Category: Tech

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
Ring in the New Year with exciting Xiaomi upgrades

Welcome the new year with exciting upgrades and unbeatable prices from Xiaomi. Up to 43% off on select smart gadgets and appliances are on tap from January 20 to June 20, 2023 available in authorized Xiaomi stores and its official Shopee and Lazada stores online.

Xiaomi’s AIoT products are known for their high-quality, affordability, and cutting-edge technology. These products are designed with the user in mind, providing a host of features that make life simpler and more efficient.

Following is a list of smart devices with huge price slash from official Xiaomi stores. Find the perfect AIoT product for you.

Xiaomi Band 7

One of the most feature-packed wearables in the budget fitness tracker category, the Mi Band 7 offers all-day heart rate, blood oxygen, and stress tracking and supports 120 types of exercise. It boasts a large 1.62-inch, always-on display, an improved charger design, plus a compact, sleek design that doesn’t draw attention. Normally priced at PHP 2,499, it is available for a low price of only PHP 2,099 during the promo.

Xiaomi Watch S1

One of Xiaomi’s top smartwatches, the Xiaomi Watch S1 features stainless steel casing, a 1.43-inch AMOLED display, long battery life, 117 fitness modes, dual-band GPS, and an all-day comprehensive health monitor. It comes in a black stainless-steel case with black straps as well as a silver variant with brown straps. Regularly available for PHP 10,999, it now comes at a low price of only PHP 7,999.

Xiaomi Watch S1 Active

The Xiaomi Watch S1 Active is highly recommended for fitness fanatics who like extreme sports, as it has the capability to track your workouts and is extremely durable, making it perfect for outdoor activities such as running, cycling, and swimming.

The watch has a 1.43″ AMOLED display, a huge 470mAh battery, and is packed with a heart rate monitor (with blood oxygen sensor), plus an accelerometer, gyroscope, geomagnetic sensor, atmospheric sensor, and ambient light sensor. Normally priced at PHP 8,999, it is now more affordable at only PHP 5,999.

Xiaomi Buds 3

The Xiaomi Buds 3 offers an outstanding design, a comfortable fit, and flagship-level noise cancellation to provide excellent sound quality. The HiFi sound quality takes your listening experience to a whole new level, delivering clear and detailed audio, while the battery life ensures up to 7 hours of playback on a full charge and up to 32 hours when used with a charging case. Usually available for PHP 4,999, it is being offered at a promo price of PHP 2,999.

Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro

The Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro earbuds provide an unbeatable combination of well-balanced audio, strong noise cancellation, and a comfortable design, making it an ideal choice for those who want an immersive listening experience. It comes equipped with a dual-magnet dynamic driver that delivers superior sound quality with a balanced frequency range, plus a powerful noise cancellation technology that blocks out ambient noise and distractions so you can focus on your music or calls. Normally priced at PHP 6,999, this item is now available for PHP 3,999.

Xiaomi Truclean W10 Pro WE

The Truclean W10 Pro Wet Dry Vacuum offers an innovative cleaning experience with its hassle-free roller brush, which vacuums, mops, and cleans the floor in one pass, leaving a sparkling finish. Its vacuum head design is perfect for getting into tight corners and edges, and its cordless design allows for quick, effortless cleaning of any area in your home or office. You can now purchase this item for only PHP 17,999, instead of its regular price of PHP 26,999.

Find out more about Xiaomi’s AIoT products. Head over to their official Xiaomi Facebook page. You can also check out Xiaomi’s official Shopee and Lazada page.

January 23, 2023
Grab Philippines strengthens social-impact agenda toward PH education, launches GrabScholar with BagoSphere and PHINMA Education

Grab Philippines strengthens its GrabForGood social-impact agenda in the education sector with the launch of GrabScholar – a three-pronged scholarship program facilitated with online human-skills school BagoSphere. GrabScholar covers full-time college scholarships in partnership with PHINMA Education, bursary support for educational requirements, and a career acceleration program for aspiring Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) professionals with BagoSphere.

GrabScholar ladders up to Grab’s broader GrabForGood agenda which is geared at creating a positive impact on local communities through Grab’s technology and platform. Grab Philippines has launched other social-impact projects like its basic digital literacy program with Microsoft for driver-partners, and financial literacy program with the International Finance Corporation for small businesses.

Aimed at helping democratize access to educational opportunities here in the Philippines, GrabScholar will be supporting six full-time college students with four-year merit-based scholarships; 300 elementary and high school students with a one-time bursary for school supplies, books, and uniforms; and more than 150 adults with the Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED)-BagoSphere BPO Fellowship Program (BBF). The program is open to everyone, including Grab’s own driver-partners, merchant-partners, and their families.

Country Head of Grab Philippines Grace Vera Cruz shares:

“Many of our kababayans still lack access to necessary resources to attain their educational goals – and in many ways, this has impacted their growth opportunities. As a company that strives to empower every Filipino toward a better life through our platform and technology, we are embarking on this meaningful endeavor, GrabScholar, together with our partners from BagoSphere and PHINMA Education, to offer inclusive educational opportunities to Filipinos who are eager to change their lives for the better.”

GrabScholar: College Scholarship

Grab Philippines and PHINMA Education are accepting applications for the GrabScholar: College scholarship grant until February 03, 2023. After a rigorous assessment process with both Grab and PHINMA Education, six students will be selected and granted a full four-year scholarship at any of the partner PHINMA Education affiliate schools: St. Jude College, Republican College, Rizal College of Laguna, Union College of Laguna, and University of Iloilo. The grant covers tuition fees and miscellaneous fees, and also entitles the grantee to allowance and school supply support.

Country Head of PHINMA Education Philippines Christopher A. Tan shares:

“Throughout the past 18 years, PHINMA Education has catered by intent and design to the underserved youth — students whose families live on less than 300 USD per month, who, despite the odds, are often the first in their families to go to college. While we provide the Hawak Kamay Scholarship Program to around 60% of our students, GrabScholar will empower even more underserved youth to lift their families out of poverty. This school year, we were fortunate enough to gain the trust of more than 124K students. While it is the highest enrollment in our history, our mission does not stop there. This partnership with Grab Philippines and BagoSphere showcases how collaboration among like-minded organizations will allow us to reach more students and make even more lives better through education.”

First-year college students currently enrolled for academic year 2022-2023 are eligible to apply. They must have a GPA of at least 88 or 1.5 in the first semester to qualify. Interested applicants may visit this link for more information on other requirements and qualifications.

GrabScholar: School Expenses Aid

The GrabScholar program is also intended to aid young Filipino students acquire essential items for their schooling. In light of this, Grab Philippines will be providing one-time financial assistance to 300 elementary and high school students for eligible expenses such as school supplies, books and uniforms. Through GrabPay, the leading superapp will be reimbursing the awardees’ eligible expenses which can go as high as Php 2,500.

Grab Philippines is accepting applications for this aid until February 17, 2023. The GrabScholar: School Expenses Aid webpage contains more information on this program.

Grab Philippines strengthens social-impact agenda toward PH education, launches GrabScholar with BagoSphere and PHINMA Education

GrabScholar: BPO Skills Training

Promoting inclusivity, the GrabScholar Program also offers educational opportunities for Filipinos aspiring to be BPO professionals. GrabScholar’s BPO Skills Training offers more than 150 scholarships for the four-month Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED)-BagoSphere BPO Fellowship Program (BBF). It consists of a one-month intensive online training with a live coach and three months of job placement and mentoring support. 80 percent of the program’s graduates land a job in various leading BPOs in the country after finishing the course.

Group CEO of BagoSphere Zhihan Lee shares:

“As we continue to witness the rapid advancements in AI technology, it’s becoming increasingly clear that it will play a transformative role in the way we work. At BagoSphere, we believe that all individuals, across all industries, will greatly benefit from learning how to navigate a digital landscape and build transferable human skills to increase their employability. Additionally, it’s important to note that AI can augment human skills, but it cannot replace them. In partnership with our BPO employer partners, Ateneo Center for Educational Development, PHINMA Education, and Grab Philippines, we are thrilled to invest in upskilling Filipinos and equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in the digital age.”

Applicants must at least be 18 years old and should have at least earned their high school diploma following either the old or K-12 curriculum. Qualified candidates may visit this page for more details on the program. Applications may be submitted until February 17, 2023.

BagoSphere is an online human skills school for job seekers and professionals that collaborates with leading employers to provide training in human skills such as communication skills, interpersonal skills, critical thinking, and digital skills. BagoSphere has over 30,000 members and has graduated over 7,000 alumni from the Philippines’ underserved, low-income communities.

January 23, 2023
Be ‘Hoppy Go Lucky’ this Year of the Rabbit at Power Mac Center

Celebrate the Chinese New Year with the best Apple experience! Apple Premium Reseller Power Mac Center (PMC) marks the beginning of the Year of the Water Rabbit with its “Hoppy Go Lucky” campaign, offering deals on select devices, accessories, repair, services, training, and an exciting raffle.

“As a continuation of our annual celebration of the Chinese New Year, we are ushering in luck and prosperity this Year of the Rabbit with lucky deals and promos for our loyal customers. We especially aim to support those who are looking to make their 2023 more productive and creative. To amp up the celebration, they can take advantage of special promos with up to 70% off so they welcome the new year with their favorite Apple devices,” said Joey Alvarez, Power Mac Center Director of Product Management and Marketing.

From January 18 to 31, Power Mac Center and The Loop stores nationwide, Mobile Care Service Centers, and official online stores (Web Store, Viber Store, The Loop by Power Mac Center on Lazada and Shopee, and SM Malls Online app) are hopping on board with fun promotions.

Manifest luck this year and bring home a double win! Welcome the Year of the Rabbit with savings of up to 70% discount on select RED products in participating stores. iPhone 13 cases, screen protectors, and camera lens protectors from partner premium brands are at up to 30% off when you purchase them with any iPhone 13 device.

It’s definitely ‘everybunny lucky’ when you treat yourselves or your loved ones with exciting deals on select Apple products. PMC slashes P1,500 off on AirPods (2nd gen), up to P7,500 off on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, P5,000 off on iPhone 13 and iPhone 12, and P6,500 off on iPhone 11 all throughout January.

Additionally, iPad (9th gen) is priced at up to P5,500 off the original price, while iPad Air (5th gen) is at up to P5,000 off on select stores from January 18-29.

If you’re looking to take training courses, it truly is your lucky year as they’re at a 20% discount if you enroll until January 31! Now you can learn macOS Fundamentals, Technical Troubleshooting, Apple Device Support, Apple Deployment and Management, iOS/iPadOS Fundamentals and Troubleshooting, Mac and Windows Integration Basics, Pages, Numbers and Keynote, and App Development with Swift. Classes will be facilitated by Apple Certified Trainers from Basecamp — Power Mac Center’s official training arm.

All Mobile Care Service Centers are participating in the fun, too! Get 50% off on diagnostic and software fees on red devices from January 21 to 22.

Power Mac Center has one more special surprise! Three 1 Infinite Access members will win P2,023 1 Infinite Access points, which can be used to pay for purchases (1 point = P1). A single receipt with participating red Apple or non-Apple devices and accessories under the ‘Hoppy Go Lucky’ promo is equivalent to one entry. The raffle runs from January 20 to 31, 2023.

Winners will be announced on February 7, 2023 on Power Mac Center’s official Facebook page.

Not a member yet? Sign up at here; for free to start earning points and enjoy exclusive perks. Terms and conditions apply. To read the full mechanics and other details, visit Hoppy Go Lucky 2023 PMC

Power Mac Center has long been the go-to store for Apple products and other leading accessory brands among Filipinos for more than 20 years. It has been offering the entire Apple ecosystem, including training, education, and services. Just recently, Power Mac Center obtained the distinction of opening the first Apple Premium Partner store in the Philippines at Power Plant Mall in Makati City.

More information is available at powermaccenter.com. Be in the know of the latest updates by following Power Mac Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube

January 23, 2023
Acer Expands Aspire Line with New All-in-One Desktops and Notebooks

Acer today announced refreshed models of its Aspire all-in-ones and laptops, designed to support families’ day-to-day productivity and entertainment needs, while adding a touch of style to the home environment. The sleek Acer Aspire S all-in-one PCs come in both 27-inch and 32-inch models and are equipped with up to the latest 13th Gen Intel^® Core™ processors^[^[i]^] and Windows 11 to empower a seamless computing experience. Providing efficiency and reliability for multi-tasking users working from home, the Aspire 5 Series laptops come with the latest 13th Gen Intel Core processors and NVIDIA^® GeForce RTX^® GPUs, while the lightweight Aspire 3 Series notebooks deliver ready-to-go performance.

Acer Aspire S Series All-in-One PCs

The Acer Aspire S Series all-in-One PCs provide users with a minimalist yet modern workspace to enjoy in the comfort of their own homes. Designed to support families’ everyday computing and entertainment demands, the 32-inch version comes with up to 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13700 desktop processors and Intel^® Arc^™ A-Series Graphics^[1], while the 27-inch model is powered by the latest 12th Gen Intel Core i5 and i7 processors as well as Intel^® Iris^® Xe Graphics^[1], delivering superior multi-tasking performance where it is needed most. The all-in-one also boasts a sleek aluminum chassis, with a carefully designed ergonomic tiltable display to provide comfortable viewing when working or browsing.

Users are also treated to a multi-dimensional, audiovisual experience on the Acer Aspire S all-in-one PCs. The models’ sharp, near-borderless WQHD displays boast crisp, brilliant imagery on a near-borderless screen, while its dual speakers produce exhilarating sound with DTS Surround sound audio. Video calling and content creation are now a breeze with the magnetically mounted 1080p FHD webcam and an optional 1440p QHD webcam^[1] with a ring light accessory to capture users’ best on-screen appearances. Thanks to Acer EyeSense™ facial recognition software and Windows Hello fingerprint reader, users can experience password-free biometric security for easier access to Windows 11 devices, while their personal data continues to be secured. Adding to its bundle of features, the Acer Aspire S all-in-one PCs host a generous number of ports and connectivity options and implement Wi-Fi 6E, while taking advantage of seven additional 160 MHz channels to experience three times faster^[2] connectivity to local networks.

Acer Aspire 5 Laptops

New models in the Acer Aspire 5 line feature powerful 13th Gen Intel Core processors and are paired with up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 GPUs infused with advanced AI technology for ray tracing, making them an ideal choice for users who demand performance and versatility. As a well-rounded home notebook, the Aspire 5 Series also comes with up to 32 GB of DDR4 memory and up to a 1 TB M.2 SSD, providing bloggers, photographers, and students with the essential tools to allow them to get things done and express their passions through a host of applications all at once. All that power lies beneath its aluminum^[3] chassis which is available in multiple stunning colorways.

Users are treated to clear and comfortable viewing with the home laptops’ stunning display as the 15-inch laptop showcases a QHD display and a 16:9 aspect ratio, while the 14-inch version features an FHD display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, and narrow bezels on an eye-catching IPS wide viewing angle. The experience is heightened even further as the laptops are equipped with Acer’s suite of visual technologies for dynamic color optimizations. The Aspire 5 also makes a great choice for streamers and users constantly on video. Its 1080p FHD webcam and digital microphones utilize Acer’s Temporal Noise Reduction (TNR) technology and Acer PurifiedVoice™ for high-quality video feeds and crisp audio output when streaming or making conference calls.

Lastly, the Aspire 5 laptops stay cool inside and out with TwinAir Cooling and an air inlet keyboard for improved thermal capacity and to expel more heat. These also feature a wide range of port options to connect or charge devices, with a full-function USB Type-C with Thunderbolt™ 4 port, Wi-Fi 6E^[4]and HDMI 2.1 for increased functionality when streaming or file sharing.

Acer Aspire 3 Laptops

The Acer Aspire 3 Series are budget-friendly, easy-to-use laptops made for practical multi-tasking functions and catering to all members of the family. The laptops for home are always ready to go with the new Intel^® Core™ i3-N series processors to get more out of work, study, or play. With performance and productivity at its core, the improved thermal systems showcase a 40% increase in fan surface area^[5]and an additional 17% thermal capacity^[6] for optimized airflow and cooler internals, allowing for longer and more efficient usage while unplugged.

The Aspire 3 line was purposefully designed to be lighter and thinner, weighing just 1.6 kg^[7]with a slick 18.9 mm^[7] metal casing available in a range of vibrant colors. Families are treated to sharp, detailed images when browsing the web or streaming movies thanks to its 1080p FHD^[8]display, while Acer’s BlueLightShield™ technology reduces the emission of blue light to help minimize eye strains. All models are also equipped with a USB Type-C port, HDMI 2.1 ports and Wi-Fi 6E^[4], providing increased functionality for the whole family’s connectivity essentials.

Price and Availability

Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To learn more about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office via www.acer.com.

^[1] Specifications may vary depending on the model and region. All models subject to availability.
[²] Information is based on Official release by Intel on What Is Wi-Fi 6E? – Intel. Specifications may vary based on official release
[³] Specifications may vary depending on model and/or region.Wi-Fi 6E-compatible devices are required to reach the stated speeds/benefits of Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax).
[⁴] Wi-Fi 6E-compatible devices are required to reach the stated speeds/benefits of Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
[⁵] Compared with Aspire 3 (A315-58)
[6] The performance is based on Acer Internal lab’s data. Testing conducted by Acer in 2022 using Aspire 3 (A315-58) 15‑inch Aspire 3 systems with AMD CPU, compared with Aspire 3 15 (A315-510P). Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of Aspire 3 (A315- 510P).
[7] Specifications may vary depending on the model and region. All models subject to availability. Actual product appearance may differ from images shown due to photographic variables and conditions. We reserve the right to make changes without prior notice. All specifications are subject to change without prior notice. Please refer to product specification pages for full details.
[8] Specifications may vary depending on the model and region. All models subject to availability.

January 13, 2023

Get More Freebies on the Vivo Y02 and V25 Series When you Buy via their Official Website!

vivo Philippines knows how to kickstart the brand new year 2023 right! Following the price drop announcement on the vivo Y15A, vivo launched new special offers on various smartphones including the vivo Y02 and vivo V25 Series when purchased via vivo’s official website.

With more exclusive freebies, it is definitely the best chance to grab the Slim Yet Powerful vivo Y02 and the Night Portrait Maser vivo V25 Series, at their unbeatable offers before January ends!

Product	Promo SRP	Freebies
vivo Y02	PHP 4,949	SIM CARD and Basic Earphones
vivo V25 Pro	PHP 29,599	SIM CARD, vivo Tumbler, and football TWS
vivo V25	PHP 23,599	SIM CARD, 2n1 Clock Speaker, and BT Neckband
vivo V25e	PHP 17,599	DITO SIM CARD and TWS

The vivo Y02 is a slim, minimalist and modern smartphone armed with everything one needs for your everyday hustle, including a large and powerful battery, smooth and lag-less performance, impressive storage capacity and a reliable camera. It also packs a 5000mAh battery that is able to keep your phone juiced and running the whole day and can even support 10W fast charging so that you can power up your phone in no time. This phone is also packed with a large storage capacity that has a size of 2GB + 32GB, a 6.51-inch Halo FullView display with 1600×720 resolution, and an 8MP Main Camera with Bokeh effect that can assist you with your daily errands.

Meanwhile, one of vivo’s best-selling flagship smartphones vivo V25 Series has three variants – vivo V25 Pro, vivo V25, and vivo V25e, that can match your needs especially if you are into advanced design and high-quality photography. The vivo V25 Series highlights Photochromic 2.0 technology which is a changing colour feature that seamlessly highlights the gradient of the sunset, or the elegance of diamond black. You can explore this feature on vivo V25e and vivo V25e’s Sunrise Gold colorway and vivo V25 Pro’s Surfing Blue colorway. Other than the design, the vivo V25 Series also packs compelling features like 64MP Ultra Sensing Imaging System, 50MP Eye AF Selfie Camera, and Flagship-Level Performance brought by 20GB Dynamic RAM, whopping battery capacity and fast-charging technology.

To learn more about the vivo Y02, V25 Series, and other participating products, check out vivo Philippines’s website: https://www.vivo.com/ph.

January 10, 2023

Start your 2023 savings journey with Maya, the all-in-one digital bank app!
Now is the best time to save your Christmas bonus and kickstart your 2023 ipon goals as Maya continues to give up to a 6% interest rate p.a. on your savings account!

Maya already offers a high-interest rate of 4.5% p.a., with earnings credited daily. It’s easy to boost this to 6% on your first P100,000 for the next 30 days!

All you need is to make your everyday payments with Maya. Simply spend an accumulated amount of PHP 250.00 when completing these transactions until February 28, 2023:
- Pay via Maya QR code, card, or mobile number
- Settle your bills via the Maya app
- Buy load via the Maya app.
By using Maya to pay for your utility bills or your groceries conveniently, you can boost your savings interest to 6% by another 30 days – so you can grow your money faster! Customers can enjoy this offer until February 28, 2023.

“We want our customers to be able to grow their savings even more just by doing everyday transactions. This is part of our mission to make money management as easy and as rewarding as possible,” said Angelo Madrid, Maya Bank President. “On top of offering one of the highest savings interest rates in the market, Maya bundles innovative features and top-notch security so that it becomes the only app you’ll need to efficiently and conveniently manage your money.”

With e-wallet, savings, credit, and crypto capabilities, Maya goes by its promise to be ‘everything and a bank’ for Filipinos. Its latest feature lets you send and receive money via a @username, making transferring funds safer, more personal, and as easy as tagging friends on social media. You can even use GIFs when sending money to friends and family, which is a first in the local fintech app industry.

If you have specific saving goals, Maya’s Personal Goals lets you compartmentalize your savings based on different purposes, be it a dream vacation, emergency funds, or business capital.

The digital banking services in the Maya app are powered by Maya Bank, a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)-licensed digital bank. Deposits up to PHP500,000 are insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation. The top-rated app also enjoys a 99.9% uptime rate – users can expect their transactions to be seamless with less downtime.

Completely free to download and register, the Maya app packs a feature-rich e-wallet, an inclusive digital bank, and everything else you need to save, spend, grow, and manage your money—right from your smartphone. To learn more, visit maya.ph and follow Maya Center on Facebook and @mayaiseverything on Instagram.
December 19, 2022
Power Mac Center opens first ‘Apple Premium Partner’ store in PH

Power Mac Center (PMC) has officially opened the country’s first Apple Premium Partner store on December 16, a new one-stop concept that offers the complete experience—retail, service, and training—all accessible in the selling area.

Located in Power Plant Mall in Makati City, the brand-new PMC Apple Premium Partner store offers 275 square meters of shopping space that carries a comprehensive lineup of Apple products on offer, including iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and accessories including AirPods and AirTag. It also offers a Mobile Care Service Center helmed by expert technicians that can provide repair services and offer product knowledge, as well as dedicated space for product and feature demos conducted by Apple Certified Trainers.

Catering to the needs of small and medium-sized businesses and schools around the area, the PMC Apple Premium Partner store in Power Plant Mall also offers exclusive deals to corporate and education clients.

“The opening of our first Apple Premium Partner store is undoubtedly the culminating highlight of all of the store openings we’ve celebrated this 2022. As we expand our footprint in the different regions, we also always aim to elevate the overall customer experience with our brand. Power Mac Center is truly honored to be one of the first in Southeast Asia to offer this ultra-premium experience,” said Joey Alvarez, PMC Director of Product Management and Marketing.

To celebrate this milestone, PMC is giving customers visiting the concept store from December 16, 2022 onwards huge deals and discounts on their favorite Apple devices, accessories, and services:

●      Participating Mac and iPad accessories are offered at up to 80% off. Store visitors can also switch to iPhone 14 at a discounted price or to an iPhone 11 at P6,500 off. These are available until December 21, 2022 for cash and straight payments.

●      AirPods (2nd gen) is up for grabs at P2,000 off and select iPad (9th gen) at up to P5,500 off. Customers can also save up to P7,000 when they buy a 13-inch MacBook Air M1 chip in 256GB. Don’t miss these deals until December 25, 2022.

●      Customers of the new PMC Apple Premium Partner store in Power Plant Mall can get P2,000 store credits for every purchase of iPhone 12 and iPhone 13. Select Apple TV models are available at up to 30% off until December 31, 2022. These offers are valid for non-installment payment methods.

●      Purchase any of the participating iPad devices and get a free Anker PowerPort III Nano 20W USB-C wall charger. Those who will buy select Mac devices will also score a free PanzerGlass Spray Twice A Day. These are one-day deals available only on December 16.

●      Each purchase of a Speck case for any iPhone 14 device comes with a free Speck Presidio Perfect-Clear Case for iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Promo runs until December 25, 2022.

●      Select premium accessories from Adam Elements, Laut, Moshi, PanzerGlass, Pipetto, and Rivacase are up to 30% off from December 16 to 25, 2022. Customers with a P3,000 minimum purchase of accessories will also receive one free Defunc Go Sport In-Earphones with mic and remote. Terms and conditions apply for all the mentioned promos.

●      Mobile Care by Power Mac Center in PMC Apple Premium Partner Power Plant Mall will also offer 50% off on diagnostic fees and software fees, and 10% off on parts on opening day.

In addition to these offers, the PMC Apple Premium Partner store will also host free workshops open to the public until December 30, 2022. Topics include getting personal with iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, productivity with iPad, switching to Mac, project management with Mac, and portrait photography with iPhone. Conducted by Apple-certified PMC trainers, similar special sessions will be scheduled occasionally at the new store for anyone to join.

To be updated on news and promotions, follow Power Mac Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube.

December 18, 2022
Get covered and protected for as low as 34 pesos with GCash ‘Online Shopping Protect’

Shopping online is always unpredictable – you’ll never be 100% sure if what you’re buying is what you’ll actually get. Product reviews on e-commerce platforms are not always reliable. Even worse, online shopping scams are everywhere. As helpful legit customer testimonials and scam alerts are in this day and age, they do not automatically stop shoppers from transacting with bogus sellers or experiencing online delivery issues.

With Christmas shopping in full swing, GCash’s Online Shopping Protect is your convenient, complete, and affordable shopping partner. In partnership with international insurance company Chubb, GCash fights online shopping scams by seamlessly integrating protection coverage into online purchases from e-commerce platforms like Shopee, Zalora, and Tiktok.

With GCash’s new Online Shopping Protect feature, all your online purchases can be protected with just one subscription per month via a pre-ticked checkbox at your GCash checkout. This will protect you from encountering online shopping mishaps for 60 days upon receipt of purchase.

“Nowadays, shopping online is often met with a sense of uncertainty because of the fear of getting scammed,” GCash Vice President and Head of New Businesses Neil Trinidad said. “As the payment channel partner of the country’s biggest shopping platforms, our responsibility goes beyond successful transactions. We must also ensure that each purchase is safe and protected.”

The Online Shopping Protect feature aims to support online shopping customers in three ways:

Be #AlwaysPROTEKTODO when you #PayWithGCash

Everytime you pay with GCash for your online shopping needs with select merchants, your subscription to GCash’s Online Shopping Protect is automatically ticked at checkout so you get an entire month’s subscription for all your online purchases.

“In developing the feature, convenience was a crucial factor for us. Filipinos are already spending a significant amount of time researching their purchases and going through online reviews, so we opted for an easy and reliable way to keep them protected against online shopping scams,” Trinidad underscored.

Be protected before and after item delivery

GCash’s Online Shopping Protect provides protection coverage of up to Php 10,000 for electronics and up to Php 20,000 for other items purchased online, so it’s perfect for your gifting needs. Customers can get items priced over Php 250, covered by the policy for 60 days after receipt of purchase. Purchases are covered by Online Shopping Protect even after delivery, in case the item gets damaged accidentally or even stolen.

Trinidad shares, “Not only is Online Shopping Protect easy to get, it covers most worries we all have when shopping online. Our insurance partner, Chubb, will be able to cover a myriad of claims on the item— whether it’s incomplete, wrong, defective, undelivered, fake, accidentally damaged, or stolen.”

Spend around one peso a day for peace of mind

Subscribing to Online Shopping Protect will not put a dent in your Christmas bonus. The subscription is offered reasonably at only Php 34 for 30 days, or around one peso per day.

“For only 34 pesos a month or around one peso per day, customers can enjoy protection for as many purchases as they want. We want to make this feature accessible to as many users as possible because Filipinos deserve to be proactively protected against online shopping scams and shipping issues,” Trinidad concluded.

With Online Shopping Protect, be instantly protected against online shopping scams on your next checkout via GCash this Christmas season!

Online Shopping Protect covers most of your purchases, but will not cover the following: items below PHP 250; electronic items and equipment over PHP 10,000; jewelry, precious metals/gemstones, and watches over PHP 5,000; counterfeit or fake goods; concert tickets; monthly-paid subscriptions; perishable goods or products that deteriorate over time due to environment such as perfume, food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products and chemicals; animals, livestock, or living plants; cash, cheques, real estate, stocks, shares, bonds, currencies, or digital assets; vehicles and equipment and/or parts necessary for their operation; firearms, art, antiques, and collectible items; items confiscated or declared illegal by any government, customs, or public body.

December 18, 2022

Category: Tech

Powerful Imaging Specs, a Big Leap Forward

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

Powerful Device for All-Around Performance and Gaming

Authentic New Design, Premium Experience