Qualcomm’s new chips will give rise to more smart speakers

The smart speaker trend started with Amazon’s Echo, and now includes Google Home and Apple HomePod, but it could get a lot more crowded thanks to Qualcomm. It has just unveiled a reference “smart audio” design, including microphone, speaker and voice recognition tech that OEMs can use to build their own products without starting from scratch. What’s more, it includes support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so OEMs will be able to add those voice assistants to a wider variety of audio products.

On top of the “smart” aspect of smart audio, Qualcomm is also taking care of the “audio” part. It showed off new DDFA audio amplifier tech and an audio development kit (ADK) that will help companies build wireless Bluetooth speakers, headphones and other products. The aim is to get manufacturers building smarter speakers or headphones “without significantly increasing integration time or cost,” Qualcomm VP Anthony Murray said in a statement.

The tech is powered by Linux and Android Things and includes “far field” multi-microphone technology that allows for wake words like “OK Google,” beamforming and echo cancellation. It also includes high-performance Bluetooth and WiFi support, playback of audio codecs like FLAC, MP3 and OggVorbis and support for Qualcomm’s AllPlay audio system that lets you network speakers together. As mentioned, it also offers Alexa and Google Assistant support, so companies could theoretically build in one or both of those.

There aren’t that many AllPlay speakers out there — Hitachi, Panasonic and Monster are the most notable companies making them — so Qualcomm is no doubt hoping more firms will adopt its chips. The upside for consumers could be a lot of decent quality speakers that you can scatter around your house without spending Sonos or Bose levels of cash. The chips are expected to be available in Q3 2017, with Alexa and Google Assistant support to follow a bit later.

Source: Qualcomm (1), (2), (3)

Firefox 54 Promises Faster Browsing on Macs With Limited RAM

Mozilla yesterday announced the release of Firefox 54 web browser with new multi-process architecture that promises to make browsing with multiple tabs open faster and more stable, especially on computers with 8GB of memory or less.

With the latest release, Firefox uses up to four processes to run web page content across all open tabs. This means that a heavy, complex web page in one tab has a much lower impact on the responsiveness and speed of other tabs, according to Mozilla:

The old Firefox used a single process to run all the tabs in a browser. Modern browsers split the load into several independent processes. We named our project to split Firefox into multiple processes ‘Electrolysis’ (or E10s) after the chemical process that divides water into its core elements. E10s is the largest change to Firefox code in our history. Besides running faster and crashing less, E10S makes websites feel more smooth. Even busy pages, like Facebook newsfeeds, spool out smoothly and cleanly.

In Mozilla’s own tests comparing memory usage for various browsers, it claimed that Firefox used significantly less RAM in macOS than both Safari and Chrome. The group has published an article on Medium explaining how the new E10s architecture works.

In one section titled “Why Chrome gets too hot when Firefox does not”, Mozilla writes that Chrome’s method of creating separate processes for each open tab can end up with each one consuming hundreds of megabytes of RAM, whereas Firefox reuses processes and content engines to limit memory usage.

By default, Firefox now creates up to 4 separate processes for web page content. So, your first 4 tabs each use those 4 processes, and additional tabs run using threads within those processes. Multiple tabs within a process share the browser engine that already exists in memory, instead of each creating their own.

Mozilla claims that Firefox’s considerate memory usage means users with 8GB of memory or less can browse the web without the browser hogging resources, allowing them to do other things on their computer. Meanwhile, users with more than 8GB of RAM can bump up the number of content processes that Firefox uses to make it even faster.

To change the number of content processes Firefox uses, enter about:config in your address bar, and adjust the number for the dom.ipc.processCount setting (we’ll be exposing a visible preference for this in an upcoming release).

Users can test out the claims by downloading Firefox 54 for free from the Mozilla website.

Tags: web browser, Mozilla, Firefox
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Instagram now lets you hide your embarrassing pics in a special place

Why it matters to you

The new feature gives you even more control over your Instagram content.

If you’ve ever shared an image on Instagram that you later felt is a little on the embarrassing side or doesn’t seem to fit with your existing collection, there’s now a way to get rid of it without wiping it from your account. In that way, you might come back to it later and think it’s not so bad after all and decide to repost it on your profile page, or you can simply hold it in a private collection, for your eyes only.

Instagram started testing its new Archive feature with select users last month, and launched it on Tuesday as part of its latest update — v10.21 — for iOS and Android users.

“Your profile is a representation of who you are and evolves with you over time,” Instagram said in a post introducing the new feature. “With Archive, you now have more flexibility to shape your profile while still preserving moments that matter.”

So how do you use it? Well, to archive a photo or video that you’ve already posted, first tap “…” at the top of the screen and then select “Archive” from the list of options that appear. To view your archived content, tap the new circular arrow symbol on the top right of your profile page. Should you ever decide to return a post to your public collection, simply tap the “…” again, and select “show on profile” from the list. It’ll immediately return to its original spot on your public profile page, there for all to see.

Oh, and archiving a photo or video retains all the likes and comments, so there’ll still be there if you decide to repost.

It seems Instagram is hoping the new feature will encourage its users to think twice about deleting content, though that may prove tough with those — particularly teens — already in the habit of keeping only their favorite 25 images on their profile, deleting content as and when required.

If users transfer their images to their Archive rather than delete them, they’ll probably dive into that Archive from time to time, increasing the amount of time they spend interacting with Instagram and potentially increasing their exposure to the service’s ads as they move around inside the app.

An Ohio judge is ordering drunk drivers to download Uber as part of sentence

Why it matters to you

Any effort to tackle drunk driving has to be a good thing, though we’re not sure how many repeat offenders will request a ride when they need to.

Convicted drunk drivers who escape jail time are likely to lose their license for a time and be told to pay a hefty fine. Face justice in a court near Cleveland, Ohio and you could also be ordered to download Uber and Lyft to your smartphone as part of your sentence.

Judge Michael A. Cicconetti of Painesville Municipal Court is thought to be the only judge in the country insisting that drunk drivers sign up to the ride-hailing services so that they might reach for their smartphone instead of their car keys next time they guzzle down one too many.

Cicconetti has been giving out the order since May to those caught driving under the influence, the HuffPost reports.

“There’s nothing crazy about it,” Cicconetti told local media outlet News Herald when asked about his creative approach to dealing with drunk driving. “It’s just common sense. Now that we have the technology and most people have the ability to do that, why not make it part of their sentence?”

He added, “It doesn’t cost anybody anything to install it and activate it, and it’s far cheaper than paying the thousands of dollars you’d have to pay for another [offense].” It’s not clear, however, how many repeat offenders will remember they have Uber as an option when they’re three sheets to the wind.

Still, the judge said he believes courts across the country should follow his example, though he was keen to point out that he’s not done any kind of deal with the companies concerned: “I’m not promoting Uber or Lyft. I have no monetary interest in Uber or Lyft,” he said, adding, “In the next 20 years, they’ll have self-driving cars anyway so we won’t have to worry about it.”

Uber and Lyft occasionally promote their services as a safe way for sloshed car owners to get home at the end of a big night out. A couple of years back, a marketing stunt by Uber involved a special kiosk set up in downtown Toronto that was essentially a breathalyzer linked to Uber’s network of local drivers. Late-night revelers passing by the kiosk were encouraged to blow into it and, if they were drunk, were offered a free ride home courtesy of the service.

In the run up to last year’s Fourth of July celebrations, the San Francisco-based company partnered with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and local law enforcement agencies in 25 cities across the U.S. to publicize drunk driving alternatives, and also offered discounted or free rides in those cities on the day itself.

Not to be outdone, Lyft teamed up with Budweiser for a few months last year to offer free rides home on weekends for plastered partygoers in some parts of the country.

While the data appears to be mixed for studies looking at the impact of ride-hailing apps on drunk driving, Judge Cicconetti, for one, will be hoping his unusual court order will start to show positive results.

Xiaomi Mi 6 benchmarks: Putting the Snapdragon 835 to the test

It’s time to see how the Xiaomi Mi 6 holds up in benchmarks.

The Xiaomi Mi 6 is one of the first phones to be powered by the Snapdragon 835. Built on Samsung’s 10nm FinFET node, the chipset offers a laundry list of improvements over last year’s Snapdragon 820 and 821, including a new semi-custom octa-core Kryo 280 CPU with four cores clocked at 2.45GHz, four cores at 1.90GHz, and an Adreno 540 GPU.

Synthetic benchmarks aren’t indicative of real-world usage, nor do they highlight a device’s user experience. For instance, the Galaxy S8 with its Snapdragon 835 (or the Exynos 8895) absolutely crushes it when it comes to benchmark scores, but the numbers don’t reveal the odd stutter that’s still present in the UI.

That said, benchmarks are an important metric to a lot of users, and more often than not, a high score in apps like AnTuTu forms the basis for a purchasing decision, particularly in markets like China and India. Without further ado, here’s a look at how the Xiaomi Mi 6 fares next to the competition:

Geekbench

Geekbench 4.0 (Higher is better)

The Mi 6 holds its own against the Exynos 8895-powered Galaxy S8+ at both single-core and multi-core benchmarks, and edges out the Snapdragon 821-toting OnePlus 3T, Mi 5s, and the Mi Note 2 when it comes to multi-core scores.

AnTuTu

AnTuTu Benchmark (Higher is better)

Xiaomi’s phones have always fared well in AnTuTu, and the Mi 6 is no different. With an overall score of 173614, the flagship is one of the best devices in the market today, at least according to AnTuTu.

3DMark

3DMark (Higher is better)

One of the key areas of improvement with the Snapdragon 835 is with regards to the GPU, and that’s evident in the 3DMark scores. The Mi 6 outpaces the Mali-G71 MP20 GPU on the Exynos 8895 by a considerable margin, as well as last year’s Adreno 530 on the Snapdragon 821.

The Mi 6 ticks a lot of right boxes, and is one of the fastest phones in the market today. The phone has a much better design when compared to last year’s Mi 5 and Mi 5s, and the software situation has also improved considerably, with the phone running Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box.

The dual rear camera configuration is also a significant upgrade from last year, and overall the phone is one of the best that Xiaomi has launched to date.

Why the Philips 901F is the flagship OLED TV you’ll want

There are some incredible recent television innovations that make the latest TVs the best we’ve ever had, but of them all, the technology that most impresses is OLED.

The display technology is by far and away the biggest breakthrough for picture quality in years. It ensures deep, dark black levels and vibrant, solid colours, so if you’re after the best you really need to consider an OLED TV.

Philips has a particular corker. Its 55POS901F offers the spectacular, rich colours, superthin design and superlative contrast of OLED, along with its own, proprietary Ambilight technology to provide an immersive, breathtaking viewing experience.

Here then are five great reasons why you should consider the Philips 901F when opting to buy a premium, flagship TV:

Philips

OLED

OLED, or Organic Light Emitting Diode, technology has enormous benefits over traditional LED backlit LCD TV tech. For a start, as each pixel is capable of emitting its own light, there is no need for a backlight and therefore there is no danger of light bleed between pixels.

LCD TVs cannot switch off each pixel individually, so you can get colours looking slightly washed out and less intense black levels than on an OLED equivalent.

In addition, the lack of a backlight also ensures OLED panels are superthin, so allow for more spectacular design aesthetics. Again, this is where an LED cannot compare. No matter how thin the display is, the backlight adds depth to the set.

Another area where OLED is favourable to LCD/LED technology is in motion. An OLED TV has unprecedented response time – where the screen refreshes – to create super smooth action and judder-free pictures. With a slower response time, LCD can suffer more with both.

Without a shadow of a doubt, OLED images are the best you can get.

Philips

Ambilight

While other manufacturers offer OLED TVs, only Philips includes Ambilight with its flagship set.

Ambilight uses small LEDs set into the back of the television that shine colours onto a back wall as you watch films or TV shows. The colours directly reflect the action on the screen, changing to perfectly match the TV shows or movies you watch.

The lights therefore extend the viewing experience beyond the confines of your TV screen, making your back wall into an extension of the action and making for a superbly immersive experience.

In addition, as OLED picture technology allows for extremely thin bezels around the picture, the three-sided Ambilight around the Philips 901F provides an almost seamless extension of the images on the screen itself. And because the OLED images are more vibrant and colourful than other TV tech, the overall effect is dazzling.

Philips

Perfect Pixel Ultra HD

The Philips 901F is a 4K Ultra HD TV using Philips’ proprietary Perfect Pixel Ultra HD image processing.

That means dedicated picture processing ensures that, even with standard and Full HD video, you get the sharpest, most accurate visuals possible. Colours are vibrant, whites are brilliant and bright, while black levels are strong and deep. And all this is achieved while ensuring that skin tones and other natural hues are rendered perfectly.

Motion is also smooth and free of blurring and artefacts.

HDR

As well as crisp 4K pictures, the 901F has HDR and HLG tech on board. The latter makes it futureproof as that’s the standard expected to be adopted by TV broadcasters.

High Dynamic Range and similar Hybrid Log Gamma support means that the TV can display a much wider range of colours than conventional sets, alongside higher brightness and deeper black levels. The contrast on the 901F is simply extraordinary.

HDR games and movies – as provided by consoles such as the PlayStation 4 and 4K Blu-ray players – will blow your socks off with the most realistic colours yet.

Android TV

As well as a superb way to watch films and TV shows through sources plugged into the four HDMI ports, you can also access Android TV apps and services when the 901F is connected to the internet.

Both Wi-Fi and wired internet connectivity are on offer through the TV and Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) ensures that you can run many services and apps, including games, directly on the TV itself.

Netflix, Amazon Video, Spotify and other major streaming services are available on the TV, so you don’t require a separate media streamer. And thanks to the 901F’s quad-core processor, they all run as smoothly as on the latest smartphones.

What is Apple’s 3D Touch and how does it work?

Apple’s latest iPhones, from the iPhone 6S onwards excluding the iPhone SE, feature a new type of screen. They not only have different glass to older models, but they offer new interactive levels too thanks to a technology called 3D Touch.

The iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus recognise force as well as gestures in order to offer more accurate haptic feedback. This in turn results in apps being more accessible thanks to variations in pressure offering previews, quick swiping and more. 

This feature explains what features Apple’s 3D Touch offers and how does the technology works.

Quick access to apps from home screen

One of the great things about 3D Touch, if you can get used to using it, is quicker access to various app actions from the home screen. Not all apps offer compatibility with 3D Touch, but there are more on board now than when 3D Touch first appeared. 

Pressing and holding a compatible app’s icon on home screen will pull up a menu, allowing you to perform various tasks without having to open up the app first. For example, pressing and holding the camera app will allow you launch the selfie camera rather than main snapper, while Maps will offer the option to mark your destination or send your location.

Apple

Press and hold Facebook and you’ll get the option of searching, writing a post, uploading a photo or video, or taking a photo or video. Some apps offer more options than others in the pop up menu, including the option to add a widget to the screen to the left of the home screen.

All of Apple’s native apps support 3D Touch but there are plenty of others too so it’s worth having a play.

You can also use 3D Touch to jump between apps rather than double tapping the home button. Apply a little but of pressure to the screen edge and you can swipe across between apps.

• Best 3D Touch apps for Apple iPhone

Peek and pop

Another of the features within 3D Touch is called “Peek and Pop”, which allows for exactly what it suggests: peeking at selected notifications through a pop up screen without needing to open the specific app.

Pressing and holding notifications offers a number of options depending on the which app the notification came from. For example, if a tweet, you’ll be able to retweet or like it, while an iMessage will allow you to read the message in a pop up screen and reply.

Apple

When inside apps, you can press lightly for a peek of the content, while continuing to press more firmly will go into the content.

In Mail, for example, you can press lightly to glance at a specific email then release the pressure to slip back to your entire list of emails. Pressing deeper when glancing at a specific email in the pop mode and you’ll be taken into the message where you will have access to all the actions you would have had if you had entered the Mail app and specific email manually.

Apple

Another example where Peek and Pop is useful is in Messages. If you receive a message with a time, date, flight number or web address, Messages will automatically highlight the respective event by underlining it.

From here, a light press on the event will either pull up your calendar, go to the incoming flight time if a flight number or allow you to peek at the web address within messages without going opening the browser.

• Apple 3D Touch tips and tricks

How does 3D Touch work and what Apple devices is it available on?

Capacitive sensors are integrated into the back light of the Retina display. With pressure, microscopic changes between the cover glass and back light are measured, which combined with the touch sensor and accelerometer should provide accurate pressure response.

The 3D Touch technology is included in all Apple’s devices capable of detecting touch pressure variations. You’ll therefore find it in the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

It is currently not available in the iPads, despite the iPad Pro 9.7, iPad Pro 10.5 and iPad Pro 12.9 all offering pressure-sensitive displays compatible with the Apple Pencil. It is also not available on the smaller and cheaper iPhone SE. 

Facebook Messenger’s AI ‘M’ can now assist you in Spanish

It sounds like Facebook “M,” the AI-powered virtual assistant for Messenger, has learned a new language. According to the social network, it can now dole out suggestions in Spanish if that’s your default language in the US or if you’re in Mexico. The company rolled out M to all users in the US in April, giving it the power to pop up in the middle of conversations. If you ask a friend to pay you $10 for pizza, it automatically shows all possible in-app payment options. Tell an officemate “let’s meet tomorrow,” and it provides a link to create an appointment and will even hail you an Uber or a Lyft. That’s the kind of assistant M is, and it now works the same way in Spanish.

If you ask a friend “¿Dónde estás?,” it provides a shortcut to Messenger’s location-sharing feature. Type “Besos!” or “Hola!” to bring up stickers. Friend won’t respond to the message asking him for that $10 he owes you? No problem. If he’ll be more receptive to a crisp scolding in Español, do it — M will understand and bring up the list of in-app payment options again.

Facebook apparently announced M’s new language and availability in Mexico on Messenger’s official account. We unfortunately can’t access the post, but a spokesperson has confirmed to Engadget that the Spanish-speaking M has already begun rolling out to users in the US and Mexico. Unfortunately, Facebook hasn’t announced whether the assistant will make its way to other countries, as well. If you don’t live in either the US or Mexico, you’ll just have to do things the old-fashioned way.

Source: VentureBeat, TechCrunch

TSA begins testing fingerprint check-ins at two US airports

It’s never a nice experience to stand in line at the airport for hours just to get a pat down when you get to the end. Hopefully, TSA’s new biometric fingerprint tech could make air travel a more pleasant experience for most people. Starting this week, the Transportation Security Administration’s fingerprint sensors will go through proof-of-concept testing at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport and at Denver International Airport. The test will last for four weeks, and you can try it out for yourself if you registered your fingerprint as part of TSA’s PreCheck program.

Your biometric info will serve as both proof of identification and boarding pass, so it can, in theory, lead to shorter lines and much speedier check-in. For the proof-of-concept test, though, participants still have to show their identification documents, boarding passes and tickets, since its purpose is to assess how accurate the biometric system is.

TSA Acting Assistant Administrator Steve Karoly said in a statement:

“TSA looks at technologies and intelligence capabilities that allow us to analyze and secure the travel environment, passengers and their property. Through these and other technology demonstrations, we are looking to reinvent and enhance security effectiveness to meet the evolving threat and ensure that passengers get to their destinations safely.”

Haven’t provided the agency your fingerprint yet, but you’re willing to trust them with your info for the chance to test the new system out? You can still volunteer your fingerprint using its PreCheck lanes at the airport. If we’re lucky, it could change the way airport security works in the US.

We hope you’re as excited as #ThisGuy about innovative screening technology! He’s one of the technicians setting up the biometric authentication technology (BAT). Besides having a super cool acronym, the technology matches passenger fingerprints to those that have previously been provided when travelers enrolled in #TSAPrecheck. This pilot program is voluntary and all participating passengers will also be subject to the standard ticket document checking process of showing their boarding pass and ID. Bummer, we know… But in the long term, this technology has the potential to eliminate the need for a boarding pass and ID altogether. The pilot starts this week and will take place at one TSA Pre✓® lane at the Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport #ATL and another at the Denver International Airport #DEN starting this week. TSA will analyze the data collected during the pilot for potential implementation at other U.S. airports in the future.

A post shared by TSA (@tsa) on Jun 13, 2017 at 11:03am PDT

Via: CNET

Source: TSA, Conde Nast Traveler

Best Nintendo Switch games to look forward to in 2017 & 2018: Super Mario Odyssey, Skyrim Switch, Mario + Rabbids and more

After the flop of the Wii U, Nintendo is looking to be on fine form with its Switch console. The home-meets-portable console was introduced in March 2017, along with Zelda: The Breath of the Wild, which might well be game of the year, and the company isn’t looking to slow things down – with more releases penned in for 2017 and beyond. 

In June 2017 the company hosted its E3 Spotlight stream, announcing a slew of games, the best of which we’ve included below alongside a trailer for each (where available). We’ll continue to  update this round-up throughout 2017 – so there’ll always be something exciting to see.

Super Mario Odyssey

Release date: October 27 2017Switch exclusive: Yes Publisher: Nintendo

The Switch was always going to need a Mario game to sell it, with Odyssey being exactly that. It looks like a quirky title, however, with Mario able to almost possess surrounding objects and enemies – from a T-rex to a taxi cab, a Bullet Bill and a Goomba – in a fashion that we’ve never seen before in a Mario game. It might be genius, it might be a step too mad for the Mario hardcore. We’ll find out in October…

Kirby

Release date: 2018Switch exclusive: Yes Publisher: Nintendo

Announced during the company’s E3 Spotlight presentation, Kirby makes its return in side-scrolling platformer fashion. With single or multiplayer, this looks like good ol’ fashioned family fun. It’s penned for released in 2018.

Yoshi

Release date: 2018Switch exclusive: Yes Publisher: Nintendo

Another Nintendo staple is Yoshi. And he’s coming to Switch in 2018. With recent Wii and Wii U titles sticking to the side-scrolling platformer formula, Yoshi for Switch looks to break out of that format and offer a more three-dimensional approach for everyone’s favourite dinosaur. Again, it’s due in 2018.

Skyrim Switch

Release date: 2017Switch exclusive: No (version is exclusive, however)Publisher: Bethesda

A potentially massive release for Switch: Bethesda is releasing Skyrim on Nintendo for the first time ever. Yep, you’ll be able to play Skyrim on the go – and it’ll be out this year.

Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle

Release date: August 29 2017 Switch exclusive: Yes Publisher: Ubisoft

Nintendo is increasingly showing its hand as a versatile company which is willing to collaborate alongside other majors – and Mario + Rabbids is the unexpected and interesting epitome of that. Yep, Ubisoft’s Rabbids are making their way into the Mushroom Kingdom in hilarious form in this adventure meets turn-based battle/strategy game. We’ve never seen a Mario like it before.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Release date: 2017 Switch exclusive: Yes Publisher: Nintendo

If you’re a JRPG fan then this ought to be the title for you. The original Xenoblade Chronicles has an almost cult following and the sequel doesn’t look as though it’ll disappoint.

FIFA 18

Release date: 2017 Switch exclusive: No (version exclusive, however)Publisher: EA Sports

FIFA is coming to Nintendo for the first time. It’s caused something of a stir, however, as the Frostbite engine that EA uses under license for the game isn’t used on the Switch game. That means inferior graphics and no Journey story mode for the latest title. We’re glad it’s coming to Switch for the first time, but many will see it as a hampered version.

Splatoon 2

Release date: July 21 2017Switch exclusive: Yes Publisher: Ubisoft

The sequel to the incredible original splat-’em-up, Splatoon 2 is best thought of as a family-friendly shooter. Paintballs rather than live ammo is one hell of a lot of fun, though, so this zany sequel is one to keep an eye on.

Metroid Prime 4

Release date: 2018 (TBC)Switch exclusive: Yes Publisher: Nintendo

Nintendo may well have stolen E3 2017 by announcing at its E3 Spotlight presentation that a new Metroid will be coming to Switch. We don’t know what it’ll look like, how it’ll play, or when it’ll be out… but we’re still excited. And we think that’s just fine. It’s games like this that make a Switch worth the investment.

Unnamed Pokemon RPG

Release date: 2018/19Switch exclusive: Yes Publisher: The Pokemon Company / Nintendo

As if the Metroid announcement wasn’t enough, Nintendo only went and lifted the lid on the fact The Pokemon Company is working on an exclusive Pokemon role-playing game for the Switch. It won’t be released until at least 2018, however, so we’re reading that as probably the year after. Still, fans will be extra excited about the prospect, we’re sure.

Zelda: The Breath of the Wild DLC

Release date: From June 30 2017 (second DLC “holiday 2017”)Switch exclusive: Yes Publisher: Nintendo

The biggest game on Switch has a trio of downloadable content purchases on the way. The first of which, The Master Trials, will be released in June; the second, The Champion’s Ballad, will arrive for the holiday season. Harder difficulty modes, new weapons, masks and armour lead the changes. A great way for the Zelda hardcore to get yet more out of their love of Link.