🕹️ Disney's $1.5 billion gaming bet 📱 Apple's first foldable phone 💰 Ransomware attacks jump 🚀 Untethered spacewalk anniversary | |
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Fortnite is getting a Disney universe made by Epic Games
| Epic Games is creating an 'immersive universe' based around Disney properties like Star Warsfollowing a new billion-dollar partnership between the two companies
| Epic Games and Disney are partnering to create an “expansive and open games and entertainment universe" linked to the hit game Fortnite. The deal, announced on Wednesday, also involves a $1.5 billion equity stake by Disney in Epic Games, and marks the entertainment giant's most significant move into gaming to date, CNBC reported. Disney said the move will offer an array of opportunities for people to "play, watch, shop, and engage with content, characters, and stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar, and more.” It’s unclear when we’ll actually see the project bear fruit, with interested folks up to now only offered a concept trailer and a press release to peruse ... | |
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Apple reportedly stepping up efforts to build its first foldable smartphone
| Rumors of a folding iPhone have existed for years, but according to a new report, Apple is a step closer to making it a reality
| A new report suggests Apple is ramping up efforts to build its first foldable smartphone and has even approached at least one supply chain partner to source components for the project. "Apple is building prototypes of at least two iPhones that fold widthwise like a clamshell," The Information reported on Wednesday, citing an unnamed internal source. The report added that current challenges for Apple include creating a device that truly stands apart from rival offerings and achieving a price point that won't leave people's wallets running for the exit. Apple's first folding smartphone could still be a while coming, however, as The Information says that the tech giant is unlikely to release such a device until 2026 at the earliest ... | |
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Ransomware victims paid a record amount to cybercriminals in 2023
| Ransomware attacks surged last year, with victims estimated to have paid a record $1.1 billion to cybercriminals | Following a quieter period in 2022, during which time victims handed over around $570 million, gangs staged a “major comeback” last year, according to cryptocurrency research firm Chainalysis. Targets included hospitals, schools, and high-profile corporations, with some persuaded to hand over $1 million or more to regain access to their data after the perpetrators encrypted files to make them inaccessible. “2023 marks a major comeback for ransomware, with record-breaking payments and a substantial increase in the scope and complexity of attacks,” Chainalysis said. There’s also been an increase in the growth of ransomware as a service, where cybercriminals rent out the necessary malware and then receive a cut of any ransom that’s paid as a result of its deployment ... | |
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NASA performed this remarkable feat 40 years ago this week | On February 7, 1984, NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless II achieved a remarkable feat when he performed the first untethered spacewalk
| The first untethered spacewalk was captured in an incredible photograph showing McCandless floating in space, entirely alone, with Earth some 250 miles below. The American astronaut used a Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) — a nitrogen-propelled, hand-controlled backpack — to move 300 feet (about 90 meters) away from the space shuttle Challenger that had brought him and his crew into orbit. NASA said that agency officials had been concerned about the use of a self-propelled backpack, adding that spacewalkers usually used special cables to connect themselves to the shuttle, in the same way that ISS spacewalks are conducted today. “It may have been one small step for Neil, but it’s a heck of a big leap for me,” McCandless said of the feat ... | |
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