🟪 #104: Switch 2 is selling like crazy, Apple is kinda boring

AYANEO’s Flip 1s DS, Switch 2 sales, Apple updates, Retroid’s new screen, Silent Hill remake & more in this week’s jam-packed digest.

Hey, hello, welcome.

This is overkill Digest, a newsletter about tech, gaming, and stuff. Probably a lot of Switch 2. It's what everyone's talking about. We're all trying to milk that cash cow. Therefore, this week's newsletter remains heavily biased towards the Switch 2.

Anyway, let's get to this week's news.

🚀 Big Moves

AYANEO is working on the Flip 1s DS. First, that name is a mouthful. Flip 1s DS... too many "S" in one name should be a crime. Second, it mostly appears to be a spec update with a few changes here and there. I originally reviewed the Flip KB, the version with a keyboard instead of a second screen, and quite liked it because of its keyboard. I'll be intrigued how this one will fare, but I've got to admit, a clamshell device is not necessarily something I need in my life.
Nintendo sold 3.5 million Switch 2 units. This makes it the fastest-selling home console in history. Leading up to the launch of the Switch 2, the general vibe had made me believe that this might be one of Nintendo's duds. Somehow, there was little hype, and when the sales started, wherever you were, you could very easily grab a Switch 2, without having to fight scalpers. But as it turns out, this wasn't due to a lack of interest, but simply because Nintendo built so many of these things before selling them.

🎮 Platform Updates

How to fix a broken battery indicator on your Nintendo Switch 2. One of the biggest critique points against the Switch 2 is its battery life. Compared to its predecessor, it's not good (I've mostly played docked so far, so can't really comment on this just yet.) Nintendo is, however, aware and also seems to have discovered a few bugs that might help battery life down the line. One fix is described at the link above.
The next iOS version has been teased. iOS 26, macOS 26, WatchOS 26, iPadOS 26... Spot a pattern? Like every year, Apple has showcased the next major iterations of all their operating systems during their developer conference. The event was fine, kinda boring, and the biggest changes are probably the upcoming redesign (which is still a huge mess, but I expect this to get better over the beta cycle) and the newly revamped iPad multitasking; it's finally much more Mac-like, which nearly everyone has been asking for. I've been running the beta versions on all my devices except my Mac, and so far it's been ok. As usual, some weird bugs, but most of the stuff is just... a bit boring? There are only so many ways that you can change a major operating system without messing with your user base. I might have more thoughts down the line. Talking of Apple...
Steam is now Apple Silicon native. macOS 26 will be the last OS to support Intel-based Macs, so it only makes sense that Valve pushes out a version which runs natively on Apple's ARM-based chips, and doesn't rely on Rosetta 2 (think Proton but for Macs).

💻 Hardware & Software

Retroid's add-on screen is up for sale. I got my preorder down. No clue when it's expected to ship, but when it does, you can expect a review on the YouTube channel. Until then, I may have turned on that Retroid Pocket 5 that's been lying here for months.
The Killswitch for Nintendo Switch 2 is shipping. I’ve had the Killswitch for Switch 2 for a while now, and I’m convinced it’s the best case out there. dbrand also shared their design process, showcasing why this is the best case out there.
The OrangePi Neo is delayed, again. Manjaro's own handheld was originally announced in early 2024, was expected to come in Q1 2025, and is now slated for Q3, but without a clear release date. At this point, it might as well just be vaporware.

🎲 Playthings

The Blood of Dawnwalker looks very promising. This is so obviously Witcher but vampires, which makes sense since the dev studio is formed by ex-CD Projekt Red people. We'll learn more in a week from now, when Rebel Wolves will host a gameplay reveal event on Twitch.
The Switch 2 is getting a Splatoon spin-off. Called Splatoon Raiders, this game might probably be a single-player thing. Meanwhile, Splatoon 3 will get an update with new weapons, a classic map, and an enhanced Switch 2 version.
Bloober Team is remaking Silent Hill 1. One for the "I will never play this myself, but will happily watch some streamer playing it" pile.

📌 Quick Hits

AMD Aerith Plus is Ryzen Z2 A. For context: the Steam Deck is based on AMD Aerith, also known as Van Gogh. But this week, AMD announced two new chips, the AI Z2 Extreme (with more AI-optimized processing units) and the Z2 A. So far, it looks like the biggest upgrade is better memory. Also, Valve (or any other manufacturer for that matter) has yet to announce a device using this refresh. Oh, and I don't know why videocardz.com keeps misspelling the name (they clearly never played Final Fantasy 7).
A review of a $3600 mechanical keyboard. Anyone wanna start a fundraiser for me??? Here is the making of.

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