Category: Tech

#BiggerBetterwithASUS: ASUS reveals a new class of 16-inch laptops

ASUS today announced its new class of 16-inch devices designed for everyday content creation, productivity, and entertainment consumption. The Vivobook Pro 16 OLED (K6602), Vivobook 16X (M1603), and Vivobook 16 (X1605) are feature-packed multiuse laptops that offer stunning displays with larger screen real estate. Perfect for on-the-go use, these new Vivobook laptops are built with a slim and compact form factor with a sleek bezel-less design giving the user a bigger workspace to multitask efficiently anytime and anywhere. Bigger and better this time, the 16-inch Vivobook laptops promise users an enhanced and detailed visuals perfect for content creation, a larger screen size to work on your spreadsheets and school presentations, and an amplified entertainment or gaming experience all in one compact device.

Professional-grade creativity and productivity

Create and multitask like a pro with ASUS Vivobook Pro 16 OLED’s (K6602) world-leading 3.2K 120Hz 16:10 OLED display. Explore the marvel of a 16-inch real estate and see every minute detail of a masterpiece or a spreadsheet. Vivobook Pro 16 OLED’s display is PANTONE Validated, which delivers a superb high-quality visual experience with a cinema-grade 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. It is DisplayHDR True Black 600 certified for ultra-realistic images with a 600-nit peak brightness.

At the core of effortless content creation is performance, and the powerful components in Vivobook Pro 16 OLED make creativity easy and fun for YouTubers, TikTokers, podcasters, vloggers, musicians, artists — in fact, anyone who needs to create. Users requiring a quick boost for a tough task can simply switch to Performance mode to unleash the maximum 90 W TDP from the up to 12^th Generation Intel Core i7-12700H CPU and 16 GB RAM, with no throttling thanks to the dual-fan, triple-vented ASUS IceCool Plus cooling system. The up to 1 TB PCIe SSD provides plenty of ultrafast storage for every project and loads clips or draft ideas in the blink of an eye. The studio-grade of up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU also lets the user’s visual creativity flow as smoothly as ever and can easily handle gaming or entertainment tasks.

Experience audiovisual heaven with the MUX switch in the Vivobook Pro 16 OLED. Creators can enjoy maximum low-latency graphics performance when gaming. Entertainment is also enhanced by immersive, multi-dimensional Dolby Atmos audio via the Harman Kardon-certified speaker system.

Easily connect all the latest peripherals, displays, or projectors. There’s an ultrafast Thunderbolt 4 port that supports fast charging and up to 40 Gbps data transfers; a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port; an HDMI 2.1 port that supports up to a 4K external monitor; an RJ-45 LAN port that provides added flexibility for high-speed wired network connections; and a MicroSD card reader that allows fast and easy data exchange.

To complete every creator’s wish list, ASUS Vivobook Pro 16 OLED comes with a free three-month subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud. For more details about this partnership, check https://ph.asus.click/AdobeCreativeCloud.

Graphika Manila 2023

Witness and experience ASUS’ latest Creator Series in 16-inch displays, including the Vivobook Pro 16 OLED (K6602) along with the innovative Zenbook Pro 16X OLED (UX7602), Vivobook Pro 16X OLED (N7601), and ProArt Studiobook Pro 16 OLED (W7600) at the Graphika Manila 2023 on February 11-12 at SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City. Catch ASUS’ Creator ambassadors Visual Artist and Illustrator Kevin Eric Raymundo (also known as Tarantadong Kalbo), and Visual Storyteller and Wedding Videographer Jason Magbanua as they share their inspiring creative journey with ASUS as their reliable partner device.

Classic Vivobook, next-level features

Explore a fresh new vision with ASUS’ latest Classic Vivobook laptops. The ASUS Vivobook 16X (M1603) and ASUS Vivobook 16 (X1605) feature an LCD wide-view NanoEdge display and have TÜV Rheinland low blue-light certification to ensure eye comfort during lengthy viewing sessions. Ideal for smart practical users, next-level productivity is guaranteed thanks to the large workspace a 16-inch laptop can only offer. Tick off everything on that to-do list quickly, as these Classic Vivobook laptops come with a free lifetime license to Office 2021 Home & Student.

Achieve a next-level performance as these Classic Vivobook laptops come in the latest AMD and Intel processors. Vivobook 16X comes with up to AMD Ryzen 7 5800H Mobile Processor, and Vivobook 16 features an up to 12^th Generation Intel Core i7-1255U CPU. The 8 GB of DDR4 RAM and an ultrafast 512 GB PCIe SSD on both models make every task effortless, whether it’s streaming, browsing, editing, video chatting, or just taking care of business at home. Vivobook 16X has additional RAM slots for future-proofing.

Built in a youth-friendly and compact design, Vivobook 16 features precision-engineered, lay-flat 180° hinges that make it easy to share content with others or fun to collaborate with workmates and classmates around a table. With a full set of I/O ports, connecting existing peripherals, displays, and projectors is a cinch. There’s a USB-C3.2 Gen 1 port, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, a USB 2.0 port, HDMI output, and an audio combo jack.

To ensure maximum performance and keep Vivobook Classic series laptops cool in all situations, the ASUS IceCool cooling system uses upgraded 8 mm and 6 mm dual heat pipes and an IceBlade fan that efficiently accelerates heat transfer.

To safeguard users’ health and reduce the spread of harmful bacteria, frequently touched surfaces on Vivobook Classic series laptops are treated with ASUS Antibacterial Guard, which is scientifically proven[i] to inhibit the growth of bacteria by more than 99% over a 24-hour period.

Availability and Pricing

All the Vivobook 16-inch series come with a free lifetime license to Office 2021 Home & Student and Platinum Protection Warranty. ASUS Vivobook Pro 16 OLED retails at a starting price of PHP 82,995.00, ASUS Vivobook 16X at a starting price of PHP 37,995.00, and ASUS Vivobook 16 at a starting price of PHP 33,995.00. Check out these laptops in ASUS Concept Stores and authorized resellers today. Here is the complete list of where to buy https://ph.asus.click/PRWTB. Users can also score them with up to 18 months of 0% installment via Home Credit.

Eyeing that particular ASUS Creator Series laptop? Score up to PHP7,000 worth of discount on select ASUS Vivobook Pro and Zenbook Pro laptops on the ASUS Official Stores in Shopee and Lazada starting February 10-19, 2023.

February 15, 2023
With fans craved for X9a 5G, HONOR to bring X7a and MagicBook in PH Market on February

After the successful launch of the ultra-tough phone, the global technology brand will be introducing another set of products that are as compact and long-lasting as its predecessor HONOR X9a 5G. On February 22, the brand is excited to launch the HONOR X7a and the first-ever laptop product of HONOR for the year, the HONOR MagicBook X series.

HONOR X7a, an upcoming sibling of HONOR X9a 5G, offers more choices to HONOR fans, bringing advanced technology to satisfy one key consumer pain point: batteries die quickly. HONOR X7a can support up to 42 hours of social media browsing on a full charge. For those who are constantly on the go for their jobs, HONOR X7a supports about 42 hours of phone calling or 29 hours of music streaming.

With industry-level innovative battery technologies, the cell of HONOR X7a comes with a higher energy density and a reduced thickness, contributing to the long battery life and the slim form factor of the device. The battery also demonstrates exceptional longevity, capable of maintaining above 80% health even after three years of use.

“We are really excited to be introducing our new devices in the market, an affordable smartphone with 3 days of battery life and our line of laptops that will complete the HONOR ecosystem. To our HONOR fans, stay tuned on February 22!,” says Stephen Cheng, HONOR VP for Marketing.

Meanwhile, HONOR Philippines will be launching two HONOR MagicBook X series that delivers superb performance and a seamless user experience to take users from work to play – the HONOR MagicBook X 14 and X 15.

The HONOR MagicBook X14 and HONOR MagicBook X15 support multi-screen collaboration allowing users to multi-task between different devices. Users can seamlessly connect their smartphone with the laptop, dragging files across and making edits with one single keyboard. A handy fingerprint reading power button enables instant access when starting up the HONOR MagicBook X 14 and HONOR MagicBook X 15 for a more secure and effortless login experience.

HONOR X7a and HONOR MagicBook X series will be officially launched on February 22, 2023 Catch our launch live on HONOR Philippines’ Facebook Page (HONORX7a and MagicBook X Launch Event). #HONORX9a5G #HONORX7a #HONORMagicBookX

For more information and announcements, you may visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com or social media platforms: Facebook , Instagram and TikTok.

February 14, 2023
Agoda uses ChatGPT to serenade Valentine’s Day hotspots

The Philippine capital joins Tokyo, Bangkok, and Singapore among this year’s most popular Valentine’s Day getaways in Asia, according to Agoda. To pay homage to these and other romantic hotspots in the top 14 searched destinations, Agoda commissioned AI-powered chatbot ChatGPT to compose unique poems.

For the Pearl of the Orient, ChatGPT’s love note reads:

Manila, city of contrasts, where the old and new coexist. A place of beauty and diversity, where the heart of the Philippines persists

Being the hot new thing, recently introduced chatbot ChatGPT already has millions falling in love with its capabilities. When asked by Agoda to channel its inner artificial intelligence-Shakespeare the chatbot composed lines like ‘From Pad Thai to Tom Yum Goong, Bangkok’s food is a taste that lingers on’ (Bangkok, Thailand), ‘With every visit, I’m captured whole, in this gem of India, I find my goal’ (Goa, India), and ‘Mount Fuji in the distance, a sight to behold. Tokyo, a city that never gets old’ (Tokyo, Japan).

Using ChatGPT to compose poetry may be a gimmick, but the artificial intelligence technology powering the chatbot is beyond promising, said Omri Morgenshtern, Chief Executive Officer of Agoda: “We’re all about hassle-free travel at Agoda and a technological leap like this has a lot of potential to further enhance the booking experience on digital travel platforms. We’ll be paying close attention as Agoda is already among the frontrunners exploring how technology can be applied in a practical way to help make travel more accessible to all.”

Lovebirds in the Asia Pacific are opting to spend time together in energetic cosmopolitan cities this Valentine’s Day, with eight of the top ten destinations being city-based trips. Other destinations where Cupid’s arrow meets its target include beach destinations like Bali, Goa, Da Nang, and Dubai. For each destination, Agoda asked ChatGPT to pay tribute in the form of a poem, which has then in some cases been translated by the chatbot to the destination’s local language.

Sweet Serenades for the top 14

1.     Tokyo
‘Mount Fuji in the distance, a sight to behold. Tokyo, a city that never gets old’

2.     Bangkok
‘From Pad Thai to Tom Yum Goong, Bangkok’s food is a taste that lingers on’

3.     Singapore
‘The Gardens by the Bay, a wonderland. A nature’s beauty, so close at hand’

4.     Bali
‘The beaches are a tropical paradise, with waves that gently roll. A place to find true serenity, and leave the world’s woes a whole’

5.     Hong Kong
‘With dragon dances, dimsum delight, it’s a place of endless wonder and might’

6.     Taipei
‘Temples ancient, yet revered with care. A glimpse of Taiwan’s rich cultural flair’

7.     Seoul
‘A place where the past and present cower. A city that’s forever in the hour’

8.     Manila
‘Manila, city of contrasts, where the old and new coexist. A place of beauty and diversity, where the heart of the Philippines persists’

9.     Kuala Lumpur
‘Kuala Lumpur, a city of pride. A destination, always worldwide’

10.   Goa
‘With every visit, I’m captured whole, in this gem of India, I find my goal’

11. Dubai
‘With sun-kissed sands and waters so blue, it’s the perfect place for me and you’

12. Macau
‘From ruins of St. Paul’s to casinos bright, its rich history, on every street in sight’

13. Da Nang
‘Da Nang, city of the sea. Where sun and sand meet endlessly’

14. London

‘We’ll take a stroll through Hyde Park’s green, and create memories that will always be seen’

February 10, 2023

Celebrate Love with vivo’s massive shopping deals and freebies this Valentine season!

The love month is here, and so is the season of showering your loved ones with their well-deserved gifts. But it doesn’t mean that you need to break your bank to give the best presents. vivo Philippines is here to help you stay on the budget with their best Valentine deals and promo. Get a chance to win a flower bouquet, extra freebies, and more!

Walking to the vivo store or ordering through vivo’s website? Wondering where you can score a sulit Valentine’s promo? Check out this list, and you might find the best Valentine deal for you.

Your Valentine gift delivered at your doorstep

No matter how busy you are, there’s always a way to get your Valentine gift without any hassle. vivo is not only providing you access to delivery but bundled with discounts and freebies! The vivo e-store shares their exclusive valentine promo available from February 12-18, 2023.

This special sale is not only limited to vivo smartphones but includes some of the device accessories you need. All smartphone devices come with a free sim card. See the full list of freebies below:

vivo Product	Freebies
Y01, Y15s, Y16 (4GB+64GB)	Premium Tumbler
Y02s	Foomee QA05
V25 Pro	2in1 Clock Speaker
Y02, Y16 (4GB+128GB), Y15A, Y21T, Y22s (4GB+128GB), Y73, Y76 5G, T1x, V25e,V25, X80, Y1s, V21e, V21 5G	Voguard Colorful Earphones

Discounts are also available to Type Cables, vivo Fast Chargers and even TWS air earphones! Get those extra freebies to make sure you don’t miss out! All of these will be available at the vivo e-store in time for the vivo Valentine Season Promo!

Walk out of the vivo store with an exciting gift!

The vivo kiosks and stores’ February calendar is filled with a lot of deals and promos which won’t leave you hanging. See all offerings by date to keep you updated.

Get a chance to win a bouquet of flowers worth Php 3,000 (February 1-10, 2023): With every purchase of any vivo smartphone device, you get one raffle entry for the raffle draw on February 13, 2023. 5 lucky winners will be posted and notified via vivo’s Facebook account.

vivo Valentine’s Exclusive Gift (February 13-14, 2023): The first 15 customers that will buy any vivo products in any participating store and post a selfie on Facebook with the hashtag, #CelebratingValentinesDaywithvivo will get you to grab a vivo baseball cap. Simply present to the store OIC or cashier, and voila! You have your gift!

Buy 2 vivo Accessories and get 20% off on other accessories (February 10-28, 2023): For every single-receipt purchase of at least two (2) vivo accessories and IOT products with a total of Php 400 worth, you may continue shopping your other vivo accessories with 20% discount.

This includes Baseus, Foomee, and Havit earphones, vivo FastCharging adapters and cables, and even speakers and car mounts. Definitely shop til you drop with all your device accessories needs!

vivo’s Play and Win a Prize (February 10-28, 2023): Buy any vivo smartphone worth at least Php 10,000 in any vivo participating stores to play the game and get a chance to win one of the vivo exclusive items: Bluetooth Neckband Earphone, TWS Earphone, or Premium Water Bottle.

The month-long celebration across all vivo stores won’t let you down. As simple as posting a selfie, winning vivo exclusive merch, and having a grand flower bouquet for your loved ones, it’s definitely a deal you wouldn’t want to miss!

All these in-store exclusive deals are redeemable at vivo concept stores, exhibits, and kiosks in Metropoint Pasay, Cash, and Carry, Glorietta, Century Mall, Xentro Mall Sta. Ana, Lucky Chinatown, Waltermart Sucat, SM Muntinlupa, SM Center Pasig, Ayala Feliz, Fishermall QC, SM North Edsa, Trinoma, SM Valenzuela, Ayala Fairview Terraces, and SM Sangandaan.

To know more information and the latest news on vivo Philippines’ promotions, events, and other announcements, visit vivo Philippines’ official Facebook page or website.

February 8, 2023

Keeping children safer online with Google

Most of the world is now online, even children. While access to the internet is beneficial for a child’s growth and development, it is not without risks–bad actors prey on the internet and children may unwittingly access age-inappropriate content.

Google, in its mission to promote digital responsibility and internet safety, has a slew of simple tools and solutions that provide parents an easy way to protect their children online. Here are some of these:

Be Internet Awesome. Google and PLDT Home launched a partnership to teach more kids in the Philippines how to be safer and more responsible online.

Family Link

Family Link is a parental controls app that allows parents to manage their child’s account and data settings. By linking the devices the children are using, parents can set screen timeouts, keep track of their digital activity, help change or reset their passwords if they forget it, guide them towards age-appropriate content, edit their personal information, or even delete their account if they feel it necessary.

Be Internet Awesome

Be Internet Awesome is a program and a portal that teaches children the importance of digital responsibility. Through its interactive games, downloadable modules, and an online show, parents, educators, and kids learn how to be smart, alert, brave, kind, and strong online.

Lessons include sharing responsibly, being kind online, recognizing red flags and scams, securing personal information and privacy, and communicating their online concerns with a trusted adult.

YouTube Kids

As its name suggests, YouTube Kids, is the kid-friendly version of the video sharing platform. It uses a mix of automated filters built by YouTube’s engineering teams, human reviews, and feedback from parents so only age-appropriate content will be available for viewing.

Supervised Experience on YouTube

For families with teens and tweens, YouTube Kids may be too young for their growing minds. This is why YouTube introduced the supervised experience. The feature allows young viewers to watch content from the regular app–YouTube and YouTube Music–but under parental supervision and control.

With a supervised account, parents select a content setting that limits the videos and music children under 13 can find and play. Supervised accounts also change the features they can use, the default account settings, and the ads they see.

Google Play Kids

The Google Play Store is host to millions and millions of apps from around the world and it can be hard to find apps that are not only fun but also educational for growing children. This is why the Play Store introduced the Kids category that presents a curated selection of teacher-approved apps for various age groups.

Here, children can learn a new language, early math skills, and play games that are appropriate for their age.

SafeSearch

SafeSearch is a setting you can toggle on and off using your Google account. It helps you filter explicit content from your Google Search results. Explicit results include sexually explicit content like pornography, violence, and gore.

This is helpful for parents who want to keep their children’s searches safe while allowing them to explore the breadth of content available online.

Go to safety.google to know more on how you can be safer and more secure online.

February 8, 2023
POCO Unveils Milestone X-Series Additions: POCO X5 Pro 5G and POCO X5 5G
POCO, a popular technology brand among the young generation of tech enthusiasts, introduces two new smartphones for entertainment-loving Gen-Z users looking for a new and different phone. Celebrating five years of the POCO, the POCO X5 Pro 5G and POCO X5 5G are important milestone devices for the brand and come packed with new and exciting functions that will delight the world’s techies. The POCO X5 Pro 5G’s stand-out features include upgraded camera functions, faster processing speeds, and an incredible display. Meanwhile, the POCO X5 5G is an incredibly well-rounded smartphone with a superb screen, strong performance, and a long-lasting battery, which sets a new benchmark for mid-range phones.

One after the other, POCO X-series models have won over young technology fans with incredible mobile experiences. Learning deeply about our fans’ preferences for each product, POCO’s X5 series for 2023 is designed and engineered to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of young content consumers and content creators. “Designed for content creators to take things to the next level, we believe the POCO X5 Pro 5G is nothing short of the best smartphone in the $300 segment,” said Angus Ng, Head of Product Marketing at POCO Global. “With a superb screen and performance, the POCO X5 5G also delivers amazing value and the best possible user experience for a smartphone under $200.”

POCO X5 Pro 5G: a winning combination of superb visuals and advanced camera capabilities

In a first for POCO X series smartphones, POCO X5 Pro 5G features an astonishing 6.67″ Flow AMOLED screen. This flexible display technology makes the POCO X5 Pro 5G lighter, and at 7.9mm thin [1], it is the slimmest X series device ever, all the more comfortable to hold when gaming or creating content. Whether making videos, watching movies, scrolling through social media, or gaming, the flagship-level 120Hz refresh rate delivers bright, vibrant, ultra-smooth images. Photos and videos come to life with 100% DCI-P3 and 10-bit color depth, and Dolby Vision makes the viewing experience even better.

Imagined to go with you anywhere, the POCO X5 Pro 5G has 1920Hz PWM dimming to protect eyesight when reading and creating in low light if inspiration strikes late at night. Powerful and responsive POCO X5 Pro 5G’s Snapdragon® 778G 5G chipset with advanced TSMC 6nm has an AnTuTu score of 545,093 [2], which is even higher than the newly released MediaTek Dimensity 1080. The Snapdragon® 778G 5G chipset offers a perfect balance of power efficiency and high performance, allowing the camera processing system even faster than the previous model. All POCO X5 Pro 5G speeds are updated to improve camera performance: for setup (41%), photography (69%), and night mode (38%) . Meanwhile, the image signal processor (ISP) achieves two gigapixels per second, and the chipset makes your camera even smarter with AI performance of up to 12 TOPS.

A flagship-level 108MP sensor unlocks professional-level photography, delivering ultra-high-resolution imagery and capturing minute detail and color, even in dark areas. POCO X5 Pro 5G also supports 4K video shooting and includes various modes that make vlog creation more accessible, splendid and easier to catch every winning moment.

POCO X5 Pro 5G supports more than 5.5 hours of 4K shooting with its 5000mAh battery, an undeniable plus for video creators who are always on the go. Now they can keep streaming or shooting all day and never worry about losing power. And with 67W turbo charging, a simple coffee break is all you need to quickly boost the battery level up to 30% charge in just 7 minutes.

POCO X5 5G: just the right mix of a fantastic experience

Resetting ideas about mid-range smartphones, POCO X5 5G has everything Gen Z users need to power through a day of work, study, or entertainment. Even if you’re taking hundreds of photos, gaming for hours, or watching high-resolution videos, it will keep you covered through the day and night. Super light with a slim 6.67-inch AMOLED DotDisplay, and weighing only 189g, POCO X5 5G always feels comfortable. Gaming fans will appreciate the 120Hz refresh rate and 4,500,000:1 contrast ratio that guarantees a smooth, life-like gaming experience, and DCI-P3 wide color gamut brings images to life for a visual feast.

POCO 5X 5G is equipped with a Snapdragon® 695 chipset that delivers a smooth user experience. It packs a high level of speed and efficiency and excellent download speeds. The devices offer just the right RAM and ROM combination to keep content smooth and enjoyable, with RAM optional up to 8GB and ROM up to 256GB, respectively. As multitasking users switch from one app to another, Dynamic RAM Expansion Technology 3.0 supports more apps running in the background.

Whether switching from work tasks to gaming or watching movies to scrolling on TikTok, POCO X5 5G’s long-lasting 5000mAh battery has you covered. Users can say goodbye to battery anxiety thanks to the fast-charging technology; if you are watching shows on YouTube videos, the X5 5G battery can power for a whopping 21 hours. POCO’s 33W fast charger can bring an empty battery back to 100% charge in about 68 minutes, just enough for you to take a break and grab a meal before resuming your game or catching up with the latest online videos. With a fully charged battery, you can enjoy scrolling and interact on social media for 12 hours.

Product Availability

POCO X5 Pro 5G will come in three colors: Black, Blue, and Yellow. It will also be available in two variants: 6GB+128GB and 8GB+256GB.
- 6GB+128GB: Recommended retail price at PHP16,999 via official e-commerce channels.
- 8GB+256GB: Recommended retail price at PHP18,999 via official e-commerce channels.
POCO X5 Pro 5G will be available for purchase at an early bird price of PHP15,659 and PHP17,659, respectively from February 7 via leading e-commerce platforms. *
- POCO X5 5G will come in three colors: Green, Blue, and Black. It will also be available in two variants: 6GB+128GB and 8GB+256GB.
- 6GB+128GB: Recommended retail price at PHP14,999 via official e-commerce channels.
- 8GB+256GB: Recommended retail price at PHP15,999 via official e-commerce channels.
POCO X5 5G will be available for purchase at an early bird price of PHP12,499 and PHP13,499, respectively from February 7 via leading e-commerce platforms. *

The POCO X5 5G will be exclusively available via its official Shopee store and the POCO X5 5G will be exclusively available via its official Lazada store
For more information and exclusive updates, please visit and follow POCO’s Facebook page. To join the livestream, please register through POCO’s Facebook event page.

***

^Disclaimer

^{[1] Data provided by internal laboratories. Industry measurement methods may vary, and therefore actual results may differ.}

^{[2] Data is based on internal testing of AnTuTu v9.5.3. Actual results may vary.}

^{[3] Data is based on internal testing and compared with the last generation. Actual results may vary.}

^{[4] Data is based on the official website of Qualcomm.}

^{[5] Data is based on internal testing. Actual results may vary.}

^{[6] Data is based on internal testing. Actual results may vary.}

^{[7] Data is based on internal testing. Actual results may vary.}

^{[8] Data is based on internal testing with a new function, which will be updated thru OTA to end-users. Actual results may vary. [9] Data is based on internal testing. Actual results may vary.}
February 7, 2023
realme 10 Pro Series 5G set to launch in PH on Feb. 14

After the immense success of the realme 10 which was launched at the end of 2022, realme, the PH’s no. 1 smartphone brand for seven consecutive quarters (based on IDC’s Q3 2022 sell-in report) is starting the year PROudly with the back-to-back launch of the realme 10 Pro Series 5G which comprises the realme 10 Pro+ 5G and the realme 10 Pro 5G.

“For every generation of the Number Series, realme has brought leap-forward innovation more accessible to its consumers. From the first ever Quad Camera setup to hit the country with the realme 5, to the revolutionizing 65W fast charging with the realme 7 Pro, to the Sony IMX766 sensor backed realme 9 Pro+, we can really see the brand’s commitment to provide at least one key aspect to its Number Series. This time around, realme is focusing on display with the introduction of the 120Hz Large Flagship Tier Displays for its realme 10 Pro Series. We hope that this feature will #DisplayNewVision to our users,” shares Austine Huang, realme Philippines’ VP for Marketing.

Providing Premium Smartphone Experience Without Paying Premium

Flagship-Tier Displays

Display is the key area that realme focused on with the realme 10 Pro Series 5G smartphones. Coming from the success of last year’s camera focused realme 9 Pro Series, this time around the brand is determined to provide flagship-level displays whilst staying within a mid-range price point. The realme 10 Pro+ 5G boasts a 120Hz Curved AMOLED Display that has a 6.7”Curved Display made with 0.65mm Double-Reinforced Glass and a 61° Precision Curvature resulting to ultra thin bezels with the chin being only 2.33mm, the thinnest yet from the number series. It also houses a FHD+ Resolution at 2412×1080, a 100% DCI-P3 Color Gamut with a refresh rate of 120Hz, a touch sampling rate of 360Hz that can top out at 1260Hz when the usage scenario supports it, and a brightness that can peak up to 950 Nits.

The realme 10 Pro 5G on the other hand, has a 120Hz Boundless Display that’s nearly bezel-less with its 6.72” FHD+ LCD and has a screen-to-body ratio of 93.76%. Alongside these features include a refresh rate of 120Hz, a touch sampling rate of 240Hz, support for 6 Levels Refresh Rates and lastly, a 680 Nits brightness level even under direct sunlight. The realme 10 Pro 5G also makes use of Double-Reinforced Glass for added durability. Additionally, both smartphones are awarded with a TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification which means that users are guaranteed reduced blue light emission without the compromise for visual image quality.

Powerful 5G-Capable Processors

The realme 10 Pro Series also utilizes 5G Capable Processors for power efficiency and support the rest of the embedded hardware and software that powers the smartphones. The realme 10 Pro is run by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G Processor while the realme 10 Pro+ 5G comes with a MediaTek Dimensity 920 5G. The 5G capabilities of both smartphones means it can seamlessly keep up with its users’ day-to-day smartphone activities, may it be for productivity, or leisure.

Large Storage and Upgraded UI Alongside Large Battery and Fast Charging

The realme 10 Pro Series 5G will also offer large storage options. Now coming straight out of the box, both phones have an enhanced RAM Expansion Technology and a DRE reaching up to a total of 8GB from the internal storage to act as RAM. The realme 10 Pro+ 5G will be available with the 8GB+128GB and 12GB+256GB storage variants, while the realme 10 Pro 5G with the 8GB+256GB storage option. They will also both have a more enhanced realme UI, based on Android 13, which elevates several features including better stability, power efficiency, as well as security, and more optimal performance.

In terms of battery and charging, the realme 10 Pro Series 5G has a large, industry-standard battery at 5000mAh, with 67W SUPERVOOC Charge for the realme 10 Pro+ 5G and a 33W SUPERVOOC Charge for the realme 10 Pro 5G.

Capable Camera with Trendsetting Product Design

The realme 10 Pro Series 5G is designed with the crowd-favorite 108MP ProLight Camera which makes use of a Samsung HM6 Sensor, for high resolution shots at more than 108 Million Pixels and uses Nonapixel Plus Technology that allows pixel binning for improved image quality even in low-light situations. The realme 10 Pro Series 5G also comes with an enhanced realme UI’s ProLight Imaging Technology with a new feature called HyperShot Imaging Architecture that optimizes the production of images taken in three sectors: faster image processing, providing clarity of photos taken, and night time shots. It also now utilizes Street Photography Mode 3.0 and new camera features such as One Shot, Super Group Portrait and AI Video Tracking which can determine the main subject when taking videos.

Like its predecessors, the realme 10 Pro Series 5G is pushing boundaries when it comes to its product design. Like its predecessor, realme 10, the realme 10 Pro 5G now adapts a boxier build with rounded corners, while the realme 10 Pro+ 5G’s curved display provides for a premium in-hand feel. Both smartphones sport an eye-catching Hyperspace Design for its Hyperspace Gold color variant which is inspired by the scenic visuals of going through hyperspace tunnels. The patterns and light effects on the back of the phone give an illusion or sense of depth to one’s eyes when tilted at an angle. On the other hand, the Dark Matter and Nebula Blue color options ideated from other elements in outer space.

More details about the all new realme 10 Pro Series 5G will be announced during the live stream event on February 14 at 12NN (PHT) via the realme Official Facebook page. Stay tuned to experience the #DisplayNewVision capabilities of the two smartphones. Check out the realme PH Facebook page to get updates on the official live stream launch.

February 7, 2023
Power your Lifestyle with HONOR X9a 5G Through Home Credit

The grind of the new generation of Filipinos has begun. Young professionals, gigsters and hustlers, student dreamers and aspiring content creators look for the best support system in this new era to match the emergence of lifestyle and technology trends.

Boosting every Filipino’s A-game in working hard and playing even harder, Home Credit Philippines (HCPH), the lifestyle partner of every Filipino, teams up with the leading global provider of smart devices HONOR, as it introduces a new and powerful, ultra-tough smartphone that can keep up with every user’s own superhero lifestyle – the HONOR X9a 5G.

This superphone has a lot to offer from its cutting-edge curve design, 5G feature to long-lasting power, with an accessible price that won’t break the bank –further illuminating the power of affordability through Home Credit.

Durability for the toughest workers

HONOR X9a 5G has superhero strength and is ideal for on-site and on-ground workers who are always on the go. It was made with the strongest smartphone screen by the brand yet.This phone was tried and tested by many and undergone live experimental reviews overcoming smashes without a trace of cracks—definitely a phone of steel!

Long-lasting battery for passionate gamers

Users can enjoy endless scrolling through their feeds with HONOR X9a 5G’s massive battery capacity. It is the thinnest and lightest smartphone to feature a battery larger than 5100mAh, which allows it to support up to 2 days of daily use for an interrupted user experience. Users will also never run out of juice as the device equips a fast-charging feature allowing it to fully charge in as fast as 30 minutes and enjoy video streaming of up to 12.5 hours.

Powerful camera for creative creators

Not all superheroes wear capes. Some create awesome content to inspire. HONOR X9a 5G is an all-around smartphone built for professional and aspiring content creators. Play around with various camera angles, different video effects with its powerful Triple Camera system made with 64MP Ultra-clear Main Camera, a 5MP Wide Angle Camera and a 2MP Macro Camera. There’s no limit to inspiring and making your ideas soar. Don’t do it for the likes or for the gram, do it for you!

Absolute performer for OG Hustlers

For breadwinners and budding career go-getters, the everyday hustle at work can pay off by choosing a powerful phone that’s equally functional and entertaining.

Conquer life’s challenging moments and get the tasks done with the smooth mobile experience of the HONOR X9a 5G. Its HONOR RAM Turbo technology has super memory capabilities that can stand and perform to the max. With its OLED Curved Display’, fans can indulge in their favorite binge-worthy series in crisp detail and vibrant colors. Let the HONOR X9a 5G make you limitless and unstoppable any time of the day!

Get that power in your hands! Run to any HONOR kiosk near you and avail the all-new HONOR X9a 5G via Home Credit for as low as Php 765 per month with insurance and Php 661 without insurance at 0% interest monthly installments. Customers can also visit Home Credit Marketplace on the My Home Credit app to apply and get pre-approved to get their own HONOR X9a 5G.

Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). To learn more about the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, visit its official website www.homecredit.ph. You may also follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. Customers are encouraged to download the My Home Credit app on Google Play to know more about the latest promos and see what is new in the Marketplace.

February 2, 2023
vivo Launches X90 Series Flagship Smartphones Internationally

vivo announced the global launch of X90 and X90 Pro, the company’s latest X90 series flagship smartphones. The series delivers a whole new set of advanced camera features and all-around performance upgrades powered by a state-of-the-art dual flagship chip technology featuring vivo’s exclusive V2 chip, in addition to the company’s continuous collaboration with ZEISS in terms of imaging and camera system innovation, including optics, anti-reflective coating, software, and system integrations.

“The new X90 series combines our in-house innovation with some of the industry’s leading imaging technologies to bring consumers a smartphone lineup equipped to tackle some of the most challenging scenarios, such as night photography and videography,” said Spark Ni, Senior Vice President and CMO of vivo. “I’m proud of our progress towards making the flagship X series the industry’s go-to flagship line for all-around superb performance.”

Powerful Imaging Specs, a Big Leap Forward

Honed over the course of more than two years, this generation of the vivo ZEISS co-engineered imaging system brings forward a blend of hardware upgrades and software breakthroughs to offer an unparalleled experience. It boasts improved light sensitivity, aperture, natural color processing, and stabilization for an easy and intuitive point-and-shoot camera experience. X90 and X90 Pro feature triple rear camera systems, each with certified compliance with ZEISS T* Coating.

X90 Pro pushes the limits of smartphone imaging with a 50MP ZEISS 1-inch Main Camera, 50MP Portrait Camera with a Large Sensor, and a 12MP Wide-Angle Camera. The main camera on X90 Pro uses a 1-inch IMX989 sensor, the industry’s largest to date. Compared with other models with a 1-inch sensor, the f/1.75 large aperture and 3.2 μm large pixel (4-in-1) size of X90 Pro increase the light intake per pixel, allowing for brighter, purer night images. Compared to the GNV sensor used in the previous X generation, the new IMX989 sensor’s photosensitive area has increased by 77%, with its light intake capacity going up by 43%.

The 50MP Portrait Camera features an ultra-sensing portrait lens, with an IMX758 sensor that helps to achieve an aperture of f/1.6. With the support of the stabilization system, an exclusive large-aperture lens, and 4-in-1 sensor technology, it delivers subtly detailed portraits, even in low light.

X90 Pro introduces independent optical image stabilization (OIS) technology, developed by vivo, allowing for more intelligent and precise stabilization correction compared to standard OIS. It also supports Active Centering OIS System, significantly reducing smears between frames and motion blur.

X90 boasts a 50MP VCS True Color Main Camera, a 12MP Professional Portrait Camera, and a 12MP Wide-Angle Camera. The VCS True Color Main Camera optimizes the sensor spectrum to achieve the target RGB colors better, improving native image colors, ensuring color consistency, and lowering the noise level.

Pro-level Camera Features to Capture Life’s Moments, Day or Night

The upgraded sensors, vivo’s exclusive V2 imaging chip, the in-house developed AI algorithms, and ZEISS Optics with T* Coating work together to further enhance the capability of night photography and astrophotography, making the new X90 series the perfect stargazing companion. New tools for unique and professional-grade content creation are also introduced.

4K Ultra-Sensing Night Video is now made effortless with vivo’s Super Night Video 3.0 algorithm, supporting exceptional photosensitivity in extremely dark environments. What’s more, the V2 chip ensures clarity even at high ISO settings with its noise reduction algorithm.

X90 Pro comes with an overhauled Handheld Astro mode to capture the starry sky with greater clarity without the need of a tripod in a matter of seconds. This feature is supported by the device’s enhanced light sensitivity, upgraded stabilization technology and a new AI PD Extreme Night focus technology, that improves focus accuracy. Furthermore, taking landscape moon photos is made possible with the Super Moon mode, available on both X90 and X90 Pro, which combines the hardware upgrades and the new Super Night 3.0 algorithm. At blue hour, the period right after the sun sets, vivo’s sky-segmentation technology optimizes blue-tone colors while its Double Exposure algorithm integrates the landscape and the moon into one stunning image.

AI Night View tackles the challenge of getting the tone just right in night photos. Powered by AI network learning, AI Night View can shoot up to 10 frames in RAW while maintaining a high dynamic range. It recognizes elements such as the sky and human faces in night scenes and carries out segmentation to fine-tune the tone and color of each segment. It processes HDR tones with a color depth of up to 22 bits for more subtle color transitions.

ZEISS Natural Color 2.0 in the new X90 series has been further calibrated to present colors with more authenticity and accuracy, bringing captured images closer to what is seen with the naked eye.

For the first time, a new ZEISS Natural Color Display is now added to screen color style settings, to ensure the captured colors are not affected by the display. Now every individual display of vivo X90 and X90 Pro gets calibrated to guarantee that the color rendition of the display is close to perfect.

Another powerful creation feature is the Zero-Shutter-Lag Motion Snapshot, which makes capturing motion easier than ever before. The zero-second delay means what you see is what you get in key moments, even in low light. In Sports mode and Night Sports mode, the combination of the high-speed shutter and motion detection algorithm can instantly freeze frames, keeping any fast-moving subject clear.

The series also brings new creative effects jointly developed by vivo and ZEISS. The new ZEISS Cine-flare Portrait style simulates the flare effect seen in many classic films. Users can also capture unique miniature landscapes using the ZEISS Miniature Effect. This effect only keeps a small part of a landscape image sharp to generate the illusion of a miniature scene with no post-editing needed.

Powerful Device for All-Around Performance and Gaming

X90 and X90 Pro are equipped for high performance, featuring powerful processing capabilities, a large battery, fast charging technology, and a stunning display, ideal for work or gaming. The dual-chip setup of the new X90 series includes MediaTek Dimensity 9200 and vivo V2 Chip. With Dimensity 9200, X90 Pro and X90 have ultrahigh AnTuTu Benchmark scores of 1.26 million and 1.22 million, respectively, representing a massive leap in performance. X90 and X90 Pro come with LPDDR5X (X90 Pro)/ Enhanced LPDDR5 (X90), Extended RAM 3.0, which adds up to 8 GB of extended memory, as well as UFS 4.0 + MCQ and UFS Deep Defragmentation, offering smooth processing and supporting more active apps.

The new X90 series supports 120W Dual-Cell FlashCharge which, combined with an equivalent 4870 mAh (X90 Pro)/ 4810 mAh (X90) large battery, improves both the charging speed and the battery life. X90 Pro also supports 50W Wireless FlashCharge.

The new X90 series offers two charging modes: fast charging mode and balanced mode. In fast charging mode, X90 Pro can be charged to 50% in 8 minutes and 10 seconds while X90 can be charged to 50% in only 8 minutes. The balanced mode is ideal for everyday charging, taking only 29 minutes for both X90 and X90 Pro to get the battery charged to 100%.^[1] Moreover, the devices have 24-Dimension Security Protection and TÜV Rheinland Safe Fast-Charge System Certification for guaranteed charging safety.

X90 Pro has an Ultra Large Vapor Chamber Liquid Cooling System made with a 24-layer cooling structure and the largest vapor chamber among X Pro models covering an area of 4,002 mm², for more efficient heat dissipation and insulation. Additionally, an innovative frame design reduces the heat transfer from the CPU to the frame, thus allowing for the key areas where the users’ hands touch the phone when held horizontally to remain up to 2℃ cooler in heavy-load scenarios.

X90 and X90 Pro have a 6.78-inch Ultra Vision Eye Protection Screen, bringing cinema-like display effects and professional-grade eye protection. The 3D curved screen features a larger viewing area, 1.07 billion colors and a 100% DCI-P3 wide color gamut, delivering rich and natural colors. To top it all off, the display boasts HDR10+ and SGS low blue light, low motion blur, low flicker, AI low blue light certifications, as well as a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, ideal for gaming. The X90 series smartphones offer chip-level Smart Eye Protection Mode, developed by vivo and MediaTek to intelligently monitor and control the proportion of blue light in real time while balancing the colors for added eye care. The display is made of a new Q9 luminescent material, which also effectively reduces blue light. High-frequency Pulse-width modulation (PWM) at a high frequency of up to 2,160Hz is used to reduce screen flickering, while 16,000-level smooth dimming helps adjust the screen brightness based on the light conditions, ensuring eye comfort.

The X90 series smartphones also boast a Dual Stereo Speaker and an X-Axis Linear Motor for a more immersive audiovisual experience and rich tactile feedback for top-notch mobile gaming. In X90 Pro, a SpeakerBoost 4.0 algorithm expands the sound field and extends low-frequency range for a more immersive experience, while the X-Axis Linear Motor provides vibration feedback for over 200 different scenarios. 4D Game Vibration is also supported.

Authentic New Design, Premium Experience

The new X90 series comes with a bold new design inspired by the Fibonacci spiral to deliver a balanced and unique look. A horizontal band, or a Skyline, is introduced on the back cover to divide the functional zones clearly. The sectional design balances the visual focus, making the camera module look less protruding.

Drawing on the design of professional cameras, the new X90 series integrates the three rear cameras into one “Big Eye” to create an integrated overall look, representing the powerful camera system inside. Coated with Corning’s Gorilla Glass and ultra-hard, anti-reflective coating on the surface, the overall hardness of the glass lens reaches 6 on the Mohs scale. It is tougher and resistant to drops and scratches and has higher light transmission. In addition, the Big Eye is enclosed within a decorative surgical-grade, stainless steel Halo Ring for lens protection.

X90 Pro comes in a timeless Legend Black color. The back is covered with luxurious pebbled vegan leather, which is environmentally friendly, stain-resistant, and durable. X90 Pro has a rating of IP68^[2] for water and dust resistance. X90 comes in Breeze Blue and Asteroid Black, both featuring an exquisite fluorite AG glass back, which is smooth to the touch, and keeps fingerprints and dirt away.

January 31, 2023
GCash, Grab Philippines join forces for more convenient direct cashless payment option

Paying for your ride and food orders will soon be easier and hassle-free as the country’s leading mobile wallet GCash partners with Grab Philippines, the country’s leader in transportation and deliveries.

The landmark partnership will give Grab users access to the easiest, most convenient, and secure cashless transactions when they add GCash as a direct payment method on the Grab app. GCash will be officially available as a mode of payment on the Grab platform by February.

Through this partnership, users can simply choose GCash as their payment method, and pay cashless for GrabCar, GrabFood, GrabMart, GrabExpress and other Grab services with just a few taps on their smartphones. Moreover, this partnership enables users to avoid transfer fees which go as high as Php 50.

“With this partnership, we once again realize our commitment to make the lives of Filipinos better each day by delivering a more convenient, secure, and cost-efficient way to pay for their rides and food and grocery deliveries. We look forward to this partnership and we will continuously innovate and build more partnerships that will improve the lives of the Filipinos”, said GCash president and CEO Martha Sazon.

To make their cashless transactions more convenient and rewarding, customers of Grab also get to avail of GCash exclusive deals, and get special treats when they pay for their transactions using GCash.

Country Head of Grab Philippines Grace Vera Cruz shared, “Grab Philippines is dedicated to empowering our stakeholders in a digital-first economy, and key to this is driving a deeper and wider cashless adoption in the country. With more Filipinos transacting via cashless means, we are accelerating our prospects of digital transformation. We look forward to collaborating with like-minded partners such as GCash on this agenda, and we are optimistic that through this partnership, we can improve the lives and livelihoods of many of our kababayans, while building a cashless, digital-first economy for all Filipinos.”

Grab is Southeast Asia’s leading superapp for ride hailing, food delivery, and on-demand grocery delivery. It touts strong foothold in markets like the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Prior to this development, GCash and Grab have already established a strategic collaboration. Their initial partnership has provided Filipinos safe, seamless, and secure digital experience by allowing users to transfer money from their GCash wallet to their GrabPay wallet, and vice-versa.

Building on GCash and Grab’s shared mission of addressing Filipinos’ daily needs, this partnership also helps in creating a more cash-lite and digitally driven economy.

January 28, 2023