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• Pump-and-dump schemes dominate crypto markets, driven by 438 manipulative masterminds
• Telegram’s ease of communication fuels the rise of crypto manipulations
• Advanced tools like Perseus expose crypto scammers, but regulation remains essential

As cybersecurity faces challenges with common internet scams like phishing, advanced fee fraud, and fake lotteries, cryptocurrency pump-and-dump schemes have emerged as a significant issue.

A recent study from researchers at University College London revealed just 438 masterminds are responsible for the majority of pump-and-dump crypto schemes worldwide.

These masterminds manipulate crypto coins by inflating prices through misleading hype, selling them once enough buyers are lured, collectively accounting for $3.2 trillion in artificial trading and earning $250 million annually. According to Google, such "cloaking" scams are the most damaging scams around.

Telegram is the preferred platform for manipulation

The researchers found popular encrypted messaging app Telegram is the primary tool used by crypto coin masterminds to spread false information, with manipulators using channels and chats to create artificial demand for coins.

"On the app, chats are used to communicate between potential buyers and sellers," the researchers note.

With easy communication and limited regulation, manipulators convince others to buy into the hype, leaving many victims unaware of the risks and devastated by the schemes.

As the research team pointed out, the simplicity of executing these scams "should be of concern to those attempting to make money off crypto coin investing."

To track these schemes, the researchers developed Perseus, a tool capable of analyzing the coordination efforts behind these manipulations.

Similar to AI-powered scam detectors like the one developed by McAfee, which stops scammers before they can reach potential victims, Perseus helps identify the masterminds behind the scams and measure their impact.

Perseus consists of three components: a real-time fetcher, a temporal attributed graph generator, and a mastermind detector. These technologies work together to uncover and track the key figures orchestrating these scams.

The researchers suggest that tools like Perseus, along with other scam detection technologies, could be crucial in recognizing harmful schemes within the largely unregulated crypto space.

"At some point, some form of regulation is going to be needed to keep the system running," they concluded.

As cryptocurrencies grow in popularity, the prevalence of scams raises concerns about market stability, with the lack of regulations leaving investors vulnerable to manipulations.

Via Techxplore

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While the Nintendo Direct about the Switch 2 was only about an hour long, the accompanying deep dives released offer even more information and peeks at the much-anticipated console, which launches on June 5, 2025.

Now, as spotted in “Ask the Developer Vol. 16, Nintendo Switch 2 – Chapter 4,” we’re getting our first look at the redesigned Nintendo eShop. It not only looks much sleeker and well organized, but it should also allow for better curation of titles and for you to more easily find titles that interest you.

Similar to the Switch 2’s interface compared to that of the original, Lite, and OLED, it’s not night and day with the shop. You’ll still find your primary sidebar on the left-hand side, but it has new options. I’ll list those out below, but what’s catching my eye is the central portion next to it titled “Game Finds For You.”

(Image credit: Nintendo)

The shared image reads, “Hey there, Sarah! Looking to find some games? We’ve got recommendations!” Seemingly, Nintendo will be doing some personalized curation based on your preferences, and it will be refreshed weekly, on Saturdays, in this case.

Kouichi Kawamoto, Producer, Entertainment Planning and Development Department at Nintendo, says in the post “there's a feature on Nintendo eShop called For You, which lets you quickly see screenshots and watch introduction videos for games.” The team believes this will let you more easily find something you like within a title, and decide if you’d like to get it or not.

Additionally, the Nintendo eShop has been optimized and improved to run on the Switch 2’s larger 7.9-inch display. The post details that Nintendo thinks it’s just as important that the browsing experience here for deciding what to play is as good as a game.

The new sidebar for the eShop, reads as:

• Featured Titles
• Product Search
• Game Finds For You
• Wish List
• Great Deals
• Bestselling Software
• Recent Releases
• Coming Soon
• Nintendo Switch Online
• Enter Code

While it’s not a complete redesign, the optimizations shown off here seem to up the fidelity and enhance the recommendation engine a bit further for the eShop. It’s unclear as of yet if there are more changes or if this new look might trickle down to the Switch Lite, Switch, or Switch OLED.

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• Tinder’s new Game Game feature lets users practice flirting with AI personas
• The voice-based encounters provide real-time feedback on your charm
• Users are rated on a three-flame scale to gamify the experience

I'm very happily married, but the memories of excruciating anxiety in attempts to flirt are carved into my brain forever. Just getting up the nerve to start a conversation felt like a victory. Perhaps it would have felt less intense after practicing with someone who has absolutely no chance of rejecting me, like, say, an AI character. That's what Tinder thinks. The dating app has released an AI-powered experiment called 'The Game Game,' which produces artificial conversational partners and fictional situations for you to practice those pick-up lines.

Despite the April 1st release, The Game Game is a no-fooling real voice-based feature built into Tinder’s iOS app. Using OpenAI’s GPT-4o AI model, the feature lets you practice flirting with AI characters. Play out a scenario like you’re at an airport, and your AI-generated love interest has accidentally picked up your identical suitcase. Sparks fly. You charm them. Or at least, you try.

You access it by tapping the Tinder logo in the corner of the app, where you're dealt a stack of virtual cards. Each one contains a random persona, albeit one based on your age and other preferences. That persona is matched to an often cheesy meet-cute scenario in a random location. Whatever it is, the AI initiates the conversation, and you respond with your voice.

And the voices are all different, with accents, cadences, and tones that are unique. You actually talk out loud to your phone, interrupting each other and talking about the scenario as if you're casually bantering with a charming stranger in real life. You can see a couple examples of the scenarios and the 'people' I talked to below.

(Image credit: Tinder Screenshot)

(Image credit: Tinder Screenshot) Flirting AI

I’ll admit, I went in skeptical, but it was actually a pretty smooth interaction that didn't feel stilted at all. I could imagine attempting to work on my initial conversational gambits with it. The real-time feedback doesn’t just tell you whether you “won” the scenario; it nudges you. If you’re too sarcastic, the AI might suggest you dial it down. If your answers are a little flat, it might prompt you to open up. Based on how you handle yourself, the AI scores your "date" using a three-flame rating system, a flirtatious Michelin rating.

That gamification is likely a major draw for some who like the idea of a somewhat objective rating. Of course, the AI isn't perfect. Sometimes, the responses felt canned, repetitive, or just a little off. There are guardrails in place so users can’t veer into wildly inappropriate territory, which might be overly limiting sometimes, though it does keep the vibe light and weird in the right way.

I don't think The Game Game will be universally loved, as it comes off as a somewhat gimmicky concept. And some people may worry it’s another step toward outsourcing genuine human interaction. But I think most people know it's just a simulation with sophisticated technology that lets you rehearse for real people.

The Game Game is only available for a limited time on iOS in the U.S., but I wouldn't be surprised if Tinder brings it back and expands access should it prove popular. Whether the practice translates to real-life success, well let's just say puns are a hit-or-miss tactic with both AI and real people.

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• Semimetals promise more efficient conductivity, outperforming copper in energy use
• Copper’s limitations drive the search for semimetals like niobium phosphide
• Niobium phosphide conducts electricity better, even at nanometer thicknesses

For nearly two centuries, copper has been the standard for electrical conductivity, used in wiring, microelectronics, and computing - but as electronic devices become portable power stations, it's clear that copper is reaching its physical limits.

To that end, recent research at Stanford University has shown niobium phosphide can outperform copper in ultra-thin films, making it a promising candidate for nanoscale electronics.

Researchers are exploring semimetals as a potential alternative because these materials possess unique electronic properties that could enhance efficiency, minimize energy loss, and improve performance in next-generation technology.

Unlocking new possibilities in conductivity

Unlike traditional metals, semimetals such as niobium phosphide exhibit distinctive band structures and topological properties, allowing for improved electron transport.

Niobium phosphide (NbP) thin films exhibit much lower resistivity than copper at nanometer scales. As the film thickness decreases, the resistivity of NbP decreases as well, reaching just one-sixth of copper's resistivity at a similar thickness.

At approximately 1.5 nanometers, NbP has a resistivity of about 34 microohm-centimeters at room temperature, significantly outperforming copper’s resistivity of around 100 microohm-centimeters at similar scales.

“Better materials could help us spend less energy in small wires and more energy actually doing computation,” said Eric Pop, a professor at Stanford’s School of Engineering.

The problem with copper is that it becomes less effective as it gets thinner, particularly below 50 nanometers, and struggles to handle rapid electrical signals, resulting in energy loss as heat, yet the Stanford team discovered that NbP, even at just five nanometers thick, conducts electricity more efficiently than copper due to its topological nature, where the material’s outer surface is more conductive than its core.

“Now we have another class of materials – these topological semimetals – that could potentially act as a way to reduce energy usage in electronics,” said Akash Ramdas, a doctoral researcher involved in the study.

One of the key advantages of niobium phosphide is its compatibility with existing semiconductor technologies, as it can be deposited at just 400°C, a temperature low enough to avoid damaging silicon chips. This means it could be integrated into current manufacturing processes without requiring expensive redesigns.

The Stanford team is now exploring other topological semimetals that could further improve performance and efficiency.

“This kind of breakthrough in non-crystalline materials could help address power and energy challenges in both current and future electronics,” Pop explained.

However, there are challenges in making NbP a viable commercial material, such as maintaining the correct layer tolerances during production, as variations in the thickness of the seed Nb layer can impact the resistivity and quality of the NbP film.

As the demand for smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient devices grows, semimetals could play a crucial role in shaping the future of microelectronics. If research continues to advance, nanometer-thick semimetal conductors may soon replace copper in high-performance computing, setting a new standard for electrical conductivity.

Via IEEE Spectrum

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Following the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, we've got our first glimpse at how Nintendo might make use of its new top-mounted USB-C port.

When Nintendo unveiled the new Switch 2, the secondary USB-C port caught my attention. No, not because I want a more convenient charging port for playing in tabletop mode or because I use wired controllers and can't be bothered to re-plug them into the dock's USB-C ports.

Instead, I was mostly excited by what this new port could represent for the Switch 2's future accessories, and Nintendo delivered with its new Nintendo Switch 2 Camera.

(Image credit: Nintendo)

As part of its latest livestream, Nintendo unveiled GameChat, which utilizes the new Camera for video calls, in-game AR features, and emotes. It'll be available at launch – June 5, 2025 – for $49.99 / £49.99.

As of this writing, we haven't seen any single-player games use the camera, but in time, you may be able to use it for motion-capture games like the good old heyday of EyeToy and Kinect gaming.

My hope, however, is that the Camera is only the beginning. I'd love to see the likes of the Super Scope 6, the Game Boy Camera and Pocket Printer, or even the Wii's Balance Board.

In an otherwise slightly underwhelming Direct with no major first-party launch titles to catch my eye beyond Mario Kart World, this second USB-C port and its peripheral potential remains one of the most interesting developments in the console.

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The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct has been a rollercoaster of emotions with highs like the GameCube game announcements for Switch Online and the Mario Kart World showcase, and then lows like the eye-wateringly high prices.

The Nintendo Switch 2 will cost $449.99 in the US or £395.99 in the UK (AU pricing is TBC), games like Mario Kart will set you back $79.99 / £74.99, and that cute Welcome Tour title that will explain the console’s features to you? You'll have to pay for that as well.

Cue the Michael Scott reaction:

That can’t be true, you must be thinking. I thought the same, but the official Nintendo of Europe account on Twitter – complete with Gold verification checkmark – described it as a “a paid downloadable launch title for Nintendo Switch 2.” There’s no more solid confirmation than hearing it from Nintendo itself.

Discover all the secrets inside your new console with #NintendoSwitch2 Welcome Tour, a paid downloadable launch title for Nintendo Switch 2. pic.twitter.com/X4SqIPDRtJApril 2, 2025

When the Direct’s Welcome Tour trailer showed us a handful of minigames and digital information desks detailing overly in-depth information on the magnets in the new Joy-Cons my initial reaction was that it looks like a harmless interactive manual and eventual bloatware – the sort of software we’ll hop into for a few minutes while we wait for our actual games to finish installing and eventually delete when we run out of Switch 2 storage.

It didn’t once cross my mind that Nintendo would charge anyone to 'play' Welcome Tour. Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but frankly even $1 / £1 feels too high.

I know this title would have taken time to develop and to fill with demos and info, but surely its cost could have been eaten up by the high Switch 2 price? Right?

I was cautiously excited for the Nintendo Switch 2, and the Direct mostly morphed that into true anticipation. June 5, 2025 was marked on my calendar, and as hype grows I could see myself putting in a preorder despite my promise to myself that a new Mario Kart wouldn’t be enough of a draw.

Now, with this Welcome Tour announcement, and several other missteps, I’m just feeling deflated by the whole launch. Hopefully my frustrations will mellow out in the coming days, but in the Switch 2 vs Steam Deck battle, in my mind the Nintendo console is in a losing position for now.

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• MediaTek challenges Broadcom in Google's evolving AI hardware strategy
• Next-gen TPU aims for better AI processing and lower costs
• Google diversifies AI chip supply, reducing reliance on Broadcom

MediaTek and Google will collaborate to develop the next-gen tensor processing units (TPUs), a move which means Google will likely be reducing its reliance on Broadcom in its AI tools hardware business strategy.

The aim of this collaboration is to design an affordable and energy-efficient TPU, produced by TSMC and will likely launch as part of Google’s 7th-gen TPU series.

While Google will lead the overall design, MediaTek will handle input/output modules to facilitate communication between the processor and peripherals, marking a shift from Broadcom’s previous role in TPU core development, though Google is not cutting ties with Broadcom entirely.

Developing more efficient AI processors

Google’s TPUs, designed for demanding AI computations and essential for training the best LLMs, will reportedly see improved efficiency and performance, addressing the increasing demand for powerful AI processing.

Google has been developing its own AI server chips for internal use and cloud services to reduce reliance on external providers like Nvidia, whose dominance in AI hardware contrasts with Google’s push for a more self-sufficient ecosystem through TPU investments.

Meanwhile, Mediatek has been expanding its presence in AI chip development, including partnerships in AI supercomputers.

Ine arly 2025, the company announced an AI supercomputer project collaboration, with its latest partnership with Google aligning with its broader strategy to strengthen its position in the AI industry.

If this collaboration is successful, it may influence the development of the best LLM models by making AI processing more efficient.

Via UDN

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If you’ve got your eyes on the Nintendo Switch 2 and are in the US, Best Buy might be your best place to secure the hybrid console.

That’s because Best Buy will open at midnight ET / 9pm PT on launch day so that those who secure a pre-order can pick up the console as soon as possible on June 5.

The pre-orders are set to start on Wednesday, April 9, and to be in the best position to get the Switch 2 as soon as possible, you’ll want to pre-order through the BestBuy.com website or the Best Buy Mobile App.

Best Buy is one of the best places to pre-order gaming gear, and we envisage it being the same for the Nintendo Switch 2 - it should have plenty of stock, too, we hope. All you can do at the minute, though, is register your interest

“There are some moments gamers don’t forget, and one of those is the excitement and anticipation that comes with being one of the first to get the hot new console on launch night,” said Patrick McGinnis, chief merchandising officer at Best Buy. “We can’t wait to bring that moment to life with the Nintendo Switch 2, and help customers level up their gaming experience.”

There’s more good stuff, too, if you’re a My Best Buy Plus or My Best Buy Total member. For every $150 spent on Nintendo hardware, accessories, and games, you can get a $20 Best Buy certificate, ramping up to $100 worth. There’s a caveat: This offer is only valid from April 2 to August 3.

While I expect the Switch 2 to be offered by a whole range of the big US retailers, I’d cautiously suggest that Best Buy might be one of the best places to go to in order to secure the new Nintendo console; the retailer tends to be one the the companies that has healthy amounts of stock for such devices.

Given the massive success of the original Nintendo Switch, if you’re super-keen on the Switch 2, I’d suggest you be prepared to get a pre-order in so that you’re not left disappointed on its release day.

And as a reminder, the Switch 2 on its own will be $449.99 or $499.99 with a download code for Mario Kart World.

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• GameCube Classics are headed to the Nintendo Switch 2
• The first three titles are The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, Soul Caliber 2, and F-Zero GX, coming on June 5, 2025
• Other games like Pokémon Colosseum, Luigi's Mansion, and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness

Nintendo’s major Nintendo Switch 2 Direct event was brimming with game releases, but forget about Mario Kart World, FromSoftware’s new The Duskbloods and that sweet five seconds of Silksong footage for a minute and join me in celebrating the two actual biggest announcements: Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness are hitting the new console (alongside other GameCube games).

With limited opportunities to capture and train your Pokémon companions adding some real challenge compared to the core series, combined with some incredible music and a unique plot, these spinoffs are my favorites in the whole Pokémon series.

And after misplacing my copy of Gale of Darkness (which is very costly to replace on the secondary market) I’m beyond excited to be able to replay both of these titles again soon.

They’re being released via a new GameCube addition to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. This expanded version of the Online subscription includes access to DLC and exclusive classic console game libraries (including the N64 and GameBoy Advance) for $49.99 / £34.99 / AU$59.95 a year.

The only downside for Pokémon fans is that while these two best-in-class spinoffs have been confirmed to be launching on the service at some point they won’t be available at the new console’s launch.

Instead, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, Soul Caliber 2, and F-Zero GX will be the first trio of GameCube titles to hit the service on the Switch 2’s launch date.

One thing to note is that it appears that Nintendo Switch original players with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack won’t be able to access these GameCube titles. Instead, the GameCube expansion will be exclusive to Nintendo’s latest console.

Complete the GameCube setup

(Image credit: Nintendo)

To capture the authentic GameCube experience, Nintendo announced it’s releasing a wireless GameCube controller (complete with the new C button) for £58.99 (likely around $75 based on exchange rates; Nintendo has yet to confirm a US price).

It’ll only be available through the MyNintendo online store, and – to make things more frustrating – you’ll only be able to preorder one if you’re a Nintendo Switch Online member, and initially it will “only be offered to those invited to pre-order a Nintendo Switch 2 console” according to the MyNintendo UK store.

This is presumably a move to prevent scalpers from sucking up all the stock before anyone else can react, so just be prepared to jump through some hoops if you’re keen to get this Switch 2 GameCube accessory.

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Vibe coding—creating and editing software simply by giving instructions to AI—enables businesses and individuals to unleash their creativity without requiring a developer. Some worry that vibe coding will replace developers, but that’s not the case. This trend proves that programming is evolving, and those who adapt will find more opportunities, not fewer.

The evolution of AI coding

AI-powered coding assistants have been around for a while. They started as “autocomplete” tools, similar to how your phone predicts the next word when you text.

GitHub Copilot, Cursor, and similar tools boosted developer productivity by helping them finish lines of code, detect mistakes, and suggest improvements.

In fact, software engineering is the field where AI is most commonly applied. To put things in perspective, over 37% of all queries sent to Claude cover tasks like software modification, code debugging, and network troubleshooting.

Even major tech companies, such as Google, now rely on AI for coding—more than a quarter of their new code is AI-generated.

But vibe coding takes this concept even further. Instead of merely assisting developers, tools like Hostinger Horizons, Lovable, or Bolt.new can now generate complete applications based on user prompts.

People with no coding knowledge are creating personal web apps, automating tasks, and even building successful SaaS businesses.

This marks a fundamental shift: AI is no longer just assisting developers—it’s taking on entire development tasks.

While vibe coding is impressive, it comes with notable limitations that make human oversight essential. However, with research advancing rapidly, AI’s coding capabilities will continue to improve. AI already outperforms humans in creative tasks, decision-making, and some other tasks, so similar progress in software development is inevitable.

What AI currently can and can’t do

Basically, current large language models (LLMs) are advanced text predictors. They analyze patterns and generate outputs based on training data, but unlike humans, they can’t comprehend the meaning of what they generate.

AI's lack of true understanding causes several significant limitations:

1. AI can’t think out of the box to find better solutions on its own. It simply generates code based on given instructions and examples from the training data.
2. AI hallucinates and makes errors. In some cases, a subtle mistake or oversight can require extensive efforts to correct later on.
3. To create a large, complex application, users must clearly explain the app's logic to the AI because it’s unlikely to come up with that structure on its own.

In other words, current vibe coding tools are similar to junior software developers. They help non-developers bring their software ideas to life with minimal effort.

That said, complex projects still require more time, deeper expertise, and often the involvement of a professional developer.

The new role of developers

Vibe coding tools are evolving rapidly. In just a few months, we could see significant improvements—bringing them closer to the expertise of mid-level or even senior developers.

Nevertheless, AI will need humans to guide it, test, and refine the outputs. This is where the future developers will step in, ensuring AI-generated code is reliable and secure, managing and integrating different AI solutions, and solving complex and unique challenges.

AI isn’t a threat but rather a tool to solve tedious, repetitive tasks, allowing developers to focus on new, unique challenges, and create innovations.

That’s what we see in our business today. AI fully solves more than half of all client queries, allowing our Customer Success experts to focus more on advanced technical issues.

Adapt or step back

As AI becomes an integral part of software development, the skill set required for developers is evolving. Future-proof developers will need to master AI literacy, prompt engineering, code analysis, debugging, and problem-solving to stay ahead in the job market.

This shift also necessitates changes in education. Schools and universities must integrate AI-powered tools into their curricula to ensure graduates are relevant and competitive in the job market.

Yet, this transformation is not limited to programming. With 400 million weekly ChatGPT users, it’s hard to imagine any industry without AI, at least in terms of intellectual work.

However, rather than replacing human ingenuity, AI helps people be more productive and efficient. Businesses will always need smart people for strategic thinking, decisive action, and driving innovation.

The future of coding isn’t about choosing between AI and human developers—it’s about collaboration. The best developers will be those who know how to harness AI effectively.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• Nintendo has some requirements for access to Nintendo Switch 2 priority sales
• One of them is a Nintendo Switch Online membership
• It might be an awesome anti-scalper strategy

What if on April 8, you queued up to buy the just fully announced Nintendo Switch 2 and didn't find that inventory was empty before you even had a chance to hit enter? Nintendo might have a fascinating new plan for leveling the consumer gaming console playing field.

The new Nintendo Switch 2 is bigger and better in almost every way than the original Nintendo Switch and even the more recent OLED model. It's got a bigger screen, magnetic Joy-Cons, USB ports, four times the storage, and 4K support (when docked). My personal favorite is support for classic GameCube games.

Even though it costs $150 more than the last model, it's sure to be a hot item and one that you might struggle to get your hands on. Unless, that is, Nintendo's unusual purchasing restrictions make it harder for scaplers to scoop up thousands of units and deplete what is sure to be limited supply.

The requirements, as outlined on Nintendo's How to Buy FAQ page, are simple:

• You must have been the one who purchased any Nintendo Switch Online membership
• You must have had any paid Nintendo Switch Online membership for a minimum of 12 months
• You must have opted in to share gameplay data and have at least 50 hours total gameplay hours.

This is not "one of the above." It's all of them.

On the face of it, I might be against the rules. Who is Nintendo to force us to pay almost $20 a year on a service membership just for the privilege of owning a Nintendo Switch 2? But when viewed through the prism of a reality hurdle, meaning a real Switch gamer who's anxious to upgrade, it makes sense.

Combining that with the one-year of active membership is smart because while it's easy to sign up for Nintendo Switch Online membership today, that won't be enough.

I might also give the last requirement some privacy side-eye. After all, why would I want to share my gameplay data with Nintendo? Who might they share it with?

Still, in this case, it shows, through the additional task of 50 hours of gameplay, that you're serious about the platform.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

All of this is undoubtedly designed to separate real Switch fans from scalpers who will try to flood the zone and use countless auto-generated Nintendo IDs and virtual credit card numbers to scoop up as many Nintendo Switch 2 consoles as possible. They'll then turn around and sell them on third-party reseller sites, eBay, and elsewhere at a significant markup.

These rules could make that difficult, if not impossible.

Looking at it another way, though, I see that this is also a smart strategy for managing supply chain issues. Causal buyers may be cut out of the mix, and what already looks to be a limited supply will only go to the most invested Nintendo Switch 2 buyers.

Nintendo describes the priority availability as going out "in batches...until purchasing on My Nintendo Store is opened to everyone." Who knows when that wil be. It could take all year for Nintendo to open up the purchasing doors.

Gaming supply and demand

The Nintendo Switch was notoriously limited in supply for years and took forever to overtake its predecessor, the Nintendo Wii, in sales.

If Nintendo is successful in selling mostly to real, motivated buyers, that equation may change, and we could go from batches to full availability and have the Nintendo Switch 2 surpass the original Nintendo Switch in sales in no time.

Overall, I applaud this and hope that we see similar loyalty programs applied to the PlayStation 6 and future Xbox launches. It might not hurt to do it with Apple's first foldable iPhone and Samsung's first tri-fold either.

Your best customers are usually connected to your brand through previous purchases and service memberships (look at Apple customers and iCloud).

This is the best way to reward them and ensure that demand and supply stay in balance and that those who deserve to buy your new product get a chance to do so at the original retail price.

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• More than $1.5bn of crypto was lost to scams and theft in Q1 2025, report says
• Most of the funds were lost in the ByBit hack
• Wallet compromise is the most common way people lose their crypto

When it comes to scams and theft, crypto hasn’t had a great year so far. Just in the first quarter of the year, hackers stole more than $1.67 billion across 197 security incidents. This is according to a new report published by blockchain cybersecurity pros CertiK.

The Q1 2025 Hack3d Report says the figure represents a 303.38% increase in value compared to the previous quarter. Across the industry, the average loss per incident was $9,549,339, CertiK further said, while the median loss per incident was $66,303.

The total value of funds returned was $6,390,698, leading to adjusted total losses of $1,662,600,186 for the quarter. Sadly enough, just 0.4% of stolen funds were returned to customers, but that’s basically how blockchain works, since most transactions are irreversible.

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Wake-up call

Without a wider context, these figures could be a bit misleading, though. Almost all of the money stolen fell on just one incident - the ByBit hack in late February 2025.

ByBit, a major cryptocurrency exchange, lost $1.5 billion in Ethereum, in an attack that was attributed to North Korea's state-sponsored Lazarus Group. The hackers infiltrated Safe{Wallet}'s infrastructure, injecting malicious JavaScript that deceived ByBit's security team into approving unauthorized transactions.

Lazarus is one of the world’s most infamous threat actors, deploying enormous state resources to steal cryptocurrencies, which are then used to fund the government’s state apparatus and its weapons program.

“Hackers are using increasingly sophisticated techniques, and it is now more important than ever for blockchain businesses and projects to proactively invest in robust security measures,” said CertiK Co-Founder Ronghui Gu. The Bybit breach is a wake-up call for the entire industry. Security is not simply a competitive edge - it is a shared responsibility.”

The most costly attack vector is wallet compromise, followed by private key compromise, code vulnerability, and phishing.

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While there are still a few question marks, the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct has taught us pretty much everything we need to know ahead of the console's June 5 release date, and I have some mixed feelings.

GameChat seems fun (though suspiciously reminiscent of Discord), Switch 2 Editions of both The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom caught my interest, plus a litany of new games and ample examples of why mouse mode could be a silver bullet for an otherwise iteratively updated console.

One area sorely missing an overhaul is the user interface (UI), which, based on a screen capture shared by Nintendo, looks much the same as the original Switch with a few minor tweaks: rounded corners on the game library and a slightly expanded menu bar.

The menu bar features a few new options, though. Those include a green scroll, which I'd expect to be for news, a 'C' button for the new GameChat features, and a teal button, which I'd wager is for GameShare.

Now, UI news may not take pride of place on your Nintendo Direct Bingo card, but I've always been surprised that Nintendo has gutted so many of its personalization and customization features over the years.

Gone are the days of wacky menus, peppy menu music, and Miis; now, it's sterile, stripped-back, and, in my opinion, entirely at odds with Nintendo's design ethos.

Especially when you consider the pared-back Joy-Con 2 design, too, it feels like Nintendo has lost its look.

(Image credit: Nintendo)

I was really hoping for UI themes to be announced or for some new features to bring Miis back to its former glory. Even the new, bizarrely positioned Welcome Tour game (which, to everyone's surprise, seems to be a paid-for title, not pre-installed free software) opted for a lifeless, basic design instead of utilizing anything remotely Nintendo-like.

Time will tell if Nintendo plans to bring back some of its iconic whimsy to the Switch 2's UI, but I'm certainly hoping for a suitably garish Splatoon UI theme at some point to bring back a splash of color to the more sleek-looking Switch 2.

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• ReactOS is a free Windows-like OS built from scratch without Microsoft code
• A new version just launched after a four year wait with lots of changes
• The OS targets compatibility with Server 2003 - yes, you read that right

If you’re looking to move away from Windows, there are plenty of alternative operating systems to consider - from the many Linux distributions on offer to macOS (if you're open to switching to Apple).

One of the more intriguing options is ReactOS, which aims to be Windows, but without Microsoft - more specifically, it’s designed to be an OS that’s compatible with Windows applications and drivers, without using any proprietary Microsoft code. Unlike Linux, which is built on a Unix foundation, ReactOS reimplements the Windows NT architecture from the ground up.

It's currently targeting compatibility with Windows Server 2003, yes 2003, although it can run software like LibreOffice, Firefox, and some older versions of Adobe Photoshop. ReactOS integrates parts of the Wine project and even supports booting 64-bit Linux systems via its Freeloader utility.

Four years in the making

Originally launched as FreeWin95 in the late 1990s, it evolved into ReactOS with a goal of becoming a true Windows alternative.

Today, it looks like Windows 2000 in appearance and functionality, although compatibility is very hit and miss - some classic games and apps run perfectly well, while others crash or simply fail to launch at all.

The last named release, version 0.4.14, came out in December 2021, and since then development has continued apace, with new builds automatically produced each time a change is committed, although these releases aren’t tested in the same way as the stable ones.

Now, four years after the last stable update appeared, ReactOS 0.4.15 has arrived and you can download it as a boot CD or liveCD here.

The latest release offers Plug and Play fixes, audio fixes, memory management improvements, registry healing, and enhancements to accessories and system tools including Notepad, Paint, RAPPS, the Input Method Editor, and the shell.

As you can tell from the version number, 0.4.15, ReactOS is still in alpha, and will likely remain so for a very long time.

It may never reach beta, let alone ever be finished, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth your time.

You won’t want to use it as your daily driver, but take it for a spin in VirtualBox and marvel at what the team has managed to create here.

ReactOS, while impressive for what it is, will for many remain little more than a retro curiosity - but the team is planning some major additions in the next big release, which hopefully won’t take another four years to arrive.

Planned future features include UEFI support, a new graphical installer, a new NTFS filesystem driver, symmetric multiprocessing (SMP), power management, and broader application compatibility.

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• Nintendo has finally confirmed the long-rumored mouse mode for the Nintendo Switch 2
• Each Joy Con 2 controller comes with an optical sensor that allows it to be used like a mouse
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Mario Party Jamboree: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct livestream has been and gone, leaving us in a daze of new hardware features, new games, and new ways to play them.

The livestream has confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2's Joy-Con 2 controllers will have mouse functionality, allowing users to drag the controller on its side to control cursors and allow for more accurate aiming in games like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.

During the livestream, we saw the new control mode demonstrated with new games like the wheelchair basketball-focused Drag x Drive and the expanded Mario Party Jamboree: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Both Joy-Con 2 controllers can be used in mouse mode at the same time.

It seems that each Joy-Con controller is fitted with an optical sensor on its flatter edge (the side that magnetically snaps onto the side of the Switch 2). The shoulder buttons are used as mouse buttons, creating a somewhat familiar mouse experience, though we can't imagine it'll be ergonomically suitable for long periods of gameplay.

Though the livestream demonstrated the Joy-Con 2’s mouse function on flat surfaces, a press release shared by Nintendo to Business Wire confirms that sliding the Joy-Con 2 controllers over a pair of pants will also work.

Nintendo Switch 2 mouse control games

Metroid Prime 4 Beyond is confirmed to support the new mouse mode (Image credit: Nintendo)

As mentioned, the livestream demonstrated a handful of games that use the new Joy Con 2 mouse function.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond makes use of the Joy Con 2 mouse mode for precise aiming. Mario Party: Jamboree: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition uses the mouse mode for cursor control in specific party games, and Drag x Drive uses both Joy Con 2 controllers in mouse mode at the same time, to emulate pushing the wheels of a wheelchair.

What about motion controls?

(Image credit: Nintendo)

The addition of a mouse mode for the Joy-Con 2 and Nintendo Switch 2 could represent a shift in direction for Nintendo, echoing the Direct’s focus on games with an older target audience and single-player games.

It seems likely that the Joy-Con 2’s mouse mode will be used most often on a flat surface like a desk with these launch and early titles, whereas earlier games on the original Nintendo Switch – like Arms and 1-2 Switch – focused more on motion controls.

There were relatively few mentions of motion control during the Direct – but the presentation for Drag x Drive suggests that the Joy-Con 2 still supports it.

Let us know what you think of the new Nintendo Switch 2 mouse mode in the comments below.

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• Deltarune set to release on Nintendo Switch 2
• It will be a launch day title, coming out on June 5, 2025
• The release will include the brand new chapters 3 and 4

For many the Nintendo Switch was their handheld indie machine where they enjoyed a bevy of excellent non-AAA titles – it certainly was for me. And at the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, the company honored that heritage with a suite of indie announcements including that Deltarune will be released on June 5, the Nintendo Switch 2 launch date.

What's more, this release will include not only Chapters 1 and 2 but brand-new Chapters 3 and 4 with both new entries released on the same date.

It's been a long wait for fans to squeeze more Deltarune content from creator Toby Fox. The first chapter debuted back in 2018, and the second was released in September 2021, and finally, the wait is almost over.

Here's the full announcement trailer:

If you aren't planning to pick up a Nintendo Switch 2 then fear not. As confirmed in the Deltarune trailer's YouTube description it's also coming to Steam, Switch, PS4, and PS5 on the same day (June 5).

With Chapters 1 through 4 complete fans will still need to wait for the final Chapter 5 release, which Fox has previously said is the game's "finish line."

Back in 2023 Chapter 5 was being described as "pretty far off" which aligns with the fact that in 2025 it's still not finished.

Given the roughly two years per chapter development time here's hoping Chapter 5 will be with us sometime in 2027 – though for now, I'm honestly happy to sink my teeth into two new chapters in a couple of months.

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• The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is official
• It has three new buttons, including the 'C' button and the new GL and GR buttons
• And there's finally a 3.5mm headphone jack

As part of the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, we also got a new Pro Controller to go with the hybrid console.

You’ll need to squint a bit at the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller to immediately spot any differences from the current Switch Pro Controller, other than the shoulder and triggers being rendered in a light grey rather than black.

But let your gaze linger on the controller and you’ll spy the new C button that triggers the Game Chat features; this is the first baked-in chat function Nintendo has brought to its console.

And there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack, which seems like a small thing but wasn’t a feature on the previous Pro Controller, despite Xbox and PlayStation controllers having such a jack for years.

Thanks to the technical wizardry of wireless audio passthrough, this means you’ll be able to play the Switch 2 in docked mode and get sound to your headphones when they are plugged into the Switch 2 Pro Controller. Hardly revolutionary, but a welcome addition.

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Another new feature is the new GL and GR buttons that sit on the back of the grip handles.

“Players can assign any button inputs they want to these two new buttons. What's more, the assigned button inputs are saved for each game as well as each player. So you can easily customize them by assigning button inputs that you frequently use to them, or buttons that are hard to reach at the same time,” explained Kouichi Kawamoto, a producer at Nintendo's entertainment, planning and development department. “For example, if you assign the Capture Button to the GL Button, you can use it to take screenshots without taking your thumb off the L Stick.”

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Outside of these new… features, you won’t find much else that’s fresh, as the Switch 2 Pro still comes with Bluetooth connectivity, HD rumble, NFC support for use with amiibo models and cards, and the Switch 2 Pro Controller also has gyroscopic aiming for games that support it.

I rather liked the original Switch Pro Controller, though I do wish it had analog triggers to modulate inputs, and that’s not the case with this new controller. Priced at $79.99 / £74.99 (Australian pricing is TBC but would likely be around AU$125), the Switch 2 Pro Controller is a little pricier than its predecessors, but that’s unfortunately the overall theme of the Switch 2 and console gaming in general.

While I don’t think the Switch 2 Pro Controller will be an essential purchase, I do feel it’ll be the controller to get if you plan on playing the Switch 2 docked a lot.

Want more Switch 2 news and views? Then head on over to our Nintendo Switch 2 Direct live blog for a blow-by-blow account of what was announced at the latest Direct.

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What do John Krasinski, Natalie Portman, Eiza González and Domhnall Gleeson have in common with Sherlock director Guy Ritchie and one of U2's biggest hits? They're all right here in the newly released trailer for Fountain of Youth, a new movie exclusive coming to Apple TV+.

According to Apple, it's an epic quest filled with adventure. And it looks like it'll be fun in a kind of Indiana Jones, Uncharted kinda way.

(Image credit: Apple TV+) What is the Fountain of Youth?

In mythology, the Fountain of Youth is the ultimate water feature: if you can find it, it'll make you immortal. And according to the synopsis, that's exactly what the characters in this movie are hoping to discover.

Here's Apple TV Plus's description: "Fountain of Youth” follows two estranged siblings (John Krasinski and Academy Award winner Natalie Portman) who partner on a global heist to find the mythological Fountain of Youth. They must use their knowledge of history to follow clues on an epic adventure that will change their lives … and possibly lead to immortality."

Written by James Vanderbilt (Scream, Zodiac, White House Down) and directed by Guy Ritchie (The Gentlemen, Snatch, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels), this promises to be a kinetic adventure: Ritchie's great at action, and Vanderbilt's work is usually a lot of fun. More details are currently under wraps, but the film will be available to stream exclusively on Apple TV+ from May 23, 2025.

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• The Samsung Galaxy tri-fold phone may launch in China and Korea only, if a new rumor is anything to go by
• Also, a new patent filing suggests Samsung has created a design for a quad-fold phone with three hinges
• Samsung has not acknowledged either the rumor or the patent

At this year’s first Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event, Samsung hinted that it’s working on a multi-fold phone – also referred to as a tri-fold phone – which has since come to be known on the rumor mill as the Samsung Galaxy G Fold.

However, a new rumor suggests that keen Samsung fans in many parts of the world could be left disappointed by the Galaxy G Fold’s availability at launch.

As GSMArena reports, listings were discovered in the GSM Association’s database for two new Samsung model numbers, SM-F968N and SM-F9680. It’s suspected that these refer to the supposed multi-fold phone.

The report adds that Samsung typically uses the N suffix for phones destined for its home market of South Korea, while a code ending in 0 denotes a Chinese release.

There are no other listings for the SM-F968 at the moment, which suggests the phone will be coming to China and Korea first and foremost.

It’s also possible that Samsung isn’t planning a wider release for the Galaxy G Fold – we previously saw a similar release for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold SE in October 2024, and that phone has yet to appear on store shelves outside of China and Korea.

However, this would seem like an odd choice considering the company previously teased multi-fold devices at the globally-streamed Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event in January.

A fourth fold?

(Image credit: SamMobile)

Though we haven’t even had official confirmation of a specific tri-fold device from Samsung, another rumor suggests that the company could be pushing ahead with the next stage of folding phone evolution.

A patent uncovered by SamMobile shows that Samsung has patented a new design that would allow for a three-hinged, four-panelled folding phone.

The design features a hinge right in the middle of the inner display, with the phone folding inwards on either side.

We don’t know whether Samsung intends to make this design a reality any time soon – it could just be an example of them sitting on intellectual property.

In any case, if Samsung does skip over the West with the Galaxy G Fold, I hope we're at least considered for any quad-fold phones that crop up in years to come.

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Nintendo just wrapped its April 2, 2025, Direct stream all about the Nintendo Switch 2, and it’s safe to say we learned a boatload of new information about the much-anticipated console.

For one, it’s coming in hot, landing on June 5, 2025, with several new hardware features and a slew of new games and expansion packs for existing ones.

So whether you want the down low on the cost, what the new ‘C’ button is, or the major new titles like Donkey Kong Bananza or Mario Kart World, read on for the 11 things we learned about the Nintendo Switch 2.

Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, with preorders on April 8

(Image credit: Nintendo)

If you’re eager to put your Switch or Switch OLED to the side, you won’t have to wait much longer. The Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, 2025, in two configurations: the standard console and one bundled with a code to download Mario Kart World.

Here’s a look at pricing:

• Nintendo Switch 2: $449.99 / £395.99
• Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World: $499.99 / £429.99

Preorders will kick off on April 8, 2025, and the console releases on June 5, 2025.

It comes with 256GB of storage, 8x the first Switch

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Considering that a laundry list of games has been shown off, it’s good news that Nintendo is significantly expanding its starting storage. The Nintendo Switch 2 comes with 256GB of storage, eight times the original Switch's capacity.

This should mean you’ll have plenty of room to download games right out of the box, and you'll be able to expand it with a microSD express card.

Mario Kart World is nearly entirely open-world with dynamic elements

(Image credit: Nintendo)

The Nintendo Direct kicked off with a deep dive into Mario Kart World, and it simply looks incredible. For starters, you can still have 24 karts racing at once, but you’re no longer limited to just the track.

Nintendo turned Mario Kart into an open-world title in that you can drive off the courses and into the vast world (as described) encompassing several regions. You can even drive yourself after one race concludes to the start of the next one. The lands in the game will be dynamic based on your region for both time of day and weather conditions.

From the scenes shown, it looks very impressive and is very worthy of being the launch title for the console. We'll learn more about it during a dedicated Nintendo Direct on April 17, 2025.

We finally know what the ‘C’ button is for

(Image credit: Nintendo)

In the lead-up, teaser photos showed off a new ‘C’ button on the right Joy-Con, and we can now confirm it’s for a new voice chat service exclusive to the Switch 2. Dubbe GameChat, you can chat with up to four folks while in game. There is even the ability to share your screen, and courtesy of the built-in microphone, Nintendo promises you’ll sound crystal clear thanks to voice isolation.

While you’ll eventually need Nintendo Switch Online to use GameChat, it will be free as a trial for all users at launch – likely to encourage sign-ups. There will also be a video component, as Nintendo showed off the Switch 2 Camera that can plug right into the console via USB-C to enable video calls. This way, you can share your scree,n and your friends can see and hear you. The Switch 2 Camera will also launch on June 5 for $49.99.

Beyond the ‘C’ button on Joy-Con 2, it’s also on the new Pro Controller and a limited-edition GameCube controller exclusive to Switch Online subscribers.

The best way to play your favorite games

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Switch 2 Edition games are older titles upgraded for the new console, and they might be one of the best reasons to pick up a Switch 2 on launch.

Games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, and even new games like Pokemon Legends Z-A and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, will all perform better on the new hardware.

Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games will be available physically and digitally, and owners of the original games can upgrade to the enhanced version for a fee.

More Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games will be released in the future, but this is an excellent incentive for Nintendo Switch owners to upgrade to the latest console. Games like 2024’s Tears of the Kingdom struggled to run smoothly on the original Switch, but now they should run flawlessly like a AAA game made in 2024.

Switch 2 just got one of the DS’s best features

(Image credit: Nintendo)

GameShare is the spiritual successor to Download Play, a local multiplayer feature that was discontinued with the launch of the original Nintendo Switch.

Nintendo Switch 2 users will be able to play locally with their friends in games like Mario Kart World without needing a second cartridge. That means you’ll be able to have races with all your friends as long as they own the new console.

However, Nintendo hasn’t announced exactly what games will be compatible with GameShare yet. Even so, seeing the feature return with the new console is exciting, especially considering the June 5 launch date, which is perfect for your summer vacations.

Something beefy is powering it

(Image credit: Nintendo / Future)

Yes, Nintendo rattled off many specs about Switch 2, including the fact that the 7.9-inch screen is an HD LCD panel with support for HDR and 120 frames per second refresh rate, as well as two USB-C ports. Even so, though, we don’t know what processor is exactly powering the next-generation console.

We simply know it’s pretty powerful, though, as Cyberpunk 2077 is confirmed to arrive on the Switch 2. That’s a pretty spec-heavy game, so it’ll undoubtedly be more powerful than the first Switch or even the Switch OLED.

Plus, this system on a chip will also support the 256GB storage’s faster read and write speeds, power two USB-C ports, and enable faster read speeds on the new Game Cards.

'Silksong' and a new 'Hyrule Warriors' get 2025 releases

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Silksong might have only received five seconds of screen time, but for Hollow Knight fans eagerly awaiting the game’s release, that – and a 2025 release year confirmation – is more than enough. No clown makeup is needed today, folks.

We also got a brand new Hyrule Warriors title. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment will be set during the Imprisoning War we see glimpses of during Tears of the Kingdom, with this new title looking to serve as Tears’ version of Breath of the Wilds’ Hyrule Warriors tie-in Age of Calamity.

Will this new game also feature a topsy-turvy time travel component? We’ll find out when the game releases sometime this year.

There’s a new Pro controller coming

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Among a few other accessories revealed alongside the Switch 2, such as the Switch 2 camera and Joy-Con 2 controllers, Nintendo confirmed that a new full-size gamepad, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, will be released.

Sporting a similar asymmetrical stick layout as its predecessor, it’s got a slightly different aesthetic with a black and gray colorway that makes it look pretty slick. It’ll also feature the C button for GameChat functionality and an audio jack port for connecting a headset, which is a new feature and adds another string to the controller's bow.

Elsewhere, it’ll feature HD Rumble 2, built-in amiibo functionality, motion controls, and GL/GR buttons that can be mapped to any button you like. We also know the pricing: the Switch Pro 2 Controller will cost you $79.99 / £74.99, which is a fair chunk of change.

GameCube games coming to Switch Online

(Image credit: Nintendo)

One of the best software announcements for many was that classic GameCube titles, starting with The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, Soul Caliber 2, and F-Zero GX, will be available on the Switch Online service.

If the list seems a little short, don’t fret. Nintendo has said other titles, including Pokémon Colosseum, Super Mario Sunshine, and Luigi’s Mansion, are set to hit the service at some point.

The titles will be available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 to players who subscribe to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, which costs $49.99 / £34.99 / AU$59.95 for a 12-month subscription.

Beyond the new GameCube titles, players can access a library of games from other Nintendo Systems like the N64 and GameBoy Advance.

There is a new Donkey Kong title coming in July

(Image credit: Nintendo)

While it won't be out on June 5, 2025, Donkey Kong fans should mark the calendar for July 17, 2025. That's when Donkey Kong Bananza – a Switch 2 exclusive – will launch and it looks incredible.

It's a new 3D platformer featuring Donkey Kong and you'll be smashing and bashing your way through an underground world. Of course, you'll likely encounter mine kart rides – I mean, would it be a Donkey Kong title without that? – and it seems like the main character has some new abilities like wall climbing.

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