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The original Nintendo Switch is about to get more expensive in the US

The original Nintendo Switch is about to get more expensive in the US

Engadget2 days ago
Nintendo has announced that the price of the original Nintendo Switch will change in the United States, citing 'market conditions' as the reason for its decision. The new pricing will apply from August 3, and will affect the regular Switch, the Switch Lite and the Switch OLED , as well as select accessories for the console. Amiibo and the Alarmo alarm clock will also see price increases.
The Switch 2 is not affected, nor are the prices of any games or Nintendo Switch Online memberships for Switch or Switch 2. Nintendo doesn't rule out more wide-ranging price adjustments in the future, though. The company has not yet announced any of the new prices, but Target appeared to briefly update its pricing (since removed), listing the Switch at $340, the Switch Lite at $230 and the Switch OLED at $400. The original Switch is currently priced at $300, the Switch Lite at $200, and the Switch OLED at $350, so these would represent pretty significant increases all round if accurate.
The news follows the Switch price increases in Canada that came into effect today. The console is now $20 CAD more expensive than it was previously, with Nintendo also blaming market conditions (that it still isn't directly attributing to tariffs in its official messaging) for that adjustment when it announced it back in June.
It looks like the Switch price changes in the US at least won't be quite as severe as those Microsoft recently announced for the Xbox Series S and Series X. The consoles now start at $380 and $550, respectively, which is an $80 increase for the former and a whopping $100 bump for the flagship Series X.
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What Happens to Your Data If You Stop Paying for Cloud Storage?
What Happens to Your Data If You Stop Paying for Cloud Storage?

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What Happens to Your Data If You Stop Paying for Cloud Storage?

Hit by subscription fatigue? Here's what happens to your files and photos if you cancel your paid storage plan. Photo-Illustration:If it's been a while since you added up how many digital subscriptions you're paying for, it's likely to be more than you think: streaming services, software packages, games, AI bots, health and fitness wearables ... the list goes on. You can add cloud storage subscriptions to that list too. Apple, Google, and Microsoft offer very little in the way of free storage in the cloud, which means if you want the convenience of having your photos, videos, and other files safely backed up and accessible on every device, you're probably going to have to pay for it. What if you don't want to have these subscriptions for life, though—what if you've found a better option for your backups and storage (and there are plenty of options out there)? You might be wondering what happens to the years and years of files you've amassed in the cloud if you cancel your storage subscription. While we can't cover every single cloud storage service here, we've picked four of the main ones below. Here's what happens to your data if you stop paying, and what you need to do with your files before hitting the unsubscribe button. Apple iCloud You can manage your iCloud subscription from any Apple device. David Nield Pricing for Apple iCloud storage starts at $0.99 per month for 50 GB of space, and you get extras like Hide My Email included too. You can manage your subscription from your iPhone by going to Settings, tapping your name and then Subscriptions, and from System Settings on a Mac by selecting your name, then iCloud. If you cancel your iCloud storage, you go back down to the free allocation of 5 GB. 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Given this timeline, it's unlikely that anything will happen to your files immediately after you cancel, though we'd recommend getting your iCloud files backed up somewhere else as soon as possible—bearing in mind that any local copies of this data you have won't be affected by canceling your iCloud storage plan. Google One Google Takeout lets you download everything in your Google storage. David Nield If you pay Google for cloud storage, your pricing options start at $1.99 per month, which gets you 100 GB of space in the cloud. As with Apple, there are extras attached, and you can manage your current plan via the Google One dashboard on the web. Choose to unsubscribe from your Google One package, and you go back down to 15 GB of storage space, across Gmail, Google Photos, Google Drive, and Google's other apps. For all the time you're over that limit, those apps will essentially freeze—as in, you won't be able to send or receive emails in Gmail or create new files in Google Docs. 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The 5 Best-Performing Stocks Of 2025 So Far: See The Leaders
The 5 Best-Performing Stocks Of 2025 So Far: See The Leaders

Forbes

time40 minutes ago

  • Forbes

The 5 Best-Performing Stocks Of 2025 So Far: See The Leaders

As we move through 2025, the stock market continues to reward companies positioned at the intersection of technological innovation and essential infrastructure. While headline-grabbing names like NVIDIA and Microsoft have delivered solid returns, some lesser-known players have crushed the market with triple-digit gains. This analysis focuses on the standout performers among S&P 500 companies with market capitalizations exceeding $10 billion. These aren't speculative penny stocks or volatile small-caps – they're substantial businesses that have managed to capture investor imagination while delivering real operational results. From artificial intelligence enablers to energy infrastructure plays, the top performers tell a fascinating story about where smart money is flowing in the evolving market landscape of 2025. How These Top Performing Stocks Were Chosen The methodology for identifying these market leaders is straightforward but selective. 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The data analytics and software company has successfully transitioned from a government-focused contractor to a diversified enterprise software provider, with commercial revenue growing at an explosive pace. The company's Foundry platform has gained significant traction among Fortune 500 companies seeking to harness artificial intelligence for operational efficiency. What sets Palantir apart is its unique positioning in the AI value chain. Rather than competing directly with model developers like OpenAI, Palantir focuses on implementation and deployment, helping organizations utilize AI to solve real business problems. This practical approach has resonated strongly with enterprise customers who need more than just access to large language models. The company's government contracts continue providing stability, while commercial expansion drives growth acceleration. With a market cap now approaching $56 billion, Palantir has evolved from a niche defense contractor into a legitimate enterprise software powerhouse, justifying investor enthusiasm despite the stock's remarkable run. 2. GE Vernova (GEV) GE Vernova's 90% surge reflects the market's recognition of the critical role energy infrastructure plays in supporting AI and data center expansion. As the spun-off energy division of General Electric, Vernova combines traditional power generation expertise with cutting-edge grid modernization and renewable energy solutions. The company benefits from massive infrastructure spending driven by AI's voracious energy appetite. Data centers supporting artificial intelligence workloads consume exponentially more electricity than traditional computing facilities, creating unprecedented demand for reliable power generation and distribution equipment. Vernova's portfolio encompasses gas turbines, wind turbines, grid solutions and energy storage, positioning it as a comprehensive infrastructure partner for utilities and large technology companies. The company's backlog continues growing as utilities rush to upgrade aging infrastructure while adding capacity for AI-driven demand. With governments worldwide prioritizing grid resilience and clean energy transitions, Vernova sits at the center of multiple powerful secular trends that should support growth well beyond 2025. 3. NRG Energy (NRG) NRG Energy's 78% gain demonstrates how traditional utilities can thrive in the new energy landscape. The Texas-based power generator and retailer has benefited from favorable commodity pricing, extreme weather events that boost electricity demand, and strategic positioning in high-growth markets. The company's integrated model – owning generation assets while selling directly to consumers – provides natural hedging against market volatility. 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3 Dividend Champion Stocks I'm Watching in 2025
3 Dividend Champion Stocks I'm Watching in 2025

Yahoo

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3 Dividend Champion Stocks I'm Watching in 2025

Key Points AbbVie could be a great stock to buy on the dip if pharmaceutical tariffs cause the shares to fall. Oil price volatility could give investors a great buying opportunity with Chevron. Target could rebound, although the company faces multiple challenges. 10 stocks we like better than Target › What does it take to be a Dividend Champion? A company must increase its dividend for at least 25 consecutive years for its stock to make the list. Nearly 140 stocks meet the criteria right now. Just because a stock is a Dividend Champion doesn't mean it's an overall winner. However, some members of the group could be attractive to investors. Here are three Dividend Champion stocks I'm watching in 2025. 1. AbbVie AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) isn't just a Dividend Champion; it's a Dividend King. To join this elite group of stocks, a company must increase its dividend for at least 50 consecutive years. AbbVie has increased its dividend for 53 years in a row. And its payout is attractive, with a yield of 3.39%. I'm keeping my eye on AbbVie mainly to see how the stock responds to potential tariffs on pharmaceutical imports to the U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to levy steep pharmaceutical tariffs. I suspect that the stocks of major drugmakers will tumble if and when those tariffs are finalized. However, I think it would present a great buying opportunity if AbbVie's share price pulls back. TD Cowen analyst Steve Scala believes that the drugmaker would be less affected by those tariffs than many of its peers. I agree with that assessment. While the company has overseas manufacturing operations (primarily in Ireland), it also has an even greater domestic capacity. CEO Rob Michael noted in the May earnings call that its top-selling autoimmune disease drug Skyrizi is one example of a product made in the U.S. In the interim, AbbVie's business is rocking along nicely. The drugmaker beat Wall Street's estimates with its second-quarter results. It expects Skyrizi and Rinvoq to generate combined sales this year that exceed the peak annual sales for Humira, which ranked as the world's best-selling drug for several years before losing exclusivity in 2023. 2. Chevron Chevron (NYSE: CVX) isn't a Dividend King yet. However, it's a longtime Dividend Champion, with 38 consecutive years of payout increases to its credit. The oil stock remains a favorite for income investors with its forward yield of 4.5%. Two key things put Chevron on my radar screen. First, I've been interested in seeing how the acquisition of Hess would unfold. Second, I've wondered what would happen with oil prices this year -- and how the company's share price would be affected. After a legal skirmish with ExxonMobil, Chevron completed its acquisition of Hess on July 18. So far, the stock hasn't moved much on the news. As the company integrates Hess' operations, we may see a delayed impact. Oil prices are down somewhat so far this year. Chevron's shares have held up pretty well, though. If oil prices decline because of slower demand, the stock would likely fall in tandem. I view any sell-off as a buying opportunity for long-term investors, especially income investors seeking to lock in an even juicier yield. 3. Target Like AbbVie, Target (NYSE: TGT) is a Dividend King. The giant retailer has increased its payout for 54 consecutive years. Thanks mainly to its stock sinking over the last 12 months, the company's forward dividend yield of 4.5% is near its highest level ever. Why am I watching Target? I'm waiting for a turnaround. So far, it hasn't materialized. I suspect a comeback will eventually happen, although it might not be this year. Target faces multiple challenges. Some are largely outside of its control. For example, consumer confidence has declined with uncertainty about the impact of the Trump administration's tariffs. But other issues are the result of the company's own moves. In particular, Target continues to face a customer backlash after rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. On a positive note, the company continues to generate solid profits. Its stock is also valued attractively after the sell-off, with a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 14.2. Should you invest $1,000 in Target right now? Before you buy stock in Target, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Target wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $625,254!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,090,257!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,036% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 181% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 29, 2025 Keith Speights has positions in AbbVie, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Target. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends AbbVie, Chevron, and Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 3 Dividend Champion Stocks I'm Watching in 2025 was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio

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