Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is hard to explain. The best way to understand is to see it in action; a screenshot of Handsome Squidward and Bob Belcher falling in love over their shared appreciation of cannibalism makes it clear that, while it’s a life sim, the game is really a joke-generating machine. Living the Dream on the Nintendo Switch gives you more tools and fewer restrictions to make those jokes stranger and funnier. But while Living the Dream provides more freedom for creativity, it also has big restrictions on sharing those creations, and the game seems content with inside jokes staying within its virtual walls.
Technology
The new Tomodachi Life is made to be shared — even if Nintendo doesn’t want you to
Living the Dream is the sequel to a 3DS game that, a decade ago, I called “the weirdest thing Nintendo has ever made.” It’s sort of like The Sims or Animal Crossing, and it’s also a little like a Tamagotchi. You play as an omniscient overseer of a small island that’s populated with Miis, Nintendo’s delightfully lo-fi avatar characters, and you have to feed them and make them happy by fostering relationships and playing games. As you do that, the island will expand with more residents and more things to interact with, so that eventually you’ll have a Ferris wheel, a restaurant, and a TV news station.
What makes the sequel interesting is that it really opens up what you’re able to do. The creation tools in particular are much more robust. There are lots of options for designing Miis such that, even though I am decidedly not artistically inclined, I was able to make very recognizable cartoon characters without too much effort. Notably, unlike its predecessor, Living the Dream has options for things like same-sex relationships and nonbinary characters, making it much more inclusive and open. The island itself similarly has a lot of customization options, though these slowly unlock over time.
The real meat of the experience is setting up situations and watching how things unfold. You can make characters become friends or romantic partners by literally picking them up and putting them next to each other. The game will even frequently ask you for topics that they might want to talk about, Mad Libs style. It’s an acquired taste, but for the right kind of person it can also be hilarious.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Living the Dream is that, at least as far as I can tell, there are no restrictions for what you can name characters or what you can make them say. To really test this, I let my 13-year-old kid run wild, tasking her with creating the most messed-up island her teenage brain could think of. Now my Switch is home to the cast of The Owl House, who love to chat to each other about Hitler, summoning Satan, and human trafficking. Nothing that she threw at the game was off-limits. (Also, I’m a little worried about her.)
That’s all very surprising for a Nintendo game, particularly given the company’s squeaky-clean image and family-friendly fare. And it’s almost certainly the reason why Nintendo has made it so that you can’t share screenshots and videos using the Switch’s built-in sharing features. Without getting into specifics, Nintendo wrote on a support page that the Living the Dream’s freedom can “sometimes lead to humorous, surprising, or unpredictable moments during gameplay,” but also said that “we recognize that out-of-context scenes may be misunderstood or may not reflect the spirit in which the game is intended to be enjoyed.”
Given the problems Nintendo has run into with online sharing in the past, it’s an understandable position to take. It’s also not impossible to share things; you can get around the limitation with a capture card or by simply taking photos of the Switch’s screen. Players already started doing that when Living the Dream’s demo came out.
Since much of the fun of Tomodachi Life is pushing the game to its limits to see what you can make your little Miis do, maybe Nintendo understood that there probably wasn’t any kind of filter it could put in the game that inventive players wouldn’t be able to bypass. Perhaps a full-scale sharing ban was the only option. But that decision also runs counter to the spirit of Living the Dream. Whenever I land on a really good joke, I immediately take a screenshot because I want to show it to people. My kid and I have been comparing stupid images all week trying to one-up each other.
Nintendo’s restrictions aren’t going to stop the really dedicated players. TikTok will almost certainly be flooded with even more phone camera videos of cute little Miis talking about sex and violence. Because those kinds of players are exactly who this game is for.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream launches on the Nintendo Switch on April 16th.
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Genesis AI, a global full-stack robotics company, has unveiled GENE-26.5, a robotic brain designed to help general-purpose robots perform complex physical tasks with human-level manipulation.
The company says the system pairs a robotics foundation model with a human-scale dexterous robotic hand. It also includes a new data engine. Together, these pieces help robots learn from human movement and handle tasks that require precision and coordination.
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ROBOTS LEARN 1,000 TASKS IN ONE DAY FROM A SINGLE DEMO
Genesis AI says its robotic hand can learn from human motion data to complete detailed, multistep tasks such as cooking an omelet. (Genesis AI)
What is GENE-26.5 and why it matters
Theo Gervet, co-founder and president of Genesis AI, says the easiest way to understand GENE-26.5 is to think of it as the system guiding the robot’s actions.
“Think of GENE-26.5 like a robotic brain that takes in information and tells the robot what to do,” Gervet said. “It is the industry’s most advanced robotic brain, with the most advanced capabilities. We’ve proven this by releasing a few videos showing GENE-26.5 powering the most complex tasks ever performed by robots.”
He says that matters because most robots still struggle with detailed hand movements. They often repeat one task in a controlled setting, but real life is less predictable.
“We’ve developed a way to feed GENE-26.5 massive amounts of data about how human hands move, so it can tell our robotic hands exactly how to move like a human’s hands,” Gervet said. “GENE-26.5 can also tell our robotic hands how to do tasks with many, many steps.”
He pointed to a cooking example to show the difference. “For example, powered by GENE-26.5, our robotic hands can follow a 20-step process to make a full omelet from start to finish,” Gervet said.
“That’s why we’re obsessed with innovating across the full-stack, from AI to hardware. By controlling every layer, we can build a cohesive system and solve the problem holistically. Our approach gives us a huge competitive advantage by harnessing unprecedented amounts of data, as that ultimately defines what foundation models can achieve.”
How the AI brain helps robots move like humans
Human hands constantly adjust, even during simple actions. That level of control has been hard for robots to replicate. To explain, Gervet used a Rubik’s Cube as an example. “Imagine you’re playing with a Rubik’s Cube. You have to hold it with the perfect grip strength. If you grip it too loosely, you’ll drop it.”
He said people make small adjustments without noticing. “You may not even realize it, but your brain is taking notice of how the cube feels. Even if you’re just holding the cube, your hands are never perfectly still.”
Those small movements are constant. “They’re constantly making micro adjustments to make sure the cube doesn’t slip and stays balanced,” he said. “It takes a lot of complicated, intentional and coordinated movements that involve over 20 joints in your fingers, knuckles and wrists. Our robotic hands can do exactly that.”
How Genesis AI trains robots using human data
Genesis AI built a robotic hand that mirrors the human hand in form and function. It pairs with a glove that captures motion and pressure. “The glove system helps us directly transfer information about how human hands move to our robot hands,” Gervet said.
He explained how the system captures detail. “When a human wears the gloves as they interact with objects or do their work, we can capture details about the exact movements their fingers and wrists make. Our robotic hands are built to exactly match a human’s hands, so that data works extremely well.”
Genesis AI says the glove is 100 times cheaper than typical options. It has also shown up to five times greater data collection efficiency compared with traditional methods.
AI VIDEO TECH FAST-TRACKS HUMANOID ROBOT TRAINING
Genesis AI unveiled GENE-26.5, a robotic brain designed to help general-purpose robots perform complex physical tasks with humanlike precision. (Genesis AI)
Why robots struggled before this AI brain
Robots have lacked usable training data for physical tasks. “Robots have always had a data problem,” Gervet said. “When you think about the AI chatbots you use on your computer, they have the entire internet to access.”
Robots did not have that advantage. “The big problem comes from the fact that unless the robot’s hand exactly matches a human’s hand, any information you capture about how human hands move won’t translate well,” Gervet said.
He said matching the human hand solves that gap. “We’ve solved this problem by creating a robotic hand that exactly matches a human hand.”
How video and simulation improve robot learning
Genesis AI also uses other sources of data to train its system. “In addition to data from the glove, we use videos from humans wearing camera headbands so we can see how their hands move,” Gervet said. “We also use massive amounts of internet videos.”
The company says its simulation system is a major accelerator, allowing AI to train itself in a fully virtual environment before moving into the real world. This helps teams test and improve systems much faster than traditional physical testing, which can be slow and expensive.
Where robots with AI brains could be used first
For now, Genesis AI expects the first use cases to be in workplaces such as warehouses and manufacturing facilities. “We see our technology being used in industrial settings to start and then later in the home,” Gervet said.
He described a phased rollout. “To start, it can be deployed for industrial use in warehouses and for manufacturing logistics. We’re already having conversations with industrial customers.”
After that, the technology could expand further. “After the industrial phase, we’ll offer our technology to the service industry. Next, it can be offered to consumers in their homes.” Gervet went on to say that “In addition, we’re hoping that in a home setting, our technology will be able to help handle daily chores, freeing up time for people to spend doing what they actually enjoy. Robots have been humans’ biggest fantasy for years. This is our collective hope, and we want to be the company to get us there.”
ROBOTS PERFORM LIKE HUMAN SURGEONS BY JUST WATCHING VIDEOS
The company says its glove-based data system captures finger, wrist and pressure movements to train robots more efficiently. (Genesis AI)
How safety is built into the technology
Gervet says safety testing is a core part of development. “Our technology goes through extensive testing and validation, first in simulation running millions of scenarios, then in controlled real-world environments,” he said. “It has to earn its way into the room.”
He added that the company also follows established safety standards and industry regulations designed to govern how robots operate around people.
He went on to say the company is currently showcasing individual components, including the robotic brain, robotic hands and data collection system and plans to unveil a full general-purpose robot that brings everything together. Early, small-scale deployments with select partners could begin later this year.
What this AI brain means for you
This technology will likely show up first in places like warehouses, factories and service environments where the work is repetitive or physically demanding. Gervet says, “In the future, we see our technology being able to fill some of the critical labor gaps there are today. Our hope is that this will increase productivity, while creating space for people to focus on meaningful, creative and high-value work.”
Over time, that could change. Robots that can use the same tools as people may fit into existing spaces more easily, without needing everything redesigned around them.
“The beauty of the technology is that it’s meant to fit seamlessly into the human world,” Gervet said. “Humans will still lead, but our reach won’t be limited by what we can do with our own hands.”
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Kurt’s key takeaways
This can feel like another robot demo, but the difference is how these robot hands move. They are starting to handle objects more like people do, using the same kinds of motions and tools. That is what makes this worth paying attention to. If robots can work in spaces built for humans without everything being redesigned, that is when things start to change in a more noticeable way. It also raises a bigger question about where this shows up first and how quickly it spreads. Not everything will change overnight, but this is the kind of progress that tends to build quietly and then suddenly feel like it is everywhere. So, be on the lookout for general-purpose robots that can suddenly handle objects more like human hands and start showing up in places you might not expect.
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As robots move and handle objects more like humans, do you want one helping you at home, or would that feel like a step too far at this point? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
The latest version of Native Instruments’ Komplete music production bundle is here with 62 new additions, including the wonderfully weird Absynth 6. Komplete 26 comes in several flavors, starting with three $99 Select bundles: Beats, Band, and Electronic. Prices jump pretty steeply from there, with Standard costing $549, Ultimate costing $1,249, and the Collector’s Edition priced at an eye-watering $1,949. You save some money if you’re upgrading from Komplete 15 (and yes, they switched from sequential numbers to years for 2026), but upgrading the Collector’s Edition will still set you back $399.
Komplete 26 Standard should satisfy all but the most demanding producers. Absynth 6 and Massive X cover most of your synth needs. Kontakt 8 is the industry standard for sample-based instruments covering orchestras, drums, choirs, and more. It also has tools for sequencing and building chord progressions if you need a little creative inspiration. There’s also Guitar Rig 7 Pro for effects and amp simulations. Plus, Komplete comes with mixing and mastering plugins from iZotope, including Ozone 12, Neutron 5, and Nectar 4.
Upgrading from the Standard Bundle to the Ultimate or Collectors does get you new additions like Claire and Claire: Avant, a pair of sampled Steinway D grand piano instruments that cover both traditional acoustic tones and experimental textures. There’s also a host of additions, like LCO Producer Strings and Moments: Vocal Clouds, that are targeted at score work. Of course, all those additional sampled instruments and expansion packs add to the download size, with the Collector’s Edition weighing in at 1.6 TB.
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You’re at home, scrolling through your phone like any other night. Suddenly, nothing works. Texts stop, calls fail and alerts disappear. That’s how it started for Florida woman Patricia Escriva.
She didn’t lose her phone. She lost control of her phone number. And within minutes, someone else was using it to break into her accounts.
“I realized that I had nothing,” Escriva said. “Either you get a text message, a WhatsApp message, an email or a phone call. I had nothing.” That silence was the first warning.
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IS YOUR PHONE HACKED? HOW TO TELL AND WHAT TO DO
SIM swap scams target a victim’s phone number, allowing hackers to intercept verification codes and move quickly through linked accounts. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How a normal night turned into chaos
Escriva shared her experience on my Beyond Connected podcast at getbeyondconnected.com, where she walked through how quickly everything unraveled.
Escriva was babysitting when her phone suddenly went quiet. No notifications. No signal. It felt off right away.
She connected to Wi-Fi to check what was going on. That’s when everything hit at once. “The first one was, you added a new device to your account,” she said. “And then two seconds later, you just changed your password.”
Then came the financial alerts. “Let me tell you, my heart stopped,” she said. “I start getting emails like $1,500, $800.”
Within minutes, someone had taken control of her accounts and started spending. That speed is what makes this type of attack so dangerous.
What is a SIM swap scam?
What happened to Patricia is known as a SIM swap scam. A SIM swap scam is a type of identity theft that targets your phone number. This can happen with both physical SIM cards and eSIMs, since the attack focuses on your number, not your device.
Here’s how it usually works:
- A scammer gathers your personal data online
- They contact your mobile carrier and pretend to be you
- They convince the carrier to move your number to their device
- Once your number is transferred, they receive your security codes
That last step is the key. Many accounts rely on text message codes for login security. Once a hacker controls your number, they can reset passwords and take over accounts fast. In some cases, accounts are drained within hours.
Why do these SIM swap scams move so fast?
Once your number is in the wrong hands, everything connected to it becomes vulnerable. Email accounts. Bank logins. Payment apps. Hackers don’t waste time. They move quickly before you even realize what’s happening.
In Escriva’s case, the damage started immediately. “They were using my money… from their checking account to pay the credit cards to keep using the credit card,” she said. Even after reporting the issue, it took days to regain control of her number. “They took three days in order to get my phone number…back,” she said.
FBI WARNS OF DANGEROUS NEW ‘SMISHING’ SCAM TARGETING YOUR PHONE
Patricia Escriva recalls the moment her phone went silent and her accounts were taken over in a SIM swap scam. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
SIM swap scam warning signs you should never ignore
SIM swap scams don’t always start with obvious red flags. The first sign can feel small.
Here are signals you should never ignore:
- Your phone suddenly loses service
- You can’t send or receive calls or texts
- You get alerts about new devices or password changes
- You stop receiving verification codes
Escriva now urges people to act fast when something feels off. “If you see you have nothing going on on your phone, make a phone call,” she said. “If that phone call doesn’t go through… you’re being hacked.”
While Patricia lost thousands of dollars to the scammer, her bank ultimately restored all of her money.
What to do if you’re hit by a SIM swap scam
If your phone suddenly stops working without warning, act quickly:
- Call your mobile carrier from another phone and lock your number
- Ask for a SIM lock or port-out freeze immediately
- Contact your bank and stop any transactions
- Change passwords for your email and financial accounts
- Turn on alerts for suspicious activity
- Report the incident to your carrier and local police
Ways to stay safe from a SIM swap scam
You can’t control every data breach or leak. But you can make it much harder for someone to take over your number.
1) Lock down your mobile account
Call your carrier and ask for a SIM lock or port-out PIN. This adds a layer of protection before your number can be moved.
2) Stop relying on text codes
Switch important accounts to an authenticator app or security key. Text messages are the weak link in SIM swap attacks.
3) Use strong, unique passwords
Every account should have its own password. A password manager can help you generate and store them securely. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at CyberGuy.com.
4) Turn on account alerts
Enable notifications for logins, password changes and transactions. The faster you spot suspicious activity, the better.
IF SOMEONE GETS INTO YOUR EMAIL, THEY OWN EVERY ACCOUNT YOU HAVE. THESE 3 MOVES LOCK THEM OUT FOR GOOD
A SIM swap scam can give criminals access to text message codes used to reset passwords and take over financial accounts. (Felix Zahn/Photothek)
5) Limit your data exposure
Your personal information is often available on data broker sites. Removing it with a data removal service reduces what scammers can use against you. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com.
6) Watch for phishing and malicious links
Scammers often gather the information they need through fake emails or texts. Using strong antivirus software can help detect malicious links, fake websites and suspicious downloads before they compromise your data. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.
7) Consider identity theft protection
These services can monitor your personal data, alert you to suspicious activity and help you recover more quickly if your information is misused. They can also flag when your data appears in known breaches. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at CyberGuy.com.
8) Act immediately if your phone goes silent
Don’t wait. Use another phone and call your carrier and bank right away. Lock everything down as fast as possible.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Patricia Escriva’s story is a reminder of how quickly things can spiral out of control. One moment, everything feels normal. Next, your digital life is out of your hands. Her experience also shows something else. Speed matters. Awareness matters. The sooner you act, the more you can limit the damage. Scammers are getting better at impersonation. That means protecting your phone number is now just as important as protecting your passwords. You can hear Patricia walk through her entire story step by step on my Beyond Connected podcast at getbeyondconnected.com, including what she wishes she had known before it happened.
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If your phone suddenly lost service right now, would you know exactly what to do next? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
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