News

Facebook, Instagram verification badge launches in the US

Slightly modified from initial launch

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Facebook and Instagram are continuing their rollout of a paid verification badge. Starting today, users in the United States can subscribe for the blue verification badge.

Last month, Meta officially released the paid feature, called Meta Verified, in Australia and New Zealand. The initial launch was also a testing ground for other countries. As such, the United States is getting a slightly modified version of the feature.

First of all, subscribers will still get the blue verification badge. Subscribers, however, must still submit a government ID to verify the authenticity of their account. They must also be 18 years old or older.

Secondly, the feature offers exclusive stickers for Facebook Reels and Instagram Stories. Users will also get 100 Stars per month to use for creators on the platforms.

Finally, subscribers will get better protection against identity theft and impersonation. Plus, they can get direct account support for any issues with their profiles.

Now, as for the differences, subscribers in the United States will not get visibility on their posts and comments. According to the company, Meta is still testing how valuable the feature actually is for users.

If you’re still interested in Meta Verified, the subscription will cost US$ 11.99 on desktop and US$ 14.99 on mobile.

SEE ALSO: Facebook might merge with Messenger again

Gaming

The champ is here: WWE 2K23 now official

Featuring John Cena cover, WarGames, more

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WWE 2K23

After much anticipation, WWE 2K23, which features 16-time World Champion John Cena as its cover, is now available worldwide for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC (Steam).

The game comes in four editions:

Standard Edition

  • US$ 59.99 for previous-gen, US$ 69.99 for current gen consoles (physical or digital)

Cross-Gen

  • US$ 69.99 on PlayStation and Xbox consoles
  • Includes Standard Edition across previous and current-gen platforms within same console family or account

Deluxe Edition

  • US$ 99.99 for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One (physical or digital), and PC (digital)
  • Includes Standard Edition
  • Bad Bunny Bonus Pack
  • Season Pass to five post-launch DLC content packs
  • MyRISE Mega-Boost and SuperCharger
  • Ruby John Cena MyFACTION card
  • Gold Asuka MyFACTION card
  • Three Basic Premium Launch MyFACTION card packs

Icon Edition

  • US$ 119.99 for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC
  • Features original cover art by WWE-inspired artist Rob Schamberger
  • Includes all bonus content in Deluxe Edition
  • Ruthless Aggression Pack featuring John Cena “Prototype” character, “Leviathan” Batista, developmental rookie versions of Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton, John Cena Legacy Championship, and WrestleMania 22 Arena
  • Emerald Paul Heyman MyFACTION manager card
  • Three Deluxe Premium Launch MyFACTION card packs

WarGames, You Can’t Beat Me finally arrive

The highlight of WWE 2K23 is its much-requested WarGames feature which allows for 3v3 and 4v4 single player or multiplayer mayhem inside two side-by-side rings, surrounded by a double-steel cage.

The game also has a “You Can’t Beat Me” 2K Showcase wherein players will step in the shoes of Cena’s toughest competitors throughout his 20-year professional wrestling entertainment career to try and beat him.

Star-studded lineup

WWE 2K23 has a roster of 201 new and returning superstars, including the most popular names in Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, Queen Zelina, Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Rhea Ripley, Drew McIntyre, Bianca Belair, and more.

Ruthless Aggression versions of John Cena, Randy Orton, and Brock Lesnar are also included in the Deluxe and Icon editions.

More personalization

MyFACTION and MyGM have also been upgraded, with five new GMs and two new brands (NXT 2.0 and WCW), seven new match types, more titles, more challenges, and better Hall of Fame progression.

With Creation Suite, players can design custom superstars, GMs, arenas, entrances, move sets, and more. Custom arenas are likewise playable online.

Watch out for DLCs

Post-launch, gamers should look out for five DLCs headlined by fan-favorites Bray Wyatt, The O.C., The Steiner Brothers, Zeus, Wade Barrett, and Eve Torres.

These content updates will be released one by one until August, adding 24 more superstars to the WWE 2K23 overall roster.

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Laptops

Logitech products now available in Watsons stores

Not a drill!

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Logitech Watsons

Looking for cosmetics brands inside a Watsons store? Nowadays, the chances are you’d come across some Logitech products too.

Logitech, a brand known for its tech devices such as headphones, keyboards, and mice, has partnered with Watsons — yes, the popular beauty and health retailer.

The interesting development means all 28 Watsons locations in Singapore, as well as the shop’s online store, will have Logitech’s various products on display and ready to be purchased.

According to Logitech’s Bernard Chow, the Head of Cluster for Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines, the move tries to cement the brand’s identity as not only a “tech” brand but also a “lifestyle” brand.

Among the products to be sold in Watsons stores are the following:

  • K380 multi-device Bluetooth keyboard: SG$ 59
  • Pebble wireless mouse M350: SG$ 45
  • Lift vertical ergonomic mouse: SG$ 119
  • POP wireless mouse: SG$ 54
  • BRIO 500: SG$ 199
  • Zone Vibe 100 wireless over-the-ear headphones: SG$ 159

On the part of the Watsons, making tech devices available on its stores’ shelves also allows the brand to expand outside of beauty and health products, integrating such products to cater to an even broader customer demographics.

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Laptops

Lenovo partners with AMD to launch newest ThinkPads

Optimal productivity

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ThinkPad P16si

Lenovo’s ThinkPad laptops have always taken pride in being portable powerhouses. The company has partnered with AMD to make the newest ThinkPad P16s Gen 1, ThinkPad Z16 and Z13 Gen 1, and ThinkBook 15 Gen 5 available in the Philippines.

These workstations all come equipped with AMD Ryzen pro processors, a slew of enhancements, and even more advanced security features for the benefit of those on the go.

The most affordable of the batch, the ThinkBook 15 Gen 5 is available for PhP 30,999 and comes with Ryzen 5000 series processors with Radeon graphics, as well as AI features that make virtual communication a breeze.

Meanwhile, the ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 is priced at PhP 57,999 and has ThinkShield security suite and MIL-SPEC testing.

Improved usability features include a fingerprint reader, full numeric keypad, wider touchpad, and all-day battery capacity.

For a more powerful option, there’s the ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 which retails for PhP 74,999 and can breeze through even the heaviest of tasks as it is equipped with a Ryzen 7 Pro 6860Z processor.

It is expected to deliver maximum responsiveness even when multitasking or having a handful of programs open. It can also be relied on for Zoom or Teams, as well as music and video streaming.

Lastly, the larger ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 is designed not only for business use but also for content creation and gaming. The powerhouse laptop of the batch is priced at PhP 105,999.

It comes with Radeon RX 6500M discrete graphics and AMD smart technologies to fully support users’ needs, as well as groundbreaking security features.

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