First ‘Super Mario Bros.’ movie trailer shows trouble in the Mushroom Kingdom

It’s finally clear just what the long-expected Super Mario Bros. movie will look like. Nintendo and Illumination have shared a teaser trailer (below) offering a peek at the computer animated blockbuster. The clip shows Bowser (played by Jack Black) terrorizing a penguin kingdom in his quest for an invincibility star. Not surprisingly, we know who will come to their rescue — Mario (Chris Pratt) makes an abrupt entrance to the Mushroom Kingdom, while his brother Luigi (Charlie Day) makes a cameo.

The movie also stars The Queen’s Gambit‘s Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad and Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, among other big names. Super Mario Bros. is expected to premiere April 7th, 2023.

If the teaser is anything to go by, the creators aren’t taking any chances. This appears to be a straightforward CG movie meant to appeal to a wide audience — you won’t have flashbacks to the odd 1993 live action film. With that said, the top-tier actors and lavish visuals might help it stand out if the iconic gaming franchise isn’t enough by itself.

Amazon suspends Staten Island workers who held impromptu strike

Amazon has responded swiftly to the impromptu strike at its unionized Staten Island warehouse. The company and workers have confirmed to CNN that about 50 workers were suspended with pay at JFK8 after they occupied the human resources office and refused to work in allegedly unsafe conditions following a ship dock fire. One of the workers, Connor Spence, said the suspension would continue while Amazon investigated the work stoppage.

We’ve asked Amazon for comment. In a statement to CNN, a spokesperson said there was a “small fire” in a cardboard compactor, and that it asked night shift workers (including those in the protest) to report to their usual shifts after firefighters said the warehouse was safe. The “vast majority” of workers complied, Amazon said. Day shift team members were sent home with pay. 

The suspensions won’t help ease the conflict between Amazon and workers at JFK8, the company’s only unionized warehouse. In May, Amazon fired several senior managers in a move that employees claimed was retaliation for labor organization efforts. There’s also broader tension across the company. Staff at multiple American warehouses have pushed for unionization (albeit with limited success), while Amazon has been accused of using anti-union tactics.

The affected staffers won’t necessarily lose their jobs. However, it signals that Amazon isn’t keen to tolerate labor disruptions even with a union present.

‘Need for Speed Unbound’ revives the racing series on December 2nd

The Need for Speed series hasn’t been heard from since 2019’s so-so Need for Speed Heat, but Criterion and EA are ready to bring it back — and they’re tinkering with the formula once again. They’ve revealedNeed for Speed Unbound, a follow-up to the fantasy racer that melds elements of street art (such as cel-shaded graphics and graffiti flourishes) with realistic-looking cars and a gameplay system that promises “true consequence[s]” for your decisions. And did we mention that A$AP Rocky plays a prominent role?

You play a new racer who has to rise to the top of a street racing league to recover a “priceless” car stolen from a family auto shop. A$AP Rocky will lead the Takeover Scene, a “precision driving” mode that rewards style. His music (along with other hip-hop artists) will soundtrack the experience, and the trailer hints that you might even get to drive his custom Mercedes 190E.

Unbound will include familiar Need for Speed mechanics like police “heat,” but you’ll also get nitrous-fueled speed boosts in return for stylish driving. To no one’s surprise, you’ll have virtual currency-based customization that extends to elements like clothing and license plates. Free updates will include new features, modes and raw content.

The new title will be available December 2nd for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. Sorry, you’re high and dry if you hoped for a PS4 or Xbox One release. The bigger question is whether or not Unbound will accomplish what Heat didn’t — that is, restore some of the excitement from Need for Speed’s glory days.

Google Pixel 7 pre-orders at Amazon include a free $100 gift card

There are already good deals for Google’s Pixel 7 family mere hours after its debut. Amazon is including a free $100 gift card when you order the regular Pixel 7 by October 24th at 2:59AM Eastern. And if you’d rather buy the Pixel 7 Pro, Amazon is offering a free $200 card. This applies regardless of capacity, so it might do the trick if you want to buy a case or wireless earbuds to go with the Android flagship.

Buy Pixel 7 with $100 gift card – $599Buy Pixel 7 Pro with $200 gift card – $899

Both Pixel 7 models deliver modest but welcome improvements. On top of a more powerful Tensor G2 chip suited to AI-heavy tasks, they promise upgraded camera quality versus the Pixel 6 (particularly for zoomed shots, selfies and video). The 7 Pro gets the most comprehensive update with a 5X telephoto camera that purportedly maintains sharp photography across multiple zoom levels. There are subtler tweaks, too, including a more hand-friendly 6.3-inch screen on the base 7 and a flatter, brighter (1,500-nit) 6.7-inch panel on the 7 Pro.

You probably won’t want to upgrade from the Pixel 6 or other recent higher-end Android phones. If you’re coming from an older device, though, the appeal is clear — either Pixel 7 variant is a capable, ‘pure’ Android handset that undercuts the price of some comparable rivals. The gift cards just make the switch a little easier.

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Honda fully reveals the design of its electric Prologue SUV

Honda has finally offered more than a tiny peek at the Prologue, and it might prove interesting if you’re not fond of overly flashy EV designs. The company has provided a full design preview indicating that the electric SUV is built to be practical, not ostentatious. The “neo-rugged” (yes, we know) styling isn’t special apart from the 21-inch wheels and spelled-out Honda badge on the back, and the focus is more on an interior with “ample” room for people and their gear. This is aimed squarely at first-time EV buyers who want the reassurance of a familiar design — you could switch from a CR-V or Passport without feeling like you’ve stepped on to another planet.

There will be plenty of technology inside. While Honda hasn’t shared full details of the interior, you can expect an 11-inch digital instrument display, an 11.3-inch infotainment display and USB-C ports. Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and a WiFi hotspot mode will be available. This isn’t a touchscreen-dominated vehicle like the cute Honda E, but the tech is clearly prominent. Again, it’s focused on practicality.

The Prologue is being co-developed with GM and is based on the American brand’s Ultium platform. It’s the first salvo in a larger electrification push that includes EVs built on the in-house “e:Architecture” in 2026, and lower-priced models (also involving GM) in 2027. 

Much of the Prologue is still a mystery, including its range and pricing. It won’t reach North America until sometime in 2024. However, Honda characterizes it as a step up from the CR-V hybrid with a larger wheelbase (8in longer and 5in wider). We’d expect the company to price the pure EV accordingly, and it’s even planning a two-year lease for the 2023 CR-V hybrid in hopes of attracting shoppers who want to ease into electrified driving.

Pixel 7’s Google Assistant updates let you silence calls with your voice

Google is fond of introducing Assistant features alongside new devices, and that’s true for the Pixel 7. Among other upgrades, the new phone now lets you mute incoming calls just by saying “silence.” You don’t have to let the call ring if you can’t (or just don’t want to) reach for your handset.

You’ll also get transcription directly in Messages, so you don’t have to play an audio clip in a quiet room. It should be easier to record your company meetings, too. The Pixel 7’s Recorder app will “soon” provide speaker labels to transcribe each person’s words separately. You’ll know if it was your boss or a coworker who suggested an idea.

It’s not clear when or if these features will reach non-Pixel hardware. Google sometimes keeps them as exclusives, but is known to sometimes make them more broadly available to Android users after a few months’ wait.

Other phone-oriented improvements are subtler. Voice typing now automatically suggests emoji, and supports French, Italian and Spanish. Arguably, the biggest improvements to Assistant at this event are linked to new hardware — the Pixel Watch finally brings the AI helper’s latest incarnation to your wrist, while the upcoming Pixel Tablet doubles as a smart display. Still, you might appreciate the phone-oriented tweaks if you’re tired of telemarketers or keeping office minutes.

Follow all of the news from Google’s Pixel 7 event right here!

Seagate’s 1TB Xbox Series X/S storage card is back on sale for $200

If you’ve been using an Xbox Series X or Series S for a while, there’s a good chance you’re running out of room for games. Thankfully, you won’t have to pay as much as usual to get some breathing room. Amazon is once again selling Seagate’s 1TB Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X/S for $200, or $20 off. The 2TB edition is also on sale for $360 ($40 off) if you need more capacity.

Buy Storage Expansion Card (1TB) at Amazon – $200

While you can certainly find more affordable external hard drives if you’re mainly interested in archiving content or playing Xbox One titles, Seagate’s card is your only option if you want to play Xbox Series X/S games directly from expanded storage. It’s just as fast as the console’s built-in SSD, and it’s designed to easily plug in without having to pry open your system.

This isn’t a trivial expense. You’re paying most of the price of an Xbox Series S, after all. However, Seagate’s add-on could easily be worth the investment if you would rather not spend your days deleting and reinstalling games as your collection evolves — you can keep an old favorite ready to play at a moment’s notice.

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Apple faces US labor complaint over union busting

Apple’s alleged union busting has prompted federal action. As The New York Timesreports, the National Labor Relations Board has issued a complaint against Apple following accusations it broke multiple laws trying to thwart union organizers at the World Trade Center store in New York City. The Communications Workers of America (CWA) union claims Apple surveilled and questioned staff, limited access to pro-union fliers and made employees listen to anti-union speeches.

The NLRB found enough merit in two of the claims. A judge will hold a hearing on December 13th if there’s no settlement.

We’ve asked Apple for comment. In a statement to The Times, a spokesperson said the iPhone maker disputed CWA’s allegations and was anticipating “presenting the facts.” In the past, Apple has maintained that unionization would hinder labor improvements and prevent “direct engagement” between the company and store workers. Apple told staff it would increase pay, but also that unionization could lead to fewer promotions and fixed hours.

There’s no certainty the NLRB complaint will lead to change in Apple’s labor practices. However, it comes as teams at multiple US stores have made unionization bids. While people at an Atlanta location gave up their efforts, Towson, Maryland workers voted to unionize this spring. Oklahoma City employees vote next week. There’s mounting pressure on Apple to act, if just to minimize similar complaints.

Stadia launch title ‘Gylt’ is heading to other platforms next year

Now that Google is shutting down Stadia, at least one of its exclusives is headed elsewhere. Eurogamerreports that Tequila Works is bringing Stadia’s first exclusive, Gylt, to other platforms sometime in 2023. The Rime creator didn’t say just which systems would get their turn, but it won’t be surprising if consoles are included.

The third-person horror game has you playing Sally, a tween who ventures into a dark alternate world to rescue her cousin. You have to complete quests and solve spatial puzzles while hiding from (or illuminating) sludge monsters. While Gylt isn’t the most original title, we found it was a good introduction to horror gaming for older kids who might not be ready for something as intense as Dead Space.

This isn’t a stunning development, as you might have guessed. Gylt certainly isn’t Tequila Works’ only recent project (it’s working on the League of Legends spinoff Song of Nunu), but it will effectively cease to exist when Stadia goes offline in January. A multiplatform launch could help Tequila revive interest in Gylt and continue making money after Google’s cloud gaming service is gone.

The question is whether or not other Stadia exclusives will make the leap. Splash Damage said it would “evaluate the options” for its competitive multiplayer title Outcasters, but other developers have remained silent. While these cloud gaming projects weren’t must-play blockbusters, they’ll fade into complete obscurity if they aren’t ported elsewhere.

Someone made an operating system for the NES

You probably never saw the NES as a productivity machine, but some clever developers beg to differ. Hackaday and Ars Technica note Inkbox Software has released a graphical operating system, NESOS, for Nintendo’s console. The mid-’80s technology restricts the OS to two apps (a word processor and settings) and eight 832-byte files, but you have an honest-to-goodness pointer, movable icons and customizable interface colors.

Inkbox primarily had to overcome the NES’ very limited memory and storage. NESOS fits into just 48K, and the files have to sit inside the 2K of NVRAM that retains data when the console turns off. Graphics memory was a particularly large hurdle. Nintendo’s system only has two sprite memory grids (one each for the foreground and background), and it can only display 64 sprites at any time — that’s why many NES games flicker at busy moments. The creator had to combine sprites into larger shapes.

The project is available in a ROM that you’ll likely use through an emulator (unless you make your own cartridge). You won’t be writing a novel in NESOS. The memory prevents any kind of substantial content creation, and typing with the NES controller involves very slowly cycling through characters. This is more about defying expectations, and it’s significant that Inkbox didn’t have to modify the console to achieve its feat.