Category: Tech

Conquer the Great Outdoors with the Instinct® 2X Solar by Garmin

Garmin, a global leader in innovative GPS technology, recently announced the launch of the Instinct® 2X Solar, the latest addition to its acclaimed Instinct 2 family of rugged, purpose-built smartwatches. With its unrivaled durability and cutting-edge features, the  Instinct 2X Solar and Instinct 2X Solar – Tactical Edition are specifically designed to thrive in the most challenging and extreme environments.

Built to U.S. military standards (MIL-STD-810) for thermal shock, water resistance and shock, the smartwatches are water-rated up to 10 ATM¹ and feature a chemically strengthened, scratch-resistant Power Glass^™lens. The lens assists in extending battery life, producing 50% more energy than the standard Instinct 2 solar watch. Solar charging gives unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode², allowing users to do what they love longer without worrying about recharging their watch.

“Our latest addition to the Instinct 2 series is the ultimate smartwatch for anyone who wants to live life to the fullest. Whether you’re an outdoor adventurer, a fitness enthusiast, or simply someone who wants to stay connected, this purpose-built GPS smartwatch has you covered.With its bold design, unlimited battery life, and built-in GPS, you can take on anything that comes your way,” said Mr. Scoppen Lin, Assistant General Manager, Garmin Asia.

See the Instinct 2X Solar in action here.

Light up the night

The Instinct 2X Solar introduces an integrated LED flashlight with variable intensities, whether setting up camp or out for a run in the dark, a red or adjustable white light will illuminate the surroundings for greater visibility and situational awareness. In strobe mode, the light will match a running cadence and alternate between white and red so users can be seen and confidently take each stride.

Innovative tools to stay healthy and connected

The Instinct 2X Solar provides the features customers want and the data they can use to pursue wellness, fitness and lifestyle goals as well as navigate outdoor adventures.

●        Keep tabs on body metrics with 24/7 Health and Wellness Tracking, including wrist-based heart rate, advanced sleep monitoring, respiration tracking, Pulse Ox and more³.

●        Built-in sports apps to take on running, biking, swimming, strength training and more, plus VO2 max and other training features.

●        Gain a deeper understanding of overall health, training and recovery through Heart Rate Variability during sleep, based on technology developed by Garmin’s Firstbeat Analytics^™team.

●        New Multi-Band GNSS Support provides improved positional accuracy.

●        Navigate the outdoors with built-in sensors for a 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter.

●        Retrace the trail with TracBack^®routing, helping users find the same route back to their starting point and reference point marks of a known spot relative to their location.

●        Stay connected with smart notifications, Garmin Pay^™ contactless payments and

Connect IQ^™app integration⁴.

Obstacle Course activity addition

Additionally, the Instinct 2X Solar is the first to offer Obstacle Course Racing as an activity, which includes running segments and obstacles of various types. This activity will allow athletes to manually record obstacle splits and once obstacles are marked for the first lap, they will be automatically tracked for the remaining laps. The Obstacle Course activity will include the number of runs on a particular course, run times, number of obstacles, time spent on each obstacle, run metrics for run splits (distance, pace, cadence, stride length, etc.), elevation profile, heart rate and distance.

Infinite Battery Life

The Instinct 2x Solar revolutionizes the way we think about battery life. Harnessing the power of solar charging, Garmin’s latest innovation offers unparalleled longevity, enabling users to stay connected and explore with confidence.

With its solar charging technology, the Instinct 2X Solar* offers unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode, ensuring users can stay connected and explore with confidence. In case solar charging is unavailable, the Instinct 2x Solar still boasts of an extended battery life through its different modes.

In Expedition GPS Activity Mode, it provides an impressive 60 days of battery life, while the Battery Saver Watch Mode extends it to an astonishing 100 days. Even without solar charging, the Instinct 2X Solar delivers exceptional longevity, with up to 40 days of battery life in Smartwatch Mode. Garmin’s commitment to innovation and sustainability sets a new benchmark, empowering individuals to push their boundaries and go further without limits.

*Solar Charging: Assuming all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000-lux conditions

Purpose-built to conquer the mission

The Instinct 2X Solar – Tactical Edition is packed with features specific to tactical operations including Jumpmaster and tactical preloaded activities, projected waypoints, dual-position GPS formatting and Night-Vision Compatibility. Users can also enable Stealth Mode, which prevents sharing of GPS position and disables wireless communication. When in stealth mode, GPS location is visible on the watch face but is not saved to the device memory or shared. This allows for training functionality in areas with location security concerns without revealing the location.

To lead the way during night operations, the multi-LED flashlight on the Instinct 2X Solar – Tactical Edition illuminates in either white or a dedicated green. Users will find the green light useful in maintaining their eyes’ natural night vision.

Now available in the Philippines, the Instinct 2X Solar has a suggested retail price of PHP 28,250, while the Instinct 2X Solar – Tactical Edition has a suggested retail price of PHP 31,380.

Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin outdoor recreation products have revolutionized life for adventurers, athletes, and outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Committed to developing products that enhance experiences and enrich lives, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday. For more information about Garmin Philippines, visit their website or Facebook page.

June 2, 2023
ASUS Business Raises the Bar: Unveiling the Durable 11-inch Chromebook Series for Education

ASUS Philippines steps up its game in the educational arena with the launch of the new 11.6-inch ASUS Chromebook CR1 and Chromebook Flip CR1 – versatile clamshell and convertible laptops tailored for education.

Designed with a commitment to military-grade reliability, the new ASUS Chromebook CR1 Series promises to outlast the rigors of daily life. Whether it’s the hustle and bustle at home, school, or outdoors, these laptops have been meticulously tested to the highest industry-leading MIL-STD-810H durability standards. They come equipped with clever protective features including an all-round rubber bumper and a spill-resistant keyboard.

Adding to the list of impressive features, the ASUS Chromebook CR1 and Flip CR1 offer an outstanding 12-hour battery life with fast charging support. No more battery woes for full-day learning or even longer! The convertible ASUS Chromebook Flip CR1 stands out with its optional garaged stylus and world-facing camera, opening the doors to innovative learning and optimal flexibility.

Educational Reliability: Ruggedized Laptop Design

ASUS Chromebook CR1 and Flip CR1 laptops are built to withstand everyday knocks, bumps, drops and spills without damage. These two Chromebook laptops went through rigorous testing and passed the U.S. military-grade MIL-STD-810H durability standards. From a 120cm Drop Test to a Panel Pressure Test, the ASUS Chromebook CR1 and Flip CR1 guarantees students and educators quality of reliability to keep on going. The display hinge and I/O ports are also exhaustively tested to endure the stresses and strains of everyday use.

ASUS Chromebook CR1 and Flip CR1’s four exterior edges and corners are also protected by a sturdy rubber bummer, which reduces the impact of all physical shocks, ensuring all critical laptop components are always unharmed. These models also feature a rubber safety grip on the base. This provides sturdy support for the laptop and makes it easier to grip when carrying, reducing the risk of fumbles and slips.

But the protection does not end there. These Chromebook laptops are built-in with a spill-resistant keyboard for any accidental spilling, which can repel 330cc without harm — so minor splashes are easily drained, cleaned, and dried. The keyboard is also designed to resist tampering, with a minimal gap between the edges of the keycaps and the keyboard surround to prevent the keys from being pried out. The laptops even have a tough, micro-dimpled finish that can brush off fingerprints and minor scuffs and scratches.To ensure reliability, ASUS Chromebook CR1 and Flip CR1 also include a 3-year on-site warranty that secures students and teachers from any worry. These two Chromebooks are also covered with ASUS Platinum Protection, which covers accidental damage such as drops, liquid damage, and other acts of nature. This program is designed to offer additional protection beyond the standard warranty.

Essential Learning Features: New Ways to Learn

The possibilities are limitless with ASUS Chromebook CR1 series. The versatile and flippable ASUS Chromebook Flip CR1 features a garaged stylus that enables quick, precise movements for creativity and productivity tasks. This ensures students can easily take notes, sketch, or jot ideas down. The stylus also quickly and automatically charges when garaged, keeping it ready for use and providing a safe place to store it.

For further learning experiences, ASUS Chromebook Flip CR1 also includes an 8MP world-facing camera positioned just above the keyboard. This empowers students to explore and learn in totally new ways, allowing them to capture photos and videos in tablet mode.

The ASUS Chromebook CR1 Series can also last up to 12 hours of battery lifeon a single charge with its 47Wh battery. ASUS Chromebook CR1 and ASUS Chromebook Flip CR1 are able to last for a full day of classes and more — empowering students to enjoy both uninterrupted learning and entertainment.

Safety first: Antibacterial protection and low blue-light emissions

To secure and protect Educators, ASUS treated these laptops with the ASUS Antibacterial Guard, which is applied to the keyboard area of ASUS Chromebook CR1 and Flip CR1. This has been scientifically shown to prevent the growth of bacteria by over 99% over a 24-hour period, keeping the laptop surfaces clean and sanitary.

Additional features to promote user well-being include screens certified by TÜV Rheinland for low blue-light emissions, potentially helping to protect students’ eyes from damage during prolonged study sessions. For further enhancing eye care, ASUS Chromebook CR1 Series features an anti-glare display that reduces reflections to provide comfortable viewing in any lighting.

Less Downtime, More Learning time: Easier Maintenance

To keep maintenance costs to a minimum for schools, parents, and students, ASUS Chromebook CR1 and ASUS Chromebook Flip CR1 are designed for easy servicing and reduced downtime. Both benefit from a modular construction that allows key components — such as the keyboard, touchpad, and panel — to be replaced in minutes using simple tools.

As a final easy-maintenance touch, the underside is securely attached using captive screws, eliminating worries about losing these little parts during repairs.

The Best of Google for Education

To further empower education, ASUS Chromebook CR1 series laptops unlock the best of Google for Education, including access to Google Play. Chrome OS, paired with the full power of Google Workspace for Education, including productivity apps such as Gmail, Docs, Drive, Calendar, Meet, and more, allows users to collaborate quickly and seamlessly stay in sync with their favorite apps. This also allows users to easily access school-related files from anywhere with an internet connection. Plus, the Google Admin console allows school IT staff to remotely manage a wide range of policies and settings.

Automatic updates and built-in virus protection seamlessly keep ASUS Chromebook CR1 series laptops safe, secure, and always up to date. The laptops are also built around the rock-solid security of a personal Google account, so all private documents, emails, photos, and confidential data are kept safe at all times.

AVAILABILITY & PRICING

The ASUS Chromebook CR1 and Flip CR1 are the perfect tools for Blended Learning. These Chromebooks shine bright for Young Educators. The ruggedized construction endures the stresses and strains of everyday use in the classroom or outdoors. You can Talk to our Experts here to know more about these new ASUS Chromebook series laptops.

Stay tuned for more news on the incredible ASUS for Business products on the ASUS Facebook page(https://www.facebook.com/ASUSph/) and the ASUS for Business website (http://asus.com/ph/Business). For inquiries, message us on the ASUS for Business Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/asusforbusinessph/).

May 30, 2023
Get ready to chat and jam: Viber and Spotify team up for an unbeatable music experience

Rakuten Viber, the go-to messaging app for secure and private communication, is announcing a partnership with the world-renowned music streaming platform, Spotify. With this collaboration, Viber users in the Philippines can now groove to their favorite tunes, ad-free and offline, with Spotify Premium Mini with an exclusive discount of up to 90% off!

Viber boasts a massive international audience, particularly in the Central and Eastern Europe and Asia Pacific regions, where its market share reaches up to 98%, and one of its growth markets has been the Philippines. This makes it the perfect platform for Spotify to tap into new markets.

“We were looking for a partnership where we could introduce Spotify’s premium service to millions of users worldwide, making Viber a perfect fit,” says Marc Hazan, VP, Business Development and Partnerships at Spotify. “We want users all across the globe to be able to access uninterrupted music no matter where they are, especially when they are offline. We are excited to provide the best music to Viber’s users and see this partnership flourish.”

Ofir Eyal, CEO at Rakuten Viber, is equally enthusiastic about the collaboration, stating, “Music has always been a powerful form of communication between people, and as a communications app, Viber naturally aligns with this joyful aspect.”

“At Viber, we always want to provide our users with fun features that are effortless to use, and that is just what this activity offers. By joining forces with Spotify, Viber not only enriches its users’ lives with an outstanding music experience but it also continues to solidify its status as a top-tier super app,” adds Eyal. This offer is available for Viber users who are at least 18-years-old and are new or existing users of Spotify who have never previously redeemed Spotify offers or have never been subscribers to any Spotify Premium offering. To activate the exclusive deal, look for Viber in-app promotions delivered in chats, check out the ‘Explore Screen’ tab, and find posts regarding the partnership on select Viber channels. To access the offer, please ensure the latest version of the Viber app is installed: https://vb.me/purplepr

Got Viber family and friends abroad? They too can enjoy exclusive offers like a free one-month Spotify Premium trial for those in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and many more. Meanwhile, those in Vietnam can also enjoy Spotify Premium Mini with an exclusive discount of up to 90%! Enjoy the world’s best music anytime, anywhere with Viber and Spotify!

May 27, 2023
HUAWEI Brings the Classic Mother of Pearl Design to their Newest Flagship Phone

Curves and displays have played major roles in recent smartphone developments but when it comes to design, most have chosen to be conservative, leaning more towards solid colors and minimalism.

The recent product launch of the HUAWEI P60 Pro has shown that the tech brand has no such fear of getting outside the industry’s comfort zone. As the first product in the smartphone industry to carry a pearl texture design, HUAWEI’s risk-taking move has so far been lauded for its innovative execution.

The Enduring Beauty of the Rococo Era

Rococo is a controversial yet major art movement from the 1700s. Rococo comes from the French word “Rocaille”, which denotes the shell-covered rock work that was used to decorate artificial grottos. The rocaille style utilized miniature objects such as garden pebbles, stones and seashells, forming an irregular visual play that energized the art world. It is characterized by elegance, lightness, and an exuberant use of curving natural forms in ornamentation. Rococo gradually developed and grew popular enough to be utilized in the fine arts, its asymmetry and overly elaborate style became its signature. Continuing in its tradition, the HUAWEI P60 Pro in Rococo Pearl adopts the timeless expressions of baroque masterpieces – its ornamental look, iridescent sheen, and intricate pastel swirls all pay homage to the Rococo spirit.

The HUAWEI CMF Mother of Pearl Process

The traditional pearlescent design has transcended fashion trends and has remained timeless. Mother of Pearl can be found in century-old palace architecture and even in the latest, most fashionable luxury watch releases.

The life of the mother-of-pearl mollusc itself embodies the very concept of timeless beauty, forming pearls and treasures throughout its long lifetime. With its continuous rebirth, oils accumulate in the shell over the years, growing a natural texture. These remarkable pieces of nature also condense with a unique lustre that illuminates with varying angles of light.

To replicate the accuracy of its textures and natural sheen, the material design and engineering process undertaken to achieve the material was not a straightforward one. Designers behind the HUAWEI P60 Pro knew the challenge wouldn’t be easy so they combined handcrafted artisanal methods with modern production techniques, constantly exploring and innovating to reach a breakthrough.

The design team discovered an Italian design manufacturer whose craftsmanship proved to replicate the pearl effect well. The manufacturer utilises manual methods to achieve a multi-layer structure similar to mother-of-pearl. Through the dispersion effect of countless finely layered structures, it brings mother-of-pearl through the rich and warm effects from changing light and shadows. This effect requires a rich internal structure and a certain material thickness to be reflected.

Initially, it was uncertain whether this material could be used in sophisticated electronic products such as mobile phones. Because the design space left for texture and texture on mobile phones is extremely thin (less than 0.1mm, only 1/5 or even 1/10 of the thickness of the thinnest patch of traditional crafts), the team set off to find solutions to achieve the design on an ultra-thin surface while preserving the natural pearl texture.

After many rounds of experimentation, the design team was able to source a natural mineral pearl powder and combine it with environmentally friendly acetate material extracted from natural plants. This made it possible to recreate the flashing iridescent layers in the Mother of Pearl texture. Through complex hand-made mosaics, block splicing patterns, and smooth changing lustre, the result was a natural texture with a unique patterning effect that has no repetition.

It was through this assiduous research and development journey that the brand finally patented Huawei’s very own CMF ( Color, Material, Finish) Pearl Texture Design process.

Every piece, unique

Natural beauty comes through order in disorder, regularity and irregularity, and certainty in uncertainty. The HUAWEI mother-of-pearl craftsmanship process aimed to restore this uniqueness found in nature’s beauty. This was not a simple manufacturing of artificial patterns, but rather, a creation of brand-new design technology that comes from nature itself.

HUAWEI’s mother of pearl process creates a P60 Pro in Rococo Pearl model that is unique and exclusive in beauty. Not only did the brand recreate the Mother of Pearl look visually, it has even taken things to another level by emulating its very essence of irregularity and uniqueness.

Each HUAWEI P60 Pro user will have their own one-of-a-kind rendition of the Rococo Pearl texture on their flagship smartphone, giving them personalised and exclusive experience, as they now own a smartphone that truly belongs to them and only them in every aspect.

Now available in HUAWEI Stores

You can now purchase the HUAWEI P60 Pro through offline and online HUAWEI Stores, authorized retail outlets, and leading e-commerce sites like Shopee and Lazada. Price starts at Php 58,999 and with the pre order promo from May 12-25, you can get the HUAWEI Watch GT3 worth Php 12,999 for free.

If you pre-order now, you can get a 1-year Extended Warranty valued at Php 3,999. Trade-in is also available for both Huawei and non-Huawei smartphones. Apart from enjoying a discount from the trade-in, you can also get a Php 8,000 add-on voucher when you trade-in a Huawei smartphone and a Php 7,000 add-on voucher for non-Huawei smartphones. This offer is available in selected stores nationwide.

Discover the latest from Huawei by checking out the Official Facebook Page.

Want to stay updated on all things Huawei? Join and follow the Official Facebook Community and be part of all the latest conversations on Huawei.

May 20, 2023
Globe Group partners with Aklan LGU to encourage responsible tourism in Love Boracay 2023

Globe recently partnered with the local government of Malay, Aklan in its move to encourage sustainable tourism, through the highly-anticipated return of Love Boracay (formerly known as LaBoracay) held on April 28 to May 1, 2023.

Globe has been supportive of Boracay’s environmental conservation efforts through conducting offshore clean-up drives, coral reef rehabilitation, community support for prevention of untreated effluents from entering the sea, and raising awareness among the youth and the community on how they can contribute to environmental conservation.

“Globe fully supports the local government of Malay, Aklan in its efforts to advance responsible tourism in Boracay. At this year’s Love Boracay, we carried out activities to encourage customers to adopt sustainable practices. We hope that this event raises awareness for responsible tourism throughout our country,” said Pia Gonzalez-Colby, Globe Chief Marketing Officer.

To encourage Boracay visitors to “Go Lang Nang Go” and discover how they can responsibly enjoy the island’s beauty, Globe held various activities at the Globe Eco Station located at the picturesque beachfront in Boracay’s Station 1.

●       Plastics for a prize. Here, tourists got the chance to spin and win prizes by turning over single-use plastic bottles, plastic cups, cans, or plastic bags and presenting their GlobeOne app and proof of SIM registration. They also got a shot for the prize by donating at least P10 to Save Philippine Seas via the GlobeOne app or GCash.

●       GForest signup. There was a GCash booth for customers to sign up to GForest, where actual trees are planted through points collected via activities such as walks tracked on health apps or transactions within the e-wallet, from bills payment and bank transfers to buying load.

●       Globe At Home cash giveaway. Globe At Home gave away P5,000 in GCash credits to customers who took a photo at the Globe At Home photo wall and shared it on social media. The photo with the most likes and shares got the prize. Customers also received P50 GCash credits for turning over plastic bottles at the Globe At Home booth.

●       Globe and KonsultaMD essentials. Globe also had booths at D’Mall and Lake Town where customers got the chance to win beach kit essentials for downloading the GlobeOne app, registering their SIM, or registering to Go+99 via GCash. KonsultaMD also offered medicine vouchers, vitamin packs and other freebies to those who registered and downloaded the app. At the GCash booth, customers also got a kit with beach essentials for every proof of payment with GCash at partner establishments.

For sports fans, the Globe Boracay Sportsfest proved to be a treat. The event held tennis, ultimate frisbee, volleyball and soccer competitions at the beachfront from Estacio Uno to Ambassador in Station 1 on April 29 and 30. The awarding ceremony was held at the sunset session featuring a local DJ, with Globe and GCash providing cash prizes for the games. Globe also brought top DJs and bands at the Globe Love Boracay Musicfest in Lake Town.

“GCash has been powering the Globe Group’s goal of promoting a digital ecosystem in the country. For example in Boracay, you can now pay for your e-trike rides, food trip, activities, and other local shopping via the GCash app. This is our way of not only promoting local tourism but also making sure that businesses in Boracay benefit from the growing digital economy,” said Neil Trinidad, GCash Chief Marketing Officer.

To learn more about Globe’s sustainability initiatives, visit www.globe.com.ph/about-us/sustainability.

May 19, 2023
Xiaomi’s budget-friendly phones get P500 price slash
Xiaomi has a special treat for fans who are looking for budget-friendly smartphones. You can now save P500 with the Redmi A1 and Redmi 12C price slash promo!

The Redmi A1 is an entry-level phone that’s both practical and powerful with the MediaTek Helio A22 processor with expandable storage, perfect for daily social media browsing, online classes and meetings, and so much more. From P3,799, the Redmi A1 received a permanent price slash of only P3,299.

Redmi 12C is also an affordable smartphone that boasts of a spacious storage, smooth performance thanks to its MediaTek Helio G85 processor, and large 6.71” HD+ display. It’s the ideal phone for hardworking professionals and side-hustlers who want to make it big. From today until June 30, you can get all three Redmi 12C variants at discounted prices:
- 3GB + 32GB: P4,999 (from P5,499)
- 4GB + 64GB: P5,999 (from P6,499)
- 4GB + 128GB: P6,999 (from P7,499)
Don’t miss out on Xiaomi’s price slash promo, available via Xiaomi’s Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok shops (@XiaomiPhilippines). For more information, visit Xiaomi’s official Facebook page and Xiaomi’s official website.
May 19, 2023
ASUS Unveils Three #IncrediblySlim Zenbook OLED Laptops: A Stride Toward Sustainability

ASUS, globally recognized as the premier OLED laptop brand, made an exciting announcement on May 18, 2023: the launch of three ultra-thin, light-weight Zenbook laptops. The Zenbook S 13 OLED (UX5304), Zenbook 14 Flip OLED (UP3404), and Zenbook Pro 14 OLED (UX6404) were unveiled at the Zenbook OLED Series: Incredibly Slim and More event.

Leading the 2023 Zenbook series is the Zenbook S 13 OLED, showcasing ASUS’s commitment to creating technologically advanced products that strive to minimize environmental impact. The launch of these new laptops marks a momentous occasion, propelling Zenbook’s legacy into a new era of ultraportability.

Each model is uniquely designed with ultra-thin and light features, delivering powerful and uncompromised performance thanks to the industry-leading 13th Gen Intel® Core™ Processor with Intel® Evo™ verification. Coupled with the vibrant ASUS Lumina OLED display and Military Grade Standard durability, these laptops are engineered for optimal user experience.

“The new 2023 Zenbook series offers incredible and uncompromised performance designed to empower every Filipino individual to help them achieve their goals. We are confident that the 2023 Zenbook series can provide more with less harm to our environment, adhering to the Zenbook heritage and taking ASUS to a brand new milestone,” says ASUS Philippines Country Manager George Su.

Incredibly Slim and Vibrant Lumina OLED for all

The new 2023 Zenbook series features the new ASUS Lumina OLED Display. It promises a more accurate, adaptive, and reliable laptop experience while giving a visual marvel experience. In addition, users can activate the ASUS OLED Care screensaver to prevent OLED screen aging using the MyASUS app.

ASUS Lumina OLED technology is available and exclusive across the new ASUS Zenbook series. It lets you enjoy an incredible viewing experience with a high contrast ratio, deeper blacks, fast response time, and a 70% less blue light reduction that protects users from eye strain. To know more about the benefits of this technology, check it here Why ASUS Lumina OLED.

Incredibly Slim for every new gen of Filipino individual

Perfect for on-the-go professionals, the ultra-thin and light Zenbook S 13 OLED (UX5304) is the world’s slimmest OLED ultraportable laptop weighing only 1 kilogram with a 1-centimeter thin body.

With the growing trend for work and life balance, this new Zenbook was designed to have a sophisticated ceramic-coated look and feel, ideal for people needing a reliable, attractive, and timeless device anywhere and any time of the day. Slim as a pen, the new Zenbook S 13 OLED is 30% slimmer with more features to give the best user experience, using fewer materials as compared to the previous models.

Adhering to ASUS’ philosophy of responsible innovation, ASUS is also joining the movement and leaping to produce sustainable devices in the long run. The all-new Zenbook S 13 OLED uses recycled materials in its design, including post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics, post-industrial recycled (PIR) aluminum, and PIR magnesium alloy.

This device is the most eco-friendly Zenbook ever made, reducing its carbon footprint by 50%. To complement its longer product life cycle, the packaging of this new Zenbook is 100% recyclable with reusable and compostable materials.

As a commitment to do more with less through the Zenbook series, ASUS is joining forces with CORA Philippines, a non-profit organization founded by celebrity and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador Antoinette Taus. CORA is dedicated to creating sustainable programs that help solve issues centered on poverty, hunger, inequality, and climate change that directly affects underprivileged Filipinos. With this partnership, ASUS and CORA aim to promote the importance of creating sustainable programs to conserve the environment and the lives of future Filipinos through a series of activities.

The Zenbook S 13 OLED (UX5304) comes in an eco-friendly Basalt Gray color with a starting price of PHP 79,995.00. It will be available with up to Intel® Core™ i7 processor,16 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of storage.

Incredibly Slim for every multi-talented individual

Truly a unique laptop that could give a versatile performance, the new Zenbook 14 Flip OLED (UP3404) would suit you, whether you’re masculine or feminine, because of its convertible and stylish design.

This new Zenbook is the most versatile and incredibly slim with its thin and light form factor. It is capable of a 360° hinge that allows the device in four different modes: Laptop, Tent, Stand, or Tablet, which offers users a wide range of options to work or relax anytime.

Content sharing will now be easier and faster with the Tablet Mode, keeping up with the demands of the digital world can be faster using the Stand Mode, convenience is within your fingertips because of the Laptop Mode, and relaxing after a long day is now possible because of the Tent Mode.

The Zenbook 14 Flip OLED also features a touchscreen ASUS Lumina OLED display. making this device a truly reliable work partner. Upon purchase, the Zenbook 14 Flip OLED will also come with an ASUS Pen 2.0 to replicate the natural feeling of having a real-life pen.

The ASUS 2.0 produces the finest lines and the broadest brush strokes on sketches, and it will also be easier and faster to work or present anytime time of the day.

The Zenbook 14 Flip OLED (UP3404) comes in a premium Ponder Blue color, and it will be available with a starting price ofPHP 74,995.00. It will be available with up to an Intel® Core™ i7 processor,16 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of storage.

Incredibly Slim and compact for every creative digital nomad

One of the winning products during the 2023 Red Dot Product design, the new Zenbook Pro 14 OLED (UX6404) is a compact, thin and light creator laptop packed with features a creative professional needs.

This new creator Zenbook boasts the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX™ 4060 GPU with NVIDIA Studio Drivers for content creators, making it a reliable tool for faster rendering, photo or video editing, and a more efficient multitasking experience.

For a seamless and precise editing experience for creative professionals, this new Zenbook Pro has the ASUS DialPad technology customized for Adobe Creative software, now also compatible with other applications. It also features ASUS IceCool Pro thermal technology to ensure the device stays cool and efficient during heavy-duty applications.

As an additional feature, this new Zenbook Pro Creator laptop will have a dedicated MUX Switch to reduce the latency and increase the response time for 3D applications, and perfect for casual gaming on the side.

The Zenbook Pro 14 OLED (UX6404) comes in a premium Tech Black color for PHP 139,995.00. It will be available with an Intel® Core™ i9 processor, 32 GB of RAM, and 1 TB of storage.

Incredibly Slim, powerful, and durable

For an ultimate and powerful laptop experience, these three new Incredibly Slim Zenbook laptops boast an industry-leading 13th Gen Intel® Core™ Processor and Intel® Evo™ Certification. With this Intel technology, users are assured that they will not experience any hiccups at any time of the day.

The 2023 Zenbook series is ultra-durable. For 2023, ASUS doubled the Military Grade Standard testing, which means these new Zenbook series have a longer lifespan as compared to the previous models. It underwent 26 rigorous and ultra-demanding procedures and 12 testing methods to ensure that the device will survive every environmental condition that you face every day.

Lastly, these new Zenbook laptops will have two years of ASUS Global Warranty, as well as an additional ASUS Platinum Protection warranty for one year starting from the date of purchase, making it perfect for users traveling abroad with their new Zenbooks. ASUS also has 69 service centers nationwide if you ever run into any problems with your new Zenbook.

Availability & Pricing in the Philippines

The all-new 2023 Zenbook series will have a starting price of PHP 74,995.00 and will be available through Home Credit with up to 18 months of flexible payment terms with 0% interest in-store for ASUS Fans. Learn more about these Incredible Slim laptops, you may check the official page of Where to buy: ASUS OLED Laptops, or you may follow the official social media pages of ASUS.

ASUS‘s vision goes beyond performance and user experience. The new Zenbook lineup also signifies a leap towards eco-friendly and sustainable technological advancements, truly redefining what it means to be an ultraportable laptop in the 21st century.

May 18, 2023
GCash signs UN Women Empowerment Principles Commitment

Under the agreement, GCash will further encourage and implement initiatives that provide opportunities for present and future tech leaders regardless of gender. Moreover, the agreement further establishes GCash’s long-standing commitment to the UN’s goal to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

As a fintech company that values gender equality, diversity, and inclusion as a strong and integral part of its work culture, GCash’s workforce comprises 46% of women leaders including its CEO which is higher than the industry average of 28%.

This was the highlight of GCash’s GTalks, an event commemorating the UN Women International Girls in ICT Day, which put a spotlight on notable women leaders at the helm of the fintech industry.

The program opened with a talk by UN Women country coordinator Rosalyn “Lenlen” Mesina, and culminated with GCash president and CEO Martha Sazon, signing the company’s commitment to the UN Women Empowerment Principles.

With the theme “Empowering Women in Tech”, GTalks aims to inspire all women to make their mark in fintech by hearing different perspectives from various women leaders in the industry.

The event was graced by personalities from diverse tech businesses, namely Connected Women co-founder Gina Romero, For the Women Foundation co-founder Michelle Alarcon, GCash chief technology operations officer Pebbles Sy, and GCash chief people officer Robert Gonzales. The program was moderated by renowned journalist Karen Davila.

“We at GCash are committed to ensure we uphold diversity, equality, and inclusivity in our everyday culture. We are proud to have created a space where women, or any gender, can thrive, and their success is normal and always celebrated,” Sazon said.

GCash adheres to three UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), namely, Gender Equality (SDG 5), Reduced Inequality (SDG 10), and Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8). These help guide the e-wallet in creating a decent and productive employment that fosters both personal and economic growth while making sure no employee is discriminated against based on age, gender, race, disabilities, marital status, personal beliefs, religion and spiritual practices, political affiliation, gender identification, and sexual orientation.

More than just providing safe and convenient services to Filipinos wherever they may be, GCash remains steadfast in its initiatives to become a leading advocate of safe, diverse, and inclusive work culture in pursuit of its vision of achieving “Finance for all”.

May 6, 2023
PLDT celebrates win as PH’s undisputed fastest internet for 5th straight year

PLDT Inc. (PLDT) has achieved a five-peat win at the Ookla® Speedtest Awards™ 2022 — a first for PLDT, and for the Philippines.

Global benchmarking company Ookla® announced that PLDT, the country’s largest digital services provider, achieved a top speed score of 86.52 in 2022, affirming the telco’s dominance and consistent performance in delivering the country’s fastest Internet speeds for the fifth consecutive year.

To celebrate this momentous achievement, PLDT hosted a star-studded party in Makati City. The event was attended by celebrities, brand ambassadors, content creators, influencers, as well as top executives from PLDT and Ookla®.

Among the celebrities present were Miss Universe Philippines beauty queens Gazini Ganados, Bea Gomez, Maureen Montagne, Billie Hakenson, and Kat Legado; model and entrepreneur Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez; social media personality Eric “Eruption” Tai; actors and PLDT ambassadors Franco Laurel and Jairus Aquino; showbiz personalities Dianne Medina and Roxanne Montealegre; sports host Aiyana Perlas; VJ and host Samm Alvero; content creators Kayla Javier and Andrea Angeles; and gamer and streamer Een Mercado. Talented P-Pop singer FANA wowed guests with an impressive performance, and everyone danced the rest of the night away to a long set of music hits played by DJ Miaow. The event was hosted by Miss Grand International 2016 first runner-up Nicole Cordoves.

Aries’ Photos

PLDT executives, led by President and CEO Alfred S. Panlilio, received the official Fastest Internet 5 Years In A Row award from Ookla Chief Technology Officer Luke Deryckx.

“PLDT’s commitment is to help build and empower the nation by setting the bar high in providing world-class digital services for Filipinos,” said PLDT President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio. “For the past five years, PLDT has made big strides to elevate our customers’ experience by delivering the best fixed network services. We intend to keep this momentum and to go above and beyond in ensuring that our customers get the best digital experience wherever they need it – at home, school, or the office.”

Aries’ Photos

Ookla’s Chief Technology Officer, Luke Deryckx, affirms PLDT’s superior network performance for the past five years. He says, “With over 18 million consumer-initiated tests taken daily and billions of data points gathered, the Ookla data paints a clear picture of the performance, quality, and availability of virtually every network in the world. We are proud to recognize PLDT’s hard work in providing the fastest Internet experience in the Philippines and celebrate their achievements in superior network performance over the last 5 years.”

PLDT’s five-peat win at the Ookla Speedtest Awards is a testament to the company’s commitment to providing Filipinos with the best possible internet experience and supporting the country’s digitalization

For more information about PLDT’s Ookla Speedtest Awards, visit www.pldt.com.

May 6, 2023
Hurry! Up to 50% discount on these HONOR Gadgets this 5.5 Sale

Leading smart devices provider in the Philippines, HONOR, is going all out this 5.5 Sale on Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok including the crowd-favorite HONOR X Series. Up to Php 2,000 worth of discounts are up for grabs with exciting bundles and FREE shipping nationwide.

“Now is the best time to reward yourself as we are throwing away our biggest discount to date. With our wide range of choices for smartphones, laptops, tablets, and accessories, there’s surely an HONOR device for whichever requirement you have,” said Stephen Cheng, HONOR Philippines Vice President.

Treat yourself with hot-selling HONOR gadgets this 5.5 Sale. From HONOR X9a 5G, X7a, X8a, X6, MagicBook X laptops, to HONOR Pad 8, you can get up to Php 1,500 discount when you shop on Shopee and TikTok Shop from May 4 to 7, 2023! And exclusively on Lazada , avail the 20% or up to Php 2,000 off HONOR X7 and X8 from May 5 to 9, 2023.

And until supplies last, you can also get amazing freebies for every purchase of select HONOR gadgets. Receive a FREE Magic Keyboard worth Php 5,990 when you buy an HONOR Pad 8 while you can get a FREE Premium HONOR bag worth Php 2,000 for every purchase of HONOR MagicBook X 14 or MagicBook X 15.

Wait, there’s more! You can also get HONOR Accessories for up to 50% off! HONOR Choice Earbuds will go from Php 1,590 to just Php 795 and HONOR X3 Lite Earbuds will only be at Php 2,000 from its original price of Php 3,990. HONOR Band 6 gets a big slash too, from Php 1,799 to just Php 999 all throughout the 5.5 Sale.

For more information and announcements, you may visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com or social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.

May 3, 2023