Now Schell Games has announced that the Definitive Edition will release on April 7, delayed from its original date of March 24, coinciding with the VR Games Showcase.

Returning features include the Mess Hall map from the Infection event, the Deputy role from Round Up, the Afterlife event’s Wraith role, and the Scanner from last summer’s Critical Cargo. New cosmetics will be available every month for the rest of 2026 and into 2027.

In addition, Schell noted that original Among Us developer Innersloth, who will be taking over development of the 3D game, has no plans to shut down the game.

Among Us 3D: VR is available on Steam, Quest, Pico, and PS VR2.

These Noise-Cancelling Earbuds Are $50 Off Ahead of Amazon’s Spring Sale

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Amazon’s Spring Sale hasn’t officially started, but some of the better discounts are already live, like the OnePlus Buds 4. These latest earbuds from the brand are down to $79.99 (from $129.99), their lowest price so far, according to price trackers. Amazon is also testing one-hour and three-hour delivery in select locations, as reported by our senior tech editor Jake Peterson, which makes these early deals easier to act on if you need something fast. The Buds 4 are positioned as a step up from the Buds 3, borrowing a few ideas from the more expensive Pro series, particularly in how they handle noise cancellation and overall tuning.

The biggest reason to consider these is the noise cancellation—it cuts down steady background sounds like traffic, fans, or office chatter well enough that you don’t have to keep increasing the volume. They’re also light enough to wear for a few hours without ear fatigue. Sound-wise, these lean toward bass. Songs with heavier beats feel fuller and more engaging, though it can come at the cost of some clarity in vocals or instruments. You also get Bluetooth connectivity that stays stable, along with decent battery life that can stretch through most of a day with the case. 

That said, the experience isn’t perfect. The companion app can feel inconsistent, with occasional bugs that make adjusting settings more frustrating than they should be. Plus, the touch controls take some getting used to and can misfire if you’re adjusting the earbuds on the go. There’s also the fact that these cost more than the Buds 3 (at full price), which still hold up well for less money. Still, at $79.99, the Buds 4 makes more sense as a value buy, especially if strong noise cancellation is high on your list.

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From the Basement to the Finish Line: How Zwift Helped Scott Richards Change His Life

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Late in the evening in an unfinished basement outside St. Louis, Missouri, Scott Richards settles onto his bike and clips in. The room is quiet except for the hum of the trainer and the fan he sometimes forgets to turn on until the ride is already underway. Within seconds, the screen in front of him fills with motion—avatars climbing mountains, spinning through volcanic circuits, chasing route badges and finish lines.

For Richards, the scene is more than a workout. It is a daily reminder of how far he has come, and how much further he plans to go.

“You Don’t See Old Guys That Are Fat”

Four years ago, the life he is living today would have felt almost impossible. At the time, Richards weighed more than 330 pounds and was facing a reality that had slowly crept up over years of stress, poor habits, and long workdays. When a doctor told him he was pre-diabetic, the warning landed harder than he expected. He had recently married, and conversations about the future, about longevity, about the possibility of children, suddenly felt more urgent. “You don’t see old guys that are fat,” Richards said. “That really scared me.”

Around that same time, Richards and his close friend Charles Hays made a decision that would alter both of their lives. The two had worked together in a high-stress environment where stress eating had become routine, and both had begun to realize the consequences of those habits. On New Year’s Day 2024, they made a pact to hold each other accountable and start turning their health around. The agreement was simple: take their health seriously and see what was possible if they committed to the process. What followed was anything but ordinary.

The Compound Effect

Like many people facing a major lifestyle change, Richards did not begin with dramatic athletic goals. Instead, he started with manageable steps—hiking, tracking calories, and simply moving his body more often. “I made it work for me,” he said. “Instead of forcing myself to do something I hated, I tried to find things I actually enjoyed.” As the weeks passed, those small decisions began to compound. Weight came off gradually, confidence returned, and the idea of attempting something bigger eventually emerged.

That “something bigger” turned out to be a triathlon. Richards had one advantage that many first-time triathletes lack: he had been a competitive swimmer from age six through eighteen. While swimming felt natural, the other disciplines, particularly running, were far more difficult. Even so, he and Hays committed to the challenge.

Standing at the start line of their first race, Richards remembers feeling something he had not experienced in years. “We were standing there waiting to start and realized we hadn’t felt that feeling in a long time,” he said. “That feeling that you’re about to compete for the next few hours. It’s going to hurt, but it’s going to be worth it.” Since then, Richards has completed seven triathlons and is currently preparing for a half Ironman later this year.

Winter Regression To Zwifting Obsession

Despite the progress he had made, winter presented a familiar obstacle. After that first season of racing, colder weather arrived in Missouri and outdoor cycling disappeared from his routine. Months passed without riding, and when he finally returned to the bike in the spring, the loss of momentum was obvious. “It felt like I was back to square one again,” he said.

That realization pushed him toward a tool he had been researching for months.

In September 2025, Richards ordered the Zwift Ride bundle and set it up in his basement. What began as a practical way to keep riding through the winter quickly turned into something much more significant. “I became obsessed quickly,” he said with a laugh. The difference, he explained, was immediate. Traditional indoor riding had never appealed to him. Sitting on a stationary bike while watching television felt dull and disconnected from the experience of riding outdoors. Zwift changed that dynamic entirely. “The first time I did Alpe du Zwift, I felt super accomplished,” he said. “It made me look forward to killing myself in a workout.”

For Richards, the appeal of Zwift extended beyond fitness. As a lifelong gamer, he immediately recognized the structure behind the platform’s design. “I played a lot of RPG games growing up where you level up your character,” he explained. “Zwift scratches that same itch. You’re leveling up, unlocking bikes, getting gear. It’s the perfect way to hook me.” The same mechanics that once kept him playing video games for hours now kept him riding. “I used to be addicted to video games,” he said. “Now I’m addicted to Zwift.”

Community As Motivation

Group rides soon became one of his favorite aspects of the platform. Over time, he began to recognize familiar riders who appeared again and again in the virtual peloton. Conversations in the in-game chat gradually created a sense of connection that surprised him. “It’s wild how you start to see the same people over and over,” he said.

One of his most memorable rides came during the Rapha Festive 500 challenge, when Richards organized a ride that attracted more than 130 participants. Together, the group completed 25 laps of the Volcano Circuit, riding more than 65 miles in a single session. “The first half was a lot of fun,” he said. “The second half was definitely a struggle.” What made the effort special, however, was the support that emerged among riders. “The people pulling the group were telling me, ‘Scott, you need to get up here for the finish.’ That kind of support is what makes it special.”

That sense of community has become a powerful motivator on days when the ride itself feels difficult. Even when fatigue or lack of motivation creeps in, the thought of joining a group ride often brings him back to the bike. “Sometimes I think, ‘I don’t really want to ride tonight,’” he admitted. “But the social side makes it entertaining. It’s better than just sitting on a spin bike.”

Looking Behind/Looking Ahead

The results of that consistency have been remarkable. Since beginning his health journey, Richards has lost more than 116 pounds and now weighs roughly what he did as a teenager. The improvements show up everywhere—in climbing hills that once felt impossible, in average speeds that have increased by several miles per hour, and in the simple reality that everyday life has become easier. “Every aspect of my life is easier,” he said.

The changes have also altered the way he sees himself. “If you told me four years ago that I’d be excited to sweat my butt off in my basement every day, I wouldn’t have believed you,” he said. What began as a weight loss effort has evolved into something closer to a lifestyle. Exercise now functions as a mental reset as much as a physical one. “If I don’t work out for three or four days, I get cranky,” he said. “I never thought I’d be that kind of person.” The effect, he says, feels almost therapeutic. “It’s tough when you’re doing it, but afterwards you feel so good—physically and mentally.”

Richards and Hays now document their ongoing journey through their weekly podcast, 2 Guys 1 Scale, where they talk openly about the ups and downs of trying to lose weight and stay healthy. The podcast began primarily as a way to keep themselves accountable, but over time, it has grown into something more meaningful. Their transparency and frankness resonate deeply with listeners, prompting them to reach out with their own stories of struggle or questions about how to begin fitness journeys of their own. Some friends started hiking more frequently. Others began exercising regularly after watching Richards’ progress. “If I can inspire one person to turn their life around,” he said, “then everything I’ve put into this has been worth it.”

The road ahead remains full of goals. This year alone, Richards plans to complete a half marathon, tackle his first half Ironman in Michigan, and ride Missouri’s 240-mile Katy Trail over several days. Zwift will remain a central part of that preparation, particularly during the cold or rainy months when outdoor riding becomes difficult.

Perhaps the most meaningful change, however, is how he feels about himself and the life he is building. “I love the person I’ve become,” Richards said.

For an athlete who once struggled simply to begin moving, that transformation may be the most powerful achievement of all.

Samsung’s Galaxy S26 will get Apple AirDrop support starting today

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As Google promised, Apple AirDrop sharing is expanding to more Android devices. Samsung announced today that its Galaxy S26 Series is getting AirDrop support through the Quick Share feature.

Google first introduced the Quick Share feature on its Pixel 10 phones last year and, in February, shared plans to increase the number of devices included. The setting allows Android users to send and receive photos and files from an Apple device, much like two Apple users do with AirDrop. To get media from an iPhone, Android users need to turn visibility settings onto “everyone for 10 minutes.”

Starting tomorrow, March 23, Samsung will begin rolling out this AirDrop support in Korea. It should then expand to areas such as North America, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, and Latin America. Once again, Samsung states that additional devices should be able to get AirDrop compatibility soon.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsungs-galaxy-s26-will-get-apple-airdrop-support-starting-today-110452832.html?src=rss

A unique NASA satellite is falling out of orbit—this team is trying to rescue it

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BROOMFIELD, Colorado—One of NASA’s oldest astronomy missions, the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, has been out of action for more than a month as scientists await the arrival of a pioneering robotic rescue mission.

The 21-year-old spacecraft is falling out of orbit, and NASA officials believe it’s worth saving—for the right price. Swift is not a flagship astronomy mission like Hubble or Webb, so there’s no talk of sending astronauts or spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a rescue expedition. Hubble was upgraded by five space shuttle missions, and billionaire and commercial astronaut Jared Isaacman—now NASA’s administrator—proposed a privately funded mission to service Hubble in 2022, but the agency rejected the idea.

Swift may be a more suitable target for a first-of-a-kind commercial rescue mission. It has cost roughly $500 million (adjusted for inflation) to build, launch, and operate, but it is significantly less expensive than Hubble, so the consequences of a botched rescue would be far less severe. Last September, NASA awarded a company named Katalyst Space Technologies a $30 million contract to rapidly build and launch a commercial satellite to stabilize Swift’s orbit and extend its mission.

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Will AI Force Source Code to Evolve – Or Make it Extinct?

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Will there be an AI-optimized programming language at the expense of human readability? There’s now been experiments with minimizing tokens for “LLM efficiency, without any concern for how it would serve human developers.”

This new article asks if AI will force source code to evolve — or make it extinct, noting that Stephen Cass, the special projects editor at IEEE Spectrum, has even been asking the ultimate question about our future. “Could we get our AIs to go straight from prompt to an intermediate language that could be fed into the interpreter or compiler of our choice? Do we need high-level languages at all in that future?”

Cass acknowledged the obvious downsides. (“True, this would turn programs into inscrutable black boxes, but they could still be divided into modular testable units for sanity and quality checks.”) But “instead of trying to read or maintain source code, programmers would just tweak their prompts and generate software afresh.” This leads to some mind-boggling hypotheticals, like “What’s the role of the programmer in a future without source code?” Cass asked the question and announced “an emergency interactive session” in October to discuss whether AI is signaling the end of distinct programming languages as we know them.
In that webinar, Cass said he believes programmers in this future would still suggest interfaces, select algorithms, and make other architecture design choices. And obviously the resulting code would need to pass tests, Cass said, and “has to be able to explain what it’s doing.” But what kind of abstractions could go away? And then “What happens when we really let AIs off the hook on this?” Cass asked — when we “stop bothering” to have them code in high-level languages. (Since, after all, high-level languages “are a tool for human beings.”) “What if we let the machines go directly into creating intermediate code?” (Cass thinks the machine-language level would be too far down the stack, “because you do want a compile layer too for different architecture….”)

In this future, the question might become ‘What if you make fewer mistakes, but they’re different mistakes?'” Cass said he’s keeping an eye out for research papers on designing languages for AI, although he agreed that it’s not a “tomorrow” thing — since, after all, we’re still digesting “vibe coding” right now. But “I can see this becoming an area of active research.”

The article also quotes Andrea Griffiths, a senior developer advocate at GitHub and a writer for the newsletter Main Branch, who’s seen the attempts at an “AI-first” languages, but nothing yet with meaningful adoption. So maybe AI coding agents will just make it easier to use our existing languages — especially typed languages with built-in safety advantages.

And Scott Hanselman’s podcast recently dubbed Chris Lattner’s Mojo “a programming language for an AI world,” just in the way it’s designed to harness the computing power of today’s multi-core chips.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.