Any time a new console launches, it goes without saying that the actual hardware itself and the games that it is releasing with are always the top priorities for early adopters, but for a great number of the people who are hopping aboard that early, instant pickups of accessories are also usually high on that list. The Nintendo Switch 2’s release is right around the corner, and as you would expect, upon its release, a number of different accessories will also become available to allow players to optimize, customize, and supplement their Nintendo Switch 2 experience in a variety of ways. With the console’s release right around the corner, here, we’re going to talk about a few Switch 2 accessories that will be available alongside its release, and everything that you should know about them. NINTENDO SWITCH 2 PRO CONTROLLER – $84.99 Same as with the Switch 1 (and the Wii and the Wii U), Nintendo will also offer a Pro Controller with the Switch 2, an option that many are likely to make use of. For the most part, you can expect the Switch 2 Pro Controller to be similar to the Switch 1 Pro Controller, though as you’d expect, Nintendo will offer a few upgrades and enhancements with the controller’s new version. Similar to the jump from the Switch 1 to the Switch 2 itself, you can expect iterative changes between the two controllers. Let’s talk about those… NINTENDO SWITCH 2 PRO CONTROLLER – NEW FEATURES On top of everything that you’d expect from its previous version, the Switch 2 controller will also come with its own set of new features, including GL and GR buttons on the back that you’ll be able to map different actions and inputs to, the improved HD Rumble 2, the GameChat-tied C Button, and a 3.5 mm audio jack so you can directly plug in headsets. JOYCON 2 CONTROLLERS AND STRAPS – $13.99 In case you want to have additional JoyCon 2 pairs available for multiplayer gameplay (or as backups in case your main pair stops working, even though Nintendo is promising hardier JoyCons this time around- but you never know). they will be available to pick up. For now, Nintendo has only one colour combo available for JoyCon 2 controllers. They will be sold with straps, though straps are purchasable separately as well. JOYCON 2 CHARGING GRIP – $39.99 Much like the original Switch, you can buy a separate JoyCon charging grip for your JoyCon 2 controllers, too, in case you want to be able to play with them while charging them. And much like the regular, non-charging capable JoyCon 2 grip that comes with the Switch 2 console out of the box, this grip will also have the extra GL and GR paddle buttons for players to be able to map any button or action to, and save a profile for on a per-game basis. JOYCON 2 WHEEL – $24.99 Nintendo has something of a tradition of offering steering wheel controllers with its consoles, and that will continue with the Switch 2. JoyCon 2 steering wheels are also available, and each purchase comes with two sets- a red and a blue, same as JoyCon 2 controllers. With Mario Kart World being the big Switch 2 launch title, many will presumably be picking up the steering wheel accessory (though it will of course work with other racing games as well). NINTENDO SWITCH 2 CAMERA – $54.99 One of the big signature features for the Switch 2, at least from Nintendo’s perspective, is Game Chat, the built in voice and video chat platform that will be offered to Switch 2 owners as part of a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Obviously, the whole video chat aspect of that only makes sense with a camera, and since the Switch 2 doesn’t come with a camera built in, you can buy one separately if this is something that appeals to you. The good thing is that it seems like, at least initially, Nintendo plans to support this accessory in a fair few games too. Mario Kart World will support it right at launch, and Super Mario Party Jamboree is getting an updated native Switch 2 release to support it as well. So you should be able to get some good use out of it, if you do get it. HORI’S PIRANHA PLANT CAMERA FOR NINTENDO SWITCH 2 – $59.99 If you want a different, whackier version of the Switch 2 Camera, an officially licensed third party option is available courtesy of Hori, which is selling a Piranha Plant Camera for the console. As its name suggests, the accessory is a Switch 2 Camera that comes in the shape of Super Mario’s iconic Piranha Plant. GAMECUBE CONTROLLER – $64.99 The Nintendo Switch Online subscription will offer a brand new library of retro games on the Switch 2, with GameCube titles finally set to be added. The fan favorite console has been requested for retro compatibility on Nintendo consoles for what feels like forever now, so it’s great to see it finally happening here. Much like was the case for other home consoles added to Nintendo Switch Online, Nintendo will offer authentic recreations of GameCube controllers that subscribers can buy and use, if they want to really kick up their nostalgia into next gear. This controller will, like every other Switch 2 controller, include the C button on it. Confusingly enough, this GameCube controller will be totally separate from the GameCube controllers Nintendo has been selling for the last decade for Smash players; those, presumably, can still be used with these GameCube games, although they do lack this controller’s wireless functionality or C button. NINTENDO SWITCH 2 DOCK – $119.99 The Switch 2 will obviously come with a dock right out the box, but if you do need an additional or a spare (or, you know, a replacement in the worst case scenario), you will be able to purchase individual Switch 2 docks, just like with the Switch 1. And though this should really go without saying, do keep in mind that Switch 1 docks won’t work with the Switch 2, and vice versa. CARRYING CASES Carrying cases are something of a necessity with portable consoles for a great many people, and yes, official first party options are available with the Switch 2 as well. A first party carry case and screen protector are being sold by Nintendo, as is a larger All-in-one carrying case that will also let you carry a dock cables, controllers, and cards all together. Of course, plenty of third party carry cases and screen protector options are also available. SAMSUNG MICROSD EXPRESS CARD – 256 GB FOR NINTENDO SWITCH 2 – $59.99 The Switch 2, much like every other current generation machine on the market, comes with a built in SSD for its internal storage, to allow for quicker game streaming and loading times. But, much like on other systems, this poses a unique dilemma when it comes to expanding the storage space available- in fact, the problem is more pronounced for the Switch 2 because as a hybrid console, it can’t really rely on large SSD enclosures. The answer lies in its support for MicroSD Express cards- the “express” part of the name is important, because these cards read and write data incredibly fast, at speeds comparable to a solid state drive. These cards are the only microSD cards that will work on a Switch 2- the regular ones can be used to transfer or store screenshots and videos, but other than that, you need a microSD Express card. Currently, these cost a fair bit, but since this is a market standard format, hopefully the prices will go down very quickly over time. NINTENDO SWITCH ACCESSORIES COMPATIBILITY The most important point to keep in mind for Switch 2 accessories, arguably, is this one- every single Switch accessory and controller you already own is compatible and supported on the Switch 2. There are some obvious exceptions where those have been necessary- as mentioned, regular microSD cards won’t work on Switch 2 beyond in a very limited capacity, and obviously you cannot use you existing Switch 1 carrying cases or screen protectors for your much larger Switch 2. But those obvious exceptions aside, everything works on the Switch 2, other than when you need to use specific features that weren’t available with the Switch1. So, for instance, while your old Switch 1 JoyCons will work with the Switch 2,, you won’t be able to use any C button related features, since, well, there is no C button for you to use. Similarly, you can continue using your Switch 1 Pro Controller with the Switch 2, but you won’t be able to use it to power on your console. So if you’re not really in the mood to spend a lot of money on getting these accessories, which, let’s face it, are going to be pricey- well, you don’t have to. Most of your existing stuff will work just fine, with some caveats.

The French Open is one of the most exciting Grand Slams—especially with this year’s lineup. Djokovic, Alcaraz, and Sinner—just those names alone promise a show. Even better, there’s a way to watch the French Open live on a free channel, so you won’t miss a single moment. In this guide, we’ll highlight two free channels for streaming Roland Garros and explain how to access them from anywhere in the world. We’ll also include a few premium streaming services from the UK, Canada, and the US that broadcast the event. Schedule May 25 to June 8 Free channels 9now (Australia) / France TV (France) The schedule for Thursday, June 5 This Thursday at Roland-Garros, we’ll be treated to the two women’s singles semifinals. Here is the detailed schedule: [1] Aryna Sabalenka vs [5] Iga Swiatek (POL) – Not before 3:00 PM CET / 9:00 AM ET / 6:00 AM PST [2] Coco Gauff (USA) vs [WC] Lois Boisson (FRA) Which free channels are broadcasting the French Open live? Reigning and upcoming champs will battle it out on the clay-filled courts and honor us with some epic showdowns. As exciting as it sounds, it doesn’t have to cost a penny. Two free channels broadcast the French Open 2025: 9Now (Australian TV channel) France TV (French TV channel) If you’re in one of these countries, you know you can boot them up and start watching. However, as these are foreign channels for many of you, it’s good to know what they actually provide. 9Now broadcasts the best French Open 2025 matches online for free every day. You’ll need a free account, which takes less than a minute to create. 9Now also offers English commentary, making it a great option for English-speaking viewers. 9Now broadcasts the French Open for free © 9now.com.au France TV is a French channel, so naturally, it features French commentary. It broadcasts all matches (you can follow the action on every court) except for the night sessions. The night sessions refer to the matches played on the Central Court after 8:15 PM Paris time. This TV channel also requires a free account, but again, creating one takes a minute or two, as you can sign up without a TV license. The main gripe with these two is that they’re region-locked to their respective regions. 9Now works only in Australia, whilst France TV works only in France. Trick to Watch the French Open 2025 on a Free Channel from Anywhere To sidestep this inconvenience, people have been relying on VPNs for years. Watching the French Open for free online was never an issue with a popular option like NordVPN. You’ve likely heard of it by this point. Watch the tournament for free with NordVPN As the world’s #1 provider by popularity (and quality), NordVPN provides quintessential servers in Australia and France. It’s also equipped with unrestricted bandwidth and fast 10 Gbps server ports built for speed. The main advantage of NordVPN, according to people online, is compatibility. It works on all desktop and mobile devices, but its VPN app for Fire TV and Apple TV is also there. This makes it easy to watch Roland Garros live for free on your TV. NordVPN allows for a swift IP address change. Once your IP originates from another country, you can overcome stubborn geo-blocks and access new content. Simply put, you’ll need an IP from Australia or France to unblock 9Now or France TV. With NordVPN installed, you just need to connect to a server in the respective country, go to the free channel that streams the French Open 2025, and enjoy. Keep in mind that NordVPN isn’t free, but in this case, it can be. After all, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee. In this period, you can stream the entire Grand Slam and still have ample time left to request and get a full refund. If necessary, we have a tutorial that explains how to test NordVPN free of charge for 30 days. How to Stream the French Open Live in the USA Even in the USA, using the two free channels is a more sensible option. That’s because US-based streaming services are costly. Still, if you don’t want to mess around with VPNs, you can opt for one of these three: Sling TV (TNT) — at least $45.99/mo (Sling Orange or Blue) DirecTV (TNT) — at least $79.99/mo + $69.99/mo for MySports HBO Max — at least $17/mo Sling TV provides access to TNT where the stream will be available — Blue and Orange plans are both eligible. You’ll find that Orange also contains ESPN. DirecTV requires a $69.99/mo MySports package for this purpose. It includes TNT and ESPN Plus for free if you wish to stream other sports. You don’t have to have an eagle eye to see the prices. Sling TV and DirecTV are way out of many people’s budgets. Plus, they don’t have lengthy free trials that would allow you to watch the French Open for free. DirecTV has a risk-free 5-day trial, but that’s roughly a third of the event. Bear in mind that, even if you have an account with one of these three, you still won’t be able to access them abroad. HBO Max can be watched outside the USA, along with DirecTV and Sling TV, but with a caveat — you’ll need a VPN! Watch the French Open With NordVPN Watching Roland Garros 2025 in the UK Brits don’t have a vibrant selection of channels for this case. They do lack horses for the race, but there’s Discovery Plus that comes to the rescue. Unfortunately, Discovery Plus is no joke price-wise and costs £31/mo in the United Kingdom. A notable free trial is missing, as well. Once you spend your £31, you won’t be able to get it back, either. On top of that, Discovery Plus works abroad only with a VPN, even if you have an active subscription paid for regularly. It’s worth noting that Discovery Plus also provides access to Eurosport, which will broadcast the French Grand Slam for the rest of Europe. Eurosport also isn’t free and costs £3.99 for Discovery Plus subscribers. How to Watch Roland Garros Live in Canada Canadians, similarly to Brits, don’t have plenty of choices — TSN is once again there to quench their tennis thirst. Of course, at a price. TSN is relatively inexpensive, so it might be a good option if you’re in Canada. The subscription starts at $8/mo or $80/year if you pay upfront. Like 9Now and Discovery Plus, TSN provides Full HD coverage and includes English commentary for better immersion. Just bear in mind that TSN is Canada-exclusive, so being on vacation rids you of access to it. NordVPN can help you regain access risk-free if you so desire. Other than that, TSN doesn’t provide a free trial and won’t allow you to sign up as a new user without a Canadian payment method. As explained, TSN is adequate only for native Canadian tennis fans. Final Thoughts Your vacation or business trip doesn’t have to squander your plans to watch the French Open 2025 on a free channel. 9Now and France TV are there, and with risk-free NordVPN, you’ll catch up to all major matches with no issues. If you’d rather use premium platforms and don’t mind the price tag, so be it. You have a myriad of options in the US, the UK, and Canada. Sling TV, DirecTV, HBO Max, Discovery Plus, and TSN — six excellent premium channels. Try NordVPN Risk-Free for 30 days

Any time a new console launches, it goes without saying that the actual hardware itself and the games that it is releasing with are always the top priorities for early adopters, but for a great number of the people who are hopping aboard that early, instant pickups of accessories are also usually high on that list. The Nintendo Switch 2’s release is right around the corner, and as you would expect, upon its release, a number of different accessories will also become available to allow players to optimize, customize, and supplement their Nintendo Switch 2 experience in a variety of ways. With the console’s release right around the corner, here, we’re going to talk about a few Switch 2 accessories that will be available alongside its release, and everything that you should know about them. NINTENDO SWITCH 2 PRO CONTROLLER – $84.99 Same as with the Switch 1 (and the Wii and the Wii U), Nintendo will also offer a Pro Controller with the Switch 2, an option that many are likely to make use of. For the most part, you can expect the Switch 2 Pro Controller to be similar to the Switch 1 Pro Controller, though as you’d expect, Nintendo will offer a few upgrades and enhancements with the controller’s new version. Similar to the jump from the Switch 1 to the Switch 2 itself, you can expect iterative changes between the two controllers. Let’s talk about those… NINTENDO SWITCH 2 PRO CONTROLLER – NEW FEATURES On top of everything that you’d expect from its previous version, the Switch 2 controller will also come with its own set of new features, including GL and GR buttons on the back that you’ll be able to map different actions and inputs to, the improved HD Rumble 2, the GameChat-tied C Button, and a 3.5 mm audio jack so you can directly plug in headsets. JOYCON 2 CONTROLLERS AND STRAPS – $13.99 In case you want to have additional JoyCon 2 pairs available for multiplayer gameplay (or as backups in case your main pair stops working, even though Nintendo is promising hardier JoyCons this time around- but you never know). they will be available to pick up. For now, Nintendo has only one colour combo available for JoyCon 2 controllers. They will be sold with straps, though straps are purchasable separately as well. JOYCON 2 CHARGING GRIP – $39.99 Much like the original Switch, you can buy a separate JoyCon charging grip for your JoyCon 2 controllers, too, in case you want to be able to play with them while charging them. And much like the regular, non-charging capable JoyCon 2 grip that comes with the Switch 2 console out of the box, this grip will also have the extra GL and GR paddle buttons for players to be able to map any button or action to, and save a profile for on a per-game basis. JOYCON 2 WHEEL – $24.99 Nintendo has something of a tradition of offering steering wheel controllers with its consoles, and that will continue with the Switch 2. JoyCon 2 steering wheels are also available, and each purchase comes with two sets- a red and a blue, same as JoyCon 2 controllers. With Mario Kart World being the big Switch 2 launch title, many will presumably be picking up the steering wheel accessory (though it will of course work with other racing games as well). NINTENDO SWITCH 2 CAMERA – $54.99 One of the big signature features for the Switch 2, at least from Nintendo’s perspective, is Game Chat, the built in voice and video chat platform that will be offered to Switch 2 owners as part of a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Obviously, the whole video chat aspect of that only makes sense with a camera, and since the Switch 2 doesn’t come with a camera built in, you can buy one separately if this is something that appeals to you. The good thing is that it seems like, at least initially, Nintendo plans to support this accessory in a fair few games too. Mario Kart World will support it right at launch, and Super Mario Party Jamboree is getting an updated native Switch 2 release to support it as well. So you should be able to get some good use out of it, if you do get it. HORI’S PIRANHA PLANT CAMERA FOR NINTENDO SWITCH 2 – $59.99 If you want a different, whackier version of the Switch 2 Camera, an officially licensed third party option is available courtesy of Hori, which is selling a Piranha Plant Camera for the console. As its name suggests, the accessory is a Switch 2 Camera that comes in the shape of Super Mario’s iconic Piranha Plant. GAMECUBE CONTROLLER – $64.99 The Nintendo Switch Online subscription will offer a brand new library of retro games on the Switch 2, with GameCube titles finally set to be added. The fan favorite console has been requested for retro compatibility on Nintendo consoles for what feels like forever now, so it’s great to see it finally happening here. Much like was the case for other home consoles added to Nintendo Switch Online, Nintendo will offer authentic recreations of GameCube controllers that subscribers can buy and use, if they want to really kick up their nostalgia into next gear. This controller will, like every other Switch 2 controller, include the C button on it. Confusingly enough, this GameCube controller will be totally separate from the GameCube controllers Nintendo has been selling for the last decade for Smash players; those, presumably, can still be used with these GameCube games, although they do lack this controller’s wireless functionality or C button. NINTENDO SWITCH 2 DOCK – $119.99 The Switch 2 will obviously come with a dock right out the box, but if you do need an additional or a spare (or, you know, a replacement in the worst case scenario), you will be able to purchase individual Switch 2 docks, just like with the Switch 1. And though this should really go without saying, do keep in mind that Switch 1 docks won’t work with the Switch 2, and vice versa. CARRYING CASES Carrying cases are something of a necessity with portable consoles for a great many people, and yes, official first party options are available with the Switch 2 as well. A first party carry case and screen protector are being sold by Nintendo, as is a larger All-in-one carrying case that will also let you carry a dock cables, controllers, and cards all together. Of course, plenty of third party carry cases and screen protector options are also available. SAMSUNG MICROSD EXPRESS CARD – 256 GB FOR NINTENDO SWITCH 2 – $59.99 The Switch 2, much like every other current generation machine on the market, comes with a built in SSD for its internal storage, to allow for quicker game streaming and loading times. But, much like on other systems, this poses a unique dilemma when it comes to expanding the storage space available- in fact, the problem is more pronounced for the Switch 2 because as a hybrid console, it can’t really rely on large SSD enclosures. The answer lies in its support for MicroSD Express cards- the “express” part of the name is important, because these cards read and write data incredibly fast, at speeds comparable to a solid state drive. These cards are the only microSD cards that will work on a Switch 2- the regular ones can be used to transfer or store screenshots and videos, but other than that, you need a microSD Express card. Currently, these cost a fair bit, but since this is a market standard format, hopefully the prices will go down very quickly over time. NINTENDO SWITCH ACCESSORIES COMPATIBILITY The most important point to keep in mind for Switch 2 accessories, arguably, is this one- every single Switch accessory and controller you already own is compatible and supported on the Switch 2. There are some obvious exceptions where those have been necessary- as mentioned, regular microSD cards won’t work on Switch 2 beyond in a very limited capacity, and obviously you cannot use you existing Switch 1 carrying cases or screen protectors for your much larger Switch 2. But those obvious exceptions aside, everything works on the Switch 2, other than when you need to use specific features that weren’t available with the Switch1. So, for instance, while your old Switch 1 JoyCons will work with the Switch 2,, you won’t be able to use any C button related features, since, well, there is no C button for you to use. Similarly, you can continue using your Switch 1 Pro Controller with the Switch 2, but you won’t be able to use it to power on your console. So if you’re not really in the mood to spend a lot of money on getting these accessories, which, let’s face it, are going to be pricey- well, you don’t have to. Most of your existing stuff will work just fine, with some caveats.

Elden Ring Nightreign is now up to 3.5 million copies sold after five days on sale, with its Steam user review rating improving from 'mixed' to 'mostly positive.'Elden Ring was a massive hit, selling 30 million since going on sale in 2022, and it seems unlikely that Nightreign will come close to matching that success. For better context, the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion sold 5 million copies within three days of its release in 2024.FromSoftware’s multiplayer spin-off had launched to 2 million sales in just a day, but with a 'mixed' rating on Valve's platform.Much of the initial negative sentiment revolved around Nightreign’s brutal solo experience, its lack of duos co-op, lack of voice chat, and other archaic mechanics. That age-old multiplayer struggle to find enough friends to make up a coordinated three-player group is very much a part of the Elden Ring Nightreign experience, too.PlayAs explained in IGN's Elden Ring Nightreign review: "Let’s get the most important caveat out of the way first: if you are hoping to tackle Nightreign entirely solo, and are anything less than a hardcore Elden Ring player that actively seeks out ways to make that already difficult game even more challenging, Nightreign isn’t for you. Yes, there is technically a single-player option, but it is so poorly balanced that I would be shocked if it isn’t patched and adjusted within the first month of release. And this is coming from someone who lives and breathes these types of games."But on Monday, FromSoftware released a patch to make solo play much easier, and despite matchmaking problems over the weekend, sentiment has improved.Last week, producer Yasuhiro Kitao took to social media to comment on Elden Ring Nightreign’s early sales success and to thank players for giving the game a go despite its quirks.Every IGN FromSoftware Game Review“Nightreign has some peculiar aspects to its game design and is different from our recent titles in various ways,” Kitao said. “Nonetheless, many of you have bravely jumped into this world, and for that we're immensely grateful.“As with Demon's Souls or Sekiro, it may be confounding at first, but just like those games, Nightreign offers its own challenges and experiences. Once you overcome the initial hurdle, it'll surely provide a sense of accomplishment that's also its very own.“We hope you enjoy it.”So, what happens next? FromSoftware said that in addition to the DLC releasing later this year, new additions will be “gradually implemented,” including enhanced fights against existing Nightlords starting this month (June), as well as Duo Expeditions at a later date.”The addition of duos will come as some relief to players who have questioned its omission from launch. Elden Ring Nightreign drops players into the shifting lands of Limveld, exploring and fighting for survival either solo or in groups of three. There is no way to play two-player co-op.In IGN's interview with Elden Ring Nightreign director Junya Ishizaki, the Nightreign lead developer discussed the choice to lean on solos and trios as the core experience options. When asked why there's no option for a pair of players to drop in together without a matchmade third player, Ishizaki said it was overlooked."The simple answer is that this is simply something that was overlooked during development as just a two-player option, so we're very sorry about that," said Ishizaki. "As we said before, we set out to make this a multiplayer co-op game for three players, balanced for three players, so that was the main focus and it's at the core of Nightreign."Of course, I myself as a player understand that and often want times where I'm just playing myself, so this is something that we considered from the start," Ishizaki continued."And so we did put a lot of effort into creating this experience that was playable for solo players in as much as the rules and new systems allowed. So in putting all our efforts into that aspect, we kind of overlooked and neglected the duos aspect, but this is something that we are looking at and considering for post-launch support as well."This means that if you're playing with just your favorite duos partner, you have to accept a random third into your game. Playing trios is very much what Elden Ring Nightreign is built around.We’ve got plenty of Nightreign tips and tricks to help you take down all the eight Nightlord Bosses, and if you’re wondering how to unlock the two locked Nightfarer Classes, check out How to Unlock the Revenant and How to Unlock the Duchess, plus How to Change Characters.Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

The Steam Deck changed the game for PC players, opening up a world of portability that was usually reserved for Nintendo fans. Naturally, manufacturers tried to follow suit with Windows-based handhelds and the results are, shall we say, mixed. Now, Valve has released official instructions for installing its SteamOS on devices other than the Steam Deck. Let's dive into how to do it—and whether you should.I should note up front: This is going to be a nebulous area when it comes to official support from the company that made your handheld. At time of writing, the Lenovo Legion Go S is the only handheld with the "Powered by SteamOS" branding (besides the Steam Deck itself), meaning it's officially supported with a final build. You can install SteamOS on devices like the Legion Go and the ROG Ally, but their support isn't final.Also, it should go without saying, but we'll say it anyway: If you wipe Windows from your handheld, you won't be able to play Windows-based games that aren't supported via SteamOS. That largely consists of online games that require anti-cheat software, but it's worth checking sites like ProtonDB to make sure your favorite games will work on SteamOS.Why should you install SteamOS on your Windows handheld?So, with the caveats out of the way, what are the upsides? Put (overly) simply, Windows is not designed for handhelds. In fact, under the hood, Windows tends to see your gaming handheld as a laptop. Right down to including things like Microsoft Teams that run in the background, or popping up alert boxes that interrupt your game to inform you of a low battery.Now that people are able to experiment with SteamOS and Windows on the same hardware, it's becoming clearer that Windows itself is a massive nerf to both frame rate and battery life. Even gaming laptops, which can often last all day for normal work, can struggle to get even a few hours of gameplay while away from a charger. That's why it's so important to tweak your settings for the best battery life.Gaming handhelds only make this problem worse with a smaller form factor, and thus a smaller battery. In my own experience, I've struggled to get two hours of playing a lightweight game like Stardew Valley from a Windows handheld, while the Steam Deck and even the Switch can get upwards of six hours or more.Since Windows is primarily designed as a desktop (and secondarily as a tablet) computer, it's also harder to tweak settings using controller inputs. What, exactly, is the controller equivalent of Ctrl+Alt+Delete again? While you can plug in a keyboard to dig around in your handheld's settings, it's just easier to do on SteamOS, since its interface has been built from the ground up for controller input.At this point, Valve has also shown that running Steam games via the Proton compatibility layer works so well that it's almost seamless. I admit, when the Steam Deck was first announced, I expected games to be broken or perform much worse than their native Windows counterparts. Four hundred hours in Hades II later, though, and it's clear that many games can actually run better on SteamOS than Windows.Step 1: Download and prepare a SteamOS recovery image USB stickWith all that out of the way, let's get started. To install SteamOS on your gaming handheld, you'll need two things: the SteamOS recovery image and a USB stick (preferably USB-C) with at least 8GB of storage. Make sure anything on that USB stick is properly backed up, because this process will reformat that device.The Steam Deck recovery image can be found here. It's a little over 3GB, so it might take a little while to download, depending on your connection. While you wait for that, you'll also need a utility to create the recovery USB drive. Valve recommends Rufus for Windows users, and Balena Etcher for Mac or Linux users. Once the recovery image is downloaded, use whichever tool you chose to write the recovery image to your USB drive. This process should be relatively straightforward. Rufus, for example, will present you with a dropdown to select which drive to write the file to under Device, and under Boot Selection, click Select to pick the recovery image file. Click Start and wait. Reminder: This will wipe the contents of your USB drive.Step 2: Disable Secure Boot on your handheldThis part can be a bit tricky, and the exact process will vary depending on which handheld you own. Valve has a breakdown of the steps here for a couple specific devices, like the Legion Go and the ROG Ally. However, other devices like those from MSI or Ayaneo will have their own process.In general, the steps will usually go something like this:Reboot to the bios. Similar to how you can hold Del or F2 on a computer while rebooting to get to the bios, your gaming handheld has a similar process. Often it's holding a button like Volume + while pressing the power button, but check your specific device's instructions if that doesn't work.Navigate to the Secure Boot settings. You may have to poke around for this one. Look for categories like Security, and you may need to switch to an Advanced settings mode or menu to find it. This setting should be called Secure Boot. Change this to Disabled.Save settings and restart your device. Once you've changed the Secure Boot setting, make sure to save the changes to your bios and restart.Depending on the device, you might have to use the touchscreen to navigate the bios, or even plug in a keyboard or mouse. Again, Valve has specifics for a couple of devices in the link above, but if you're lost, your device's manufacturer will be your best bet for getting specific instructions.Step 3: Boot using the SteamOS recovery image Credit: Eric Ravenscraft Once you've disabled Secure Boot, you can plug the USB stick into your handheld and restart the device. At this point, you should end up at a boot menu that lets you choose which drive to boot to. Once again, this process will sometimes differ by device, so if you're not sure how to get to the boot menu, check your device's documentation.When you get to the boot menu, select your USB drive with the SteamOS recovery image on it. This will take you to a SteamOS desktop environment. Here, you'll see four shortcuts on the desktop. The one we care about is labeled "Wipe Device & Install SteamOS". Give that a single tap (double-tapping will launch it twice, so be careful).At this point, you should see a warning that proceeding with this step will erase everything on your device. If you had any important game saves, media, or work files (for some reason) on this device that weren't already backed up, you can still bail on this process and reboot to Windows to save them. This is the point of no return, though. Make sure you're ready before moving forward.Step 4: Familiarize yourself with your new handheld's quirks Credit: Eric Ravenscraft The install process won't take too long, and when it's done, your handheld will restart and begin setup as though it's a natural-born Steam Deck. There are a few quirks, though. For example, in my testing on the Legion Go, the device tutorial pointed to the "Steam button" on the bottom-left side, but used the Xbox logo. In reality, the corresponding button was at the top-right, and had a Legion logo. It also pointed to a microSD card slot on the bottom of the device that doesn't exist.Unless you're using an official "Powered by SteamOS" device, prepare for some awkwardness while using the device. Aside from the tutorial, I found some games I wasn't able to install—pressing "Install" on Doom Eternal simply did nothing, for example—and it took some time to figure out which hardware buttons were mapped to which Steam Deck input.To my surprise, some things that I expected to be broken worked perfectly when I tested this. The Legion Go is unique in that its controllers can be detached, Joy-Con style, from the handheld. I expected them to be laggy or non-functional when I played with SteamOS, but they worked perfectly during a Hades II run—a game that isn't very forgiving of input lag.Your mileage can and will vary depending on what games you want to play and what hardware you want to run SteamOS on. Still, as we wait for manufacturers to more officially support SteamOS—or for Microsoft to make a proper handheld of its own—it's exciting to finally be able to have a choice in platform for these devices.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.There’s something to be said for a one-time payment that actually sticks. This bundle on StackSocial pairs Microsoft Office Professional 2021 with Windows 11 Pro for just $54.97 (down from nearly $419), and it’s the kind of deal that makes sense if you’re setting up a new PC or finally updating an old one. The Office license is for life—no subscription, no annual fees, and it covers all the essentials, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access, and the free version of Teams. Everything installs locally on one Windows PC, so there’s no hopping between browser tabs or worrying about renewing in 12 months.The Windows 11 Pro license, also included, is the full upgrade, not just cosmetic tweaks but real functionality gains. It’s got advanced tools like BitLocker encryption, Hyper-V virtualization, and Windows Sandbox for anyone dealing with professional-level tasks or sensitive data. If you’re switching from Windows 10 Home, you’ll notice productivity bumps too: snap layouts, tabbed File Explorer, and Copilot baked into the OS. That last one is Microsoft’s AI helper that lives on your taskbar. You can press the Windows key + C to launch it and ask it to summarize web pages, open apps, or adjust settings—all with plain English. There are a few caveats. Note that you’ll need at least 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage to run it, plus TPM 2.0 and UEFI support, so older PCs may be out. You can only use Office on one PC, and the license is tied to that device, not your Microsoft account, so it doesn’t travel with you if you upgrade to a new computer later. The Windows 11 Pro key gives you a bit more flexibility (it can be activated on up to two devices). And while it’s not compatible with virtual machines or Parallels, the deal still offers solid value for most everyday or professional users looking to avoid recurring costs. Just be sure to activate it within 30 days of buying.

Another great streaming deal has hit the internet: one year of Peacock Premium is only $25 right now. Just use the code SPRINGSAVINGS at checkout to get $55 off the standard annual price of the Premium plan. Just note that this tier does include ads, and the deal only runs through May 30. Peacock is a decent platform and made our list of the best streaming services. It doesn't get the attention of Netflix or Disney+, but it's home to several nifty original shows. There's the AI-adjacent tomfoolery of Mrs. Davis and the Rian Johnson-made whodunnit Poker Face. It also airs several video game adaptations, like Knuckles and the surprisingly-decent Twisted Metal. The big draw here, however, is likely the long-awaited spinoff of The Office, which is called The Paper. That one premieres in September and is a Peacock exclusive. The platform also signed an 11-year agreement with the NBA and that goes into effect this fall. The mobile app could be getting minigames and short-form vertical videos (like TikTok) in the near future. There's one caveat. This subscription will automatically renew for $80 after the year runs out. Stay on top of scheduling if you want to cancel before then. The Scranton documentary crew is heading to Toledo. #ThePaper arrives this September on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/Mzmbw7TBzF— Peacock (@peacock) May 12, 2025 Check out our coverage of the best streaming deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-peacock-premium-deal-ends-soon-get-one-year-for-only-25-163231984.html?src=rss

With Google expected to push out its next major Android update to its own Pixel phones sometime next month, Samsung is catching up: Its top-end phones got updates to One UI 7 (based on Android 15) this year, and now the beta version of One UI 8 (based on Android 16) is available if you own a Galaxy S25 phone and live in the U.S., UK, Germany, or South Korea.While there aren't any revolutionary new features here—at least, not so far—Samsung is promising "a new era of software intelligence" and "a true multimodal AI agent" (which as far as I can tell, means a few tweaks to the Now Bar and the Now Brief). Look inside the Members app for the beta invite. Credit: Lifehacker If you're in an eligible country and have an eligible device, then you can join the One UI 8 beta now. The usual caveats about beta software apply: Bugs are to be expected, and you shouldn't run betas on devices that you rely on (you may notice certain apps crash or don't work properly).How to join the One UI 8 betaOpen up the Samsung Members app on your phone (you can redownload it if you've previously uninstalled the app), and sign in using your Samsung account details. Scroll down the Discover tab, and somewhere on it you should see a Beta Program panel you can tap on.From there, tap One UI 8 S25 Beta, read through the information provided, and tap Join. After a few moments, you'll get confirmation that you're in, and you'll see a screen where you can Check for software updates. Once the software is ready, you'll be prompted to reboot your phone to install it. It takes a few seconds to sign up. Credit: Lifehacker As yet, Samsung hasn't said anything yet about which other phones might be able to join the beta, but considering One UI 8 is expected to launch in full around July time—with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7, most probably—the program might not be extended much further beyond Galaxy S25 handsets.You can leave the One UI 8 beta at any time by tapping Beta Program > One UI 8 S25 Beta in the Members app, then the three dots (top right), then Leave One UI 8 S25 Beta.What's new in One UI 8There's official information from Samsung about what's new in One UI 8, plus features that users have already spotted during testing. Bear in mind that features can come and go during testing, so none of these changes are guaranteed to still be in place once One UI 8 is ready for mass adoption.There's a Bluetooth upgrade with Auracast, for sharing audio streams to multiple devices, as well as improved Quick Share capabilities: full screens for sending and receiving files, and QR code transfer support. You can get to Quick Share through a single tap on the button in Quick Settings. The Weather app in One UI 7 (left) and One UI 8 (right). Credit: Lifehacker Some apps are getting visual overhauls. They include Weather, which adopts a less cartoony aesthetic with more translucent elements, and Files, which adds a recently edited row and shifts some elements around. Reminders also gets a bit of an overhaul, with the introduction of suggested reminders and more category filters at the top (like Completed and Place).You'll notice a revamped menu in the Samsung Internet app too, if you tap on the three horizontal lines in the lower right corner. Shortcuts can be customized and pages can be shared more easily, and—like One UI 8 in general—the overall interface feels a little more modern and fresh.Samsung says it's added more resolution options for Samsung DeX, and there are more preset routines to choose from in Modes and Routines on the Settings menu. There are improvements to the Secure Folder as well: Apps can now be moved there and hidden from the app drawer, and the Secure Folder can also be completely hidden. The Reminders app in One UI 7 (left) and One UI 8 (right). Credit: Lifehacker Users are spotting all kinds of other changes: Earbud controls on the lock screen, more customization for home screen widgets, extra options for split-screen mode, and a bunch of other minor tweaks. No doubt more of these will emerge as the beta testing continues.As for Galaxy AI, I can't see too much that's changed. It appears that the Now Bar is able to show calls and Do Not Disturb modes now, but that's about it. It may be there's more to come here: Hidden code suggests you'll soon be able to get your Now Brief read out to you, but the feature hasn't gone live yet.

The launch of a new console is always exciting, because new hardware means new software to play on it. For the Switch 2, Nintendo is changing tactics with the release cadence of new games, as the console will launch with just a single first-party exclusive instead of several all at once. The launch lineup will still be bolstered by third-party support, and the company has several more exclusives on the way, but these are arriving throughout the rest of 2025 and 2026.For this list, we're looking at the games you'll only find on the Switch 2 and the ones that offer new content exclusively for the system. We're skipping Switch games being upgraded for the Switch 2--like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom--or titles that'll be available on both Switch and Switch 2, like Pokemon Legends: Z-A and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.We're expecting a library of Switch 2 games that'll stand tall next to some of the best across multiple Nintendo eras, and we'll be listing every known and new release as they're revealed. Mario Kart WorldRelease date: June 5, 2025The marquee title for the Switch 2, Mario Kart World is the first mainline entry in the series since the release of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in 2017, which was a port of 2014's Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U. Mario Kart World looks like it has the potential to push the series to new heights, as it offers colorful visuals, a stacked roster, and courses set inside of a massive open-world environment that can be freely explored.Where to buyWalmartTargetBest Buy Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome TourRelease date: June 5, 2025The Nintendo Switch 2 will be loaded with several new features, and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour looks like a fine--and fun!--way to learn about them. The caveat here is that this tech demo has a $10 entrance fee, but if you don't mind paying for it, this will likely be a great way to explore the new features on this console. See on the Nintendo eShop Kirby Air RidersRelease date: 2025The Kirby Air Ride sequel that fans have been waiting years for, this new game is being directed by the pink blob's creator, Masahiro Sakurai. Kirby Air Ride on the GameCube was beloved for its fast-paced racing action in multiplayer sessions, and while we don't know too much about the new game yet, we're hoping to see some of that classic Kirby magic when the cute fella arrives on Switch 2. See on the Nintendo eShop Donkey Kong BananzaRelease date: July 17, 2025The next Donkey Kong adventure combines traditional platforming fun with destruction, as Nintendo's favorite ape will be able to smash his way through various environment. You'll be able to tear off chunks of terrain to hurl at enemies and punch your way into subterranean worlds to uncover secrets lurking beneath the surface.Where to buyWalmartTargetGameStop Fast FusionRelease date: June 5We haven't seen a brand-new F-Zero game in many years, but Fast Fusion might just be the next best thing. A very fast anti-gravity racing game that looks like it was also inspired by Wipeout, Fast Fusion is the fourth game in the Fast series and a sequel to 2017's Fast RMX. See on the Nintendo eShop Hyrule Warriors: Age of ImprisonmentRelease date: 2025This isn't the first time that Koei Tecmo and Nintendo have teamed up, and like its previous effort, you can expect this game to combine the world and characters of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom with the gameplay of Dynasty Warriors. Narratively, Age of Imprisonment serves as a prequel to Tears of the Kingdom as it focuses on the "Imprisoning War" that set the stage for that game. See on the Nintendo eShop Survival KidsRelease date: June 5, 2025The original Survival Kids game was released all the way back in 1999, and while it wasn't a smash-hit, critics at the time did praise it for its clever blend of ideas inspired by the likes of Pokemon and The Legend of Zelda. The sequel once again follows a group of kids stranded on an island and forced to fend for themselves, but this time, the focus is on co-op gameplay, puzzle-solving, and crafting. See on the Nintendo eShop Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD RemasterRelease date: June 5First released on the Nintendo 3DS, Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster on Switch 2 will feature some nifty upgrades on that system. The remaster has improved graphics, but in terms of content, this version also offers a redesigned user interface, the ability to fast-forward through certain scenes, quality-of-life upgrades, and two types of mouse-controlled minigames.Where to buyWalmartBest BuyGameStopTarget Yakuza 0: Director's CutRelease date: June 5Considered to be the best game in the Yakuza series, Yakuza 0: Director's Cut is a two-fisted tour through Tokyo that tells a hard-hitting story. For its Switch 2 release, the game is being updated with new cutscenes designed to give deeper insight into key incidents and character backstories, an English dub has been added, and there's a new online mode called Red Light Raid. For now, it looks like Yakuza 0: Director's Cut has only been confirmed for Switch 2, but we wouldn't be surprised if it makes the leap to other platforms after a period of timed exclusivity.Where to buyAmazonWalmart Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV: Switch 2 EditionRelease date: July 24While the game did launch for in October 2024, Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV: Switch 2 Edition will offer more than just improved graphics and frame rates. This new edition is packed with new modes and minigames, making this the ultimate version of the party game.Where to buyWalmartTargetGameStop Release date: August 28In case you missed it when it first came out on Switch, Kirby and the Forgotten Land was a terrific adventure starring the adorable Nintendo icon. On Switch 2, the game is getting a graphical upgrade and exclusive adventure called Star-Crossed World and all-new Mouthful Modes to wield in battle.Where to buyWalmartTargetGameStop Drag x DriveRelease date: Summer 2025If there's going to be a showcase game for the Switch 2's new Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, it might just be Drag x Drive. Details on it are slim for now, but from what we've seen so far, Drag x Drive will let you put your hoop-shooting skills to the test while you race around the arena in a wheelchair. The catch here is that the game makes heavy use of the Switch 2's mouse controls to move around and score points. See on the Nintendo eShop The DuskbloodsRelease date: 2026With Elden Ring Nightreign proving to be an enjoyable showcase of souls-like multiplayer, we're excited to see what From Software has in store for Switch 2 players when The Duskbloods eventually hits the scene. The studio has shared more details on the game since it was first revealed, like how players can choose from a cast of "over a dozen" characters that can be customized, the setting for the game, and how progression works. Interestingly, The Duskbloods was originally pitched for the Switch, but plans changed after Nintendo spoke to developer From Software about the Switch 2 console. See on the Nintendo eShop