The eShop on Switch simply doesn’t do the system’s extensive library of mostly fantastic releases justice. You could argue that it’s because Nintendo doesn’t have as much experience with digital marketplaces as its peers, I suppose. However, I’d argue that this makes no difference, since the company dabbled in the concept throughout the 3DS, Wii, and Wii-U eras. I don’t understand why Nintendo decided to set things up the way it did or why it hasn’t adjusted anything in the years since....

A virtual reality climate change experience, set to debut at the 2021 Venice Biennale, is meant to simulate Samoa by interacting with the virtual environment and letting you smell local elements. It’s one of a growing number of technologies trying to leverage more of your senses while in VR. “The closer our virtual experiences are to our real ones, the more effective they are,” Aaron Wisniewksi, CEO of OVR Technology, which makes the gear that produces the smell for the exhibit, said in an email interview....

After months of rumors and leaks, Google officially has revealed the next phones in its Pixel lineup, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Unlike past Pixel devices, the new smartphones will feature a Google-made processor called Google Tensor. While Google has yet to share any exact specs about the device, the series of tweets it shared as part of the announcement mention better performance and processing power compared to previous chips used in Pixel phones....

Google Meet is rolling out video backgrounds that are first coming to the web. Zoom and other services also allow video backgrounds. But can they really liven up dull meetings? “Video backgrounds are made to attract attention which can make them distracting in business environments,” Trends expert Daniel Levine said in an email interview. “I can imagine companies banning them.” Party Time On Screen? You choose from three options at launch: a classroom, party, or forest....

It’s possible the rumor is true and Apple is making one of its tiniest computers even tinier. After all, that’s what it does. But a few moments’ thought shows that removing the stems causes way more problems than it fixes. Even sources close to Apple doubt that it’s possible. “Integrating noise-cancellation, wireless antennas and microphones into a smaller AirPods Pro casing has proved challenging during development,” writes Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, “which could result in a less ambitious design when the product is finalized....

Recently, David Weston, Microsoft’s Vice President of Enterprise and OS Security, shared details about security improvements the company plans to introduce in upcoming Windows 11 releases, aiming to protect people against common cybersecurity threats. “Microsoft has made groundbreaking investments to help secure our Windows customers with hardware security innovations like secured-core PCs,” wrote Weston on the Microsoft Security blog. “In upcoming releases of Windows, we are advancing security even further with built-in protections to help defend from advanced and targeted phishing attacks....

Wonder Workshop’s Dash robot might seem a bit off-putting when you first catch a glimpse of it, what with that large, pulsing eye that seems to be watching you at all times. However, fire up this blue-and-orange plastic pal and any initial misconceptions are sure to subside. Dash is a delight, rolling and romping with ease while packing plenty of personality through its sounds and movements. Better yet, Dash isn’t just a toy: it’s a learning tool designed to engage young minds and help them understand the basics of coding....

Here are a few of the best and most popular Android word processor apps. 1. OfficeSuite Pro + PDF OfficeSuite Pro + PDF from MobiSystems (available on the Google Play store) is a robust app that is feature-rich and lets you create, edit, and view Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and PDF documents, and the ability to view PowerPoint files. OfficeSuite + PDF is a free trial version of the app that gives you a chance to try out the app before committing to purchasing it....

The WebEx Recorder software can record a specific program’s screen via its File > Open Application menu item. It’s often used for demos, training, and similar tasks that benefit from having everything on the screen captured, including the mouse. The video file that WebEx Recorder creates is much like a regular one in that it can contain both audio and video data. However, some of these files might not include audio, especially if the Record Audio option was toggled off during the recording....

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs slightly more than Xbox Game Pass, so let’s dive into the differences so you can decide which is best for you. Overall Findings If you own either an Xbox One console, or a gaming PC, or you plan on buying the Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S when it launches, then Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate are great options. Both provide a Netflix style service whereby you have access to 100s of games as part of the subscription fee....

Global positioning systems (GPS) have become ubiquitous in everything from phones to cars. But researchers have come up with a new method that uses quantum mechanics to keep track of directions instead of the satellite network. “There is always a chance that GPS is unavailable,” Sandia National Laboratories scientist Peter Schwindt told Lifewire in an email interview. “Perhaps you are in an area where you cannot receive GPS, such as in an urban canyon or a tunnel....

Both products overlap in many ways, including by offering free versions suited for smaller teams and individuals. Deciding between the two could determine which unique features are most practical for your team or work routine. Overall Findings Zoom and Skype provide individuals and teams a simple way to meet and collaborate. Each distinguishes itself with different strengths, while both platforms overlap with free memberships, which allow hosting up to 100 participants and features including chatting, file-sharing, and screen-sharing....

On top of continuing Ethan’s story, the latest entry in the iconic survival horror series brings back the fright-inducing first-person perspective of the previous installment. But the similarities mostly end there, as Village trades its predecessor’s disturbing Louisiana setting for a creepy stretch of Eastern European countryside. The new location isn’t home to the series’ typical zombie-like threats, but instead introduces a rogue’s gallery of gothic horror staples, including werewolves and vampires....

Causes of Skype Not Working Maybe there’s a microphone problem or an issue with your audio settings, and you can’t hear the other person, or they can’t hear you. Or maybe you can’t log in to Skype because you’ve forgotten your password. Still, another reason could be that your external speakers or microphone are no longer working, and you need to get new hardware. Maybe Skype won’t connect. Regardless of the problem, there are really only a handful of worthwhile things to try, which we’ve outlined below....

You might have a spyware infection if your computer’s performance has recently started to suffer, and especially if strange pop-ups are showing up, websites are redirecting to places you don’t want to go, email contacts are getting odd spam messages that appear to be from you, or you’re a victim of identity theft. Below are several free tools that can scan your hard drive, flash drive, external hard drive, etc....

These games are ordered by difficulty, so you can work through them top to bottom to test what you know about French verbs, numbers, phrases, greetings, vocabulary, colors, and more. Easier French Games See how skilled you are at these easier French games, which test everything from numbers and words to colors and phrases. Number Mix and Match: Do you know your French numbers? Drag each English number 1–10 into the correct boxes to win the game....

You could have a notable account in a few weeks or months if you’re willing to learn how to perfect this intensive follower-building trend. What Are Instagram Shoutouts? An Instagram shoutout is just what it sounds like: a public plug or endorsement from a user. Here’s how shoutouts work: Consider two different Instagram users who are trying to build their followers. The two users will agree to give each other a shoutout by posting a photo or a video and instructing their followers to follow the other account....

Are Refurbished iPhones Good and Reliable? You may have some concerns about buying a used or refurbished iPhone. It’s reasonable to wonder whether a used iPhone is as good and reliable as a new model. The answer is: it depends on where you’re buying the iPhone. If you’re buying from an established, reputable, and well-trained source—think Apple and phone companies—you can assume that a refurbished iPhone is a good iPhone. Be more skeptical of less reputable sellers....

Thunderbolt is fast. Really fast. And more than that, it offers a really fat pipe so that you can pump all kinds of data streams through it, simultaneously, with no slowdowns. You can, for instance, hook up a monitor or two, some SSD drives, plus audio gear, an ethernet connection, and more, and they all just work via a single port on the side of your laptop. And it can power all that gear, too....

Fresco recently came out on the iPhone, and Lifewire spoke to Adobe’s Bryan O’Neil Hughes and Kyle Webster via video chat to find out more about the app and about painting on a glass screen. “We believe that the iPad is the best place to do drawing and painting,” said O’Neil Hughes, “but it’s not the device you have with you every minute of the day. That’s the phone.”...