The Nintendo Switch 2 is close to, a minimum of if experiences about some backroom shenanigans are to be believed. This week, information broke that Nintendo gave personal demonstrations of the alleged Switch 2 {hardware} to builders on the Gamescom occasion in Cologne, Germany, on the finish of August. The information was first reported by Eurogamer and corroborated by VGC. From there, it exploded across the internet.

There aren’t any concrete particulars about {hardware}, machine measurement, or whether or not present Switch video games can be suitable on the up to date console. VGC experiences that there’s doable assist for some superior graphics choices like ray tracing and Nvidia’s image-enhancing Deep Learning Super Sampling tech. Apparently, Nintendo confirmed off the improved gameplay of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the brand new system, in addition to a Matrix-themed demo of the Unreal Engine 5 that was initially meant to point out off the facility of PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles.

Rumors a few Switch 2 have been swirling for years, and for the reason that unique was such a success, a refresh feels inevitable. Nintendo has offered greater than 129 million Switch gadgets since it launched in 2017. Previous rumors have hinted at the potential of the Switch 2 being timed for a 2024 launch. The proven fact that Nintendo gave builders a glimpse of the tech means that it’s far sufficient alongside to start growing video games for, however there’s been no official announcement a few launch date.

Here’s some extra gadget information.

Pixel Sus

Google has provided a primary take a look at its upcoming Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro telephones. Google shared pictures of the handsets in a YouTube video on Thursday, doubtless in an effort to get the information out earlier than Apple sucks up all of the oxygen within the telephone area subsequent week. Google additionally confirmed off the brand new Pixel Watch 2 in a separate post on X, the social community previously often called Twitter. The firm will spill the complete particulars about each gadgets at its upcoming {hardware} occasion on October 4.

The Pixel 8’s design is curvier than its final iteration. There are two coloration choices, and a new ecommerce landing page for the gadgets exhibits a nonetheless picture of each telephones. Inspecting the alt textual content of that picture reveals that the official names of these colours are Rose and Porcelain. The telephone retains the raised digicam strip alongside the again just like the previous couple generations of Pixel. Altogether, the telephone’s design makes it look one thing like an Among Us character. There aren’t any hints in regards to the internals specs, so we are able to’t inform you whether or not you need to be excited in regards to the machine or ship it out the airlock.

The Pixel Watch 2 announcement is equally mild on particulars, aside from that the machine will look very spherical and really easy. Expect rather more to be revealed at Google’s October occasion or, extra doubtless, leaked properly beforehand.

Duolingo Gets Musical

The language studying service Duolingo announced that it’s including a brand new topic to its DIY training platform: music classes. There aren’t many particulars about how the teachings will work—whether or not they’ll simply supply music idea instruction or additionally incorporate precise devices. But Duolingo says the service could have lots of of bite-size classes, based mostly round recognizable songs. It looks like a form of Yousician lite, but it surely’s not clear how efficient it is going to be for music training. (Your mileage with digital digital music learning tools might differ.)

These music classes aren’t Duolingo’s first foray right into a self-discipline aside from linguistics. Duolingo launched math classes and mind teasers in August 2022. Both music and math can be accessible on one app, although Duolingo hasn’t mentioned when that app will emerge. The firm says it should reveal the complete particulars of its music classes at its upcoming Duocon event in October.

Roblox for Adults

Roblox is all the trend for the youngsters as of late. The gaming platform focuses on creativity and interplay and has solely grown extra in style as a social area over the previous few turbulent years. But as that viewers grows up, Roblox is eager to enchantment to an older crowd. Two months in the past, it launched an age-limited (17 and older) expertise to Roblox. And this week, Roblox introduced it has added video chat to its platform, geared toward teenagers and adults seeking to talk within the digital world.

While Roblox nonetheless doubtless needs to be seen as kid-friendly, it is usually topic to all the identical ills that befall different social platforms, like bullying, exploitation, inescapable NFTs, and the machinations of fascists. If Roblox needs to enchantment to people who find themselves older, it is going to must change into extra mature itself.