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BUDGETFRIENDLY SMARTPHONES LAPTOPS: STILL THRIVING IN THE SMARTPHONE ERA
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The rise of digital banking and cryptocurrency in the Philippines BY CARMELA MARTINEZ AND ZHASKIA DELA CRUZ
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VER the years, Filipinos have settled with the good old-fashioned, over-the-counter type of transactions when it comes to shopping, paying bills and monthly dues.
Even though many Filipinos own smartphones and have access to the internet, they seem to be skeptical to use digital banking and would rather go to an automated teller machine as well as drop by the nearest bayad center to conduct their financial transactions. According to Finastra, this reluctance of Filipinos is due to the lack of a compelling digital user experience, making the Philippines the lowest digital banking penetration in Asia. But not anymore. The tides are turning and the era of digital banking has finally arrived. With the help of these digital banking apps, more and more are ditching the traditional style of shopping and paying bills.
PAYPAL
With Paypal, users can now send payments to almost anywhere in the world within seconds and connect all the ways they pay, then shop with a tap. It has three mobile apps that are available for both Apple and Android users: PayPal App - Send and receive money. Sending and requesting money, managing credit, pooling cash from peers, and creating savings, goals have never been simpler with the new improved Paypal App. And by using their bank account or PayPal balance, they can send money to their friends and family in the US for free. Users can now choose to set up a one-time investment by linking their Paypal account to Acorns. Lastly, users can now also support the causes their care about as they can easily donate to charities with the Paypal app. Paypal Business App - Manage your business on the go. Created for businessmen and women, this app makes it easy for users to stay on top of their account activity, send invoices and view their customer information. With the help of this app, they can easily create and send invoices for their customers to pay right away. They can even track unpaid invoices and send reminders with just a few taps. Transferring funds, viewing transaction details, issue refunds and checking account balance are also right at their fingertips. Paypal Here App - Mobile point of sale. This is a mobile payment solution that lets users accept multiple forms of payment simply and securely. With that flexibility, PayPal Here can help their users increase their customer bases and make more sales. They can easily pay as they sell with no monthly fees, setup fees, cancelation fees, or processing minimums. With the PayPal Here app and their choice of card readers, they can get paid on-the-go or in their store -- for just 2.7% per US swipe transaction.
GCASH
to introduce the capability to transfer funds to an un-enrolled BPI account Made by Globe Telecommunications for their subscribers, in the country. Using the app, users can guarantee that their transactions GCASH is one of the most popular digital banks in the coun- are safe and secure with the 2-factor authentication system which protry. It promises a faster and more secure way of sending and tects their accounts from unauthorized access. receiving money. With GCASH, users can also pay their bills and buy prepaid credits anytime, anywhere! On top of that, users SECURITY BANK With the Security Bank mobile app, users never have to worry about don’t even need to memorize keywords and access numbers. All due dates as they can schedule their payments ahead of time. Users can they need is their mobile pin and enough GCASH credits to start also view balances and transaction history of their enrolled deposit, eSa transaction. ecureSavings, and credit card accounts. Aside from that, they can easily transfer funds to other SBC bank accounts without the need to enroll. The PAY MAYA In 2002, Smart Communications developed a short messaging app also has a branch and ATM locator feature to help their users locate system (SMS)-based fund transfer service named Smart Money un- the nearest Security Bank in the area. der Smart Money Inc. In January 2016, the company was rebranded as PayMaya Philippines with a digital financial innovations’ unit CRYPTOCURRENCY Another revolutionary act that humanity has made is the new curcalled Voyager. rency that does not have any physical form but has a value that outshines It mainly serves as a virtual prepaid card for shopping online, bookmost currencies. Cryptocurrency started off when Satoshi Nakamoto creing flights, and more. Depending on the user’s mobile network, they ated a digital currency called, Bitcoin. either get a virtual Visa or Mastercard. With PayMaya, paying bills and This currency can be used like a normal money, people can use it to sending money have also never been easier. Users can add money buy clothes, shoes, even exchange stocks or basically almost anything to their PayMaya virtual cards at 7-Eleven, Palawan Pawnshop, Smart except every transaction is done digitally. It was considered a stroke of Padala Centers, SM Store Business Services, and Robinsons Departgenius because it is completely decentralized and is protected by crypment Store Business Centers. tography, meaning it is coded. It is decentralized in a way that it uses the peer-to-peer network, a person or a peer can check the international ledCOINS.PH Coins.ph is the first ger that keeps a list of all the transactions ever made and everyone from digital wallet and first all countries keeps it updated of any new transaction. So, imagine this ledvirtual currency pro- ger is a block and there’s a continuous number of blocks being added to it vider in the Philippines and you have a chain of blocks. This is called the Blockchain, or the ledgers to be licensed by the that everyone keeps. This way, no discrepancy happens and it does not Bangko Sentral ng Pili- have a centralized body to check what happens because everyone does. The whole cryptocurrency system works with wallets and keys. The pinas. It is an app where wallet is where they digitally store their bitcoins. The key is not an actual Filipinos can send monkey, but keys that are a series of codes. Each person has two keys, a private ey and pay their bills or key, and a public key. When a transaction is made, a person signs it with buy his private key and sends it with his public key. The private key works like digital currency such an announcement that it is really them that sent that message and the as Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, public key is the way other people can check it. and Ethereum. With just There are people who take blockchain to another level, called ‘miners’. a few taps, users can Bitcoin has a reward system that whoever puts a new block to the chain also buy fi rst will get a certain amount of Bitcoins. It’s why they are called miners, load from Globe, L-R: Cris Sanchez, EPC Sales Director; Julia Avila, Product because it’ s like they are digging at the earth with the hopes of being the Smart, Sun, TNT, and Manager for Projectors; Thea Austria, Product Manager for fi rst one to add a block to the chain. TM. Coins.ph is also the EcoTank Inkjet Printers; Toshimitsu Tanaka, ESP Managing The way they swing this figurative pickaxe is by solving math probperfect app for gamDirector and EPC President and Country Manager; Chu lems. Cryptography is the art of solving and creating codes after all. They ers where they can Bascal, Product Manager for Technical Printers and Eduardo Bonoan, EPC Marketing Director solve cryptic math problems in order to add a block to the chain and thus enhance their gaming rewarded by Bitcoins that is created out of thin air. Currently, the reward is experience and buy 12.5 Bitcoin which will go down every four years. gaming credits. Monochrome series printers, namely M1100, M1120, and M2140. Today, One Bitcoin is worth $2,000 dollars and the value would only The flagship M2140 printer now incorporates the PrecisionCore continue to increase because of the demand. print head, bringing improved nozzle technology with increased BDO print resolutions at 1200 x 2400 dpi and water-resistant printouts Bitcoin is the pioneer of cryptocurrency but as times progressed, The BDO mobile with sharper texts. These printers boast of their pigment ink, suitmany other cryptocurrencies appeared with better or enhanced systems. banking app promises able for printing business-quality documents. They are called Altcoins or ‘alternative to Bitcoin’. One such currency is the their users to enjoy a The new Monochrome series printers also have a print speed LiteCoin (LTC), which like Bitcoin, uses a decentralized system but makes hassle-free banking exranging from 15ipm and 20ipm, which is on par with entry laser printevery transaction faster. Another is DASH, which enhances the feature of er models. As compared to laser printer models that use heat techperience. With it, they nology, the Monochrome series produces lower power consumption, anonymity and the transactions are almost untraceable. Monero (XMR) can monitor their dewhich translates to a lower electricity bill and less carbon footprint. not only promises anonymity but also a fast exchange of transactions. posit accounts, credit Other key specs of the new models include integrated ink tank card, and loans. They There are other cryptocurrencies or altcoins that are in circulation today design; shorter initialization time; easy, spill-proof, and error-free can also pay their util- and many more are still developing a better altcoin. design; and Barcode Printing Mode, which allows them to print In the Philippines, the cryptocurrency haze has started to settle with using a barcode. ity (electric, water, more people joining in trading with their bitcoins. Recently, the Philipcable, postpaid phone, SureColor T-Series Technical Printers pines has allowed 10 cryptocurrency operators in the Philippines. etc.) bills and other freLastly, Epson also expands its Technical Printer product line, the Organizations like the Blockchain Association of the Philippines hope quently paid services. SureColor T-Series, to the entry-to-mid-range printer market with four to spread information about this tricky subject. Transferring funds and new models all under a 3-year warranty. While the Philippines has yet to develop their own cryptocurrency, The new printers – Surecolor T3130 / T3130N 24”, SureColor reloading their prepaid T5130 36”, SureColor T3430 24”, and SureColor T5430 36” – feature they have made steps with it. Which is where the Philippine-based wallet mobile has also been PrecisionCore Micro TFP Print, along with the UltraChrome XD2, a and coin exchanges come in. A lot of cryptocurrency wallet sites sproutmade more convenient. four-color all pigment ink that deliver prints with vibrant colors and ed to accommodate the growing interest of cryptocurrency. The app also features lines for corporate product and CAD/GIS print. Coin.ph is a Southeast Asian digital wallet and digital currency exa branch locator and In this series of printers, users will see a combination of feachange based in the Philippines and Thailand. It could be used as a digital tures, including 4.3” LCD Color touchscreen, versatile media users can view their 90handling, and anti-dust design. The new printer models also wallet and a cryptocurrency exchange. Trading and exchanging bitcoins/ day transaction history. have integrated connectivity (WiFi Connect, AirPrint, USB dialtcoins are much easier as they not only do they have a website, they also rect print), allowing users to be virtually connected anywhere have a mobile which adds to the convenience. BPI with the capability of connecting to any of Epson’s A3 scanners Bitbit.cash is another Philippine-based digital wallet that allows peoThe BPI mobile app for a more seamless printing. ple to be at ease. It has a mobile app that allows the users to take it every“Innovation has always been at the forefront of everything we encourages their users do. With our obsession with ‘verticality’ and details, we ensure to where they go. to save money and save bring cutting-edge technologies to our customers. We hope that The Philippine Digital Asset Exchange (PDAX) allows people to trade and time by experiencing this launch will prove to be memorable to everyone as we turn our exchange without the need to go to foreign exchanges. It has the ordera faster and more conbig ideas into reality,” said Toshimitsu Tanaka, Managing Director matching technology used in most trading sites to match buyers and sellers. venient banking trans(SE Asia), Epson Singapore and President and Country Manager, With technologies like these, who knows what technological breakEpson Philippines. action anytime, anythrough will happen next? where! It is the first bank
Epson PH unveils Innovations that Dominate S
EPTEMBER 25, 2018—Taguig City, Philippines—Epson Philippines unveiled today its latest innovations to its trade partners and the media as it holds this year’s ‘Grand Launch: Innovations that Dominate’ at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in BGC, Taguig City. The introduction of the new models of Epson’s business laser projectors, SureColor T-series of technical printers, as well as EcoTank printers, the new brand name for Epson Ink Tank printers, marks the company’s full force commitment into penetrating the corporate market while maintaining its consumer base presence. “As a tech company, we are dedicated to delivering the precision and performance that companies need to achieve their business goals. The launch of our new inkjet printers and projectors is our way of strengthening our efforts to further enable our customers in exceeding their vision,” said Christopher Sanchez, Sales Director, Epson Philippines. Business Laser Projectors Starting from the new business laser projectors, the EBL510U, EB-L610U, and EB-L610W deliver bright and true-to-life colors thanks to Epson’s 3LCD technology. This series of laser projectors have a brightness range of 5,000 to 6,000 lumens. They also come with the WUXGA feature, which has a display resolution of up to 1920x1200 pixels perfect for larger screens. The new projectors also have a laser light source technology of up to 20,000 hours and flexible lens shift with center lens position, providing virtually maintenance-freeexperience for the users. These new laser projectors are also compatible with a wide range of external devices. The additional ports, which now include HDMI and HDBaseT™ Connectivity, are ideal for large venues, may it be in large classrooms or meeting rooms. The HDBaseT™ can transmit Full HD video, audio, and control at low cost through a single cat 5e/6 cables or higher, up to 100 meters. These features provide a better and more efficient viewing experience for the users through its seamless connectivity and usability. Entry EcoTank L-Series Printers Meanwhile, the newest additions to Epson’s Entry EcoTank LSeries printers are the L3110 and L3150, which feature key specs improvements. These printers are also among the first set of units that were unveiled after the recent branding of Epson Ink Tank printers as EcoTank printers, featuring the revolutionary ultra-high-capacity ink tank system, which replaces cartridges. The Epson L3110 and L3150 printers have an integrated ink tank design that comes with a spill and error-free ink refilling process and produces a smaller carbon footprint compared to its predecessors, L405, L360and L80 models. They are also more compact while boasting an ultra-high page yield of up to 7,500 pages of color printouts, as well as up to 4,500 pages of black printouts. The L3110 and L3150 printers also have borderless printing of photos of up to 4R size. Furthermore, the new L3150 can connect to up to eight devices, making it easier for users to print and scan directly from their mobile devices. Mono EcoTank M-Series Printers Meanwhile, Epson brings three new models to its EcoTank
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Budget-friendly smartphones to buy this Christmas BY MJ BLANCAFLOR AND DEXTER TILO
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HE best and the most innovative features in the smartphone industry once evasive to the middle class market has made their way to the budget territory.
The Yuletide season is fast-approaching and you deserve to be delighted with a new smartphone from your hard-earned savings—or 13th month pay. We know, we know. Finding the best smartphone at an affordable price is like fixing one’s life at three o’ clock in the morning. Don’t fret; Manila Standard got you covered. Keep on reading because all we want for Christmas is a new smartphone so we listed the finest phones (below P16,000) with sensational features. 1. Capture fun moments with Vivo Y71 (Price: P6,699) Grasp the world in one hand with Vivo’s new 18:9 display with super narrow bezels. Its immersive full view screen achieves an 84.4% screen-to-body ratio, pushing mobile viewing experience to the limits. The phone displays 12.5% more content than other phones while still being compact and lightweight. Its 6.0 inch phone boasts the new polymer nanoblasting technique, offering a smoother hold for users. Vivo Y71 has a 13MP Rear Camera, featuring the PDAF technology that allows one to capture fleeting moments with ease. It makes use of a lighting through backlight HDR. Its camera is further equipped with technology capable of scanning facial features that helps in activating the screen instantly. It runs with the advanced Android 8.1 OS optimization with a 3360mAH battery that extends battery life to a larger capacity. 2. Bigger battery and dual camera with OPPO A3s (Price: P6,990) With A3s, get a stunning cover shot portrait photo with one simple click. Like your personal beauty artist, AI selfie can recognize your features and then beautify them using its powerful algorithm. Oppo A3s is equipped with a 4230mAh Long-Lasting Battery,
4. Multi-level mobile security with Samsung Galaxy J8 (Price: P15,990) Keep data safe without the added hassle. Galaxy J8 features fingerprint scanning and facial recognition authentication to provide seamless mobile access. What’s more, it allows users to unlock their devices or access applications in one simple step rather than having to enter lengthy passwords. Knox 3.1 provides defense-grade mobile protection to avoid potentially harmful privacy breaches. It also allows IT administrators to easily deploy and manage mobile devices remotely. To keep your business safe from prying eyes, Galaxy J8 enables users to create and manage a 3. ASUS ZenFone Max Pro (M1) is the unbeatable performer fully encrypted space (Price: P 14,995). through Secure Folder ZenFone Max Pro (M1) provides extraordinary performance and to store confidential comendurance with pany data which only they Snapdragon 636 platform. It has all the stamina and power can access. needed in a nonstop lifestyle with its magnificent 6” Full HD+ (2160x1080), 18:9 FullView display, and ultra-long-lasting 5000mAh 5. Huawei Nova 3i is the photography master (Price: P15, 990) battery. ZenFone Max Pro is your enduring companion, always With the specialized four AI cameras solution of 24 MP + 2 MP on ready to capture every special moment with its dual bokeh cam- the front and 16 MP + 2 MP on the back, HUAWEI Nova 3i ensures imera system. pressive photos with high clarity and bokeh effects. ZenFone Max Pro is built to last using solid metal, with a Based on the rich details and accurate environment depth informaslim and light body that’s precition provided by the 24 MP + 2 MP dual front cameras, HUAWEI Nova 3i sion-crafted to give it a luxurican beautify you with the advanced algoous feel without being bulky. rithm to be natural and appealing. For rapid unlocking, there’s Moreover, the powerful AI scenery a fingerprint sensor clevrecognition can adjust the surerly located at the back for roundings to match the true easy access, just one of the beauty in your selfie. It is ofmany thoughtful details fered in three color models that make ZenFone Max for you to choose from: Pearl Pro anything but ordinary. White, Black, and Iris Purple. And to match your unique With these superb smartstyle, two stunning finishes phones, give yourself and are your choices: Deepsea Black your loved ones a delightful and Meteor Silver. treat and a merry Christmas! A3s can easily last up to 18 hours. Smoother UI transitions, multitasking, and switching between apps are all supported by the enhanced 64-bit Snapdragon Octa-Core CPU. With 14nm processing, it brings a faster, fluid, and energy-saved operating experience. The new ColosOS 5.1 brings forth a brand new UI system and operation interface. The 6.2-inch Super Full Screen stimulates the sense across all your everyday mobile experiences. Also with a new 19:9 aspect ratio, the A3s gives you an all-round superior view. Its glossy unique design has an elegant back cover in either classic red and fashionable dark purple colors.
Globe, Amazon Prime Video raise bar in bringing high-voltage entertainment BY PETER PAUL DURAN
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LOBE Telecom, together with global video streaming service Amazon Prime Video, gives us yet another remarkable offering in entertainment content. The partnership between one of the leading telecommunications providers in the Philippines and APV, a paid subscription service offered by Amazon, raised the bar in bringing high-voltage entertainment to its customers, who now can have access to unlimited streaming of select movies and TV shows made easier with subscription billing-- a neat feature for customers without a credit card. And soon, eligible Globe patrons can get a premium offer of six months Amazon Prime Video access with a postpaid plan to watch content such as critically acclaimed and award-winning Prime Original series like Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan,The Grand Tour, Emmy nominee and Golden Globe winner The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, all new seasons of The Man in the High Castle and many more. “Globe has always led the pack when it comes to the digital lifestyle,” said Ernest Cu, President & CEO of Globe Telecom during the partnership's launch at the Glorietta Activity Center recently. “We have redefined how Filipinos enjoy their entertainment—from music and movies to eSports and live shows. Teaming up with global content brands brings a wide array of content to our customers, giving them more wonderful entertainment choices," he added. But the amiable Globe exec noted, with great content comes great responsibility. "As we continue to innovate and develop more content to Filipinos, we want to make sure that that experience is great and also, that experience is well protected," he said. "So we've also been working with a lot of agencies here and overseas and advocate 'Play it Right' to protect the IP of many of our content partners.” In truth, for the third straight year, Globe has won the Kidlat Awards for its unique execution of #PlayItRight’s 'Piracy vs. Piracy'-- the company’s homegrown advocacy to encourage Filipinos to download or stream content from legitimate sources. "All of this is part of Globe's advocacy against illegal streaming of video and I would like to make the appeal out to everyone, we have given you
Ernest Cu (6th from left) together with Amazon Director Krishan Patel (fifth from right) lead the partnership and media launch of the upcoming collaboration between Globe and APV to bring high-voltage entertainment to Filipinos. Peter Paul Duran many affordable options now to watch video content in the legal form," Cu said. Cu also stressed that streaming legal content is important because companies like Amazon which invests billions in dollars to bring the public these amazing content, are able to monetize these investments and enable the "great train" of great content continue to come our way. All new and existing Globe Postpaid customers will be eligible for a six-month subscription (up to P150/ month value), to Amazon Prime Video, which comes with Twitch Prime. Following this, select Globe at Home plans will include the six-month offer to Amazon Prime Video and Twitch Prime by Globe. To activate, text APV to 8080 and follow the steps in the confirmation message you will receive. After the promo period, customers can continue to enjoy Amazon Prime Video for P150 per month. Twitch Prime, included in the six-month offer, is a
premium experience on Twitch, the live streaming video service that’s popular among gamers. Twitch Prime includes free games every month, in-game content for some of the most popular games, a Twitch channel subscription every 30 days at no additional cost, exclusive emotes, and chat badge. "With this subscription, you'll be able to access videos and content that was once not accessible to the Filipino public. It's always been Globe's objective to broaden the amount of content available to Filipinos," said Cu, who thanked Amazon Prime Video, represented by Amazon Director for Mobile Business Development-APAC Krishan Patel during the event. "The ability for anyone to subscribe has been made easier with this partnership as not all Filipinos own a credit card, but with carrier billing we've done, it's something that's made it easier for us to deliver content for everyone when they want it and wherever they want it," Cu said.
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Some of 2018’s best gadgets; What’s in store in 2019? Huawei P30 Huawei remains among the top 5 leading brands to hold the highest market shares in the Philippines. With the success of their flagship P20 series, the release of the P30 in the market is highly anticipated. It is rumored that the P30 series will have a Kirin 980 Chipset with 7nm processor that will improve the overall speed and performance of the mobile phone while at the same time improve the battery life. The Chinese manufacturer confirmed that they will be releasing 5G units by 2019, but made no remarks whether the P30 series would be the first units to have the baseband.
BY ELOISA MAE ORTILLO AND LISA MARIE DAVID
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HE high demand for technology and gadgets has prompted numerous innovations through the years. While today’s technology seems to provide almost everything we need, nothing is stopping its rapid growth. These innovations have reached and helped millions of people from different walks of life – and undoubtedly have become an integral part of our everyday lives.
In this article, we bring you some of the that can monitor the 24/7 heart rate of best gadgets of 2018 and other cool things the consumer and send notifications you should look forward to in 2019. right directly into your smartphone. It is packed with goal-based exercises -Huawei Matebook X Pro helpful for gym-goers. The battery lasts The ideal laptop with a resolution of for 7 days and creators added the sleep 3000 x 2000 and 10-point touchscreen. It tracking and stages, powered by an acis also convenient for any type of environ- celerometer and heart rate sensor. It is ment because it is portable -- weighing also swimproof. just 1.33 kg. Also ideal for faster image processing, smoother video editing and more Jaybird Run stable gaming. Huawei and Dolby collaboThe new jaybird run headphones is rated for a better quality of speakers to pro- wireless -- ideal and useful for people vide crisp and rich sound from all angles. A who love to go to the gym. It is designed recessed camera located in the keyboard for working out since it handles water or safeguards user’s privacy. Plus a one-touch sweat and it has a good sound isolation power button when logging in takes 7.8 to help you concentrate on your workseconds only. It has a USB-A port and USB- out. This product is also a good investC port for a more inclusive experience. ment for business, school, or everywhere because it is compatible both with Siri Apple IPad 9.7 and Google Assistant. This year, Apple came up with its newest version of the IPad. It has an A10 LG C8 OLED 4K TV fusion chip that is good for graphicsThe new lineup of LG television exceeds intensive games and for video editing. everybody’s expectations. The new line The product is built for multitasking and up is powered by OLED (Organic Lightan apple pencil is added for pixel-perfect Emitting Diode), considered as one of the precision and responsiveness. best screen technologies. Every part of the screen lights up individually, automatically Fitbit Charge 3 giving richer colors, sharpness, and depth For health-conscious consumers out to the picture quality. In addition, the there, this is the product for you! lineup uses Artificial Intelligence, wherein Fitbit Charge 3 has a new feature Google assistant is already built in.
Hero 7 Black If you have seen the new GoPro Hero 7 Black, you definitely know how much of a game changer it is. The highly improved stabilization with the Hypersmooth prevents all the unwanted shakiness in your videos. While little has changed on its hardware and appearance, the image quality and user interface have been enhanced. This small action camera can record 4k video at 60 frames per second and now has the live streaming feature. Shinola Bookshelf Speakers This innovation changed how speakers work. Their collaboration with Barefoot Sound has brought the Shinola Bookshelf Speakers in the market. The traditional use of a speaker plus the sophisticated yet utilitarian function of a bookshelf is combined in just one product. The speaker produces a neutral sound with a frequency of 40Hz to 22kHz, which is also good for vocals.
WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2019 Samsung S10 The coming 2019 is a big year for Samsung. Significant jumps are expected with the upcoming flagship phone which also marks the 10th anniversary of the Galaxy S series. The Samsung Galaxy S10 (or X) will come in three models: 5.8” flat display, 5.8” edge display, and 6.44” edge display. It is set to hit the market in the first quarter of 2019, while some believe that it may be released and open for pre-order as early as January or February. Samsung has yet to confirm any specification on the flagship series, but famous twitter user Ice Universe (@ UniverseIce) posted a bezel-less phone (hyperlink: https://twitter.com/UniverseIce/status/1009341170571341824) believed to be the Galaxy S10. It is also rumored that a 5G version of S10 will be released.
Airpods 2 Almost two years after Apple first introduced AirPods, the second-gen version has been highly anticipated ever since. The wireless AirPods are rumored to be water resistant to withstand rain and perspiration. Rumors have it that the high-end version will have the wireless charging feature and the ability to activate Siri through voice command. The AirPods 2 are expected to be released around March 2019. PANASONIC LUMIX S SERIES Panasonic was the first to release Mirco Four Thirds format mirrorless cameras back in 2008. After 10 years, it is rumored that the company will introduce their first full frame mirrorless cameras with superb video recording features (probably 4k@60p) in the first half of 2019. No photos have yet to circulate online but it is assumed that it will have similar design as the Panasonic G9 but with a different mount (L-mount).
HP ENVY 13 Empowers Philippine Consumers with Performance and Mobility D
O great things with HP and Microsoft with the latest HP ENVY 13 featuring sleek, stylish design, powerful performance and maximum versatility to securely connect, create and collaborate from anywhere, anytime. The new ENVY laptop is packed with amazing features that go beyond basic performance and battery improvements. Today’s consumer wants a device that can do it all – whether at home, work or school, their device needs to keep up with their demanding lifestyle. With 81 percent of people working during their personal time and more than half multi-tasking personal activities at work, using a device that can straddle the realities of each environment is more important than ever. HP’s new premium PC includes various form factors that meet an individual’s personal style and specific computing needs. “HP’s undisputed design and engineering leadership is delivering the ultimate combination of style, performance and versatility,” said Pallasena Viswanath, Managing Director of HP Philippines. “With the next level privacy and other industry-leading innovations, our new HP ENVY 13 creates unrivaled premium PC experiences.”
HP ENVY 13 Laptop offers exceptional power in a sleek, stylish, all-metal design available in natural silver or pale gold. Featuring 8th generation Intel® Quad Core™ processors, up to 14 hours of battery life and security features including a fingerprint reader, this device is designed for the on-the-go multitasker. At 14.9 mm z height, the ENVY 13 is not only thin and light, but it also has the capacity to house an NVIDIA GeForce MX150 2GB videocard for maximum performance. • Power to perform confidently: Power through any project that comes your way with up to 14 hours of power on the go, the latest Intel® Core™ processor and up to 8GB RAM. • Designed for mobility: Elegance and durability in a thin and light, all-aluminum design that syncs beautifully with a full-size keyboard. • Next-level privacy: Login quickly and securely with the integrated fingerprint reader. Rest easy knowing that your privacy is protected. • Elevated entertainment: Immerse yourself in next-level entertainment on an ultra-bright FHD micro-edge display. Awaken your senses to audio perfection with Quad HP Speakers by Bang & Olufsen. Pricing and Availability In the Philippines, the HP ENVY 13 Laptop is available in HP Concept Stores. HP ENVY 13 Laptop is now available from a starting price of PHP 60,990. For more information, please visit the HP Official Store in Lazada.com.ph.
GINORMOUS INVISIBLE MALL? With Lazada’s LazMall, that’s possible Over 70 million items from about 10,000 brands – all fitted inside this ‘new’ mall. The internet just went crazy when rumors circulated that it will be built overnight. But how is that even possible? Will it have underground passageways? Will it be 70 stories tall? Will it be in Metro Manila? Just how? Lazada ended everyone’s wait on August 31 after unveiling what could be the world’s first ever invisible mall – the LazMall. And it did not disappoint. It was without any physical building structure, making it not only invisible but also the biggest and smallest mall to ever exist. So how could you enjoy such a unique mall? Well… just by opening your phone. All you ever wanted could become yours with just one tap on the Lazada app. The launch is over and done but the clamor for LazMall has just begun as shoppers scramble to enjoy amazing deals and discounts from wellloved brands such as Samsung, Apple, Huawei, Xiaomi, Maybelline and rayBan, just among others. Do not expect the excitement to disappear any time soon. The record-breaking, world-changing mall is set to launch 11.11 and 12.12 Sale! And because it’s Lazada, it’s sure to be unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Download the Lazada app today. Available on both Google Play and App Store.
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Laptops: Still thriving in the smartphone era
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BY CHARLES ARVIN DANTES
LICK in style, convenient to the user and always ready-onthe-go--this has been the very concept of why laptops are still dominating the tech market for more than a decade and the reason why these handy lifesavers continue thriving in this smartphone era.
This is also the reason why laptops’ feaDesigned to do the basic work of the much bigger desktop computers before, tures never seize to amaze its audience with laptops have already equaled the process- their innovations that keep us gadget fiends wanting for more. ing power of its desk counterparts.
Now, let’s do a quick recap of the best laptops’ parts and inno- RAM/Ranvative design. dom-Access Memory Touchscreen/2-in-1 No, it is not laptops the award-winIt may sound weird, but the com- ning album from the bination of the intuitive control of French electronic duo Daft a touchscreen monitor and the use Punk. Random-access memory or of mouse and keyboard is and will RAM is your computer’s memory. always be satisfying. You can eas- The higher your RAM is, the more ily change the way you navigate and programs you can operate at the test your laptops. same time. In a much simpler explaWith the touchscreen-friendly in- nation, if you have a Processor with terface of Microsoft Windows operat- a high spec, you will be in need of ing system making it easier for new having a RAM that can match the owners to feel like an expert in just a operating power of your laptop. few minutes, 2-in-1 computers literThe more complex tasks that you ally put the power on your fingertips. will be doing, the higher the RAM that you will need. Now, you can Hard drive capacity buy laptops with up to 32 GB DDR5Remember the times you need to Double Data Rate Synchronous Dyconstantly manage your saved files namic Random Access Memory-- to and application in laptops just to make make sure you can multi-task any job sure you can fit in all the notes in the without sacrificing your performance 30 – 100 Gigabytes storage of your new speed and the frame-rate of your laptops? Fear not, as of 2018, there are computer. laptops that can use up to 500 GigaDisplay and Graphics bytes- 2 Terabytes storage, yes a whopThere are two types of graphics ping 2TB to store anything you want. cards, the ‘built-in’ and dedicated type. The built-in or integrated Processor types are the ones inside the unit The heart, the brain, the soul of your laptop, used for much basic and anything you want to call this use of laptops, like internet surfing, bad boy. One thing is for sure, the writing a document or watching processor is the indicator of the video on YouTube about a cat that performance capability of your plays the piano. laptop as a whole. No matter how While, on the other hand, dedigigantic your storage size is, if you cated type graphics card, is more have a lower spec laptop, you’re often used in much complex tasks going to have a hard time pro- like photo editing, video editing cessing your data. and gaming. If you are in need of a The more powerful the proces- heavy usage of your screen, going sor is, the faster your computer will for a dedicated graphics card is the be able to run applications and pro- best choice. grams. The good news is Intel and In today’s norm of breathtaking viAMD provide a wide range of proces- suals from games and videos, graphics sors that you can handpick to your card manufacturers like ASUS, NVIDIA own accord. and Micro-Star International/MSI al-
ways deliver with the latest and best display cards we will ever have. Imagine playing Assassin’s Creed Odyssey on a high-end graphics with ultra-high graphics settings, I won’t blame you if you are already drooling with all the possibilities and the tiny details. Portability Lastly, laptops already transform into a much lighter and slimmer design compare to the first model of laptops before. You can fit some of these netbooks and computers in your backpack without having a problem about the weight and bulk in your bag. Portability is a crucial element to make sure that you can always go on the move. Latest models of laptops have a much longer battery life span, while others have a much better form. One of the best examples of laptop with good portability is the convertible or the 2-in-1. It boasts of a smaller built, without giving away its processing power. It also gives you the best of both worlds as it is a laptop and tablet in one. Just remember that there’s a lot of things to consider when checking the latest features in a laptop. Focusing on the main understanding of the features you need and the ones you don’t will both help you decide the best laptop that will serve you and save you a ton of money. Whether you want to casually surf the net, play your favorite triple-A games or plan your next business trips, there’s always an ideal laptop just for you.
Robotics: Empowering people BY PETER PAUL DURAN WE live in a world where another passing day means another sublime invention is created and one more innovator is bound to have his eureka moment. The possibilities for innovation are endless and in one aspect of technological development are robots and artificial intelligence (AI)--which is seen to play a huge role in the future of humanity. In truth, each unique invention in robotics is one step towards realizing all those Star Trek-level tech we only see in movies and in TV. Yep, not long before Scotty beams you up. But if we just go back to the fundamental aspect of innovation, robots and AI are important in one aspect of assuaging the human condition, healthcare. In fact, robots are now designed, built and pivotal in aiding children with special needs, which compared to a couple of years before, is a giant leap in rehabilitative pediatrics. Dr. Ayanna Howard, a professor, researcher and innovator at Georgia Institute of Technology in Georgia, USA has taken this area of study another step forward. Her work focuses on robot home assistance, therapy gaming apps and remote robotic exploration of extreme environments usually used in NASA. “The robot home assistant can act as something that children with disabilities can work with as another help aside from clinicians,” said Dr. Howard during SM Cares and the US Embassy’s “Robots for Helping the Human World” confab at the SM MAAX Building in Pasay. “These assistants can also be something the child can play with themselves or other children. The robot assistants have artificial intelligence and are smart but not too smart with the ability to learn with the children. They are programmed to have frustrations but not actual emotions,” Dr. Howard said. When asked why robotics and healthcare, the approachable American academician said that she was always into joining outreach programs for children and started interacting in her camps with visually-impaired children. “After that, I thought how can we create technology that is accessible for all and how can we use these technology for rehabilitation and therapy,” she said. Apart from the robot assistants, therapy game apps are now rolled out and available for downloading, and are designed to “gamify and to make therapy session into a fun, engaging aspect.” These therapy apps range widely to suit different kinds of needs and are often tablet-based. Dr. Howard said these can be a speech therapy gaming app or reading therapy gaming app and many more to really make the therapy session, well, therapeutic for children in a way that they don’t even
realize they’re in a session already. So far, Howard revealed that 400,000 therapy-based gamers to date have experienced the free and easy to download apps in any device, but for their robots, the cost speaks for another concern. “The parts for such robots are often expensive, but the team remains vigilant and we try to lower the cost. Because lowering the cost would make it possible for the parents of children with disabilities to utilize it,” she said. “There is no training required for parents or guardians for having the robot home assistant, the AI adopt and learns to its users based on the ability of the child and the people around them.” Moreover, Dr. Howard said that institutions and universities have made contact to collaborate with the team to make this possible in the country which earlier in the day, led them to visit Mapua University to check out the robotics’ department of one of the top IT schools in the Philippines. “The Philippine General Hospital, as well, has shown great interest and would like to work on to do the same thing. Obtaining this tech for hospitals with limited therapy nurses or practitioners can help ease the burden of having too many patients but little hospital staff,” said Howard. Aside from working with robots and therapy gaming apps, Dr. Howard is also focused on showing the beauty of computing to girls, underrepresented minorities and people with disabilities through programs related to robotics. With these as her focus, she founded Zyrobotics LLC-- a company that addresses the diverse needs of children ages 3 to 12 years old with differing abilities. Their products focus on the child’s capabilities by promoting the stimulation of social cognitive and motor skills development. Meanwhile, Dr. Howard and her team, who get funding from the National Science Foundation, and other foundations focused on helping children with disabilities, look to share the product to a wider audience and a niche market. “Depending on whether we can get a manufacturer, I would say another year and a half for us to really see our robots in homes,” she said, but added that the software and the blueprint are open sources, so anyone that has a 3D printer can replicate the robots. The robots maybe a plug and play learning machine, which uses artificial intelligence, but the question then is how to address over adaptation? “One of the things it learns is to adapt to the child, but our system is tied into human parent and the clinician. If by some chance the system adapts incorrectly, there’s a human factor in parents and therapists. We always keep the human in the loop,” Howard explained. “If we do robotics right, robotics will allow people to be empowered.”
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Gadget hunting? Follow these tips
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BY ANGELICA VILLANUEVA
HRISTMAS is fast-approaching and in just 87 days, it is that time of the year again (aside from your birthday) when you can already open your gifts.
But you do not need to wait for Christmas to receive and open a gift. After all your perseverance throughout the year, whether if it is at work or in school, it is time to reward all the hard work. Why don’t you give yourself a little treat or something that you have always been wishing to have? How does “dream gadget” sound to you? We all have our own “dream gadget.” It can be an additional accessory to your PS4 for an adventurous gaming experience, a smartphone that fits your lifestyle, a netbook you can use on your work, a DSLR camera to hone your photography skills, or a simple pair of headphones as your daily companion. It can be anything that you think you deserve to and should have. But here is the thing, before you take the leap of buying your dream gadget, there are things you should know first before purchasing it. To help you out a bit, we have listed some things you may consider. 1. A great branding Of course, the first thing you should know or consider is the brand of the gadget that you are buying. It is not about how wellknown the brand is, but how legit this brand is. Ask yourself: Is there any past issues with this brand? How did they handle these issues? Are their products safe? Can I trust this brand when it comes to buying my dream gadget? It is important to know that the money you have worked hard for will be all worth it. You may also try researching about the brand’s products and search for the reviews of your chosen and picked product. Reading evaluations and assessments from the buyers themselves is important since most of the these testimonials are the best source of information. 2. A good companion Most of the tips and guidelines about gadgethunting suggest that this dream gadget should suit your lifestyle. Can it go along with your daily routines and lifestyle? For an example, if your job needs a regular high-speed of internet, of course, you should go for a
smartphone that is supported with LTE Advanced. If you are a photographer, you should know what kind of DSLR or SLR you should look for. Can this camera be used in any kind of situation? Does it come with good lens? Can I use it on my job? Will it help me manage my job regularly? These are just some basic questions, but the thing here is make sure that this dream gadget can complement your lifestyle. 3. Maintenance is not a problem Remember that when you have purchased your dream gadget, it also comes with the responsibility to maintain its good condition. There’s no turning back. Of course, there’s the warranty, but you also need to buy accessories so you may maintain its good condition. Going back to the smart-
phone as an example. In this case, you need to buy a screen protector to prevent scratches — it can be plastic or tempered glass, a protective case for shock proof, and yes, your sim card, so you’re always connected and updated with the news. A warranty is a must, too. 4. Happiness fulfilled Don’t be ashamed if it is just a local brand of gadget or that it comes from a too high-end tech company. What matters most about choosing your dream gadget is that it fulfilled the excitement, the perseverance and the happiness you have when you worked hard to afford it. This is the product of your hardships, so being contented of what you will buy is the most important thing you should know before buying what you want. Ask yourself these questions: Is this what I really want? Can it satisfy my happiness and also my
needs? Can I use this for my person- Rewarding yourself with a highend gadget is fine, but not to the al life and work/school routines? point that you need to borrow a big amount of money that you will have 5. Satisfies the need “Know the difference between a difficulty paying back. There are lots of ways to get that what you want and what you need.” Make sure that the features and dream gadget of yours. There are telecoms that prospecs of your dream gadget meet what you really need. Do not settle vide postpaid plans that come with a phone. You can also buy with what you just want. Try to make a research of gadgets it on their flagship stores that that will satisfy your need, not just allow installment. You can also one aspect that it fulfills. Think of it check out the financing schemes as your daily companion. Check all offered by several consumer fithe features of what you want to nancing companies. Before you lose your mind on have on your dream gadget. Do you need a high-definition phone cam- what to choose, consider these tips. era or you just need a stable con- At the end of the day, it is you who nection of internet? Before buying makes the decision. Just make sure that your purchase it, ensure that all features you are suits your lifestyle, can be looking for are in that product. maintained easily and satisfies 6. Money is also not a problem your happiness Money should not be and needs. If it’s your number one affordable, then problem. that’s a bonus.
Go for these Cherry Mobile Android Go Devices IT’S four times the fun this rainy season! Cherry Mobile brings fun and cool mobile experience to more of always-on-the-go individuals as it introduces two more Android Go-powered devices. If you’re looking for a smartphone that can keep up with your busy schedules, check out these phones from Cherry Mobile! Cherry Mobile Omega Lite 4: Lite Up Your Day Lite up your day this rainy season with Cherry Mobile’s newest Android Go-powered smartphone in the guise of the Omega Lite 4! It sports a 5-inch 18:9 TrueView display and specifications perfect for first time smartphone users. Perfect for individuals who loves to run from point A to B, the Omega Lite 4 offers mobile lite experience with heavy features for just Php2,999SRP! It runs on Android Oreo Go with 1GB RAM and 8GB internal memory which you can expand up to 64GB via SD card. Snap decent photos with its 8MP main camera with auto-focus and LED flash and 5MP selfie shooter. Armed with performance all day and night! Cherry Mobile Flare HD 4: Accelerate your HD Experience Fond of online mobile streaming? Go for Cherry Mobile’s Flare HD 4. Sporting a 5-inch HD display screen, you can now enjoy a richer mobile viewing for just Php3,299SRP! Plus, it runs on the latest Android Oreo Go OS, giving you full-access to enjoy Go apps which minimizes memory usage for a seamless experience. The Cherry Mobile Flare HD 4.0 surely allows busy mobile us-
ers to juggle many tasks at hand! Surf the net, play games, indulge in a variety of mobile entertainment, and snap photos while saving battery with its special power saver key! As more and more Filipinos feel the need to be always on the go, their mobile device need to keep up with their demands. The two newest offerings from Cherry Mobile, ensure affordability yet provide the quality the consumer has come to expect from their mobile devices. Learn more about Cherry Mobile Omega Lite 4, Flare HD4, as well as the latest news and promos through: CM Website: www.cherrymobile.com.ph F B : w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / cherrymobile Instagram: @cherrymobileph Youtube: https://www.youtube. com/user/CherryMobilePH Twitter: @CherryMobilePH Cherry Mobile is a Philippinebased company which aims to deliver products that value Filipino lifestyle. Established in 2009, it brings a wide array of choices from feature phones to smartphones. Cherry Mobile continues to develop partnership with trusted phone developers to further strengthen its stance in the local mobile telecommunications industry.