Latest news with #Yuzu
Android Authority
4 days ago
- Android Authority
The best Switch emulator just got even better, and there's more to come
Nick Fernandez / Android Authority TL;DR Nintendo Switch emulator Eden just dropped v0.0.3 release candidate. It brings performance improvements, plus key new features to make setup easier. The growing team also teased a few upcoming features, including EmuReady integration. Nintendo Switch emulation hit some big setbacks last year with Nintendo effectively shutting down Yuzu and Ryujinx, but more recently things have really started to heat up. The Yuzu fork Eden is one of the most promising new Switch emulators on the scene, and an update dropped over the weekend with some huge improvements to what is likely the new best Switch emulator. Eden v0.0.3 has a wide variety of updates and new features, both to emulation performance and user experience. There are fixes for specific games like Echoes of Wisdom, Tears of the Kingdom, and Fire Emblem: Three Houses, as well as more general improvements to the emulation engine. On Android specifically, the multiplayer frontend has been overhauled, making it easier to play games online. There's a new carousel view for your game library, as well as an improved settings menu and performance overlay. The update improves performance and accessibility across the board. For lower-end devices, there's a new .25X resolution option that should improve emulation performance. Compatibility with older devices in general has been improved, although you'll still need a certain amount of power to run demanding Switch games. For even bigger gains to performance, there's now a built-in driver fetcher, which will recommend a driver for your device, then download and install the latest version from its repository. Having the right driver can make or break Switch emulation, so this streamlined approach should reduce the amount of tinkering required for good performance. While this update is one of the most significant since Eden launched in May, the team also promised even more exciting features in the near future. For example, it will integrate directly with the EmuReady app, which hosts community-built compatibility reports. Once complete, you'll be able to launch games directly in Eden with optimal settings for performance on your device. That should make Switch emulation more accessible than ever. Speaking of the team, there are several new contributors to the project, including Sudachi developer Jarrod Norwell. The team was also sent test devices from AYANEO, which makes some of the best retro gaming handhelds on the market. That's great news for future compatibility, especially for devices with Qualcomm's new gaming handheld-focused G series chipsets. There are far more changes in v0.0.3, so check out the full patch notes for more information and download links. It's worth noting that this is a release candidate, so it may have a few bugs that need to be squashed before it becomes a stable release. Follow
CNA
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Love subtle and delicate scents? Discover 7 Japanese perfume brands to try now
It's no secret that Japan is a land of numerous cultural sensitivities – which include perfumes. While using them is not an absolute no-no, wearing a strong, overpowering scent is considered intrusive and rude, since it can be offensive to others while you're in a public space. Japan is known to have one of the smallest fragrance markets in the world. But while scents may not be as popular with the Japanese compared to folks from other countries, they do appreciate perfumes – albeit in subtle, delicate forms that allow them to express their personality quietly and politely, without intruding on other's personal (olfactory) space. This is why Japanese scents are generally known to be light, elegant and on the simpler side of perfumes – they also tend to reflect the nation's penchant for understated minimalism. If this sounds exactly like the type of perfume that you love, here are some fragrance brands that you need to put on your shopping list and experience personally when you next visit the country. 1. J-SCENT View this post on Instagram A post shared by J-Scent Global (@jscent_fragrance) This perfume brand draws inspiration from Japanese culture, traditions and nature – evident in its line-up that includes scents with names like Roasted Green Tea, Yuzu and Hydrangea. Besides fragrances that are based on familiar notes, J-Scent also carries several conceptual scents that will no doubt capture one's imagination by their names. Ramune, which refers to the traditional Japanese soda pop with a bottle that's sealed with a marble stopper, is a playful scent that projects the olfactory image of the beverage with fresh notes of lemon, mint and bergamot. Sumo Wrestler is one for those with a taste for the unusual – it evokes the 'dignified scent of a sumo wrestler that's passing by', by reimagining the scent of bintsuke oil (which wrestlers use on their hair) with powdery and floral tones. 2. SHIRO View this post on Instagram A post shared by SHIRO (@shiro_japan) Not just a maker of fragrances, this Hokkaido brand is well known for its cosmetics and skincare line that are made from natural ingredients including kelp, sake lees, rice bran and yuzu its key features. What's interesting about its fragrances is that they are divided into two separate ranges that can be layered together to create a unique, personalised scent. The Fragrance line comprises the Savon, White Lily, White Tea, Earl Grey and Kinmokusei (osmanthus) scents, while the Perfume collection features more abstract creations made by perfumers from around the world. With names like Smoke Leather, Take It Easy and Spice of Life, the fragrances from the latter are based on each perfumer's personal memories and experiences. Shiro says that it uses uses distilled yuzu and Japanese mugwort water in place of water for the Perfume collection – apparently, doing so adds richness to the ingredients and depth to the fragrance. Available at Shiro. 3. PARFUM SATORI View this post on Instagram A post shared by パルファンサトリ (@parfumsatori_official) You'll find a refined line of fragrances here, presenting the Japanese ideal of elegant yet unique perfumes. Parfum Satori's fragrances are light, airy, and blend gently into the skin – they are born from a deep respect for the Japanese aesthetic of 'harmony'. According to the brand, its scents subtly merge with the wearer and their surroundings – creating a beautiful sense of balance, instead of dominating the senses. The perfumer behind them, Satori Osawa, aims to share this uniquely Japanese approach to fragrance with the world. The signature of the brand is the namesake fragrance Satori, a classy woody oriental that 'paints' the image of a dignified woman. It features notes including bergamot, coriander, cinnamon, cacao, vanilla and sandalwood – these have been chosen to also express the five tastes of spicy, bitter, sweet, sour and salty, which, together, encapsulate a Zen sense of Japanese beauty. 4. SHOLAYERED Here's another Japanese perfume brand with scents that are made to be layered so that users can experiment and find their own unique scent. Sholayered refers to its fragrances as body sprays, since they are designed to be light, refreshing and 'easy to use', which makes them ideal for those who do not like strong perfumes. Its scents are kept simple, featuring familiar and distinctive notes, and are named quite literally in reflection of them. This makes them easier to mix and match – take your pick from Orange Blossom, Lemon Peel, White Musk, Soapy Rose and Sugar Lychee, among others, and find a concoction to suit your personality or mood of the day. Available at Sholayered. 5. MIYA SHINMA View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miya Shinma (@miyashinma) If you're looking for something truly exquisite, you'll appreciate what this niche luxury Paris-based fragrance brand has to offer. The scents are by Paris-based Japanese perfumer, Miya Shinma, who studied perfumery in France and then set out to her own brand of fragrances that are inspired by Japanese culture and the beauty of nature. You'll sense the connection to her homeland most in her Kimono line of scents – particularly in Kimono Kaze, which is inspired by the traditional Japanese tea ceremony and features notes of green tea, yuzu and pine needle among others. Prefer a floral fragrance? Kimono Sakura evokes spring in Kyoto with rose, iris and jasmine, instead of the actual scent of sakura blooms – which, apparently, do not have much of a distinct fragrance. 6. KITOWA View this post on Instagram A post shared by KITOWA (@kitowafragrance) Wood-based scents are what Kitowa focuses on, since the brand is founded on the idea of creating perfumes that represent the unique connection between the Japanese and the trees native to their country. This resulted in the creation of three signature eau de parfums – Hinoki (Japanese cypress), Hiba (white cedar) and Kusunoki (Camphor tree), which blend distinctive woody notes with citrus and floral notes that are specially selected to add depth and elevate the fragrances. Kitowa also has a range of alcohol-free perfumes that are skin-friendly – the Eau Eclosion line is largely wood-based, too, and is ideal for those with skin allergies. Alcohol-free perfumes are known to last longer, since they contain a higher concentration of fragrance oils. On the other hand, the absence of alcohol means that they have low projection – they wear close to the skin and are unlikely to be overpowering, which is exactly what most Japanese would prefer their perfume to be. 7. AHRES View this post on Instagram A post shared by AHRES official (アーレス) (@ahres_official) A relatively new name in the Japanese beauty scene, Ahres is a hip and modern brand with a skincare and makeup line, and an extensive range of fragrances. Its tagline of 'function and entertainment' describes the brand ethos, which is seen in how it presents its line of Sound Skin Perfumes. On its website, each of the scents from the range is paired with a short tune, which is intended to create a multisensory experience for the user – in the brand's words, to help one 'listen' to the scent and imagine the scene it projects. Even if you're not one for abstract concepts such as this, you'd surely be able to appreciate the fresh scent of Ahres' chic fragrances, which, in true Japanese fashion, are formulated to be light, airy and to meld well with the skin.
Engadget
11-07-2025
- Engadget
FBI seize well-known Nintendo Switch game piracy site
One of the most popular sites for Nintendo Switch piracy has been taken down as part of an ongoing FBI investigation. As reported by Kotaku , Nsw2u was known for hosting Switch ROMs, which users could download to play on a hacked Switch or PC emulator capable of running them. At the time of writing, when you enter the site's URL you'll see a notice confirming the seizure, which the FBI says is in accordance with a warrant issued by the United States District Court in Georgia. The notice also features a logo for the Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD), which is a Dutch government agency that investigates financial crimes. Nintendo has been cracking down on piracy of its games for a number of years. Back in 2019, the company sued the illegal ROM-sharing site RomUniverse, after it became aware it was offering unlimited downloads of new and old Nintendo games for an annual fee. Last year it filed a lawsuit against streamer EveryGameGuru who it accused of broadcasting footage of pirated — and in many cases unreleased — Switch games, as well as providing access to illegal ROMs. In March of 2024 the makers of popular Switch emulator Yuzu paid $2.4 million to settle charges filed by Nintendo. Nintendo's latest anti-piracy move was inserting a clause in an updated version of the Nintendo Switch User Agreement that effectively enables it to brick your Switch if it runs illegal emulators or pirated games. This revised agreement came into effect just ahead of the Switch 2 launch on June 5.
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Travel + Leisure
02-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This Is the Friendliest City in the U.S.—and It's a Coastal Paradise
If you're the kind of person who loves to make new friends wherever you go, then we've got some excellent vacation recommendations for you. In April, Yuzu, Match Group's social and dating app centered on fostering friendships in the Asian-American community, released its latest data searching for the friendliest places in the United States that are ready to welcome you too. To figure out which spots will flash you a smile the fastest, the team asked its users to rate just how friendly they think their home city is, including factors like the "frequency of positive interactions with strangers, the likelihood of receiving help when needed, and the overall friendliness of local residents," all ranking them on a one to 10 scale. The insights for each factor were combined to produce each city's final score out of 10, which the team said blended "quantifiable data with the lived experiences of locals." After doing all that work, it named San Diego the friendliest place in the nation with a score of 8.67 out of 10. It added that the southern California city exemplifies the "qualities that make communities feel like home." The team also noted that San Diego's "beach vibes, surf-friendly shores, and locals who are as relaxed as the ocean breeze," make it an excellent spot to visit. It also doesn't hurt that its average year-round temperature is somewhere between 50°F and 77°F, making it a near-guarantee that when you do visit, you'll get to experience it in all its outdoor-loving glory. Following in a close second is Raleigh, North Carolina, which scored high marks as a spot where "comfort meets cutting-edge innovation" and "where warm hellos are as common as sweet tea." Rounding out the top three is Phoenix, where, once again, the warm sunshine certainly seems to make people happier, with the team noting residents add a "can-do spirit to every encounter." The rest of the list includes hot spots like the Miami area in fourth, followed by Houston; Honolulu; Boston; San Jose, California; Minneapolis; and Denver, rounding out the top 10. As for which destination could use a dose of happiness, the team reported that Wichita, Kansas, came in last place. But maybe if you visit and offer up a little kindness, you could boost its happiness score next year.
Android Authority
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Android Authority
I can't believe how far Switch emulation has come in the year since Nintendo killed it
Nick Fernandez / Android Authority It's been a few weeks since the Nintendo Switch 2 hit shelves, but if we're being perfectly honest, there's not much reason to buy one yet. I've been revisiting my OG Switch to stave off the FOMO, but I was sad to learn that my left Joy-Con now drifts so badly that Link runs in circles like he's drunk in Breath of the Wild. Instead of shelling out $40 for another Joy-Con with a ticking drift timer, I reached for something I hadn't touched in a while: Switch emulation on Android. I had largely given up on the scene after the events of last year, but what I found honestly blew me away. Not only is Switch emulation alive, it's evolved in ways I didn't see coming. I still love playing on real hardware, but let's just say the emulator grave Nintendo tried to dig didn't stay filled for long. Hard reset: The Yuzu shutdown Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority For those of you who haven't followed Switch emulation closely, it's been a crazy few years. Ryujinx and Yuzu were making huge gains, with the latter finally releasing an Android version in May 2023. At first, performance was limited, and while it was novel and fun, few games were truly playable. Things really kicked into high gear when native code execution (NCE) entered the chat. This clever compatibility layer lets Android devices execute some Switch code natively, resulting in major performance jumps. Suddenly, games that were once PowerPoint slideshows became playable. Skyline pioneered the use of compatibility layers for Switch emulation, but when it bowed out early in 2023 to dodge Nintendo's legal fireball, Yuzu picked up the torch. Native code execution is a gamechanger for Switch emulation on Android. With NCE enabled, Yuzu finally felt like it was close to being a real option for handheld play. Sure, you still needed a reasonably beefy Android device, but it was no longer just a novelty. I couldn't believe I could actually play Switch games on a phone, and that's when I started to think: maybe Switch emulation on Android actually had a future. Curtis Joe / Android Authority That hope didn't last long. In early 2024, Nintendo did what Nintendo does best: lawyer up. They filed a lawsuit against Yuzu's developers, Tropic Haze, effectively killing the project. The case never made it to court, but a quick settlement led to a quiet shutdown. Citra, the beloved 3DS emulator from the same team, vanished in the fallout. With Yuzu and Ryujinx shut down, it looked like game over for Switch emulation. Ryujinx wasn't far behind. Later that year, Nintendo reportedly contacted the lead developer behind that project, too, sending an offer they couldn't refuse. By October 2024, Ryujinx was gone. Just like that, the two biggest names in Switch emulation were dead. The scene was, by all appearances, toast. Fork yeah, we're back Nick Fernandez / Android Authority It didn't take long for Yuzu forks to start popping up, although most didn't add any new functionality or enhancements. This Wild West period saw forks like Suyu, Uzuy, Sudachi, and Torzu gain popularity, although those and others were frequently removed from GitHub by a blue shell from Nintendo HQ. But then came Citron, the first fork that offered new features, better compatibility, and actual performance gains. For the first time in months, it felt like the scene was moving forward again. Citron's core team eventually imploded, but for most games and most phones, it's still the one I keep installed. Eden is currently the most exciting and ambitious Yuzu fork. Out of Citron's ashes came Eden, a new fork built by many of the same devs, but now with a clearer vision, fresh code, and less drama. It's early days for Eden, but it already feels ambitious. The devs are throwing around big ideas for performance tweaks, UI improvements, and more features. The first public build of Eden dropped barely a month ago, and it's still half-baked in spots. But even so, it's the most exciting Switch emulation project I've seen since Yuzu's heyday. No matter which Yuzu variant you choose, performance still depends heavily on the turnip drivers. These unofficial, community-built GPU drivers are a labor of love, and they've also steadily improved over the years. Pick the right one, and you can squeeze out framerates the Switch itself might envy. Meanwhile, a new challenger appeared in a different corner of the emulator universe: Kenji-NX. Built on Ryujinx's codebase, it trades performance for accuracy. On older phones, that tradeoff doesn't pan out, but if you've got a Snapdragon 8 Elite, it's another story. The right emulator and driver can outperform even original Switch hardware. Ironically, the chipsets that struggle with Yuzu forks due to missing third-party drivers are the same ones where Kenji-NX shines. The more brute power your phone has, the better Kenji runs, and the more it starts to feel like the emulator of the future. In a twist Nintendo definitely didn't intend, the Switch 2 also helped boost emulator performance. Right before launch, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe got a massive update that converted its Wii U-era 32-bit code to 64-bit. That tiny change doubled the average framerate on Android emulators, thanks to better compatibility with the NCE layer. Cease and persist Nick Fernandez / Android Authority Switch emulation may be charging ahead on the tech front, but legality is another matter. Nintendo has (grudgingly) admitted that emulation itself is legal, but if you're playing Switch games anywhere other than on an official cartridge, on a real Switch, on your couch, under an officially Mario-branded blanket, it's probably not happy about it. In fact, Nintendo has started bricking Switch 2 consoles that so much as touch a MiG Switch flash cart, even if you're using it for legitimate backups. The message is loud and clear: don't mess with the hardware, even if you purchased the software. Fortunately, developers have taken the Yuzu takedown to heart. Modern emulators steer clear of copyrighted files entirely. That means if you want to use one, you'll need to bring your own firmware, keys, and games, ideally dumped from your own modded Switch. Modding a Switch is against Nintendo's ToS, but that's not the emulator developers' problem, it's yours. Despite Nintendo's best efforts, Switch emulation isn't going anywhere. But even that doesn't make these emulators entirely safe. Nintendo's intellectual property page claims emulators 'encourage the use of unauthorized (i.e. pirate) copies' and that some 'circumvent security measures,' making them illegal by design. It's a legal minefield. Still, whether Nintendo admits it or not, emulation isn't going anywhere. After trying (and failing) to wipe it off the map, all it's really done is push the scene to decentralize and evolve. In a post-Yuzu world, Switch emulator development is more fragmented, but it's also more resilient and legally savvy. I still prefer playing Switch games on real hardware when I can. But that's not always possible anymore, with aging consoles, failing Joy-Cons, and a new Switch built without physical media in mind. Somehow, the best way to revisit this generation of Nintendo games might not be a Switch 2 or even a Switch 1. It might be an Android phone and an emulator born from the ashes.
