Microsoft Dominates Gaming with AI-Powered Switch 2 and 365 Upgrades

CES Wrap-Up: Nintendo Steals the Show with Switch 2 Announcement
The dust has settled on another CES, and while there were plenty of exciting announcements and product launches, one company stands out as the real winner: Nintendo. The gaming giant made headlines with the unveiling of its long-awaited Switch sequel, the Nintendo Switch 2.
What’s New with the Switch 2?
The Switch 2 doesn’t look drastically different from its predecessor, but there are some key changes. The console and display appear to be larger, and the Joy-Cons feature a new snapping mechanism. There’s also a mysterious new button below the Home button, which some speculate could be a voice chat shortcut or a casting button.
Nintendo has promised that the Switch 2 will be backwards compatible with most digital and physical Switch games, and teased an update to the Mario Kart franchise. We’ll need to wait for the upcoming Nintendo Direct to learn more about the console’s specs and features, but for now, you can check out our guide to the Nintendo Switch 2 for all the official news and rumors.
Loser of the Week: Microsoft
Our loser of the week is Microsoft, which announced that it will be increasing the price of its Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans. The company is integrating its AI-powered Copilot and Designer features into these plans, but the upgrade comes with a $3/month (or $30/year) price tag.
While some users may be excited to try out these new AI features, others may not be interested in inviting AI into their workflow. Microsoft’s decision to add a surcharge to its apps in the name of AI is a growing trend, and we’d rather see AI features sold as an add-on for those who want them, rather than forcing them upon its user base as a whole.
Opting Out of the AI Update
If you don’t want to fork out an additional $3 a month for Microsoft’s AI features, you can opt out of the update and retain your usual subscription rate by moving to the new Microsoft 365 Classic plan. This requires you to sign into your Microsoft account and manage your subscription, so be sure to take action ASAP if you don’t want to pay the AI tax.
The Verdict
While there were plenty of exciting announcements and product launches at CES, Nintendo’s Switch 2 announcement is the real winner of the week. The company’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction is unmatched, and we can’t wait to learn more about the Switch 2’s specs and features.
On the other hand, Microsoft’s decision to increase the price of its Microsoft 365 plans is a disappointing move. While AI features can be useful, they shouldn’t come at the expense of users who don’t want them. Here’s hoping that Microsoft will reconsider its approach and offer AI features as an add-on for those who want them, rather than forcing them upon its user base as a whole.