Category: Tech

Google celebrates how tech is making a difference for the LGBTQ+ community

In the third edition of the annual Pride Conversations event, Google powered a live social media discussion on how tech is making a difference in the lives of the LGBTQ+ community by celebrating their inspiring stories, promoting allyship, and building safe spaces.

Tech as a catalyst for cultural change

Among the panelists is Cebuana trans pinay beauty queen and model Maki Gingoyon, co-founder of MyTransgenderDate.com, a dating site for transgender women. According to Maki, creating a safe dating space for trans women is what inspired her to bring the dating site to life.

(L-R, from first row) Google’s Jolly Estaris, First Circle’s Cristina del Rosario, PageUp’s Mark Lacsamana, Ticket2Me’s Darwin Mariano, MyTransgenderDate.com’s Maki Gingoyon, XSplit’s Samantha Rose Cruz, and Miss Trans Global 2020 Mela Habijan gather and share inspiring stories for the third installment of Google’s Pride Conversations.

“Trans women venture on online dating sites hoping to find a partner who could accept us for who we are, who could love us for who we are. However, the sad reality of transgender dating sites back then was very, very discouraging–transwomen were presented as merely sexual objects,” she said.

Maki also believes that through this platform, she and her co-founder can stop the stigma on transgender relationships and promote accepting love in all its forms.

In the same light, telling stories with hopeful endings is what Darwin Mariano brings to the table as a producer and founder of ticket solutions platform Ticket2Me. Together with director Jade Castro and writer Danice Mae Sison, they created the popular Boys Love series, Boys Lockdown(2020), a story about two boys who connect while living under strict lockdowns due to the pandemic.

“Many of the LGBTQ+ stories told during my time were dark–they died of AIDS, heartbroken, or abused. That’s why we created Boys Lockdown–we want to make stories where young [LGBTQ+] people can see that they can have their own kilig love stories,” Darwin said.

Darwin also saw how platforms like YouTube are invaluable in telling those stories to the world.

“As producers, we really want to tell these stories but the challenge is monetizing and supporting these content with a business model that keeps you producing. This is where a platform like Google’s YouTube is important–it allows us to extend the life of the content when we upload it to our YouTube channel,” he added.

Building safe spaces in tech

There may be safe spaces in tech but the reality is that it took–and takes–a lot of effort to get there.

For Jolly Estaris, Video and Media Sales Lead at Google Philippines, creating safe spaces within their companies is important to give more visibility to the LGBTQ+ community in tech–this is why in 2018 he set up a group called Pride@Tech that includes Pride members & allies from the local tech community. He is also proud of how Google celebrates LGBTQ+ at the workplace through its long-term programs, policies, and benefits.

“Within Google, there are a number of helpful resources and SOGIE101 training that help educate Googlers about the LGBTQ+ community and allyship,” shared Jolly. “We are also empowered to set our preferred pronouns in our work profiles which is important to foster respect among each other. Small things like that really help in creating a more inclusive work environment.”

Similarly, Samantha Rose Cruz agrees that It’s in simple things like respecting one’s preferred pronouns and gender identity that we can move towards LGBTQ+ equality, and this is something that she is working on as a product designer for live streaming platform XSplit.

“Being part of the community has helped me develop empathy and see my work through other people’s eyes and address the diverse needs of our users and build a product for everyone,” she said.

Some of the ways she is doing that is by designing forms that do away with referring to other gender orientations as “others”. Instead, she consciously puts a text box where people can write their gender identity.

Being people who have often been discriminated against, this has led the community to be more emphatic and understanding not only in addressing the needs of their members but also people from all walks of life.

“For the LGBTQ+ people who are working in tech, we are actually the ones sitting there and understanding what can be dangerous for people because that’s the reality we have to face: which of the things we make can create great things and which ones can cause harm. We’re searchlights, we can see in the dark, that’s our superpower,” Mark Lacsamana, UI Design Lead at PageUp, an enterprise talent management platform.

The same is true for Cristina del Rosario, Head of Design at the fintech company First Circle, who ensures that all of her designs are universal and usable for other communities often overlooked in tech and design.

“How can I design a product that works wonderfully? For everybody, including people who might be colorblind or people with low literacy or people who have never used a smartphone before? And so being part of the LGBTQ+ community, helps me understand other communities and pushes me to design better products,” she explained.

Miss Mela Habijan, the first ever Miss Trans Global 2020 and now a beacon of light for LGBTQ+, also shared how tech has helped find her space and voice when the world once told her that she is “not enough” just because she was born biologically male.

“Sabi ng mundo, kapag LGBTQIA+ ka, wala kang karapatan mangarap. Kaya akala ko, wala akong puwang sa mundo para lumago, maging buo, lalong higit maging ako. Little did I know, I would meet three fairy godmothers along the way: social media, digital world, and tech,” shared Mela.

“Ninang tech became my space of freedom and empowerment, while Ninang digital world was an open-minded platform which did not judge me as different. Instead, Ninang digital world saw my being trans and my being LGBTQIA+ as a leverage of potential. And finally, Ninang social media–she is a democratic arena that allowed me to seize opportunities for me to believe in myself: that I can be my best, that I can be talented.”

To know more about their stories, watch the full live stream of the event on Google Philippines’ YouTube and Facebook pages.

June 23, 2022
Score up to P12,000 Off on iPhone 13 & Enjoy More Deals at Power Mac Center This Father’s Day

Buying gifts for mom can be a bit tricky, but we’re sure you’ll agree that picking gifts for dad is an unmatched kind of difficulty. Father’s Day is just around the corner and we are sure you are still struggling with what to get him. We know this, he basically claims to want nothing when asked.

Power Mac Center’s Don’t Skip Dad’s Day campaign offers the most exciting deals specially made for our loving fathers. We have rounded up the best tech gifts that he will surely use. Side note, all of these practical finds come with a discount!

So whether you’re looking for a gift for your all-around dad, your hardworking father who deserves a break, or your dad on the go who loves adventures, we have just the right gift idea for you!

For the all-around dad

All-around dads deserve all-around gifts! Present and active in all respects of work, house, and fatherly duties, surely your multifaceted dad is an incredibly dependable person. On his special day, what he needs is an equally reliable device that he can count on whenever he performs his tasks.

Get your hands on these Apple products with up to a big discount! Power Mac Center offers up to P12,000 off on iPhone 13 and up to P8,490 off on iPad Pro M1. These exciting gifts that reflect how much you support all his ventures will definitely surprise him on Father’s Day.

Wait, there’s more! You can also enjoy up to P3,000 off on AirPods Pro and up to P1,500 discount on select Apple Watch series.

These promos are available in Power Mac Center and The Loop stores nationwide, Web Store, Viber Store, and The Loop by Power Mac Center official stores on Lazada and Shopee.

For the hardworking dad

Dads are like superheroes we can always count on to protect the family. On his special day, why not return the favor even with just a simple gesture? Give him the essential accessories so his day-to-day devices are protected, too. With a strong focus on his work, a perfectly functioning charging cord and an undamaged iPhone case are not at the top of his priority list. Nothing screams thoughtfulness more than recognizing the little things and understanding his needs.

Power Mac Center gives you up to 95% discount on accessories like cases, charging cables, connectors, storage, audio, and car accessories. And if you’re feeling a little extra, get the rest of the family too to purchase gifts for dad to get free shipping when you purchase a minimum of P2,500 worth of accessories on Power Mac Center online stores from June 15 to June 19, 2022.

These offers are available at Power Mac Center and The Loop stores nationwide, Web Store, and The Loop by Power Mac Center official stores on Lazada and Shopee.

For the dad-on-the-go

Still confused about what to get your gym buff dad? If he doesn’t skip leg day, then you definitely shouldn’t skip dad’s day. You can allow him to try new Saddle Row classes for a change. It can be the next fun activity he can enjoy with you or your mom. Plus, with its health and fitness benefits, it will be well worth it, too!

In collaboration with Saddle Row, Power Mac Center gives you the exclusive opportunity to try out the best fitness classes, like indoor cycling and indoor rowing. Purchase a minimum of P30,000 worth of items at Power Mac Center and The Loop stores to be one of the five lucky winners of a whopping P10,000 gift certificate from Saddle Row, where your dad can engage in a holistic level of fitness that will benefit his health and mental well-being.

Launched in 2015, Saddle Row is a boutique fitness concept creating tailor-fit indoor workouts for cycling and rowing. If you’re looking for a safe and smart fitness experience in the shortest possible time for your dad, let him try Saddle Row’s indoor workout programs.

Take advantage of the week-long promos of generous discounts from June 14, 2022 (Tuesday) to June 19, 2022 (Sunday). Sale activities are available at all Power Mac Center and The Loop stores nationwide, web store, Viber store, and Power Mac Center official Lazada and Shopee stores.For more information on the amazing deals, click here and follow Power Mac Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Subscribe to the PMC Viber community for any inquiries or to learn the updates about the latest Apple offerings.

June 16, 2022
Lazada Talks: Driving Growth, emerging trends in eCommerce

In the 2^nd edition of Lazada Talks, a quarterly business program that aims to establish trust and build thought leadership in the eCommerce industry, Lazada Philippines Deputy CEO Carlos Barrera shared the growth and goals of Southeast Asia’s pioneer eCommerce platform. Moderated by Issa Litton, other purveyors of the digital economy: Synagie Philippines General Manager Lester Cuneta and Digits Trading, Inc. Assistant Vice President Howard Paw also joined Carlos in the roundtable discussion.

“We’re still evolving,” Barrera said. “What seemed very disruptive and very innovative 10 years ago just doesn’t cut it today, so we need to have a growth mindset and we are constantly improving.”

Blazing the trail in eCommerce in the last decade

Introducing innovations and driving transformations is nothing new for Lazada. As the pioneering eCommerce ecosystem in Southeast Asia celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year, the brand has always remained steadfast in its pursuit of constant end-to-end improvements.

Lazada continues to develop new strategies and tools on a regular basis, according to Barrera. Of the countless innovations the brand has created over the past decade, Barrera named a few game-changers in particular. This includes the development of a marketplace model that connects sellers and customers, as well as the launch of the LazMall platform, guaranteeing 100% authentic items from more than 10,000 local and international brands.

Barrera also highlighted innovations around logistics, having have had to build an efficient and effective network from scratch. Today, Lazada Philippines has sorting centers that automatically dispatch tons of items every day around the country. The brand has likewise launched a Same-Day Delivery service that promises to hand orders to customers within 24 hours.

Payment is another facet where Lazada continues to drive growth. The brand introduced cash-on-delivery payment terms that democratized customer access to eCommerce.

“There are so many changes around different areas, but always with one core thing in mind: that sellers and brands are always the biggest priority,” Barrera said. “We want to give them the best resources so they can grow their business online and have a seamless online experience.”

Empowering entrepreneurs to succeed

Barrera views Lazada’s functions as tantamount to nation-building, being a group with a core vision of building businesses. Opening up the platform to microentrepreneurs, he said, revolutionized eCommerce.

Featured in a segment on Lazada Talks was Kyla Canete, the young founder of accessories brand Tala by Kyla. She shared how Lazada helped her business grow, from providing important data to streamlining order placements and deliveries.

Supporting sellers to succeed while ensuring consumers are always satisfied are hard-earned results of Lazada’s dedication to staying ahead of the curve. Barrera said the work continues by adapting to new sets of emerging trends in eCommerce.

Shoppertainment and the next evolution

One of the biggest movements sweeping the digital economy is Shoppertainment, or the blend of experiential shopping and entertainment that redefines the eCommerce consumer shopping experience.

Barrera said Lazada has been working extensively on its Shoppertainment strategy. This includes mounting new live streams with social sellers, optimizing promotions, and updating the app interface to make it easier for sellers to engage with customers.

According to Howard Paw of Digits Trading, Inc., a lifestyle product distributor with brands like Digital Walker available on Lazada, Shoppertainment has taken over physical retail in past years. He said it is imperative now to set up demo units out of glass cages to allow customers to interact with the products.

“With the climate right now, it’s not enough that the product is available,” Paw said. “The customer has to be entertained. The customer has to be interested to look at your store.”

Meanwhile, Lester Cuneta of Synagie Philippines, an eCommerce enablement partner company that works with Lazada, relates the rise of Shoppertainment to the growth of customers who, today, “are smarter than ever.”

“They are more involved and they tend to demand more information from brands and sellers,” Cuneta said. “They gravitate toward brands where they can relate to, both in terms of brand narrative and brand values.”

As the market matures and grows more discerning, Barrera also expects customers to have higher demand in terms of refunds and returns, quality of items and convenience. He quickly adds that Lazada is ready to deliver.

“We use a lot of the buyer insights, a lot of trend recommendations to build strategies around trust,” he said. “We’ve been developing our Lazada warranty program, making it easier to position a store in Lazada, and we also improved Lazada University, where we train everyone and explain to them how to run an online business.”

With regards to the future of the digital economy, all three agreed that eCommerce is here to stay and will only continue to evolve.

Paw and Cuneta expect online shopping to develop a more symbiotic relationship with the physical retail experience. They said the focus now turns to creating a seamless ecosystem online and offline, and combining both spaces into one.

“ECommerce will continue to be a necessity moving forward,” Barrera said, adding he expects the platform to grow more social and customers to embrace the convenience it provides. “We believe that together with our improvements in logistics and payments improvements, plus some of the artificial intelligence or more virtual reality adjustments to amplify these areas, people will continue to invest more into and purchase more often through eCommerce.”

To know more about the milestones and trends covered in the discussion, watch Lazada Talks: ‘Emerging Opportunities for eCommerce’ in full on Facebook and Youtube.

June 10, 2022
Five Steam Games Releasing in 2022 that You Don’t Want to Miss
Have you ever been so excited to pick up a game, only to find out that everyone else has finished it and moved on to the next big thing? With so many games to play these days, you might end up missing outon some of the best releases.

Good thing we’ve rounded up the best Steam titles for you. And with convenient payment options onSteam, you’ll never miss out on getting ahead of the game, literally.

If you’ve always wanted to join the Steam hype but have never had a way to top-up your Steam wallet, you can now get the newest Steam games with GCash. More people can now be part of the gaming community without the need for credit or debit cards. Now that both new and old users have a new way to pay there is nothing stopping all gamers from getting their hands on the best games of the year.

Make sure to watch out for the release of these highly anticipated games:
1. DNF Duel – June 28
Prove to your friends that you’re the best fighter on DNF Duel. Take control of your choice of character from the Dungeon Fighter Online franchise and challenge your friends to intense 1v1 matches. Test your skills against the world or against your friends to see how you fare against other players. Fight your way to the top one duel at a time this June 28.

Watch out for the DNF Duel page on Steam when it goes live on release day.
1. Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak – June 30
Get ready to challenge fantastical beasts in the new expansion of Monster Hunter Rise. Monster Huner Rise: Sunbreak will take players to a new region to test their combat skills against even greater monsters. Go on an adventure around the land of Elgado and find out what challenges the monsters have to offer come June 30.

Hop right into the world of Elgado when you pre-purchase Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak on Steam.
1. Forspoken – October 12
Ever wonder what it would be like to be transported to a mysterious fantasy world and be granted immense magical power? Come October 12, your wish can be granted. Forspoken is an open-world RPG following Frey Holland as she is suddenly sent to a mysterious world. Now granted magical powers, courtesy of talking rings called “Cuff,” she sets out to explore the world she was transported to and the evil within it.

Forspoken is available for pre-purchase on Steam.
1. Gotham Knights – October 25
In a Gotham without Batman, it is up to you to keep the city safe from crime. Become a superhero as you play as Nightwing, Red Hood, Batgirl, or Robin and stop crime from taking over the city. Gotham Knights is an open-world action RPG where you get to put a stop to the evil plans of the many criminals in Gotham City. Get your mask on and save the city on October 25.

Make sure to add Gotham Knights to your wishlist on Steam.
1. Hogwarts Legacy – Holiday 2022
Have you ever wanted to be a wizard like Harry Potter? Or maybe you were interested in what life would be like in one of the four houses of Hogwarts? Get a chance to live out your dreams of being a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Hogwarts Legacy. Explore the magical world of Hogwarts set in the 1800s as your own customizable character. Be ready to go to class, battle evil wizards, and decide the fate of the wizarding world come this holiday season of 2022.

Be ready to see the wizarding world in Hogwarts Legacy by adding it to your wishlist on Steam.These releases are truly exciting and worth the wait, but if you want something NOW, there are always Steam sales where you can get some older releases at cheaper prices. The best part? You’ll be

GToPlay when you can conveniently and securely purchase your games hassle-free and uninterrupted

without even the need for a credit card! With a safe, convenient, and rewarding e-wallet app like GCash, you can top up your Steam wallet, buy games, or purchase gaming add-ons, all while easily tracking how much you have left to spend right off of your phone.

Never miss out on picking up the newest games on Steam with the GCash app, which is available on the App Store and Google Play. Get it now and #PayWithGCash!
June 9, 2022
Own your Masterpiece: vivo Champions Professional Imaging with X80 Series Co-engineered with ZEISS

vivo, one of the leading smartphone brands in the country, has officially unveiled the much-awaited addition to its premium flagship smartphone category – the vivo X80 series. Coming at the heels of the “Imagery Master” X70 line, the X80 series pushes the limits of mobile photography further and delivers unique capabilities.

Powered by the vivo and ZEISS global partnership for mobile imaging and leveraging on vivo’s development and pioneering efforts, the vivo X80 and X80 Pro deliver superb camera capabilities, powerful performance and chic design. Through this latest launch, vivo encourages consumers to fully embrace their passion and self-expression with the help of the technological prowess offered by the vivo X80 and X80 Pro.

Own your masterpiece with vivo X80 series

As with previous iterations of the vivo X line, the X80 series is packed with the latest innovations in mobile photography and imaging technology. Both models under the X80 series boast ZEISS Optics with all lenses meeting ZEISS T* Coating standards. This allows users to capture the world clearly, vividly and in true colors. The ZEISS T* Coating standards also serve as a solid foundation for superior night photography, bringing the powerful ZEISS Super Night Camera feature.

Moreover, ZEISS’ Cinematic Video capabilities brought by the X80 series delivers professional videos with quality and clarity fit for the big screen. A new functionality introduced through the X80 line is its accurate reproduction of the effects of ZEISS Anamorphic film lenses. This creates oval flares in videos and photos in film-standard 2.39:1 aspect ratio. With high-level image purity, sharp portrait subjects and natural-looking bokeh flares, users can express their artistic style freely and record moments in amazing detail. Another unique function for the X80 Pro is the first and only Gimbal Portrait Camera in a smartphone in the country. It allows users to shoot pro-standard portraits effortlessly and with utmost stability.

Other imaging features offered by both the X80 and the X80 Pro variant include AI Video Enhancement, which detects scenarios and matches them with the best camera settings; Active Centering OIS System, which maximizes the stabilization range of each frame so every video is smooth and clear; and XDR Photo display technology, specially crafted to make otherwise ordinary images look like HDR images on the phone screen.

Taking it all to the next level, the vivo X80 series also debuts a custom chip especially conceptualized and created by vivo – the vivo V1+ Chip.

This exclusive vivo chip is designed to bring imaging, display and game graphics on smartphones to new heights. In terms of imaging, the vivo V1+ Chip is able to enhance night video denoising and HDR performance to deliver outstanding images and videos despite unfavorable light conditions. But more than this, the vivo V1+ Chip also offers a boost to the performance of the vivo X80 and X80 Pro.

Masterful performance and design

Both the vivo X80 and X80 Pro are designed with a dual-chip processing system, bringing together the customized vivo V1+ Chip with the latest processors in the market to produce the ultimate flagship, dual-core performance. The Pro variant is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 plus the vivo V1+ Chip, while the X80 variant has both the vivo V1+ Chip and a MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Processor under its hood.

Because of this combination, the X80 series’ flagship processor provides ferocious power for gaming and offers a mobile experience like never before. To top it up, the smartphones under this line also come with Game Frame Interpolation, X-Axis Linear Motor, and Dual Stereo Speaker features which enhance the immersive gaming experience with a combination of strong vibrations and powerful sound.

Paired with a 2K E5 Ultra Vision Screen, an E5 AMOLED display with WQHD+ resolution, and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, everything from gaming to video streaming is sure to feel incredibly sharp, vivid and smooth. The X80 series display also boasts a DisplayMate A+ certification and has set 15 new DisplayMate A+ records. With additional SGS Eye Care Display and SGS Seamless certifications, these devices don’t only offer superb graphics but also protection and ease of viewing for the users.

It’s not only the series’ screens that are safety-certified. Since charging safely is important too, the X80 series offers a range of protective measures and has passed TÜV Rheinland Fast Charge Certification. Users can enjoy non-stop power as well as peace of mind, with the X80 Pro’s large 4700mAh battery and the 4500mAh battery on the X80. Both variants are also equipped with upgraded 80W Wired FlashCharge, and the X80 Pro brings it further with a 50W Wireless FlashCharge compatibility.

Aside from delivering masterful performance, the X80 series phones are also designed to look and feel like masterpieces. The X80 Pro comes in one elegant color: Cosmic Black, a compelling shade inspired by the tranquility and vastness of the starlit night sky. Meanwhile, the X80 variant comes with the second color option Urban Blue. Both variants have a unique Ceramic Cloud Window 2.0 design which balances a round camera module with a square plate, making the smartphone’s exterior exude grandeur and elegance. The back cover is made of Fluorite AG Glass, which is a stunning piece of art that is pleasant to the touch and resistant to fingerprint smudges. The device’s 6.78-inch 3D Curved Screen also looks impressively flawless from all angles. With such a chic everyday companion, owning a technological masterpiece has never been so stylish.

Ready to own a technological masterpiece?

Both variants of the vivo X80 series are expected to be officially available for pre-order via vivo’s official website and e-commerce flagship stores such as Shopee and Lazada, in the Philippines starting on June 10 to June 17. The X80 Pro, which is the first Pro variant of any vivo X series line released in the country, is officially priced at Php 59,999. The X80 variant, on the other hand, retails at Php 45,999.

Freebies are also up for grabs for the first buyers to avail of the product. A TWS Lavanda and clock speaker will come as freebies for the first 10 purchases of the vivo X80. Meanwhile, for the first three owners of the vivo X80 Pro in the Philippines, a TWS, powerbank, and neck massager will be included as freebies. A 50W wireless flash charger also comes in every purchase of the vivo X80 Pro variant online until supplies last.

Freebies for offline purchases, on the other hand, include a premium Bluetooth Speaker and 6 months extended warranty.

Pre-order is now ongoing for both the X80 (via vivo website, Shopee, and Lazada) and X80 Pro (via vivo website, Shopee, and Lazada). For more information on vivo’s latest news and updates, please head to vivo’s official Facebook, Instagram and YouTube channels.

June 9, 2022

ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED: Your Next Must-Have Premium Laptop for Work & Entertainment

ASUS definitely caught the attention of many with the recent release of their Zenbook 14X OLED Space Edition– a special-edition laptop made to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first ASUS laptop sent into space.

While most eyes are drawn to this fancy device, its more consumer-friendly counterpart, the Zenbook 14 OLED, also deserves some attention with its exceptional performance, sophisticated design, stunning display, and more nifty features to boot!

ASUS has given us the chance to try the Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3402ZA) in Aqua Celadon. Here’s our hands-on experience with this new laptop from the multinational tech brand.

Out of the box

The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is simple yet elegant in its design. Its metallic, anti-fingerprint surface has a nice sheen to it, and the lines on the lid inspired by the Japanese kintsugi really add character to the device. The base of the laptop also implements a rigid theme underneath, opting for origami-like folds rather than the smooth curves in its protrusion.

Its 12.35″ x 8.69″ size is not the smallest in the market, but it does translate to a large display. When folded, the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is about 16.9mm thick while it remains lightweight and very portable with its 1.39kg weight.

When opened up, the display’s 16:10 ratio (2880×1800 resolution) really catches your attention, especially if you’re used to consuming content on landscape screens. But it is something that’s easy to get used to, and the advantages of such a generous OLED display would soon become apparent.

The device is also highly-flexible with its 180° lay-flat hinge, allowing for easy adjustments, whatever type of workspace arrangement you have when you’re on the device.

An immersive OLED display that draws you in

What really makes this laptop stand out is its 14-inch 2.8K OLED HDR display. The display is really eye-popping, delivering a vivid burst of colors and crisp details perfect for both work and entertainment purposes.

The size and ratio of the display also offer the user a more immersive and intuitive experience. For one, viewing videos with such striking display specs is even better with this expansive screen, while multitasking and using applications with crammed UIs become a bit easier to handle when using this device.

Adding to the immersive experience are the laptop’s NanoEdge 2.8 mm bezels, giving us a 90% body-to-screen ratio on the display. It also has a 90Hz refresh rate with a 0.2ms response time, allowing for smoother viewing and usage. Meanwhile, its brightness ranges from 0.0005 nits to 550 nits– highly adaptive to whatever your environment’s lighting may be. In my experience, 50% brightness is just right in a room with ample lighting.

When it comes to color accuracy, the Zenbook 14 OLED also delivers with its ultrawide color gamut of 100% DCI-P3. Plus, it is PANTONE Validated, assuring you that it provides the most precise color accuracy.

With our daily use of gadgets, blue light that could cause visual discomfort and reduced sleep quality has become a concern for many, especially parents. But there’s no need to worry. ASUS also safeguards the eyesight of its consumers as its TÜV Rheinland Eye Care certified OLED laptops emit 70% less harmful blue light compared to your typical LCD.

Exceptional performance & long-lasting power

The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is powered by a 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 P-series processor and Intel IRIS Xe graphics. It supports up to 16 GB of onboard memory and a 512 GB PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 SSD. The laptop runs smoothly when working on productivity tasks such as writing documents and surfing the web, even with more than ten tabs open.

This laptop also qualifies for the Intel Evo platform, which means that it has met Intel’s high bar on hardware specifications and key experience targets that really make up a premium laptop.

While it is not really a gaming device, the Zenbook 14 OLED is still a treat for casual gamers, as I was able to run games like Valorant and Little Nightmares without a hitch. I also ran some tests on the device with the following results:

Cinebench R23 – 7,243 points (CPU Multicore); 1,453 points (CPU Single Core)
Geekbench 5 – 7,973 (Multi-core); 1,623 (Single Core)
CPU-Z – 4932.7 (Multi-Thread); 682.7 (Single Thread)

The cooling system also works well. It does not heat up that fast, and it also feels like the heat easily dissipates as it spreads from the bottom of the laptop.

As for its battery life, the Zenbook 14 OLED’s 75Wh battery promises to power your productivity for up to 18 hours. When I was working on the laptop’s browser with 50% screen brightness and Balanced power mode, the battery only decreased by 10% in 30 minutes.

When streaming online at 50% brightness and 50% volume, the battery decreased by 14% in an hour, and 20% each on the 2-hour and 3-hour mark. While playing Valorant under the same brightness and volume, the battery decreased by 18% in 30 minutes. When it comes to charging, the Zenbook 14 OLED was able to juice up pretty fast, charging from 3% to 52% in an hour while on Sleep Mode and being fully charged in about 2 hours.

An ergonomic keyboard and a number-crunching touchpad

The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is also equipped with an ErgoSense keyboard that offers a pleasant typing experience. Clicking the buttons feels just right to the touch while producing minimal sound. When turned on, the keyboard backlight has three brightness levels to cater to your working needs.

Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Keyboard and Touchpad

Another factor that makes typing with this device more comfortable is the ErgoLift hinge that tilts the keyboard towards the user. This feature also helps keep the device cool as the bottom part does not lie flat on the surface giving it room to breathe.

The Zenbook 14 OLED also gives generous space to its touchpad with some bonus functions. It doubles as a Numpad, complete with a backlight that you can toggle on and off, plus it also serves as a shortcut to the calculator– making this laptop really ideal for number-crunching tasks.

To make this laptop even more ideal as your next professional device, the Zenbook 14 OLED also comes pre-installed with a lifetime license to Microsoft Office apps.

Strong speakers, clear calls

Another impressive key feature of the Zenbook 14 OLED is its Dolby Atmos stereo sound system which is also certified by the audio experts of Harman Kardon. This laptop’s so-called Smart Amp feature allows its sound to be 350% louder with zero distortion and upon testing, it actually delivers!

Even at 50% volume, the sound is already pretty loud and clear when you’re in front of the laptop. At 100% volume, the sound could really fill a spacious living room and you could still hear the dialogues clearly. When it comes to calls, the AI Noise-canceling microphone and speaker which reduce unnecessary noises provide a much clearer communication for both ends of the call.

As for the webcam, while the Zenbook 14 OLED’s 720p camera is pretty average, the laptop’s 3DNR (3D Noise Reduction) algorithm really helps produce clearer image outputs. Through the MyASUS app, users can also further improve their videos through Lighting Optimization, Background Blurring, Eye Tracking, and Motion Tracking effects.

Seamless connectivity & ports

This new laptop from ASUS also comes with the latest and fastest WiFi 6E, further enhanced by the ASUS WiFi Master Premium technology, which stabilizes your connection while filtering out interference. The WiFi SmartConnect also automatically selects the best WiFi or hotspot source to ensure that you’re connected to the fastest internet available.

As for the ports, the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED also offers a lot. On the left side, you have a microSD card slot, two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, an audio combo jack, and an HDMI 2.0, while placed on the right side is a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port.

Conclusion

The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED really pushes the boundaries when it comes to display and sound, making it the ideal laptop for content and media consumption. Moreover, it does not compromise on battery and performance, and it even adds some special touches that are perfect for professionals who often work with numbers and documents, or are always in a Zoom call. So if you’re on the lookout for the next laptop that could cater to your productivity and entertainment needs, the Zenbook 14 OLED is definitely worth considering as it ticks all the boxes and more.

The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is now available at ASUS authorized stores, with a price that starts at P72,995.

Quick Specs

Operating System	Windows 11 Home
Processor	Up to Intel® Core™ i7-1260P Processor 2.1 GHz
Graphics	Intel® Iris Xe Graphics
Memory	Up to 16GB LPDDR5
Storage	512GB PCIE4 SSD
Display	14-inch, 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED with 16:10 aspect ratio, 0.2ms response time, & 90Hz refresh rate
Battery	75WHrs, 2S2P, 4-cell Li-ion
Weight	1.39 kg (3.06 lbs)
Dimensions	12.35″ x 8.69″ x 0.67″ ~ 0.67″
Ports	1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 2x Thunderbolt™ 4 supports display / power delivery 1x HDMI 2.0b 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack Micro SD card reader
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6E (Dual Band) + Bluetooth 5.2
Colors	Ponder Blue Aqua Celadon Jade Black (AMD)
Price	Starts at PHP 72,995

June 1, 2022

ASUS Launches Latest Breed of Zenbook OLED Laptops with 12th Gen Intel Processors

ASUS today enters the 12^th Gen Intel Processor space with its newest breed of premium Zenbook OLED laptops. The star-studded lineup consists of the Zenbook 14X OLED (Space Edition), Zenbook 14X OLED, Zenbook 14 OLED, and the Zenbook 14 Flip OLED. These new productivity devices are equipped with world-leading technology, innovative and thoughtful features, and an all-new modern look. Recently proclaimed as the number one OLED laptop brand worldwide, ASUS offers on-the-go Filipinos a wide array of sophisticated laptops in convertible and traditional form factors, with thin and light designs.

To limitless performance and beyond

In commemoration of the 25^th anniversary of the ASUS P6300 laptop’s journey, which survived and reliably operated in the harsh environment of space during its 600-day mission in the Mir Space Station, ASUS releases a special and unique space-themed Zenbook 14X OLED Space Edition (UX5401ZAS). Inspired by the history of space travel, this laptop is decked with space station design elements, hints of morse code, and finished in a special Zero-G Titanium color.

To make this milestone model more memorable, the Space Edition has an exclusive futuristic ZenVision smart display – a 3.5-inch OLED companion display mounted externally on the lid. This can show customizable messages, themes, and animations, allowing users to give those around them a window into their lifestyle.

Built to withstand the rigors of space travel, the Space Edition complies with the ultra-demanding US Space Systems Command Standard SMC-S-016A testing protocols to withstand extreme vibration and temperature, which is four times more than the standard Military Grade durability.

This out-of-this-world laptop is built to deliver a stellar performance, powered by up to 12^th Generation Intel Core i7 H-series processors and Intel Iris X^e graphics, 16 GB LPDDR5 RAM, a PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD, ASUS IceCool thermal technology, and WiFi 6E.

The expansive 16:10, 2.8K OLED 90Hz PANTONE Validated touchscreen delivers ultra-realistic DisplayHDR True Black 500-certified visuals, with a 100% DCI-P3 gamut and TÜV Rheinland-certified eye care. The Zenbook 14X OLED Space Edition retails at a starting price of only PHP 84,995.

Incredibly lightweight, definitely premium

The brand-new Zenbook 14 OLED series dons an incredibly lightweight form factor yet packs a punch under the hood for that all-day productivity.

The brand new Zenbook 14 OLED is a powerful, elegant, and lightweight 14-inch laptop. Having gone a makeover, this laptop introduces an entirely new and modern look to the pioneering Zenbook series with the ASUS monogram on its lid. Available with either 12^th Generation Intel Core i7 P-series processor (UX3402) or AMD Ryzen 5000 series processor models (UM3402), both feature a long-lasting high-capacity 75 Wh battery that can run for up to 19 hours.

Co-engineered with Intel, the Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3402) will meet the requirements of an Intel Evo platform. This guarantees an exceptionally thin and light laptop experience ― including responsiveness, real-world battery life, instant wake, and fast charge. With Intel Evo and 12^th Gen Intel Core processors, the Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3402) is optimized for multitasking while maintaining excellent connectivity, image quality, and sound on a multi-person video call.

Designed to deliver a cinematic audiovisual experience, Zenbook 14 OLED features an expansive 16:10, 2.8K OLED NanoEdge 90Hz display and a Harman Kardon-certified Dolby Atmos audio. The high-performance components are housed in a compact chassis that includes a full set of I/O ports, and passes the demanding US military-grade MIL-STD-810H durability tests.

The new-generation Zenbook 14 OLED introduces two bold new designs and elegant new color options: Aqua Celadon or Ponder Blue (UX3402 only) and Jade Black (UM3402 only). Its thoughtful user-centered design features include the 180-degree lay-flat ErgoLift hinge, fingerprint sensor on the power button, ASUS NumberPad 2.0, a webcam with ASUS 3D Noise Reduction (3DNR) technology, and upgraded MyASUS webcam filters and functions (UX3402 only), and the new full-size ASUS ErgoSense keyboard and ASUS ErgoSense touchpad. In short, everything a laptop needs for that portable perfection. The Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3402) retails at a starting price of only PHP 72,995, and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600U Zenbook 14 OLED UM3402 at P59,995.

On the flip side

For consumers who value flexibility, ASUS brings its Zenbook 14 Flip OLED (UP5401). This ultra-versatile convertible laptop is equipped with the exclusive and durable ASUS 360-degree ErgoLift Hinge, allowing the display to be flipped to any position. This dynamic form factor comes in a soothing finish made from diamond-cut aluminum alloy and weighs only 1.4kg.

This 2022 iF Design Award recipient is powered by the latest 12^th Gen Intel Core i5 H-series processor complemented with Intel Iris Xᵉ Graphics for that consistent performance –in laptop, stand, tent, tablet mode, or anything in between.

Productivity and entertainment experience will never fall flat with the Zenbook 14 Flip OLED. It is equipped with a 14-inch 2.8K OLED HDR 16:10 touchscreen display with a 4-sided NanoEdge design. Supplemented with incredibly slim 2.9 mm bezels on its external borders, the Zenbook 14 Flip OLED provides an 88% screen-to-body ratio. Its display also supports 2880 x 1800 resolution, a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 0.2 ms response time, and is certified VESA DisplayHDR 500 True Black. As if it can’t get any better, the Zenbook Flip 14 OLED also supports a 4096-pressure-level stylus and is equipped with ASUS IceCool thermal technology. The Zenbook 14 Flip OLED retails at only PHP 87,995.

Brilliant in and out

To complete the dream team is the Zenbook 14X OLED (UX5401). This stylishly compact laptop is powered by up to 12^th Generation Intel Core i7 H-series processors with Intel Iris X^e graphics, promising a speed of up to 2.7x faster than the previous generation. It also includes the latest Intel WiFi 6E connectivity and ASUS IceCool thermal technology.

Immerse in true-to-life visuals for work and play with its ultra-bright 2.8K OLED HDR NanoEdge display with deep blacks and a 1,000,000 to 1 contrast ratio. It is PANTONE Validated for industry-standard color accuracy, has a cinema-grade 100% DCI-P3 gamut for ultra-vivid colors, and is TÜV-certified for low blue-light levels. The new 16:10 aspect ratio with its 92% screen-to-body ratio gives an expanded visual workspace, reducing the need for scrolling.

The Zenbook 14X OLED’s all-new slim design achieves that maximum on-the-go productivity. Its 15.9 mm thin chassis retains a full complement of I/O ports, including a USB Type-A port, two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, a standard HDMI port, a microSD card slot, and an audio jack. The Zenbook 14X OLED is also built to last and passes the ultra-demanding MIL-STD-810H US military standard for reliability and durability. The Zenbook 14X OLED retails at a starting price of only PHP 74,995.Bringing ASUS OLED laptops to every Filipino, the new lineup of Zenbook laptops provides plenty of options that fit a variety of working professionals. These laptops also come pre-installed with a lifetime license of Microsoft Office apps, a free three-month subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud, and two years Global Warranty and ASUS Platinum Protection Warranty on the first year upon purchase. To experience this incredible new lineup, head to the nearest ASUS Concept Stores and authorized resellers now. To check out where to buy the ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED Space Edition, please check this link. You may also check the complete list of ASUS authorized stores here.

May 27, 2022
Lenovo Combines Style, Stealth, & Apex Performance in Latest Legion Lineup

Lenovo today launched its latest generation of stylish and savage gaming devices in the Philippines, combining a new design language with portable powerhouse performance – opening up a broad range of entertainment and battle-ready attributes, while supporting the full span of features that can support users’ personal and professional lives.

Designed with details custom-built for top title performance, gamers can look forward to the new Lenovo Legion Gen 7 lineup featuring: The Legion 5i and 5i Pro, Legion 7i, Legion Slim 7i, Legion Tower 7i, and IdeaPad Gaming 3i.
These new gaming laptops come available with Windows 11 gaming performance that comes with FREE Xbox PC Game Pass, the latest 12th Gen Intel Core processors, and up to the latest fully powered NVIDIA GeForce RTX laptop GPUs. Inspired by gamer research, users can also enjoy a top-placed camera bump with eShutter that helps create a more inclusive experience focused on player enjoyment, advanced thermals of next-level Legion Coldfront 4.0, the hair-trigger speeds and improved ergonomics of Legion TrueStrike keyboard, and optimized tuning via Lenovo Vantage for gaming.

Lenovo Legion 5i

Built for players who want an all-rounder PC to help them excel in their studies, produce high-quality work, stay connected, and have fun without sacrificing performance, the 15-inch Lenovo Legion 5i laptop with up to 12th Gen Intel Core 17-12700H processor strikes a sleek, happy medium. There’s no need to choose between one or another, as it is able to deliver optimal gaming performance while also handling multitasking, productivity, and entertainment needs beautifully. It also comes equipped with up to the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 with 140W maximum TGP for new levels of gaming excitement.

The Legion 5i offers intense speed for high performance gaming with flexible display configurations for every gamer, including an up to 15-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) IPS 16:9 display with a super-fast 165Hz refresh rate and full spectrum visuals with Dolby Vision with 100% sRGB color accuracy.

The laptop is also equipped with an improved stealth cooling system that is thermally more efficient and quieter – offering a 40 percent more powerful fan with a 45% larger exhaust fan area compared to its previous generation.

The Legion 5i is designed to be portable with its all-new metal chassis — both thinner and lighter than the previous generation for even more mobility. Available in Storm Grey, it comes with a choice of 4-Zone RGB or white backlighting via the new Legion Spectrum RGB Lighting solution built into the Legion TrueStrike keyboard. Don’t miss out and get the Lenovo Legion 5i starting at PHP 89,995.00.

Lenovo Legion 5i Pro

Engineered to handle full-powered graphics and third-party tested for maximum performance, the esports-centric Lenovo Legion 5i Pro is the world’s first 16-inch laptop series with a QHD+ up to 240Hz adaptive refresh rate gaming displayto help gamers rise in ranks and gameplay.

The Legion 5i Pro is powered with the 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-12700H processor and is equipped with up to the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070Ti with 150W maximum TGP. This powerhouse also features a 2960 x 1600 IPS display in 16:10 format with 100% sRGB color gamut and up to 3ms response time. It is supported by Dolby Vision®, which brings crowd favorite entertainment and games to life with spectacular picture quality and buttery smooth gaming via NVIDIA® G-SYNC® for less screen tearing.

The Legion 5i Pro features expanded bandwidth from 4800Mhz DDR5 memory and up to 1TB PCle SSD (Gen4) of storage. Gamers will also experience less lag with the improved Wi-Fi 6E antenna placement and an 80Whr battery capacity with Super Rapid Charge to go from zero to 80 percent battery life in just 30 minutes of charging.

The laptop’s cooling system includes an updated fan system, larger exhaust area, and improved penta heat pipe layout that efficiently ushers air to lower skin temperatures. The Legion Coldfront 4.0 also received an upgrade as it now offers noise suppression thanks to a noise-insulated chassis.

Available in Storm Grey, the durable body of the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro series is thinner than the previous generation. It also features the new Legion Spectrum RGB Lighting. Get the Lenovo Legion 5i Pro starting at PHP 119,995.00.

Lenovo Legion 7i and Lenovo Legion Slim 7i

Perfect for the gamers who wish to have thin and lightweight but portable powerhouses, the Lenovo Legion 7i and Legion Slim 7i sits at the apex of gaming performance. Crafted with precision, these gaming laptops showcase breathtaking visuals and feature the world’s first 16” WQHD+ Mini LED display on a gaming laptop.

The new Lenovo Legion 7 series laptops exceed expectations with a number of innovation firsts that adapt to and balance the multi-dimensional needs of modern gamers and professional players. Crafted with a minimalist design, long battery life, and whisper-quiet artificial intelligence (A.I.) tuned thermals are purpose-built for those who want performance and mobility.

The Lenovo Legion 7i laptop is perfect for gamers who demand the highest performance in their gametime. Underneath the laptops’ sleek covers is sheer power. It packs a serious punch with the 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900HX processor. Gamers are also treated with up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080Ti that instantly provides a different kind of incredible reality.

The laptop also offers up to 165Hz smooth refresh rates, enabling fast response times and has Tobii Horizon software, which brings a more immersive experience for gamers, as well as Tobii Aware, which uses smart sensor technology to help improve users’ security, privacy, and wellbeing. With the Legion 7i, multitasking, streaming, gaming and content creation are made even easier with ample storage of up to 2TB SSD Gen4 and up to 32GB DDR5 of memory – all tuned for maximum performance via the Lenovo Legion A.I. Engine 2.0.

The Legion Slim 7i is Lenovo’s thinnest and lightest 16-inch gaming laptop, perfect for powerful gaming and content creation experiences in a polished and minimalist design. It offers users greater freedom to roam, while still retaining the power and performance with the latest 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900H processor.

Underneath the sleek exterior, the laptop is packed with a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Graphics to produce a cinema-like feel with best-in-class color accuracy and high dynamic range. It also offers a 165Hz refresh rate, storage of up to 1TB SSD Gen4, and up to 24GB DDR5 of memory.

Accompanied with Dolby Audio, the Legion Slim 7i raises sightlines, strengthens game immersion, and dives deeper into enthralling cinematics.

Featuring an all-metal exterior and available in sleek Storm Grey, the portable Lenovo Legion 7i is available starting at PHP 179,995.00 and the Lenovo Legion Slim 7i powerhouse in Onyx Grey is available starting at PHP 124,995.00.

Lenovo Legion Tower 7i

Featuring of up to the latest powerful performance of the 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900K processor, the Lenovo Legion Tower 7i is ideal for intense gaming marathons. Paired with up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080Ti LHR for ultrafast frame rates at over 4K resolutions, this powerful gaming tower is optimally built for long hours of system performance at an affordable price point.

Gaming, multitasking, streaming, content creation, and more are made even easier with the Legion Tower 7i. It is also equipped with a storage capacity of up to 2TB SSD Gen 4 with 32GB DDR5 of memory.

Push beyond the boundaries of smaller rig configurations and don’t miss out on getting the Lenovo Legion Tower 7i starting at PHP 159,995.00

IdeaPad Gaming 3i

Designed to eliminate screen stuttering, slow game loads, and blistering keyboards, the new IdeaPad Gaming 3i now comes in 2 variants, a 15.6-inch model and an all-new 16-inch laptop both sporting a 165Hz refresh rate.

With the option to choose between the 12th Gen Intel Core i7 and i5 H-Series processors, the IdeaPad Gaming 3i guarantees gamers a powerful and immersive gaming experience. The laptop’s speakers are engineered with Dolby Audio that can help you detect your opponent from a mile away. For even more bang for your buck, the IdeaPad Gaming 3i lets you choose from a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or a NVIDIA GeForce RTX3050Ti for a truly elevated experience.

Available in Onyx Grey, get the IdeaPad Gaming 3i starting at PHP 69,995.00

No matter where you’re at on your gaming journey, Lenovo Legion has something for you. All Legion and IdeaPad Gaming laptops will now come with a Microsoft Office Home & Student 2021 Lifetime License for free. Legion Gaming notebooks will now also include Lenovo’s 3-Year Accidental Damage Protection and 3-Year Legion Ultimate Support as a standard warranty, currently the best warranty in the market. Gamers will receive 24/7 accessibility through phone, chat or email to Lenovo’s expert technicians to offer guidance on hardware optimization and software assistance for the latest AAA game titles. It also offers next business day onsite support and fast repairs for those tricky problems and overall technical support.

All this is part of Lenovo’s brighter vision of creating an ecosystem of smarter Lenovo Legion technology, engaging services, and connected software solutions with competitive gameplay at its heart, because when every second counts, it’s the experience that matters most.The latest generation of Lenovo Legion devices will be available in all Legion Exclusive Storesas well as Lenovo Experience Stores, and authorized resellers nationwide. You can also shop online via the Legion Flagship Store in Lazada. For more information, follow @lenovolegionph on Facebook and Instagram or visit legion.lenovo.com

May 18, 2022
#TaraGTravelNa: Make the most out of your summer trips with these cashless travel hacks

Sun’s out, fun’s out! After more than two years of being cooped up at home, we deserve a vacation to our dream destination! But before doing that fun TikTok transformation video, we all know that we have to go through that dreaded phase of meticulous budgeting, OOTD planning, itinerary preparation, and countless bookings just to get a perfect travel experience.

Can we skip to the good part? This summer and the upcoming months, be prepared for your next grand getaway without going through the stress and hassle of planning because with GCash, #TaraGTravelNa!

With a convenient, secure, and rewarding e-wallet app like GCash, you can plan and pay for your entire trip itinerary without leaving home – say goodbye to lining up for anything! Even better, you can get exclusive discounts and rewards just by using GCash to pay for your trip and travel essentials.

All set to hit the ‘resume’ button on your travel bucket list this summer? Here are the many cashless travel hacks you can do with GCash for your next vacation, from planning to prepping:

– Snag airfare promos by paying through your e-wallet

Be on the lookout for travel fare promos to cut down on your travel cost, which you can use for other essentials. With GCash, you can conveniently pay for your flight and other add-ons without the need for a credit or debit card. There’s also no need to pay an additional holding fee when paying with cash at payment centers.

With Philippine Airlines Supersavers, experience #ThePALDifference with year-round 3-in-1 deals: Unlimited rebooking up to 24 hours before flight, In-flight snacks/meals and choice seats. From May 9-15, 2022, travel with Air Asia and get 30% off on all flights as low as P68 on fares. You can also get up to 15% off on select flights when you pay with GCash on Airpaz.

– Securely book accommodations

Your accommodation can make or break your vacation! Take time to monitor price trends before booking, read reviews by travelers who have similar trips like you (with pet, solo, with family, etc.) and check trustworthy booking sites that have flexible payment options.

With GCash, no need to withdraw cash, use your credit card or deal with incidental fees to pay for anything from hotels to hostels! GCash keeps your e-wallet funds secure by enabling a four-digit MPIN and a one-time password, with an option for biometric login.

Get up to 15% off on select hotel deals when you pay with GCash on Airpaz. You can also get 15% off on hotels when you book using Klook with promo code: GCASHSTAY.

– Ready your adventure before setting off

Imagine being excited to go on a thrilling island-hopping adventure only to find out that the tour is fully booked? Purchase tour packages and activities ahead and pay with GCash so you no longer have to fumble with cash payments and go through the hassle of finding legit operators – more time to make memories and focus on fun times!

Check sightseeing tours, outdoor activities, and events on Klook. Get 20% off activities when you pay with GCash and use the code GCASH20SUMMER.

– Plan your capsule travel OOTD

Whether you want to go matchy-matchy with your bestie or have a Pinterest mood board ready for your solo outfit, planning your clothing and accessories ahead will help you save time and effort. No need to stuff all sorts of clothes and be flagged for excess baggage.

Focus on setting home and work preparations for when you’re away, because you can get your travel shopping haul done when you pay online with GCash.

Travel in style with a range of apparel from GAP, Banana Republic, OXGN, Regatta, Penshoppe, ForMe, Memo, and BOCU, which you can shop online and pay with GCash.

– Head out fully equipped

Going on a trek? Check if your long-stored apparel can still withstand elements. Planning to get Insta-worthy photos? Make sure you have a long-lasting power bank to keep your phone running. Worried about excess baggage? You might need a microscale.
Keep your travel activities uninterrupted when you have the right apparel and equipment with you. All these and more, you can order online and conveniently pay for using GCash.

Get all your travel essentials on The Travel Club with up to 30% Off on select items until May 31.

Traveling is made more exciting as GCash offers a convenient payment method, exclusive discounts and rewards, and access to different stores and brands that will fulfill your dream vacation. If you want to purchase gadgets and other big-ticket items, you can also activate your GCredit on your GCash app so you won’t need to load up your e-wallet or use a credit card.

Worry less and enjoy your vacation more when you travel with GCash! Upgrade your travel experience and download the GCash app on App Store or Google Play. Get it now and #TaraGTravelNa with GCash!

May 7, 2022
The motorola edge 30 pro is the Next-Generation Smartphone That’s Greater in Every Way

It’s no secret that today’s generation desires a phone that can handle anything. A high-quality camera, fast refresh rate and connection, wide-screen display, long battery life, and stellar device performance are the boxes to tick when scouting for a new device. Luckily the new motorola edge 30 pro guarantees these and more to meet what users need.

A performance that won’t let you down

As the tech industry continues to unveil exciting new games and productivity applications, the required specifications on a device can tend to get higher. However, there’s no need to worry as the motorola edge 30 pro is powered by the ultra powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, Qualcomm’s latest, fastest and most advanced processor. Users are guaranteed a powerful all-around high-quality phone experience anytime and anywhere.

The motorola edge 30 pro is also equipped with a UFS 3.1, the latest in storage technology that works faster and more efficiently, allowing the phone to hold up to 256GB built-in storage –all while keeping the device running smoothly with 12GB of LPDDR5 memory. Perfect for more photos, applications and games.

Thanks to the motorola edge 30 pro’s advanced hardware and powerful software, high-resolution viewing is also just the beginning. The phone’s main camera features 50MP with Omni-directional PDAF and a 60MP front camera with Quad Pixel technology that allows users to capture any kind of photo with sharp details day or night.

The camera also features its big screen quality, allowing users to record cinematic videos with 8K resolution right on the phone. With its HDR available in the viewfinder, users are able to preview intricate details to snap the perfect shot. Camera modes available include Ultra Wide, Macro Vision, Dual Capture, Spot Color, Super Slow Slow-mo and Audio Zoom.

Insane Speed, Ultra Smooth and High Quality Entertainment

In this day and age, lags are unacceptable. With the motorola edge 30 pro, users can connect to 5G networks and get blazing-fast speeds whether loading social media applications or streaming favorite TV shows.

Speaking of favorite TV shows, the motorola edge 30 pro features an ultra-smooth 6.7” Max Vision OLED display with FHD+ 2400 x 1080 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate that automatically adjusts based on the type of content on the screen. With a HDR10+ certification, the phone offers vivid and true-to-life colors with improved brightness and contrast. Users can also customize their screen settings using its Night light mode and High brightness mode, and can expect a reduced visible screen flicker with the new DC dimming technology.

Motorola also prides itself on the quality of entertainment it brings to its users and how it transforms the way people play. Not only are users guaranteed powerful software with the new motorola edge 30 pro but also an improved immersive entertainment experience as well. With two large stereo speakers, enjoy a new dimension of audio with three-dimensional sound by Dolby Atmos. Users can pinpoint cleaner vocals and clearer notes at higher volumes, perfect for solo concerts in the bedroom or jamming out with friends.

Be Ready For Greatness

Apart from top-notch entertainment, Motorola equips its users with innovative software experiences. With an easy connection mechanism, users are able to project their phone to a bigger screen without any trouble. Move your phone’s games to the big screen with a simple Bluetooth connection to a controller. Feel like you’re right in the room during video calls with family, friends, and colleagues. And livestream your day-to-day life, host a panel discussion, and even add speaker notes from google docs as a reminder during presentations.

Working from anywhere is also possible with Ready For. Use your apps on a desktop display and connect to your keyboards and mouse extensions with Bluetooth. The new assistant allows access to both your phone and the PC on one screen to transferring files between connected devices, taking multitasking to the next level.

A device that has YOU in mind

The motorola edge 30 pro comes with a powerful 4800mAh battery that allows users to do everything without having to worry about battery life. The device also charges with the new 68W TurboPower that powers up the phone to 50% in just 15 minutes.

The motorola edge 30 pro is engineered with Android 12 and among its features is the ability for users to customize and personalize the device to their own tastes, from the fonts, sizes, colors, icon shapes and layout, to display size and many more. On top of the redesigned Motorola+ Material You, it allows users to control Android 12’s visual elements and move it according to the user’s preference.

For aspiring gamers, aside from being able to enjoy desktop-quality gaming thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite Gaming, the Android 12 lets users jump right into gameplay without waiting for the full download to finish; the Moto Gametime also provides different controls that block notifications, allow screen recording, and give full control of audio.

Designed to be sleek and sophisticated, the motorola edge 30 pro features a premium 3D matte satin glass finish that shimmers with hints of color. Other than the aesthetically pleasing looks, the phone is equipped with different functions that make for a more intuitive user experience. Unlock the motorola edge 30 pro quickly by touching the fingerprint reader and access your favorite apps with a simple double tap with the all new Power Touch.

Don’t miss out on these next-generation features on the motorola edge 30 pro. Now available for pre-order for PHP34,995 at Motorola Kiosks in SM Megamall and SM North EDSA, participating Lenovo Exclusive Stores and authorized mobile resellers nationwide. Get freebies worth over PHP23,000 when you pre-order from April 25-28. Follow Motorola Philippines on Facebook for more details.

May 6, 2022