Enterprise

Qualcomm allegedly ordered a smear campaign against Apple

The two have beef against each other

Published

November 17, 2018

Luigi Leonardo

Image source: Flickr/Masaru Kamikura

Over the past two years, Facebook has been at the forefront of cybersecurity concerns. In 2016, the company allowed Russian intelligence to run rampant on the social media network. Though relatively subdued, the revelation revealed the company’s role in politics. Later, in 2018, the company was accused of mismanaging user data with Cambridge Analytica. Supposedly, the data influenced the US elections in 2016, as well as other political events around the globe.

Amid these controversies, a lone PR firm, Definers Public Affairs, has controversially managed the social media network’s failed redemption arc. Borrowing from Republican political campaigns, the firm infuses public relations with political strategies. This includes smear campaigns against a client’s rivals. Notably, Facebook hired the firm to take on George Soros, among others.

However, a key event in this timeline hints at a third player skulking in the shadows. Recently, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg allegedly ordered his executives to ditch Apple’s iPhones for Android. Prior to this, Apple threw shade at Facebook’s sketchy ethics, emphasizing the value of privacy. Later, conservative websites, including the Definers-affiliated NTK Network, lambasted the former for similarly detestable practices. The news reeked of Definers’ involvement.

True enough, Tim Miller, Definers owner, confirmed that his firm did work on Apple. However, Facebook isn’t to blame. According to a New York Times exposé about Facebook, a third tech company is responsible for the firm’s handiwork against Apple.

After the exposé’s release, Business Insider and NBC News have claimed the mysterious tech company’s identity — Qualcomm. The company in question is no stranger to Apple. Apple supposedly owes Qualcomm some US$ 7 billion in royalties, prompting legal action between the two.

According to Business Insider, Miller approached the publication with story ideas that are “damaging to Apple and positive for Qualcomm.” Meanwhile, in NBC News, a former NTK Network employee directly named Qualcomm as the mystery client.

Adding fuel to the fire, Definers and Qualcomm have refused to comment on the issue in both news reports.

Enterprise

Tim Cook might soon step down as Apple’s CEO

He’s turning 65 next month.

Published

October 7, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

Did you know that it’s been almost 15 years since Tim Cook took the reins of Apple? The brand’s stalwart fans can definitely thank Cook for Apple’s impressive success today. That said, nothing lasts forever, especially as one reaches the age of 65. Tim Cook, after bringing Apple to almost US$ 4 trillion in valuation, might soon step down as the company’s CEO.

When he took over as CEO, Cook had the unfortunate challenge of following Steve Jobs. But, as we can see now, the CEO was more than up for the task, leading the company to new heights. Cook, however, will soon enter his twilight years. This November, the CEO turns 65. Cook’s retirement now becomes a question of “when” and “who’s next.”

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the transition might come soon. A few of the company’s executives have started to leave the company. This year, COO Jeff Williams stepped down and will soon leave the company. Importantly, Williams was once seen as next in line for the throne.

Others are expected to follow Williams, eventually leading to Cook’s own retirement. Cook’s 65^th birthday isn’t a sure deadline, but the talks should start. When Cook does retire from his CEO duties, it’s expected that he’ll transition instead into a new role as chairman, similar to Amazon’s Jeff Bezos.

Gurman also notes that the current heir, after Williams’s departure, is now the company’s hardware engineering boss, John Ternus. Importantly, this means that Apple might finally enter a new era outside of smartphones. As popular as the iPhone is, the company has struggled entering new facets of technology, including the middling Vision Pro. Ternus, as opposed to a more business-oriented leader, might steer Apple into those new frontiers.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone Air Review

Enterprise

CMF will separate from Nothing soon

Its headquarters will be in India.

Published

September 26, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

It didn’t take long for Nothing to establish itself in the smartphone industry. The brand even felt confident to launch a more affordable sub-brand called CMF by Nothing. Now, Nothing is ready to let its baby boy grow up. CMF by Nothing is branching off into its own independent brand soon.

As reported by TechCrunch, Nothing has confirmed that CMF will become an independent subsidiary soon. The brand is partnering with an Indian company called Optiemus to establish a headquarters for manufacturing and research in India.

The choice of market isn’t surprising. Compared to the original brand, CMF by Nothing caters more to the budget-conscious crowd while upholding Nothing’s penchant for quirky designs. The affordable segment continues to be a big hit in India. Nothing, as a brand, is also popular in the country.

It’s an impressive story for CMF. The small brand started only around two years ago in 2023. Since then, it launched earbuds, smartwatches, and smartphones — all of which appeal to the budget-conscious. By branching off on its own, the brand has a chance to establish its own identity apart from its parent company.

Though CMF’s independence is certainly a quick one, the phenomenon isn’t uncommon. Various companies have also done the same with their own sub-brands. For example, HONOR, POCO, and realme have spun off from Huawei, Xiaomi, and OPPO, respectively.

Enterprise

DITO wants you to stop worrying about data, WiFi, and dropped calls

Here’s how DITO is changing the way we connect

Published

August 31, 2025

GadgetMatch

DITO Telecommunity is pushing forward with a bold message: fast, reliable, and accessible connectivity should already be the norm.

At its recent Kaya DITO campaign launch in BGC, the country’s fastest-growing telco showed how its ecosystem of services is built to meet the digital aspirations of every Filipino.

Prepaid that doesn’t waste your data

DITO’s Level-Up Packs were designed to take the stress out of prepaid.

With ViLTE tech, subscribers get unlimited HD video calls between DITO users, plus unli mobile calls, bundled Viber, Prime Video, and flexible data that lasts longer.

Postpaid that actually makes sense

With DITO FlexPlan 888, postpaid is made practical. For less than a thousand pesos a month, subscribers can choose SIM-only or device-bundled plans with generous data inclusions.

It proves that having a premium postpaid experience doesn’t have to break the bank.

WiFi that keeps the whole household connected

DITO WoWFi Pro 365 makes home internet simple. Think of it as a worry-free, year-long unlimited connection with no complicated installations and constant top-ups.

Just reliable WiFi for work, study, and streaming when you need it.

Everything you need in one app

The DITO App is one of the most complete telco apps available, giving subscribers full control of their digital life.

From buying SIMs and load to managing accounts, rewards, and even OTT apps, the experience is built around convenience. Add 24/7 support and exclusive perks, and the app becomes a one-stop hub for all things DITO.