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T-Mobile has admitted that hackers were able to steal the information of around 37 million postpaid and prepaid customers in another major data breach. The carrier said in a regulatory filing that it discovered the issue on January 5th, but that it believes the bad actors had been taking data from the company since November 25th. In a post announcing the breach, T-Mobile revealed that the hackers used an API to steal customer information. 

While the company was able to contain the issue 24 hours after discovering the malicious activity, the bad actors have had access to its data long enough to have stolen people's names, billing addresses, emails, phone numbers and birthdays. They were also able to obtain users' account numbers and information about their plans, such as the number of lines they have. T-Mobile said, however, that it didn't find evidence that its network or systems had been breached or compromised. "No passwords, payment card information, social security numbers, government ID numbers or other financial account information" were stolen, the company said. 

The carrier is still investigating the incident to get a more detailed view of what happened, but it has already warned investors that it would likely incur significant costs due to the incident. According to The Wall Street Journal, the Federal Communications Commission has also opened an investigation into T-Mobile, because as a spokesperson told the publication, "this incident is the latest in a string of data breaches at the company."

If you'll recall, the carrier confirmed in August 2021 that tens of millions of customers had been impacted by a data breach that exposed their sensitive information, including their social security numbers and driver's licenses. T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert said back then that the hacker used "specialized" tools and knowledge of its infrastructure in order to gain access to its testing environment. While the initial number of affected customers for that breach was around 30 million, it ultimately ballooned to 76.6 million customers. 

Almost a year later, the carrier agreed to pay $350 million to settle a consolidated class action lawsuit and pledged to spend $150 million to update its data security technologies. As The New York Times reports, the company said it has "made substantial progress to date" on those updates, but it clearly wasn't enough to prevent this incident. In its announcement, though, T-Mobile vowed to continue making "substantial, multi-year investments in strengthening [its] cybersecurity program."

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Epic Games and Match Group now have a court date for their antitrust case against Google. A Northern District of California judge has set the start of a jury trial for November 6th. Both Epic and Match accuse Google of abusing its control of Android app distribution through the Play Store by establishing unfair fees and requirements for in-app purchases. This comes alongside a lawsuit from 39 attorneys general as well as a customer class action suit demanding $4.7 billion in damages.

Epic sued Google in 2020 after the Android creator kicked Fortnite out of the Play Store for letting customers use an alternative in-app payment system. Match sued Google last year over the "exorbitant" store fee. Epic and Match consolidated their case and a filed motion last fall to expand their allegations, accusing Google of further antitrust violations by paying major developers hundreds of millions of dollars to keep their apps in the Play Store. 

Unlike Epic's partially successful lawsuit against Apple, this case has to acknowledge that customers do have a choice. Where Apple requires that all regular app downloads go through the App Store, Android's sideloading option lets customers install software without downloading it from Google. The issue, as you might imagine, is that those apps are both harder to install and less likely to be noticed when the Play Store is included by default on many Android phones.

Google denies misusing its power, and argues that the fees are necessary to maintain and invest in the Play Store. It maintains that the incentive program doesn't forbid developers from launching third-party stores, and that its portal competes fairly. In December, Google called on the court to deny the expanded requests over timing and other issues.

Google has made some concessions, including a test program for Play Store billing alternatives. That pilot still gives Google a cut of each transaction, though, and it remains to be seen if moves like that will satisfy the court and regulators. As it is, the internet pioneer is facing a raft of other antitrust cases that include a Justice Department lawsuit from 2020. Even if Google prevails against Epic and Match, it may not escape unscathed.

One of streaming's most influential figures is stepping away from the spotlight. Netflix co-creator Reed Hastings is stepping down as the company's co-CEO. Ted Sarandos, who has been co-CEO since July 2020, will share the reins with newly promoted operations chief Greg Peters. Hastings will remain involved as Executive Chairman.

Developing...

In case there was any doubt about Twitter’s intentions in cutting off the developers of third-party apps, the company has quietly updated its developer agreement to make clear that app makers are no longer permitted to create their own clients.

The “restrictions” section of Twitter’s developer agreement was updated Thursday with a clause banning “use or access the Licensed Materials to create or attempt to create a substitute or similar service or product to the Twitter Applications.” The addition is the only substantive change to the 5,000-word agreement.

The change confirms what the makers of many popular Twitter clients have suspected in recent days: that third-party Twitter services are no longer permitted under Elon Musk’s leadership.

Twitter previously said it was “enforcing long-standing API rules,” but hadn’t cited which rules developers were violating. The company no longer has a communications team, and most members working on its developer platform were also cut during the company’s mass layoffs last year.

Twitter clients have long been a part of Twitter. Twitterrific, one of the most prominent apps affected by the API shut-off last week, was created before Twitter had a native iOS app of its own, and is credited with coining the word “tweet,” as well as other features now commonly associated with Twitter’s app.

Developing…

ZeroAvia flew the world’s largest hydrogen-electric aircraft today in a step forward for sustainable aviation. The 19-seat, twin-engine Dornier 228 plane, fitted with a prototype hydrogen-electric powertrain, completed a 10-minute flight from Cotswold Airport in the UK. It was part of the HyFlyer II project, a government-funded R&D program working to make small passenger planes better for the environment.

The powertrain was fueled using “compressed gaseous hydrogen produced with an on-site electrolyzer.” The testing configuration included two fuel-cell stacks and lithium-ion battery packs housed in the cabin for the test. However, for commercial use, they would move to external storage to make room for seating. In addition, it was paired with a Honeywell TPE-331 stock engine on the right wing for extra power during takeoff and safety-related redundancy.

Here’s ZeroAvia’s promotional footage of the flight (including some delightfully over-the-top music):

ZeroAvia says it’s on track to certify the technology this year, with plans for commercial routes by 2025. The company is also working on a 2-5 MW powertrain program that will scale the technology for aircraft up to 90 seats; the goal is to expand into narrow-body planes in the next decade. In addition, Amazon has invested in the company as part of its Climate Pledge Fund.

It's been over 12 years since Tron: Legacy debuted and those who've been longing for a third entry in the classic sci-fi series may have wished for it on a monkey's paw. Tron: Ares, as the film may be called, could start filming this August with Jared Leto, ol' Morbius himself, reportedly set to star. Joachim Rønning (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales) is in talks to direct, according to Deadline.

As Variety notes, Leto first signed on back in 2017, but Disney has had a third movie on the backburner since long before then. Tron: Legacy director Joseph Kosinski (who went on to make Top Gun: Maverick) said in an interview that he wrote and storyboarded a sequel "that takes place on the internet with Yahoo and Google and all those sites." Kosinski said he was close to moving forward with it in 2015 but suggested Disney "pulled the plug" as it had bigger, Marvel- and Star Wars-sized fish to focus on.

This time around, Tron: Ares could finally be happening. Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that Daft Punk will return to deliver another banger of a score. The iconic duo split up in 2021.

Sony will start shipping PS VR2 in little over a month and it has revealed more details about games coming to the platform as well as the launch lineup. The company has confirmed 13 additional titles for PS VR2, all of which are already available on PS VR or other platforms.

Tetris Effect: Connected, Rez Infinite and Thumper are among the original PS VR titles that will hit the new headset. Those who already own Tetris Effect or Rez Infinite for PS4 and PS VR will be able to upgrade to the PS5 (they're playable without the headset) and PS VR2 version for $10 — PS VR versions aren't compatible with the new hardware.

In Rez Infinite, you'll be able to track and aim at enemies using your eyes. PS VR2's eye tracking will also be at the forefront in Before Your Eyes, a game that advances time when you blink.

NFL Pro Era, multiplayer shooter Pavlov VR, the impressive-looking Kayak VR: Mirage and What The Bat? (from the folks behind What The Golf?) are also coming to PS VR2. If you own 3D jigsaw title Puzzling Places or rhythm game Synth Riders for PS VR, you'll get a free upgrade. Rounding out the latest announcements are Song in the Smoke: Rekindled, Creed: Rise to Glory – Championship Edition and The Last Clockwinder.

PS VR2 will arrive on February 22nd. The base package, which comes with Sense controllers and stereo headphones, costs $550. You'll also need a PS5 to use the headset. Sony expects that more than 30 titles will be available for the platform by the end of March, including:

• After the Fall

• Altair Breaker

• Before Your Eyes

• Cities VR

• Cosmonious High

• Creed: Rise to Glory – Championship Edition

• The Dark Pictures: Switchback

• Demeo

• Dyschronia: Chronos Alternate

• Fantavision 202X

• Gran Turismo 7 (free update to PS5 version)

• Horizon Call of the Mountain

• Job Simulator

• Jurassic World Aftermath

• Kayak VR: Mirage

• Kizuna AI – Touch the Beat!

• The Last Clockwinder

• The Light Brigade (purchase includes both PS VR and PS VR2 versions)

• Moss 1 & 2 Remaster

• NFL Pro Era (free upgrade)

• No Man’s Sky

• Pavlov VR

• Pistol Whip (free upgrade)

• Puzzling Places (free upgrade)

• Resident Evil Village (free update for the PS5 version)

• Rez Infinite

• Song in the Smoke

• Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge

• Synth Riders (free upgrade)

• The Tale of Onogoro

• Tentacular

• Tetris Effect: Connected

• Thumper

• The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners: Ch. 2: Retribution

• Vacation Simulator

• What the Bat?

• Zenith: The Last City (free upgrade)

This list suggests you'll need to wait a while longer for the likes of Among Us VR,Beat Saber and Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord. There's still no word if or when Half-Life: Alyx is coming to PS VR2, unfortunately.

Meanwhile, Polyphony revealed a few more details about the free PS VR2 update for Gran Turismo 7, which should be available on launch day. You'll be able to play almost the entire game, including online races, in virtual reality. However, you won't be able to enjoy splitscreen two-player races while you have the headset on.

We’re already seeing the first discounts on the new 14-inch MacBook Pro, which Apple announced earlier this week. Amazon has the entry-level MacBook Pro with the M2 Pro chip for $50 off ($1,950). Meanwhile, Best Buy is tying pre-order discounts to its TotalTech program, offering a $100 voucher for members buying any of the new laptops (including the 16-inch model). Compared to its 2021 counterpart, the updated MacBook Pro has faster speeds and networking with longer battery life. It launches on February 24th.

Amazon’s sale only covers the entry-level (512GB, M2 Pro) 14-inch MacBook Pro in Space Gray. Meanwhile, Best Buy’s deal requires a $200 (annual fee) TotalTech membership to receive the $100 e-gift card on any new model. So that deal only makes sense if you’re already a subscriber or plan to enjoy the membership’s perks (unlimited tech support, discounted installation and 20 percent off AppleCare+) throughout the year.

Despite using the same design, the 2023 MacBook Pro has better processing speed and battery life than its 2021 predecessor. The M2 Pro chip in the entry-level model has 10- or 12-core CPUs with eight high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores, leading to a 20 percent performance boost over its 2021 equivalent. The new laptops can also last up to 22 hours, the longest-ever battery life on a Mac, according to Apple.

Additionally, the updated MacBook Pro supports Wi-Fi 6E with up to twice the connection speeds of the previous generation. (Remember, you’ll need a compatible router to enjoy those speeds at home.)

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Madison Karrh’s booth at Summer Game Fest 2022 was on the far right side of the demo area, hugging a wall at the front of the small industrial space in downtown Los Angeles. Her game, Birth, was one of the first projects you’d see after grabbing a swag bag, but it was easy to overlook in a sea of neon pixels and mainstream names like Street Fighter, Cuphead and Sonic. Birth is a thoughtful game of bones, puzzles, loneliness and decay, rendered in earth tones and captivating, hand-drawn vignettes. In a Day of the Devs cluster at Summer Game Fest, the Birth booth was a bubble of respite from the fast action showcased on surrounding screens.

“Showing Birth at conventions feels like putting my whole, raw, beating heart on a table in front of a bunch of strangers and asking if it is enough for them,” Karrh told me a few months after Summer Game Fest.

Engadget

Birth is, essentially, a game about death. It’s an introspective experience with an entire city block to explore and small surprises in every scene, and it invites people to play with their deepest insecurities. Physics and logic puzzles are hidden in cafes, apartments and bookstores, each one welcoming players to engage with thoughts of mortality and loneliness. Build your own companion out of scattered bones and organs, peel back bandages to remove foreign objects from human limbs, interact with skeleton creatures, let your mind wander while organizing eyeballs, poke at all manner of decaying animal carcasses.

Nothing about Birth is harsh; from color palette to gameplay, this is an experience built for slow afternoons and sleepless nights. Even in the middle of a busy game convention, it’s a soothing way to play with terrifying topics.

“As humans, we know that we will die,” Karrh said. “Yet there is so much joy and art and love that gets created regardless of this looming fact. Maybe even because of it. I think about the limitations of mortality every day, and I want my portrayal of death and decay and loneliness to be as soft and gentle and genuine as possible.”

Half a year after Summer Game Fest, I still can’t get Birth off my mind. The themes are heavy, but the game is not, and this balance is a testament to Karrh’s eye for design and visual appeal. When it comes out on February 17th, Birth will be her third release on Steam, and her largest project to date.

“Day-to-day loneliness can be an embarrassing thing to admit to feeling,” Karrh said. “I hope the tender art style and the silly physics of the game make it feel more like having a contemplative, clumsy conversation with a friend.”

Madison Karrh

After Summer Game Fest, Karrh took Birth to Cologne, Germany, for Gamescom, the largest video game convention of the year. There, it was one of 130 games in the Indie Arena, sandwiched between sprawling adventures, city builders, sci-fi combat and metal music. Thousands of people streamed past her booth, some stopping to play for a few minutes and others lingering for an hour. Karrh never rushed players through their time with Birth, even though it meant fewer people ultimately got their hands on it.

“I was just so honored and smitten with the fact that people chose to spend so much of their time with my game in a sea of other delicious games,” Karrh said. “Birth doesn't appeal to everyone, of course – I think the minimal, dark art style of my booth filtered out the humans who wouldn't be interested. It is a slow, intimate game and I didn't want anyone to feel rushed. People waited in line, people brought their friends back to show it to them. It felt like everyone was giving me a big giant hug.”

After Gamescom, Birth made its way to San Francisco for the Day of the Devs showcase in November. This was its fourth convention appearance of the year, adding a trip to London for WASD in April. Birth is a small game that’s been on a worldwide tour, and in the process it’s plucked Karrh out of her own isolated game-development hole. Even after Birth comes out – and even though it’s a single-player game that’ll likely be consumed by people sitting alone in dark rooms – this game represents true human connection for Karrh.

“I have lived most of my twenties in tiny studio apartments surrounded by other tiny studio apartments full of strangers,” she said. “As a solo game dev, I spend a lot of time sitting alone at my desk. It took me a very long time to accept that if I wanted to create as many games as I could, that I would need to spend a huge chunk of my life alone. I used to worry that I was wasting my life making games, and that I should be running around the city and kissing humans and falling in love. Fortunately, I have grown out of this insecurity and I think I have connected on a deep level with humans through making games.”

In the end, Birth is designed to be played solo, but it’s a game about the most universal shared experiences that humans have. In this sense, it’s impossible to truly play Birth alone.

“Loneliness is, oddly enough, a shared feeling,” Karrh said.