OpenAI spent $1.76 million on government lobbying in 2024 and $510,000 in the last three months of the year alone, according to a new disclosure filed on Tuesdaya significant jump from 2023, when the company spent just $260,000 on Capitol Hill. The company also disclosed a new in-house lobbyist, Meghan Dorn, who worked for five years for Senator Lindsey Graham and started at OpenAI in October. The filing also shows activity related to two new pieces of legislation in the final months of the year: the Houses AI Advancement and Reliability Act, which would set up a government center for AI research, and the Senates Future of Artificial Intelligence Innovation Act, which would create shared benchmark tests for AI models. OpenAI did not respond to questions about its lobbying efforts. But perhaps more important, the disclosure is a clear signal of the companys arrival as a political player, as its first year of serious lobbying ends and Republican control of Washington begins. While OpenAIs lobbying spending is still dwarfed by its peersMeta tops the list of Big Tech spenders, with more than $24 million in 2024the uptick comes as it and other AI companies have helped redraw the shape of AI policy. For the past few years, AI policy has been something like a whack-a-mole response to the risks posed by deepfakes and misinformation. But over the last year, AI companies have started to position the success of the technology as pivotal to national security and American competitiveness, arguing that the government must therefore support the industrys growth. As a result, OpenAI and others now seem poised to gain access to cheaper energy, lucrative national security contracts, and a more lax regulatory environment thats unconcerned with the minutiae of AI safety. While the big players seem more or less aligned on this grand narrative, messy divides on other issues are still threatening to break through the harmony on display at President Trumps inauguration this week. AI regulation really began in earnest after ChatGPT launched in November 2022. At that point, a lot of the conversation was about responsibility, says Liana Keesing, campaigns manager for technology reform at Issue One, a democracy nonprofit that tracks Big Techs influence. Companies were asked what theyd do about sexually abusive deepfake images and election disinformation. Sam Altman did a very good job coming in and painting himself early as a supporter of that process, Keesing says. OpenAI started its official lobbying effort around October 2023, hiring Chan Parka onetime Senate Judiciary Committee counsel and Microsoft lobbyistto lead the effort. Lawmakers, particularly then Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, were vocal about wanting to curb these particular harms; OpenAI hired Schumers former legal counsel, Reginald Babin, as a lobbyist, according to data from OpenSecrets. This past summer, the company hired the veteran political operative Chris Lehane as its head of global policy. OpenAIs previous disclosures confirm that the companys lobbyists subsequently focused much of last year on legislation like the No Fakes Act and the Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act. The bills did not materialize into law. But as the year went on, the regulatory goals of AI companies began to change. One of the biggest shifts that weve seen, Keesing says, is that theyve really started to focus on energy. In September, Altman, along with leaders from Nvidia, Anthropic, and Google, visited the White House and pitched the vision that US competitiveness in AI will depend on subsidized energy infrastructure to train the best models. Altman proposed to the Biden administration the construction of multiple five-gigawatt data centers, which would each consume as much electricity as New York City. Around the same time, companies like Meta and Microsoft started to say that nuclear energy will provide the path forward for AI, announcing deals aimed at firing up new nuclear power plants. It seems likely OpenAIs policy team was already planning for this particular shift. In April, the company hired lobbyist Matthew Rimkunas, who worked for Bill Gatess sustainable energy effort Breakthrough Energies and, before that, spent 16 years working for Senator Graham; the South Carolina Republican serves on the Senate subcommittee that manages nuclear safety. This new AI energy race is inseparable from the positioning of AI as essential for national security and US competitiveness with China. OpenAI laid out its position in a blog post in October, writing, AI is a transformational technology that can be used to strengthen democratic values or to undermine them. Thats why we believe democracies should continue to take the lead in AI development. Then in December, the company went a step further and reversed its policy against working with the military, announcing it would develop AI models with the defense-tech company Anduril to help take down drones around military bases. That same month, Sam Altman said during an interview with The Free Press that the Biden administration was not that effective in shepherding AI: The things that I think should have been the administrations priorities, and I hope will be the next administrations priorities, are building out massive AI infrastructure in the US, having a supply chain in the US, things like that. That characterization glosses over the CHIPS Act, a $52 billion stimulus to the domestic chips industry that is, at least on paper, aligned with Altmans vision. (It also preceded an executive order Biden issued just last week, to lease federal land to host the type of gigawatt-scale data centers that Altman had been asking for.) Intentionally or not, Altmans posture aligned him with the growing camaraderie between President Trump and Silicon Valley. Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Sundar Pichai all sat directly behind Trumps family at the inauguration on Monday, and Altman also attended. Many of them had also made sizable donations to Trumps inaugural fund, with Altman personally throwing in $1 million. Its easy to view the inauguration as evidence that these tech leaders are aligned with each other, and with other players in Trumps orbit. But there are still some key dividing lines that will be worth watching. Notably, theres the clash over H-1B visas, which allow many noncitizen AI researchers to work in the US. Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy (who is, as of this week, no longer a part of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency) have been pushing for that visa program to be expanded. This sparked backlash from some allies of the Trump administration, perhaps most loudly Steve Bannon. Another fault line is the battle between open- and closed-source AI. Google and OpenAI prevent anyone from knowing exactly whats in their most powerful models, often arguing that this keeps them from being used improperly by bad actors. Musk has sued OpenAI and Microsoft over the issue, alleging that closed-source models are antithetical to OpenAIs hybrid nonprofit structure. Meta, whose Llama model is open-source, recently sided with Musk in that lawsuit. Venture capitalist and Trump ally Marc Andreessen echoed these criticisms of OpenAI on X just hours after the inauguration. (Andreessen has also said that making AI models open-source makes overbearing regulations unnecessary.) Finally, there are the battles over bias and free speech. The vastly different approaches that social media companies have taken to moderating contentincluding Metas recent announcement that it would end its US fact-checking programraise questions about whether the way AI models are moderated will continue to splinter too. Musk has lamented what he calls the wokeness of many leading models, and Andreessen said on Tuesday that Chinese LLMs are much less censored than American LLMs (though thats not quite true, given that many Chinese AI models have government-mandated censorship in place that forbids particular topics). Altman has been more equivocal: No two people are ever going to agree that one system is perfectly unbiased, he told The Free Press. Its only the start of a new era in Washington, but the White House has been busy. It has repealed many executive orders signed by President Biden, including the landmark order on AI that imposed rules for government use of the technology (while it appears to have kept Bidens order on leasing land for more data centers). Altman is busy as well. OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank reportedly plan to spend up to $500 billion on a joint venture for new data centers; the project was announced by President Trump, with Altman standing alongside. And according to Axios, Altman will also be part of a closed-door briefing with government officials on January 30, reportedly about OpenAIs development of a powerful new AI agent.

With the rumored Galaxy S25, which we're expecting to see during Samsung's Unpacked event on Wednesday, Samsung has an opportunity to further the approach it took with theGalaxy S24.Last year's Galaxy S phones included a mix of functional and forward-looking changes, such as longer battery life on the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus and Galaxy AI across all models. I'm similarly hoping to see advancements in AI, along with improvements to more mundane yet critical elements such as the phones' cameras, display and charging speeds. This story is part of Samsung Event, CNET's collection of news, tips and advice around Samsung's most popular products. Given Samsung's emphasis on AI, there's a strong chance the Galaxy S25 will come with new Galaxy AI features. Samsung essentially said as much during its developer conference in October, during which it teased its new One UI 7 software update that will be debuting on the S25 lineup. Otherwise, it'll likely include Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite processor (at least the US variant of the phone) and routine upgrades to the design and camera. There are also rumblings of a new slimmer version of the Galaxy S25 arriving sometime next year, according to ETNews.Samsung's current Galaxy AI features show promise, but I want the next iteration to have a bigger impact on the overall phone experience. The current features feel very targeted at specific use cases that may not come up all that often, such as language translation and photo editing.Aside from more useful AI tools, I'd like to see faster charging and other optimizations to core elements of the phones such as the camera and display.Read more: Why Google's New Android VP Says 'People Don't Want to Hear About AI' More impactful Galaxy AI features The Galaxy S24 Ultra showing the Galaxy AI Generative Edit feature Lisa Eadicicco/CNETRight now, Galaxy AI and other non-Samsung generative AI features feel like just the beginning. Samsung started by applying generative AI to obvious and practical use cases, such as erasing objects from photos, translating text conversations and real-time phone conversations, generating polished images from rough drawings, and previewing videos in slow motion and saving the results.What I really want is a more dramatic rethinking of how basic tasks get done on our phones that makes using them feel easier and faster. Of all the AI features available on Samsung phones so far, Circle to Search embodies this idea the best by cutting out the middle step of launching Google to search for an object. More of this, please!I want new AI tools that help manage the endless stream of notifications, data and media on my phone. The Pixel 9 lineup's new Screenshots app, which lets you search for content within your screenshots, is a good example of this, as are the notification and text message summaries in Apple Intelligence, which just launched as part of the company's iOS 18.1 update. Although they're far from perfect, message summaries ended up being one of my favorite new features in Apple Intelligence.Sally Hyesoon Jeong, Samsung Electronics' executive vice president and head of the framework research and development team, hinted that Samsung's next mobile software update could align with this theme. During the company's developer conference, she said One UI 7 would be better equipped to understand your intention and "minimize complexity," although she didn't divulge specific details about the software. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has an AI-powered feature called Circle to Search. You can circle anything on the screen to find out more about it. John Kim/CNETThat direction also falls in line with previous comments that Patrick Chomet, Samsung's executive vice president and head of customer experience, made to CNET about the company's approach to software."[You'd] never have to go to the settings, or you never have to look for the next action," he said in a previous interview when discussing how the company wants to make the software on Samsung phones smarter. "You may not need to open [an] app."As I wrote in my review, I think Samsung missed an opportunity and should have given the Galaxy S24 Ultra exclusive Galaxy AI features that aren't available on the cheaper models. This would not only help justify its high price but reinforce the Ultra in the phone's name. We'll see if it takes a different approach next year.Changing the way we use our phones is no small feat. Given how much we rely on them for basic tasks, asking consumers to adopt a new way of doing things could be more disruptive than helpful if done the wrong way. I don't expect Samsung to change the entire operating system in a few months, but I'd like to see a step in a new direction, similar to Circle to Search.Read more: What I Learned After Swapping My Apple Watch for Samsung's Galaxy RingFaster charging Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus USB-C James Martin/CNETI'm glad Samsung boosted the Galaxy S24's battery life. Now, it just needs faster charging. The Galaxy S24 supports 25-watt wired charging, while the Galaxy S24 Plus and S24 Ultra support 45-watt wired charging. It's been that way for years, at least since the Galaxy S20 generation.With companies like OnePlus offering blazing-fast charging speeds, I'd like to see some improvement from Samsung. The OnePlus 12, for example, offers 80-watt charging in the U.S. and 100-watt in the UK, which enabled my colleague Andrew Lanxon to replenish the battery fully in just 26 minutes.Samsung, it's time to step up.Glare reduction on the entire lineup The difference is dramatic between the screens on the S24 Ultra (left) and S23 Ultra (right). Screenshot by Lexy Savvides/CNETOne of the Galaxy S24 Ultra's most underrated features is the screen's Corning Gorilla Armor for reducing glare and reflections. With the screen arguably being the most important part of the phone, any improvement is welcome. My colleague Lexy Savvides was particularly taken with the S24 Ultra's antiglare screen, finding that it was easier to see than the iPhone 15 Pro, Pixel 8 Pro and Galaxy S23 Ultra on a sunny San Francisco day.This coating is only on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Since screen quality is so essential on a phone, there's a strong case to be made that Samsung should expand this to all Galaxy S25 models. The Ultra's giant screen, S Pen and more sophisticated camera are more than enough to separate Samsung's super high-end phone from the rest of the lineup.Read more: Don't Buy a New Phone Just for AI. At Least Not YetCamera upgrades The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra's cameras Lisa Eadicicco/CNETSamsung made a splash with the Galaxy S23 Ultra's 200-megapixel main camera when it debuted in 2023. Megapixels only tell one side of the story when it comes to photography. Factors like sensor size, pixel size and aperture, along with the chip's image signal processor, are just as important as the sheer number of megapixels when it comes to determining how good of a camera your phone can be.Samsung has made improvements in these areas too over the years, but now that it's facing fresh competition from Xiaomi, it has to work harder if it wants to truly be the king of smartphone photography.The Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a massive image sensor that's larger than the ones you'll find on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, enabling it to achieve impressive shots with a wide dynamic range that CNET's Andrew Lanxon called some of the best images he's ever seen from a phone. A larger sensor enables a camera to capture more light for improved image quality, lessening the need for noise reduction. I'd also like to see more practical editing features. I was enamored with the iPhone 16's Photographic Styles feature, which applies an effect to an image customized to the scene. I'm not saying Samsung should launch its own version of Photographic Styles, but I'd like to see new tools that elevate the aesthetic of your photos that don't have anything to do with using generative AI to alter the photo's content.Overall, I'm hoping Samsung levels up the camera, display and charging speeds, all while introducing new software features that make its phones feel more intuitive than before. Samsung typically releases new Galaxy S phones in the first quarter of the year, so we're expecting to hear more in the coming months. Photos From the Galaxy Z Flip 6's Cameras See all photos

Our Experts Written by Tyler Lacoma Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement Why You Can Trust CNET 16171819202122232425+ Years of Experience 14151617181920212223 Hands-on Product Reviewers 6,0007,0008,0009,00010,00011,00012,00013,00014,00015,000 Sq. Feet of Lab Space How we test CNETs expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. What to consider Lighting Do you need a floodlight or a spotlight? How large do you want the LED panels? Is controlling brightness or color important to you? Cost How much are you willing to pay for a security camera with lighting? Are you willing to pay well over $200 for the best options, or do you want to save money? Camera quality Does the camera have a higher resolution to capture more details? Does it have a wide enough field of view to capture everything the lights illuminate? Power Do you need a wired or wireless model? Are you will to manage battery charging for a wireless model? Do you have a junction box or nearby outlet for a wired cam? Object detection Does the camera have the ability to identify humans from animals and ignore vehicles? Do these features cost extra? Audio Does the cam have two-way audio? Is it clear enough to be heard if the lighted cam is installed in a higher place? Table of Contents Our Picks Best overall home security camera with lights Lorex 2K Wi-Fi Floodlight Camera View details $160 at Lorex View details Best bright home security camera with lights Eufy Floodlight Cam S330 View details $180 at Amazon View details Best spotlight home security camera with lights Ring Spotlight Cam Plus (Battery) View details $110 at Amazon View details Best budget home security cam with lights Blink Mini 2 View details $40 at Amazon View details Best battery home security camera with lights Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera View details $148 at Amazon View details Best decorative home security cameras with lights Eufy Wired Wall Light Cam S100 View details $90 at Crutchfield View details Table of Contents A home security system is a must-have these days. If you're planning on building one, then you must look at indoor and outdoor cameras. The best security cameras are equipped with night vision, but having a built-in light not only helps to improve image quality but also shines a light on what's going on inside or outside of your home. From motion sensor floodlight security cameras to pan-and-tilt spotlights, we spent more than 200 hours reviewing security cameras, so you can be sure that you have the best tech protecting your home.So if you're looking for a different kind of security light, check our full list below. Our picks include models from Eufy, Blink, Arlo and Ring for all sorts of lighting needs, ranging from a mini spotlight for a dark room to a decorative security cam light for a deck or patio. We have guides on outdoor security cameras and home security systems for even more information about what will work best for your home.Best home security cameras with lights

Netflix is hiking prices again, but most of Europe has escaped for nowPremium tier rising to $25 a month.Image credit: Netflix News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on Jan. 22, 2025 Netflix has announced another wave of price hikes across its various membership tiers - including a Premium subscription bump to $25 a month, among other things - but, for the time being at least, most European countries won't be affected by the charges.The news comes as Netflix celebrates its biggest quarterly subscriber increase in history, with 19m new customers having joined the streaming service in its most recent fourth quarter - something it attributes to a combination of live sports and original programming, including the second season of Squid Game, which has already amassed more than 165.7m views.Amid all this, Netflix says it's expecting to generate higher than forecast revenue in 2025 - and that will, in part, be fuelled by a fresh round of price increases. These are specifically targeting the US, Canada, Portugal, and Argentina, coming into effect today.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 have been revealed - but questions remain.Watch on YouTube"As we continue to invest in programming and deliver more value for our members," the streaming service wrote in its message to shareholders, "we will occasionally ask our members to pay a little more so that we can re-invest to further improve Netflix."To that end, prices are rising across "most" plans. Netflix's ad-supported tier is increasing from $6.99 USD to $7.99 a month, while its standard ad-free subscription is getting a bump from $15.49 to $17.99 per month. And as for the streaming service's premium tier - currently the only way to watch its content in 4K - that'll rise from $22.99 to $24.99 a month.For now, there's no word of price increases beyond the four currently announced countries, but - based on Netflix's previous behaviour - there's a fair chance it won't be too long before they come into effect across additional territories too.

Between holidays, birthdays, graduations, and other celebratory, its likely that youll find no shortage of opportunities that call for finding gifts for coworkers, roommates, friends, and family. Some are born with the natural talent of choosing the perfect present within budget while also finding time to dress it in crisp wrapping paper and a double-knotted bow. Others arent as blessed with gift-giving talents, leading to anxiety-fueled shopping sprints ruined by overthinkingand, more often than not, ending in a dreaded gift card (i.e. the ultimate sign of defeat)While finding something special for close friends and family may be a bit easierrobes for moms and slippers for dad, perhapsthe question of what to gift a general acquaintance is more of a gray area. After all, these individuals occupy a different role: not quite best friends, yet undeniably intimate due to the shared rhythms of professional life, the sanctuary of a shared home, and the possibility to become a more lasting relationship in time. For these kinds of nuanced relationships, theres a fine line between gifting something thoughtful and unintentionally offensive. To avoid the post-underwhelming gift reveal and the awkward conversation that follows, here are 22 gifts vetted by the AD team that pass the vibe check.For Someone Who Enjoys the Finer Things in LifeMother of Pearl Spoons (Set of 6)Caviar never went out of style, but it is definitely having its moment. Now that everyone is pairing fried chicken with Ossetra or bagels with cream cheese and Sterlet, its the perfect time to elevate this already luxe experience with mother-of-pearl spoons and forkettes.Aesop Bathroom Essentials BundleFragrance-centered gifts are always a pleasure to get, and Aesop subtly signals that you know your way around high-end soaps, whether its displayed in the bathroom or kitchen.Officine Universelle Buly BaumeTheres nothing that says this is mine and mine only quite like a personalized monogram on leather goods. This baume and case from the French apothecary brand Officine Universelle Buly is made for beauty enthusiasts who take pride in their products.Rorra Countertop SystemFor aspiring almond moms, the Rorra Countertop System puts standard water faucet filters to shame. This sleek, stainless-steel system is designed to reduce plastic use and contaminants while delivering crisp, clean water.Le Labo Candle Discovery SetThere are many gifts that may seem impersonal at first but are universally appreciated. The Le Labo Discovery Set is one such giftwhile it might initially appear generic, each lighting session reveals just how well you understand someones fragrance preferences.Morris & Co. X Ettinger Medium Jewellery BoxSome keepsakes are meant to be kept safe and hidden away. For their most precious valuables, an incognito jewelry box is a casual gift for those whod rather invest money in some not-so-casual goods.For Someone with an Arts & Crafts Corner"Judd" Hardcover BookThis coffee table book explores the works of artist Donald Judd, who transformed the landscape of modern sculpture and furniture, and it seems like his job is still ongoing when a book detailing his work has the ability to easily transform any coffee table and space.Eggone Japanese Ikebana KitRooted in minimalism, understated elegance, and Japans deep reverence for nature, ikebana helps you explore new forms of flower arranging that isnt just buying a bouquet from the grocery store and throwing it in a clear vase.Wabi-Sabi Kintsugi Repair KitSome people can be quite clumsy, and the experience of having to trash something valuable due to mishandling is truly heartbreaking. Thankfully, 15th-century Japanese artisans developed a solution that not only restores the object but makes it even more beautiful than it was before.For the One Who Likes It Piping HotGustaf Wesman Chunky CupEverything is getting chunkierfrom planters to lamps, and now mugs and plates. Since its inception, Gustaf Westman has embraced this trend, adding a playful, whimsical touch that transforms everyday momentslike pouring coffee or eating toastinto mini displays of modern art.Williams Sonoma MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Tea KettleFor your work bestie who savors a steaming cup but seeks a more refined take on the traditional kettle, this enameled steel tea kettle, hand-painted with care and crowned with a sculptural knob, brings a posh touch to any kitchen.Cuzen Matcha Starter KitFor matcha aficionados who appreciate having control over how intense and earthy the flavor of their cup is, the Cuzen Matcha Machine serves as a personal matcha caf right in your kitchen. The starter kit takes the leaves to the powder right to your cup in latte form, in minutes timesaving those minutes that wouldve been used walking to the caf.If They Prefer a Peaceful Night In Over a PartySiren Basics Ultra-Plush Bunny RobeRobes are often the go-to gift when youre at a loss for what to give. But when its the ultra-plush Siren Basics Bunny Robe, its not just a giftits a statement that says, I care about your comfort.Brigade New Yorker Jacquard BlanketNo matter where their tastes lie, everyone loves a blanketmaking them great gifts for coworkers who get chilly at their desk or your roommate who's been complaining that their bedspread looks too bare. Not only are they incredibly functional for cold weather and comfort, but throws like the Brigade New Yorker Jacquard Blanket transform any plain white comforter or sofa setup.Waterproof Picnic BlanketWhile some prefer the energy of a party, others are drawn to the calmness of a nature-filled picnic. This Persian ruginspired waterproof blanket brings style and practicality to any roommate who is constantly looking forward to any outdoor gathering or movie night in.Lefant M310 Robot Vacuum CleanerThere are plenty of uncomfortable conversations youll have with your roommate, and cleaning is bound to be one of them. To spare yourself from those awkward moments, let the robot vacuum do the talkingand the workwithout ever feeling like youre telling them to clean up their mess.Shark CryoGlow Cooling & LED Face MaskThe Shark CryoGlow Cooling & LED Face Mask not only attacks aging, eye bags, and acne, but it also helps you skip the trial-and-error of skin care with this derm-approved mask.If Theyre Dedicated to Making a House a HomeDeco 79 Resin Abstract CandelabraThe sleepy aesthetic isnt complete without a handheld candelabra. While not historically accurate to the achoo era, this resin piece serves more as a decorative statement than a functional prop for wandering through a 17th-century Victorian home in toulite pajamas and a nightcap.CB2 Eve Smoked Coupe Glasses (Set of 4)Theres nothing better than a cocktail served in a moody glass. Handblown with a flat rim, this smoked four-piece set features well-loved optic-textured glass, a design element thats popping up in glassware everywhere.Gohar World Personalized Host GlovesHosting often has been more about style and dressing up than the dining experience itself. These personalized hand gloves add a touch of campy charm to the experience of enjoying a home-cooked meal.For the Casual CollectorJoss & Main Handmade Marble Chess SetChess is one of the oldest games in history, and just when you think youve seen every white and black checkered board, rook, and bishop, this polished marble onyx set proves that chess is more than just a gameits a centerpiece.Audio-Technica AT-LP70X Fully-Automatic TurntableIn an effort to avoid disrupting the sound ambiance in a shared living space, a portable speaker may seem like an easy fix. However, a record player is a more thoughtful and curated choice, perfect for showing affection for both music and collecting.

Whenever you try to access the defunct Spanish page, it says "404" and "PAGE NOT FOUND." A button directing back to the home page reads "GO HOME."Cada vez que intenta acceder a la difunta pgina en espaol, dice "404" y "PGINA NO ENCONTRADA." Un botn que dirige a la pgina de inicio dice "VETE A CASA."

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube793kNintendo's Switch 2 has finally been revealed and it seems some of the features of this successor system have been years in the making.One of these happens to be the magnetic connection for the Joy-Con controllers, which replaces the physical rail system on the original system.Former Nintendo Minute hosts Kit and Krysta have highlighted an interview they did with Nintendo's Yoshiaki Koizumi back in 2017, who revealed then and there, Nintendo was already considering magnets to connect the Joy-Con on the original Switch hardware.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube793kWatch on YouTube Unfortunately, at the time, there were some design problems and so the team opted with mechanical rails:Yoshiaki Koizumi on Switch's Joy-Con rail system: "We tried a lot of different things in terms of connecting the Joy-Con to the console and one that I was particularly excited about at the time was using magnets, which was like snap it right to the console, but as you would play sometimes it would just fall into your lap, but because we still wanted to have something that was sturdy enough for you to hold on to the console but also gave you that kind of satisfying snap that the magnets did, that's how we came up with the mechanical rails that give you a click."Ultimately, these magnetic connections have now shown up on the Switch 2 - with Nintendo showcasing in its announcement trailer how you can press the button on the back of the Joy-Con to release the controllers from the main panel.Nintendo will reveal more about the Switch 2 hardware at its upcoming Direct broadcast, taking place on 2nd April 2025. More joy, less conSwitch InspectionA complete guide to Switch 2 - official details, rumours, leak historyWhat do you think about the magnetic connection replacing the rail system? Let us know in the comments.[source youtube.com]See AlsoShare:00 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesPoll: What Do You Think Of Donkey Kong's Redesign In Mario Kart 9?Got whiplash?Switch 2's Rumoured 'C' Button Isn't Actually A 'C' ButtonSo what is it..?!Nintendo Is "Very Upset" About The Switch 2 Leaks, It's ClaimedFormer employees Kit and Krysta discuss company secrets

Ahead of Xbox's Developer Direct later this week.Every major Doom game has been released on the Switch and following last year's confirmation the new entry would be a multiplatform release, it seems like there's a real chance the next chapter could show up on the Switch 2 at some point.With this in mind, it seems the official release date for DOOM: The Dark Ages has now seemingly leaked - revealing it will launch on Xbox Series X|S in the middle of May 2025, with other platforms likely to line up with this date. This information was accidentally shared by Gamekult ahead of Xbox's Developer Direct this week.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

In BriefPosted:5:03 PM PST January 21, 2025Image Credits:Chip Somodevilla / Getty ImagesTrump pardons Silk Road creator Ross UlbrichtPresident Trump on Tuesday pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the creator of the infamous dark web exchange Silk Road, which was best known as a once-thriving online marketplace for illegal drugs. Trump announced the news in a Truth Social post, saying the pardon was in honor of Ulbrichts mother and the Libertarian movement.Trumps post on Truth Social Tuesday. Image Credits:Truth Social (screenshot)In 2015, a federal judge sentenced Ulbricht to life in prison for operating Silk Road under the pseudonym Dread Pirate Roberts. But last May, while on the 2024 campaign trail, Trump promised to commute Ulbrichts life sentence while speaking to the Libertarian National Convention.Ulbricht started Silk Road as a Libertarian experiment, and the party has been lobbying to exonerate Ulbricht of his crimes for years now. Within the Libertarian Party, many viewed Ulbrichts life sentence as a symbol of government overreach.Topics

In BriefPosted:4:42 PM PST January 21, 2025Image Credits:Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty ImagesMrBeast is reportedly now among those trying to buy TikTokJesse Tinsley, CEO of a workforce management company, Employer.com, is conducting what could become the years wildest acquisition spree.First, Employer.com announced its plan last month to acquire Bench, the Canadian accounting startup that abruptly shut down over the holidays.Now, Tinsley and Employer.com have joined hands with YouTuber MrBeast and others to save TikTok by submitting an all-cash bid for the app, according to a report in Bloomberg.They havent disclosed the bids amount. The groups legal counsel includes Brad Bondi, the brother of Trumps attorney general pick, Pam Bondi.TikTok briefly went dark on Saturday but reinstated itself shortly before President Trump signed an executive order on Monday delaying any potential ban for 75 days.Its not clear if TikToks owner ByteDance has seriously considered the offer, Bloomberg reported. Others floated as potential buyers include Elon Musk, Amazon, Oracle, and a syndicate headed by billionaire Frank McCourt.Topics