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Nintendo has a bad reputation for its online infrastructure, often being ridiculed for lagging behind in adopting the latest technologies or features (such as requiring a smartphone for voice chat). This includes transitioning user data between your old console and a new one. Fortunately, it sounds like Nintendo is at least looking into making that easier before the launch of its next console.

In a shareholder meeting late last week, when asked if your Nintendo Switch purchases would carry over to future game consoles, President and CEO Shuntaro Furukawa says (via Google Translate), “In the transition from Nintendo Switch to the next-generation console, we would like to make every effort to ensure that customers can make the transition smoothly while using their Nintendo account.” This seems to imply that Nintendo is at least looking into possibly allowing current Nintendo Switch titles purchased through the eShop to be carried over to whatever comes next. Of course, Nintendo doesn’t make comments about future hardware that hasn’t been announced yet, so take this with a grain of salt.

As a reminder, previous-generation Nintendo Wii U games did not carry over to the Switch. This is in stark contrast to Sony and Microsoft, where most last-generation console games work on new consoles. And unlike Microsoft and Sony, Nintendo likes to spice up its controller design with virtually every new console. So sometimes it’s impossible to make a game work on both the new and old console generation.

At the very least, Nintendo is considering making improvements for its future console. It’s always been a major disappointment, especially for digital game buyers, that previously-owned titles did not carry over to the new console. It’s especially infuriating when the PlayStation 5 can play most PlayStation 4 titles, and Xbox Series S and X can play most Xbox One titles and in some cases Xbox 360 titles. And in Microsoft’s case, the company lets you carry over certain physical titles as well. So, Nintendo has a few options on the table for carrying over existing games. Regardless of what Nintendo’s next console is like, hopefully it’ll work with all the Switch games people have amassed over the years.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nintendo-says-itll-be-easy-to-transfer-over-to-its-next-console-211411270.html?src=rss 

Stitcher is shutting down. The popular podcasting app and web service, which SiriusXM acquired in 2020 for $325 million, will close on August 29th, according to an FAQ on its website (viaVariety). The move appears geared toward drawing its user base into the broader SiriusXM platform.

“SiriusXM, the owner of Stitcher, is focused on incorporating podcasts into its flagship SiriusXM subscription business,” the closure note reads. “Subscribers can listen to podcasts within the SiriusXM app and will see an all-new listening experience later this year.” The notice added that Stitcher Studios and its Earwolf comedy network would continue making podcasts. Although Stitcher says its premium content may continue elsewhere, it adds that “hosts/creators will determine availability and accessibility of their shows.” The company recommends following your favorite podcast creators on social media to learn the fate of individual programs.

The platform has been a popular destination for exclusive and cross-platform podcasts. Stitcher’s original podcasts include Freakonomics Radio, The Video Archives Podcast with Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary, LeVar Burton Reads and Science Rules! With Bill Nye (among others). The app is known for its user-friendly navigation, wide-spanning library and discovery recommendations.

The company began as a startup, focused on its listening app, in 2008. Deezer bought it in 2014 and sold it to Midroll Media two years later. Finally, Parent company E.W. Scripps Company sold it to SiriusXM in 2020 — only for the satellite radio provider to announce its closure today.

Stitcher turned off automatic renewal for paid subscriptions today and detailed the refund process for premium customers. Those with existing subscriptions won’t need to take any action to cancel. Meanwhile, people with annual subscriptions scheduled to renew after August 29th will receive a prorated refund for the unused portion of the paid year. (You can read the full terms here.)

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/podcast-app-stitcher-is-shutting-down-in-august-195644781.html?src=rss