News
US says Chinese hackers targeted global Coronavirus research
They often helped the Chinese government
The US Justice Department has accused China of backing hackers who are targeting labs developing Coronavirus vaccines. The spies are also charged for stealing trade secrets and other precious corporate data from companies all over the world.
The prosecutor says the hacker cum spies got help from state agents for other thefts. Last week, the US accused Russia of trying to steal research related to the Coronavirus vaccine.
Li Xiaoyu and Dong Jiazhi have been charged and are said to be active since 2009. The former is also known by his handle Oro01xy. The duo came under the searchlight when computers at the Department of Energy’s Hanford site were compromised.
They’re also being charged for infiltrating a plethora of software, defense, gaming, as well as biotech companies. The internal trade secrets are extremely valuable and there’s also one instance when they tried to extort a company.
Officials called the men private hackers who occasionally received support from Chinese intelligence agents. Countries where firms were targeted include Australia, Belgium, Germany, Japan, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.
They’re reported to have stolen military data and provided the Chinese government with the passwords of a democracy activist in Hong Kong and a former Tiananmen Square protester.
China’s reputation on the global stage has taken a massive hit since the outbreak of Coronavirus. Adding to this, Chinese telecom giant Huawei is losing trust from key markets like the US, UK, Australia, Japan, as well as India. Cyberwarfare and data protection concerns have prompted governments to bar Huawei equipment from critical infrastructure components.
The recent security law amendment in Hong Kong and a border skirmish with India solidify China’s expansionist strategy. However, the muscle-flexing may end up costing the country more in the long run since international companies no longer trust the government.
Accessories
Apple is reportedly working on its own gaming controllers
It might launch under the Beats brand.
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.
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 $2
Watch a movie on September 12 for a fraction of the cost
The Philippines will be celebrating its first ever National Cinema Day on September 12. On this day, movie tickets will go for as low as PhP 100 (US$ 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.
-
News7 days agoHUAWEI Pura X View is 2026’s first WIDE slab-type smartphone
-
News1 week agoThe CAMON Slim 5G is TECNO’s latest ultra-slim smartphone
-
Cameras2 weeks agoDJI Osmo 360 II review: Going all-in on the ecosystem
-
IFA 20262 weeks agoTECNO MEGABOOK T15 360 unveiled at IFA 2026
-
Gaming2 weeks agoNBA 2K27 review: A two-way All-Star
-
Reviews2 weeks agoSamsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra review: It’s time to get a foldable
-
News5 days agoiPhone 18 Pro series: Price, availability in the Philippines
-
IFA 20261 week agoTECNO’s POVA 8 Pro gets a stealthy makeover
