The latest speculation potentially gives the iPhone 17 Air a newer processor and more RAM than the base model.

Owning all the novels and watching all the movies doesn't help me guess the "wholly original" story, but it's a fun way to bide time until this week's preview.

Besides a rumor revealing the likely event date, an early prototype of the Google Pixel 10 Pro has leaked today.  more…

The Krusty Burger is a health inspector's nightmare, responsible for spawning the Krusty Burger, the Ribwich, The Clogger, and the Steamed Ham (per Principal Skinner). It comes with seven minifigures, including Krusty the Clown, Sideshow Bob, Homer Simpson, and Officer Lou. You can purchase it for $209.99 on June 4, although LEGO Insiders can order the set via Early Access beginning on June 1. You can sign up for free here.LEGO The Simpsons: Krusty BurgerOut June 1 for LEGO Insiders, and June 4 for everyone else.$209.99 at LEGO StoreTo learn more about the set and its creation, we interviewed its designer. Ann Healy is a 39-year-old Senior Model Designer who's worked with the LEGO Group for the past six years. Here, lightly edited for clarity, are her thoughts on creating LEGO The Simpsons: Krusty Burger, the first new LEGO Simpsons set in nearly a decade. What other LEGO sets have you had a hand in designing over the past six years? Healy: I worked for three years on the LEGO Friends line. A few years ago, I got the opportunity to work on a Disney favorite of mine: The Sanderson Sisters’ Cottage set from Hocus Pocus. That project took years in the making to come to market, and I’m quite proud of it. More recently, I have been working on the LEGO Icons team. From last year’s products, I designed the McLaren MP4/4 & Ayrton Senna set and the Poinsettia LEGO Botanicals set.What drove the decision to revive the Simpsons brand after such a long hiatus? Healy: We saw that even after a 10-year stretch since a new Simpsons set, there was still a lot of love for The Simpsons amongst LEGO fans. Our market research showed that there is huge brand loyalty for The Simpsons, appealing to people globally. Designing the Krusty Burger in LEGO brick form serves as a natural continuation of our Simpsons line and gives us the opportunity to make new, never-before-seen LEGO minifigures.LEGO designers often build in their free time, working towards builds that they hope will one day become sets.“Coincidentally, the original Simpsons House and Kwik-E-Mart LEGO sets were some of the last sets I purchased before I knew I would be coming to work at The LEGO Group. In my first week working here, I found an early prototype of the Krusty Burger set on a shelf in our office. For context, LEGO designers often build in their free time, working towards builds that they hope will one day become sets. It gave me hope that someday, I might get the chance to work on something like that. Five years later, to my surprise, our Head of Marketing pulled that same prototype off the shelf and said it was time to revisit The Simpsons! I volunteered right away as a lifelong fan of the Simpsons. I couldn’t believe my luck!Describe the process of designing and building this set as best you can. How many times did you have to build the entire model in the course of finalizing it?Healy: I started with refining and updating the old prototype, figuring out the general layout and developing a building-instruction flow. I worked digitally first, then built the model physically. From there, I would go back and forth between digital and physical, seeing if the model would work with real bricks. We have design team check-ins where I showed progress on the model and got suggestions from our Creative Lead and the other model designers. I had several check-ins with the IP partner, where I would show them the latest updates and they could give feedback on the model and mini figures. I also had internal review meetings with our Model Governance and Building Experience teams, where we build the model, review every construction step, evaluate the play experience and test the strength of the model.I did not keep track of every time I rebuilt the model, but I would estimate at least 20 times. The last time I built the Krusty Burger set was when the first production boxes arrived from the factory. I built it one last time for quality assurance!Krusty Burger isn't a fully realized location in the show in the same way that Moe's Tavern is, or the Kwik-E Mart is, or the Simpsons’ house is. Which TV episodes did you use to map out the Krusty Burger and determine how it's set up? Healy: Disney was a great partner in sending us reference images and layouts when available. Also, I watched as many episodes of The Simpsons as possible, so I could translate the TV animation into a real, physical, toy playset. Season 20, Episode 21, “Coming to Homerica,” is the episode we used the most in reference, because it features the Mother Nature Burger that we reference several times in this LEGO set. The “Ribwich” from Season 14, Episode 12, “I'm Spelling as Fast as I Can,” is also featured. Other referenced episodes of note include: Season 6, Episode 15, “Homie the Clown” – Homer performs at a Krusty Burger Season 12, Episode 13, “Day of the Jackanapes” – Bart and Sideshow Bob go to the Krusty Burger. Season 10, Episode 1, Lard of the Dance” – Homer tries to sell grease from the restaurant.Season 7, Episode 15, “Bart the Fink” – Features the IRS Burger takeover.Season 19, Episode 1, “He Loves to Fly and He D'ohs” – Homer hides in the Krusty Zone ball pit. Season 15, Episode 10, “Diatribe of a Mad Housewife” – Shows the Krusty Burger drive thru sign. Season 21, Episode 4, "Treehouse of Horror XX" – Features the Krusty Burger in “Don't Have a Cow, Mankind.”What's your favorite deep cut Easter Egg in the build? Healy: Above the Krusty Burger drive-thru window, there is a kitchen display screen, showing that someone has placed an order for 700 burgers. This is a reference to the Season 5 episode “Boy-Scoutz 'n the Hood,” in which Krusty has unwisely opened a Krusty Burger oil rig in the middle of the sea.What was the most challenging aspect of designing this build? How were you able to overcome it? Healy: The most rewarding challenge of designing this set was building the Krusty Burger Sign with LEGO bricks. The IP partner paid a lot of attention to the proportions of Krusty’s face within the sign, giving us reference material and tips on how to best capture his likeness. We even got hand-drawn doodles of the Krusty the Clown from them! One of my model-designer colleagues used to work as an illustrator and used his skills to capture Krusty’s features in brick-form even more accurately. In addition, it was challenging to get the heavy Krusty Burger sign to stand up and remain stable on a single axle. Our Element Lead on the design project suggested we use a new element she was developing, an axle sleeve, to increase the weight the rod could hold upright. This new element did the trick.The most rewarding challenge of designing this set was building the Krusty Burger Sign with LEGO bricks.“Is this a one-off revival of the Simpsons brand? Or is this the beginning of a longer partnership, where we can expect to see more LEGO Simpsons themed sets in the near future?Healy: I cannot speculate on future products, per the LEGO Group’s and our partners' policies. Nonetheless, as a huge Simpsons fan myself, I am hopeful that fans have a positive response to this set!LEGO The Simpsons: Krusty Burger, Set #10352, retails for $209.99, and it is composed of 1635 pieces. You can purchase it on June 4 for the general public, or starting on June 1 for LEGO Insiders. You can sign up for LEGO Insiders for free here. And stay tuned! We will be building, photographing, and reviewing LEGO Krusty Burger later this month,Kevin Wong is a contributing freelancer for IGN, specializing in LEGO. He's also been published in Complex, Engadget, Gamespot, Kotaku, and more. Follow him on Twitter at @kevinjameswong.

Facepalm: In the latest example of why we shouldn't blindly put our faith in online map services, German autobahns and highways were plunged into chaos when Google Maps incorrectly showed that vast sections of the roads were closed. The incident's timing was especially bad as it coincided with the start of a holiday break. German motorists likely felt disheartened at the sight of all the stop signs on Google Maps on Thursday. The Guardian reports that major roads in western, northern, south-western and central parts of the country were shown as closed. Even parts of Belgium and the Netherlands appeared to have ground to a halt. The situation was exacerbated by the incident taking place at the start of a four-day break for the Ascension holiday, when many Germans were travelling. It led to a huge number of Google Maps users heading for alternative routes to avoid the non-existent closures. Somewhat ironically, this caused huge jams and delays on these smaller roads. Drivers not relying on Google Maps – and any Google users who decided to check another service or the news – didn't have to deal with these problems. Apple Maps, Waze, and the traffic reports all showed that everything was moving freely. The major highways were likely quieter than usual as so many Google Maps users were avoiding them. The apparent mass closure of so many roads caused panic among those who believed Google Maps' warning. Some thought there had been a terrorist attack or state-sponsored hack, while others speculated about a natural disaster. // Related Stories When asked about the glitch, which lasted around two hours, Google said the company wouldn't comment on the specific case. It added that Google Maps draws information from three key sources: individual users, public sources such as transportation authorities, and a mix of third-party providers. Ars Technica contacted Google to ask about the cause of the problem. A spokesperson said the company "investigated a technical issue that temporarily showed inaccurate road closures on the map" and has "since removed them." With Google Maps drawing information from third parties, the issue could partly have been related to the German Automobile Club's warning that there may be heavy traffic at the start of the holiday. Google also added AI features to Maps recently, and we all know how reliable they can be. There have been plenty of other incidents in which Google Maps got things very wrong. Germany was cursing the service again earlier this month when it showed highway tunnels being closed in part of the country when they were open. In 2023, Google was sued by the family of a North Carolina man who drove his car off a collapsed bridge as he followed directions given by Google Maps. The case is ongoing. Masthead: Bhavik Nasit

Update, 5/29/25: The Nintendo Switch 2 will launch soon on June 5. Pre-order advice currently remains the same, which is to say that you probably won't be able to pre-order the console before launch day anymore, since all retailers still list it as either "unavailable" or "coming soon." Now, it's all about launch-day logistics. A number of retailers, including Best Buy, plan to open some stores early on June 5 and have stock available for customers to purchase on site. If you didn't manage to get a pre-order in already, your best bet may be to go to a local Best Buy, Walmart, Target or GameStop on June 5 to see if you can walk out with a new console that day.  Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders are officially live at Nintendo's online store — but only if you've received an invite. As advertised, the My Nintendo Store began sending out Switch 2 pre-order invites on Thursday to those who previously registered their interest and meet the company's "priority criteria." If you've been chosen, congratulations! You have 72 hours from the time your email was sent to complete your purchase. If you previously signed up but haven't received a notice, well, we'll have to see when exactly it'll arrive. Nintendo has been accepting registrations since April 2, and it's sending invites to past Switch players and Switch Online subscribers before anyone else.  If you meet the priority requirements and signed up on the earlier side, you should (hopefully) get your invite before most others. If you signed up later, don't be surprised if it takes awhile for Nintendo to grace your inbox. The company warned last month that it may not be able to send all invites — or even deliver all orders that do get placed — before the Switch 2's June 5 release date. Beyond Nintendo, the song sadly remains the same. As of our latest check, the device remains fully sold out at Walmart, GameStop, Best Buy, Target and other retailers. This has mostly been the case in the US since the Switch 2 first went up for sale on April 24, and it remains unclear when it'll change. That said, we're keeping an eye out for any surprise restocks that pop up. If you're still hoping to get your hands on the device early, we've rounded up all the Switch 2 pre-order listings we could find for easy access and broken down what to know about buying the console.   How to pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 at the My Nintendo Store As noted above, Nintendo is only selling the Switch 2 through an invite system, which began on April 2. While it seems unlikely you'll receive your console before launch day if you sign up with Nintendo now, we still recommend doing so in case stock remains low at other stores. Registration is free, and you'll receive your invite eventually, even if it takes some time. On that point, Nintendo says it is prioritizing invites "on a first-come, first-served basis" to registrants who meet the following criteria: You must have purchased a Switch Online membership as of April 2, 2025. If you've only ever been part of a family plan and weren't the paying account, that's a no-go. You must have been a paid Switch Online subscriber for at least 12 months as of April 2, 2025. You must have logged at least 50 hours of total Switch gameplay time as of April 2, 2025. You must have opted into sharing gameplay data with Nintendo as of April 2, 2025. You can confirm this in your account's privacy settings. You must be a Nintendo account holder who is at least 18 years old. If you fulfill those requirements, you'll be ahead in Nintendo's invite queue. If not, you'll have to wait until after the priority registrants receive their emails. Once they do, the remaining invites will go out on a first-come, first-served basis. Whenever you get your email, you'll have a 72-hour window to buy.  As with other stores, you have two models to pick from: the base Switch 2 console for $450, and a bundle with Mario Kart World for $500. Note that you can only purchase one console per invite. You'll also be able to pick up certain accessories when it's your time to shop.  Pre-order Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Pre-order Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle Nintendo We received our invite late Thursday evening after signing up about an hour after the registration window first opened. We've posted screenshots of what the official invite email and buying process looks like below. (A previous version of this guide linked to screenshots from Reddit and the gaming forum ResetEra, but one ResetEra user appears to have shared a fake invite, so we've removed that.) Broadly speaking, the experience is far less chaotic than it's been at other stores. Our confirmation email says that our console will ship by June 4. How to pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 at other retailers Unfortunately, the Switch 2 remains sold out everywhere else as of this writing. To recap the situation: After a two-week delay, Nintendo finally kicked off Switch 2 pre-orders at third-party retailers in the US and Canada at midnight ET on April 24. A couple of (headache-inducing) hours later, stock at Walmart, Target and Best Buy had sold out. GameStop began taking pre-orders later that morning but quickly met the same fate. Some eagle-eyed buyers were reportedly able to pre-order through Walmart as late as April 26, but things have dried up since. Other membership-based retailers like Costco and Sam's Club have Switch 2 listings as well, but we haven't seen anything to suggest they will accept pre-orders. Newegg also has a Switch 2 page but hasn't provided an option to buy just yet. As for Amazon, we assume the Switch 2 will eventually be available there, but it's not today, and there's been no indication as to when that might change. (Even before the Switch 2 was unveiled, stock of the original Switch and first-party Switch games had been limited at Amazon US for several months.) If you're desperate to catch a restock, it's a good idea to create a free account with the retailers above and ensure all of your shipping and billing info is up to date with each. Downloading each store's mobile app and signing up for notifications may help too, though that could get annoying fairly quickly.  Pre-order Nintendo Switch 2 Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Amazon* Pre-order Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Amazon* *As of 1:15pm ET on Friday, May 9, Amazon has not listed either Switch 2 console package for sale. We will update this article with direct links if they arrive; until then, we're linking to the site's Nintendo-focused hub. How to pre-order Switch 2 accessories and games Naturally, there are numerous accessories and games up for pre-order alongside the Switch 2 itself. While Nintendo hasn't changed the console's price since delaying its initial pre-order date, it has hiked the cost of several accessories due to "changes in market conditions" (read: tariffs). The new Switch 2 camera, for instance, now costs $55 instead of its original $50, while the Switch 2 Pro Controller leapt from $80 to $85. An extra set of Joy-Con 2 controllers is up to $95 from $90, and the official Joy-Con Charging Grip costs $40 instead of $35. Most (but not all) of Nintendo's official Switch 2 accessories are still up for grabs at one or two retailers at a minimum, but stock has become spottier since they first went up for sale. Upcoming Switch 2 games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, meanwhile, remain widely available. Mario Kart World for $80 Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Amazon* Donkey Kong Bananza for $70 Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Amazon* Additional Switch 2 games Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Amazon Samsung microSD Express Card (256GB) for Nintendo Switch 2 for $60 Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Amazon Joy-Con 2 bundle for $95 Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Amazon* Switch 2 Pro Controller for $85 Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Amazon* Switch 2 Camera for $55 Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Amazon* Hori Nintendo Switch 2 Piranha Plant Camera for $60 Best Buy Target Amazon Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip for $40 Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Amazon* Joy-Con 2 Wheels (set of 2) for $25 Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Amazon* Switch 2 All-in-One Carrying Case for $85 Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Amazon* Switch 2 Carrying Case and Screen Protector for $40 Nintendo Walmart GameStop Best Buy Target Amazon* *As of 1:15pm ET on Friday, May 9, Amazon has not listed any first-party Switch 2 accessories or games for sale. (Some third-party devices and games are listed, however.) We'll update this article with direct links if they arrive; until then, we're linking to the site's Nintendo-focused hub. More Switch 2 details The Nintendo Switch 2. Sam Rutherford for Engadget We knew from its initial teaser trailer that the Switch 2 would be bigger than its predecessor and take a new approach to its detachable Joy-Cons. The Joy-Con 2s, as they're called, now attach magnetically and include a C button, mouse controls and a built-in gyroscope for tilt control. The console itself is indeed larger, with a 7.9-inch LCD screen that supports a 1080p resolution, a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz and HDR10. The hardware also has a built-in mic to support a new feature called GameChat that'll let you communicate with friends in-game. (This is what that C button is for.) Nintendo says this service will be free to all Switch 2 users until March 31, 2026, at which point it'll require a Switch Online membership. When docked, you'll be able to play up to 4K on your TV. Nintendo says it's improved the consoles internal speakers as well. The updated dock has a built-in fan to keep the console cool and help maintain performance during long play sessions. Though we won't know exactly how much of a power upgrade the Switch 2 is over to the first Switch until it's released, it looks to be fairly significant leap, given that it'll have ports of relatively demanding games like Elden Ring and Cyberpunk 2077. Elsewhere, the Switch 2 has dual USB-C ports for charging, while the internal storage amount has jumped from 32GB to 256GB. That storage is still expandable, but the device will only work with newer (and more expensive) microSD Express cards. As seen in the recent 20.0.0 update for the original Switch, the upcoming console will also utilize Nintendo's new Virtual Game Card system for lending digital games across systems, as well as a GameShare feature that lets you share select titles locally with just one copy of a game. Tariffs and the Nintendo Switch 2 The Nintendo Switch 2's Joy-Con 2 controllers. Sam Rutherford for Engadget During its most recent Direct presentation at the start of April, Nintendo showed off more of the Switch 2 than it ever had before. That included the reveal of its original April 9 pre-order date, in addition to its $450 starting price. Shortly after, President Trump announced sweeping tariffs on China and other countries, prompting Nintendo to delay pre-orders in the US and Canada. In a reversal, President Trump later announced a 90-day pause on steep tariffs affecting 75 countries, but also announced that the tariff imposed on China will go up even further (right now, it sits at 145 percent). We now know that the original $450 price for the Switch 2 will remain the same in the US and Canada, but based on its official statement, it appears Nintendo is leaving the door open for potential future price increases. We also know that Nintendo started moving some of its Switch console manufacturing to Vietnam in 2019. The increased tariff for Vietnam was set to be 46 percent, but that's temporarily on hold in favor of a 10 percent tariff that’s in effect for the 90-day pause period. It has been speculated that Nintendo will boost production of Switch 2 consoles in Vietnam so it can stay on schedule, even if it sells the console at a loss in the short term. It appears the company will have to seriously ramp up production to keep up with Switch 2 demand: According to Nintendo, 2.2 million people entered the pre-order lottery in Japan alone, which is far more devices than it is expected to deliver in that region on launch day. In total, the company projects it will sell 15 million Switch 2 units through March 2026. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-switch-2-pre-order-updates-ahead-of-the-june-5-launch-date-140931884.html?src=rss

Why is nobody talking about the PS5 anymore? – Reader’s Feature GameCentral Published June 1, 2025 7:00am Whatever happened to the PS5? (Sony) A reader worries that Sony’s strange behaviour over the last few years has seen the PS5 become sidelined and ignored compared to other formats. For years now, I’ve been reading people, both here and elsewhere online, asking what has happened to Sony and why they’re acting the way they do now. The lack of showcases, the general lack of communication, the obsession with live service games, and the reduction in new single-player games… it’s obvious to everyone and yet we’ve never had an explanation or an acknowledgement from Sony that anything unusual is happening. I think it’s pretty obvious that we’re not going to get one either. Sony are just going to carry on being weird and pretending that’s what they were always like. They’ve been like this for well over two years now, so anyone buying a PlayStation 5 in that time will never know anything else. There is a problem though – well there’s multiple, obviously – but the thing I can’t help but notice at the moment is how little people talk about the PlayStation 5 anymore. The Switch 2 is eating up a lot of bandwidth right now but it’s not just that. The PlayStation 5 feels played out, a disappointment and unexciting, just part of the gaming furniture and nothing more. The Switch 2 launch is coming up, but people have been talking excitedly about it for months now. A new console is obviously a rare thing, that’s always going to draw attention, but the PC as a gaming format has also been a big topic for the last year or so. It’s far more popular than I have ever known and now seems to be the default format for games, rather than any console. That’s the position the PlayStation 5 should have but it’s not really how it’s turned out. You could argue even the Xbox has been more a topic of conversation recently, even if that’s in a negative way. But at least people don’t forget it exists. It looks like we probably won’t get a PlayStation showcase this month, since they’ve already missed their usual May slot, and the rumours say maybe not one until September. That’s ridiculous. Not only do we know virtually nothing about Ghost Of Yōtei, but there’s nothing confirmed for next year yet, except Saros (had to look up that spelling). Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet and Marvel’s Wolverine don’t have any year confirmed yet and that’s all we know about in terms of games made by Sony themselves. I’m not going to speculate on why this is happening or when it might end, because frankly I haven’t got a clue, but I do know that it’s having a very negative effect on PlayStation’s reputation, in a way people aren’t talking about enough. The PlayStation 5 just seems invisible now, something that’s always there but which nobody cares about and definitely something nobody is excited about. Will this change if they announce a new game? Well, it didn’t with Ghost Of Yōtei. You could say that’s not really their biggest franchise, and you’d be right, but the longer Sony carries on in zombie mode the harder it is going to be to get anyone’s attention. It won’t be long before it needs The Last Of Us Part 3 or God Of War 3 before there’s any kind of a reaction, but I don’t see those games happening anytime soon. Sony is so out of touch they think fans will wait forever for whatever news they can be bothered to tell us, and then we’ll be amazed and excited, but I don’t think that’s true anymore. More Trending The PlayStation 6 seems to be only a year away and the sad thing is that means the PlayStation 5 is just going to fade away, forgotten and underused. How can a console be this successful and yet be such an utter failure and disappointment at the same time? I wouldn’t have thought it possible and yet here we are. By reader Corsair PC gaming has seen a major boost in the last few years (Microsoft) The reader’s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro. You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you won’t need to send an email. GameCentral Sign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Rumor mill: For years, leakers have reported that Apple is working to eliminate physical buttons from the iPhone entirely. Although the company opted to keep them on the iPhone 15, 16, and likely the upcoming iPhone 17, new information suggests that Apple is expanding its buttonless ambitions across multiple devices. Weibo-based leaker "Instant Digital" (via MacRumors) recently revived rumors that Apple is exploring ways to replace physical buttons with haptic inputs. This radical change could debut in future iPhones and other mobile devices. Back in 2022, leaks indicated that the iPhone 15 might replace its protruding power and volume buttons with touch-sensitive areas that use haptic feedback to simulate physical presses – similar to the iPhone 7's haptic home button. However, both the iPhone 15 and 16 retained traditional buttons, and the iPhone 17, expected later this year, will likely be no different. Recently, the rumors had quieted down, with reports suggesting that Apple had temporarily shelved the project. Some speculate that Apple is gradually working toward a completely smooth iPhone, one without buttons or ports, that relies entirely on touch and wireless technologies. Beyond offering a cleaner aesthetic, removing physical buttons could improve durability. Fewer moving parts mean less internal wear and tear, and eliminating external buttons and ports can enhance waterproofing. However, dropping USB support would be a dramatic and unprecedented design shift. // Related Stories Although Apple hasn't given up on haptics, accuracy remains a major challenge. Instant Digital claims the company is still working to minimize accidental inputs, while also expanding these efforts to the iPad and Apple Watch. Meanwhile, the latest iPhone 17 rumors suggest Apple plans to introduce a new mid-tier model: the iPhone 17 Air. At just 5.5mm thick, it will feature a 6.6-inch always-on OLED display with 120Hz ProMotion support and a new A19 processor. While the iPhone 17 Pro and Air models are expected to include 12GB of RAM, analyst Jeff Pu believes the base model will likely ship with 8GB of RAM and the A18 processor – the same chip found in the base iPhone 16. However, the newer device may feature a slightly larger 6.3-inch display. Apple typically unveils new iPhones in the fall, but the first preview of this year's software updates will arrive next week at the 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference on June 9. There, Apple is expected to announce a rebranding of its operating systems, starting with iOS 26, macOS 26, iPadOS 26, and more. iPhone users: Do you use Safari or Chrome?

GodGraviel Member May 29, 2024 222 luca Member Oct 25, 2017 19,484 That's funny. I just purchased the entire series to have them on physical media. I've only beat the first 3 back when they first came out, but I'm gonna do the next three including Double Agent - the OG Xbox version - next. I'll be over the moon if they announce a new game. And I think I'll be interested in a Splinter Cell 1 remake (since it's the one that's a bit rough), but would prefer a sequel.  Last edited: Today at 8:54 AM charlieonhere Member Jul 11, 2018 99 That's a very Splinter Cell 1 looking Sam Fisher   Kadzork Has got mad skills!! Member Oct 27, 2017 24,279 Crossing all possible apendages.   Yerffej Prophet of Regret Member Oct 25, 2017 29,516 They better gimme it. I've been waiting. They know I've been waiting. Give me it. Also that is PS2 ass cutscene loookin Sam.  Sargerus ▲ Legend ▲ The Fallen Oct 25, 2017 22,507 Remake/Remaster incoming.   Heliex Member Nov 2, 2017 3,568 Is this one of those remake remasters I keep hearing about   SofNascimento cursed Member Oct 28, 2017 24,948 São Paulo - Brazil Give me my Blacklist remaster!   Uzzy Gabe’s little helper Member Oct 25, 2017 34,567 Hull, UK Sam Fisher is back, in Fortnite form!   vestan #REFANTAZIO SWEEP Member Dec 28, 2017 27,635 If it's a game and not just some social media post then it's the Blacklist remaster. Apparantly the remake of the original being developed by Ubisoft Toronto isn't in great shape right now so I expect this to keep people placated until that's ready to be shown.   Apathy Member Oct 25, 2017 13,534 Dude, its been a hot minute since I played some splinter cell. I'd be down   HellofaMouse Member Oct 27, 2017 8,461 if its a remaster collection, ill take it. if its just the remaster of 1, ill still take it but wont be happy, lol  2CL4Mars Member Nov 9, 2018 2,577 Damn man just give us a remaster of the OG games. I'm happy that Ubi announced a SC 1 remake but a new game in the series would be preferable, hell I take a reboot.  Patitoloco Member Oct 27, 2017 28,284 One of these days. I believe.   XR. Member Nov 22, 2018 7,706 Netflix Anime incoming   Oddhouse Member Oct 31, 2017 1,178 Not sure I'm a fan of that art style. Will reserve judgement until full reveal.  Vico Member Jan 3, 2018 8,223 vestan said: If it's a game and not just some social media post then it's the Blacklist remaster. Apparantly the remake of the original being developed by Ubisoft Toronto isn't in great shape right now so I expect this to keep people placated until that's ready to be shown. Click to expand... Click to shrink... What? I thought for sure we were close.  Kinthey Avenger Oct 27, 2017 25,536 2CL4Mars said: Damn man just give us a remaster of the OG games. I'm happy that Ubi announced a SC 1 remake but a new game in the series would be preferable, hell I take a reboot. Click to expand... Click to shrink... With them using an image from the original I hope it means a remaster is coming. I feel like with the originals being easily avaible it would also give them more space to go new directions with the remake  Bony Manifesto Member Oct 27, 2017 4,410 That guy certainly looks like he chews Airwaves gum.   Patitoloco Member Oct 27, 2017 28,284 Oddhouse said: Not sure I'm a fan of that art style. Will reserve judgement until full reveal. Click to expand... Click to shrink... What artstyle? That's a screenshot of the original 2002 Splinter Cell.   Mr Evil 37 Member Mar 7, 2022 28,115 I mean timing makes sense if it's out in 2026.   Mr Evil 37 Member Mar 7, 2022 28,115 2CL4Mars said: Damn man just give us a remaster of the OG games. I'm happy that Ubi announced a SC 1 remake but a new game in the series would be preferable, hell I take a reboot. Click to expand... Click to shrink... We all better buy this remake to show that we want all that lol   Turnabout Sisters The Fallen Oct 25, 2017 2,728 I really thought that was fortnite   Mobius and Pet Octopus Member Oct 25, 2017 16,916 For some reason, stealth gameplay for splinter cell clicked for me and I'm not that into stealth gameplay. But I never really got that into the series though a couple were fun.   Last_colossi The Fallen Oct 27, 2017 4,656 Australia It won't be anything meaningful, just a skin or something in one of their live service games or someone elses. Even if it was a remake or remaster of the original 3, I have absolutely zero confidence Ubisoft would do them justice. They would most likely have just outsourced them to the cheapest bidder.  Mr Evil 37 Member Mar 7, 2022 28,115 vestan said: If it's a game and not just some social media post then it's the Blacklist remaster. Apparantly the remake of the original being developed by Ubisoft Toronto isn't in great shape right now so I expect this to keep people placated until that's ready to be shown. Click to expand... Click to shrink... According to who? Last_colossi said: It won't be anything meaningful, just a skin or something in one of their live service games or someone elses. Even if it was a remake or remaster of the original 3, I have absolutely zero confidence Ubisoft will do them justice. They would most likely have just outsourced them to the cheapest bidder. Click to expand... Click to shrink... We already know officially they're making a remake of 1.   DinkyDev The Movie Critic Member Feb 5, 2021 9,379 Is that image AI-generated? Looks like it.   ConflictResolver Member Jan 1, 2024 5,067 Midgar I'm a huge MGS fan and have never played this lol Is it time?  Oddhouse Member Oct 31, 2017 1,178 Patitoloco said: What artstyle? That's a screenshot of the original 2002 Splinter Cell. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Did not know this! That's a relief !  Derbel McDillet ▲ Legend ▲ Member Nov 23, 2022 24,656 Cryptic?   Ld007 Member Jun 1, 2024 7,535 4 polygon models are back   Kalentan Member Oct 25, 2017 50,741 DinkyDev said: Is that image AI-generated? Looks like it. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Is it not just from the first games cutscenes?  2CL4Mars Member Nov 9, 2018 2,577 Mr Evil 37 said: We all better buy this remake to show that we want all that lol Click to expand... Click to shrink... For sure, I never actually played the OG trilogy so I would love to have a collection of the first three so that I can experience them. For some reason the last few weeks I have been craving to play a new Splinter Cell, the gameplay is unlike any other stealth game and Sam Fisher and his tool set is to damn cool. What a franchise, to bad Ubisoft has abandoned it in the last decade and hopefully that will change next week.  Last_colossi The Fallen Oct 27, 2017 4,656 Australia Mr Evil 37 said: We already know officially they're making a remake of 1. Click to expand... Click to shrink... They've also been working on Beyond Good & Evil 2 for 17 years.  Wallace Member Oct 25, 2017 28,162 Midwest Shadow drop sam time.   SuperOctopus Member Apr 22, 2020 3,606 Is Ubi still doing a non-E3 conference with a Just Dance segment this year?   DinkyDev The Movie Critic Member Feb 5, 2021 9,379 Kalentan said: Is it not just from the first games cutscenes? Click to expand... Click to shrink... Maybe, I don't know.  Mr Evil 37 Member Mar 7, 2022 28,115 Last_colossi said: They've also been working on Beyond Good & Evil 2 for 17 years. Click to expand... Click to shrink... I'm just saying it's not a rumoured or speculated project. It was officially announced three and a half years ago. If it's a 2026 game, 4-5 years is plenty for a remake.   Last_colossi The Fallen Oct 27, 2017 4,656 Australia Mr Evil 37 said: I'm just saying it's not a rumoured or speculated project. It was officially announced three and a half years ago. If it's a 2026 game, 4-5 years is plenty for a remake. Click to expand... Click to shrink... You would think so, but this is ubisoft we're talking about. If it really is far along in development at this point then hopefully they at least show a trailer or some footage during SGF. But again I still have zero hopes or expectations from anything that ubisoft puts out anymore.  Convasse Member Oct 26, 2017 4,270 Atlanta, GA, USA I've been waiting for 84 years, Ubisoft.   Dukie85 Chicken Chaser Member Oct 25, 2017 3,151 I don't care which/what game it is in the series, I just want one.   Siresly Prophet of Regret Member Oct 27, 2017 7,478 Damn it Fisher, I'm pulling you in!   SolidSnakex Member Oct 25, 2017 28,141 DinkyDev said: Is that image AI-generated? Looks like it. Click to expand... Click to shrink... It's just a cutscene from Pandora Tomorrow View: https://youtu.be/TkwCjCJpFm4?t=145  Last edited: 51 minutes ago Mr Evil 37 Member Mar 7, 2022 28,115 Last_colossi said: You would think so, but this is ubisoft we're talking about. If it really is far along in development at this point then hopefully they at least show a trailer or some footage during SGF. But again I still have zero hopes or expectations from anything that ubisoft puts out anymore. Click to expand... Click to shrink... If EA can remake Dead Space in less than 3 years, Ubisoft can remake Splinter Cell in 5 years lol   Level 7 Boss Member Jun 19, 2018 1,025 And Splinter Cell fans, we haven't forgotten about you, we have some exciting news. Sam Fisher is back! As a new skin in Fortnite launching in Q4.   Dyno AVALANCHE The Fallen Oct 25, 2017 16,856 Gonna be honest I kinda forgot the IP existed and I was quite a fan at one time   Healthy_Gamer Member Jan 18, 2023 406 It's finally happening (hopefully)   Bishop89 What Are Ya' Selling? Member Oct 25, 2017 42,844 Melbourne, Australia Sam Fisher DLC for Asscreed Shadows Calling it  MarcelloF "This guy are sick" Member Dec 9, 2020 9,579 Last_colossi said: You would think so, but this is ubisoft we're talking about. If it really is far along in development at this point then hopefully they at least show a trailer or some footage during SGF. But again I still have zero hopes or expectations from anything that ubisoft puts out anymore. Click to expand... Click to shrink... They just put out Assassin's Creed Shadows and it was great.   LAA One Winged Slayer Member Oct 28, 2017 3,264 Feels like they've teased it a bunch of times, and it's really just been a collab or something. I'm not sure this is just a screenshot from an older game either, but could be indicative of an announcement sure, I did enjoy the first 3 games, so would be interested in even just remakes/remasters of them. 

Male fertility rates have been plummeting over the past half-century. An analysis from 1992 noted a steady decrease in sperm counts and quality since the 1940s. A more recent study found that male infertility rates increased nearly 80% from 1990 to 2019. The reasons driving this trend remain a mystery, but frequently cited culprits include obesity, poor diet, and environmental toxins. Infectious diseases such as gonorrhea or chlamydia are often overlooked factors that affect fertility in men. Accumulating evidence suggests that a common single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii may also be a contributor: An April 2025 study showed for the first time that “human sperm lose their heads upon direct contact” with the parasite. I am a microbiologist, and my lab studies Toxoplasma. This new study bolsters emerging findings that underscore the importance of preventing this parasitic infection. The many ways you can get toxoplasmosis Infected cats defecate Toxoplasma eggs into the litter box, garden or other places in the environment where they can be picked up by humans or other animals. Water, shellfish and unwashed fruits and vegetables can also harbor infectious parasite eggs. In addition to eggs, tissue cysts present in the meat of warm-blooded animals can spread toxoplasmosis as well if they are not destroyed by cooking to proper temperature. While most hosts of the parasite can control the initial infection with few if any symptoms, Toxoplasma remains in the body for life as dormant cysts in brain, heart and muscle tissue. These cysts can reactivate and cause additional episodes of severe illness that damage critical organ systems. Between 30% and 50% of the world’s population is permanently infected with Toxoplasma due to the many ways the parasite can spread. Toxoplasma can target male reproductive organs Upon infection, Toxoplasma spreads to virtually every organ and skeletal muscle. Evidence that Toxoplasma can also target human male reproductive organs first surfaced during the height of the AIDS pandemic in the 1980s, when some patients presented with the parasitic infection in their testes. While immunocompromised patients are most at risk for testicular toxoplasmosis, it can also occur in otherwise healthy individuals. Imaging studies of infected mice confirm that Toxoplasma parasites quickly travel to the testes in addition to the brain and eyes within days of infection. Toxoplasma cysts floating in cat feces. DPDx Image Library/CDC In 2017, my colleagues and I found that Toxoplasma can also form cysts in mouse prostates. Researchers have also observed these parasites in the ejaculate of many animals, including human semen, raising the possibility of sexual transmission. Knowing that Toxoplasma can reside in male reproductive organs has prompted analyses of fertility in infected men. A small 2021 study in Prague of 163 men infected with Toxoplasma found that over 86% had semen anomalies. A 2002 study in China found that infertile couples are more likely to have a Toxoplasma infection than fertile couples, 34.83% versus 12.11%. A 2005 study in China also found that sterile men are more likely to test positive for Toxoplasma than fertile men. Not all studies, however, produce a link between toxoplasmosis and sperm quality. Toxoplasma can directly damage human sperm Toxoplasmosis in animals mirrors infection in humans, which allows researchers to address questions that are not easy to examine in people. Testicular function and sperm production are sharply diminished in Toxoplasma-infected mice, rats and rams. Infected mice have significantly lower sperm counts and a higher proportion of abnormally shaped sperm. In that April 2025 study, researchers from Germany, Uruguay, and Chile observed that Toxoplasma can reach the testes and epididymis, the tube where sperm mature and are stored, two days after infection in mice. This finding prompted the team to test what happens when the parasite comes into direct contact with human sperm in a test tube. After only five minutes of exposure to the parasite, 22.4% of sperm cells were beheaded. The number of decapitated sperm increased the longer they interacted with the parasites. Sperm cells that maintained their head were often twisted and misshapen. Some sperm cells had holes in their head, suggesting the parasites were trying to invade them as it would any other type of cell in the organs it infiltrates. In addition to direct contact, Toxoplasma may also damage sperm because the infection promotes chronic inflammation. Inflammatory conditions in the male reproductive tract are harmful to sperm production and function. The researchers speculate that the harmful effects Toxoplasma may have on sperm could be contributing to large global declines in male fertility over the past decades. Sperm exposed to Toxoplasma. Arrows point to holes and other damage to the sperm; asterisks indicate where the parasite has burrowed. The two nonconfronted controls at the bottom show normal sperm. Rojas-Barón et al/The FEBS Journal, CC BY-SA Preventing toxoplasmosis The evidence that Toxoplasma can infiltrate male reproductive organs in animals is compelling, but whether this produces health issues in people remains unclear. Testicular toxoplasmosis shows that parasites can invade human testes, but symptomatic disease is very rare. Studies to date that show defects in the sperm of infected men are too small to draw firm conclusions at this time. Additionally, some reports suggest that rates of toxoplasmosis in high-income countries have not been increasing over the past few decades while male infertility was rising, so it’s likely to only be one part of the puzzle. Regardless of this parasite’s potential effect on fertility, it is wise to avoid Toxoplasma. An infection can cause miscarriage or birth defects if someone acquires it for the first time during pregnancy, and it can be life-threatening for immunocompromised people. Toxoplasma is also the leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States. Taking proper care of your cat, promptly cleaning the litter box and thoroughly washing your hands after can help reduce your exposure to Toxoplasma. You can also protect yourself from this parasite by washing fruits and vegetables, cooking meat to proper temperatures before consuming and avoiding raw shellfish, raw water and raw milk. Bill Sullivan, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.