Nintendo Switch 2 User Banned for Using Pre-Owned Game Cards, Later Unbanned
A Nintendo Switch 2 owner recently shared their experience on Reddit after their account was banned for downloading patches for used game cards purchased from Facebook Marketplace. The user contacted Nintendo support, provided proof of purchase, and was quickly unbanned, describing the process as smooth and hassle-free.
Nintendo assigns unique codes to Switch game cartridges to combat piracy. However, scammers can duplicate games using third-party devices like the MIG Flash and resell the original cartridges, leading to duplicate codes. When Nintendo detects the same code being used simultaneously in two places, it triggers an automatic ban.
The company has been aggressively cracking down on piracy, even updating its Switch user agreement to allow bricking consoles found running pirated games or unauthorized mods.
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TikTok’s Parent Company ByteDance Developing Mixed Reality Goggles
ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, is reportedly working on mixed reality goggles to compete with Meta’s upcoming devices. The goggles, designed to overlay digital objects onto real-world views, are being developed by Pico, ByteDance’s VR division.
The new device is expected to be lightweight at around 0.28 pounds, with most processing handled by an external wired puck. Pico’s previous VR headsets have closely mirrored Meta’s Quest line, and this new project aims to challenge Meta’s dominance in mixed reality.
Threads Struggles to Drive Traffic to External Websites
Despite growing into a potential rival to X (formerly Twitter), Meta’s Threads still isn’t sending significant traffic to external websites. Data from Similarweb shows Threads generated 28.4 million outbound clicks in June, up from 15.1 million a year ago. However, with over 115 million daily users, this remains a small fraction, raising concerns for publishers and creators who rely on off-platform traffic.
US Government Funds AI Companies for Military Applications
The US Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) is awarding up to $200 million each to major AI firms, including Anthropic, Google, OpenAI, and xAI, for military-related projects. The initiative aims to enhance national security through advanced AI applications.
Notably, xAI’s funding coincides with the release of a government-tailored version of its AI chatbot, Grok, designed for federal use. The Department of Defense stated this investment will help maintain the US’s strategic advantage in AI technology.
