News

Facebook might be forced to sell Instagram and WhatsApp

End of an era?

Published

on

Did you know that Facebook owns other platforms besides Facebook itself? Though security-conscious users are staying away from Facebook, getting away from the company is harder than just deleting your Facebook account. Unsurprisingly, Facebook’s growing empire is coming to a head. Forty-eight states are suing Facebook for antitrust reasons, potentially forcing the platform to sell Instagram and WhatsApp.

For months, the platform has gone under fire for similar reasons including violations against privacy. Foremost among those reasons, Facebook is allegedly taking out rival companies a little more aggressively than normal. For example, the company reportedly threatened rivals if the latter didn’t sell their businesses to Facebook.

In today’s blockbuster announcement, New York Attorney General Letitia James explains that Facebook’s monopoly heavily shrinks a consumer’s options of social media platforms. As a result, Letitia’s state, along with 47 other states, will pursue legal action to separate Instagram and WhatsApp away from Facebook.

Facebook, as expected, is defending against its actions, calling the legal action unfair, “sending a chilling warning to American business that no sale is ever final,” says Facebook Vice President Jennifer Newstead.

Similarly, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg states that the multiple acquisitions are merely to compete against other rivals including Google and Apple. The defense isn’t holding a lot of water in American courts, though. If the courts are getting their way, Big Tech, which includes other companies, will slowly lose its grip on American business.

SEE ALSO: Facebook on iOS now has dark mode

News

POCO M8s 5G launches in the Philippines, starts at PhP 11,999

Affordable smartphone with essential features, AI

Published

on

POCO has announced the availability of another affordable smartphone in the Philippines in the POCO M8s 5G.

The handset is powered by a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 mobile platform, and comes with up to 16GB of RAM (8GB base plus 8GB expansion).

It runs on Xiaomi HyperOS and supports intelligent features, including Google Gemini and Circle to Search.

The POCO M8s 5G comes with a 50MP main camera, along with creative AI tools like AI Erase and AI Sky.

In front is a 6.9-inch 1.5K display with Wet Touch Technology 2.0. The phone also houses a 7,000mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging and 18W reverse charging.

Other practical features include 200% volume boost, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and IP64 water and dust resistance.

Price, availability

In the Philippines, the POCO M8s 5G is available on Shopee exclusively from April 21 to 30.

During this early bird window, the phone is available for:

  • 6GB+128GB: PhP 11,999
  • 8GB+256GB: PhP 13,999

Afterwards, the phone will become available on Lazada and other platforms.

Continue Reading

Gaming

Ubisoft will showcase Assassin’s Creed Black Flag remake on April 23

The remake is real!

Published

on

Gaming’s worst kept secret is finally out. After months of rumors and speculations, Ubisoft will officially reveal its upcoming Assassin’s Creed Black Flag remake on April 23.

In March, the company first confirmed the game’s existence through the first concept art for the title. The upcoming remake will be officially called Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, which definitely states that it’s going to be a remake, rather than just a remaster.

Today, Ubisoft has announced that the worldwide reveal will happen on April 23. The showcase should clear the air as to how the remake will handle the franchise’s most successful outing to date.

When it first came out, Black Flag rightfully claimed itself as the quintessential pirate life simulator in the modern era. Rather than a straightforward stealth and assassination game, the title featured Edward Kenway, a vagabond pirate turned reluctant assassin. It was a worthy next step coming from the Desmond Miles trilogy, which concluded with Assassin’s Creed III.

Now, the studio isn’t done with the title. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag will ideally see the pirate game built again from the ground up. However, it’s still a bit unclear how much of the game will actually be rebuilt. Thankfully, the wait isn’t long at all.

For now, the franchise is still thriving with its latest new outing, Assassin’s Creed Shadows. It is also gearing up for the next mainline entry, currently called Codename Hexe.

SEE ALSO: Ubisoft confirms Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag remake

Continue Reading

News

Tim Cook steps down, John Ternus named next Apple CEO

Leadership transition takes effect September 2026

Published

on

Tim Cook, John Ternus | Apple

Apple will shift its leadership structure later this year. John Ternus is its next chief executive officer (CEO). Meanwhile, Tim Cook steps into the role of executive chairman starting September 1, 2026.

Apple’s board unanimously approved the move as part of a long-term succession plan. Cook will continue to lead the company through the summer. He will work closely with Ternus to ensure a smooth transition before taking on his new responsibilities, including engaging with policymakers worldwide.

Cook closes a defining chapter

Cook joined Apple in 1998 and took over as CEO in 2011 after Steve Jobs stepped down. Over the past 15 years, he led Apple through a period of massive growth and expansion.

He grew Apple’s market value from around $350 billion to $4 trillion and pushed annual revenue to more than $416 billion in fiscal year 2025. Cook also expanded Apple’s presence to over 200 countries and territories. He helped grow its active installed base to more than 2.5 billion devices.

During his tenure, Cook introduced new product categories like Apple Watch and AirPods and expanded services such as iCloud, Apple Music, and Apple TV+. He also strengthened Apple’s focus on privacy, sustainability, and accessibility, embedding these values into the company’s products and operations.

Ternus steps up from hardware leadership

Ternus joined Apple in 2001 and built his career within the company’s hardware engineering teams. He now steps into the CEO role after serving as senior vice president of Hardware Engineering.

The incoming CEO led development efforts across key products including iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. He also drove Apple’s transition to its own silicon and pushed innovations in materials, durability, and repairability across multiple product lines.

Cook described Ternus as a “visionary” leader and expressed strong confidence in his ability to guide Apple into the future.

Leadership changes extend to the board

As part of the transition, Arthur Levinson will take on the role of lead independent director. Ternus will also join Apple’s board of directors effective September 1, 2026.

Ternus said he feels honored to take on the role and expressed optimism about Apple’s future, citing his experience working under both Jobs and Cook.

Apple now enters a new chapter, handing leadership to a product-focused executive while Cook continues to shape the company’s direction from the chairman role.

Continue Reading

Trending