Category: Tech

New Flagship Xiaomi 12 Series Launches Globally
Xiaomi just announced the launch of the all-new flagship Xiaomi 12 Series for global markets, featuring three groundbreaking devices: Xiaomi 12 Pro, Xiaomi 12, and Xiaomi 12X.

Designed to empower users around the world with a cutting-edge videography studio and entertainment powerhouse, Xiaomi 12 Series delivers impressive advancements in Xiaomi’s AI algorithm, flagship processing power, and an all-round elevated experience.

Capture cinematic shots at any time

Xiaomi 12 Series enables users to record studio-quality shots no matter the scenario, be it challenging lighting conditions or moving objects. All three phones boast a pro-grade triple camera array for versatile shooting, starring a massive 50MP main wide angle camera, with 8K recording capabilities on both Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12.

Xiaomi 12 Pro stands out with its state-of-the-art triple 50MP array, which features a cutting-edge Sony IMX707 ultra-large main sensor. This sensor is capable of catching large amounts of light and empowers advanced imaging capabilities with faster focus speeds and increased color accuracy. Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12X feature a 13MP ultra-wide angle camera, along with a 5MP telemacro camera, for filming life from different perspectives.

Beyond impressive hardware, Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12 also advance Xiaomi’s proprietary AI algorithms. These innovations make it easier than ever for users to record every moment the way they want to, even in low-light or moving subjects. Xiaomi ProFocus intelligently identifies and tracks objects, preventing blurring or out-of-focus shots of moving or veiled subjects. These advancements also include eye and face auto focus capabilities. Ultra Night Video uses Xiaomi’s proprietary algorithms to record video even under extreme low-light, meaning moody, atmospheric shots are clearer than ever.

Available on all three devices, One-click AI Cinema offers numerous creative options for show-stopping video editing, such as Parallel World, Freeze Frame Video, and Magic Zoom modes.

Flagship processing, unprecedented performance and power-efficiency

Flagship experience requires flagship performance. Xiaomi 12 Series features advanced Qualcomm® SnapdragonTM mobile platforms. Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12 boast a Snapdragon® 8 Gen 1 processor – Qualcomm’s most advanced mobile platform. Built on a 4nm process, this processor also boosts GPU graphic rendering capabilities by 30% and energy efficiency by 25% when compared to the previous generation1. Meanwhile, Xiaomi 12X is powered by the flagship 5G processor – Snapdragon® 870 – for smooth everyday usage. All three devices come with UFS 3.1 exceptional loading and data transfer speeds, along with LPDDR5 RAM for memory speeds up to 6,400Mbps.

For optimal product experience, Xiaomi 12 Series packs a high-performing cooling systems, bolstered by a super-large vapor chamber and multiple layers of graphite to offer a leading-cooling capability.

All-around elevated entertainment experiences

Xiaomi 12 Series not only lets users capture every moment in exquisite detail, but also allows them to relive those moments in astonishing detail via an exceptional entertainment experience.

All three devices offer vivid viewing on an AMOLED Dot Display rated A+ by DisplayMate, and with TrueColor support. For added peace of mind, the display features scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®, and supports Dolby Vision®, industry’s leading imaging technology that to brings your content to life with vibrant color and details. Xiaomi 12 Series also supports HDR 10+. Xiaomi 12 Pro is SGS Eye Care Display Certified, showing care for users’ long-term visual health during marathon sessions.

Meanwhile, Xiaomi 12 Pro redefines flagship display with incredibly smooth viewing, scrolling, swiping, and sliding. The device’s highly power-efficient 6.73-inch WQHD+ display leverages AdaptiveSync Pro to intelligently adjust dynamic LTPO display between 1Hz and 120Hz based on content.

Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12X deliver Xiaomi’s most colorful smartphone display to date, with more than 68 billion colors on 6.28-inch full-HD+ displays. Both feature 120Hz AdaptiveSync, for an impressively high-definition, vibrant, and flicker-free display that conveys every detail.

No cinematic experience is truly complete without pro-grade audio. Xiaomi 12 Series features SOUND BY Harmon Kardon, and creates an immersive audio experience powered by Dolby Atmos®, delivering spatial sound with rich detail, clarity, and realism across all your favorite entertainment. Xiaomi 12 Pro’s quad speakers – in the form of two tweeters and two woofers – deliver clear details and cover an astounding range of sound. Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12X both deliver balanced stereo sound ideal for immersive gaming or video.

To optimize core user experience further, Xiaomi 12 Series incorporates MIUI 13, released globally earlier this year. The update includes faster storage, higher background process efficiency, smarter processing, and longer battery life. New features in the upgraded experience include Xiaomi’s proprietary Liquid Storage, Atomized Memory, Focused Algorithms, and Smart Balance.

Next-generation charging

To ensure Xiaomi 12 Series delivers pro-grade cinematic and entertainment experiences all day, the devices deliver next-level charging speed and safety.

Xiaomi 12 Pro features incredibly fast 120W Xiaomi HyperCharge. With a 4,600mAh battery fully charged in just 18 minutes using Boost mode, Xiaomi 12 Pro delivers next-generation charging capabilities that keep up with user demands2.

Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12X fit 4,500mAh batteries into compact body designs. Both devices support 67W wired turbo charging for speedy power-up. Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12 also support 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse charging.

Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12 both leverage Xiaomi AdaptiveCharge, a smart charging algorithm that learns and adapts to charging habits, which prolongs battery life.

Flagship capabilities packaged in an iconic design

These portable pocket-sized studios fit comfortably in the palm of your hand thanks to Xiaomi 12 Series’ iconic and user-centered design. Slimmer high-capacity batteries and a narrower ridge gap save precious space within the device. Xiaomi 12 Pro’s 6.73-inch display is encased in a sleek middle frame with sophisticated 3D curves. Meanwhile, Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12X’s 6.28-inch display measures just 69.9mm in width and is accented by smooth curves for a perfect fit3. All three devices are available in Gray, Purple, and Blue.

YouTube Premium Free of Charge

Xiaomi 12 Series customers will receive up to three months of YouTube Premium free of charge, a move to give users access to the best content ad-free an offline, where available 4. The benefits include a subscription to YouTube Music Premium where users can get unlimited, ad-free access to more than 80 million official songs plus live performances, covers, and remixes.

Market Availability
- Xiaomi 12 Pro comes in two variants, 8GB+256GB, 12GB+256GB, and will be available starting from 999 US Dollars.
- Xiaomi 12 comes in three variants, 8GB+128GB, 8GB+256GB, 12GB+256GB, and will be available starting from 749 US Dollars.
- Xiaomi 12X comes in two variants, 8GB+128GB, 8GB+256GB and will be available starting from 649 US Dollars.
March 16, 2022
Online shopping worries? PayMaya has you covered at no additional cost with Buyer Protect
PayMaya users can now enjoy better peace of mind when shopping online with Buyer Protect, the only online shopping insurance provided at no additional cost by an e-wallet in the country.   Buyer Protect is underwritten by leading general insurer AIG Philippines Insurance and developed by PayMaya with leading international insurtech, bolttech.

If you shop online and pay using your PayMaya account, you now enjoy peace of mind for undelivered, incomplete, or damaged purchases. This is because you are now covered – thanks to Buyer Protect. Best of all, you can take advantage of this offer at no extra cost!

With Buyer Protect Insurance, you can enjoy coverage for purchases with a minimum spend of PHP100 per transaction from legitimate online sellers with their own website or official stores on Lazada, Shopee, Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, and similar sites.

Easily get your money back if you experience online shopping fails – be it new home décor items delivered to you with damages or incomplete items from your recent shopping haul. If the seller is not willing to provide a refund, you can get it conveniently with PayMaya’s Buyer Protect!

You can get reimbursed up to PHP8,000 per valid claim, or up to PHP16,000 annually for undelivered, incomplete, or damaged purchases from eligible online sellers. To access this free insurance product, you just have to make sure that you have an upgraded PayMaya account and that you use your PayMaya card, QR code or mobile number for your online purchase.

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The launch of this new offer is just one of the many ways PayMaya is making online transactions safer for you. In December 2021, the company also introduced PayMaya Verified Sellers, making it the only e-wallet that provides a special badge to legitimate and trustworthy online sellers. With this, it is easier to know if the casual seller you are paying is legit!

“More Filipinos are now enjoying the convenience of online shopping using PayMaya. That’s why we need to create more positive experiences for consumers when they purchase online, and PayMaya is leading at this front with relevant features such as Buyer Protect,” said Shailesh Baidwan, President of PayMaya Philippines.

“With Buyer Protect, our customers have better peace of mind using their PayMaya accounts as they can get reimbursed for online shopping fails without having to pay extra charges,” he added.

To enjoy worry-free shopping and experience safer and more convenient payments with a few taps on your smartphone, just download the PayMaya app and register for free!

To file a claim for your online shopping fails, simply follow these three easy steps:
1. Hop over to https://www.paymaya.com/buyer-protect where you can download the claim form.
2. Once you have filled out the necessary information in the form, submit it, along with the supporting documents at aigphl_consumerclaims@aig.com.
3. All that’s left to do now is wait for the reimbursement in your PayMaya account in 7 – 10 working days.
The launch of Buyer Protect is part of PayMaya’s push to make digital transactions more convenient and safer for more Filipinos. Last year, PayMaya launched Personal Protect, which covers dengue, COVID-19, and Permanent Total Disability, underwritten by Pioneer Insurance & Surety Corporation. The company also introduced Mobile Protect, which allows users to avail themselves of mobile phone repair services from bolttech for Cracked Screen or Accidental and Liquid Damage.

PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines, with platforms and services that cut across consumers, merchants, communities, and government.

As of end-December 2021, PayMaya provides more than 44 million Filipinos access to financial services through its consumer platforms. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 63,000 partner agent touchpoints serves as last-mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved access to digital services. Through its enterprise business, it is the largest digital payments processor for key industries in the country, including “every day” merchants such as the largest retail, food, gas, and eCommerce merchants, as well as government agencies and units.
March 14, 2022
Work and Play with the Newest OPPO Watch Free and OPPO Enco Air2 Now Officially Available in the Philippines

OPPO continues to introduce functional smartphones and gadgets to help consumers be more productive from day to night.

“OPPO ensures that innovation is always at the heart of its products. We understand the importance of a seamless digital experience for a more productive life whether at work or at home,” said Chiqui Tapawan, OPPO Philippines’ Head of Marketing Communications. The leading global smartphone brand recently introduced two devices that boast top-of-the-line features perfect for work and play, the OPPO Watch Free and OPPO Enco Air2.

OPPO Watch Free: Time for overall health and wellness

Having trouble sleeping at night? The OPPO Watch Free is the newest smartwatch exclusively equipped with OSleep which provides comprehensive and personalized sleep monitoring and analysis for before, during, and after sleep. It sends bedtime reminders and analyzes your sleep latency, sleep duration, and sleep phases with features such as deep and light sleep analysis and rapid eye movement (REM) monitoring. It has multiple sensors that are able to detect sleep problems and propose suggestions in a timely manner.

Since fitness also contributes to overall health apart from getting quality sleep, OPPO Watch Free is equipped with an optical heart rate sensor to support over 100 sport modes including built-in professional running courses to help you achieve your fat-burning goals efficiently, and a 24-hour heart rate monitor which vibrates to warn you of irregular heartbeat. It also gives you “stand up” reminders, and five-minute relaxation videos designed to encourage office workers to relax and stay fit.

Like most smartwatches, it also has a range of productivity features such as Message Notifications, Incoming Call Notifications, Call Rejection, Find My Phone, and Music Playback Control.

Light to wear on your wrist and clear to read thanks to its AMOLED HD display, the OPPO Watch Free allows you to choose from 40+ stylish watch faces and even personalize your watch face with AI Outfit Watch Face 2.0.

Available in Vanilla and Black, the OPPO Watch Free lets you enjoy your activities as much as you want thanks to its long battery life of up to 14 days on a full charge, and a full day on just a five-minute charge.

OPPO Enco Air2: Level up your listening situation

Spare yourself from tangled wires and enjoy the freedom of listening to music wirelessly with OPPO Enco Air2, the newest entry-level earbuds which satisfy your need for quality audio, charming aesthetics, and practical performance.

The OPPO Enco Air2 provides users with deep, powerful bass, crystal-like midrange, and silvery treble—the perfect combination for an immersive audio experience. The Bluetooth® -enabled earbuds have two new Enco Live sound effects: Clear Vocals and Bass Boost to further enhance their bass performance so listening to pop, rock, or EDM, will give you a live concert-like experience.

Whether you love mobile gaming or TV shows, the OPPO Enco Air2’s certified low-latency performance will deliver an experience that’s on par with traditional wired earbuds. Users can enable Game Mode with just a triple tap to enter low-latency mode—it’s specially designed to improve problems such as out-of-sync audio and visuals, interference, and more.

The new earbuds are also very ergonomic and light which give you all-day comfort. It can deliver music playback for up to four hours without the charging case but when used with the charging case, the earbuds can provide playback all the way up to 24 hours.

The OPPO Enco Air2 also has an AI Noise Cancellation feature which automatically adjusts the audio when in a noisy environment, and updated smart touch controls. OPPO smartphone users can also take advantage of hands-free controls for their camera with the Enco Air 2.

Enjoy work and play every day with the new OPPO Watch Free and OPPO Enco Air 2, now available for Php5,499 and Php3,499 respectively on Lazada, Shopee, and all OPPO Brand Stores nationwide. For more information, visit OPPO Philippines’ website and Facebook page.

March 11, 2022
Smile Train Bags a Silver for the First-Ever Filipino Mobile Speech Application at the 57th Anvil Awards

In the Philippines, where more than 5,000 babies are born with a cleft palate every year, access to various cleft-related treatments such as speech therapy remains vital. This is especially true during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when ensuring patients can continue their speech therapy sessions became a pressing concern.

Standing by its commitment to continue promoting comprehensive cleft care, Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft organization, endeavored to bring its speech therapy programs direct to patients by launching the country’s first Filipino speech therapy mobile application. The platform allows more patients and families born with cleft to continue receiving comprehensive cleft care with greater ease using their smartphones. (The Smile Train Filipino mobile speech application is free and downloadable on both Apple and Google Play Store. Visit https://smiletrainspeechapp.com/ for more details.)

The impact of this innovative application as well as Smile Train’s telehealth services was recognized at the 57^th Anvil Awards, bagging the Silver Award.

“As Smile Train strives to create a brighter future for Filipinos born with a cleft, we are grateful to receive this recognition for the second time as this is a testament of our organization’s efforts to bring uninterrupted care and convenient access to patients amidst the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano, Vice President, Smile Train South East Asia.

Since the programs were launched, Smile Train’s speech telehealth and therapy programs in the Philippines have treated over 300 patients, providing them with more than 2,000 cleft care-related sessions—including speech therapy, nutritional support, breastfeeding guidance for mothers of babies with clefts, pre-surgical consultations, and psychosocial care. From 2020 to 2021, Smile Train and its 26 partners supported a total of 2,125 sessions for over 223 individuals for speech services alone. Despite COVID-19 restrictions, patients still have access to Smile Train’s services and are still able to schedule surgeries in partner hospitals.

“Smile Train has always been committed to exploring various avenues and utilizing technology to provide comprehensive cleft care to reach more patients and communities in the country,” shared Flaviano. “All these programs built on the earlier successes of Smile Train’s efforts at the onset of the pandemic, notably Speech Camp 2020, which is a series of virtual therapy classes and discussions conducted by speech-language pathologists and medical professionals.”

To know more about Smile Train’s global efforts and to donate, please visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines and to refer a patient in need, please visit smiletrain.ph/get-help. Follow Smile Train Philippines on Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines.

March 11, 2022
Google launches Search trends elections page

To make it easier for the media to find this data for their stories, Google has launched a Google Trends Philippine Elections page, a tool that helps surface the top queries, topics, and most-searched presidential and vice presidential candidates running in the elections. The page also includes data on the top policy issues searched in each part of the country, such as agriculture, economy, education and tourism among others. All the charts from the page are embeddable and will continue to update even after they’re placed on a media’s site.

The Google Trends Philippine Elections is not a poll or survey and does not reflect voting intentions. It merely reflects people’s search interest about particular topics at a local level over a period of time. A spike in a particular search query does not reflect that a candidate is somehow “popular” or “winning”.

For more information including how to maximize the trends page, visit the Google News Initiative’s website.

March 10, 2022
8 Other Platformer Games to Play If You Love Super Mario

Nintendo’s Super Mario is one of the biggest video game icons (if not the biggest) out there, and it definitely has survived the test of time. After all, the platformer has been around since the ’80s and continues to thrive as Nintendo continues to be innovative with its gameplay while preserving certain elements that everyone loved about the franchise.

If you’ve played most of the classic Super Mario games out there and are looking for some alternatives before a new game from the franchise arrives, then this list is for you! We’ve listed down eight video games to play if you love Super Mario!

Shovel Knight

Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch

Released in 2014, Shovel Knight is an action-adventure indie game with an 8-bit retro aesthetic. In this game, you play the eponymous Shovel Knight who wields the Shovel Blade– a weapon he can use for digging and battles. Your quest as the Shovel Knight is to defeat the evil Enchantress and find his lost beloved.

Hollow Knight

Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch

Here’s another platformer knight to check out. Hollow Knight takes you to Hallownest, a ruined kingdom full of twisting caverns, ancient cities, and bizarre insects. As you progress, you get to develop more power, speed, and spells as the story unfolds. Befriend bugs, battle dangerous monsters, and face over 30 bosses in this charming, haunting, and ultimately fun-to-play indie game.

Cuphead

Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch

Now a Netflix show, Cuphead is a run-and-gun platform game that gained great popularity because of its eye-popping visuals that are based on classic cartoons from the 1930s. In this game, you play as Cuphead or Mugman as they traverse strange and whimsical worlds in their quest to pay their debt back to the Devil. Aside from the visuals, Cuphead also delivers a fun and challenging gameplay that would engage many players for hours.

Rayman Series

Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and other platforms

From Ubisoft, Rayman is another popular character when it comes to platform games. The common denominator of every Rayman game is its vibrant world filled with interesting foes and allies, and of course, the hero who has floating body parts and can literally throw a punch to defeat enemies and save the world!

Braid

Available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox

Braid is a platformer with a time-twisting spin. In this puzzle platformer, you play a character clad in a suit who has the ability to manipulate time in unusual ways, allowing the player to undo their death, dodge enemies in slow motion, and see alternate realities in-game! Much like Super Mario, you need to journey across different worlds to rescue an abducted princess and save the day.

Little Big Planet 3

Available on PlayStation

The Little Big Planet franchise is like the Super Mario of PlayStation. Embark on a quest with Sackboy and his friends across the creativity-powered planet Bunkum. Use the special abilities of OddSock, Swoop, and Toggle to solve puzzles and discover the many surprises hidden in their unexplored world.

Celeste

Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch

Celeste is a pixel platformer that delivers fun gameplay with beautiful environments and a compelling story to boot. Play as Madeline and embark on a journey to the top of Celeste Mountain, facing its perils and her inner demons and uncovering the mountain’s secrets along the way.

Super Meat Boy

Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch

Super Meat Boy is the platformer for hardcore gamers, given its ruthless difficulty. Play as the titular piece of meat as he tries to rescue his girlfriend from an evil fetus in a jar. Control Meat Boy across dangerous platforms filled with buzz saws, needles, and other deadly contraptions in over 300 levels sprinkled with epic boss fights.

ALSO READ
10 Best Indie Video Games on PC & Consoles That Are Worth Checking Out
10 Best Nintendo Switch Games to Make The Most of Those Joycons

Looking for more video games to play? Check out our latest video game lists. Stay in the loop and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

March 9, 2022
Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 11S & Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G Now in PH

Calling all Mi Fans! Following the successful launch of the Redmi Note 11, Xiaomi has now launched the most awaited Redmi Note 11S and Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G in the Philippines as it continues to push forward the legacy of the Redmi Note series.

The two new variants were announced on the Xiaomi Facebook via a livestream with Sparkle Sweethearts, Mavy Legaspi and Kyline Alcantara, together with their gamer friends Yvenne, KCBae, Mirmoooo, Fofi, Nukella, Mangobells, Beiii, and Newspade.

Redmi Note 11S and Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G rise to the challenge through offering stronger specs and features, with its powerful upgrades to the camera system, charging speed, display, and System on Chip (SoC)—making flagship-level smartphone performance more accessible than before. Both phones are now available at participating Xiaomi Authorized stores and Online channels with prices starting at Php 12,999.

Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G

Market availability:

The Redmi Note 11S 8+128 will be available for Php 12,999 while the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G 8+128 will retail at Php 15,999. Both will be available for pre-order starting March 5 in Xiaomi’s official Lazada and Shopee stores as well as Authorized Xiaomi stores nationwide.

Direct links for the Redmi Note 11S may be accessed here at Lazada and Shopee. For Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G version, you may access directly through these links Lazada and Shopee.

Get a free Redmi Watch 2 Lite when you purchase the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G 8+128 in Xiaomi stores from March 5 to X, but hurry because stocks and availability for the freebie are limited!

Flagship-level camera setup to deliver outstanding photography

Raising up the flagship camera experience, the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G and Redmi Note 11S once again feature 108MP primary sensors, allowing you to capture and share moments of your life in high resolution and true-to-life details. Utilizing the Samsung HM2 sensor with a large 1/1.52″ sensor size, the main camera leverages 9-in-1 pixel binning technology as well as dual native ISO to deliver incredible images with higher dynamic range and colour performance, with excellent results even in dim light. The 8MP ultra-wide angle camera extends your perspective with a 118-degree viewing angle, and the 2MP macro camera captures fine details from up close. Additionally, the 2MP depth camera on Redmi Note 11S allows you to create a natural bokeh effect for your portrait shots. The front of Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G and Redmi Note 11S feature a 16MP front camera that can capture clear, natural-looking selfies.

FHD+ AMOLED DotDisplay with up to 120Hz refresh rate & trendy flat-edge body

Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G boasts a high refresh rate up to 120Hz and a touch sampling rate up to 360Hz while Redmi Note 11S reaches 90Hz and a touch sampling rate up to 180Hz. Both phones enhance your screen experience with smoother animations and lag-free transitions, while also registering more precise finger touches. With a screen size of 6.67-inch and 6.43-inch, the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G and Redmi Note 11S respectively are equipped with a FHD+ AMOLED DotDisplay featuring DCI-P3 wide color gamut, provides more vibrant colours and details, while also reaching as much as 1000 nits for Redmi Note 11S and 1200 nits for the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G to ensure the screen’s clarity even in bright daylight.

The beautiful display is packed into a trendy flat-edge body design. Plus, with dual super linear speakers located at the top and bottom of the phone, Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G and Redmi Note 11S offers a complete entertainment experience with immersive stereo sound for gaming or watching videos.

Speedy and powerful performance at all fonts

Raising up its performance, Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G is powered by the advanced octa-core processor Snapdragon^® 695. This chipset offers 5G connectivity and superb performance, thanks to the flagship-level 6nm technology and clock speed up to 2.2 GHz. Redmi Note 11S rises to the challenge with advanced octa-core MediaTek Helio G96 processor and up to 8GB of RAM. Additionally, both phones equip you with a 5,000mAh large-capacity battery. Alongside this exceptional battery capacity is Xiaomi flagship-level 67W wired turbo charging in Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G, which takes as fast as 15 minutes to fill 50% of battery*, while the Redmi Note 11S features 33W Pro fast charging, allowing you to charge to 100% in around an hour precisely 58 minutes.

March 8, 2022
Davao Conyo & Yumi Share Their Internet Success Stories at SKY Fiber’s Swak na Swak Launch

Internet sensation and popular TikTok content creators Phillip Hernandez, a.k.a. Davao Conyo who is known for his funny skits, and Yumi, one of TikTok’s biggest bird moms, unpacked their journey to fame and factors that affect their success during SKY Fiber’s “Swak Na Swak” Media Launch event.

For online sensations Yumi and Phillip, who have been creating content for about four years already, the internet definitely has a major impact in their life as they earn from the branded videos they post on social media platforms, Facebook and TikTok.

Phillip, who currently has 3.8 million collective followers on Facebook and TikTok for his ‘smooth promotion’ comedy skits as Davao Conyo, has a knack for performing ever since he was young.

Around late 2017, he posted a funny ‘conyo’ Bisaya dub of the popular Filipino movie, “Four Sisters And A Wedding,” on a whim. After gaining thousands of views, he started to understand what people wanted to watch and continued experimenting with his videos.

“I started with dubs because I was too shy to show my face. But as I received overwhelming support from people watching my videos, I continued creating more and eventually began making skits as well,” Phillip shared.

Yumi, on the other hand, was simply exploring TikTok in 2018 and decided to post videos of her daily life and experiences for fun. The first video that gained a lot of attention from netizens was a relatable rant about her love life. Now, she is regularly pushing out vlog-style content about her life updates, interests, and adorable pet birds to 4 million TikTok followers.

“I was just bored back then. While scrolling on my phone, I discovered the app TikTok where you can share videos as short as 15 seconds. I immediately thought this had potential to grow and was excited to try it out,” she said.

Both Phillip and Yumi also emphasized that an internet plan that suits their lifestyle is vital to their career and daily life.

SKY Fiber recently launched Super Speed Plans that cater to an everyday internet user’s need for plans with the right mix of affordability, ample speed, and seamless connectivity. Subscribers will no longer have to choose between expensive high-speed plans and unreliable low-cost plans as SKY Fiber Super Speed Plans can satisfy their internet needs.

James Dumlao, SKY’s head of Consumer Product, Programming, and Airtime Group, said during the event, “The internet has weaved itself into our daily lives. Hence, a good quality internet connection has become a necessity. ’Internet is life’ as many would say. Because of this, we at SKY Fiber have committed to continuously deliver better products and services for the markets that we serve.”

“The ‘swak’ internet for me is one where I can get fast connection anywhere in my house. That’s important for my daily life as a content creator and business owner that regularly works from home,” Yumi shared.

Phillip agreed and recalled when he was frustrated with their family’s old internet connection at home because it didn’t reach his room on the second floor, where he works. This prompted him to switch to SKY Fiber because it ticked all his requirements of speed, seamless connectivity, and, most especially, affordable price.

“I switched to SKY Fiber a few months ago and I haven’t had regrets ever since. Kasi swak na internet, swak sa budget. After all, I’m a very budget-conscious person and I pay for my own internet subscription plan,” he added.

According to SKY’s head of Consumer Broadband Alan Supnet, one of SKY Fiber’s best value plans is the 50Mbps Plan which can easily support work-from-home, online class, and casual streaming activities of a family with three to four members. For a monthly fee of just P1,699/month, subscribers also get two free WiFi Mesh devices for better WiFi coverage in the house.

A wide array of Super Speed Plans with affordable prices is available for any lifestyle. Light internet users who are budget-conscious can opt for the most affordable Unli Broadband Plans of up to 20Mbps (P999/month) and the basic Plan 30 Mbps (P1,299/month). On the other hand, moderate to heavy internet users or households with more members can choose from the higher speed but inexpensive plans of 100Mbps (P2,299/month), 150Mbps (P2,799/month), and 200Mbps (P3,499/month).

For those that want to enhance their overall entertainment set-up at home and save on monthly expenses, they can check SKY Fiber’s bundled Unli Broadband + HD Cable TV Plans. Aside from getting reliable speeds of up to 40Mbps (P1,699/month), 80Mbps (P2,499/month), and 150Mbps (P2,999/month), they can also enjoy limitless content via SKYcable channels and streaming apps such as HBO GO, iWantTFC, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and Spotify.

Subscribers of these new plans from today until April 30 can easily switch to SKY Fiber and take advantage of the free or lowered installation fee promo. Select plans are also given additional boosted speeds of up to 50% until the end of April for free so that subscribers can have a levelled-up experience without added cost to their monthly fee.

SKY Fiber is available for residents in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Baguio, Cebu, Dumaguete, Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao, GenSan, and Zamboanga.

To know more about these affordable fiber-fast offerings, visit www.mysky.com.ph/skyfiber.

March 7, 2022
8 Video Games That Deal with Loss, Grief, & Depression

For most of us, video games mean fun and entertainment, but since the rise of indie games, more and more titles have started to explore stories that can communicate with the players on a very emotional level. Some of these games touch on serious themes about mental health such as loss, grief, and depression, making them relatable to the players who are under the same circumstances while giving those who have not experienced them a glimpse and understanding of these feelings.

If you want to give such games a try, then we’ve got the list for you! Below are some video games that will put you in the shoes of characters searching for a way out of their internal struggles.

GRIS

Available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, & iOS

GRIS is a beautiful platformer that’s free of danger, frustration, or death. Presented in a mesmerizing watercolor style for its graphics, this puzzle adventure takes the player to the crumbling world of a young girl who is dealing with a painful experience in her life. While there are no dialogues, Gris uses its captivating visuals to tell an emotional story that can still be picked up by the players even without the use of words.

Spiritfarer

Available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox

Spiritfarer is a management simulator where you farm, mine, fish, harvest, cook, and craft your way across mystical seas. But what makes this game stand out from similar titles from the genre is its rich stories that will surely leave a mark on you. You play as Stella, who is the ferry master for the deceased. As you sail the seas, expanding your boat as you progress, you also have the opportunity to get to know your passenger spirits before you say farewell and release them into the afterlife.

To The Moon

Available on PC, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS

To The Moon is a story-driven top-down RPG that explores the life of a man on his death bed. It follows Dr. Rosalene and Dr. Watts whose job is to give people another chance to live, even if only in their heads before their deaths. In this particular story, the two doctors must traverse an old man’s past to find out the reason for his final wish, and make it come true. His dying wish? To go to the moon. This indie game offers a brilliant story sprinkled with surprising twists, humor, and very heartwarming moments that have left many players in tears.

That Dragon, Cancer

Available on PC, Android, & iOS

This immersive, narrative-driven game delivers a heartwrenching yet beautiful tale that’s based on a true story. A video game developer’s love letter to his young son, Joel, That Dragon, Cancer takes players on a poetic retelling of Joel’s 4-year fight against cancer. It delivers a personal memoir with audio taken from home videos, spoken word poetry, and touching themes of faith, hope, despair, helplessness, and love.

Omori

Available on PC

Omori takes players on an adventure that is vibrant and grim, and bizarre and surreal at the same time. While it looks like an out-of-this-world journey at the surface, this title is actually a psychological horror game that depicts a young hikikomori– people who lock themselves up in their bedrooms, isolated from the world. As Omori explores his world helping others, he wonders why his friends would still want to be with him, and tries to recall an important someone who he seems to have forgotten.

Florence

Available on PC, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android

Florence offers an interactive story that puts players in the shoes of the titular character and her life experiences that are so rooted in reality, many would easily relate and feel the girl’s joys and pains even with the lack of in-game text. At the age of 25, Florence feels stuck in an endless loop of work, sleep, and scrolling through social media. Everything changes when she falls in love with the cellist Krish, who gives color to her life. The players then join Florence and Krish in the journey of their relationship, as they grow together, and soon grow apart. With a story that lasts in just 30 minutes, Florence is short but it definitely succeeds in giving players an intimate and heartfelt experience.

Actual Sunlight

Available on PC, Nintendo Switch, Android, & PlayStation Vita

This game bares a dark and bleak story with themes of depression and suicide that may not be suitable to players sensitive to such topics. The game makes players live the life Evan Winter, an overweight, lonely, and depressed young professional. As Evan struggles with his career, family, and love, he is also searching for his purpose in life. As the negatives pile up, the protagonist’s hopes of pressing on with life continues to dwindle. Delivered almost entirely in text, Actual Sunlight offers a very story-driven experience with little gaming mechanics.

Night in the Woods

Available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and iOS

Night in the Woods is a colorful adventure game about exploration that features anthropomorphic animals with human problems. The game follows the college dropout Mae Borowski, who returns to the her hometown Possum Springs to resume her former life and reconnect with friends. But Mae would find that the people she knew have all grown and changed– and there’s something hidden in the woods. Dive deep into the rich stories of this game’s characters and let their lives connect with yours in this emotional rollercoaster of a game.

ALSO READ
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8 Relaxing iOS and Android Games That Will Help You De-stress

Looking for more video games to play? Check out our latest video game lists. Stay in the loop and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

March 2, 2022

Nokia T20: An Affordable Starter Tablet Built for Entertainment & Streaming

If you’re deciding on buying a tablet for the first time to either up your productivity or make your (or your kids’) entertainment content more portable, the vast selection of Android products can be both intimidating and overwhelming. Luckily there are budget-friendly yet feature-rich options for those on the lookout for a starter gadget for themselves, their kids, and even the elderly.

Nokia‘s latest tablet offering is its T20, which rounds up all your essential tablet needs and then some for a reasonable price. Read on if you’re on the lookout for an affordable tablet suitable for kids, beginners, and everyday work and play.

Signature Nordic Design

If you’ve recently held a Nokia smartphone in your hands, then the T20 tablet is going to have a familiar look and feel, translating the aesthetics of the phone into a sleek tablet. It comes in one color, Deep Ocean – a dark greenish-blue. The T20 is given that Nordic touch Nokia is known for: sleek, stylish, and understated, making it a gadget that looks more expensive than it actually is.

Nokia T20: An Affordable Starter Tablet Built for Entertainment & Streaming — Inside the Box: Nokia T20, Cable, Charger, and Quick start guide

Display and Sound

The big screen is built for keeping you entertained and also productive if you’re looking for a tablet to stream your movies, check your emails, and a tablet to hand over to the kids for their educational games and shows. The T20 has a 2K 10.4-inch display paired with stereo speakers with a power amplifier, featuring OZO Playback Panorama, a Nokia technology that makes the audio more immersive. This playback feature also includes bass enhancement, loudness optimization, and stereo widening to fill a bigger space with sound, perfect for streaming your favorite shows and films. The big display coupled with immersive and enhanced sounds make streaming movies and series more enjoyable! Another plus is the Night Light option, which activates the low blue light mode that prevents eye strain when you’re using your table for a more prolonged period.

Back View Color 1 — Nokia T20 is available in Ocean Blue

Side View Color 1 — Nokia T20 is available in Ocean Blue

Good Battery Life

A long-lasting battery is always a plus with any smart device, so Nokia T20 can keep up with the demands of movie marathons and binge-watching series all throughout the day. If you’re a regular user of a tablet for entertainment content like Netflix, Spotify, or YouTube you don’t need to worry about the T20 running out of juice from full charge (Nokia claims its tablet’s 8200mAh battery can last up to 10 hours of video streaming). What I observed though is that the battery takes quite a while to achieve a full charge, but this isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker. You also get to stretch the T20’s battery life when using it in automatic brightness mode.

2 Year OS Upgrades plus 3 Years of Security Updates

A big plus for the Nokia tablet is its inclusion of OS updates for two years – this means that aside from the stock Android 11, you will also get to upgrade to 12 and 13. This is a feature that’s already enjoyed by Nokia users, as the brand assures multiple years’ worth of software upgrades for their budget smartphones – assuring your gadget will always be up to date. In addition, the T20 gets security updates for 3 years, delivering the latest Security Patches and Maintenance Releases to your device for a better gadget experience.

Large T20 Rationals OCEANBLUE Lanscape Front

Large T20 Rationals OCEANBLUE Portrait Front

Google Kids Space and Entertainment Space: A Tablet Experience Tailor Fit to the User

I’ve saved this feature as the T20’s last highlight because these two Google experiences really encapsulate the ideal user for the tablet. As its name implies, Kids Space is designed with a child’s interests and entertainment in mind, showcasing curated content for a younger Android tablet user paired with parental controls. All kid-friendly content goes here, so the T20 can access apps, games, videos, e-books – everything to keep the little ones entertained and educated at the same time.

The Google Entertainment Space, on the other hand, is an Android tablet experience that makes portable entertainment tailor-fit to its user. This entertainment hub feature by Google was launched last year and is a personalized entertainment ‘homepage’ that customizes its content suggestions (movies, shows, games, e-books, etc.) based on your installed apps, watch history, and recent activities. Entertainment Space also allows multiple profiles so every family member can have their own personalized Entertainment Space. As far as I know, this feature is not available across all Android tablets so it’s pretty cool that the Nokia T20 is part of the select Android devices that has it installed.

For P12,990, the Nokia T20 is a good option for an entry-level Android tablet that has an impressively sleek design partnered with a long-lasting battery to keep both kids and adults entertained all day. Whilst its camera isn’t anything special, all the tablet basics are ticked off with this one and make this tablet a good buy for anyone seeking premium aesthetics offered at a reasonable price. If it’s a budget-friendly portable device for entertainment you seek for yourself and the entire family, this is an easy recommendation.

Get the Nokia T20 for P12,790 from March 3 to 7, 2022 at the Lazada Birthday Opening Sale: add to cart here.

Quick Specs:

In Box	Charger Quick Start Guide Safety Booklet Sim Pin
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.0 WiFi dual-band (2.4GHz,5GHz) Headphone jack: 3.5 mm Location: GPS/AGPS (With LTE version) USB connection: USB Type-C (USB 2.0) WiFi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Memory and Storage	Internal storage: 64 GB MicroSD card support up to: 512 GB RAM: 4 GB
RAM	8GB
Dimensions and Display	Height: 7.8 mm Length: 247.6 mm Weight: 470 g (4G model) and 465 g (WiFi-only model) Width: 157.5 mm Brightness boost, SGS Low blue light certification, Brightness: 400 nits (typ.) Size: 10.4 inch Aspect ratio: 5:3 Cover glass: Toughened glass
Audio	Speakers: Stereo speakers with power amplifier, FM-radio (Headset required), OZO Audio – Capture and Playback Microphones: 2
Camera	Front camera: 5 MP, fixed-focus Rear camera: 8 MP auto-focus Rear flash LED
Battery	8200 mAh, Non-Removable Charging: USB-PD Type-C 15W compatible for fast charging (10W charger inbox)
OS	Android™ 11 OS upgrades: 2 years of upgrades
Colors	Deep Ocean
Price	P12,990 (order online via Shopee or Lazada)

March 2, 2022

Category: Tech

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