Technologies
The Switch 2’s Mouse Controls Could Make it an FPS-Friendly Console
Nintendo consoles have never had the strongest suite of shooters. The Switch 2 has the power to change that.
The last time Nintendo truly broke ground in the first-person shooter (FPS) genre was with GoldenEye 007 on the Nintendo 64 — and that was in 1997. Since then, other consoles took the lead with better controllers for shooters, with Nintendo’s trailing. Now, the reveal of the Switch 2’s Joy-Cons are giving the publisher a real chance to compete in the shooter market once again.
Nintendo hasn’t strayed from porting major FPS games to the Switch. Classic games Doom and Quake are available alongside contemporary titles like Superhot and Dusk. The hybrid console even runs Overwatch 2 (albeit poorly), allowing gamers to take player-vs-player hero shooter action on-the-go.
But many other major FPS series didn’t make it onto the Switch. Perhaps this is because the family-friendly perception of the console or the hardware limitations compared to more powerful Xbox and PlayStation consoles. What’s equally likely is that the Joy-Con design just doesn’t support an FPS control scheme for long play sessions, making these shooters less desirable on the console.
The Switch 2’s Joy-Cons introduce a mouse control feature that could elevate FPS games past usual console limitations. If these new Joy-Cons can match the aiming precision of a keyboard and mouse — or at the very least, surpass that of joystick-packing controllers like those on rival Xbox and PlayStation consoles — then there’s a chance for the next Nintendo console to become a fan-favorite handheld for shooter aficionados.
We’ll soon see how the mouse controls perform in action. The feature will have an early trial by fire with a returning first-party series that might make or break the hardware’s adoption by third-party developers.
Metroid Prime 4 Beyond could be the FPS trendsetter for the Switch 2
One of the Switch 2 Nintendo Treehouse streams showcased some hands-on gameplay with the newest entry in the Metroid Prime series, which has been dormant since Metroid Prime 3 launched on the Wii in 2007.
Metroid Prime 4 Beyond still uses the series’ signature lock-on aim feature with an outsized focus on other mechanics like Samus’ visor scanner and morph ball modes but now on the Switch 2, players also will have the ability to seamlessly switch to Joy-Con mouse controls as they play the game.
The swap from the gamepad to the mouse controls looks quick and easy — the Treehouse presenter didn’t even have to root around in the game’s menus to transition from controller aim to mouse aim. Whether players will have a desk nearby when playing on their couch is another question.
The accuracy on display afterward certainly wasn’t great but it remains to be seen whether this is because the Joy-Con mouse controls are cumbersome to use or if there’s a higher skill ceiling than what we saw on stream.
If it’s really this easy and intuitive to swap between the different Switch 2 Joy-Con control schemes, this might be a rare Nintendo hardware feature that third-party developers opt to build their ports around.
The performance of Metroid Prime 4 Beyond could be one of the key proverbial battlegrounds that dictate whether mouse controls for FPS games will make the console a serious home for shooters — but it won’t be the true deciding factor.
Mouse controls adoption is in the hands of third-party developers — and players
Nintendo has already made a strong statement about their support for third-party development for their new console. We know the Switch 2 will have ports for some of the biggest AAA games published in the past few years, including Hogwarts Legacy, Split Fiction and even Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition.
That doesn’t mean that every third-party developer is going to want to port their game to Switch 2. Overwatch and Apex Legends are already here but that doesn’t guarantee that other developers will want to expend time and resources creating a Switch 2 port for their shooter.
How audiences choose to engage with the first batch of FPS games on the new console could also change how third-party developers approach the Switch 2 and whether they choose to account for the Joy-Con mouse control scheme.
It’s not a guarantee that the Switch 2’s mouse controls will be a hit for FPS players at this point, because few people have hands-on experience with them. It’s hard to say whether dragging the Joy-Con across the table will truly approximate the fine-motor control of aiming with a mouse. In games that require precision accuracy, the console’s mouse mode has a lot to live up to for shooter enthusiasts.
Do the new Joy-Con sensors smoothly track your physical movements? That’s between Scott Stein and God. We don’t even know if there’s a way to change the dots per inch (DPI) of these controllers to account for different people’s look sensitivity preferences.
Frankly, it’s unclear whether it’ll even be comfortable to use the Joy-Con mouse controls for a prolonged period of time. These are pretty small pieces of equipment, and it looks like it could be uncomfortable to curl your finger up around the trigger to fire weapons — which would be a win for claw grip users, and everyone else will just have to cope.
There are just too many variables at work to say for certain whether the Switch 2’s new hardware feature will revitalize FPS gaming on Nintendo consoles, or if it’ll just be another underused gimmick.
But one thing is certain: The usually family-friendly publisher is primed to take shooters seriously on the console and I’m embracing their experiment with open arms.
Technologies
Could the iPhone’s Price Double With Trump’s New 125% Tariff? We Do the Math
Trump dumped other countries’ tariffs for now but bumped China up to 125%. Experts advise against panic-buying if it puts you in debt.
US President Donald Trump pressed pause on «reciprocal tariffs» this week, but he upped the levy on goods from China to 125% in the latest escalation of the two countries’ trade war. Experts say you should expect to pay more for your next iPhone.
Trump announced the 90-day pause on his social media platform for all countries except China because «these countries have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way, shape or form.» China, where Apple produces most of its products, has responded to each of Trump’s tariff hikes this year by increasing tariffs on US products.
«Trump is playing hardball with China, which is unsettling on many levels,» Patti Brennan, certified financial planner and CEO of Key Financial, said in an email. «As for Apple, expect the prices to double for their products.»
Apple has started to move some of its manufacturing to other countries, including India and Vietnam. Those countries were supposed to be hit with their own tariffs today — Vietnam with a 46% tariff hike and India a 26% increase — but were among the reprieved. Trump left in place a 10% baseline tariff on imports.
And though experts don’t expect costs to rise on a 1-to-1 basis with tariffs on goods from China — and other countries after the pause expires — you should expect significant increases. It’s unclear, however, exactly how much of an impact the tariffs will actually have on prices. If rising prices cause demand to plummet, experts note that Apple and other producers could reduce their prices to stay competitive.
If you’re in the market for a new Apple device or an imported gaming system, like the Nintendo Switch 2 or PlayStation 5 Pro, here’s how tariffs could raise prices, and what you should do to prepare.
Read more: Apple Shoppers Are Reportedly Panic Buying iPhones Amid Looming Tariffs
How much could iPhone prices go up with tariffs? We do the math
If the full cost of tariffs were passed on to shoppers, we’d see a 125% increase in prices on Apple products produced in China. Apple has moved some of its production to other countries, but most iPhones are still manufactured in China.
Here’s how it could affect the cost of an iPhone if the full tariffs for China were applied:
How could tariffs on China increase iPhone prices?
| Current price | 125% tariff | New price | |
| iPhone 15 (128GB) | $699 | $874 | $1,573 |
| iPhone 15 Plus (128GB) | $799 | $999 | $1,798 |
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | $599 | $749 | $1,348 |
| iPhone 16 (128GB) | $799 | $999 | $1,798 |
| iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) | $899 | $1,124 | $2,023 |
| iPhone 16 Pro (128GB) | $999 | $1,249 | $2,248 |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB) | $1,199 | $1,499 | $2,698 |
But there’s a lot more that goes into the price of an iPhone than simply where it’s manufactured. Apple sources components for its products from a long list of countries, which could face higher tariffs after the pause. And a tariff on goods doesn’t necessarily mean prices will go up by the same amount. If companies want to stay competitive, they could absorb some of the costs to keep their prices lower.
«It won’t be as high as one-to-one in terms of the tariff increases,» said Ryan Reith, group vice president for IDC’s Worldwide Device Tracker suite, which includes mobile phones, tablets and wearables. «The math isn’t as clear cut as that on the tariffs.»
Will other tech products also see price hikes?
Smartphones aren’t the only devices expected to see prices increase because of tariffs. Best Buy and Target warned consumers last month to expect higher prices for everything, after the latest round of tariffs went into effect. February’s tariff hike had already prompted Acer to announce that it was raising prices on its laptops.
Apple announced a $100 price cut on its new MacBook Air last month, a day after the last round of tariffs took effect. In what was widely viewed as an attempt to persuade Trump to «carve out» an exemption from the latest tariffs, Apple announced in February that it would spend more than $500 billion in the next four years to expand manufacturing operations in the US.
«They already committed $500 billion to US manufacturing, and there was no carve out for Apple,» Brennan said. «They will have to pass along most of these costs to consumers.»
However, regardless of the exact amount, expect tariffs on goods from China to translate into higher prices for consumers. That means the tech you use every day, like imported smartphones, tablets, laptops, TVs and kitchen appliances, could get even more expensive this year.
What’s going on with tariffs?
Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff on all imports plus «reciprocal tariffs» on imports from more than 180 countries April 2, which he dubbed «Liberation Day.» He’s long touted tariffs as a way to even the trade deficit and raise revenue to offset tax cuts, although many economists say that tariffs could lead to higher prices and may end up hurting the US economy. Stock prices plummeted after Trump’s announcement as markets reacted poorly to the sweeping tariffs.
Trump has taken an especially hard stance on China, which was already subject to tariffs that Trump ordered during his first term in office. He started in February, imposing 20% in tariffs, then announced last week a 34% tariff on goods from China. Earlier this week, he added another 50% tariff before landing today on the 125% tariff against China. China has responded with its own tariffs after each of Trump’s announcements.
Tariffs, in theory, are designed to financially impact other countries because their goods are being taxed. Tariffs are paid by the US company importing the product, and this upcharge is usually — but not always — passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices.
Should you buy tech now to avoid tariffs later?
If you were planning to buy a new iPhone, gaming console, MacBook or other tech, buying it now could save you money.
But if you don’t have the cash on hand and need to use a credit card or buy now, pay later plan just to avoid tariffs, experts say to make sure you have the money to cover the costs before you start accruing interest. With credit cards’ average interest rates currently more than 20%, the cost of financing a big purchase could quickly wipe out any savings you’d get by buying before prices go up because of tariffs.
«If you finance this expense on a credit card and can’t pay it off in full in one to two months, you’ll likely end up paying way more than a tariff would cost you,» said Alaina Fingal, an accountant, founder of The Organized Money and a CNET Money Expert Review Board member. «I would recommend that you pause on any big purchases until the economy is more stable.»
One way to save on Apple products, even if prices go up, is to buy last year’s model instead of the newest release.
«If you aren’t planning to upgrade in the next year, there is no need to rush out to buy a new smartphone,» Shawn DuBravac, chief economist at IPC, a manufacturing trade association, said in an email. «Technology is naturally deflationary, meaning that over time performance goes up and prices generally go down for products of similar quality.»
Technologies
Extending the Trump Tax Cuts? Here’s Who Might and Might Not Benefit
Republicans in Congress have a plan ready to extend the 2017 Trump tax cuts but are already facing major opposition from Democrats.
It’s not just the tariffs. President Donald Trump’s economic plans also call for an extension of his 2017 tax overhaul before it expires. These changes — commonly known as the «Trump tax cuts» — lowered tax rates and increased the value of certain tax incentives but also have been a political lightning rod over the years because of their benefits for corporations and the wealthy. It’s the sort of heated discourse that can leave the basic facts of the bill a bit murky.
That 2017 tax plan, officially known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, was one of the signature legislative accomplishments of Trump’s first term, and passing an extension has been a priority for the president since he entered his second term. While extending the cuts carries a big estimated price tag, Trump administration officials have suggested that newly imposed tariffs could raise enough money to cover the cost of extending the tax cuts, an important consideration in the budget reconciliation process. But the clock is ticking: Many of its provisions are set to expire by the end of 2025 without action from Congress.
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That action is getting underway On April 2, the Republican-led House unveiled a blueprint for an extension of the Trump tax cuts, reigniting the political firestorm surrounding them. While Republicans have characterized this planned extension as a bid for stability and a net-positive for everyone, Democrats have hit back with their longstanding argument that the cuts disproportionately benefit corporations and the wealthy.
For all the details about why there might be some truth to both statements, keep reading, and stick around to the end to find out how much it might cost. For more, find out if Trump could actually abolish the Department of Education.
What would extending the Trump tax cuts mean?
While the phrase «Trump tax cuts» has become a common media shorthand for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the current conversation around it might suggest that new cuts could be on the way. Although Trump has floated ideas for additional cuts, it’s important to note that extending the 2017 provisions would for the most part keep tax rates and programs at the levels they’ve been at since then.
So while it may be a better option than having the provisions expire — which would increase certain tax rates and decrease certain credits — extending the tax cuts most likely won’t change how you’ve been taxed the past eight years. However, some estimates have predicted that extending the cuts would boost income in 2026, with the conservative-leaning Tax Foundation in particular predicting a 2.9% rise on average, based on a combination of other economic predictions combined with tax rates staying where they are.
What would change if the Trump tax cuts expire?
Republicans contend that the tax cuts helped a wide swath of Americans, and the Tax Foundation predicted that 60% of tax filers would see higher rates in 2026 without an extension.
A big part of that has to do with tax bracket changes. The 2017 provisions lowered the income tax rates across the seven brackets, aside from the first (10%) and the sixth (35%). If the current law expires, those rates would go up 1% to 3%.
Income limits for each bracket would also revert to pre-2017 levels. Lending credence to the Democrats’ counterarguments, these shifts under the Trump tax cuts appeared to be more beneficial to individuals and couples at higher income levels than to those making closer to the average US income.
If you’re interested in the nitty-gritty numbers, you can check out the Tax Foundation’s full breakdown. Another point in Democrats’ favor? The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act also cut corporate tax rates from 35% to 21%, and unlike many of its other provisions, this one was permanent and won’t expire in 2026.
The cuts also capped the total amount that taxpayers can deduct based on «state and local property, income, and sales tax,» otherwise known as SALT, at $10,000. There was previously no limit, and as Lisa Greene-Lewis, a tax prep experts and analyst for TurboTax, told CNET in an email correspondence, this is a policy that could be detrimental to certain taxpayers if the TCJA is extended.
«Filers living in states with high state and property taxes are capped at a $10,000 deduction for total state and local property, income and sales tax — even when many of them may pay way beyond that amount,» Greene-Lewis explained. «If this part of the provision went back to the way it was prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) without caps, filers in states with high state and property taxes would be able to deduct the full amounts paid.»
Greene-Lewis also noted that there is talk about removing the SALT cap from the plan to extend the TCJA.
What would happen to the standard deduction?
This is another area in which a lot of people would be hit hard. The standard deduction lets taxpayers lower their taxable income, as long as they forgo itemizing any deductions.
For the 2025 tax year, the standard deduction is $15,000 for individual filers, and $30,000 for joint filers. If the tax cuts expire, these numbers will drop by nearly half, down to $8,350 for individuals and $16,700 for joint filers.
What would happen to the child tax credit?
The child tax credit is one of the most popular credits out there. Its current levels — $2,000 per qualifying child, which phases out starting at a gross income of $200,000 for single filers and $400,000 for joint filers — were actually set by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
If an extension or new bill isn’t passed, next year the child tax credit would revert to its old levels: $1,000 per child, which starts phasing out at $75,000 for single filers and $110,000 for joint filers.
Do the Trump tax cuts really favor the wealthy?
As mentioned above, higher-income individuals and couples made out notably better with the changes the Trump tax cuts made to tax brackets. Overall, numerous estimates have predicted that the wealthiest Americans would experience a greater proportion of the benefits, with the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center specifically estimating that households making more than $450,000 a year would reap around 45% of the tax cut benefits.
How much would extending the tax cuts cost?
Tax cuts more favorable to the wealthy are a big part of why some analysts say extension of the Trump tax cuts would add trillions of dollars to the national debt. An early estimate from the Tax Policy Center in 2018 found that extending the provisions through 2038 would add $3.8 trillion to the US deficit. A 2024 estimate from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget predicted that it would add $3.9 trillion to $4.7 trillion to the deficit through 2035, depending on which provisions were included.
The blueprint passed by the House last week included about $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, to be supported by $1.5 trillion in further government spending cuts. The rest would either go to the deficit or have to be made up for with additional cuts, adding fuel to the concerns that Republicans intend to substantially cut funding for Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security to pay for their tax plans.
For more, find out if IRS layoffs will hurt your tax return.
Technologies
Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for April 10, #669
Do you speak another language? If so, it might help you with the NYT Connections puzzle answers for April 10, #669.
Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.
Today’s Connections puzzle requires you be a little familiar with a language other than English. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.
The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.
Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time
Hints for today’s Connections groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group, to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: Let the sunshine in.
Green group hint: Keep it safe.
Blue group hint: Humbug!
Purple group hint: En español.
Answers for today’s Connections groups
Yellow group: Shades of yellow.
Green group: Supply.
Blue group: Anti-spirit of Christmas.
Purple group: Spanish words.
Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words
What are today’s Connections answers?
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is shades of yellow. The four answers are canary, gold, lemon and mustard.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is supply. The four answers are mine, reserve, store and well.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is anti-spirit of Christmas. The four answers are bah, coal, grinch and naughty.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is Spanish words. The four answers are ella, gusto, mayo and soy.
Toughest Connections puzzles
We’ve made a note of some of the toughest Connections puzzles so far. Maybe they’ll help you see patterns in future puzzles.
#5: Included «things you can set,» such as mood, record, table and volleyball.
#4: Included «one in a dozen,» such as egg, juror, month and rose.
#3: Included «streets on screen,» such as Elm, Fear, Jump and Sesame.
#2: Included «power ___» such as nap, plant, Ranger and trip.
#1: Included «things that can run,» such as candidate, faucet, mascara and nose.
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