TechRadar News

• Fire TV Sticks may move to a new OS later this year
• Vega OS is already running on some Echo devices
• Third-party Fire TVs may stick with Android for now

Amazon is making huge changes to its Fire TV platform this year in a move that's definitely coming to us from the "What could go wrong?" files.

A new report says that the Fire TV Stick devices will be shipping with a completely new operating system later this year. The devices currently run a modified version of Android, but the move will be to Amazon's own Vega OS.

As someone who dreads the inevitable issues that even a minor software or firmware change can cause, I'm not sure this is going to be a smooth transition with every bug and incompatibility stomped from day one. And it's also going to reduce the flexibility of future Fire TV devices.

The software change is expected to come to Fire TV Sticks long before it appears in Fire TVs. (Image credit: Amazon) What is Amazon doing with its Fire TV software?

According to well-informed TV tech writer Janko Roettgers, Amazon is "courting major publishers" to bring their apps to the new operating system: unlike the current OS, Vega won't support Android apps, and they can't be ported over.

While Vega OS hasn't been officially announced, it'll be arriving on a new, non-Android TV streaming device later this year according to Roettgers.

Vega is based on the Linux operating system, and Roettgers discovered its existence in 2023. It already powers the Echo Show 5, the Echo Hub and the Echo Spot.

Roettgers says that some big names are already on board. "I’ve been able to confirm that Paramount, Rakuten and the BBC’s UKTV subsidiary are among the publishers building TV apps using the Kepler SDK," says the report.

It doesn't look like the move will apply to Fire TV televisions from Amazon's partners: they appear to be moving to Android 14, based on other documentation. Perhaps that update will come to existing Fire TV Sticks and Cubes too.

However, speculation that this Android 14 move meant Vega was being ditched appears to be incorrect, at least according to Roettgers. The big danger here is that Amazon may end up releasing a new device that's inferior to the existing ones – with more limited app supported, less well-embedded features, and more chance of bugs and problems.

The launched of Vega on Fire Sticks has reportedly already been delayed once, and there's not a lot of time to get all apps polished and ready for a 2025 launch, so perhaps it'll be pushed back again – watch this space.

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Everybody loves a good medical drama, as the success of The Pitt shows. That's why Grey's Anatomy continues to sit atop the streaming charts.

It's currently the ninth most-watched show on Hulu this past week and has remained in the top 10 since becoming the second most-streamed show in 2024. With over 20 seasons to stream, that's a lot of red hot white coat action.

If you've already binged one of the best Hulu shows, or if you're looking for something medical-themed but in a different way, there's no shortage of medical-set shows to stream online: TV networks know they're reliable ratings-grabbers, so they've been making them for decades.

That makes Hulu particularly good for ER-based adventures: its catalog of network TV shows is more packed than the waiting area of your local ER. And among those shows are three that are particularly likely to get your heart monitor beeping.

ER

I need to warn you about this one: if like me you watched ER back in the day, the sight of Robbie from The Pitt (Noah Wyle) as fresh-faced junior Dr Carter will make you feel older than Methuselah. The mid-90s show is very similar to The Pitt in its fast-paced action and ensemble cast, and it made a star of a young actor called George Clooney.

The show was highly rated by critics – season 2 got the full 100% rating – but it's worth noting that while ER was pretty good in its portrayal of gay and lesbian characters, like other shows of the 90s its portrayal of trans and intersex characters is appalling.

House

What if Sherlock Holmes, but in a hospital? That's the elevator pitch for House, in which cranky genius Dr Gregory House (Hugh Lawrie, an incredible bit of casting) solves medical mysteries.

Like ER its second season has the full 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating, and while it's less impactful now its high production values and its use of a terribly flawed human – House is a misanthrope and a drug addict – as the hero made it stand out from the medical drama crowd.

9-1-1

With a 94% rating for its eighth season, 9-1-1 clearly doesn't lose any of its momentum: it gets better as it goes along. It's about first responders dealing with traumatic events, and watching Season 1 the Financial Times predicted that "it could yet turn out to be a classic of the lantern-jawed hero genre."

Like many shows it can teeter on the edge of silliness and sometimes falls right into it, but that's part of the appeal: as Paste Magazine put it, "this trashy show is spectacular [and] you must immediately begin watching this nonsense."

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• Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser has teased the future of the Super Mario Bros. series
• When asked about the absence of a mainline Mario game for the Switch 2, Bowser said, "Stay tuned"
• He says Nintendo has a big catalog and that he's "sure will make its way to the platform"

Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser may have teased the next mainline Super Mario game for the Nintendo Switch 2.

Speaking to CNN following the big Switch 2 Direct, Bowser was asked about the noticeable absence of a new mainline Mario game for the Switch 2, something that many were expecting to be revealed, considering the massive success of Super Mario Odyssey last generation.

Bowser didn't confirm or deny that a new mainline Mario game is in development for the new handheld, but he did drop a hint that suggested Nintendo has plans for the series.

"Stay tuned," Bowser said. "You know, we have a long, long catalog, and a long list of (intellectual property) that I’m sure will make its way to the platform."

Although there won't be a new Super Mario game to look forward to anytime soon, Mario Kart World has officially been announced and will be launching alongside the Switch 2 on June 5, 2025.

The Nintendo Switch 2 will cost $449.99 / £395.99 or $499.99 / £429.99 for the Mario Kart World bundle which includes a digital copy of the upcoming game.

Pre-orders are now live in the UK. US pre-orders are set to begin on April 24 after Nintendo delayed its initial April 9 date as it assessed the potential impact of tariffs.

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• AI is lowering the barrier for entry into cybercrime
• Deepfakes and fake websites take minutes to prop up
• Users need to be careful

Sophisticated scam campaigns that used to take cybercriminals weeks to set up can now pop up in minutes, Microsoft is warning. The difference? Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI).

The tools that emerged a few years ago, including ChatGPT, Copilot, Midjourney, and many others have not just cut down on time needed to prepare a sophisticated internet scam, they have also lowered the barrier for entry allowing even rookie fraudsters to prepare and run advanced campaigns.

In the latest Cyber Signals report on AI assisted scams, Microsoft said that cybercriminals are using GenAI for more than “just” phishing email copy. They create deepfakes (usually fake videos of celebrities endorsing a project), and create AI-generated “sham websites” mimicking legitimate businesses.

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Phishing and fraud

“What used to take scammers days or weeks to create will now take minutes,” Microsoft warned.

But at the end of the day, this is still “just” phishing and fraud - people can mitigate the risk by taking it slow on the internet. Microsoft says the best thing to do is not to be fooled with “limited-time” deals and countdown timers, to only click on verified ads (many scam sites spread through AI-optimized social media ads), and to be skeptical of social proof (scammers can use AI-generated reviews, influencer endorsements, and testimonials to exploit trust people have in social media).

Finally, users should never provide personal or financial information to people reaching out via unsolicited SMS or email messages. “You should never provide a Social Security number, banking details, or passwords to an unverified employer,” it said.

Paying for a job opportunity is almost always a red flag. The best advice is usually the simplest: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Artificial intelligence will make internet fraud even more dangerous, but with a little common sense and a little care - it doesn’t have to be successful.

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• iOS 18.5 beta 3 has just been released to developers
• The small update most likely focuses on bug fixes
• All the big changes look to be coming in iOS 19 later in the summer

Apple has just released the third developer beta of iOS 18.5, and it comes with a few tweaks that could improve the Mail and Settings apps for you. But it’s a very lightweight update overall, and if you were expecting huge alterations, you might be left disappointed.

The first change can be found in the Settings app. There, the iOS 18.5 beta has added a more prominent AppleCare+ banner to the top of the page devoted to Apple’s warranty service. You can also find more information on AppleCare+ for each product registered in the Apple Account section of the Settings app, making Apple’s service easier to find.

The other new item to be found in the iOS 18.5 beta relates to the Mail app. In this instance, Apple has added a control to disable contact photos in your email inbox. This can be found by tapping the three-dot button in Mail’s top-right corner, then selecting the option to Show Contact Photos.

Previously, you had to dig around in Mail’s settings to find this control.

A minor update

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

It’s worth noting that these changes have been present in earlier iOS 18.5 betas, as we described earlier in April. Without any other prominent features being added to the latest iOS 18.5 beta 3 release, this suggests that the latest update might instead focus on behind-the-scenes bug fixes and performance improvements.

We don’t know when exactly iOS 18.5 will launch out of beta, but we do know that iOS 18.4.1 is available to the general public.

This update focuses on bug fixes, with solutions for a range of problems coming as part of the release. That includes a fix for a CarPlay bug that rendered many people’s in-car entertainment inoperable or difficult to use.

Looking further ahead, Apple is set to announce iOS 19 at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 9. That update is rumored to come with a wide-ranging design overhaul and a slate of interesting new features, which are likely taking up a lot of development time at Apple.

If that’s the case, the lack of major updates in iOS 18.5 makes a lot more sense, and could be a sign that more substanbtial updates are on the way.

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• Windows 11 has a new preview build in the Beta channel
• It offers new Click to Do features for Copilot+ PCs, including Reading Coach integration
• Search has also been pepped up with AI, and Voice Access has got a handy new addition too

Windows 11’s latest preview version just arrived packing improved search functionality and some impressive new capabilities for accessibility, including the integration of Microsoft’s ‘Reading Coach’ app on certain PCs.

This is preview build 26120.3872 in the Beta channel, and some of the fresh additions are just for Copilot+ PCs, and specifically only for devices with Snapdragon (Arm-based) chips.

So, first up in this category is the integration of Reading Coach with Click to Do. To recap on those pieces of functionality, Click to Do provides context-sensitive actions which are AI-powered – this was brought in as the partner feature to Recall on Copilot+ PCs – and Reading Coach became available for free at the start of 2024.

The latter is an app you can download from the Microsoft Store in order to practice your reading skills and pronunciation, and Reading Coach can now be chosen direct from the Click to Do context menu, so you can work on any selected piece of text. (You’ll need the coaching app installed to do this, of course).

Also new for Click to Do (and Copilot+ PCs) is a ‘Read with Immersive Reader’ ability which is a focused reading mode designed for those with dyslexia and dysgraphia.

This allows users to adjust the text size and spacing, font, and background theme to best suit their needs, as well as having a picture dictionary option that Microsoft notes “provides visual representations of unfamiliar words for instant understanding.” You can also elect to have text read aloud and split into syllables if required.

Another neat feature for Copilot+ PCs – albeit only in the European Economic Area to begin with – is the ability to find photos saved in the cloud (OneDrive) via the search box in the Windows 11 taskbar. Again, this is AI-powered, so you can use natural language search to find images in OneDrive (such as photos of “Halloween costumes” for example). Both local (on the device) and cloud-based photos will be displayed in the taskbar search results.

All of the above are now rolling out in testing to Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, but devices with AMD and Intel CPUs will also be covered eventually.

A further noteworthy introduction here – for all PCs this time – is that Voice Access now grants you the power to add your own words to its dictionary. So, if there’s a word that the system is having difficulty picking up when you say it, you can add a custom dictionary entry and hopefully the next time you use it during dictation, Voice Access will correctly recognize the word.

There are a bunch of other tweaks and refinements in this new preview version, all of which are covered in Microsoft’s blog post on the new Beta build.

(Image credit: Microsoft) Analysis: Sterling progress

It’s good to see Microsoft’s continued efforts to improve Windows 11 in terms of accessibility and learning, even if some of the core introductions here won’t be piped through to most folks – as they won’t have a Copilot+ PC. What’s also clear is that Microsoft is clearly giving devices with Snapdragon processors priority on an ongoing basis, and that’s fine, as long as the same powers come to all Copilot+ PCs eventually (which they are doing thus far, and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t).

The Voice Access addition is a very handy one, although I’m surprised it took Microsoft this long to implement it. I was previously a heavy user of Nuance (Dragon) speech recognition tool (my RSI has long since been cured, thanks in part to taking a break from typing by using this software) and it offered this functionality. As Windows 11’s Voice Access is essentially built on the same tech – Microsoft bought Nuance back in 2021 – it’s taken a while to incorporate what I felt was an important feature.

As ever, though, better late than never, and I certainly can’t complain about Voice Access being free, or at least free in terms of being bundled in with Windows 11.

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• Bad equipment is more responsible than chaotic conversations for misunderstandings
• One in four say they spend extra time clarifying their points on video calls
• AI might have a role, but we need the foundation of clear video and audio

Danish video conferencing equipment company Jabra has blamed bad microphones and webcams on poor interactions, leading to reduced productivity, particularly among hybrid workers who rely on the tech.

According to the company’s research, one in four workers regularly feel misunderstood due to insufficient communication tools, which is impacting productivity, wellbeing and career prospects.

More than one-third (35%) of UK knowledge workers agree that poor audio or video quality is to blame when it comes to misunderstanding, ranking it even more highly than chaotic conversations with multiple people speaking over each other.

Poor video and audio quality is bad for productivity

Jabra EMEA North VP and MD Nigel Dunn explained why bad mics and webcams can be bad for productivity: “Too many UK workers are still being held back by poor-quality audio and video – spending valuable time clarifying conversations, second-guessing what was said, or worse, missing key details altogether.”

Even though the speaker might not be battling with the result of poor audio or video themselves, 24% agree that they spend extra time clarifying their point, which takes additional time.

More than one-fifth (22%) also feel embarrassed or lose confidence after being misunderstood, with 14% believing that being misunderstood could cause them to miss out on professional opportunities.

Many workers agree that AI’s transcription abilities can be extremely beneficial post-meeting, but despite this recognition there remains some reluctance, with most British workers trusting humans over AI.

“We need to start with the basics and enable employees to communicate clearly with total confidence that they can be heard accurately, whether speaking to a colleague, a virtual assistant or relying on transcription tools,” Dunn continued.

Although many tech giants have implemented now-standard three-day working weeks from the office, and some are taking it even further by implementing full-time office working mandates, hybrid and remote work continues to be far more prevalent than it was prior to the pandemic. Having effective communication platforms and systems in place is now a must.

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• A leaker claims the iPhone 17 Pro could be sold in a Sky Blue shade
• However, alternative colors are also apparently being considered
• This source has put forward various possible iPhone 17 Pro colors over the last few months, but it sounds like we'll only see one of these, if any

While we have a good idea of many of the likely iPhone 17 Pro specs, we’re a lot less sure of what colors it and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will be sold in. However, one new color candidate has now emerged, with Sky Blue apparently being considered by Apple.

This is according to leaker Majin Bu (via Apple Insider), who claims that, according to “sources close to the supply chain,” various colors are under consideration, but Sky Blue is apparently the frontrunner.

Of course, you’ll be able to buy these phones in more than one color, but Apple only switched out one shade when moving from the iPhone 15 Pro to the iPhone 16 Pro, so it’s possible that the same will happen again for the iPhone 17 Pro.

In which case, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max might be available in most of the following shades: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Desert Titanium, with one of them swapped out for a new color – which could perhaps be Sky Blue.

A MacBook Air M4 in Sky Blue (Image credit: Apple)

You can see how this Sky Blue shade might look already, as you can get the MacBook Air (2025) in the same color – it’s a pale, understated blue that looks smart enough to fit with Apple’s typical Pro color schemes.

Lots of color claims

All that said, we’d still take this latest claim with a pinch of salt, as while Bu has been right before, they have a mixed track record.

This also isn’t the first time they’ve talked about possible iPhone 17 Pro colors. Back in September, they claimed we might see either a Titanium Blue, Titanium Purple, or Titanium Green shade. Then, in October, they said Apple was choosing between Teal Titanium, Green Titanium, and Dark Green Titanium. Now, it’s apparently Sky Blue that we’ll most likely see.

There is some overlap in these leaks – after all, Titanium Blue and Sky Blue could be one and the same. But with all these possibilities put forward, it’s hard to take any of them too seriously – at least until another source corroborates one of these leaks.

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• The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion remaster will be officially revealed later today
• Bethesda confirmed a broadcast that will announce the game
• It's suspected that Bethesda will also shadow drop the Oblivion remaster following the livestream

After a series of leaks and rumors, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion remaster will be officially revealed later today.

Bethesda shared a post on social media last night confirming that it will broadcast some sort of Oblivion announcement today, April 22, at 11AM ET / 8AM PT / 4PM BST on Twitch and YouTube.

The remaster was leaked last week, so it's not difficult to predict what the announcement will be, however, it's possible that the livestream will also be followed up with a surprise shadow drop.

New details later emerged that claimed that the game would launch on April 21, 2025, but considering the deluge of leaks, it's speculated that Bethesda pushed the announcement and shadow drop back by one day.

Tomorrow, 11:00 am EST. https://t.co/CKo7HKjs7j and https://t.co/dgz4EnloQ0 pic.twitter.com/K36jZmFUO9April 21, 2025

Alongside an official launch date, we'll also likely receive an official gameplay trailer showcasing the remastered graphics that were leaked through a selection of screenshots, as well as its updated game mechanics.

It's also claimed that the game will launch on PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, and Xbox Game Pass. Although the Nintendo Switch 2 was just announced and confirmed to support third-party titles, it's unclear if we'll see the Oblivion remaster make its way to the handheld after it releases.

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• The Joy-Con 2 could have shipped without release buttons
• This comes from an interview with Switch 2's hardware leads
• The original removal method could have been as primitive as simply pulling them away

The Nintendo Switch 2 hardware leads have confirmed that the console's magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers may have at one point have shipped without release buttons.

In an interview with Mobile Syrup, Nintendo Switch 2 producer Kouichi Kawamoto shared that the Joy-Con 2 - now connecting to the handheld display magnetically as in place of the original's rail system - suggested that the original release method was a little more primitive than what we have now.

"Originally, we didn’t have the button that would release the magnet. And so you had to pull," said Kawamoto. "And then we discussed, 'Well, wouldn’t the kids pull it apart?' So my first request was, 'Please use a strong magnet.' And the second was, 'Okay, if you want to be able to pull it, please make sure you can pull it.'

Kawamoto also stated that the hardware team "had several ideas" for how the magnetic Joy-Con 2 could be disconnected, but that "the technology wasn’t quite available" for some of these ideas.

In the end, the solution is a simple but effective one. Both left and right Joy-Con 2 controllers have a release button nestled next to the triggers. As I discovered during my Nintendo Switch 2 hands-on session, it's as simple as holding these buttons in to safely disconnect them from the handheld unit.

In other news, Nintendo has finally confirmed pre-order dates for the Switch 2 in the US. Shoppers in the region will have a chance to put their console pre-orders down from April 24. The console and its games will have their prices remain the same, but you should expect accessories like the Joy-Con 2 and the Switch 2 camera to have some slight price increases.

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• GameStop and Walmart have raised the prices of upcoming amiibo by $10
• They now cost up to almost $40 per figure
• It follows an announcement from Nintendo that some Switch 2 accessory prices could change

In some bad news for all the lovers of Nintendo's line of collectible figures out there, it looks like upcoming amiibo will more expensive than first anticipated.

Late last week the company announced that Nintendo Switch 2 accessories would "experience price adjustment", with retail prices increasing across the board in the US. The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, for example, went up to $84.99 from $79.99, while a pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers now costs an eye-watering $94.99 - up from $89.99.

The Nintendo Switch 2 dock and camera were also hit, rising from $109.99 to $119.99 and from $49.99 to $54.99 respectively. Notably, the prices of upcoming amiibo figures were not mentioned in the announcement, though now it seems clear that they will also be affected.

GameStop was the first retailer to increase amiibo prices, raising the cost of the upcoming The Legend of Zelda series from $19.99 to $29.99 each. The Street Fighter 6 series was also hit, going up from $29.99 to $39.99.

This week, Walmart followed suit - increasing the asking price of both The Legend of Zelda and Street Fighter 6 series amiibo by $10. This would indicate that the amiibo price rises are not an isolated incident and that we might see $29.99 and $39.99 becoming the standard price point for future figures.

I'm very much hoping that this isn't the case, as almost $40 for a single collectible is very steep. You can easily find many of the best Nintendo Switch games for that price and, as much as I like some Street Fighter characters, I definitely know what I would rather have.

Just bear in mind that we don't know whether this is an official change in MSRP quite yet and Nintendo did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this matter.

Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders were delayed indefinitely in the US on April 4, 2025. In a statement given to TechRadar Gaming, Nintendo cited "the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions".

The console is is set to launch worldwide on June 5, 2025. It will cost $449.99 / £395.99 or $499.99 / £429.99 for a bundle that includes a digital copy of Mario Kart World.

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• One UI 7 is now appearing on phones from 2023
• The Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S24 FE are included
• South Korea is the first country to see the update

The rollout of One UI 7, which is Samsung's take on Android 15, has been a rather tortuous one so far – but it appears there is some light at the end of the software update tunnel, with both the Samsung Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S24 FE now receiving their upgrades.

News of the updates are popping up in various places, with SamMobile spotting that Galaxy S23 devices are now receiving the software, and well-known tipster @tarunvats33 reporting on the arrival of One UI 7 for the Galaxy S24 FE.

There is a caveat here, which is that the rollout has only been seen in Samsung's home country of South Korea so far. However, it shouldn't be too long before these same devices get One UI 7 across the rest of the world.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 launched in 2023, which suggests the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 – the flagship foldables from that year – should also be getting One UI 7 in the near future.

The story so far

Breaking!!Galaxy S24 FE receives One UI 7 update in Korea.Build Version: S721NKSU2BYD9/S721NOKR2BYD9/S721NKSU2BYD9 pic.twitter.com/uTVOi0CSAAApril 22, 2025

We got our first proper look at One UI 7 when it appeared on the Samsung Galaxy S25 handsets that were launched in January. Though it was missing some small finishing touches, the software development was virtually completed in time for those devices.

The One UI 7 upgrade has taken a while to reach older Samsung phones though. The release date for the Galaxy S24, Galaxy Z Fold 6, and Galaxy Z Flip 7 handsets was originally set for April 7, but even then it didn't all go smoothly.

Within the first few days, there were reports of a bug that had halted the rollout of the software, though there wasn't much in the way of clarity around what had happened – or when One UI 7 might continue to be pushed out to devices.

Since then, the 2024 Samsung handsets have apparently started getting the update again, and now the 2023 phones are following on. If you're just getting the software, you don't have long to explore its features, because One UI 8 is already on the way.

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• Google has just released a software update for the Pixel Watch
• It fixes an issue with over-inflated step counts
• It's also an important upgrade for people on last year's releases

Google has just released a second April 2025 Google Pixel Watch software update, which includes a vital step count algorithm fix to correct previously over-inflated step counts.

Google announced the update on its support site. It says it has started rolling out and will be pushed to devices in phases over the next few weeks. As always, when you get the update depends on your carrier and device, but you should get a notification to tell you when the download is ready.

Since the March and first April software updates, Google says that some users have reported receiving step counts that were higher than expected. Google changed the step count algorithm in March, but has since reverted to the original algorithm for all users.

Pixel Watch's second April update

Google also confirms that the update is far more significant for anyone on last year's Pixel Watch software. Wear OS 5.1 brings users in the US the Loss of Pulse Detection feature, which can alert emergency services and bystanders if your heart stops beating. However, you'll need the best Android smartwatch, the Google Pixel Watch 3, to take advantage of this feature.

If you're still on the November release, other upgrades include new Menstrual Health support, Media Controls upgrades, and an expansion of Auto Bed-Time Mode on the Pixel Watch 2. The step count upgrade is of course, absent.

Sadly, this isn't the Pixel Watch Gemini upgrade we've been waiting for. While that did show up briefly on devices in recent weeks, Google may be reserving the AI rollout to its wearables line for the unveiling of the Pixel Watch 4, which we can probably expect later this year.

Gemini will replace Google Assistant as an AI-powered on-wrist assistant. While that's good news for Pixel Watch fans, Fitbit owners will be left out in the cold, with Google confirming it will end Google Assistant support on Fitbit with no Gemini replacement in sight, a change that has already started to take effect.

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• The Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom seemingly won't support cloud saves
• The US and EU store pages for both games state that the software "does not support the Nintendo Switch Online paid membership's Save Data Cloud backup feature"
• Players can still import their original Switch data, but the disclaimer for both Zelda games means players can't create a new cloud save file on the Switch 2

It seems that the Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom won't support Switch Online's cloud save backup feature.

As reported by Eurogamer, both the US and EU store pages for the Switch 2 games offer a disclaimer that reads, "Please note: this software does not support the Nintendo Switch Online paid membership's Save Data Cloud backup feature."

This is significant because, as one Resetera user pointed out, Nintendo has already said that players can import their original Switch save data to the Switch 2 Editions, but if these disclaimers are true, it could mean that players can't create a new cloud save file on the Switch 2 for these games.

It also means if players start a new playthrough on the Switch 2, they can't create a file to backup their save.

Although the US and EU store pages both feature this disclaimer, the Japanese website states otherwise.

"To use the save data storage service, you must subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online (paid membership)," the page reads (via Google Translate).

Notably, games like Super Mario Party Jamboree, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and Metroid Prime 4 don't offer the same disclaimer, which makes me wonder why both Zelda games do. Nintendo has yet to officially comment on the decision.

This new development comes after Nintendo confirmed, after some confusion, that Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games, like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, will contain the full game and upgrades on the cartridge.

However, there is still some uncertainty as to whether players will need to re-purchase Breath of the Wild's downloadable content (DLC)

The Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, 2025, for $449.99 / £395.99 or $499.99 / £429.99 for a Mario Kart World bundle.

Pre-orders are now live in the UK, but US pre-orders and Canadian pre-orders have been delayed as Nintendo assesses the potential impact of tariffs.

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Ahead of the 98th Oscars ceremony, scheduled for March 2026, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has made its first official rule regarding the use of generative AI in films.

This follows a controversial 2024 season that saw Best Picture finalist The Brutalist (and, to a lesser extent, co-nominee Emilia Perez) come under fire for its use of AI to alter actor performances and create architectural drawings.

As recommended by the Academy’s Science and Technology Council, this new rule states:

"With regard to Generative Artificial Intelligence and other digital tools used in the making of the film, the tools neither help nor harm the chances of achieving a nomination. The Academy and each branch will judge the achievement, taking into account the degree to which a human was at the heart of the creative authorship when choosing which movie to award."

The new guidelines come alongside three other notable rule changes and additions:

• The Academy has established its first official rule on generative AI
• The organisation says its use will "neither help nor harm the chances" of a film achieving an Oscar nomination
• While arguably the safest position, it leaves the door open to further controversies

• Academy members must now watch all nominated films in each category to be eligible to vote in the final round for the Oscars.
• The new Achievement in Casting award will be awarded from 10 nominees.
• Countries will be able to nominate films that were creatively controlled by “citizens, residents, or individuals with refugee or asylum status”.

The price of perfection

Faced with the choice to take a stand against generative AI or allow its controlled use, the Academy has landed on a rule that is decidedly neutral and does little to change the current status quo.

While the Academy taking the safe route is hardly surprising, it arguably ignores Hollywood’s history of always being at the forefront of embracing new technology – and at a time when the use of AI in filmmaking is becoming increasingly common.

It’s not the first instance of film critics and commentators coming out swinging against AI. 2023's Late Night with the Devil was condemned by some for its use of AI to generate a handful of still images that only appeared onscreen for a few seconds, but while it was one of the year’s best horror films it was perhaps no huge surprise that it didn’t receive any Oscar nominations – horror films rarely do.

Conversely, a more serious historical drama based on a true story, such as The Brutalist, was sure to receive attention from the Academy, putting extra eyes on its use of AI.

(Image credit: A24)

While it received 10 Oscar nominations, it’s hard not to feel that the film’s chances at winning Best Picture (which it ultimately lost to Anora) were unfairly tarnished due to its use of AI – although the fact that Adrien Brody went on to win Best Actor for his role in the film does somewhat undermine that notion.

That's because Brody’s AI-enhanced performance is at the centre of the backlash this film has received. Unlike French, English or Australian accents, which have all been poorly performed too many times to count, Hungarian vowel sounds are reportedly notoriously difficult – even for Brody, whose mother is Hungarian.

So, while Brody and co-star Felicity Jones tried their best to offer an authentic accent during filming, with the actors’ permission editor Dávid Jancsó ultimately opted for an AI tool to achieve perfection.

Whether Brody’s win hinged on that enhancement is impossible to say, but it's clear Academy voters were happy with this particular trade-off.

Where do we draw the line?

AI isn't going away anytime soon, and in certain ways – like the voice enhancement in The Brutalist and Emilia Perez – it offers a subtle enhancement to the authenticity of an actor’s performance.

That doesn't necessarily make its use right, though. One could argue that an actor shouldn't be cast if their singing isn't up to par for a musical.

If authentic Hungarian is a must, maybe hire a Hungarian actor – or, if you need the starpower of an Adrien Brody, perhaps audiences would favor the earnestness of an actor's performance versus technical accuracy.

Hollywood workers have made no secret of their worries surrounding AI and its potential impact on jobs. The use of AI in the writing process was one of the biggest issues raised during the 2023 Writers Strike.

(Image credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

It undoubtedly would have sent a powerful message if the Academy barred the use of AI in films outright, but that's honestly an unrealistic expectation in 2025.

But, while it's pleasing to see the Academy taking into account "the degree to which a human was at the heart of the creative authorship", it’s hardly a clear, measurable rule for how AI can and can't be used – and leaves the door open to future controversies.

AI won't be going away anytime soon – but as much as you can expect it to pop up more, we’ll undoubtedly see more films carrying disclaimers that proudly state no AI was used in their production, as found in the end-credits of Hugh Grant's horror outing Heretic.

The Academy may have pushed the problem under the carpet, but with AI’s growing influence it's unlikely we've seen the last rule change.

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The biggest challenges facing Channel stakeholders include performance concerns, as there's an ongoing desire for the latest technology and a perception that refurbished tech is inferior. Revenue is also a factor, as companies profit from selling new equipment and need to adapt to offering sustainable services.

Education remains crucial, as there's a need for a significant shift in consumer behavior from buying new to embracing the circular economy and considering the full product lifecycle, including disposal.

Increased environmental pressures and government legislation are driving demand for Channel stakeholders to explore new ways they can reduce their carbon footprint and tackle e-waste. With the Technology Channel placing sustainability near the top of its list of priorities, businesses are responding by automating roles, utilizing electric vehicles for logistics and reducing e-waste headed for landfills.

Channel operators should be adopting the ‘Repair, Rework, Reuse’ model, which aims to extend IT hardware lifecycles and reduce the carbon footprint of technology wherever possible. Through the development and implementation of robust sustainability initiatives, vendors, distributors, resellers and MSPs can play a leading role in helping to create a more circular economy and minimize e-waste.

What key strategies, policies and procedures should be adopted to meet net zero targets?

Developing a robust strategy is essential for Channel businesses to bolster their net zero, carbon offsetting and sustainability goals. Companies that aim to create a comprehensive e-waste strategy must align their initiatives with environmental regulations and industry standards while striving to minimize the impact of their operations on the environment.

To create a concise strategy, Channel organizations must analyze their current operations - from sourcing components to end-of-life disposal - to minimize waste generation at each stage of the supply chain. The importance of this was revealed in our recent Sustainability report, with 36% of respondents already implementing initiatives to become more sustainable, and a further 37% looking to roll out strategies within the next 12 months.

Businesses need to create a plan that aligns with their future growth trajectory and the impact that this will have on emissions. With that in mind, the best option is to reduce the carbon intensity of their operations by establishing reduction strategies and mobilizing infrastructure change. This can take effect across a number of areas in an organization, most predominantly in the business’ supply chain, which links back to the company’s scope 3 emissions.

Channel operators must also consider measures to extend the life of hardware beyond the typical manufacturer lifespan, whilst ensuring the necessary quality standards and warranties are met. By repairing, reworking and reusing IT hardware, organizations can also reduce their carbon footprint and that of customers, whilst reducing cost.

How can vendors build e-waste initiatives within their partner programs?

Consumers and businesses across the Channel sector are waking up to the importance of Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) with supply chain transparency, sustainable finance and renewable energy sources and materials all key to helping industries meet their net zero, carbon offsetting and sustainability goals.

Vendors are now incorporating e-waste initiatives in processes to help streamline operations and boost efficiency for Channel partners. This not only enables significant environmental savings, but also an economical one for Channel partners and their end user clients.

By delivering white label maintenance, engineering services’ solutions and break-fix maintenance, Channel vendors can enable partner organizations to benefit from cost-effective, multi-vendor hardware maintenance services. This mitigates the need to dispose of mass hardware, allowing partners to extend product life cycles and reduce their carbon footprints through dedicated platforms like EcoVadis and by creating strategies internally, like a sustainability dashboard.

How is sustainability influencing customers and purchasing decisions?

It’s not for everyone – some customers are still very focused on price. Others see sustainability as a nice to have but would not be willing to pay considerably more. However, we are starting to experience a shift for ESG credentials to form part of the tender process, up to 30% of the total scoring for a partner in some cases. Also the frequency of being asked about sustainability is increasing.

As Channel vendors continue to scale their respective operations, they must consider their ESG strategies and goals and how best to meet the demands of customers, environmental legislation and compliance. They can also improve their sustainability approach by automating roles, utilizing electric vehicles for logistics and reducing electrical and electronic waste headed for landfills.

By investing in sustainable strategies, Channel partners gain a competitive edge, enabling them to improve business growth and strengthen stakeholder and consumer relationships while adhering to their sustainability principles.

How can data be leveraged to better understand and manage problems?

For Channel firms wanting to make their supply chain more sustainable, the process of collecting and sharing data is often seen as a key challenge. However, once the hard work of data collection is done, it is hugely beneficial for evaluating an organization's ESG performance.

Channel businesses, like many others, are relying heavily on data and analytics to make crucial business decisions. While this is seen as efficient, if decisions are being made based on data that is unreliable and inaccurate, the impact it can have could be huge. Accurate data collection is essential for tracking Scope 3 emissions, yet just 10% of the companies with under 100 employees surveyed for our research said they prioritize managing customer sustainability goals.

By leveraging digital solutions to aid visibility and transparency of both supply chains and in line with required sustainability metrics, companies can expect to deepen engagement with their customers, reduce risk and create trust with their supply chain stakeholders. Just as importantly, sustainability practices and corporate responsibility can deliver a positive impact both inside and outside of the business long term.

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

• ChatGPT's o3 model scored a 136 on the Mensa IQ test and a 116 on a custom offline test, outperforming most humans
• A new survey found 25% of Gen Z believe AI is already conscious, and over half think it will be soon
• The change in IQ and belief in AI consciousness has happened extremely quickly

OpenAI’s new ChatGPT model, dubbed o3, just scored an IQ of 136 on the Norway Mensa test – higher than 98% of humanity, not bad for a glorified autocomplete. In less than a year, AI models have become enormously more complex, flexible, and, in some ways, intelligent.

The jump is so steep that it may be causing some to think that AI has become Skynet. According to a new EduBirdie survey, 25% of Gen Z now believe AI is already self-aware, and more than half think it’s just a matter of time before their chatbot becomes sentient and possibly demands voting rights.

There’s some context to consider when it comes to the IQ test. The Norway Mensa test is public, which means it’s technically possible that the model used the answers or questions for training. So, researchers at MaximumTruth.org created a new IQ test that is entirely offline and out of reach of training data.

On that test, which was designed to be equivalent in difficulty to the Mensa version, the o3 model scored a 116. That’s still high.

It puts o3 in the top 15% of human intelligence, hovering somewhere between “sharp grad student” and “annoyingly clever trivia night regular.” No feelings. No consciousness. But logic? It’s got that in spades.

Compare that to last year, when no AI tested above 90 on the same scale. In May of last year, the best AI struggled with rotating triangles. Now, o3 is parked comfortably to the right of the bell curve among the brightest of humans.

And that curve is crowded now. Claude has inched up. Gemini’s scored in the 90s. Even GPT-4o, the baseline default model for ChatGPT, is only a few IQ points below o3.

Even so, it’s not just that these AIs are getting smarter. It’s that they’re learning fast. They’re improving like software does, not like humans do. And for a generation raised on software, that’s an unsettling kind of growth.

I do not think consciousness means what you think it means

For those raised in a world navigated by Google, with a Siri in their pocket and an Alexa on the shelf, AI means something different than its strictest definition.

If you came of age during a pandemic when most conversations were mediated through screens, an AI companion probably doesn't feel very different from a Zoom class. So it’s maybe not a shock that, according to EduBirdie, nearly 70% of Gen Zers say “please” and “thank you” when talking to AI.

Two-thirds of them use AI regularly for work communication, and 40% use it to write emails. A quarter use it to finesse awkward Slack replies, with nearly 20% sharing sensitive workplace information, such as contracts and colleagues’ personal details.

Many of those surveyed rely on AI for various social situations, ranging from asking for days off to simply saying no. One in eight already talk to AI about workplace drama, and one in six have used AI as a therapist.

If you trust AI that much, or find it engaging enough to treat as a friend (26%) or even a romantic partner (6%), then the idea that the AI is conscious seems less extreme. The more time you spend treating something like a person, the more it starts to feel like one. It answers questions, remembers things, and even mimics empathy. And now that it’s getting demonstrably smarter, philosophical questions naturally follow.

But intelligence is not the same thing as consciousness. IQ scores don’t mean self-awareness. You can score a perfect 160 on a logic test and still be a toaster, if your circuits are wired that way. AI can only think in the sense that it can solve problems using programmed reasoning. You might say that I'm no different, just with meat, not circuits. But that would hurt my feelings, something you don't have to worry about with any current AI product.

Maybe that will change someday, even someday soon. I doubt it, but I'm open to being proven wrong. I get the willingness to suspend disbelief with AI. It might be easier to believe that your AI assistant really understands you when you’re pouring your heart out at 3 a.m. and getting supportive, helpful responses rather than dwelling on its origin as a predictive language model trained on the internet's collective oversharing.

Maybe we’re on the brink of genuine self-aware artificial intelligence, but maybe we’re just anthropomorphizing really good calculators. Either way, don't tell secrets to an AI that you don't want used to train a more advanced model.

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Kaleidescape may not be a household name, but most home theater fans will have at least some familiarity with the company’s movie players and servers, which provide the highest-quality alternative to the best 4K Blu-ray players.

In case you’re not familiar with Kaleidescape, its systems let you download movies for purchase or rental from an online storefront with a comprehensive library, and in some cases, new titles not yet available from other online services like Amazon or Apple TV. The picture quality of Kaleidescape downloads is equivalent to 4K Blu-ray, with support for both Dolby Vision and HDR10 high dynamic range formats, along with lossless Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks.

A typical Kaleidescape system can be pricey, but over the past year, the company has expanded its product line with a lower-cost standalone 4K movie player, the Kaleidescape Strato V, plus an even cheaper 2K model, the Strato M. Those releases demonstrate that the company is looking to expand its reach into new markets, and also to give existing Kaleidescape owners options for expanding their systems outside of a dedicated home theater driven by the best projectors.

The Kaleidescape Strato V combines a movie player with built-in 960GB SSD storage – enough to hold ten 4K movies at a time (Image credit: Future)

The most recent news from Kaleidescape is an announcement of its membership in the 8K Association, an industry group dedicated to accelerating the adoption of 8K content and 8K TVs.

In a company press release, Kaleidescape chairman and CEO Tayloe Stansbury characterized the alliance as one that “positions Kaleidescape alongside other industry leaders, committed to fostering a collaborative environment, and dedicated to the advancement and standardization of 8K technology.”

Stansbury further stated, “As consumers demand larger screens, higher-fidelity and increasingly immersive experiences, Kaleidescape’s involvement in the 8KA will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of premium home cinema.”

A fighting chance for 8K?

Samsung's new QN990F series 8K TVs include a 98-inch size option (Image credit: Future)

Looking at the current TV market, it’s impossible to ignore that set manufacturers have a lukewarm relationship with the 8K format. Until recently, new 8K TVs were a regular thing, but only one company, Samsung, has announced new 8K models for 2025 (the Samsung QN990F and Samsung QN900F).

Projectors supporting 8K have also been slow to emerge, with only two consumer models, the JVC DLA-NZ9 and JVC DLA-NZ8, currently available.

An 8K TV can be priced almost twice as high as an equivalent 4K model, but the main reason why the 8K TV market hasn’t really taken off is a lack of 8K content. You can find some 8K – mainly eye candy travelogues – on YouTube, but there isn’t a better online source for streamed 8K content such as documentaries, concert videos, or movies.

An 8K disc format isn’t technically out of the question, but there’s been no commercial advancement on that front since 8K TVs first appeared. Also, physical disc sales, 4K Blu-ray included, have been steadily declining, falling below $1 billion for the first time in the US in 2024.

Given that trend, the outlook for an 8K disc format is grim to nonexistent. That’s why Kaleidescape’s 8K Association announcement is intriguing – the company has the technical infrastructure to make 8K downloads possible, and its business model means that content can be delivered without the high compression levels that make the best streaming services inferior to 4K Blu-ray Disc.

Another good omen for 8K is Kaleidescape’s customer base, which is comprised of high-end home theater enthusiasts willing to pay for the highest quality presentation possible. Many of those customers also use either video projection systems or ultra-large screen TVs, and the added detail provided by 8K can be appreciated on such displays.

Samsung’s new QN990F series 8K TVs are available in a 98-inch screen size. An 8K TV that large deserves actual 8K content, and with Kaleidescape’s announcement, there’s new hope that more and better 8K content could be coming.

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Google has been hyping up its Project Astra as the next generation of AI for months. That set some high expectations when 60 Minutes sent Scott Pelley to experiment with Project Astra tools provided by Google DeepMind.

He was impressed with how articulate, observant, and insightful the AI turned out to be throughout his testing, particularly when the AI not only recognized Edward Hopper’s moody painting "Automat," but also read into the woman’s body language and spun a fictional vignette about her life.

All this through a pair of smart glasses that barely seemed different from a pair without AI built in. The glasses serve as a delivery system for an AI that sees, hears, and can understand the world around you. That could set the stage for a new smart wearables race, but that's just one of many things we learned during the segment about Project Astra and Google's plans for AI.

Astra's understanding

Of course, we have to begin with what we now know about Astra. Firstly, the AI assistant continuously processes video and audio from connected cameras and microphones in its surroundings. The AI doesn’t just identify objects or transcribe text; it also purports to spot and explain emotional tone, extrapolate context, and carry on a conversation about the topic, even when you pause for thought or talk to someone else.

During the demo, Pelley asked Astra what he was looking at. It instantly identified Coal Drops Yard, a retail complex in King’s Cross, and offered background information without missing a beat. When shown a painting, it didn’t stop at "that’s a woman in a cafe." It said she looked "contemplative." And when nudged, it gave her a name and a backstory.

According to DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis, the assistant’s real-world understanding is advancing even faster than he expected, noting it is better at making sense of the physical world than the engineers thought it would be at this stage.

Veo 2 views

But Astra isn’t just passively watching. DeepMind has also been busy teaching AI how to generate photorealistic imagery and video. The engineers described how two years ago, their video models struggled with understanding that legs are attached to dogs. Now, they showcased how Veo 2 can conjure a flying dog with flapping wings.

The implications for visual storytelling, filmmaking, advertising, and yes, augmented reality glasses, are profound. Imagine your glasses not only telling you what building you're looking at, but also visualizing what it looked like a century ago, rendered in high definition and seamlessly integrated into the present view.

Genie 2

And then there’s Genie 2, DeepMind’s new world-modeling system. If Astra understands the world as it exists, Genie builds worlds that don’t. It takes a still image and turns it into an explorable environment visible through the smart glasses.

Walk forward, and Genie invents what lies around the corner. Turn left, and it populates the unseen walls. During the demo, a waterfall photo turned into a playable video game level, dynamically generated as Pelley explored.

DeepMind is already using Genie-generated spaces to train other AIs. Genie can help these navigate a world made up by another AI, and in real time, too. One system dreams, another learns. That kind of simulation loop has huge implications for robotics.

In the real world, robots have to fumble their way through trial and error. But in a synthetic world, they can train endlessly without breaking furniture or risking lawsuits.

Astra eyes

Google is trying to get Astra-style perception into your hands (or onto your face) as fast as possible, even if it means giving it away.

Just weeks after launching Gemini’s screen-sharing and live camera features as a premium perk, they reversed course and made it free for all Android users. That wasn’t a random act of generosity. By getting as many people as possible to point their cameras at the world and chat with Gemini, Google gets a flood of training data and real-time user feedback.

There is already a small group of people wearing Astra-powered glasses out in the world. The hardware reportedly uses micro-LED displays to project captions into one eye and delivers audio through tiny directional speakers near the temples. Compared to the awkward sci-fi visor of the original Glass, this feels like a step forward.

Sure, there are issues with privacy, latency, battery life, and the not-so-small question of whether society is ready for people walking around with semi-omniscient glasses without mocking them mercilessly.

Whether or not Google can make that magic feel ethical, non-invasive, and stylish enough to go mainstream is still up in the air. But that sense of 2025 as the year smart glasses go mainstream seems more accurate than ever.

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OpenAI has been dominating the LLM space for some time, and remains the leading choice for many developers, but market dynamics and loyalty seem to be shifting, new research has claimed.

A survey by Vercel of 656 app builders found 87% use OpenAI’s models and 83% rely on its inference APIs. However, developers now use an average of two providers, and 60% have changed vendors within the last six months - raising questions about their loyalty.

DeepSeek is now used by nearly a third of businesses (29%), while Microsoft's LLMs, by contrast, appears to be struggling, with only 10% of respondents report using the latter, and 9 out of 10 developers do not consider it a viable option.

Developers now focus on tools, not teams

“AI is dissolving the boundaries between roles. We’re seeing new product designers blend UX, UI, and code in one creative flow - thanks to tools like Vercel, v0, Uizard, and Cursor. Whether junior or senior leader, anyone can now build, test, and ship ideas independently - and that’s not just efficient, it’s liberating,” said Nicolas Le Pallec, CTO, EMEA - AKQA.

AI now builds around clear use cases, with developers prioritizing tools - not teams. Forty-five percent of respondents said they have no dedicated AI team, while 57% reported no specific AI leadership structure. Instead, success with AI depends on clear priorities and the right tools.

“By embracing cutting-edge AI technologies, we’re empowering our teams to work smarter and faster,” said Dr. Jan Ittner of BCG X, echoing the sentiment that an AI writer or developer tool can be more valuable than another hire.

Product AI features are now a priority for 75% of customer-facing apps, while only 39% still include traditional support chatbots. Website personalization remains underutilized at 27%, indicating room for future innovation.

Cost control is also a major priority. Over 70% of developers manually test their models, spending under $1,000 monthly - showing how much can be achieved on limited budgets. To cut costs, only 14% train their models, while 60% instead use retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and vector databases.

The focus on tools stems from a perceived "overhype" around AI, with an average rating of 6.4 out of 10. Yet developers gave a 7.7 out of 10 when asked if AI will transform their industries in the next 12 months.

In a shifting field where speed, precision, and adaptability matter more than scale, the best LLM for coding isn’t fixed - it’s the one that solves today’s problems while keeping tomorrow’s door open.

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