As the Nintendo Switch nears the end of its lifecycle, Nintendo has announced a new accessory for the hybrid console: a dedicated charging dock for Joy-Con controllers. This new charging station is set to launch in the fall, sparking speculation about its connection to the rumored Switch 2.

The “Joy-Con Charging Stand (Two-Way)” was revealed by Nintendo Europe on social media. The device resembles a Joy-Con grip with a USB-C port and a small platform for stability. Although the price is not yet disclosed, the charging stand will be available starting October 17.

Fans have mixed reactions to the announcement. Some believe the accessory should have been available years ago, while others joke about using it to fix Joy-Con drift issues. Modern consoles typically include controller charging accessories, so this addition seems overdue.

While the Switch’s docking station already charges Joy-Con controllers, the new stand offers convenience for multiplayer sessions and those who frequently swap out Joy-Con sets. The timing of this release aligns with the launch of games like Nintendo World Championships and Super Mario Party Jamboree, which are scheduled for the same day.

There’s also speculation that this new accessory hints at the upcoming Switch 2. Rumors suggest that the Switch 2 might feature magnetic strips on its sides, potentially preventing existing Joy-Con controllers from attaching directly. In such a scenario, a dedicated charging dock would be essential for older Joy-Con controllers.

Nintendo may reveal more about the Switch 2 in September, during their traditional end-of-year Direct. This would mirror the original Switch’s reveal in 2016, followed by its launch in the spring of 2017. Current rumors about the Switch 2’s specifications have already begun circulating, fueling anticipation among fans.

Sony has launched its 2024 collection of Bravia TVs, introducing enhanced technological features and a simplified naming strategy to ease customer experience. The new lineup includes several models, ranging from basic 4K LED TVs to advanced mini LED and OLED options, each tailored to different viewing preferences and budgets.

The entry-level Bravia 3, starting at $600, offers a standard 4K LED display with dynamic HDR and upscaling technology, capable of a 60Hz refresh rate. Available in sizes from 43 to 85 inches, this model is designed to consume 8% less power than its predecessor, making it an eco-friendlier choice for the cost-conscious consumer.

Progressing to the higher end, the Bravia 7, priced between $1,900 and $3,500, steps up with mini LED technology and an impressive 790% increase in dimming zones over last year’s model. This enhancement sharpens the contrast and precision of the display, supported by Sony’s Backlight Master Drive local dimming algorithm. The Bravia 7 also introduces a specific calibration mode optimized for Prime Video content, reflecting the growing trend of TVs tailored to streaming platforms.

For those preferring the pinnacle of color and contrast, the Bravia 8 offers Sony’s latest OLED technology, ensuring the deepest blacks and vibrant colors. This model is significantly slimmer than its predecessors, boasting a 31% reduction in thickness, which complements its sleek, minimal bezel design. The OLED lineup is available from $2,000 for the 55-inch model to $3,900 for the 75-inch version.

The flagship Bravia 9, ranging from $3,300 to $5,500, builds on the Bravia 7’s features with even greater enhancements. It claims a 50% increase in brightness and a 325% boost in dimming zones compared to last year’s X95L model, aiming to replicate the quality of a mastering monitor. Additionally, it incorporates new beam tweeters for superior audio and offers a 20% reduction in energy use.

With these updates, Sony aims to cater to a broad audience also sets a new standard in the television industry, offering a range of products that promise to enhance any home entertainment system.

Have you ever thought about how old is your phone exactly? We are not talking about what time has passed after buying your phone, we are talking about the real age of your mobile phone. It is about the real manufacturing date of a mobile because the mobile company can mark any manufacturing date on the device according to their strategies. We are with the various ways to find out the exact age of a mobile phone. It will help you understand the production date of that device and you will have a guess how long your mobile is going to work properly.

Different Ways to Determine The Age Of A Mobile Phone

Here are with 6 easy ways to calculate the age of a mobile phone. We will explain them to help you find out the age of your mobile phone.

1. Check The Packaging Box Of Your Smartphone

The first and very simple thing that anyone can do is, check the outer box of your mobile phone. Every mobile box has the mobile’s manufacturing date on either the box or the white label. As we have already told you the company can mislead you by putting a different date. To make sure that there is no discrepancy, you should match the IMEI number of your device with the number written on the box.

2. Go Through Your Mobile’s Settings

The Second option to check a mobile’s real age is, to check the settings of your mobile phone. You need to open the About Phone section of your mobile. In some mobile phones, the date of manufacturing or the year of manufacturing is clearly mentioned. If there is no date or year, you can decode the serial number to find out the date.

3. Decode the Serial Code

As we have told you above you can find the manufacturing date just by decoding the serial number of your mobile. To get the serial number of your device, you need to go to the “Settings” then open the “About Phone” section and scroll down to find the serial number of your mobile. When you get the serial number of your phone you have to decode it. The serial number differs from company to company. Generally, a serial number looks like ‘RFCR90R9KRK’.

4. Use Third-Party Apps

If the above-mentioned methods do not work, you can take the help of a third-party app. There are plenty of third-party apps on the Google Play Store like Device info, Droid Hardware info, Phone info SAM, etc. These apps get the various details from your phone and let you know the real manufacturing date of your device.

5. Manufacturing Code

When the above-mentioned methods fail, there is one more trick that can assist you in finding the age of your mobile. This is the manufacturing code that can be dialed from your mobile phone to reveal the exact age of your mobile. But this method has its own drawbacks as this way can’t be used for every mobile, these codes are model-specific.

Here are some examples of manufacturing codes.

*#0000#

*#197328640#*

*#*#197328640#*#*

When you use these codes, it will open a Service Tab. You are to go to “Menu Version Information > Hardware Versions

> Read Manufacturing Date.

6. Find On Google

This is the last option that can help you. First of all, you have to enter the model number of your mobile phone on the Google Search bar so that you can get valuable information that might assist you in calculating the age of your mobile phone.

Conclusion

We have introduced the top 6 options to find the manufacturing date or the age of the mobile phone. We are sure that any of the methods will definitely work for you. But we can’t assure you of all these devices as the different company has different software and hardware. If one method does not work then you can try another one.