News

Twitter deletes (then restores) verified checkmarks

An odd series of events

Published

April 24, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

Every month brings a new chapter in the ongoing Twitter saga with Elon Musk. Throughout the latter half of last week and the weekend, the latest chapter brought out the never-ending controversy surrounding the once-coveted blue checkmark. If you missed all the hullaballoo, here’s your chance to catch up.

Since acquiring the platform, Musk promised the transformation of the blue checkmark into a monetized badge for subscribers. Instead of awarding the badge to popular personalities active on the platform, Twitter wanted to give the marker out only to those who paid the monthly US$ 8 for Twitter Blue. Naturally, those who already have legacy badges rallied against the change, resulting in endless delays.

Twitter blazed it

Finally, Twitter had enough and called for a change on one of the most meme-worthy dates in internet culture, 4/20. Since that date, a lot of legacy badge holders lost their verified checkmarks for good. Because of the universally panned change, those who lost their badges already vowed to not pay for a new one through Twitter Blue.

It’s not a smooth change, though. Soon after the apocalypse, some users discovered that their badges survived. Despite finally getting rid of the old ways, Twitter has apparently figured out a way for high-profile users to keep their verified checkmarks after all.

So much for sweet goodbyes

Currently, Twitter has not confirmed why these users retained their checkmarks. However, Musk has personally commented on some profiles, saying that he’ll personally pay for their badges going forward. Some have also speculated that users over a certain threshold of followers will keep their badges; however, it’s unclear what that threshold is.

Those who refused to pay for Blue are now quailing at the retention of their blue checkmarks. The platform is not differentiating between users who paid for Blue and those who retained their old badges. It’s causing some confusion since they don’t want to be perceived as someone who paid for a free social media platform.

Since the acquisition, Twitter Blue has lost its already fragile veneer of exclusivity. Instead of turning the subscription service into a tempting package for users, Musk has inadvertently created a narrative wherein it is now a cause for ridicule.

It’s unlikely that the saga ends here. The finish to this weekend’s controversy is hardly a smooth one for the platform.

SEE ALSO: Twitter ‘no longer exists’

Accessories

Apple is reportedly working on its own gaming controllers

It might launch under the Beats brand.

Published

September 14, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Last week, the iPhone Duo changed how you look at the ubiquitous smartphone. Foldables are in, and Apple is right there with it. But the company isn’t stopping with the foldable segment. Apple is reportedly working on its own branded game controllers.

According to Bloomberg, Apple has been working on a controller since last year. Further, a piece of code linked to macOS 27.4, spotted by MacRumors, includes references to two unknown gaming controllers.

Because Apple just concluded its huge event this month, it will likely be a while before we see confirmation of this controller. And it could be anything. Of course, because the Duo is fresh on our minds, the easiest answer is a mobile controller than can maximize the foldable’s ability to stand by itself. It could also use Apple’s larger screens like the iPad, the MacBook, or the Mac. Some even speculate that this could be Apple’s stronger push into the gaming market.

Outside of the actual hardware, the reports are also claiming that the controller will arrive by way of Beats, rather than from Apple itself. At first, the branding comes off as a surprise, but then again, Beats hasn’t really evolved past an audio brand in a long, long time. Is it time to revitalize Beats as something more than just a peddler of headphones?

SEE ALSO: First Look: Apple iPhone Duo

Gaming

Xbox saves Kojima’s PHYSINT after PlayStation drops support

PlayStation says the separation was mutual, but Kojima hints otherwise.

Published

September 11, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Things aren’t going well in the PlayStation camp. After two months of frankly questionable decisions, the company adds another to the pile by dropping support for Hideo Kojima’s PHYSINT.

For a while now, Kojima and PlayStation were in a very productive relationship with the Death Stranding duology, a critically acclaimed collection of titles for the platform. When things looked like they were going well, Kojima announced PHYSINT, an espionage-themed game which reminded fans way too much of Metal Gear Solid.

If you were investing in a PlayStation 5 to play Kojima’s latest thriller, you might want to move your chips elsewhere now. PlayStation has just dropped support for the espionage game, meaning PHYSINT will no longer be a first-party title for the platform.

Though PlayStation claims that the decision came after “careful consideration,” Kojima himself has said that the move was “unexpected,” going against PlayStation’s assurance of a mutual separation.

Very quickly, Xbox has announced that their platform will support PHYSINT instead. It’s a big get for the competing brand because Xbox Game Studios is already supporting OD, Kojima’s other upcoming horror project starring Sophia Lillis.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to say more. As is tradition, Kojima will not explain much more about his upcoming titles. In fact, OD’s trailer barely says anything. One thing’s for sure, though: we’re all in for quite a ride.

Entertainment

PH to celebrate 1st ever National Cinema Day; movies start at less than $2

Watch a movie on September 12 for a fraction of the cost

Published

September 10, 2026

GadgetMatch

The Philippines will be celebrating its first ever National Cinema Day on September 12. On this day, movie tickets will go for as low as PhP 100 (US$ 1.60) at regular 2D cinemas.

The campaign aims to make moviegoing more accessible to audiences. This includes families, friends, students, and cinephiles in general.

Such initiative has been a staple in other countries, like the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and more. The same concept applies, with movie tickets going on sale for a lot less.

What’s great about the celebration is that all movies scheduled for exhibition on September 12, whether local or international, shall get the special admission price.

Advanced tickets sales have already begun. Customers can purchase through participating box offices, official websites, mobile apps, and authorized platforms.

Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and remain subject to theater capacity. Prices vary for other viewing formats like Director’s Club or IMAX, for instance.

The campaign is organized by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP), along with industry and government partners.

The initiative is supported by the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), and the Metro Manila Film Festival through the MMDA.

Participating cinemas include Ayala Malls Cinemas, SM Cinemas, Robinsons Movieworld, CityMall Cinema, Megaworld Cinemas, and more.