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Nintendo’s game plan for the next generation

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2020 is going to be a big year for the games industry, because by the end of it, we’ll be in a new console generation. Microsoft and Sony are both slated to release their new machines before the end of the year, kicking off what will be the ninth generation of video game consoles. Yet, while Sony and Microsoft are setting the stage for a grand battle, there’s one other company that seems to simply be staying the course: Nintendo.

Sony and Microsoft have already detailed their new consoles – the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X – to a certain extent, and each company is positioning their hardware as leaps and bounds better than what we currently have. What’s Nintendo’s game plan for the next generation, though?

To understand what Nintendo might do in the next generation, we should quickly recap this one first. The Wii U was the first console released in the eighth generation, beating both the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One to market by a year. On the other side of that coin, it was also the first console of the generation to be discontinued, with Nintendo pulling the plug on the failing console in 2017.

Sometimes, a console manufacturer discontinuing a console early is a sign that they’re going to exit the console market – Sega, after all, discontinued the Dreamcast just a few years into sixth generation and transitioned to only being a software manufacturer after that. Of course, Nintendo is no Sega, and it wound up replacing the Wii U with the Nintendo Switch mid-cycle.

Nintendo

Any way you want to slice it, the Switch has been a smashing success for Nintendo. In its most recent financial report, Nintendo said that Switch sales currently sit at 52.48 million units worldwide, which is no small task for a console that isn’t even three years old yet. Assuming Nintendo can keep this momentum up, the Switch is poised to become of the best-selling consoles of all time.

This generational shift we’re about to experience may have a negative effect on that momentum, and that’s something Nintendo should consider as it determines how to proceed. The Switch already ranks behind the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 in terms of power, and with an even larger gap between the power of the Switch and the power of these new consoles, will gamers start to pay less attention to the Switch?

I think Nintendo losing some its audience to these new consoles, at least temporarily, is inevitable. Do I think that the shift in attention is going to be large enough to sink the Switch? No, but I do think that there’s a certain amount of risk to just maintaining the course it’s currently on and expecting that the Switch is immune to competition from the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.

Whether Nintendo wants to admit it or not, Sony and Microsoft are competitors. Nintendo is fond of saying that it doesn’t concern itself with what other players in the space are doing, but that indifference toward Sony and Microsoft could cost it some sales. So, what can Nintendo do to maintain interest in the Switch at a time when new hardware from two companies is landing?

As much as I enjoy the Switch in its current iteration, I do think there’s something to the idea that Nintendo could launch a “Switch Pro.” For years now, rumors have been claiming that Nintendo is plotting to release a new Switch model that’s more advanced than what we have now. Commonly referred to as the Switch Pro, we’ve heard that this new console could offer everything from a higher-resolution display to a more capable processor to a longer-lasting battery.

READ MORE: Nintendo Switch Lite ReviewUp until a certain point last year, rumors about the Switch Pro also referenced a smaller, handheld-only Switch console. Those rumors turned out to be true, with Nintendo launching the Switch Lite in September. Nintendo’s latest financials tell us that launching the Switch Lite was a good move for the company, so there could very be a market for a Switch Pro too.

Unfortunately for us, Nintendo has poured cold water on the rumors that claim a Switch Pro will be releasing this year. During its most recent earnings presentation, Nintendo laid it plain, saying “we have no plans to launch a new Nintendo Switch model during 2020.”

This, ultimately, means nothing. Nintendo could very well be plotting a new Switch for release at some point this year, but if it isn’t ready to be revealed, then Nintendo will simply deny it exists. Earlier in the presentation, Nintendo even said that it “is in the nature of our business to value surprise” in regards to “future development.” In other words, if there is a Switch Pro, it certainly isn’t getting a reveal during a presentation to investors.

Obviously, whether or not Nintendo is making a Switch Pro is something that no one knows at the moment, and given the company’s history with the Switch, we probably won’t get a reveal until a few months fore the console launches.

Mistakes with the Wii U notwithstanding, Nintendo isn’t a stupid company. It should know that even though the Switch is currently a critical and commercial darling, attention like that can be fleeting, especially with new consoles from competitors on the horizon.

I would be very surprised to learn that Nintendo’s plan for the beginning of the next generation involves only staying the course that it’s currently on. Assuming neither Microsoft and Sony get up on stage and implode like the former did during the reveal of the Xbox One, there should be a lot of excitement heading into the launches of the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. Nintendo is going to want to do something to keep its existing player base and potential customers engaged.

That’s the beauty of this whole situation though: since Nintendo launched a new console in the middle of this generation’s cycle, there’s no way to tell what it’s going to do in response to the PS5 and the Xbox Series X. Just as easily as it could be making a Switch Pro behind the scenes, it could also be determined to let the Switch stand on its own merits. Maybe instead of launching a new model, Nintendo will instead just keep tapping its major franchises for Switch releases?

We are in uncharted territory at the moment, at least as far as Nintendo is concerned. Its decision to can the Wii U and launch the Switch mid-cycle means that its console lifespans don’t match those of its competitors, so what it will do at the dawn of the next generation is up in the air.

While I’m looking forward to learning more about the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X, I’m also going to be watching Nintendo as we barrel toward the new generation. Its status as a wild card will make it a company to keep tabs on, because it’ll be interesting to see how it responds to more powerful hardware from its competitors – if it does at all.

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Ottawa orders TikTok’s Canadian arm to be dissolved

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The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.

Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the government’s “wind up” demand Wednesday, saying it is meant to address “risks” related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.

“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” he said in a statement.

The announcement added that the government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content.

However, it urged people to “adopt good cybersecurity practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply.”

Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking details about what evidence led to the government’s dissolution demand, how long ByteDance has to comply and why the app is not being banned.

A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of well-paying local jobs.

“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said.

“The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”

The federal Liberals ordered a national security review of TikTok in September 2023, but it was not public knowledge until The Canadian Press reported in March that it was investigating the company.

At the time, it said the review was based on the expansion of a business, which it said constituted the establishment of a new Canadian entity. It declined to provide any further details about what expansion it was reviewing.

A government database showed a notification of new business from TikTok in June 2023. It said Network Sense Ventures Ltd. in Toronto and Vancouver would engage in “marketing, advertising, and content/creator development activities in relation to the use of the TikTok app in Canada.”

Even before the review, ByteDance and TikTok were lightning rod for privacy and safety concerns because Chinese national security laws compel organizations in the country to assist with intelligence gathering.

Such concerns led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill in March designed to ban TikTok unless its China-based owner sells its stake in the business.

Champagne’s office has maintained Canada’s review was not related to the U.S. bill, which has yet to pass.

Canada’s review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to might harm national security.

While cabinet can make investors sell parts of the business or shares, Champagne has said the act doesn’t allow him to disclose details of the review.

Wednesday’s dissolution order was made in accordance with the act.

The federal government banned TikTok from its mobile devices in February 2023 following the launch of an investigation into the company by federal and provincial privacy commissioners.

— With files from Anja Karadeglija in Ottawa

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Here is how to prepare your online accounts for when you die

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LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?

It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.

Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:

Apple

The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.

For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.

You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.

Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.

Google

Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.

When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.

You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.

There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.

Facebook and Instagram

Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.

When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.

The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.

You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.

TikTok

The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.

Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.

X

It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.

Passwords

Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?

Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.

But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.

___

Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.

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Google’s partnership with AI startup Anthropic faces a UK competition investigation

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LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday it’s opening a formal investigation into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.

The Competition and Markets Authority said it has “sufficient information” to launch an initial probe after it sought input earlier this year on whether the deal would stifle competition.

The CMA has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its investigation.

“Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world,” the company said. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights.”

San Francisco-based Anthropic was founded in 2021 by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has focused on increasing the safety and reliability of AI models. Google reportedly agreed last year to make a multibillion-dollar investment in Anthropic, which has a popular chatbot named Claude.

Anthropic said it’s cooperating with the regulator and will provide “the complete picture about Google’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”

“We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” it said in a statement.

The U.K. regulator has been scrutinizing a raft of AI deals as investment money floods into the industry to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom. Last month it cleared Anthropic’s $4 billion deal with Amazon and it has also signed off on Microsoft’s deals with two other AI startups, Inflection and Mistral.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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