You can buy a gold-plated Wii originally made for the Queen

You now have the chance to own a truly one-of-a-kind Nintendo Wii… provided you have the well-stuffed bank account to match. Kotakureports Dutch collector and Consolevariations owner Don is auctioning an infamous 24 karat gold-plated Wii bankrupt game developer THQ intended to deliver to Queen Elizabeth II in 2009. The system was meant as a promo piece for the forgettable mini-game collection Big Family Games, but never made it to Buckingham Palace due to an “understandably strict” royal gift policy. It returned to THQ, and popped up in 2017 after a collector obtained it from a studio contact. The unnamed owner eventually sold to Don. 

Don first tried to sell the golden Wii on eBay in October 2021 with an asking price of $300,000. The marketplace shut him down, however, as a policy change flagged accounts that sold items at prices far outside of their usual range. The new auction is at Goldin, which doesn’t have similar reservations.

You’ll want to brace yourself if you’re considering a purchase. Bidding has already reached $2,000 as of this writing, and we’d expect it to climb much higher (if not necessarily to $300,000) by the time the auction closes the evening of May 21st. This also isn’t a mint-condition item, as there are signs of “scattered” gold chipping. And given that Nintendo shut down online multiplayer and Wii Shop services years ago, you probably won’t do more with this machine than stare at it lovingly through a glass case.

Nonetheless, it won’t be surprising if someone snaps up this Wii. Unlike many special edition consoles, this is a genuinely unique device with a story behind it. And like Nintendo World Championship cartridges or similar rarities, it’s as much a snapshot of a moment in gaming history as anything else. The 24K gold Wii was the product of an era when audacious publicity stunts were still relatively commonplace in the game industry, and the new owner will likely remember that period for a long time to come.

UK regulator will have the power to impose steep fines on Big Tech

The UK’s recently established Big Tech regulator will have extensive authority to punish giant companies it deems anti-competitive. As TechCrunchnotes, the country’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has revealed that the Digital Markets Unit will have the power to levy fines of up to 10 percent of a company’s worldwide annual turnover if it doesn’t honor codes of conduct, plus up to five percent of daily turnover for each day the violations continue. Firms will also have to make it easier to switch between platforms (such as mobile devices and social networks), break away from default apps (including search) and take more control of data sharing.

Big Tech will also have to report acquisitions to the Competition and Markets Authority before they close to determine if any “further investigation” is necessary. The DMU could block acquisitions meant to stifle competition, reducing the chances that the unit has to regulate when damage has already been done. The CMA might not have ordered Meta to undo its acquisition of Giphy, as an example.

The moves may require tech heavyweights to notify smaller companies when they change algorithms that could hurt their business, the DCMS said. Google might have to warn stores if changes will affect search rankings, for example, while Meta could alert media outlets if they’ll be less prominent in Facebook’s feed. App creators, meanwhile, could also expect “fairer and more transparent terms” for offering their wares.

The UK also intends to borrow cues from Australia and Canada by ensuring that news publishers are “paid fairly” for online content. The DMU could intervene to address pricing disputes, for instance. While the CMA clarified that it will consult with everyone involved before implementing a conduct code, it already saw a need to address an “imbalance of bargaining power” that let online platforms strong-arm publishers.

The effectiveness of the DMU will depend on the exact codes put in place, and it doesn’t yet have the authority DCMS promised. It’s not yet clear when that will happen. If the new promises hold up, though, they could mandate sweeping changes at large tech companies. Apple and Google might have to loosen restrictions on apps and operating system defaults, while the likes of Amazon and Meta may have to increase transparency and be cautious when changing recommendation algorithms. While fines taking a cut of global turnover are nothing new, the DMU’s maximum penalties are particularly steep and could leave Big Tech with little choice but to fall in line.

Blizzard’s new VP will be tasked with fixing its workplace culture

Activision Blizzard is continuing a hiring spree in light of its ongoing harassment scandal. Blizzard has hired Jessica Martinez as its first Vice President of Culture. She’ll both implement and expand the game studio’s culture strategy, and lead a learning and development team that will help create a work environment where people feel “safe, valued” and eager to cooperate.

Martinez is a 14-year veteran of Disney, where she was a Chief of Staff and advised both the Chief Security Office and the parks’ Chief Technology & Digital Officer. She was known for building a diversity- and values-focused culture, according to Blizzard, and led efforts to harmonize security when Disney bought key Fox studios and channels.

The move comes just weeks after Activision Blizzard hired diversity chief Kristen Hines. It also follows months of employee shuffles and organizational efforts in the wake of the scandal. The publisher has ousted or disciplined numerous workers for participating in or tolerating a hostile work culture, including former Blizzard president J. Allen Brack. It also launched a “Workplace Responsibility Committee” to fight discrimination and harassment. 

Whether or not these measures will be enough still isn’t clear. Activision Blizzard chief Bobby Kotick has remained despite pressure to resign and a New York City lawsuit. The Communications Workers of America union, meanwhile, has filed a complaint with US labor officials accusing the company of silencing talk about harassment lawsuits. While Martinez may bring valuable cultural improvements, there’s still evidence the firm is resistant to some forms of change.

Fox Sports will offer World Cup pre-game shows on Twitter for every match

You won’t have to leave the social media sphere to catch some of the coverage surrounding FIFA World Cup matches. Fox Sports has expanded its relationship with Twitter to offer live pre-game shows and in-match previews (through @foxsports and @foxsoccer) for every match of World Cup 2022 and Women’s World Cup 2023. You can also expect “near real-time” highlights during play as well as post-match discussions.

The exclusive deal for both the men’s and women’s tournaments is a first for Twitter, according to the social network’s global content head TJ Adeshola. Naturally, you can expect Fox to support the streams through ads.

You’ll still have to use the Fox Sports app or website (plus a pay TV subscription) if you want to stream the matches themselves. Like it or not, the broadcaster still wants to steer you toward its most lucrative business. Even so, this at least offers more ways to immerse yourself in the group stages or build up hype for a must-win knockout match.

‘Fortnite’ is back on iOS for free via Xbox Cloud Gaming

NVIDIA isn’t the only one making it easier to play Fortnite on Apple devices. Microsoft has partnered with Epic Games to make Fortniteplayable for free on Xbox Cloud Gaming, no subscription required. So long as you have a Microsoft account in one of 26 streaming-enabled countries, you can play the battle royale title through the web browser on an iPhone, iPad, Android device or Windows PC.

The streaming version supports both controllers and touch. Creative mode is also free, although you’ll need to pay if you want to fight AI villains in the Save the World campaign. Fortnite might not be alone, either. Microsoft said it would “look to bring” other free-to-play titles to Xbox Cloud Gaming.

There’s no mystery behind Microsoft’s team-up. This could boost Xbox Cloud Gaming and drive sign-ups for Game Pass Ultimate, which offers a catalog of games you can stream on multiple platforms. Microsoft is also eager to spite Apple — the Windows creator has backed Epic’s antitrust battle, arguing that Apple is stifling competition through in-app payments and restrictions on cloud gaming apps. Free Fortnite gameplay could draw attention to Apple’s policies while softening the blow for Microsoft, Epic and gamers.

Volta’s electric urban delivery trucks will come to the US in 2023

You might soon see more electric trucks ferrying cargo around town. Volta has revealed that it’s bringing its urban delivery EVs to the US, starting with a test fleet of 100 Class 7 (16.5 US tons) Zero trucks coming to Los Angeles in mid-2023. American production should start in 2024, with an “experienced” manufacturer chosen late this year. This inaugural truck will be followed by lighter-duty Class 5 (9.8-ton) and Class 6 (13-ton) models in 2024 and 2025.

The Class 7 Volta Zero’s range is short, with modular batteries offering between 95 to 125 miles of driving. That’s more than enough for city deliveries, however. Volta is also betting that 250kW DC fast charging will ease any range anxiety. You completely recharge the Zero in slightly over an hour at the right station. Moreover, the company has taken advantage of the switch to electric motors to improve safety — a lower, center-mounted driver’s seat should reduce the usual truck blind spots.

There’s pressure for Volta to move quickly. Fellow Swedish company Volvo has already introduced multiple electric medium-duty trucks, and American rival Freightliner has the eM2. Still, these are typically conventional designs that just happen to be electric, rather than from-scratch EVs. Volta might reel customers in simply by making a more compelling case for ditching diesel- and gas-based fleets.

Google Assistant can now automatically change passwords

Google said a year ago that Assistant would offer to change compromised passwords, and now the company is delivering on that promise in earnest. Android Policenotes that Assistant warnings are now rolling out more broadly to Chrome users, including those on Android. Sign in to a site with a compromised password and you’ll both get the familiar “change your password” alert and, on some sites, an option to have Assistant automatically make that change. You can take control at any point, but this will be helpful if you’d rather not spend time devising a secure replacement sign-in.

The helper uses the AI from Google’s web version of Duplex to navigate websites and apply password changes. It knows how to click, scroll and fill in forms that would typically require human intervention. 

The feature doesn’t work on every website at this moment. However, the Assistant password tool has only been available to a relatively small group of users since it was introduced at Google I/O last May. The expanded access still represents a significant improvement, and could be extremely useful if you’re ever the victim of a data breach that exposes your login details.

Apple, Google and Microsoft commit to ‘end-to-end’ password-free sign-ins

Passwordless sign-ins are already a practical reality, but they’re sometimes clunky — and three of the biggest tech companies believe they can reduce the friction. Apple, Google and Microsoft are teaming up to expand support for a password-free sign-in standard from the FIDO Alliance and World Wide Web Consortium. You’ll get to use FIDO authentication on a phone or tablet to sign into an app or website on a nearby device, regardless of platform. Likewise, you’ll often have automatic access to your FIDO credentials without having to add every account on a given device, even on brand new hardware.

The aim is to allow “end-to-end” passwordless sign-ins for apps and websites, not just at certain stages. You’d only need to use biometric scans (such as your face or finger) or a device PIN to sign in at every step. The effort will hopefully prevent successful phishing attacks that trick you into sharing passwords with hackers and scammers.

Apple, Google and Microsoft all plan to make the enhanced zero-password features available on their platforms throughout the “coming year.” You may have to wait for a significant operating system update to see the upgrade. The wait might be endurable, though, if passwords are far less necessary than they are today.

TikTok will explore sharing ad money with creators

TikTok creators might soon have an easier way to profit from their posts. As part of a TikTok Pulse ad solution, the social media giant will start “exploring” a program that shares ad revenue with influencers, publishers and well-known public personas. Those with at least 100,000 followers will be eligible in the first stage, TikTok said.

The company told TechCrunch it will launch Pulse in the US this June, with other countries due in the fall. TikTok will split revenue equally between itself and producers. That’s slightly worse than Instagram (where creators get 55 percent), but still significant.

The appeal is clear: if you’re popular enough, you could make money with every post. That could encourage more posts on TikTok, not to mention spare some video makers from relying heavily on sponsorships or donations.

This also helps TikTok, of course. It could prevent stars from jumping to Instagram or other, potentially more lucrative rivals. However, it might also encourage more creators to produce ad-friendly clips — you might see cleaner, less polarizing material. That won’t be thrilling if you like TikTok’s more political or risqué content, but it might help TikTok withstand increasingly fierce competition.

Amazon warehouse worker will propose reforms at a shareholder meeting

Amazon leaders might face an uncomfortable moment at the company’s next shareholder gathering. Daniel Olayiwola will become the first Amazon warehouse worker to present a resolution at the firm’s annual general meeting on May 25th. The San Antonio-based employee’s proposal calls for Amazon to end both its staff surveillance and productivity quotas. The practices force workers to “prioritize speed over safety,” Olayiwola said, and there have reportedly been few meaningful changes.

The staffer pointed to OSHA data showing that Amazon’s injury rates were “well above” national averages, particularly at automated facilities and during peak periods. He blamed this in no small part on policies like Time Off Task, which monitors the amount of time workers spend away from their station tools. The combination of surveillance and quotas reportedly gives employees little room for breaks or a safe, sustainable work pace.

We’ve asked Amazon for comment. The online retailer has softened its approach in some respects, such as averaging Time Off Task over a longer period to reduce the strain on warehouse personnel. Founder and former CEO Jeff Bezos pushed for Amazon to become the “safest place to work.”

Amazon still keeps a close eye on productivity, however, and has recently been accused of pushing workers past the breaking point. Employees and contractors at the Illinois warehouse that collapsed during a deadly tornado last year were reportedly pressured to keep working despite the extreme danger, for instance.

We wouldn’t count on the resolution passing. Shareholder resolutions at many companies frequently fail if they challenge the status quo, and Olayiwola’s would demand a major change to Amazon’s policies. Even if the proposal doesn’t survive, though, it highlights the mounting tensions between Amazon and a rank-and-file demanding better working conditions.