iOS 26 Public Beta Out Now: Liquid Glass Redesign Stuns iPhone Users in India Published July 25, 2025 By Michael B Norris, senior tech journalist with over a 10 yrs exp of Apple beta coverage. When I installed the iOS 26 public beta on my backup iPhone 14 Pro last week, the first thing I noticed was a ghostly glow beneath every icon. Literally, the home screen icons seemed to sit on a pane of glass that caught the light as I scrolled. I spent 10 minutes tapping around - and knew this was not a routine beta drop. That opening impression explains why I'm writing this now: to give readers a hands-on, deeply informed take on Apple’s most sweeping visual shift in over a decade. I have reviewed every major iOS beta since iOS 10. I’ve also conducted developer interviews and tested hardware side-by-side. Here’s what this update really means - for users, designers, and Apple’s broader ecosystem. What’s New – Public Beta Release Apple has now released public betas of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macO...

Nintendo Switch 2: Price, Features, and How to Buy
Summary Box
Nintendo Switch 2 launched globally at $450 with upgraded features.
Includes interactive chat, screenshare, and improved display.
Available online and in stores, but limited stock due to high demand.
Nintendo released its long-awaited Switch 2 console on June 5, 2025, nearly eight years after the original Switch model hit the market in 2017.
Priced at $450, the Switch 2 arrives with improved features, a bigger screen, and new software functions.
The release attracted long queues at major electronics stores worldwide, as fans rushed to grab the new device.
The console is available both online and in physical stores like Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and GameStop.
The console is available both online and in physical stores like Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and GameStop.
Due to overwhelming demand, many customers reported difficulties during the initial purchase window.
According to Nintendo’s official press release [Nintendo.co.jp], the Switch 2 introduces multiple enhancements over its predecessor:
Interactive voice and text chat to communicate during games.
Screenshare function to stream gameplay to friends in real time.
A larger screen with improved display resolution.
Continued support for hybrid gaming — as both a handheld and docked console.
These changes are aimed at improving the user experience and expanding how players connect and share gameplay.
According to Economic Times Nintendo has launched the Switch 2 at a base price of $450.
What’s New in Nintendo Switch 2?
According to Nintendo’s official press release [Nintendo.co.jp], the Switch 2 introduces multiple enhancements over its predecessor:
Interactive voice and text chat to communicate during games.
Screenshare function to stream gameplay to friends in real time.
A larger screen with improved display resolution.
Continued support for hybrid gaming — as both a handheld and docked console.
These changes are aimed at improving the user experience and expanding how players connect and share gameplay.
Switch 2 Price and Buying Options
According to Economic Times Nintendo has launched the Switch 2 at a base price of $450.
A special bundle version featuring the new game Mario Kart World is available for $500.
Consumers can purchase the console through:
Online retailers: Walmart.com, BestBuy.com, Target.com
Nintendo’s official online store
Physical outlets including GameStop, Best Buy, and Target locations
Nintendo has acknowledged limited stock at launch due to higher-than-expected demand.
Consumers can purchase the console through:
Online retailers: Walmart.com, BestBuy.com, Target.com
Nintendo’s official online store
Physical outlets including GameStop, Best Buy, and Target locations
Nintendo has acknowledged limited stock at launch due to higher-than-expected demand.
The company recommends trying in-store locations for better chances of securing a unit.
Pre-orders for the Switch 2 were delayed in April 2025, reportedly due to concerns over tariffs on Japanese imports.
Why the Delay in Pre-orders?
Pre-orders for the Switch 2 were delayed in April 2025, reportedly due to concerns over tariffs on Japanese imports.
Trade policies enacted during former President Donald Trump’s administration created uncertainty.
The company chose to hold pre-orders until a 90-day tariff pause was announced.
The company chose to hold pre-orders until a 90-day tariff pause was announced.
Despite this, many customers reported technical issues while placing online orders, including cart errors and disappearing items.
Nintendo expects to sell 15 million Switch 2 units by March 2026, a figure that may help recover from its recent decline in profits.
Nintendo's Business Outlook
Nintendo expects to sell 15 million Switch 2 units by March 2026, a figure that may help recover from its recent decline in profits.
The company had reported a 43% drop in fiscal earnings in the previous year.
By launching the Switch 2, Nintendo aims to regain momentum in the global gaming market.
By launching the Switch 2, Nintendo aims to regain momentum in the global gaming market.
The Switch series had previously driven the success of titles like:
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The upgraded console may further enhance the performance and reach of Nintendo’s first-party and third-party games.
Fans in Japan, the United States, the UK, and parts of Europe lined up at stores for midnight launches.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The upgraded console may further enhance the performance and reach of Nintendo’s first-party and third-party games.
Global Demand and Availability
Fans in Japan, the United States, the UK, and parts of Europe lined up at stores for midnight launches.
According to retail staff at GameStop and Walmart, units sold out within hours in several cities.
Nintendo has stated it is working closely with distributors to replenish stocks over the coming weeks.
Nintendo has stated it is working closely with distributors to replenish stocks over the coming weeks.
Customers who missed the first wave are advised to sign up for email alerts or check availability regularly on retailer websites.
The Switch 2 is more than just a hardware upgrade — it's Nintendo’s calculated move to stay relevant in an evolving market.
FAQs
What features does the Nintendo Switch 2 offer?
It offers a larger screen, interactive chat, a screenshare function, and hybrid gameplay.How much does it cost?
The standard model costs $450. A bundle with Mario Kart World is available at $500.Where can I buy it?
Available at Nintendo’s official site, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and GameStop, both online and in physical locations.Author’s Opinion
By Michael B. Norris | Tech Editor, TrendingAlone
The Switch 2 is more than just a hardware upgrade — it's Nintendo’s calculated move to stay relevant in an evolving market.
With features like real-time chat and screenshare, the console moves closer to the community-driven models seen in PC gaming and cloud platforms.
The choice to keep the hybrid design while improving screen resolution and communication tools shows Nintendo’s intent to modernize without losing its identity.
However, long-term success will depend on timely restocking, strong game releases, and global pricing strategy.
About the Author:
Michael B. Norris is a senior technology correspondent at TrendingAlone, a digital platform covering global tech innovations and consumer electronics.With over a decade of experience in tech journalism, Michael specializes in consumer devices, gaming consoles, and software trends.
He has reported extensively on hardware launches, emerging tech, and AI integration in gaming systems.
His work has been featured in industry-leading publications and read by thousands of technology enthusiasts.
GameStop Product Page for Nintendo Switch 2
Walmart Online Store – Nintendo Switch 2
References:
Nintendo Official Press Site – Switch 2 AnnouncementGameStop Product Page for Nintendo Switch 2
Walmart Online Store – Nintendo Switch 2
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