Apps

Elon Musk asks users to pay $8 for Twitter

Verified checkmark and reply priority as benefits

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Only a few days since purchasing the social media platform, Elon Musk is hard at work on changing Twitter for better or for worse. However, as the billionaire usually does with his ventures, Musk is making a wave of headlines regarding his latest change to the platform. Twitter Blue will reportedly cost US$ 8 per month and will be a requirement to maintain the blue verified checkmark.

A blue checkmark is a status symbol on the platform. Prior to Musk’s buyout, the platform handed the badge out depending on a user’s following and popularity. It was an arbitrary system which resulted in several popular users not having a badge.

In contrast, Musk wants to destroy this system, taking decisions away from the “Twitter lords.” Under Musk’s proposed change, users can grab a checkmark for themselves if they subscribe to the new version of Twitter Blue, the platform’s premium subscription service.

Last year, Twitter unveiled the subscription service, locking some features away for paying users. Prior to the takeover, the service cost US$ 3 per month.

The billionaire initially proposed US$ 20 per month but was quickly shot down by user backlash, especially from those who already have the blue checkmark. Instead, Musk’s version will raise the subscription to US$ 8 per month. Subscribers will enjoy the badge, priority in replies, the ability to post longer content, and half as many ads. Plus, partnered publications will offer subscribers a version of their articles without ads.

Unsurprisingly, users are split on the new pricing. Though verified users are balking at paying for their badge, some users are also considering the benefits of such a subscription. Some are also reluctant to give more money to Elon Musk.

SEE ALSO: Twitter unveils its premium subscription service called Twitter Blue

Accessories

TicNote AI recorder launches in the Philippines

AI-powered transcription, translation, insights, more

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Mobvoi has officially launched TicNote, its AI-powered note-taking device in the Philippines for PhP 9,499. The thin and lightweight recorder is currently available offline and will soon roll out on Lazada and Shopee.

The pocket-friendly TicNote comes with 64GB of memory and offers up to 25 hours of continuous recording. Beyond these, it supports real-time translation in over 120 languages through the TicNote app.

Moreover, powered by Shadow AI, the device goes further with advanced insights, including Smart Summary, Mind Map View, Deep Research Reports, Aha Moment, and even AI Podcast Generation.

To complement the device, Mobvoi offers unlimited TicNote cloud storage and 600 minutes of free monthly recording time.

On paper, the TicNote AI recorder has several professional applications. It can be used for meetings, legal and medical consultations, and more scenarios to record high-quality audio.

Meanwhile, journalists can leverage the tool for press conferences and media scrums. Even content creators can use the tool as a microphone as TicNote can process high bitrate audio and save it to .wav format.

Still, there’s a catch. Users will still need a smartphone, tablet, or laptop to make the most out of TicNote’s AI-powered features.

And that raises the dilemma: modern phones already offer AI translation, real-time transcription, and audio-to-text uploads through popular AI assistants.

For consumers, the question becomes whether TicNote offers enough beyond what their phones already do — or if it will just make having both devices redundant.

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Apps

Disney Plus: NBA Christmas Day games to stream live

More sports content also available on the platform

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Disney+ will stream the entire 2025 NBA Christmas Day games slate live on the platform for Philippine basketball fans to enjoy.

Fans can tune in to the anticipated matchups starting at 1:00 AM (Manila time) on December 26.

Here’s the full schedule:

  • 1:00 AM: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks
  • 3:30 AM: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
  • 6:00 AM: Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors
  • 9:00 AM: Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
  • 11:30 AM: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets

And in case viewers missed a tip-off, the full replays will also be available on the app. Worth noting is the second matchup, which is a rematch of the Emirates NBA Cup semifinals.

Meanwhile, the third pairing brings long-time former Golden State Warrior Klay Thompson back to the Bay Area in a compelling match.

Plus, the Rockets-Lakers showdown features two seasoned veterans and future Hall of Famers Kevin Durant and LeBron James in their latest meeting.

Beyond the NBA Christmas Day games on Disney+, fans can stay plugged in all day with ESPN’s NBA Tip-Off at 12:00 AM. Inside the NBA, on the other hand, airs at 8:30 AM.

In addition, for something totally different, check out NBA alt-cast, Dunk the Halls, the first real-time animated NBA game.

This playful showdown happening also on December 26 at 1:00 AM reimagines the Cavaliers-Knicks tiff on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom Park, with some help from Mickey Mouse and his friends.

In line with Disney+’s NBA Christmas Day games, the platform has also uploaded highlights of the 2025 League of Legends KeSPA Cup on the app. The tournament features top teams from Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and North America.

Disney+ continues to strengthen its sports offerings on the platform, with an all-new Sports Page for easier access.

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Apps

Google Maps is finally getting a power saving mode

Waze needs this update, pronto.

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In a congested country like the Philippines, using navigation for shortcuts is a requirement. However, these apps can hog a lot of battery. If you forgot your car charger, it’s practically game over for your phone. Today, Google is shipping out a Maps update which can save your phone’s battery for those long drives.

Announced earlier this month, the update will include a Power Saving mode for Google Maps. The new mode will turn the normally colorful interface into monochrome with particular emphasis on black. The interface will reduce all interactable elements, so you can just focus on the display.

Presumably, it also reduces the power required by the app, while still prioritizing navigation. According to Google, smartphones will get up to four hours more juice when the mode is enabled.

Unfortunately, it’s not a widely released update yet. Google is limiting the update’s rollout to the Pixel 10 series for now. It’s also limited to driving mode; it won’t work if you’re just walking or cycling. The option is accessible through Driving options under Navigation in the settings.

In countries where Android Auto isn’t the norm just yet, a power saving mode for navigation is a godsend. Besides hoping that the update arrives on more devices, one can also hope that Google, who also owns the app, will introduce a similar mode to Waze. (To be fair, Waze did have a battery saver option, but it just dimmed the display for long straights.

SEE ALSO: Android now supports AirDrop!

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