News

Twitter will soon let you un-tag yourself from threads

A “Leave this conversation” button

Published

February 22, 2022

Luigi Leonardo

When you want to leave a conversation, getting the other person to stop talking is a chore. It’s a delicate balancing act of knowing when to butt in and how to say goodbye respectfully. Now, imagine that feeling but online and a hundred times worse. Leaving an online conversation, especially on a social media feed, is nigh impossible. Short of blocking people, anyone can still tag you in a thread you don’t want to be in anymore. Twitter is recognizing that struggle. The platform is developing a “Leave this conversation” button to un-tag yourself in unwanted threads.

Spotted by Jane Manchun Wong, the feature will minimize the spate of notifications going your way. Enabling the feature effectively removes you from a thread. Users can still type your handle, but it won’t lead to a mention. Instead, it will turn into just plain text. As such, no one will be able to tag you anymore in the same thread.

Though you won’t receive notifications anymore, you can still see and read conversations you’ve left. Additionally, no one else included in the conversation will be notified that you’ve left the thread. Although, it’s likely that people will still know once they try to tag you in replies.

Currently, there is no timeline known for when the feature will drop on the social media platform. However, given how viral some tweets can get, Twitter users will likely benefit from such a feature.

Gaming

PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan is retiring next year

Aims to spend more time with his family

Published

September 29, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

Since the start of the pandemic, the PlayStation has had a steady face. Jim Ryan essentially ushered in the PlayStation 5 generation by powering through the pandemic. Sadly, Ryan’s tenure is about to come to an end. The Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO and President has announced his retirement from the position.

Yesterday, Jim Ryan officially announced that he will step down from his position after March 2024. Starting April 1, Hiroki Totoki — the current COO, CFO, and president of the Sony Group — will assume the position as interim CEO. Totoki will continue Ryan’s work while finding a more permanent replacement for the latter.

Ryan has been with the company for almost 30 years. However, he only recently assumed the top spot in 2019, just in time for the new PlayStation 5. Ryan’s job was made more difficult with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because everything turned to online communication, he was forced to be the more visible face of the PS5 through a series of digital launches.

However, according to his announcement, the position was taking a huge toll on his work-life balance. The constant commute between his home in the United Kingdom and his work in the United States led him to consider and decide on retirement.

Gaming

PUBG: Battlegrounds, Mobile team up with KFC

KFC-themed rewards, meals

Published

September 28, 2023

GadgetMatch

KFC has launched a collaboration with PUBG: Battlegrounds and PUBG: Mobile, allowing players to visit virtual KFC restaurants in-game featuring exclusive KFC items.

In-game visuals like the statue of Colonel Sanders, plane banner, electric billboards, and map decal are also available.

Starting October 2, PUBG: Mobile players may visit KFC Royale Restaurants across Erangel, Miramar, Nusa, and Livik maps.

These in-game restaurants offer players mouth-watering delicacies for health and energy boosts. KFC-themed items include the following:

KFC Royale Colonel Set
Chicken Cover and Set
Royale Delight Top and Parachute
Seasoned Squad Graffiti
Crispy Crunch Avatar Frame

The collaboration will last until November 6 for mobile users.

Meanwhile, PUBG: Battlegrounds players may acquire these similar items from KFC restaurants on the Erangel map:

KFC Chicken Box
KFC French Fries
KFC Energy Drink
Colonel’s Bucket Hat
Colonel’s Jacket
Colonel’s Shorts
Colonel’s Clogs
Colonel’s Parachute
“It’s Finger Lickin’ Good” Spray

This collaboration will last until November 7 on PC and November 15 on consoles.

As for the real world, customers can “Load up, Dive in” with PUBG-themed meals at participating KFC restaurants online or via its app in select regions to score a good loot straight from the Colonel’s kitchen.

Rewards include up to six battle cosmetics in KFC’s signature red and white colors.

KFC no stranger to gaming, tech

This isn’t KFC’s first brush with gaming or tech. The fried chicken specialists have collaborated with gaming and tech related brands over the years. This includes a similar execution with Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a KFC Phone in China, and even a KFConsole.

News

Cignal named official broadcaster of NBA, NBA 2K League

Strengthened partnership

Published

September 28, 2023

GadgetMatch

Following a multi-year extension with the NBA, Cignal TV has become the official broadcast partner of both the NBA and NBA 2K League games in the Philippines.

The company will air both programs through its channels across free-to-air and satellite television, as well as streaming app Pilipinas Live.

Starting October 25, the 2023-24 NBA season may be watched live and on-demand on One Sports (free) and NBA TV Philippines (premium).

Marquee events such as the NBA All-Star weekend, Playoffs, and Finals shall also be broadcasted.

For PhP 149 a month, Pilipinas Live subscribers may also access locally produced programming, like “NBA HYPE” and “1 on 1,” a new show that shall discuss NBA’s premier players and teams from the 2000s to the present.

In addition, Cignal shall manage NBA.com/Philippines, the league’s official website in the archipelago.

NBA 2K League telecast

As part of Cignal’s partnership, the 2024 NBA 2K League season that tips off early next year shall be broadcasted for the first time on NBA TV Philippines and Pilipinas Live, including the Tha Banner Chain Series and NBA 2KL 3v3 Blacktop Series.

Cignal has also become the first-ever presenting partner of the NBA 2K League APAC Invitational, the NBA 2K League’s qualifying event for the Asia-Pacific region.

Coincidentally, e-Gilas Pilipinas competes in the eFIBA for the same region, so its top players have the opportunity to become eligible for the 2024 NBA 2K League Draft.