Nintendo has officially begun preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2, but the initial launch was chaotic, with major retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and GameStop selling out quickly. The console is priced at $449.99 for the standard version and $499.99 for a bundle that includes Mario Kart World, available only through fall 2025 or while supplies last. Nintendo is still accepting sign-ups via its My Nintendo Store for reservation invites, which come with specific eligibility criteria, including having a Nintendo Switch Online membership and prior gameplay hours. Retailers currently accepting or expected to accept orders include Walmart, GameStop, Best Buy, Target, Newegg, Sam's Club, and Antonline. To increase chances of securing a console, customers should create accounts with multiple retailers, download their mobile apps, sign up for notifications, and consider visiting physical stores. Limited inventory is expected both online and in-store at launch on June 5th. Nintendo warns that due to high demand, delivery by launch day is not guaranteed even with an invite. Additional promotions like trade-in offers and membership credits are available at select retailers.

Instagram now allows photos with a 3:4 aspect ratio, enabling images to appear exactly as they were taken without cropping, according to Instagram head Adam Mosseri. Most phone cameras default to this format, and the update supports both single-photo uploads and carousels. Previously, Instagram supported rectangular images with a 4:5 ratio, but with the new 3:4 support, photos won’t be cropped at the edges. Users can still opt to post photos in square or 4:5 formats. This update follows Instagram’s earlier change to profile grids featuring rectangles instead of squares, reflecting the trend towards vertical orientation for uploads.

YouTube is launching a new Lens feature in Shorts, allowing users to search directly for animals, plants, landmarks, and other items seen in videos. This feature will enter beta rollout soon and can be accessed via YouTube's mobile app by pausing a Short and tapping the Lens button to circle, highlight, or tap the item of interest. The search will display visual matches and relevant information overlaid on the video, enabling users to explore more about the content, such as the location of landmarks or details about objects. Lens does not use biometric facial recognition but may show results for notable public figures. Ads will not be shown in search results during the pilot, and the feature will initially be unavailable on Shorts containing shopping affiliate links. This update aligns with Google's recent expansions of Lens capabilities, including video search and in-store shopping assistance.

A recent analysis by Alex de Vries-Gao, a PhD candidate at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, suggests that by the end of 2025, artificial intelligence could consume nearly half of the electricity used by data centers worldwide, potentially exceeding Bitcoin mining's energy consumption. Currently, AI accounts for up to 20% of data centers' electricity usage. Estimations are based on projections from the supply chain of specialized AI computer chips, as precise data from tech companies is scarce. Despite advancements in efficiency, AI's energy consumption is rapidly increasing, raising concerns about its environmental impact. The findings were published in the journal Joule and highlight the need for greater scrutiny of AI's growing power needs.

Tesla is preparing to launch its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, possibly as soon as June 12th, though the date is not confirmed. The service will start with 10-20 Model Y vehicles equipped with enhanced features like audio inputs to detect emergency sirens and will be heavily monitored by remote operators ready to intervene if needed. CEO Elon Musk announced that Tesla has begun testing self-driving Model Ys without safety drivers on public streets in Austin with no incidents reported. However, Tesla has not publicly demonstrated fully driverless operation in complex real-world environments, unlike competitors such as Waymo, which conducts extensive testing and is transparent about their safety measures. Tesla's approach contrasts with traditional robotaxi launches, raising questions about safety, transparency, and who will have access to the service initially. Additionally, Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology has been linked to several accidents and fatalities, prompting scrutiny from regulators like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Public trust in autonomous vehicles is waning, and Tesla's brand reputation has suffered due to CEO Elon Musk's controversial actions. While Tesla has a loyal fan base, the success of its robotaxi service will depend on overcoming these significant challenges and uncertainties.

Amazon has formed a new ZeroOne team dedicated to creating 'breakthrough' devices, led by J Allard, the co-founder of Xbox and former Microsoft executive. The team is reportedly working on innovative smart home products, as indicated by recent job listings seeking experts in applied science, product marketing, and customer insights. J Allard, notable for his work on the Xbox consoles, Zune MP3 player, Kin phones, and Courier tablet prototype, joined Amazon in late 2024 to explore new ideas. While details on product release timelines remain unclear, this initiative highlights Amazon's ongoing investment in smart home technology alongside its existing Alexa ecosystem and devices like Echo, Blink, and Eero. Amazon's recent Alexa event emphasized AI-powered advancements, including the invite-only Alexa Plus assistant available via subscription.

Netflix is developing a drama series titled 'The Altruists' about the FTX cryptocurrency scandal, starring Anthony Boyle as Sam Bankman-Fried and Julia Garner as Caroline Ellison. The series, produced by Graham Moore and Jacqueline Hoyt, will explore how the two former executives orchestrated the $8 billion fraud of the FTX exchange. The show aims to portray the story of these ambitious idealists who tried to transform the global financial system but ended up embroiled in one of the biggest financial crimes. The eight-episode series will also possibly address the legal consequences both faced, including their prison sentences and Bankman-Fried's ongoing efforts to seek a presidential pardon.

Life360 has announced a deeper integration with Tile's Bluetooth location trackers, allowing users to set up and manage Tile devices directly within the Life360 app, eliminating the need for the separate Tile app. Since Life360 acquired Tile's device-tracking business in 2022, it has begun incorporating Tile's features, including push notifications for leaving items behind and location history for tracked items. While the Tile app remains available, new features are exclusive to Life360, signaling a potential phase-out of the standalone Tile app. Additionally, Life360 has reorganized its paid plans, now including SOS Alerts—enabling 911 calls through a compatible Tile device—for $7.99 per month in the Silver membership. Life360 functions as a comprehensive family safety and location app with features like real-time location sharing, crash detection, and roadside assistance. Despite ending the sale of precise user data, Life360 shares aggregated data with analytics partners for driving insights. This integration and feature expansion enhance Life360's utility for families seeking safety and location services in one unified app.

Elon Musk, who was closely linked with President Donald Trump and deeply involved in political activities, has announced he is stepping back from politics. Having served as a Special Government Employee with a 130-day tenure, Musk revealed on May 28th that his official time with DOGE and in his government role is ending. Despite his recent interviews insisting he is pulling away from political engagements, skepticism remains. Musk admitted to spending too much time on politics and has since reduced his involvement significantly, citing the end of his government appointment.

Apple's newest update to Logic Pro on Mac and iPad adds an innovative feature called "Flashback Capture." This feature allows musicians to save their performances retroactively, even if they forgot to hit the record button initially. Similar to a gaming capture function, it supports both MIDI and traditional audio recordings and can be activated via a key command or a control bar button. The feature also accommodates looped sections, saving each pass as a separate take. Additionally, improvements have been made to the AI-powered Stem Splitter tool to support guitar and piano tracks and allow selective part exports, aiding remixing and vocal removal. New sound packs with numerous loops and drum kits have also been added, complimenting the user experience on both Mac and iPad versions, with exclusive packs featuring analog tape sounds and guitar tracks by Tosin Abasi for the Mac version.