TechRadar News

• MSI will be extending panel refreshes on its OLED Care 2.0 monitors to 24 hours instead of 16 hours
• It will eliminate gameplay disruptions for gamers
• This will come into effect starting in May

OLED monitors have gradually become a mainstream option for many users (especially gamers) with advanced care technologies built to help prevent image retention and burn-in. Fortunately, MSI is introducing a new measure to further improve this technology's efficiency.

As stated in a press release, MSI will be extending its OLED Care 2.0 timer to 24 hours to prevent panel protection (pixel shifts) from activating automatically to stop burn-in (permanent image retention). Previously, this would occur every 16 hours which would disrupt activities - but now, users will have more flexibility with this function without many disturbances.

It goes a long way to show how advanced MSI's OLED care is, as most other monitors advise users to start pixel refreshes at least every 4 or 6 hours: with my Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED ultrawide, prompts will be presented every 6 hours, and while you can always set this to not show up at all, it's also easy to forget to activate.

Measures such as this could prove to be beneficial for MSI and other OLED displays: one of the biggest reasons why most PC users won't make the transition to OLED from a regular LED monitor (besides its expensive nature), is the fear of potential burn-in, but that's very quickly becoming a non-issue.

RE4 remake in OLED greatness... (Image credit: Future) OLED monitors are finally getting the attention they deserve, and I love it

There's still a long way for OLED monitors to go in terms of pricing and improvements for work-related activities - as most OLED users complain about text fringing when working from home - but it's great to see that companies are making extra efforts to make them more accessible.

Samsung has already announced that it will introduce cheaper OLED monitors to help speed up the transition from regular LED, which could encourage gamers to make the switch. I've stated this before, but OLED is quite literally the best display type I've had the pleasure of using, with deeper black levels thanks to an infinite contrast ratio, ultimately providing great image accuracy.

Updates to technologies like OLED Care 2.0 are examples of what will only help the display type become mainstream. We're also seeing discounts more often for the likes of Samsung's Odyssey G6 QD-OLED, which is currently 31% off at Amazon.

It's only a matter of time before LED is left behind for a large majority, and I can't wait until that day comes.

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• Forget Samsung's new modular OLED panels – if this tech works on TVs we could get giant OLED TVs at half the price
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• MSI will be extending panel refreshes on its OLED Care 2.0 monitors to 24 hours instead of 16 hours
• It will eliminate gameplay disruptions for gamers
• This will come into effect starting in May

OLED monitors have gradually become a mainstream option for many users (especially gamers) with advanced care technologies built to help prevent image retention and burn-in. Fortunately, MSI is introducing a new measure to further improve this technology's efficiency.

As stated in a press release, MSI will be extending its OLED Care 2.0 timer to 24 hours to prevent panel protection (pixel shifts) from activating automatically to stop burn-in (permanent image retention). Previously, this would occur every 16 hours which would disrupt activities - but now, users will have more flexibility with this function without many disturbances.

It goes a long way to show how advanced MSI's OLED care is, as most other monitors advise users to start pixel refreshes at least every 4 or 6 hours: with my Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED ultrawide, prompts will be presented every 6 hours, and while you can always set this to not show up at all, it's also easy to forget to activate.

Measures such as this could prove to be beneficial for MSI and other OLED displays: one of the biggest reasons why most PC users won't make the transition to OLED from a regular LED monitor (besides its expensive nature), is the fear of potential burn-in, but that's very quickly becoming a non-issue.

RE4 remake in OLED greatness... (Image credit: Future) OLED monitors are finally getting the attention they deserve, and I love it

There's still a long way for OLED monitors to go in terms of pricing and improvements for work-related activities - as most OLED users complain about text fringing when working from home - but it's great to see that companies are making extra efforts to make them more accessible.

Samsung has already announced that it will introduce cheaper OLED monitors to help speed up the transition from regular LED, which could encourage gamers to make the switch. I've stated this before, but OLED is quite literally the best display type I've had the pleasure of using, with deeper black levels thanks to an infinite contrast ratio, ultimately providing great image accuracy.

Updates to technologies like OLED Care 2.0 are examples of what will only help the display type become mainstream. We're also seeing discounts more often for the likes of Samsung's Odyssey G6 QD-OLED, which is currently 31% off at Amazon.

It's only a matter of time before LED is left behind for a large majority, and I can't wait until that day comes.

You may also like...

• Forget Samsung's new modular OLED panels – if this tech works on TVs we could get giant OLED TVs at half the price
• The cheapest OLED TV deals and sales in April 2025
• What is QD-OLED? The hybrid OLED TV tech explained

Sony has announced its 2025 TV lineup, with the new offerings led by a mark II version of its Bravia 8 OLED TV that uses a QD-OLED display panel. Other new TVs announced include entry-level mini-LED and regular LED models, and there’s a new entry-level addition to Sony's Bravia Projector lineup.

The current Sony Bravia 8, one of 2024's best OLED TVs, will carry over in Sony’s 2025 TV lineup, along with the 77-inch version of the Sony A95L, a 2023 model that also uses a QD-OLED panel. The flagship Sony Bravia 9 mini-LED TV series carries over for 2025 as well, along with its mid-range Bravia 5 mini-LED and Bravia 3 LED series TVs.

The new Bravia 5 series mini-LED TV series will feature a 98-inch model, the company’s first mini-LED TV in an extra-large screen size and a replacement for the outgoing Sony X90L, which also featured a 98-inch option.

Pricing and availability for all new models are yet to be announced.

Bravia 8 II OLED

(Image credit: Sony)

The Sony Bravia 8 II will be available in 55-inch and 65-inch screen sizes, and according to Sony gives viewers a 50% brighter OLED TV option than the Sony Bravia 8 series, which uses a standard W-OLED panel. Sony says the new OLEDs are also 125% brighter than the earlier flagship A95L series.

Bravia 8 II TVs use the company’s XR Processor with XR Triluminos Max and XR Clear Image. They feature a One Slate design, with a slimmer chassis than the Bravia 8 series models.

Audio features on the Bravia 8 II include Acoustic Surface Audio+, which uses transducers embedded behind the display that turn the OLED panel into a speaker, and Acoustic Center Sync, which lets the TV be used as a center channel with a compatible Sony speaker system. Another upgrade the Bravia 8 II brings is dual subwoofers, over the single subwoofer present on Bravia 8 series models.

Bravia 5 mini-LED

(Image credit: Sony)

The Sony Bravia 5 is the company’s new entry-level mini-LED TV series, and will be available in 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-, and 98-inch screen sizes, making the Bravia 5 the largest size option in Sony’s 2025 TV lineup. These TVs use an XR Processor and an XR Backlight Master Drive panel with up to six times more local dimming zones than the Sony X90L series, according to Sony. They also feature Studio Calibrated and IMAX Enhanced picture modes.

On the audio side, Bravia 5 TVs feature Acoustic Multi-Audio, which uses new magnetic tweeters positioned on the left and right sides of the TV’s frame along with down-firing X-Balanced speakers. There's also an Acoustic Center Sync feature that lets the TV work as a center channel with a compatible Sony speaker system.

Bravia 2 II LED

(Image credit: Sony )

The Sony Bravia 2 II is the company’s new entry-level TV series, and features an LED display panel with an X1 4K processor that was previously used in the company’s flagship TVs. These models will be available in 43-, 50, 55-, 65-, and 75-inch screen sizes with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio support.

Bravia Projector 7

(Image credit: Sony)

The Sony Bravia Projector 7 is the new entry-level home theater projector in the company’s lineup, which also includes the Bravia Projector 9 and the Bravia Projector 8, our pick as the best premium gaming option in our best 4K projectors guide.

The Projector 7 is a 2,200-lumen native 4K laser model that gives viewers a more compact and lightweight (28lbs / 12.7kg) projector option compared to the upper-tier models in the Sony Bravia Projector lineup.

The Projector 7 features the same XR Processor for Projector found in the company’s step-up models, with XR Deep Black to enhance contrast. The Projector 7 is also well suited to gaming, with 4K 120Hz support on its dual HDMI inputs and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).

A new feature making its debut on the Projector 7 is an Aspect Ratio Scaling Mode. This conveniently lets viewers switch between 2.35:1 and 16:9 display without any lens adjustments when using a Cinemascope screen by simply tapping on a remote control button.

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Sony has announced its 2025 TV lineup, with the new offerings led by a mark II version of its Bravia 8 OLED TV that uses a QD-OLED display panel. Other new TVs announced include entry-level mini-LED and regular LED models, and there’s a new entry-level addition to Sony's Bravia Projector lineup.

The current Sony Bravia 8, one of 2024's best OLED TVs, will carry over in Sony’s 2025 TV lineup, along with the 77-inch version of the Sony A95L, a 2023 model that also uses a QD-OLED panel. The flagship Sony Bravia 9 mini-LED TV series carries over for 2025 as well, along with its mid-range Bravia 5 mini-LED and Bravia 3 LED series TVs.

The new Bravia 5 series mini-LED TV series will feature a 98-inch model, the company’s first mini-LED TV in an extra-large screen size and a replacement for the outgoing Sony X90L, which also featured a 98-inch option.

Pricing and availability for all new models are yet to be announced.

Bravia 8 II OLED

(Image credit: Sony)

The Sony Bravia 8 II will be available in 55-inch and 65-inch screen sizes, and according to Sony gives viewers a 50% brighter OLED TV option than the Sony Bravia 8 series, which uses a standard W-OLED panel. Sony says the new OLEDs are also 125% brighter than the earlier flagship A95L series.

Bravia 8 II TVs use the company’s XR Processor with XR Triluminos Max and XR Clear Image. They feature a One Slate design, with a slimmer chassis than the Bravia 8 series models.

Audio features on the Bravia 8 II include Acoustic Surface Audio+, which uses transducers embedded behind the display that turn the OLED panel into a speaker, and Acoustic Center Sync, which lets the TV be used as a center channel with a compatible Sony speaker system. Another upgrade the Bravia 8 II brings is dual subwoofers, over the single subwoofer present on Bravia 8 series models.

Bravia 5 mini-LED

(Image credit: Sony)

The Sony Bravia 5 is the company’s new entry-level mini-LED TV series, and will be available in 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-, and 98-inch screen sizes, making the Bravia 5 the largest size option in Sony’s 2025 TV lineup. These TVs use an XR Processor and an XR Backlight Master Drive panel with up to six times more local dimming zones than the Sony X90L series, according to Sony. They also feature Studio Calibrated and IMAX Enhanced picture modes.

On the audio side, Bravia 5 TVs feature Acoustic Multi-Audio, which uses new magnetic tweeters positioned on the left and right sides of the TV’s frame along with down-firing X-Balanced speakers. There's also an Acoustic Center Sync feature that lets the TV work as a center channel with a compatible Sony speaker system.

Bravia 2 II LED

(Image credit: Sony )

The Sony Bravia 2 II is the company’s new entry-level TV series, and features an LED display panel with an X1 4K processor that was previously used in the company’s flagship TVs. These models will be available in 43-, 50, 55-, 65-, and 75-inch screen sizes with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio support.

Bravia Projector 7

(Image credit: Sony)

The Sony Bravia Projector 7 is the new entry-level home theater projector in the company’s lineup, which also includes the Bravia Projector 9 and the Bravia Projector 8, our pick as the best premium gaming option in our best 4K projectors guide.

The Projector 7 is a 2,200-lumen native 4K laser model that gives viewers a more compact and lightweight (28lbs / 12.7kg) projector option compared to the upper-tier models in the Sony Bravia Projector lineup.

The Projector 7 features the same XR Processor for Projector found in the company’s step-up models, with XR Deep Black to enhance contrast. The Projector 7 is also well suited to gaming, with 4K 120Hz support on its dual HDMI inputs and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).

A new feature making its debut on the Projector 7 is an Aspect Ratio Scaling Mode. This conveniently lets viewers switch between 2.35:1 and 16:9 display without any lens adjustments when using a Cinemascope screen by simply tapping on a remote control button.

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• Nintendo has announced Donkey Kong Bananza
• Donkey Kong Bananza is a new 3D platformer action-adventure game
• It's launching exclusively on the Switch 2 on July 17, 2025

Nintendo has announced the next entry in the Donkey Kong series, Donkey Kong Bananza, set to launch for the Switch 2 on July 17, 2025.

Donkey Kong Bananza was the final major game announcement of the rollercoaster that was the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct today and is described as a new 3D platforming game.

"Explore a vast underground world - by smashing your way through it! Bash, throw, and climb through just about anything in DK’s brand-new 3D platforming action-adventure game!" Nintendo said.

We got our first look at the game with the first trailer, showcasing the titular character traversing what appears to be linear open-world levels and a number of unique biomes.

The game will also feature some side-scrolling elements during exploration, boss fights, collectible resources, and a mysterious underground location.

Donkey Kong Bananza's announcement joined a ton of other major reveals, including Mario Kart World, the next entry in the racing series featuring an open world and 24 players.

It was also announced that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be launching on June 5, 2025. Preorders open on April 8 and will cost you $449.99 / £395.99.

Nintendo has confirmed that two Treehouse presentations will also air this week, offering a new look at Switch 2 gameplay.

The first broadcast will air on April 3 at 7AM PT / 9AM ET / 2PM BST, and the second will take place at the same time on April 4.

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• Nintendo has announced Donkey Kong Bananza
• Donkey Kong Bananza is a new 3D platformer action-adventure game
• It's launching exclusively on the Switch 2 on July 17, 2025

Nintendo has announced the next entry in the Donkey Kong series, Donkey Kong Bananza, set to launch for the Switch 2 on July 17, 2025.

Donkey Kong Bananza was the final major game announcement of the rollercoaster that was the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct today and is described as a new 3D platforming game.

"Explore a vast underground world - by smashing your way through it! Bash, throw, and climb through just about anything in DK’s brand-new 3D platforming action-adventure game!" Nintendo said.

We got our first look at the game with the first trailer, showcasing the titular character traversing what appears to be linear open-world levels and a number of unique biomes.

The game will also feature some side-scrolling elements during exploration, boss fights, collectible resources, and a mysterious underground location.

Donkey Kong Bananza's announcement joined a ton of other major reveals, including Mario Kart World, the next entry in the racing series featuring an open world and 24 players.

It was also announced that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be launching on June 5, 2025. Preorders open on April 8 and will cost you $449.99 / £395.99.

Nintendo has confirmed that two Treehouse presentations will also air this week, offering a new look at Switch 2 gameplay.

The first broadcast will air on April 3 at 7AM PT / 9AM ET / 2PM BST, and the second will take place at the same time on April 4.

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Mario Kart World has now been revealed, having been showcased during the recent Nintendo Switch 2 reveal event. From what we've seen so far, the new Mario Kart looks primed to push the franchise forward, with a new art style, and seamless racing between tracks across a large map.

Of course, we've known about a new Mario Kart game for a while, as it was teased during the initial Nintendo Switch 2 event back in January. This full reveal is no doubt music to your ears, given just how long it's been since we got a brand new Mario Kart game on consoles. We've even played it, and you can read what we thought in our Mario Kart World preview.

Now we know that it's coming to Nintendo Switch 2, as well as some new details on what to expect. The promise of a new Mario Kart has certainly convinced us here at TechRadar Gaming to stay up to date with Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders.

Following its reveal, Mario Kart World is easily one of the most highly anticipated upcoming games for 2025. Hopefully, it'll end up on our list of the best Nintendo Switch games by the end of the year. Who knows, maybe it'll even dethrone its predecessor after many, many years at the top of sales charts? Rather big shoes to fill indeed.

Here's everything we know so far about Mario Kart World so far, including a look at gameplay, as well as all of the latest news and trailers. As new info drops this page will be updated.

Mario Kart World: cut to the chase

• What is it? The next entry in the legendary Mario Kart series
• When does it come out? June 5, 2025
• What can I play it on? Nintendo Switch 2 (exclusively)
• Who's making it? Nintendo

Mario Kart World release date and platforms

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Mario Kart World will launch on June 5, 2025, for Nintendo Switch 2, alongside the main console.

This new Mario Kart is going to be an exclusive for the Nintendo Switch 2.

Mario Kart World trailer

So far, we've only received one trailer for Mario Kart World. It was revealed during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct on April 2, 2025. This reveals the game's name and gives us our first look at the new 24-player races.

We'll likely hear more about Mario Kart World in the coming months. To keep up to date with every trailer release for the game, be sure to check out the official Nintendo YouTube channel. Alternatively, you can stay up to date with all things Nintendo using the Nintendo Today app.

Mario Kart World gameplay

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Mario Kart World gameplay was shown off during the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal event that aired on April 2, 2025. In it, we see that all tracks in the game lead into one another, in a large interconnected world map. This allows players to drive between tracks during Grand Prix. In addition, you can drive anywhere on a track, even outside of the guidelines.

From what we've seen so far, Mario Kart World features a bunch of new mechanics. The first is the ability to grind, which is shown in the reveal trailer. Players can seemingly drive into larger vehicles and take them over as well. There are new items to play with too, like a burger seen in the aforementioned trailer. There's wall-riding, and an expanded flying mechanic as well.

Races can now contain 24 players, the largest in the series so far. We'll have to see how this works in action, but given the larger scope of the game's world, we think it'll be just the right mix of chaos and fun.

Mario Kart World characters

(Image credit: Nintendo)

So far, the following characters have been confirmed for Mario Kart X:

• Baby Daisy
• Baby Luigi
• Baby Mario
• Baby Peach
• Baby Rosalina
• Birdo
• Bowser
• Bowser Jr.
• Cataquack (new)
• Chargin' Chuck
• Cheep Cheep (new)
• Coin Coffer (new)
• Conkdor (new)
• Cow (new)
• Daisy
• Dolphin (new)
• Donkey Kong
• Dry Bones
• Fish Bone (new)
• Goomba
• Hammer Bro.
• King Boo
• Koopa
• Lakitu
• Luigi
• Mario
• Monty Mole (new)
• Nabbit
• Para-Biddybud
• Pauline
• Peach
• Peepa (new)
• Penguin (new)
• Pianta (new)
• Piranha Plant (new)
• Pokey (new)
• Rocky Wrench (new)
• Rosalina
• Shy Guy
• Sidestepper (new)
• Snowman (new)
• Spike (new)
• Stingby (new)
• Swoop (new)
• Toad
• Toadette
• Waluigi
• Wario
• Wiggler
• Yoshi

Mario Kart World tracks

(Image credit: Nintendo)

We've only seen a few Mario Kart World tracks in action - also called courses - with some returning from previous titles, while others are brand new to the series. Here's what's been revealed so far:

• Mario Bros. Circuit
• Crown City
• DK Spaceport
• Whistlestop Summit
• Desert Hills (DS)
• Shy Guy Bazaar (DS)
• Wario Stadium (N64)
• Airship Fortress (DS)
• DK Pass (DS)
• Starview Peak
• Sky-High Sundae (Tour)
• Wario Shipyard (3DS)
• Koopa Troopa Beach (SNES)
• Faraway Oasis
• Peach Stadium
• Moo Moo Meadows (Wii)
• Bowser's Castle

Mario Kart World: FAQs Is Mario Kart World Nintendo Switch 2 only?

Yes, Mario Kart World is being developed exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. It will not be available on the previous console.

Can you pre-order Mario Kart World?

You can now pre-order Mario Kart World in select region. Currently, it's the UK that's seeing the most Mario kart pre-order pages going live. We'll update once we see it come to the US and other regions. For now, check out our how to pre-order the Switch 2 article for more details.

Does Mario Kart World have splitscreen?

Mario Kart World does indeed have splitscreen. You can also play online, though a Nintendo Online subscription will likely be required.

Mario Kart World news

Nintendo confirms the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers have been 'designed from the ground up' and I couldn't be happier
Nintendo has confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con 2 controllers have been redesigned, hopefully, to avoid potential stick drift.

During an exclusive hands-on preview of the Nintendo Switch 2, TechRadar Gaming asked Technology Development Division general manager Tetsuya Sasaki if any improvements have been made to prevent Joy-Con stick drift.

Sasaki responded, confirming that the new magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers have been completely redesigned for smoother gameplay.

Mario Kart World has been revealed
Mario Kart World has now been officially revealed, and it's a launch title!

Mario Kart World teased
What we now know to be Mario Kart World was first teased during the first look at Nintendo Switch 2 event. We only saw a brief glimpse of gameplay, but it certainly got the internet talking.

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• Samsung has debuted the Galaxy Tab S10 FE and S10 FE Plus
• The latter model features a series-first 13.1-inch screen
• They start at $499.99 / £499 / AU$TBC, and are available now

In our Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus review, we described Samsung’s 2024 entry-level tablet as the “anti-iPad Air”, and its newly announced successor – the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus – further improves on the company’s winning formula.

Debuting alongside the smaller Galaxy Tab S10 FE (which has almost identical specs), the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus features a supersized 13.1-inch display – scaled up from last year’s 12.4-inch model – an Exynos 1580 chipset, a 10,090mAh battery, IP68 dust- and water-resistance, up to 12GB of RAM, and up to 256GB​ of storage.

The standard Tab S10 FE, meanwhile, sports a 10.9-inch display and an 8,000mAh battery. Both models get a 13MP wide rear camera, a 12MP ultra-wide front camera, and support for the included S Pen stylus.

Aside from their superior chipsets and that display size increase for the Plus, both models best their respective predecessors with a suite of Galaxy AI features, including an upgraded Object Eraser, Best Face, and Auto Trim. Samsung’s glare-reducing Vision Booster technology has also made the jump over from the best Samsung TVs (and indeed the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra) to the Galaxy Tab S10 FE and S10 FE Plus.

Image 1 of 2

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE (Image credit: Samsung)Image 2 of 2

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus (Image credit: Samsung)

Annoyingly, you’ll pay for these upgrades via a price increase, albeit a relatively minor one – the Galaxy Tab S10 FE starts at $499.99 / £499 / AU$TBC while the S10 FE Plus starts at $649.99 / £649 / AU$TBC. But both models are still significantly cheaper than their closest Apple counterparts in the iPad Air (2025) series.

Of course, the Exynos 1580 chipset is no match for Apple’s M3 behemoth, but Samsung’s new tablets do benefit from a similar-looking LCD display – in fact, you’ll get a variable 90Hz refresh rate here, where the iPad Air remains stuck at 60Hz.

The appeal of Samsung’s FE tablets, then, remains as strong as ever: if you want a more powerful Android slate, look to something like the “exceptional” Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus, but for those in need of a no-frills tablet with a beautiful display and great software, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE and S10 FE Plus could be great options.

Both models ship in three colors – Gray, Silver, and Blue – and are available now from Samsung.com in 5G and Wi-Fi variants. Stay tuned for our full reviews.

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Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Wednesday, April 2 (game #1164).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1165) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1165) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.

Quordle today (game #1165) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• Yes. Two of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1165) - hint #4 - starting letters (1) Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1165) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• A

• J

• D

• J

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1165) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1165, are…

• ASCOT
• JETTY
• DRUNK
• JOLLY

I’m allowing myself a deep sigh of satisfaction and some shoulder dusting today, after completing Quordle without a hitch. I’ll save my rooster dance for if I ever finish after six turns (unlikely).

In truth, the only tricky word was ASCOT and I only got that as it’s been in Quordle before, but hey they all count.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1165) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1165, are…

• ERECT
• LURCH
• RALPH
• MADAM

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1164, Wednesday 2 April: INDEX, QUEEN, INCUR, STOLE
• Quordle #1163, Tuesday 1 April: HUMUS, BALMY, WORRY, ERECT
• Quordle #1162, Monday 31 March: RECUT, MOODY, WHERE, BRACE
• Quordle #1161, Sunday 30 March: CRIME, DRINK, CLOVE, TRUER
• Quordle #1160, Saturday 29 March: LATER, ODDLY, CUMIN, AGREE
• Quordle #1159, Friday 28 March: TERSE, MUSHY, PROVE, FROND
• Quordle #1158, Thursday 27 March: CRONE, APNEA, LIGHT, AWOKE
• Quordle #1157, Wednesday 26 March: LEFTY, NOOSE, NOISE, TRIAD
• Quordle #1156, Tuesday 25 March: SNEER, WATCH, FLORA, STAIN
• Quordle #1155, Monday 24 March: FLOUT, SMASH, RAZOR, SMALL
• Quordle #1154, Sunday 23 March: ALLEY, GAMUT, GEESE, RADII
• Quordle #1153, Saturday 22 March: PICKY, BRACE, BOOZE, SURLY
• Quordle #1152, Friday 21 March: DITTY, VALOR, TOWER, AMISS
• Quordle #1151, Thursday 20 March: RIPER, STILL, WAFER, NOTCH
• Quordle #1150, Wednesday 19 March: FLAME, CARAT, SPAWN, TUNIC
• Quordle #1149, Tuesday 18 March: NAVEL, TREAT, COPSE, SLINK
• Quordle #1148, Monday 17 March: INFER, FLINT, CHUMP, SHEER
• Quordle #1147, Sunday 16 March: INPUT, RUMBA, ELUDE, BLANK
• Quordle #1146, Saturday 15 March: SPEED, CLASH, RISKY, GRATE
• Quordle #1145, Friday 14 March: BELIE, SPEAR, GROWL, ADOBE

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Wednesday, April 2 (game #395).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #396) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Get the bug

NYT Strands today (game #396) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• THAN
• DOLE
• SOAP
• TOOL
• SNAP
• LADS

NYT Strands today (game #396) - hint #3 - spangram letters How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #396) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 4th row

Last side: right, 3rd row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #396) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #396, are…

• LADY
• STINK
• DOODLE
• LIGHTNING
• POTATO
• ASSASSIN
• SPANGRAM: ENTOMOLOGY

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 3 hints

ENOTOMOLOGY, and I will tell you as I’ve just googled it, is the study of insects, encompassing their biology, ecology, behavior, and interactions with humans.

I must admit that a couple of the bugs that made today’s search are ones that I thought were just names for things, rather than names for actual insects.

Until today I thought DOODLEbug was the name given, during the Second World War, to flying bombs – rather than a small unattractive creature that lives in sand.

Strictly speaking, LADYbugs are beetles rather than bugs and they’re really fascinating.

The two facts that I remember most about them is that although they have a short lifespan (two years at most) they hibernate for about nine months of that time and secondly that the charming name for a large group of them is a “loveliness”.

STINKbugs don’t have an official collective term but the experts like to call large groups “a stench”.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Wednesday, 2 April, game #395)

• DAZZLE
• TWINKLE
• SHIMMER
• SPARKLE
• GLEAM
• RADIATE
• SPANGRAM: STAR POWER

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Wednesday, April 2 (game #661).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #662) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• SCANNER
• BROWSER
• POSTER
• READER
• NOTICE
• BEACH
• REGISTER
• FOLDER
• SUNDAY
• BULLETIN
• SCALE
• TREE
• SODA CAN
• CONVEYOR BELT
• KEYBOARD
• ANNOUNCEMENT

NYT Connections today (game #662) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Written proclaimations
• GREEN: As seen at Walmart
• BLUE: The common word rhymes with “cabs”
• PURPLE: The answer is a part of your hand

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #662) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: PRINTED NOTIFICATION 
• GREEN: SEEN AT A GROCERY CHECKOUT COUNTER 
• BLUE: THINGS WITH TABS
• PURPLE: PALM ___ 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #662) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #662, are…

• YELLOW: PRINTED NOTIFICATION ANNOUNCEMENT, BULLETIN, NOTICE, POSTER
• GREEN: SEEN AT A GROCERY CHECKOUT COUNTER CONVEYOR BELT, REGISTER, SCALE, SCANNER
• BLUE: THINGS WITH TABS BROWSER, FOLDER, KEYBOARD, SODA CAN
• PURPLE: PALM ___ BEACH, READER, SUNDAY, TREE

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

Although PALM__ made up the purple group, and I was very pleased with myself to get it, the blue collection of THINGS WITH TABS was far harder — as if often the case when Connections has fun with the multiple meanings of words.

In this case it was even harder for me, as the thing Americans call a tab on a soda can is called a ring pull in the UK.

I made my two mistakes trying and failing to get SEEN AT A GROCERY CHECKOUT COUNTER.

In my head I was associating CONVEYOR BELT and SCANNER with airport security, so I tried multiple variations with KEYBOARD and READER before getting the right foursome. Shameful, seeing as I worked at a grocery checkout for several years in my late teens.

I’m glad to say I was never one of those cashiers who would comment on what the customer was buying, those people are the worst.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, 2 April, game #661)

• YELLOW: CAPRICE FANCY, IMPULSE, LARK, WHIM
• GREEN: ILK KIND, LIKE, SORT, TYPE
• BLUE: WILLIAMSES HANK, ROBIN, TENNESSEE, VENUS
• PURPLE: WORDS PRONOUNCED DIFFERENTLY AS PROPER NOUNS HERB, JOB, NICE, READING

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

• GreyNoise observed a spike in scanning throughout March 2025
• Thousands of IP addresses were scanning PAN-OS GlobalProtect portals
• These activities usually lead up to a cyberattack, researchers claim

Someone may be getting ready to attack Palo Alto Network devices, security researchers are warning after spotting a rise in activity.

Analysts from GreyNoise said they observed a “significant surge” in login scanning activity against the company’s PAN-OS GlobalProtect portals, with almost 24,000 unique IP addresses attempting to access these portals in March 2025.

“The pattern suggests a coordinated effort to probe network defenses and identify exposed or vulnerable systems, potentially as a precursor to targeted exploitation,” the article reads. This could also mean that someone’s found a zero-day vulnerability in these endpoints and is now looking to see how many endpoints it can compromise through it.

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Remote code execution risks

“Over the past 18 to 24 months, we’ve observed a consistent pattern of deliberate targeting of older vulnerabilities or well-worn attack and reconnaissance attempts against specific technologies,” said Bob Rudis, VP of Data Science at GreyNoise. “These patterns often coincide with new vulnerabilities emerging 2 to 4 weeks later.”

For GreyNoise, there is no doubt that this is a malicious campaign. Of the 24,000 unique IP addresses that scanned Palo Alto devices, 154 were labeled as “malicious” beyond reasonable doubt, while the rest were classified as “suspicious” in the past. Their locations are mostly in North America, throughout the US and Canada.

The majority of the targets are also based in the US.

GreyNoise says this activity could be linked to separate PAN-OS reconnaissance-related tags, such as PAN-OS Crawler, where they observed a single spike on March 26, 2025 involving 2,580 unique source IPs.

Obviously, the end goal is not known at this time, but vigilance is advised. IT teams should review their logs since mid-March to see if they were targeted, and should be on the lookout for signs of compromise. They should also harden their login portals and block known malicious IPs.

Via BleepingComputer

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A Minecraft Movie director Jared Hess has given short shrift to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the entertainment industry.

Speaking to TechRadar ahead of the film's release on April 4, Hess revealed that AI wasn't used at any point during A Minecraft Movie's development. However, he admitted that its wide-ranging application throughout the movie- and TV-making business was inevitable, even though it can't – and likely won't – come close to replicating the creativity that human artists, animators, voice actors, and other talented industry folk possess in abundance.

"We didn't use it as part of development," Hess emphatically replied when I asked if he leaned on AI during production on one of 2025's new movies. "We were old school, so we used human artists with awesome brains and imaginations.

I just hope AI is used as a tool and not as a shortcut

Jared Hess, A Minecraft Movie director

"Look, AI is going to affect every aspect of life, including entertainment," he continued. "I just hope it's used as a tool and not as a shortcut. Again, the human experience is so critical to all forms of art, and that kind of nuance and voice and perspective is something that AI can't replicate. It's currently able to imitate things, sure, but I'm always just going to gravitate toward the human [experience] wherever I can."

AI's application in the entertainment business has exploded over the past year. From its controversial use in Oscar-nominated flick like The Brutalist and its fellow Academy Award nominee Emilia Perez, to its multifaceted application on some of the world's best streaming services, artificial intelligence's influence on Hollywood will only grow from here.

As Hess said, here's hoping it's implemented in the correct manner and at the right time, rather than being mishandled in order to replace the human workforce and human invention as we know it.

'I wanted to barf my brains out!'

Jared Hess had a hard time using one piece of technology during the movie's development (Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures/Mojang Studios)

Warner Bros' take on Mojang Studios' universally popular Minecraft sandbox video game benefitted from the use of other forms of technology, though. There was one particular piece of virtual reality (VR) tech that Hess says he "couldn't handle", too, because of how nauseating it felt.

"We actually used Minecraft VR," he told me. "We also had this thing called the virtual art department. It was based in Unreal Engine, and allowed us to physically drop ourselves into Minecraft's Overworld and the Nether to set up shots, position cameras, and work out how to film in this environment.

"I remember that the crew brought me some VR goggles and, dude, I wanted to barf my brains out!" he added with a laugh. "I'm not meant for VR – I couldn't handle it. So, I just said to my team 'pass me a controller [and] let's do this old school on an Xbox console!'"

Be sure to keep an eye out for my review of A Minecraft Movie later today (April 2) to see whether it's worth watching when the film arrives in theaters. In the meantime, read more coverage of A Minecraft Movie, plus some other intriguing articles of mine, below.

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• Elden Ring is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025

• Elden Ring is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 this year
• FromSoftware made the announcement at the Switch 2 Direct today
• More games like Split Fiction and Hogwarts Legacy are also arriving as launch titles on June 5

FromSoftware's award-winning Elden Ring is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025.

The announcement comes from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct Showcase today, where the company finally unveiled a full breakdown of the Switch 2 and confirmed a June 5, 2025 release date.

Alongside Elden Ring, we also received confirmation that a bunch of other games, including Hazelight Studios' Split Fiction, Hogwarts Legacy, and Street Fighter 6, will be coming to the console as a launch title, as well as Tony Hawk: Pro Skater 3 + 4 this summer.

We can expect even more from Nintendo this week as it's announced that it will be airing two Treehouse presentations this week, offering a new look at Switch 2 gameplay.

You'll be able to tune in for the first broadcast on April 3 at 7AM PT / 9AM ET / 2PM BST, and the second will take place at the same time on April 4.

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• Millions of free VPN users have sent their data to China without realizing it
• At least five VPNs are linked to Qihoo 360, a Shanghai-based firm believed to have links with the Chinese military
• Experts found a total of 20 China-owned apps, counting over 70 million downloads on the US Apple store

Millions of free VPN users in America have sent their data to China without knowing it. At least five of these services are linked to Qihoo 360, a Shanghai-based firm hit by US sanctions in 2020 for alleged links with the Chinese military.

These are the worrying findings from an investigation carried on by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) into the top 100 free VPN apps on Apple's official app store in the US. Overall, experts found 20 apps had undisclosed Chinese ownership and have been downloaded more than 70 million times.

The China-linked VPN apps are also currently available in both Apple and Google's official app stores in and out of the US, the UK included. This indicates that the real number of impacted users is likely to be even higher.

The danger of China-linked VPNs

While the best VPN services boost your online anonymity and security by encrypting your internet traffic and spoofing your IP address, malicious apps pose great risks to your privacy.

That's because providers can potentially read the internet traffic rerouted via their servers. "That risk is compounded in the case of Chinese apps, given China’s strict laws that can force companies in that country to secretly share access to their users’ data with the government," TTP experts noted.

Worse still, understanding the real ownership behind these free VPN applications isn't easy. TTP found that none of the 20 China-linked services disclosed this crucial information. The team was able to determine this by piecing together several corporate documents.

Turbo VPN, VPN Proxy Master, Thunder VPN, Snap VPN, and Signal Secure VPN are the five services linked to Qihoo 360. The Shanghai-based firm has been previously accused of having ties with the Chinese military. For this, the US sanctioned the company on national security grounds in June 2020.

All in all, "Apple is not taking adequate steps to determine who owns the apps it offers its users and what they do with the data they collect," TTP experts note.

We contacted Apple, but we are still waiting for a response at the time of writing.

I first raised the alarm about the Turbo VPN family of #VPN apps and their Chinese ownership links in 2018. Looks like I was right & they're connected to blacklisted Chinese security firm Qihoo 360. It highlights the problem with free VPNs...April 2, 2025

Apple isn't alone to allegedly failing user privacy, though.

As reported by the Financial Times, Qihoo-linked apps were all available on Apple and Google’s US stores as of last week. "After the Financial Times contacted Apple for comment, Thunder VPN and Snap VPN were pulled from its store," pointed out the publication.

It's estimated that three of these apps alone were downloaded more than 1 million times from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store combined in the past three months.

Turbo VPN even obtained Google's verified badge, a label that helps users easily identify secure and trustworthy services.

TechRadar was also able to confirm that, at the time of writing, these apps are still available across Apple and Google's official app stores in the UK. The apps are likely to remain available in other markets, too, considerably raising the number of impacted users.

Which are the China-linked free VPNs?

TTP experts flagged a total of 20 free VPN apps with shady Chinese ownership. This count excludes those services clearly labelling themselves as Chinese in the App Store, making their China connection clear to users.

As mentioned earlier, five of these have links with Shanghai-based Qihoo 360, a company believed to have ties with the country's military bodies. Below is the full list:

Read More

• Qihoo 360-linked VPNs (Turbo VPN, VPN Proxy Master, Thunder VPN, Snap VPN, and Signal Secure VPN)
• X-VPN
• VPNIFY
• VPN Bucks
• VPN Proxy Master
• LinkWorldVPN
• WireVPN - Fast VPN & Proxy
• Wirevpn - Secure & Fast VPN
• VPN Proxy OvpnSpider
• Best VPN Proxy AppVPN
• Ostrich VPN
• HulaVPN
• VPN Ⓟ (removed from App Store in 2024)
•  Best V2ray (removed from App Store)
• Alphaoo Net (removed from App Store)
• SwiftLink VPN (removed from App Store)
• Speedy Quark VPN
• Now VPN
• Incognito Net (removed from App Store)
• Pearl VPN

Next steps

With the deadline for the TikTok ban in the US looming in the background, more people in the country may soon be tempted to download a free service to find a quick and easy way to circumvent potential blocks.

If you aren't willing to invest in a premium VPN service, I recommend checking Proton VPN and Privado VPN, as they currently are the most secure freebies you can find on the market.

I also invite everyone who has previously downloaded one of the aforementioned applications to delete their account and apps from their device as soon as possible.

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• The Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, 2025
• Mario Kart World will be an exclusive launch title
• The news comes from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct Showcase today

Nintendo has announced that the Nintendo Switch 2 will launch on June 5, 2025.

The news comes from the long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2 Direct Showcase today, where it was confirmed that the Switch successor will arrive this summer.

Earlier on in the broadcast, Nintendo revealed Mario Kart World alongside a gameplay trailer, confirming that it will be an exclusive Switch 2 launch title.

We'll keep you updated on pricing and preorder details once Nintendo announces them.

In comparison, the original Switch started at $259.99 / £259.99 / AUD$435, and the Nintendo Switch OLED launched at $349.99 / £309.99 / AU$539.95.

Considering the leap in current-gen tech like the PS5 to PS5 Pro, TechRadar Gaming initially predicted the Switch 2 to cost around $399.99 / £349.99 / AU$699.95 or lower.

Today's Direct was just the start, as Nintendo has announced that it will be airing two Treehouse presentations this week, offering a new look at Switch 2 gameplay.

The first broadcast will air on April 3 at 7AM PT / 9AM ET / 2PM BST, and the second will take place at the same time on April 4.

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David Fincher, Brad Pitt and Quentin Tarantino are working on a sequel to Tarantino's Oscar-winning Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood, and they're making it for Netflix.

That’s according to Variety, which says that the project doesn't yet have an official title.

It's "an especially unique production," Variety says: not only is Fincher helming the sequel to another high-profile director's movie, but it's moving from a theatrical studio to a streamer. The first movie was released by Sony Pictures in 2019.

What to expect from the Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood sequel

(Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing )

Brad Pitt will be returning to the role of Cliff Booth, one of the two main protagonists in the original movie, and with Fincher directing it's a bit of an old pals' act: the two worked together on Fight Club, Se7en and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. However, Variety doesn't expect Leonardo DiCaprio to return, and Margot Robbie is unlikely too.

The backstory here is a little complicated. Quentin Tarantino set out to write what he said would be his tenth and final movie, The Movie Critic, but in early 2024 it was reported that that film had evolved into two movies – and that one of them was a spin-off from Once Upon a Time. However, both movies were then reportedly scrapped in April 2024 as The Hollywood Reporter published a fascinating feature, 'How Quentin Tarantino's 'The Movie Critic' Fell Apart'.

According to THR: "The project initially focused on a writer working for a fictional porn magazine in the late 1970s and then it quietly evolved, amid a flurry of rewrites, into something resembling a spinoff of his ninth film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (with some potential meta twists, as we’ll explain later)."

And now, as The Playlist puts it, "it's all just flipped upside down". "Tarantino must have loved the script and didn’t want it to languish in a drawer because sources close to the filmmakers tell us he approached Fincher, and Netflix has quietly put together the deal, which will probably end up being around a $200 million budget to shoot in California this July – yep, it’s being fast-tracked and happening fast, meaning we’ll get additional casting soon."

In the meantime, you can watch Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood on Netflix.

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• Nintendo has revealed Mario Kart World as its first Switch 2 launch title
• Mario Kart World will be exclusive to the Switch 2
• A special presentation will air on April 17, showcasing a deeper look at the game

Nintendo has unveiled its first major Switch 2 launch title, Mario Kart World.

The announcement came from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, where we were finally treated to our first look at the next Mario Kart game and it's releasing exclusively for the Switch 2.

Mario Kart World will support 24 racers and, from the gameplay trailer, seems to allow players to drive off a map's racetrack. There also appears to be a ton of cosmetics for characters in the roster, like Mario, Peach, and Yoshi, alongside a variety of vehicles to use.

What's more, Nintendo has confirmed that it will be holding a Mario Kart World Direct presentation on April 17 at 6AM PT / 9AM ET / 1PM BST, providing an in-depth look at the upcoming racing game.

Nintendo has also announced that it will be airing two Treehouse presentations this week, offering a new look at Switch 2 gameplay.

The first broadcast will air on April 3 at 7AM PT / 9AM ET / 2PM BST, and the second will take place at the same time on April 4.

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• Testing has shown that the RTX 5080 is close to the RTX 5090’s performance
• This is despite the RTX 5090 having quite a beefier spec, and laptops with this GPU being much more expensive
• There are reasons for this, though, on the performance front, seemingly wrapped up in power use and thermals

Nvidia’s RTX 5080 laptop GPU is surprisingly close to the performance of the RTX 5090 mobile, going by some recent testing of gaming laptops that use these freshly arrived graphics cards.

Although this isn’t as much of a case of glowing praise for the speed of the RTX 5080 as such – though it is very fast – rather it’s more about a relative lack of oomph that the Blackwell flagship GPU seems to be burdened with (for a reason that I’ll come back to later).

As you might recall, there have already been mutterings about the performance offered by the laptop version of the RTX 5090 compared to Nvidia’s flagship on the desktop (though some scenarios may suggest otherwise).

Now, however, VideoCardz noticed that Notebookcheck.net’s comparative testing of the RTX 5080 laptop GPU has shown how close it is in frame rates to the top dog RTX 5090 mobile – within 10% to 15%, in fact.

The report from Notebookcheck.net shows that, for example, in Assassin's Creed Shadows at Full HD (ultra-high details) you’re getting 74 fps with the RTX 5090, and 63 fps with the RTX 5080. Switching to 4K resolution makes the difference 39 fps plays 34 fps, which is only an 11% slowdown.

That’s based on testing using Schenker Neo 16 laptops that have the RTX 5080 and 5090 inside, paired with the same processor (the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX).

Generally speaking, as you’d expect, the gap is a bit bigger at 4K versus lower resolutions, but it’s never all that huge, and often around, or just over, the 10% mark.

(Image credit: Future) Analysis: Component claustrophobia

There’s no doubting that the RTX 5090 makes a superb graphics engine for any gaming laptop, the trouble is it also makes said portable exorbitantly expensive. That’s pretty much our review of the new Razer Blade 16 with the RTX 5090 (pictured above) in a nutshell.

When you look at the huge price difference of a laptop with an RTX 5090 and one with an RTX 5080, which means that you’re paying around two-thirds more (or thereabouts) for only a difference of 10% (and maybe a bit) – it’s difficult to justify forking out the tons of money necessary to grab a portable with the Blackwell flagship. Really difficult.

You may be scratching your head at this point if you’re familiar with the relative specs of these two laptop GPUs. The RTX 5090 boasts 37% more graphics cores, and 50% more (superfast) video memory too, which adds up to considerably more oomph on paper. So why isn’t the RTX 5090 also considerably speedier than the RTX 5080?

Well, as VideoCardz points out, the power envelope that limits these two mobile GPUs is the same, namely 150W (or a 175W temporary boost). And that restriction on the wattage being supplied to the GPU is really what’s holding back the RTX 5090 – and the thermal constraints of having such a very powerful graphics card in a relatively small and claustrophobic laptop chassis.

While this is only one round of (very limited) testing being presented here, given that factor, the relative results aren’t so surprising. What we must also remember about the RTX 5090, though, is that it’ll be able to do what it does in a more refined manner than the RTX 5080. (I presume, anyway – feedback around the fan noise with the mobile RTX 5090 seems favorable, from the likes of our sister site, PC Gamer).

In the overall picture, though, unless you’re really not concerned about the asking price and money is no real object, RTX 5080 laptops look a far, far better option currently than gaming notebooks using the RTX 5090. Although we do also have to consider that those flagship portables may offer other options alongside the RTX 5090 that lesser models from the same laptop range don’t (maybe the fanciest screen going, for example, but that’ll also jack up the price tag).

At any rate, right now, trying to see the benefits of the Blackwell flagship in its laptop form factor, compared to the truly formidable RTX 5090 desktop GPU, is an uphill struggle, frankly. Maybe pricing will start to reflect this as a function of demand, mind you – we shall see.

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• Nvidia Blackwell stock woes are compounded by price hikes as more RTX 5090 GPUs soar in pricing, and I’m sick and tired of it all at this point

• The Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct is just minutes away
• Accessory maker Dbrand has opened reservations for the Killswitch, its Nintendo Switch 2 case
• The case offers comprehensive protection and lots of cool features

With the Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Direct just minutes away, accessory maker Dbrand has opened reservations for its Killswitch Nintendo Switch 2 case.

Part of its existing Killswitch line, which includes cases for gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally, the Killswitch Nintendo Switch 2 case looks like a pretty robust and practical way to keep your console protected.

Both Joy-Con can be removed with the case attached and benefit from enhanced ergonomic grips for more comfortable play. The case also doesn't inhibit the system's in-built kickstand, which is definitely good news for those intending to play lots of games in tabletop mode.

If that wasn't enough, the Killswitch comes with an custom adapter for the Nintendo Switch 2 dock that turns it into a display stand, with the Switch 2 in full view while still maintaining video output functionality.

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There's also a transparent travel cover, which offers crush protection and keeps the screen safe from any scratches when it's in you bag. A removable game card holder can then be slotted inside the cover, with space for ten games.

The number of features here is honestly a little absurd, but I mean that in the best possible way. This looks like it could be the ultimate storage solution for the Nintendo Switch 2 and, given Dbrand's track record when it comes to making great accessories, I'm optimistic that it will live up to this lofty expectation.

It is set to launch in June and if you want to be among those to get their hands on one first, the product is now up for reservation on the Dbrand website. This isn't your usual pre-order, as it costs just $3 / around £2.30 which is credited towards the final purchase price.

If you get cold feet, the reservation can be refunded at any time.

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