Technology

As MAR10 Day approaches on March 10, Nintendo is rolling out a series of exciting discounts and promotions for fans of the iconic Mario franchise. The company has announced special discounts on select Nintendo Switch titles, allowing gamers to dive deeper into the Mushroom Kingdom at a fraction of the cost.

For those looking to explore the rich history of Mario games, Nintendo is also providing a fantastic opportunity to experience classic titles through its Switch Online service. From now until March 17, players can take advantage of a free 14-day trial of the Nintendo Switch Online membership. However, it’s important to note that the trial code must be activated by March 31, so be sure to mark your calendars!

In a shocking turn of events, Warner Bros. has announced the closure of three studios, including the renowned Monolith Productions, known for their groundbreaking titles such as Blood, F.E.A.R., and Shadow of Mordor. This decision has sent ripples through the gaming community, especially as it comes with the cancellation of Monolith’s highly anticipated Wonder Woman game. The company’s new strategy, focusing on “fewer but bigger franchises,” raises questions about the sustainability of such an approach in an industry that has been grappling with mismanagement and creative stagnation.

In a delightful fusion of nostalgia and modern craftsmanship, legendary designer Susan Kare has unveiled a new collection of 32 retro-inspired icons that transcend the digital realm. Collaborating with Asprey Studio, Kare’s “Esc Keys” collection features mechanical keyboard keycaps and wearable pendants, each adorned with charming 8-bit pixel art illustrations. From playful depictions of dogs and plants to representations of mail and coffee, these designs are sure to resonate with fans of Kare’s iconic work.

As the weekend arrives, gamers and tech enthusiasts alike have a golden opportunity to snag some fantastic deals on the latest games and gadgets. From beloved Nintendo classics to exciting new releases, there’s something for everyone this Sunday, February 18, 2025. Here’s a roundup of the best deals available right now.

One of the standout offers is Kirby and the Forgotten Land, available for just $39.99 at Best Buy, down from its original price of $59.99. This title marks a significant evolution for the Kirby franchise, transitioning into a 3D gameplay experience. With an engaging soundtrack and immersive environments, it’s a must-play for any Nintendo Switch owner.

As the gaming community eagerly anticipates the arrival of Season 15 of Overwatch, Game Director Aaron Keller has unveiled exciting news that promises to delight players: the return of lootboxes, offering an unprecedented amount of free cosmetics. This season marks a significant milestone for the game, not only due to its innovative content updates but also because of its nostalgic nod to players’ desires for more accessible rewards.

In a recent interview with popular streamer Emongg, Keller shared insights into what players can expect from the revamped lootbox system. After Overwatch transitioned to a free-to-play model, many players found it challenging to acquire premium cosmetics, especially the coveted Legendary-tier skins. However, Keller’s announcement indicates that players will soon have a much easier time obtaining these coveted items.

As technology continues to evolve, Apple is gearing up for the anticipated release of a new 27-inch display, featuring Mini LED backlighting, later in 2025 or early 2026. This exciting development, highlighted by analyst Ross Young and reported by MacRumors, is poised to be a significant upgrade from the original Studio Display launched in 2022.

While the size of the new monitor will remain unchanged at 27 inches, the introduction of Mini LED technology promises to deliver substantial improvements in contrast, black levels, and potentially overall brightness. The original Studio Display, despite its impressive 5K resolution and excellent color accuracy, fell short of competing displays, particularly modern TVs, due to its reliance on traditional LED technology. This technology illuminates the entire panel uniformly, which can lead to less vibrant images and poorer black levels.

For fans of ghost-hunting games, 2025 promises to be an exhilarating year as Kinetic Games has unveiled an ambitious roadmap for their popular title, Phasmophobia. Since its official release from early access in October 2020, the game has captivated players worldwide, selling an impressive 22 million copies across all platforms. As the community eagerly anticipates new content, the developers are set to introduce a host of updates that will enhance the gameplay experience and keep players on the edge of their seats.

As we step into February 2025, the tech world is buzzing with anticipation for Apple’s next major software update, iOS 18.4. Following the public release of iOS 18.3 in late January, reports indicate that the first beta of iOS 18.4 is just around the corner, promising significant enhancements, particularly for Siri and Apple Intelligence features.

According to Bloomberg’s renowned tech journalist Mark Gurman, developers can expect the first beta of iOS 18.4 to be available between mid-next week and early the following week. This timeline aligns with previous beta releases, as seen with last year’s iOS 17.4 beta 1, which debuted on January 25, and iOS 16.4’s beta, released on February 16.

As February rolls in, gamers everywhere are bracing themselves for an avalanche of new titles from subscription services, and Amazon Prime Gaming is no exception. This month, Amazon has announced an exciting lineup of 20 new games, set to enhance the gaming experience for its subscribers and expand their already extensive backlogs.

In keeping with its tradition, Amazon will release these titles in several scheduled drops throughout the month. Kicking off the offerings, subscribers can now enjoy BioShock Infinite Complete Edition, a critically acclaimed first-person shooter that continues the franchise’s legacy of engaging storytelling and immersive gameplay. Along with it, players can also dive into The Talos Principle: Gold Edition, a thought-provoking puzzle game that challenges players with philosophical questions while they navigate through its intricately designed levels.

In an exciting development for technology enthusiasts, Amazon is gearing up to unveil a significant upgrade to its voice assistant, Alexa, during a highly anticipated event on February 26 in New York. The event will feature Panos Panay, who leads Amazon’s Devices and Services team and joined the company after a successful tenure at Microsoft, where he played a pivotal role in the development of the Surface product line.

The spotlight of the event is expected to be on Alexa’s generative AI voice capabilities, which have been the subject of speculation for some time. This upgrade could revolutionize the way users interact with their devices at home by enabling Alexa to engage in more natural and contextual conversations while also executing complex, multistep tasks.