Nintendo lawyers visited Genki to discuss those Switch 2 leaks, reporter claimsAccessories manufacturer says it hasn't signed NDA.Image credit: Nintendo / Eurogamer News by Tom Phillips Editor-in-Chief Published on Jan. 13, 2025 Nintendo lawyers reportedly visited accessories manufacturer Genki on the CES trade show floor last week, a reporter has claimed, after videos of its dummy Switch 2 console went viral.High profile French tech journalist Julien Tellouck was one of several reporters to stop by Genki's CES booth last Friday, when he claimed the company had been dropped in on by Nintendo lawyers.Images of Genki's mock-up Switch 2 unit - which the company's chatty CEO initially claimed was based on the actual final design of Nintendo's under-wraps console - spread across the internet last week. Clearly, Nintendo noticed. Everything we learned this week about Switch 2Watch on YouTubeAccording to Tellouck, though, Genki simply told Nintendo it had never signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with the company and therefore hadn't technically broken any rules."I talked to the guy from Genki just behind me, he told me that Nintendo had stopped by with lawyers - they had nothing to be reprimanded for because they had never signed a paper with Nintendo - no confidentiality agreement, no NDA," Tellouck said. "So the Japanese brand are quiet. "On the other hand, [Genki] told me that they were sure that the Nintendo Switch 2 - except for a few details - would look like this 3D prototype."Perhaps notably, by the end of last week Genki had decided to make clear it hadn't actually seen Switch 2 itself - after previously saying it was aware that units were now available on the black market.Last Friday finally also brought an acknowledgement of the leaks by Nintendo. Speaking to Japanese newspaper The Sankei Shimbun, a Nintendo spokesperson simply stated the images and videos from CES were "not official".With details of the Switch 2's hardware design spreading, further leaks have also begun detailing Switch 2's third-party software line-up. Microsoft will reportedly be a major supporter, alongside Square Enix with multiple Final Fantasy titles. Surely, after months of waiting, official word is now imminent.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereThe First Descendant has a lot of exciting plans for its first full year as outlined in the 2025 roadmap. We are set to get Ines Raya in just a few days, and then in a couple of months we will be receiving Season 3. A lot has been promised for Nexons third chapter, and this includes another new playable character. Not everything about this new hero has been revealed, but The First Descendant Season 3 character promises to be hot in first official details. New The First Descendant Season 3 character is Serena Nexon has not revealed much about the new hero set to arrive after Ines Raya, but we do know that the new character for The First Descendant Season 3 is named Serena. This was revealed during Nexons Season 2 Void Chaser livestream. We dont know what Serena looks like, but its another female following in the footsteps of Hailey for Season 1, and Ines Raya for Season 2. Its natural to assume that Serena will be another attractive addition to the games roster of supermodels, but she will be hot for a reason other than her presumed beauty. Per Nexon, Serena will be the games first new playable character to wield the element of fire. During the Season 2 Void Chaser livestream, Nexon was translated as saying, Serena is a fire Descendant. We have been asked to introduce a female fire Descendant, and we are finally able to do that. In addition to possessing the element of fire, Nexon provided a sneak peek of her lore. Its claimed that she is different from the current generation of Descendants [as] shes actually one of the ancestors. Nothing specific about her powers has been revealed other than she wields fire and has the traditional arc skills, plus the modernised arc skills. This is said to be the differentiating point compared to all other heroines. There is no release date yet, but Season 3 is expected to land in March. Season 3 will also see the addition of photo mode, and the second half update should see the addition of jiggle physics, too. From the very few details we know, Serena sounds like a massive addition, especially with her breaking history as a fire elemental and ancestor. For more The First Descendant, we have a guide to thebest skills and loadout for Viessa, along with thebest skills, gear, and mods for the hugely popular Bunny. We also have a guide forFreynaalong with fundamentaltips for beginners.The First DescendantPlatform(s):PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series XGenre(s):Action, Adventure, RPG5VideoGamerRelated TopicsThe First Descendant Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

Soon after deciding to sell their Manhattan home of 30 yearswhere they amassed an enviable collection of art, books, and vintage furnishingsthe owners of this expansive Upper West Side residence came to another important decision: not to sell it.They ultimately decided there was just too much history and too many memories in the space to leave, AD100 Hall of Fame designer Alexa Hampton says of a prewar apartment that stretches more than 3,000 square feet. The owners, key players in the Manhattan art scene, purchased the home just as their careers were blossoming, Hampton explains. So they wanted to stay, but they also wanted to reenvision the place to reflect their personalities in this stage of their lives and careers.The task of reinventing the residence fell to Hamptons practice and Ferguson & Shamamian Architects, two firms noted for creating timeless interiors grounded in warm, modern elegance. The 15-month collaboration yielded a layered interior with a downtown 1970s vibe tucked inside the envelope of a more traditional uptown apartment. The renovation included beefing up the architectural details to create stronger definitions within the space and a more cohesive scheme.Interior designer Alexa Hampton chose rich colors for each room in the apartment. The shades are bold enough to stand alone but designed in a way that the transitions between one space to the next feel natural. The library/office is painted in a custom lacquer red. The custom tufted daybed is in Arabels Como linen. The vintage mahogany Weiman Regency coffee table has a leather scroll top. The shelving was built by a friend of the clients with input from the design team.That meant expanding the entry with new molding profiles to infuse the residence with a stronger sense of character. And adding a new plaster cornice and classical overdoor details to the foyer and entry into the library to make it more of a focal point of the space. The designers also installed a new kitchen with custom cabinetry and a papered ceiling and added mosaic tile work to the Moroccan-inspired bathroom. We wanted to create better moments within the space and hide the less interesting aspects of the home, recalls architect Jonathan Hogg, a senior associate at Ferguson & Shamamian who led the project for the firm. Hogg, who worked alongside studio colleague Andrew Oyen, adds, The clients wanted to push us to go beyond any fixed ideas of where things belonged and instead create a much more inviting space.

For decades, leadership in computing and software ecosystems has been a cornerstone of American strength and influence worldwide. The federal government has wisely refrained from dictating the design, marketing and sale of mainstream computers and software key drivers of innovation and economic growth.The first Trump Administration laid the foundation for Americas current strength and success in AI, fostering an environment where U.S. industry could compete and win on merit without compromising national security. As a result, mainstream AI has become an integral part of every new application, driving economic growth, promoting U.S. interests and ensuring American leadership in cutting-edge technology.Today, companies, startups and universities around the world are tapping mainstream AI to advance healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, education and countless other fields, driving economic growth and unlocking the potential of nations. Built on American technology, the adoption of AI around the world fuels growth and opportunity for industries at home and abroad.That global progress is now in jeopardy. The Biden Administration now seeks to restrict access to mainstream computing applications with its unprecedented and misguided AI Diffusion rule, which threatens to derail innovation and economic growth worldwide.In its last days in office, the Biden Administration seeks to undermine Americas leadership with a 200+ page regulatory morass, drafted in secret and without proper legislative review. This sweeping overreach would impose bureaucratic control over how Americas leading semiconductors, computers, systems and even software are designed and marketed globally. And by attempting to rig market outcomes and stifle competition the lifeblood of innovation the Biden Administrations new rule threatens to squander Americas hard-won technological advantage.While cloaked in the guise of an anti-China measure, these rules would do nothing to enhance U.S. security. The new rules would control technology worldwide, including technology that is already widely available in mainstream gaming PCs and consumer hardware. Rather than mitigate any threat, the new Biden rules would only weaken Americas global competitiveness, undermining the innovation that has kept the U.S. ahead.Although the rule is not enforceable for 120 days, it is already undercutting U.S. interests. As the First Trump Administration demonstrated, America wins through innovation, competition and by sharing our technologies with the world not by retreating behind a wall of government overreach. We look forward to a return to policies that strengthen American leadership, bolster our economy and preserve our competitive edge in AI and beyond.Ned Finkle is vice president of government affairs at NVIDIA.

Classic ComputingFallout 2 remake mod Fallout 4: Project Arroyo releases its version of the classic Pip-Boy 2000, as a wonderfully boxy taste of what to expectVery West Coast 2241 vibes.Image credit: Neeher/Project Arroyo News by Mark Warren Senior Staff Writer Published on Jan. 13, 2025 Hey, remember Project Arroyo? It's one of the many cool Fallout modding projects in the works right now, with the goal of remaking Fallout 2 in Fallout 4's engine, and while it still doesn't have a concrete release date, its devs have just put out something cool. It's the mod's version of the classic Pip-Boy 2000, and it's defintely worth grabbing if you love some old-school Fallout.While we've had plenty of big Fallout mods to talk about in the interim with the likes of Fallout: London and Fallout 1 remake mod Fallout: Vault 13 - the latter of which released a demo, then soon after suddenly had its development suspended it it's been a little bit since we've heard from the Project Arroyo team.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Now, though, they've followed up the showcases of the mod's re-creations of various Fallout 2 landmarks early last year by letting you play around with a key bit of kit from it right now. Modeled & animated by Fallout modding community staple Neeher - who we've previously spoken to about his work on Fallout: London, and with custom skins by Dorian, the 'Project Arroyo - Pip-Boy 2000' swaps out the Pip-Boy 3000 you'll be used to in Fallout 4 for its much boxier Fallout 2 counterpart. You can get the full version via the link in the previous sentence if you're on PC, but there's also a "lite" version for Xbox.Watch on YouTubeThe modders have gone ahead and created "various skins to choose from and all new custom animations" for the 2000, and have even tweaked the way your character goes about picking it up in Vault 111. We'll have to see if there's any retro console-style cartridge blowing - as there was with the animation for Fallout: London's Atta-Boy - before you slap it on your vault-dwelling wrist.This Pip-Boy's release has also come with a trailer for the device, done in calssic Fallout style, just in case you've forgotten what the PIP bit stands for. As of right now, the Project Arroyo team is still open to volunteers, and you can head to their Discord server and fill in an application form if you think you've got the skills to help work on the mod.

Speaker manufacturer Sonos is seeing some significant changes. Patrick Spence, the companys chief executive officer (pictured above), is leaving the company after eight years in the job. Tom Conrad, the co-founder of Pandora and a Sonos board member, is stepping in as interim CEO starting today.Last year was complicated for the speaker manufacturer. The company released a major update to its software platform, but it was crippled with bugs and removed some long-standing features.While this could be problematic for any brand, its a major issue for a brand like Sonos, since its known for the reliability of its products. The main promise of Sonos speakers is that you can buy several speakers, and they will seamlessly work together across rooms and music services.As a result of the buggy update, the company spent a ton of time fixing its software platform and releasing updates to bring features back and make everything work more reliably. But it couldnt get ahead of the bad news, so products got delayed and sales have fallen.More recently, Sonos started shipping new products again, releasing the Sonos Ace headphones and Arc Ultra soundbar, but it seems like its reputation has been tarnished, and its going to be difficult to recover sales of the Ace headphones have been disappointing.In August, the company laid off 100 employees, or about 6% of its workforce at the time. Revenue fell 16% in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the same quarter in 2023.Tom Conrad, the companys interim CEO, has had a long career in tech. After founding Pandora, he joined Snap as VP of Product, and he was also the chief product officer of the short-lived video streaming service, Quibi. More recently, he created Zero, a fasting app.I think well all agree that this year weve let far too many people down. As weve seen, getting some important things right (Arc Ultra and Ace are remarkable products!) is just not enough when our customers alarms dont go off, their kids cant hear their playlist during breakfast, their surrounds dont fire, or they cant pause the music in time to answer the buzzing doorbell, Conrad wrote in an email to Sonos employees obtained by The Verge.As Conrads new title suggests, Sonos board is searching for the companys next permanent CEO. Sonos shares are currently up 3.3% in pre-market trading.

Erdman Hall Dormitories | ExteriorLouis Kahn, one of the 20th centurys most renowned architects, is celebrated for his mastery of light, materiality, and geometric clarity. When commissioned to design the Erdman Hall Dormitories at Bryn Mawr College in the 1960s, Kahn was tasked with balancing community and individual needs. Completed in 1965, the project departed from conventional dormitory design, showcasing Kahns vision of architecture as a space for ideas. He combined monumentality with personal connection by redefining student housing, creating a distinctive architectural experiment influencing design thinking.Erdman Hall Dormitories Technical InformationArchitects1-4: Louis I. KahnLocation: Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USAGross Area: 3,716m2 | 40,000Sq. Ft.Project Year: 1960 1965Photographs: See Caption DetailsThree cubes connected at the corners, representing three interconnected families. Louis I. Kahn 5Erdman Hall Dormitories Photographs Steven Lawrey, Flickr UserErdman Hall Dormitories | Steven Lawrey, Flickr UserExteriorExteriorExteriorExteriorInterior Arnout Fonck, Flickr User Michael Dant, Flickr User Slee!, Flickr UserDesign Concept: Exploring Kahns Vision for CommunityAt the heart of Erdman Hall is Kahns use of triangular geometries. The dormitory is organized into three wings, radiating outward to create a dynamic spatial arrangement. This configuration forms a central courtyard, encouraging interaction and serving as a social hub. The triangular layout allows for a balance between communal spaces and private living quarters.Kahns design emphasizes the experience of its inhabitants. The dorm rooms are arranged along the triangular corridors, each receiving natural light and views of the surrounding landscape. The corridors are conceived as streets, fostering community within the building. This blending of private and public realms reflects Kahns approach to architecture: spaces should encourage human connection while respecting individual solitude.Materiality and CraftsmanshipErdman Halls materiality is quintessentially Kahn. The buildings concrete walls are both structural and expressive, their textures creating a dialogue with light and shadow. Kahns use of concrete was not merely practical; it was a deliberate choice to convey permanence and monumentality. The material anchors the building to its site, while its neutral tones complement the natural surroundings of Bryn Mawrs campus.The interiors of Erdman Hall demonstrate a similar attention to detail. Wooden accents provide warmth against the concrete, creating a balanced aesthetic that is robust and welcoming. Kahns orchestration of light further enhances the experience of the building. Windows are strategically placed to frame views of the courtyard and the surrounding landscape, transforming natural light into an integral architectural element.Legacy and CritiqueErdman Hall reflects Kahns impact on architectural thought. Its geometry and integration of community spaces continue to influence architects and educators. The dormitory exemplifies Kahns belief that architecture should transcend function to shape human experience.However, Erdman Hall has its critiques. Some argue that its exterior can feel imposing, and the triangular layout challenges furniture arrangement and adaptability. Additionally, the buildings reliance on concrete raises questions about thermal comfort and sustainability in todays context.Despite these criticisms, Erdman Hall remains significant in architectural education. Its influence is evident in contemporary approaches to designing communal spaces, where the balance of privacy and social interaction is increasingly considered. Kahns ability to elevate a functional program ensures that Erdman Hall remains relevant to architects and design students.Erdman Hall Dormitories PlansFloor Plan | Louis KahnFloor Plans | Louis KahnErdman Hall Dormitories Image GalleryAbout Louis I. KahnCredits and Additional NotesArchitect: Louis KahnCollaborators: Anne Tyng and others in Kahns officeStructural Engineer: August KomendantClient: Bryn Mawr CollegeLouis Kahn: The Importance of a DrawingbyMichael Merrill,Louis Kahn

CES is officially over, so I'm reflecting on the products that left the biggest impression on me - and that I'd spend my money on.

Whether you choose MSSPs or an in-house approach, automation is the great equalizer.

President Joe Biden speaks in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. AP Photo/Ben CurtisBy Josh Boak and Matt O'Brien / APJanuary 13, 2025 7:42 AM ESTWASHINGTON The Biden administration is proposing a new framework for the exporting of the advanced computer chips used to develop artificial intelligence, an attempt to balance national security concerns about the technology with the economic interests of producers and other countries.But the framework proposed Monday also raised concerns of chip industry executives who say the rules would limit access to existing chips used for video games and restrict in 120 countries the chips used for data centers and AI products. Mexico, Portugal, Israel and Switzerland are among the nations that could have limited access.Commerce SecretaryGina Raimondosaid on a call with reporters previewing the framework that it's critical to preserve America's leadership in AI and the development of AI-related computer chips. The fast-evolving AI technology enables computers to produce novels, make scientific research breakthroughs, automate driving and foster a range of other transformations that could reshape economies and warfare.As AI becomes more powerful, the risks to our national security become even more intense, Raimondo said. The framework is designed to safeguard the most advanced AI technology and ensure that it stays out of the hands of our foreign adversaries but also enabling the broad diffusion and sharing of the benefits with partner countries.White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan stressed that the framework would ensure that the most cutting-edge aspects of AI would be developed within the United States and with its closest allies, instead of possibly getting offshored such as the battery and renewable energy sectors.A tech industry group, the Information Technology Industry Council, warned Raimondo in a letter last week that a hastily implemented new rule from the Democratic administration could fragment global supply chains and put U.S. companies at a disadvantage.While we share the U.S. governments commitment to national and economic security, the rules potential risks to U.S. global leadership in AI cannot be emphasized enough, said a statement from Naomi Wilson, the groups senior vice president for Asia and global trade policy. She called for a more extensive consultation with the tech industry.One industry executive, who is familiar with the framework and insisted on anonymity to discuss it, said the proposed restrictions would limit access to chips already used forvideo games, despite claims made otherwise by the government. The executive said it would also limit which companies could build data centers abroad.Because the framework includes a 120-day comment period,the incoming Republican administrationof President-elect Donald Trump could ultimately determine the rules for the sales abroad of advanced computer chips. This sets up a scenario in which Trump will have to balance economic interests with the need to keep the United States and its allies safe.Government officials said they felt the need to act quickly in hopes of preserving what is perceived to be America's six- to 18-month advantage on AI over rivals such as China, a head start that could easily erode if competitors were able to stockpile the chips and make further gains.Ned Finkle, vice president of external affairs at Nvidia, said in a statement that the prior Trump administration had helped create the foundation for AI's development and that the proposed framework would hurt innovation without achieving the stated national security goals.While cloaked in the guise of an anti-China measure, these rules would do nothing to enhance U.S. security, he said. The new rules would control technology worldwide, including technology that is already widely available in mainstream gaming PCs and consumer hardware.Under the framework, roughly 20 key allies and partners would face no restrictions on accessing chips, but other countries would face caps on the chips they could import, according to a fact sheet provided by the White House.The allies without restrictions include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.Users outside of these close allies could purchase up to 50,000 graphics processing units per country. There would also be government-to-government deals which could bump up the cap to 100,000 if their renewable energy and technological security goals are aligned with the United States.Institutions in certain countries could also apply for a legal status that would let them purchase up to 320,000 advanced graphics processing units over two years. Still, there would be limits as to how much AI computational capacity could be placed abroad by companies and other institutions.Also, computer chip orders equivalent to 1,700 advanced graphics processing units would not need a license to import or count against the national chip cap, among the other standards set by the framework. The exception for the 1,700 graphics processing units would likely help to meet the orders for universities and medical institutions, as opposed to data centers.More Must-Reads from TIMEL.A. Fires Show Reality of 1.5C of WarmingHow Canada Fell Out of Love With TrudeauTrump Is Treating the Globe Like a Monopoly BoardBad Bunny On Heartbreak and New Album10 Boundaries Therapists Want You to Set in the New YearThe Motivational Trick That Makes You Exercise HarderNicole Kidman Is a Pure Pleasure to Watch in BabygirlColumn: Jimmy Carters Global Legacy Was Moral ClarityContact us at letters@time.com