Consoles
Nintendo NX Could Be Android Based
Nintendo is holding its cards close to its chest when it comes to the NX console, but small slivers of information occasionally get through. Nikkei, a reputably Japanese business newspaper, has reported that the Nintendo NX console will run on an Android operating system. You can see the article here, but note that you’ll need to know Japanese and be a subscriber to read the whole thing. Basically, the paper apparently has an inside source claiming the NX will be Android based.
What would an Android based console mean for Nintendo? Well, for starters, it would be a drastic departure from the company’s tradition of keeping fairly tight control over its products. Nintendo has always designed its operating systems in house and has historically been rather strict about the kind of content its consoles see (favouring family-friendly titles). An Android OS may also mean the Nintendo NX is a handheld console, though that seems unlikely. The 3DS is one of the company’s most successful consoles ever, while the Wii U has just about been a commercial failure. Replacing the latter with a new TV console would make the most sense.
While it may represent a major paradigm shift for the company, turning to Android brings its own advantages. Nikkei’s source states that the move towards Android is a result of the multitudes of third-party publishers turning away from developing for the Wii U. Having an Android based platform would mean developing for the console would not involve having to learn to code for yet another Nintendo OS. Another advantage from using Android is that it takes the strain of creating a new OS away from Nintendo, allowing them to focus on other things like creating games that will make buying the new console worthwhile. Not to mention the fact that the last OS Nintendo created, which was for the Wii U, takes fifteen seconds just to load the settings page. So it seems like they could use the help.
Another good reason for choosing Android is that Nintendo won’t have to pay for it. Google doesn’t charge for Android unless the manufacturer wants to use Google-branded apps, like Google Play or Google Maps (presumably Nintendo won’t use these). And that tradition Nintendo has of keeping tight control over its products is likely a contributing factor to the company’s current decline. Its vice-grip on its content has in many cases lead to the company shooting itself in the foot, such as its YouTube Creators’ Policy, which actually discourages Lets Players from showing Nintendo content on their channels. Handing the OS reigns to Android might help Nintendo learn to loosen up a bit.
PS4 sales in the UK climbed by a shocking 633 percent year-over-year in 2023, so apparently the old system isn’t dead yet. The previous year’s very limited supply of the system is likely a major factor in this figure, since the console’s lifespan was drastically reduced because of chip shortages caused by the pandemic. Still, it’s proof that PlayStation’s original platform has unmet demand.
With the very low prices of PS4 software (both in-store and online at the PS Store), this strategy makes a lot of sense. Plus, it’s future-proof, so there’s no harm in stocking up on PS4s while new-gen pricing is still high, since if you decide to switch to a PS5 in the future, you can transfer all of your purchases across. Not to mention that the majority of new releases still come out on the PS4, with several offering free PS5 upgrades.
While the percentage rise may seem huge, real PS4 sales will probably be much lower. It’s a sign that the gadget, which is now a decade old, isn’t completely dead yet, and we expect it to keep receiving maintenance for a while longer. Of course, this is great news for Sony, because the company would rather have PS4 players playing on its last-gen gadget than none at all, even if it would love to have them upgrade to PS5.
A PS5 firmware update on a cold winter morning is unmatched. The latest PS5 system software update is 23.02–08.40.00 from Sony. Does this one add useful features or just boost system performance?
Though closer to the latter, it’s more than Sony’s favorite patch note. It fixes security issues, improves messages and usability, and boosts system software performance. Official patch notes for this 1.185GB update:
- We updated system software security
- We improved system software stability and performance
- Some screens now have better messages and usability
That’s it. PS5 gets another win to recover from its midweek slump. Do you share our enthusiasm for this firmware update? Comment below. To spice things up, make your comment rhyme.
Belgian developer Larian Studios’ work on Baldur’s Gate 3’s Xbox Series S version will improve performance on all platforms, including PS5. The game’s fifth major patch, expected to launch this week, will include upgrades and new features. More details will be revealed later today.
Director of Publishing Michael Douse says PS5 performance improvements may be the “least exciting thing” in the title’s next update, so it sounds like a big one. Larian Studios employees are proud of “finally” implementing tweaks, fixes, and changes, Douse says. Later today, we’ll bring you all the Baldur’s Gate 3 update details.
Those who reached the RPG’s third act have reported technical issues during the narrative’s conclusion, especially in co-op, so today’s update should fix them. New features like a permadeath mode are expected, along with Xbox Series S optimization fixes. What else should be added to the game?
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