In advance of the Switch 2’s planned June launch, Nintendo has released a system update for the original Switch that, among other things, activates the company’s new Virtual Game Card system for sharing digital downloads. But Switch owners are finding that this new sharing system is a bit more limiting when it comes to sharing a single digital purchase for online play across multiple consoles.
For those who missed Nintendo’s March announcement of the Virtual Game Card system, the new setup allows players to easily “unload” a digital game license from one Switch (or Switch 2) console and “load” it onto another console connected to the same Nintendo Account (or one in the same family group). An Internet connection is required for the initial loading and unloading process, but after that, the system with the Virtual Game Card can play the downloaded game completely offline.
For those who don’t want to constantly load and unload their virtual games between systems, Nintendo also offers an “Online License” feature deep in the Switch’s system menu. When this feature is turned on, if you load a digital game without a Virtual Game Card present, the Switch will perform an online check to confirm that your Nintendo Account actually has access to that game. Nintendo recommends this feature for players who want to share games across three or more Switch units.
The US Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday advanced the nomination of private astronaut and businessman Jared Isaacman as the next administrator of NASA to the Senate floor, setting up the final step before he is confirmed.
The vote was not unanimous, at 19–9, with all of the nay votes coming from senators on the Democratic side of the aisle.
However, some key Democrats voted in favor of Isaacman, including the ranking member of the committee, Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. Before the vote, Cantwell said she appreciated that a candidate like Isaacman, with his background in business and private spaceflight, could bring new ideas and energy to the space agency.
After nearly disappearing as a category, compact cameras are making a comeback. Fujifilm’s X100 VI became a star on the photography side, thanks to its good looks and trendy film emulations. And DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3 captivated content creators with its motorized subject tracking and a gimbal that smooths harsh camera moves.
Now, Canon has jumped back into compacts with the PowerShot V1, a vlogging-centric model that follows the six-year-old G7X Mark III. It’s designed to outshine rivals with a large 1.4-inch 22-megapixel sensor, and boasts other impressive features like optical stabilization and 4K supersampled video. At the same time, this camera is surprisingly solid when it comes to photography.
The V1’s 16-50mm lens is nice and wide but it’s slow compared to its main rival, Sony’s ZV-1 II. And where Fujifilm’s X100 VI is svelte and pretty, the PowerShot V1 is plain and a bit chonky. Still, none of that detracts from the fact that this is a powerful compact camera capable of capturing incredible video and images, especially in low light, and should suit many creators.
Design and handling
Instead of going retro like Fujifilm, Canon chose a more functional approach to the PowerShot V1’s design. It’s relatively thick at 2.1 inches, a bit bigger than the X100 VI if you don’t include the lens, but it’s slightly lighter at 15.03 oz with a battery. By comparison, Sony’s ZV-1 II is just 10.3 ounces and 1.84 inches thick.
The PowerShot V1 bears some resemblance to Canon’s G7X III that has become massively popular of late, but is thicker due to the built-in fan and power zoom lever. Unlike the G7X III, the V1 lacks a popup flash unfortunately, but does have a hotshoe for external flashes. Canon also moved the record button from the back to a more practical position on top.
The grip is small, but the rubberized surface makes it easy to hold, especially when vlogging. Controls are sufficient for a compact, but I’d prefer at least one dial on the top to change settings. It would also be nice if the camera was a bit more pocketable like Sony’s ZV-1 II. The buttons and dials are responsive, but they do feel a bit cheap next to Canon’s mirrorless models. In short, the PowerShot V1 offers solid handling but isn’t a looker like Fuji’s offerings.
Steve Dent for Engadget
Another nice change is a new fully articulating screen, replacing the previous model’s pop-up display. That makes vlogging and photography easier, as you can see the screen when holding the camera high, low or toward you. My only complaint is that it’s a bit too dim when used in bright sunlight. And you can’t just look through the electronic viewfinder to get a clearer view, because there isn’t one on the PowerShot V1.
This camera has decent battery life for a compact at 400 shots or about 75 minutes of 4K 30p shooting on a charge. Other notable features include mic and headphone inputs along with a microHDMI and USB-C (charging and data transfer) ports, plus a single SD UHS-II card slot.
Vlogging and content creation
The ‘V’ in PowerShot V1 stands for vlogging, so let’s talk about that next. To best serve in that capacity, it uses a wide 16-50mm equivalent lens so you can always fit your face into the frame, even in cropped mode. However, that zoom range can also be limiting for capturing closeups or B-roll.
Video specs are top-notch for a compact, with sharp, supersampled 4K 30p video that uses the full sensor width or 4K 60p video with a 1.4x crop. On top of that, you can capture 10-bit video when using Canon’s C-Log 3 or HDR formats.That’s better than Sony’s ZV-1 II, which only offers 4K 30p and S-Log video with no 10-bit option. However, DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3 surpasses both models with uncropped 4K at up to 120 fps, while also offering 10-bit D-LogM or HDR video.
With its large sensor, the PowerShot V1 offers sharp video and accurate, natural color rendering with Canon’s usual excellence in skin tones. Shooting in C-Log3 10-bit boosts dynamic range considerably in sunny or contrasty scenes, while giving you more latitude to adjust video in post. And when you need to shoot indoors or at night, the camera outperforms compact rivals, displaying lower noise at high ISO settings.
Steve Dent for Engadget
The disadvantage of a larger sensor is that rolling shutter that can warp video is more pronounced than on Sony’s 1-inch ZV-1 II at the 4K 30p setting. If that’s a concern, the cropped 4K 60p setting reduces the problem since it samples a smaller portion of the sensor.
Overheating isn’t an issue with this camera either, thanks to the built-in fan. I never saw any sign of a heat-related shutdown when using the PowerShot V1 with the temperature threshold setting at “high.”
Autofocus is a crucial feature for vlogging and the PowerShot V1 competes well against Sony’s ZV-1 II, thanks to its upgraded processor. It stays locked even on fast-moving subjects and the eye- and face-detection, along with subject detection for animals and vehicles, all work well.
Where the ZV-1 II only offers electronic video stabilization, the PowerShot V1 marries 5-stop optical stabilization with electronic stabilization. That means you can shoot smooth handheld video without any impact on image quality, or enable e-stabilization for walking or other challenging scenarios. However, neither camera holds a candle in that regard to DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3, which has a built-in 3-axis gimbal.
Audio is also a plus on the PowerShot V1, as it offers both mic and headphone jacks, while the ZV-1 II lacks a headphone port. Canon’s model also has a decent built-in stereo mic and comes with a hotshoe-attached wind muff.
Photography
Steve Dent for Engadget
Despite the vlogging emphasis, the PowerShot V1 is highly capable for photos as well. In fact, it excels in both image quality and speed thanks to the unique 22.4MP, 1.4-inch sensor and Canon’s latest Digic X image processor to power autofocus and AI functions.
You can fire off bursts at up to 30 fps in electronic mode, and a very rapid 15 fps with the mechanical shutter (and yes, it has a mechanical shutter which is rare for a compact). That makes it one of the fastest compacts available. By comparison, the X100 VI can hit 25 fps speeds while the ZV-1 II is limited to 15 fps speeds. The Osmo Pocket 3, meanwhile, can take photos but is really designed almost exclusively for video.
The PowerShot V1’s high speeds are backed up by Canon’s Dual Pixel II focus system that delivers sharp photos the majority of the time, powered by the company’s latest AI tech for face- and eye-detection. As with other recent models, the camera also offers AI subject detection for animals, vehicles, airplanes and more.
The PowerShot V1 trumps Sony’s ZV-1 II with its built-in 5-stop optical stabilization to reduce blur. That enabled me to take shots down to an eighth, and sometimes even a quarter of a second, to blur backgrounds while keeping the foreground sharp.
The trouble with most compact cameras is that they can take nice photos in well-lit conditions but start to fall down in low light. That’s not the case with the PowerShot V1. The larger 1.4-inch sensor is very close in size to Micro Four Thirds, so it delivers clean images up to ISO 6400, with manageable noise even as high as ISO 12800.
The beauty of Canon cameras is that you get great-looking images straight out of the camera with no fuss, particularly with skin tones — a great boon for beginners. JPEG images have a good balance of sharpening and noise reduction, while RAW photos boost dynamic range in tricky shooting conditions and give you more room to play around when editing in Lightroom.
Wrap-up
Steve Dent for Engadget
I can see what Canon was going for with the $900 PowerShot V1. It effectively beats out its main compact vlogging rival, Sony’s ZV-1 II, by offering a larger sensor, optical stabilization and more video options for around the same price. And it appeals to hybrid shooters more than DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3 as it can better handle photography chores while also capturing higher-quality video.
The problem is that it’s still primarily a vlogging camera and a lot of content creators have abandoned this type of compact model in favor of the Osmo Pocket 3. That’s because the Pocket 3 offers unique features like motorized camera tracking and a superior three-axis gimbal. It also pairs with DJI’s popular Mic 2 and Mic mini wireless microphones, which is another big advantage. At the same time, the PowerShot V1 has a pretty basic design, so it may not appeal to buyers looking for something prettier like the X100 VI.
At the end of the day, the PowerShot V1 is bound to be a hit because it delivers when it comes to video and photo quality — especially given the current popularity of the now-ancient G7X III. In fact, I’d recommend it over Sony’s ZV-1 II, particularly if you’re looking for a hybrid camera that pulls double duty.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/canon-powershot-v1-review-a-powerful-compact-camera-capable-of-capturing-incredible-video-163009584.html?src=rss
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When the new iPad Air with the M3 chip came out in March, Senior Tech Editor Jake Peterson warned you not to buy it, as its advantages didn’t justify the premium price compared to an older model. But things have changed in the time since: Both sizes of the new iPad Air have dropped $100 in price, reaching their lowest levels since their release, according to price tracking tools.
The 11-inch version starts at $499 (originally $599) and the 13-inch version starts at $699 (originally $799). This means they can now be picked up for less than the older M2 versions while giving you a newer chip and more storage—a real no-brainer of a buying decision.
The M3 chip overpowers the M2 chip, and more power also means a longer lifespan for your iPad. In theory, you’ll also see more efficient multitasking, heavier applications working more efficiently, and more speed overall. As Jake noted, on the specs, this new iPad Air is among the best tablets Apple has ever made. The M3 chip enables hardware-accelerated ray tracing, meaning lighting effects in games and graphically intensive apps look better. But other than the new chip, there’s not much difference between it and the older M2 version.
The M3 iPad Air comes with a 2,360 by 1,640 pixel resolution display at 264 ppi, a 12MP Center Stage front camera (follows your face around) and a 12MP Wide back camera with flash, USB-C and Touch ID, and a battery life of up to 10 hours depending on use. Of course, you’ll also have Apple Intelligence (if you even care about that) and it supports the Apple Pencil as well as the new Magic Keyboard.
If you already have an M2, there’s no reason to upgrade. For those looking for a more affordable iPad, the basic model is just $299 (originally $349) right now, and it will be good enough for most people. But if you want the latest and greatest, the M3 iPad Air is your best pick at the current discounted price.
Pushing to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that its chatbots caused a teen’s suicide, Character Technologies is arguing that chatbot outputs should be considered “pure speech” deserving of the highest degree of protection under the First Amendment.
In their motion to dismiss, the developers of Character.AI (C.AI) argued that it doesn’t matter who the speaker is—whether it’s a video game character spouting scripted dialogue, a foreign propagandist circulating misinformation, or a chatbot churning out AI-generated responses to prompting—courts protect listeners’ rights to access that speech. Accusing the mother of the departed teen, Megan Garcia, of attempting to “insert this Court into the conversations of millions of C.AI users” and supposedly endeavoring to “shut down” C.AI, the chatbot maker argued that the First Amendment bars all of her claims.
“The Court need not wrestle with the novel questions of who should be deemed the speaker of the allegedly harmful content here and whether that speaker has First Amendment rights,” Character Technologies argued, “because the First Amendment protects the public’s ‘right to receive information and ideas.'”
Concerns about the vulnerabilities of passwords are not new, and there have been recent moves to pivot to other secure alternatives, such as passkeys. A recent report has further highlighted that need. A cybersecurity firm reveals that hackers can now quickly crack passwords containing a mix of numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, and
Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai told a judge who found that Google illegally monopolizes online search that a Justice Department proposal to share search data with rivals would be a “de facto” divestiture of the company’s search engine. From a report: If Google were required to share both its search data and the information on how it ranks results, rivals could reverse engineer “every aspect of our technology,” Pichai testified on Wednesday.
“The proposal on data sharing is so far reaching, so extraordinary,” Pichai said. It “feels like de facto divestiture of search” and its entire intellectual property and technology over 25 years of research, he said. During testimony in federal court in Washington, Pichai asserted that a package of antitrust remedies proposed by the government is too extreme and will undermine Google’s ability to compete in the market.
We don’t speak for all moms, but a brief and unscientific survey has confirmed one gift most moms will love across the board: Time. Unspoken for, unstructured, zero-obligation time. While we couldn’t find extra hours on sale anywhere online, we did find some gadgets and gizmos that help save time and others that make precious down time more enjoyable. Our recommendations include some of the gifts we’ve given to the moms in our own lives as well as what the moms on staff would want for themselves. Most have a tech bent, because we are who we are, but all should appeal to any mom who wants to make the most of their time.
Those who have been fortunate enough to lock in a Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order will surely be counting down the days until the console arrives on June 5. Nintendo is laying the groundwork for its upcoming system with an update for the original Switch that adds support for a few key features.
One that you can start using right now is the Virtual Game Cards function. This lets you lend digital games to friends and family members who are on the same Nintendo Family Account. Nintendo says the aim here is to make it as easy to share digital games with your loved ones as letting them borrow a physical game card. A key catch here is that you need to connect to another Switch system locally to borrow a game. The Switch 2 will support this feature as well.
Next up, Nintendo has enabled cloud transfers for those who are moving to the Switch 2. Once you’ve updated your Switch software to version 20.0.0, in the System section of the settings, you should see a “System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2” option. This will let you transfer all your data to a Switch 2 locally once you have the latest console in your possession.
There’s also the ability to send all of your transfer data to the cloud now. That could come in useful for you’re planning to sell your Nintendo Switch to help fund a purchase of a new system. You’d be able to do that immediately to help you prepare to buy your Switch 2. The main downside is that uploading transfer data to the cloud will reset the Switch to its factory settings, so maybe don’t do that just yet if you’re still planning to play it for the next month (or until you get your Switch 2).
Nintendo will store the data on its servers for one year. You can either complete the transfer to a Switch 2 in that time or cancel it and download the data back onto a Switch.
The latest Switch system update adds support for one other key feature. It’s called GameShare, and it enables local wireless multiplayer across several Switch systems. Only one person needs to own a copy of a compatible game to do this. You can’t do anything with GameShare yet, however. You’ll only be able to share games from a Switch 2, but you’ll be able to do so to Switch, Switch Lite and other Switch 2 units.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-switch-update-adds-virtual-game-cards-and-switch-2-cloud-transfer-support-160057826.html?src=rss
Inspired by Wolverine’s Adamantium skeleton, The Hacksmith decided to try making his bulletproof skull. First, he had a CT scanned performed, then 3D printed a replica of his own skull in glass fiber reinforced nylon. Then, the skull was electroplated with Nanovate, a nano-crystallized metal alloy that ramps up energy absorption capabilities. The result? An actual bulletproof skull that stands up to multiple bullets AND a grenade blast, although I can’t imagine if there were a brain inside it would just be dusting off its wrinkles and walking away happy.
A Snapchat redesign test appears to have stalled after power users seemingly disliked the “simplified” layout.
The new version of Snapchat intended “to help new and casual users” navigate the app, according to Snap’s Q1 investor letter, released on April 29. As reported by TechCrunch, the overhauled app removed the Snap Map and Stories tabs. A proposed new three-tab navigation bar focused on chat, the camera and Spotlight (Snapchat’s answer to TikTok.) The report doesn’t specify how long the testing phase went on for or how widespread it was.
For now at least, Snap is seemingly reconsidering. “Our most engaged Snapchatters consistently demonstrated a preference for a five-tab layout,” the company wrote in that same investor letter. While it does not specifically say it’s ending tests of the simplified version, Snap notes it has “begun testing a refined five-tab interface that combines the best of both approaches.” Engadget reached out to Snap for comment on if this layout is no longer being deployed to users. We’ll update this article if we receive a response.
Snap has a pretty rough track record where redesigns are concerned. In 2017 the company tried to reorient its flagship app around separating friend-related posts from media content; in the year that followed, Snapchat lost three million daily users in the space of three months. At that time there were also well-documented issues with the Android version of the app.
The latest earnings report revealed that Snap lost one million users in North America in Q1, down to 99 million from 100 million in the previous quarter. Despite this, the global Snapchat community grew to 460 million in Q1, an increase of 7 million daily active users quarter-over-quarter.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/snap-is-seemingly-rethinking-that-simplified-app-154628101.html?src=rss
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For anyone who dabbles in photo editing but doesn’t need the full creative suite and its subscription fees, Adobe Photoshop Elements 2025 offers a simpler alternative, and it’s currently available for $99.99 for a three-year license on StackSocial. That’s a one-time payment for three full years of access—no monthly charges or auto-renewals. It’s the 2025 version with updates included, and yes, it works on both Mac (including M1/M2 chips) and Windows as long as your system meets the basic requirements (8GB RAM, 10GB storage, modern OS, etc.).
This version leans on AI to do the heavy lifting, trying to make editing feel less intimidating. You’re still getting solid editing tools, just without the pressure to master every detail. There’s an AI-powered object removal tool that can wipe out background clutter or photobombers in a few clicks, and you also get new tools to adjust depth and motion, like adding a shallow-focus effect to a portrait or animating a still image with quick motion overlays. The color transformation feature lets you change the color of an object without needing to mask or trace, which saves a ton of time if you’re not a pro. And if you’ve ever tried to blend two photos manually, you’ll appreciate the automatic seamless blending feature. There are also 59 Guided Edits that walk you through specific techniques, so you don’t have to learn through trial and error. Plus, you can use a mobile and web companion app to play around with your projects on the go, though those are still a work in progress and only available in a few languages.
The time for gamers to enjoy new titles such as Nintendo’s Mario Kart World on the upcoming Switch 2 is getting even closer. Owners of the original Switch have a new update that prepares them for the June release of its successor. Version 20.0 is being pushed out, and one of the main points of this update is the ability to share compatible
The Anker Soundcore Space A40 earbuds are on sale for just $45 via Amazon. This represents a discount of 44 percent, as the typical price is $80. This particular deal only applies to the blue and white models, but other colors are on sale for $50. Also, the sale only works for Prime members, but there’s a similar deal straight from the company if you’d rather shop elsewhere. Just use the on-page coupon code for that one.
The Space A40 tops our list of the best budget wireless earbuds. We found the built-in ANC to be impressive, especially when compared to other budget-friendly earbuds. We also enjoyed the sound, which we found to be pleasant and warm. There’s multi-device connectivity and wireless charging support beyond that.
The fit is comfortable, which isn’t always the case with earbuds, and the battery life is decent. We got around eight hours per charge in our testing, though the included charging case supplies 40 hours or so. The IPX4 water resistance rating is average, but does let the earbuds survive light rain and sweat.
The mic quality is fine, but doesn’t handle sibilant sounds too well and can lose your voice in noisy areas. In other words, these aren’t the best earbuds for phone calls, though they work in a pinch. They also don’t have an auto-pause feature.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/our-favorite-budget-earbuds-are-back-on-sale-for-45-152016314.html?src=rss
Wikipedia will employ AI to enhance the work of its editors and volunteers, it said Wednesday, also asserting that it has no plans to replace those human roles. The Wikimedia Foundation plans to implement AI specifically for automating tedious tasks, improving information discovery, facilitating translations, and supporting new volunteer onboarding, it said.
Ferrari’s hottest in-production V6 supercar just got even hotter. The 296 GTB and GTS (hardtop and open-top, respectively) now come in dedicated hardcore versions—the 296 Speciale and Speciale Aperta. Both have been blessed with the holy trinity of more power (868 horsepower total), less weight (as low as 3,109 lbs), and more aero (up to 20%
One of the first mini PC devices to sport AMD’s Strix Halo hardware inside has landed on U.S. soil, or at least it soon will. That would be GMKtec’s EVO-X2 mini PC. If that sound familiar, it’s because we wrote about this same NUC-sized system earlier this month, though at the time it was only available overseas. That just changed—you can
The world’s most powerful solar telescope, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (Editor note: Try saying that one time fast!), is beginning to prove the potential of a new add-on with its first close-up image of the Sun. Located near the summit of Haleakalā in Maui, Hawai’i, the telescope utilized the
Dell is expanding its laptop lineup with a few new models kitted with AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 series processors. Otherwise known as Krackan Point, these chips pair standard Zen 5 cores with denser Zen 5c cores that are designed to take up significantly less space on the processor die. They also featured dedicated neural processing units (NPUs)
An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Hill: Daily exposure to certain chemicals used to manufacture household plastics may be connected to more than 356,000 cardiovascular-related deaths in 2018 alone, a new analysis has found. These chemicals, called phthalates, are present in products around the world but have particular popularity in the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific — regions that collectively bore about 75 percent of the global death total, according to the research, published on Tuesday in the Lancet eBioMedicine.
Phthalates, often used in personal care products, children’s toys and food packaging and processing materials, are known to disrupt hormone function and have been linked to birth defects, infertility, learning disabilities and neurological disorders. The NYU Langone Health team focused in the analysis on a kind of phthalate called di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), which is used to make items like food containers and medical equipment softer and more flexible. Scientists have already shown that exposure to DEHP can trigger an overactive immune response in the heart’s arteries, which over time can be linked to increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
In the new analysis, the researchers estimated that DEHP exposure played a role in 356,238 global deaths in 2018, or nearly 13.5 percent of heart disease mortality among men and women ages 55 through 64. […] These findings are in line with the team’s previous research, which in 2021 determined that phthalates were connected to more than 50,000 premature deaths each year among older Americans — most of whom succumbed to heart conditions. But this latest analysis is likely the first global estimate of cardiovascular mortality resulting from exposure to these environmental contaminants […]. In a separate report from the New York Times, author Nina Agrawal highlights some of the caveats with the data.
First of all, the study relies heavily on statistical modeling and assumptions, drawing from prior research that may include biases and confounding factors like diet or socioeconomic status. It also uses U.S.-based risk estimates that may not generalize globally and focuses only on one type of phthalate (DEHP). Additionally, as Agrawal points out, this is an observational study, showing correlation rather than causation. As such, more direct, long-term research is needed to clarify the true health impact of phthalate exposure.
