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A bipartisan group of Senators voted to remove the emergency declaration President Trump used to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canada. The vote was largely symbolic since the House isn't expected to act.

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With announcements flooding in on all sides from Nintendo Direct, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and miss some important details.

One of which isn't all Mario Sunshine and daisies: unfortunately, you won't be able to play all of your Switch 1 games on the Switch 2.

This is due to how Nintendo built the Switch 2 as, interestingly, it "doesn't contain any Switch hardware."

That doesn't mean you won't be able to move any of your favorite titles over to the new system, but it does mean you won't see the same kind of compatibility you saw between the DS and 3DS.

Here's what you need to know.

The Switch 2 focuses on "enhancing its performance as hardware"

Dohta (left) and Kawamoto (right) discuss the launch of the upcoming Switch 2 (Image credit: Nintendo)

Now, the incompatibility between some Switch games and the new Nintendo Switch 2 does come with a reasonable explanation.

In Vol. 16 of Nintendo's Ask the Developer conference, Kouichi Kawamoto (Producer, Entertainment Planning & Development Department), Takuhiro Dohta (Senior Director, Entertainment Planning & Development Department), and Tetsuya Sasaki (General Manager, Technology Development Division) accepted questions on the development of Nintendo's new handheld console.

When asked if the team had "already decide[d] on this functionality when [they] were first planning the development of a new dedicated game system," the team highlighted that compatibility was indeed a consideration. Even so, it wasn't as simple as porting Wii games to the Wii U.

The foremost focus with the Switch 2 was instead "on enhancing its performance as hardware, namely, expanding its capacity. So, compatibility was a lower priority."

This meant creating a revamped system with no original Switch hardware under the hood. Sasaki comments, "It's tricky to explain... Maybe the easiest way to understand it is that the methods used to achieve compatibility between Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS, and between Switch and Switch 2, are completely different."

Kawamoto adds to that: "Simply put, those systems were compatible because Nintendo 3DS contained Nintendo DS hardware, and Wii U contained Wii hardware. However, Switch 2 doesn't contain any Switch hardware."

If you're brave enough to check whether your favorite game made the journey, Nintendo published and continues to update a comprehensive list of Switch games that are not compatible with the Switch 2.

It's not all gloom and doom, though

That's not to say the Switch 2 won't run any games from the OG Switch. Most of your favorites run just fine thanks to what Dohta explains is "something that’s somewhere in between a software emulator and hardware compatibility."

It's also important to note that almost all first-party Nintendo titles are available on the new Switch 2 (save for Fitness Boxing).

Sasaki continues, "There are some games that ran well due to the Switch system's hardware configuration. Switch 2, on the other hand, has increased processing capabilities and an expanded memory capacity, which could theoretically cause some of those games to stop working. We weren't so confident at first, but as we tested games one by one, we found out that some issues could be solved by making improvements. This process helped us build confidence that, while we might not be able to solve everything, we can work it out for many games."

In fact, thanks to the Switch 2's new and improved hardware, some of your go-to games may even run better. The team mentioned seeing shorter load times and more stable gameplay in some instances.

You'll also see the arrival of some new features like GameChat, which lets you voice chat and screen share with up to 12 players at a time. This could be a home run for party games, ultimately enhancing the experience of hanging out with your Switch- 2-wielding friends.

Overall, it's worth checking the list of games that will run on the Switch 2 to make sure your favorites aren't on the red light list. The good news is that the majority of Switch titles will run on the Switch 2, which launches June 5 and will be available for preorder starting April 9.

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Onyx Boox Palma 2: Two-minute review

I might wish for more ereaders like the Onxy Boox Palma 2, but I also recognize that its form factor is exactly what makes it so unique – just like its predecessor. And if it had competition, I suppose I'd be hard pressed to appreciate it as much I do.

The 2:1 aspect ratio on this 6-inch ereader makes it resemble a smartphone, complete with speakers, a mic, side buttons and rear camera, and that's also what makes it so pocket friendly. It replaces the older Boox Palma as my favorite compact ereader as I have a sneaking suspicion the previous model could be discontinued in the near future.

Physically, the two generations are near identical and, while I don’t mind that, I’d have loved to see a slightly more premium-looking chassis to match the price tag.

There’s only one physical difference between the original Boox Palma and the Palma 2 – the power button. It’s oh-so-marginally longer and flatter to accommodate a built-in fingerprint scanner. While I appreciate the addition, I don’t see the need for it on an ereader that can be set up with a passcode if security is top of mind, but it also doesn’t function as expected. It’s more miss than hit as you have to place your finger just so for it to be effective.

I might find the fingerprint scanner superfluous, but learning that the Palma 2 got a new chipset to boost performance had me chomping at the bit to try it out. Strangely, the upgraded processor hasn’t made much of a difference in real-world use. That’s not to say the performance is bad, it's just not any better (or worse) than what I experienced with the previous generation.

The Onyx Boox Palma 2 comes with a refreshed user interface, including redesigned app icons (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

What’s really a standout for me with the Palma 2 is its new user interface. Onyx has redesigned the app icons and NeoReader (native library app) settings, giving it a cleaner, more modern appeal. Even the settings list looks fresh thanks to less weight (thickness) to the text and the boxes. The whole setup is still more complicated than it needs to be – which is an issue I have with all Boox tablets – but it looks much nicer which, in turn, makes it easier to find the adjustments you need while reading.

Onyx has also upgraded the OS to Android 13, which is good news for getting security updates for a little while yet.

My biggest disappointment with the Palma 2 is that Onyx has stuck with using the same E Ink Carta 1200 display it did for previous model, and that stings when you consider how expensive the Palma 2 is over other 6-inch ereaders that sport the latest in E Ink screen technology.

I still think there’s a missed opportunity here to add more functionality to the Palma 2 – writing capabilities would have made it a lot more appealing, something I noted about the older Palma too. Being able to slip it into my pocket to jot notes at media events and meetings would have made the Palma 2 an integral part of my daily life, not just being a portable ereader.

Despite my complaints, I still can’t help but like the Palma 2, just for being the most compact and unique ereader I’ve tested.

A palm-friendly size makes the Boox Palma 2 an enticing ereader option (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) Onyx Boox Palma 2 review: Price & availability

• Announced Q3 of 2024
• List price: $299.99 / €299.99 (about £250) / AU$499
• Available now directly from the Boox Shop and select authorized retailers

The Palma 2 shares the same launch price as its predecessor and will set you back $299.99 / €299.99 (about £250) / AU$499 at full price. It’s possible to see discounts on the US and European Boox Shop online storefronts during major sales, but Australian retailers stocking Boox tablets don’t usually have offers to make these expensive ereaders more accessible.

Given its plastic build and features, it would be difficult for me to recommend the Palma 2 at its full price, but I can also see its form factor alone being a good justification to spend the extra cash. Also the versatility of running Android – getting you access to the Play Store to download third-party apps and games – might just convince some users to make the switch.

That said, the older Palma is now cheaper – listed for as low as $199.99/ €229.99 (around £190) / AU$399 on the Boox Shop and third-party resellers at the time of writing – and might be the better buy as there’s really no difference in performance between the two. The drop in price might also indicate that the original Palma might be discontinued once current stock has gone.

If the choice of ereader isn’t really about the form factor – which is the Palma 2’s biggest selling point – you can save cash by opting for a simpler 6-inch ereader like the 2024 Amazon Kindle or the Kobo Clara BW. The former will cost you $129.99 / £104.99 / AU$199 without ads, while the latter has a list price of $129.99 / £119.99 / AU$239.95 – both considerably cheaper than either of the Palmas.

However, you have very limited storage on the Kindle and Kobo alternatives, while there’s 128GB of internal storage on the Palma 2, which is expandable via microSD.

• Value score: 3 / 5

The new page-styling setup in the native library app is cleaner and more modern (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) Onyx Boox Palma 2 review: Specs Onyx Boox Palma 2 review: Design & display

• Available in black and white colorways
• Looks like a smartphone, but not designed to be one
• Rear 16MP camera is fun to have but not great to scan documents

As I’ve already mentioned, the Palma 2 is physically identical to the older model with one very minor difference that’s easy to miss even if you’re familiar with the previous generation. That’s the slightly longer power button to accommodate a fingerprint scanner. And to make sure you can place your finger properly on it, it's also the only flat button on the device.

Strangely, though, Onyx thinks its Palma 2 really is a phone because when you go to Settings to save a fingerprint for the first time, it tells you that the sensor is at the back of the device (go figure!). This might confuse some first-time users, but if you know where the sensor is, you’ll know where to place your finger.

The power button on the Boox Palma 2 is the only physical control that's got a flat surface (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

Everything else from a design perspective is the same – dimensions, weight, physical buttons, speaker, microphone, microSD card tray and rear camera. I won’t go into too much detail for these – you can take a look at my Onyx Boox Palma review for an in-depth look – but I am disappointed that the Palma 2 still sports the same cheap-looking plastic body, and the device is anything but cheap. At least the white model has silver buttons for a touch of pizzazz, but the black model has no such feature to break the plasticky monotony.

What makes it look cheaper still is the white model – the one reviewed here – can quickly pick up stains and scratches, or get discolored with use. So it’s a good thing that it ships with a case in the box, which I would recommend you use. After being in my work backpack for just one commute to the office, my white Palma 2 ended up with a small pink stain near its USB-C port and a scratch on the rear, neither of which I can clean or fix.

Image 1 of 2

A customizable button and a microSD card tray are extras many other ereaders don't offer (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 2 of 2

The USB-C port has OTG support but hasn't worked for me (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

The display, as I’ve previously said, is the E Ink Carta 1200 display, which is now previous-generation technology. While it’s fantastic to read on, with plenty of contrast to render text in sharp relief, the responsiveness of the display isn’t as good as what I’ve experienced with ereaders featuring the Carta 1300 screen.

The 2:1 aspect ratio is still a novelty when it comes to e-paper devices which, when combined with the 6.13-inch display, is such a wonderful size for a compact and portable ereader. If you’re someone who typically reads on your phone when you’re commuting, you might want to consider the Palma 2 just for the reduced eye strain thanks to the e-paper screen.

I would, however, advise against being too close to water with the Palma 2 in hand as the plastic body is only splashproof – there's no waterproofing certification that Onyx has revealed, which was the same with the previous model too.

• Design & display score: 3.5 / 5

The Boox Palma (left) and the Boox Palma 2 (right) offer the same reading experience (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) Onyx Boox Palma 2 review: User experience

• OS updated to Android 13 from Android 11
• More modern interface makes for a cleaner user experience
• Native apps are great, so you don’t necessarily need third-party options

Just because it looks like a phone, doesn’t mean it should work like one – the Palma 2’s functionality is limited by its screen tech and yet it can do a fair few things most other mainstream ereaders can’t.

For example, it can run a plethora of third-party apps thanks to running on a trimmed-down version of Android 13 (an upgrade from the older Palma’s Android 11), including music streaming platforms and mobile games. That said, you will have to contend with a rather slow refresh rate compared to the standard smartphone, but I will admit that even some graphics-heavy mobile games aren’t too bad on the Palma 2.

If you want to stick to reading applications, both the Kindle and Kobo apps work quite well on the Palma 2. That said, the native library application – NeoReader – is very good and the refreshed interface makes it a lot nicer to adjust fonts and page styling now.

Even the little niggle I’ve had with the Fonts folder not set up correctly within Storage in previous Boox devices has been sorted, which makes me happy.

Even the ebook titles have less text weight than before, making the library app look clean and nice (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

I'm still disappointed with the inability to plug the Palma 2 (or any other Boox device for that matter) into an iMac or MacBook to transfer ebooks and other files via a wired connection. This method of sideloading files works fine if you have a Windows machine, so I really don’t see why connectivity with an Apple computer should be exempt.

I’m also unable to take advantage of the OTG support on the USB-C port to transfer files directly from an external hard drive. While the Palma 2 can read my 2TB Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD, it refuses to let me move ebooks back and forth. It’s the same with my older 1TB Samsung T5 Portable SSD as well.

Thankfully, BooxDrop is an easy enough tool to use – if you have your files saved on any PC – Windows or Mac – you can use the web platform to transfer files via the cloud.

Image 1 of 4

The older page-styling setup (left) was cluttered, but the Palma 2 (right) is easier to use (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 2 of 4

New icons and less weight to the design gives the user interface of the Palma 2 (right) an airier look compared to the older model (left) (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 3 of 4

The default sleep screen is different between the two generations, but these can be changed in Settings (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 4 of 4

The rear camera is identical – the Palma 2 is the one on top (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

The one other issue I faced with using the Palma 2 is the responsiveness of the screen. While page turns are fine, using the on-screen keyboard isn’t as smooth as I expected it to be. I had to occasionally tap on a letter or number a couple of times before it registered. It wasn’t a consistent issue, and another colleague said he had no such problems when he tried it out for a short period of time, so I’ll put this down to being an isolated problem (or blame it on my sausage fingers).

Using the fingerprint scanner is a lot more frustrating though. While easy to set up, I found you have to place your finger just right for it to work every time, something I don’t think any of us can do unless we’re concentrating. Using the fingerprint scanner to wake the device up or make purchases would have been a lot faster than a passcode, but if it doesn't work each time, what's the point?

The rest of the user experience is quite good, particularly if you're judging it as an ereader. While the built-in speaker is perfectly fine for listening to audiobooks, I’d advise against using it for music – the sound quality isn’t good and you’ll be better served pairing a set of Bluetooth headphones or a speaker with the Palma 2.

• User experience score: 4 / 5

Taking pics with the Boox Palma 2's camera can be fun, but don't expect much (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) Onyx Boox Palma 2 review: Performance

• Updated processor, but no difference in performance in real-world use
• Handles graphics quite well for an e-paper device
• Scanning and OCR performance could be better

The older Palma already had a decent processor in the form of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662, but Onyx has stepped it up by using a Snapdragon 690 chip in the Palma 2. On paper, the latter is the more powerful chipset and running Geekbench 6 benchmarking proves it to be so.

In real-world use, though, that doesn't translate as well as I had expected. There's no improvement in page turns, for example, and neither is there any discernible difference in app performance and multitasking, although individual apps open a smidge quicker. As I've already said, that's not a deal breaker as the performance of the older model was just fine and the Palma 2 barely beats it by the skin of its teeth (figuratively speaking).

With integrated graphics and 6GB of RAM, the Palma 2 handles mobile games – albeit in black and white – just as well as its predecessor. Games like Alphabear 2 and Two Dots work smoothly, but more graphics-heavy games like Monument Valley 2 and Sky: Children of the Light aren’t too bad either. I can only imagine how much the experience would improve if the next Palma came with a color screen!

Image 1 of 2

It's an Android device, so running a benchmark app is easy enough (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 2 of 2

Readability is fantastic, but overall performance hasn't seemed to improve much (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

One of the biggest issues I’ve had with other Boox tablets while reading is ghosting, wherein a light overlay of the previous page can be seen. Thankfully this isn’t a problem on the Palma 2, and I didn’t even have to adjust refresh rates.

The performance of the rear camera hasn’t improved at all. It’s the same 16MP lens from the original Palma and it’s not intended for taking photos, although I will admit it was fun doing so for a short while. While you see the frame in grayscale, you can export the images in color, just not in very good quality.

The camera is meant for scanning documents but, again, the quality isn’t great and I think your smartphone will do a better job if it has scan functionality.

If you do use the rear camera to scan a document, the native DocScan app has an OCR (optical character recognition) feature to convert the words on the scan into text. There's a marked difference in performance here with the text converting well, compared to the "gibberish" I experienced with the previous Palma.

Image 1 of 3

Scan quality is quite dismal with the Boox Palma 2... (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 2 of 3

..but the photos aren't half bad – just don't expect phone-quality pics (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)Image 3 of 3

OCR text conversion on the DocScan app is now much better than before (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

I can’t fault its battery life, though. It’s still the same 3,950mAh pack from the previous Palma and, if you read for an hour a day, you’ll easily get around 6-7 weeks out of a single charge. Battery life, however, is dependent on a lot of other factors, including the apps you use, the screen brightness and the refresh rate. Even with more extensive use, you can eke out four weeks before plugging it into the mains.

Charging speed will also depend on whether you use a wall adaptor or your PC/laptop to charge the Palma 2. The former will be the faster top up, and it took about 2.5 hours to go from about 20% to full the two times I had to give it a charge during my testing period using an USB-A to C cable plugged into a port of a 65W adaptor. The only time I had it plugged into a dock for my laptop, it took an hour for the battery level to go from 25% to 38%.

• Performance score: 4 / 5

The only difference between the two Palmas is the power button, which is slightly longer and flat on the new model (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar) Should I buy the Onyx Boox Palma 2? Buy it if...

You want a unique device

There’s no other ereader quite like the Palma devices, which makes them quite the novelty. And I can tell you that the novelty doesn’t wear off quickly either. It’s not the 6.13-inch display that makes it so, but the 2:1 aspect ratio that no other ereader brand has on offer at the time of writing.

You want a very compact ereader

Like its predecessor, the Palma 2 is the most compact ereader on the market. It’s phone-like size means it can be carried around in your pocket or slipped into any bag. It’s also very lightweight, making it perfect for travel.

You want to ease eye strain because you mostly read on your phone

The LCD and OLED displays on smartphones emit more blue light than e-paper displays, making the latter easy on the eyes. So if you find yourself tiring after reading a page or two on your phone, consider getting a similarly sized ereader.

Don't buy it if...

You want a cheaper 6-inch ereader

The Palma 2 can be versatile, thanks to access to the Google Play Store. But if you only want to use it for reading, you’ll save a lot of cash by opting for a 6-inch Kindle or Kobo alternative.

You want more bang for buck

A device like the Palma 2 needs to justify its price tag better, and one way to do that is to offer more functionality – aka adding writing capabilities. That would make it really easy to recommend the Palma 2 at its price point.

You need a bigger screen

If you typically use larger font sizes, you might get frustrated by the small screen of the Palma 2. A larger e-paper screen – perhaps 7 or 8 inches – would be ideal in those cases.

Also consider

As with the original Palma, there's not a lot that can be directly compared to the Palma 2 and I'm hesitant to offer up the older model as an alternative in case it gets discontinued.

That said, there are other 6-inch ereaders that are lightweight and portable, but not necessarily pocketable. I've picked three that I think would cover a few bases, including budget and usability. I've also listed some of their basic specs as a comparison with the Palma 2.

Amazon Kindle (2024)

Also using the older E Ink Carta 1200 screen, but getting software upgrades that make it a slightly more responsive/faster ereader than the 2022 edition, the latest Amazon Kindle is also an affordable option. It misses out on any kind of waterproofing, but it's great for a basic ereader.
Find out more in my in-depth Amazon Kindle (2024) review

Kobo Clara BW

It's my pick for the best budget ereader on account of getting a waterproof body, adjustable light temperature and baked-in OverDrive support to borrow library books in select countries. It also features the latest E Ink Carta 1300 screen and is repairable.
Read more in my full Kobo Clara BW review

Onyx Boox Poke 5

If you want an ereader that runs Android, the Boox Poke 5 is the better option than the newer Onyx Boox Go 6 as it's got a few less bugs than the latter. Giving you a similar reading experience to the Palma 2, just in a different form factor, it's also a lot cheaper.
Learn more in my Onyx Boox Poke 5 review

How I tested the Onyx Boox Palma 2

• Used as daily reading device for nearly 6 weeks
• Sideloaded all content via BooxDrop, including ebooks and music
• Downloaded Android apps for benchmarking, reading and streaming music

The Boox Palma 2 is a unique device, thanks to its form factor (Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)

As with every Boox device I test, I began by following the on-screen setup instructions to connect to Wi-Fi, then customized some of the settings for refresh rate, power-saving and system navigation. There's a lot of customization options on a Boox tablet, far more than on a Kindle or Kobo, so it's always best to get familiar with them before you start using a Boox ereader.

Next, I used BooxDrop to access files (ebooks and music) from my Onyx cloud storage account that I've had from previous Boox reviews. I also connected to Google Drive to test other means of cloud transfer.

I downloaded a few apps from the Play Store, including benchmarking, Kindle and Kobo (the last two were deleted after a short testing period of a couple off days).

For the majority of the six-week testing period, I used the Palma 2 mainly as an ereader for an average of three hours a day. I occasionally used the native browser to surf the internet, and even used the native music player to play some sideloaded MP3 files. All other music listening was down via Spotify.

To compare the two generations of Palmas side by side, I scanned a document to test the rear camera, took some sample photos with both models and ran Geekbench 6 on them to determine chipset performance. I also used CPU X, an Android app, to find out what exact chipset is being used as Onxy doesn't reveal this spec.

Having tested nearly 30 ereaders in the past few years, I've got the experience to determine whether a digital reader is a worthwhile investment.

Read more about how we test

[First reviewed April 2025]

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Eight-point-seven billion.

Four-hundred million.

One-hundred-seventy-five million.

These are just some examples of the money the federal government has withheld or is threatening to withhold from various colleges and universities, including the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University and Harvard University.

That $8.7 billion figure was announced earlier this week by the Trump administration, which said that it's reviewing federal grants and contracts awarded to Harvard because Harvard has not done enough to curb antisemitism on campus.

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For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

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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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Commentary: Nintendo's next console already has a lot of great games in its future.

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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The new government in Syria, formed after the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad, is working to disband local militias to form one national army. But some groups are refusing to join. We meet one very well armed religious minority called the Druse. They say they're afraid of sectarian attacks from the new government and will not be giving up their weapons.

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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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