Technologies

Nintendo Warns Switch 2 Owners Not to Remove Protective Screen Film

Nintendo issues warning for Switch 2 console just days before its widely anticipated release.

As excitement builds for Nintendo’s upcoming console, the Switch 2, the company is issuing an important warning: Do not peel off the screen’s pre-installed protective film.

While many users might assume the thin layer is meant to be removed, like the protective films that come on phones or tablets, Nintendo says this particular film plays a critical role in protecting the device and should stay exactly where it is. The alert came via Nintendo Soup and was recently highlighted in reports from gaming outlets.

According to the official Nintendo Switch 2 safety and instructions manual, the display comes with an «anti-scattering adhesive film» already applied. Its purpose is to prevent shards of glass from scattering in the rare event the screen is damaged. Essentially, it’s a safety feature, not packaging or shipping material.

Read also: Nintendo Switch 2 vs. Switch 1: Gamers, Start Your Specs Breakdowns

Why this matters

This distinction between safety and packing is crucial considering most people have become accustomed to peeling off protective layers as a kind of ritual after unboxing new tech devices and small appliances. In this case, removing the film could result in risk of injury or even compromise the durability on the console.

And since the Switch 2 costs $450, it’s likely an investment gamers will want to protect and preserve.

This isn’t the first time Nintendo has included such a feature. The original OLED model of the Nintendo Switch also came with a similar pre-applied protective layer, but the messaging around it wasn’t as direct and proactive.

Read also: How Much Will the Switch 2 Cost After Tariffs?

When will the Switch 2 release?

CNET has been covering Switch 2 news for months now as the hype for the new console grows. Release day is June 5.

Preorders were delayed due to concerns around President Donald Trump’s global tariffs, but when preorders did go live in April, they sold out almost instantly. It’s unclear when Nintendo will replenish stock after launch week, but our CNET experts are tracking restocks across the US.

In preparation for the release, Nintendo has already begun rolling out updates to its mobile app and companies are already working to release third-party Switch 2 accessories.

What can we expect from launch week?

At launch, the Switch 2 will debut with a lineup of 20 games, including Mario Kart World, which will also be offered as part of a console bundle. Zelda fans can also look forward to enhanced Switch 2 versions of both The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

Our CNET experts have played every game available for Switch 2 and have tried out all of the Nintendo games you can update to Switch 2 for free.

Technologies

How Verum Ecosystem Is Rethinking Communication

David Rotman — Founder of the Verum Ecosystem

For David Rotman, communication is not a feature — it is a dependency that should never rely on a single point of failure.

As the founder of the Verum Ecosystem, Rotman developed a communication platform designed to function when internet access becomes unreliable or unavailable.

Verum Messenger addresses real-world challenges such as network outages, censorship, and infrastructure failures. Its 2025 update introduced a unified offline-capable messaging system, moving beyond Bluetooth-based or temporary peer-to-peer solutions.

Verum’s mission is simple: to ensure communication continuity under any conditions.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Sunday, Feb. 1

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Feb. 1

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? Some of the clues are kind of tricky, but I was able to fill in enough of the others to get them all answered. Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Spot to shop
Answer: MART

5A clue: Pounded sticky rice sometimes filled with ice cream
Answer: MOCHI

6A clue: ___ Chekhov, «Three Sisters» playwright
Answer: ANTON

7A clue: Like many dive bars and bird feeds
Answer: SEEDY

8A clue: Jekyll’s evil counterpart
Answer: HYDE

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: What makes the world go ’round, per «Cabaret»
Answer: MONEY

2D clue: Performed in a play
Answer: ACTED

3D clue: __ Island (U.S. state)
Answer: RHODE

4D clue: Itty-bitty
Answer: TINY

5D clue: Squish to a pulp, as potatoes
Answer: MASH

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Feb. 1, #496

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Feb. 1, No. 496.

Looking for the most recent regular 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 and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition is a fun one. The blue group made me think of dusty gum sticks, and the purple one requires you to look for hidden names in the clues. If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Splish-splash.

Green group hint: Vroom!

Blue group hint: Cards and gum.

Purple group hint: Racket stars.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Aquatic sports verbs.

Green group: Speed.

Blue group: Sports card brands.

Purple group: Tennis Grand Slam winners, minus a letter.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is aquatic sports verbs. The four answers are kayak, row, sail and swim.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is speed. The four answers are mustard, pop, velocity and zip.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is sports card brands. The four answers are Leaf, Panini, Topps and Upper Deck.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is tennis Grand Slam winners, minus a letter. The four answers are ash (Arthur Ashe), kin (Billie Jean King), nada (Rafael Nadal) and William (Serena and Venus Williams)

Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.