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Thousands made history as Suzuki riders gathered at the Raider R150 Summit 2023

Motorcycles

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28 Jul 2023

Thousands made history as Suzuki riders gathered at the Raider R150 Summit 2023

Thousands of Suzuki riders gathered at the Raider R150 Summit 2023, creating history for the Raider motorcycle’s 20th anniversary in the Philippines last July 16, 2023. Celebrating Two Decades Unrivaled in the Underbone Sport category, the World Trade Center declared foot traffic of more than 8,000 during the event, wherein the riders were treated with the signature Suzuki Raider Summit’s remarkable experience.

Two decades reign celebration

The excitement for the big comeback of the Raider R150 Summit was noticeable because even during the afternoon of July 15 (the day before the event), riders from as far as Bicol and Pangasinan had already started coming to the venue. The rain did not stop our riders from 156 clubs nationwide to come and join this historic event, which also served as the brand’s grand reunion after almost a 5-year pause due to the pandemic.

Joining the grand celebration were Suzuki Philippines’ executives: president Koichiro Hirao, general manager for motorcycle sales and marketing Jun Bulot, assistant general manager for finance and admin division Cathy Magtibay, assistant to the general manager Daigo Morikawa, marketing manager Nenuka Guba, and the rest of the management committee. Also present were Suzuki Motor Corporation (Japan)’s chief engineer for motorcycles Hideshi Morii, group manager for motorcycle design Shinsuke Furuhashi, delegates from Suzuki Japan and Southeast Asian markets, as well as dealer partners, media and vlogger friends. Also in attendance was Atty. Hector Villacorta from the Land Transportation Office.

It was a fun-filled occasion which commenced with a fun drone shot inside the World Trade Center. The halls of the venue were then filled with the cheers of the riders as the program began with the Raider Roar contest, which heard the club chants of our Suzuki Raider Clubs, and was won by the Raider All Star Nation.

Next were the signature club contests. The Face of the Summit for the most swoon-worthy lady representative of clubs was awarded to Noelyn Abejero of R150 Tondo Manila Riders Club. The Astig Rider who serves as a good example among the riders was awarded to Ronaldo Visda of ROCI Pasig Chapter. Lovers of the Summit for those with a long-standing relationship was won by Edgar and Monaliza Paxidio of ROCI. The Talentadong Riders who showed the heart-stopping dance moves of club representatives to the tune of the Raider jingle was won by KYCKZ Familia by RTMRC of R150 Tondo Manila Riders Club.

One of the most popular and anticipated contests from every Summit is the Raider Custom Bike Contest which highlights the creativity and good craftsmanship of the owners in modifying their motorcycles. The winners were: Steven Delos Santos of Team DLS as the Best Custom Bike for Fuel Injection and Mauro Adriano Jr. of 5J Customs as the Best Custom Bike Carburetor. The Best Engine Tune-up was won by veteran John Ibasco of Johnworks Racing Team, while the Special Award Best Thai Concept was given to Adrian Arayan of Boss Erick Thai Parts all the way from Bukidnon. The Best Paint went to Jerick Waje of 5J Customs, while the Best Chrome was given to Louie Lucas of Allenwerks Custom. Crowd favourite Marvin Torbiles of Ararworks got the Rider’s Choice award, while Jomarvin Rodolfo of Thai Enthusiast PH took home the Media/Vloggers Choice award.

The brand also showed why the Raider R150 Fi is the best of both worlds, highlighting the fuel efficiency of the known motorcycle for speed. Suzuki showcased the results of the recently concluded series of Fuel Econoruns held in Luzon and Mindanao of 128.2 km/L and 98.91 km/L, respectively. Mindanao winner Karl Diaz shared on stage his techniques for achieving the numbers with proper riding posture, braking, and throttle control.

The Raider R150 Summit is a celebration for the whole Team Suzuki, which was further highlighted when other Suzuki motorcycle owners joined the event and danced to the Oras na Para MagMotor jingle. Suzuki’s complete line-up of motorcycles, from regular to Big Bikes, were also available for viewing for riders who want to get their next Suzuki. FREE Test rides of chosen Suzuki motorcycles were available for the Avenis, Burgman Street, Burgman Street EX, V-STROM 250 SX, Gixxer 250, Gixxer 250SF, Burgman 400 ABS, SV 650/A, and the newly launched GSX-8S and V-STROM 650DE. FREE FI was also offered to the first 40 attendees of the Summit.

Showing appreciation to its riders, Suzuki also gave special recognition to selected clubs. Hailed as winners of the Raider Club Awards were: Biggest Delegation for Club – ROCI, Biggest Delegation Chapter – Raider R150 Laguna, Farthest Delegation – Raider 150 Bataan, Earliest Delegation – ROCI Bicol. For other Suzuki Club Awards: Biggest Delegation for Club – Burgman Street Elite Riders Club, Biggest Delegation Chapter – Smash 115 Club Philippines.

Oldest Suzuki Raider motorcycles were also awarded: Oldest Raider model was awarded to Jess Colasi with his R125 model year 2001, while owners Mylene Cecilia and Rio Chavez won the oldest Raider R150 for their unit with model year 2003. Winners of the Grand Raffle Prizes of 3 V-STROM 250 SX were Roland Odango, Grace Delos Reyes, and Maria Pauline Baroro.

Underscoring Suzuki’s strong relationship with its riders, both renewed their pledge of commitment to each other in a very heart-warming segment led by the Suzuki club presidents and Suzuki Philippines’ club relations lead Sherwin Florendo.

Celebrating in true fashion, the event was filled with celebrities who performed and partied with everyone. Multi-talented actress Arci Munoz jammed with the riders with her singing prowess, DJ Tanya Chinita did a playful number to the delight of the audience, while promising talent Tricia Meraki did a string of special performances with her band. Capping the festivity was the rock band Kamikazee, whose act made the whole World Trade Center sing in chorus. The event was hosted by the witty and charming MPL host Mara Aquino and DJ & Alamid frontman Carl McFly, with Darbz of Real Talk Darbz as the crowd correspondent.

Supporting the Raider R150 Summit 2023 were trade partners who provided raffle and freebies to the riders: AV Moto Tuning Sales and Service Center, Canley Traders Corporation, Ejeas Philippines, Evo Helmets, Faito Philippines, IRC Tires, Overdose Moto Products, Racing Boy Philippines, RK Racing Chain and Sprocket, Shih Fa Tires, Spyder Philippines, Suzuki Genuine Parts, Team Graphitee, ThreeBond, Triumph JT Marketing Corporation and Turbanrider.

vivo Y02t with up to 1TB expandable storage and 5000mAh battery, priced at PHP5,999

Smartphones & Tablets

Gadgets Magazine 11

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28 Jul 2023

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vivo Y02t with up to 1TB expandable storage and 5000mAh battery, priced at PHP5,999

Vivo has recently introduced the vivo Y02t, an elegant budget smartphone designed to enhance the quality and durability of its Y Series collection. With a substantial 4GB of RAM, as well as the option to extend it up to 4GB, users can effortlessly navigate and seamlessly switch between applications. Moreover, the vivo Y02s offers an ample 64GB storage capacity, which can conveniently be expanded up to an impressive 1TB using a micro SD card, allowing users to store a multitude of files.

Besides the enhanced RAM, here’s what everyone needs to know about vivo’s latest budget phone.

Built to last and withstand damage

Vivo consistently delivers phones of exceptional quality. The vivo Y02t, in particular, has successfully undergone a series of rigorous quality tests to ensure its durability against scratches, drops, and even extreme weather conditions.

The anti-fingerprint back cover was made by a new nano-grade material spray coating process to make it resistant to daily scratches. The phone was also tested 32,000 times for drops, 10,000 times for USB ports, and 6,000 times for headset ports. vivo also used and stored the phone in artificial environments that reached -20 degrees Celsius and 75 degrees Celsius.

Nonstop entertainment

vivo Y02t boasts a 5000mAh battery, so it can keep users entertained through online high-definition video streaming for up to 18 hours.

It also features a 6.51-inch Halo FullView™ Display with HD+ (1600 × 720) resolution, providing a wide and immersive view for videos. With the Eye Protection Screen feature, do not worry about eye strain from harmful blue light as vivo Y02t’s display automatically adjusts the level of brightness based on ambient light conditions.

Truly high-end design

vivo never disappoints when it comes to design. vivo Y02t has a flat frame and a matte back panel. It comes in two colors – Sunset Gold which is perfect under the sun, and Cosmic Grey for a mysterious, powerful look.

Other features to love

vivo Y02t has a MediaTek Octa-core processor that offers reliable and smooth performance. It is also equipped with Funtouch OS 13 based on Android 13 Edition, which features a new method for entering a split-screen view as well as copying and pasting across devices. Get better language preferences, finer multitasking, enhanced audio, an updated photo picker, and improved privacy with the Funtouch OS 13.

The phone also turns into a power bank as it has a 5V/1A reverse charging feature. This is helpful to cover other devices when out and about.

Wake vivo Y02t effortlessly with its face recognition feature in just the blink of an eye.

Get vivo’s newest elegant yet affordable phone for only PHP5,999 at its official website, e-stores such as Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok, as well as physical stores nationwide.

ASUS Vivobook 15X OLED (K3504) reviewed

Gadgets Magazine 9

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27 Jul 2023

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I’ve reviewed most of ASUS’ new Vivobook lineup in the last year. From the small and compact Vivobook Pro 14 OLED to the bigger Vivobook Pro 15 OLED. I still maintain that those two are some of the best bang-for-the-buck laptops you can get. Now, not only am I trying out the non-pro version, but this is also the first Intel variant loaned to us for a review, so how does the ASUS Vivobook 15X OLED (K3504) place among its siblings?

Design: 4/5

The ASUS Vivobook 15X OLED shares most of its design with the ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 OLED. It has the same metallic black cover and plastic chassis. As ASUS made the Vivobook design a bit more uniform, you’ll immediately notice the same Vivobook logo design on the lid and the Vivobook aesthetic on the enter key.

It has a 15.6-inch 2.8K (2880 x 1620) OLED display with a 120Hz screen refresh rate. As an ASUS OLED display, it has a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut as well as VESA DisplayHDR 500 and Pantone-validated display perfect for graphic-sensitive works. The display also has TUV Rheinland certification for low blue light, guaranteeing a much safer and still vivid viewing experience.

Like its siblings, the Vivobook 15X OLED is loaded with ports. On the left side of the laptop is a USB 2.0 Type-A port, as well as LED indicators. On the right side are the DC-in port, the HDMI, two USB 3.2 type-A ports, a USB 3.2 Type-C port with power delivery, and finally the 3.5mm combo audio jack. Meanwhile, on top of the 15.6-inch display is the 720p 3DNR webcam with ASUS’ webcam shield.

When you remove the laptop from its box, you’ll immediately notice how light and thin it is. Despite being a 15-inch laptop, the Vivobook 15X is surprisingly light, coming in at just 1.6kg, 0.2kg lighter than the Vivobook Pro 15 OLED I previously reviewed. It is also a bit thinner, coming in at just 17.9mm.

Hardware: 4/5

The ASUS Vivobook 15X OLED (K3504) is powered by an Intel Core i7-1255U processor. The Vivobook 15X has 10 total cores (2-power cores and 8 efficiency cores) with 12 threads. It can reach as high as 4.70GHz. Essentially this is one powerful yet power-efficient device. On the graphics side, there’s not much, as the laptop runs on Intel’s UHD graphics. Our unit also had 500GB of NVMe SSD storage, as well as 8GB of DDR4 RAM though ASUS is also offering a 16GB variants.

For benchmarks, PCMark 10 has it at 4883 for overall performance, with 9130 for essentials and 6462 for productivity. Cinebench R23 has it at 5772 pts for multi-core and 1557 for single-core. Geekbench 6 meanwhile gauged the laptop with a score of 2129 for single-core and 5040 for multi-core performance. Finally, on the graphics side, 3DMark Night Raid scored it 9258 and Cinebench R23.

What we can take out of the benchmarks is that the Intel Core i7-1255U is a beast for single-core performance outperforming the Ryzen 5800H on the Vivobook Pro 15 OLED. However, it does come short for multi-core performance but not by a lot.

In real-world testing, the ASUS Vivobook 15X performed really well as an on-the-go workhorse. The core i7-1255U is power efficient compared to the bigger Pro models. While the Vivobook Pro 14 OLED and Pro 15 OLED lasted me around 6-7 hours, the Vivobook 15X OLED lasted a similar time despite the smaller 50Whr battery. ASUS has also provided a fast-charging capability with the Vivobook 15X OLED able to top up from 0% up to 60% in just under an hour. If you don’t want to carry the power brick, you can juice up using your phone charger (USB Type-C) or with a Power delivery enabled power bank.

User Experience: 4.5/5

What makes the ASUS Vivobook 15X OLED stand out is its portability. There are just a few laptops on the market that offer a large 15.6-inch display with a thin and light body. Most of these laptops are also in the premium price range.

Even though it’s thin and light, the performance does not take a hit. The Core i7-1255U is more than good for most everyday tasks. It can also handle a bit of light graphic work, like a bit of video editing and Photoshop. It can also handle light gaming, especially on esports titles like League of Legends and Valorant. Its thermals are also some of the best I’ve experienced, with the device never reaching dangerously warm temperatures during benchmarks and stress tests.

Like the ASUS Vivobook Pro 14/ 15 OLED, the Vivobook 15X is a workhorse. Its portability was a godsend since I was on the go for most of the week I had it with me. Most other 15.6-inch laptop weigh at least 1.8kg, and while 0.2kg does not seem much, it does add up on your daily commute. Plus, the bigger display allowed me to do more than my current personal laptop, which is a 14-inch model.

Where the laptop shines, though, is during media consumption. The OLED display is simply stellar for Netflix binge-watching, and speakers equally complement it. There’s DIRAC Audio software pre-installed which allows for the personalized of the laptops sounds through an equalizer.

ASUS has also equipped the ErgoSense keyboard on the Vivobook 15X OLED with their ASUS Antibacterial Guard coating. According to ASUS, the silver ion coating on the keyboard inhibits 99% bacterial growth over a 24-hr period. This means there should be less bacterial buildup on the laptop’s surface as you continuously use it. This technology passed the ISO 22196 test for bacterial activity, giving me a bit more peace of mind when using the laptop.

Another notable thing about ASUS’ laptops, including the Vivobook-series, is military-grade durability. Each laptop undergoes 12 different military-grade test methods of which are 26 different test procedures. Some of these include vibration tests, extreme temperature tests, and drop (shock) tests. Knowing that these laptops were essentially pushed to the limits before being green-lit to the market gives me more confidence in bringing the laptop anywhere without worrying if it will break.

If anything does go wrong, ASUS is offering two years of international warranty, the first year of which includes ASUS’ Platinum Protection Warranty which covers physicals damages to the laptop. Platinum Protection Warranty also covers 100% of the labor cause and even 80% of the placement parts costs.

If there’s one thing that I would have liked better is the option of having a model with a dedicated graphics card. Having a dedicated graphic within the Vivobook 15X would make this my top recommendation for those looking for a great budget-friendly laptop for serious content creation.

Value: 4.5/5

Starting at PHP 49,995 for the Core i5 variant, the ASUS Vivobook 15X is once again a compelling device to look at. Our unit would set you back PHP 55,995. For that price, no laptop comes close to its portability, processor performance, and finally great display. ASUS continues to impress me with what they’re doing with their mid-range laptops.

Buying the ASUS Vivobook 15X OLED from July 1 to August 31, 2023, get you with as much as PHP 3,500 worth of free bundles in the ASUS Cool for School promo. You can learn more about it here.

To try out the ASUS Vivobook 15X OLED and other ASUS laptop yourself, you can visit your nearest ASUS Concept store and authorize resellers. You can find the nearest one here.

Bottomline:

The ASUS Vivobook 15X is a great all-around device for those on the go.

What’s hot:

Intel Core i7-1255U

Fantastic OLED Display

Good battery life

What not:

A dedicated graphics would have been a game changer

Organize your essentials with Urbanize

Accessories & Peripherals

Gadgets Magazine 11

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27 Jul 2023

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One downside to having too many gadgets and tech essentials is having a place to put everything in—may it be for your cables, earphones, or even adapters! Good thing Urbanize has a bunch of organizers that you can use on a daily basis!

Urbanize is a one-stop-shop for people looking for Life Tools—the things that will help you navigate through life easier and better. They offer more than just bags; they also carry a multitude of other products, such as tumblers, organizers, and even travel pillows! Urbanize is partnered with international and local brands such as Pacsafe, CabinZero, The Coldest Water, Elecom, Side by Side, and U Elements.

For the techies out there, here are some of our items that you will surely like!

Side by Side Power Packer Cable Pouch Organizer – is a cable pouch organizer that allows you to carry all your tech essentials in one go! Its compression panels allow you to carry even bulky items, such as adapters and laptop chargers, while keeping everything compact. Its goal is to use the smallest footprint possible without having to compromise what you can bring– perfect when you have very limited space when you’re traveling or working outside!

Elecom Organizational Storage Pouch – this free-standing pouch can hold both your gadgets and other essential supplies! It has a double zipper opening making it easy to access, and dividers and mesh pockets to separate your cables, cords, and other small trinkets neatly! This is the perfect everyday organizer pouch to bring to the office or school!

Elecom ZeroShock Organizational Laptop Bag – A bag that can fit a 15” laptop among your other essentials? Well, this is it! This slim carrying bag has pockets you can put your other valuables in! If you’re on a remote work or hybrid set-up, this would be the perfect laptop bag as you can easily bring everything you need in one go. It can also be used as a messenger bag, as there is a shoulder strap included! The best part, you ask? It has shock absorption properties, making your laptop and valuables safe from sudden impact!

Mogics Power Bagel – This may not be an organizer but it can keep your plugged cables organized! The Mogics Power Bagel is the WORLD’S FIRST AND ONLY Travel Power Strip! It has universal sockets, USB ports, and a compact design which makes it easy to bring anywhere you go! This pocket-sized power strip also has an adjustable cable and an ergonomically designed outlet placement, which means you can plug in bulky chargers all at the same time!

For more organizers and other tech innovations, you may visit any Urbanize store nationwide. You may also visit the Urbanize website, www.urbanize.com.ph.

Make sure to like and follow Urbanize’s social media pages.

FB: https://www.facebook.com/urbanizeph

IG: https://www.instagram.com/urbanizeph.

TikTok and Smart celebrate Ezequiel “Spidey” Cauilan as the Greatest Gamer in epic finale tournament

Gaming

Gadgets Magazine 17

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26 Jul 2023

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TikTok and Smart celebrate Ezequiel “Spidey” Cauilan as the Greatest Gamer in epic finale tournament

The Greatest Gamer Philippines, the reality contest of TikTok presented by Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) in collaboration with Smart Omega and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), has reached its finale, with 16-year-old Ezequiel “Spidey” Cauilan emerging as the ultimate champion. After three weeks of fierce competition and a display of exceptional gaming skills, Spidey secured a place in the Smart Omega team’s MLBB roster and cemented his status as ‘The Greatest Gamer’ in the country.

The culmination of The Greatest Gamer Philippines witnessed intense battles, strategic gameplay, and heart-stopping moments. Throughout the competition, Spidey displayed unwavering determination, skill, and passion, standing out among the talented pool of finalists. Their performance showcased the qualities necessary to excel in professional Esports, inspiring gamers across the country.

“Sobrang salamat sa mga sumosoporta sa akin, lalo na sa pamilya ko dahil di sila sumusuko sa akin. Lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa TikTok at Smart sa pagkakataong ito na maipakita ang husay ng mga Pinoy sa Esports. Sana maging inspirasyon ako sa mga kababayan nating gustong marating ang kanilang mga pangarap. Maraming salamat po,” said Spidey.

[“Thank you so much to those who support me, especially my family because they never give up on me. I am very grateful to TikTok and Smart for this opportunity to showcase the talent of Filipinos in Esports. I hope I can be an inspiration to our countrymen who want to achieve their dreams. Thank you very much,” said Spidey.]

As the winner of The Greatest Gamer Philippines, Spidey received a PHP250,000 cash prize, a one-year contract with Smart’s professional esports team Smart Omega, and the opportunity to join Smart Omega’s esteemed MLBB roster, offering him further opportunities for growth and success in his gaming career.

Inspiring Future Generations of Esports Athletes

“The Greatest Gamer Philippines has been a remarkable showcase of talent, passion, and the power of the Filipino gaming community. We extend our warmest congratulations to Spidey for his well-deserved victory and commend all the participants for their exceptional performances. The competition has not only highlighted the incredible potential and dedication of Filipino gamers but also reinforced our commitment to supporting the growth of the gaming community in the Philippines,” said Vanessa Brown, director, business development, APAC, TikTok.

“We would like to extend our congratulations to Spidey, who emerged as the champion of the first ever The Greatest Gamer Philippines. His performance is a testament to the immense talent and skill of young Filipinos, who have the potential to dominate esports here and abroad. May his journey inspire more young Filipinos to pursue their passions and dreams,” said Lloyd R. Manaloto, first vice president and head of prepaid and content at Smart.

As the official telco partner of The Greatest Gamer Philippines, Smart enabled seamless connectivity and uninterrupted gameplay of the finalists.

From the auditions, which drew thousands of passionate gamers, to the exciting challenges in the villa, The Greatest Gamer Philippines garnered immense support with almost 550,000 unique viewers from TikTok users, Esports fans, and the Filipino gaming community across the ten live streams throughout the competition. TikTok provided an immersive experience, offering behind-the-scenes, weekly tournaments, and engaging content that delved into the contestant’s backstories, allowing Esports fans and viewers to follow their journeys closely.

The impact and legacy of The Greatest Gamer Philippines will continue to resonate, inspiring future generations of Esports athletes to pursue their dreams and strive for excellence. The competition’s conclusion marks not only a thrilling achievement for Spidey but also a significant milestone in the Esports landscape in the Philippines.

For more information about The Greatest Gamer Philippines and to relive the exciting moments of the competition, follow @thegreatestgamer on TikTok or visit https://www.tiktok.com/@thegreatestgamer.

vivo Y36 reviewed

Gadgets Magazine 4

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26 Jul 2023

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I’ve been off Android for quite some time now, so when I was given the chance to review the new vivo Y36, I immediately jumped at the chance. Here’s how I found the phone when I took it for a spin on a week-long work trip.

Design: 4/5

The review unit we got came in an eye-catching Glitter Aqua colorway with a visual sandblasted back panel that pops when it catches the light. I say visual because there’s a transparent glass piece protecting the textured design, so you won’t actually be able to run your fingers over it. The vivo logo is in the rear’s bottom left, while the upper left houses the camera island with the flash module and huge rear camera lenses.

The volume rockers and power button sit on the phone’s right edge; the top edge has a microphone pinhole and the combination microSD-SIM card tray; and the bottom has a 3.5mm headphone jack, another microphone pinhole, USB-C port, and single bottom-firing speakers. The left edge is bare. Up front is the gigantic 6.64-inch, Full HD 1080p IPS LCD display with a punch-hole display along the top side for the selfie shooter.

The phone also comes with a clear transparent jelly case out of the box so you can use and show it off immediately while increasing its chances of survival against drops and rough surfaces. It’s a thoughtful inclusion for those with butterfingers like me, as I accidentally dropped it from waist level once, and it survived without a scratch.

Overall, the phone looks pretty nice and feels decent in hand. My only gripe is the huge two-piece black camera assemblies at the back, which I feel distracts from the chic aesthetic it has going on.

Hardware: 3.5/5

Starting off with the display, the vivo Y36 has a sizeable 6.64-inch Full HD (1080 x 2388 px) IPS display with a 90Hz refresh rate and a 240Hz touch sampling rate. It runs on a power efficiency-focused but dated Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset with an Adreno 610 GPU and 8GB of RAM, which should make the vivo Y36 a decent performer across the board. However, the chip means no 5G.

The 256GB built-in storage is quite generous. Out of the box, it arrives with around 235GB of free storage, with the rest taken up by the OS and some pre-installed apps, which you can opt to remove. You should have a hard time filling this phone up, but if ever you do, you can bolster it with up to a 1TB microSD card.

One more thing of note is the battery. With 5000mAh of juice and combined with the battery life-focused Snapdragon 680, the vivo Y36 should easily last a whole day of mixed use with plenty to spare. It also ships with a 44W fast charger out of the box to make charging the gargantuan battery a less time-consuming affair.

User Experience: 4/5

I used the vivo Y36 as a daily driver for about a week on the road and in the field, and it has been great for my everyday use case scenario—lots of photo and video taking, intermittent social media and browser use, watching videos here and there, and a few intermittent gaming sessions.

Coming from a smaller phone with just a 5.4-inch screen, the extra real estate from the vivo Y36 was much appreciated both for messaging and viewing media. The screen is quite bright and is still viewable even outside on a sunny day. Colors also came out vibrant and decently saturated, and the 90Hz display made for a fluid scrolling experience.

As is, this shot at dusk is quite dark and the details are quite murky.

The cameras also performed nicely in well-lit conditions. Shooting with HDR on, captured images came out nicely with decent sharpness, no horrid-looking color enhancements, and a decent balance between highlights and shadows. As with many phones, the vivo Y36 struggles to resolve details and suppress noise in dimly lit environments. However, the accompanying 50MP Super Night Algorithm technology in the camera is able to churn out surprisingly great low-light photos as long as you can hold the phone steady for a few seconds. The videos I’ve taken also came out nice, and the software-based stabilization still works and does not produce very noticeable artifacts, even if I’m walking haphazardly. I did miss having a wide-angle camera and a 4K video option, though.

As for the battery, the Flash Charge power brick performs as advertised. From totally dead, 30 minutes of being tethered to the wall juiced the vivo Y36 up to 47%. It took a total of around 1 hour and 10 minutes to fully charge to 100%—quite reasonable for the sizeable power source. I also found that I could easily go around two days before I needed to top off the battery, a runtime which is unsurprising given the battery size and power-efficient chip.

Speaking of the Snapdragon 680, the vivo Y36 scored 6897 in PC Mark’s Work 3.0 Performance test. In 3D Mark’s Wild Life test, it scored 587, averaged 3.5 frames per second, and is reportedly outperformed by 94% of all devices. Real-life gaming use was a mixed bag. Mobile Legends performs smoothly, even at the highest graphic settings. Even a shooter like Call of Duty Mobile performed smoothly as long as I didn’t push graphics settings all the way up. However, playing NBA 2K was not the smoothest affair, and navigating the menus had some hiccups here and there. In-game, even on Low graphics, it feels like it barely keeps 30fps.

Value: 4/5

It doesn’t have the most powerful processor for gaming at this price point, but it makes up for it in other areas. The vivo Y36 was able to keep up with what I needed it to be: a multimedia consumption device that takes decent images and can go on and on without me being paranoid that it will be dead in the middle of the day. If you’re coming from an older phone and are looking for something that looks good, performs decent, can go for hours on end with plenty of battery to spare, with tons of storage, and is quite affordable at PHP12,999, the vivo Y36 makes a great case for itself.

Specifications:

Display: 6.64-inch Full HD (1080 x 2388 px) IPS display with 90Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 680
OS: Funtouch OS 13 (Android 13)
RAM: 8GB,
Storage: 256GB, microSD expandable up to 1TB
Camera: 50MP main with super night algorithm and 2MP depth (rear); 16MP (front)
Connectivity: 4G LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS with aGPS support, USB Type-C
Battery: 5000mAh, 44W Flash Charge
Dimensions: 164.06 × 76.17 × 8.07 mm
Weight: 201g

What’s Hot:

Long battery life
Decent rear cameras
Looks great

What’s Not:

Snapdragon 680 is not that powerful
No 5G

Bottomline

If you’re on the hunt for a good-looking daily driver and you’re not looking to play heavy games, then the vivo Y36 is something you should consider.

Review and photos by Chris Noel Hidalgo
Also published in Gadgets Magazine August 2023 Issue

PUP marketing students focus on the role of artificial intelligence in digital marketing

Education

Gadgets Magazine 17

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26 Jul 2023

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PUP marketing students focus on the role of artificial intelligence in digital marketing

The first virtual Closing Ceremonies, with the theme LORE: The Marketing Apocalypse—Will Al be the Future of Marketing? let the 3NDEAVOR PRODUCTIONS effectively finish their term and it is shown at 3NDEAVOR Productions’ official Facebook page on July 8, 2023.

The earlier mentioned event, which was put together by aspiring future business owners with the collaboration of its guest speakers, offers viewers insights into optimizing benefits, enhancing results, and utilizing data to obtain a competitive edge in the market and improve their ability to respond quickly and actively. With the help of its generous sponsors, the event is made as entertaining as possible with a ton of freebies and pre-event activities that allow creative and competitive minds to show off their talent and innovative thinking.

Students from various sections, campuses, and courses made up the audience of 11.8K viewers that attended the event. People responded to the event with overwhelming love and support, sharing it with others, praising their friends, and leaving encouraging comments about each activity and piece of information presented.

Modern technology is a huge asset in today’s society for planning and carrying out tremendous goals. Participants witnessed how AI is transforming traditional marketing strategies, identifying innovative industry trends, and fostering corporate expansion. They were expertly led through every facet of this fascinating new technology by the invited speakers.

Other than knowledge, the hosts and guest performers provided a great experience with their special intermissions and different genres of music. The melody and punchline of each are a great attention-getter to those who are losing their attention in the event.

As 3NDEAVOR continues to make history in the world of greatness. The eagerness to create an informative and interactive webinar was shown starting from their pre-event games and giveaways, engaging opening ceremony, providing quality hosts and performers, collaborating with genius speakers and generous sponsors, and ending it with a heartfelt ending ceremony.

After gaining insights into the real objective of popularizing Artificial Intelligence and its role in marketing. Hopefully, the next generations can learn a lot of things and broaden their purpose of utilization when it comes to work and daily living.

Bayad partners with BillEase for installment bill payment option

Money

Gadgets Magazine 17

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26 Jul 2023

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Bayad partners with BillEase for installment bill payment option

Bayad, the pioneer brand in the outsourced payment collection system, has partnered with BillEase, a top-rated consumer finance app, to enable customers to settle their bills in a more convenient way via installments.

Under the partnership, users of the BillEase mobile app can now pay their bills through two cardless installment options namely Pay Later for expenses up to PHP1000, and Pay Monthly over a period of three, six, nine, or 12 months for tickets with interest rates up to 3.49%.

“Our partnership with Bayad plays a pivotal role in the promotion of financial inclusion and digitalization in the country, as we enable accessible and convenient bill payment services that aim to help our customers manage all their finances in one app,” said Georg Steiger, chief executive officer and co-founder of BillEase.

The new feature is due to the integration of the Bayad bills payment feature in the BillEase mobile app, enabling a one-stop-shop service solution for its customers since they can now access over 100 billers covering electricity and water utilities, cable and internet, government contributions, loan payments, school tuition, online shopping, insurance, and many more.

The new partnership between Bayad and BillEase seeks to provide more convenient payment options to Filipinos. Seen in the photo are (from L-R) Bayad Business Development Manager Rachel N. Sansolis, Bayad Account Manager Laurene Vila- Suntay, Bayad Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer Dennis S. Gatuslao, BillEase Co-founder and CEO Georg Steiger, Bayad Business Development Officer Dan Steven A. Ngking, and Bayad Account Officer Jon Carlo B. Decena.

Bayad, a wholly owned unit of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), has been proactively expanding its network of billers to provide greater financial inclusivity to the public, its president and ceo Lawrence Y. Ferrer said.

“We are one with BillEase in leveraging financial digitalization through our one-stop-shop payment solution. We are steadfast in bridging people and businesses as we continue to scale up our billers in the BillEase app,” he said.

Powerful and efficient: Why the bi-turbo diesel is the powertrain of choice for Ford’s 4×4 line-up in the PH

Cars

Gadgets Magazine 17

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26 Jul 2023

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Powerful and efficient: Why the bi-turbo diesel is the powertrain of choice for Ford’s 4×4 line-up in the PH

Why is Ford’s chosen powertrain for its 4×4 offerings in the Philippines the 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel Engine? Striking a balance between power, capability, and efficiency are key elements customers look for in a vehicle engine. With the stop-and-go nature of traffic in most parts of the Philippines, a car that leaves more in the tank while delivering power as the need arises is well appreciated by drivers.

Found inside the hood of the Next-Gen Everest Titanium+ 4×4, Ranger Wildtrak 4×4, and the Ranger Raptor, it delivers the capability drivers need without sacrificing efficiency. What exactly makes this engine a good fit for drivers plying on Philippine roads on a daily basis?

Efficient Capability

The 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel Engine is a product of Ford’s action to get both power and fuel economy in one engine. It works by delivering torque and power through independent turbos. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the engine is also designed to always have the vehicle in optimal gear.

Depending on how the vehicle is driven, it will utilize all gears to offer maximum fuel efficiency. If the driver decides to punch the accelerator pedal, it will skip-shift to give out higher performance.

Uncompromising Power

The engine delivers a maximum of 210PS of power and 500Nm of torque as well as a towing capacity of 3.5 tons. As seen on various models of the Everest, Ranger, and Ranger Raptor, this engine is paired with selectable drive modes that further showcase its various capabilities across different needs. Whether for towing, hauling, driving fast on a highway, or off-roading, vehicles equipped with this engine perform to the conditions the driver faces.

Better Refinement

Powerful as it is, the engine performs quietly. The Bi-Turbo Diesel Engine offers less noise emissions compared to its previous generation, especially when the vehicle is idle. The structure of the engine was developed to limit the noise it radiates by reducing significant noise-influencing components – making it a quiet and smoother operating powertrain.

Tested Durability

The 2.0L Bi-Turbo Diesel is part of Ford’s innovation in turbo-charged engine technology. Before it was launched globally five years ago, the engine had gone through a total of 5.5 million kilometers of durability testing, including 400,000 kilometers at the hands of real customers, comprehensive analysis in laboratories, and at Ford vehicle proving grounds.

Next-Level Efficiency

Ford vehicles equipped with the Bi-Turbo Diesel Engine offer an exceptional advantage in terms of maintenance efficiency. The components of the oil system, from the oil pan and filter dimensions, bore distortion tolerances, and piston ring specifications, have been engineered to prolong the oil lifespan. The Next-Gen Ranger and Everest also have an Intelligent Oil Life Monitor (IOLM), a smart new feature that tells the owner when to have an oil change based on actual engine data, operating conditions, and owner driving habits.

The Bi-Turbo Diesel Engine is yet another innovative technology that powers not only the latest Next-Generation Ford lineup of vehicles but also the needs and lifestyles of today’s driving consumers when it comes to what they look for in a pick-up or an SUV — a combination of capability, refinement, and efficiency in one powertrain package.

Baguio transforms city governance and citizen services with Cisco-powered Smart City Command Center

Government

Gadgets Magazine 17

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26 Jul 2023

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Baguio transforms city governance and citizen services with Cisco-powered Smart City Command Center

The City of Baguio and Cisco recently released an update on the transformation of Baguio with the Smart City Command Center. The partnership has allowed city planners to streamline and transform city management decisions and public services for its citizens.

In addition to providing the digital infrastructure and technologies underlying the platform, Cisco has trained personnel with the necessary skills to operate the platform as part of its Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program, UGNAYAN 2030.

According to a study commissioned by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Baguio might face urban decay if concerns such as overcrowding, and waste management are left unaddressed in the next 25 years. To combat this, Cisco worked with Quantela to build a Smart City Command Center that centralized Baguio’s digital operations and allowed city planners to manage processes across all city departments and agencies.

Today, the command center serves as the core of the city’s operations, enabling real-time monitoring, analysis, decision-making, and rapid response to emergencies. Cisco’s networking, security, and collaboration technologies power the underlying infrastructure of the platform. The solution includes industrial and network switches, data center architecture, as well as firewalls, and advanced threat detection response tools, ensuring that the command center is secure from end to end at all times.

These solutions enable the Smart City Command Center to aggregate and analyze data from city infrastructure sensors and other data sources seamlessly and securely. It equips city planners and officials with a holistic view of the entire smart city ecosystem, from traffic patterns and available parking lots to environmental conditions and public safety measures, optimizing the speed and scale of digital services for citizens of Baguio.

Innovative applications to the platform include:

Geographic Information System: With close partnership with government agencies, Cisco helped to integrate information from existing databases on the locations of fault lines and sinkholes within the Smart City Command Center. This has helped city officials make faster and more informed decisions to plan, prepare, and implement appropriate policies and measures to navigate natural disasters and emergencies. Data from water level sensors are collected periodically and synced with the command center database to help city planners to monitor water levels in real-time and notify relevant departments of the risks of floods.

Smart Emergency Response Platform for Citizens: “Baguio in My Pocket” enables citizens to submit help requests such as ambulance or police assistance, vehicle accidents, and noise complaints. Help requests relayed by photos and descriptions are routed to the appropriate public service agencies through Cisco’s enterprise call control platform, Unified Communications Manager. The platform helps to bridge incoming and outgoing emergency calls between citizens and personnel within the center who leverage real-time location metrics to send assistance. The application also serves as a platform to manage utilities, including payment of property tax.

Smart Security System: Cisco has integrated data from the city’s CCTV cameras with advanced analytics leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to automate and augment decision-making in applications like intelligent traffic management and physical and perimeter security. Cameras are strategically placed across five locations within the central business district to identify traffic build-ups to route cars around congested areas and optimize delivery routes. The platform can intelligently sift through video feeds to identify people of interest in specific emergency scenarios.

Environmental Management Solution: Air quality monitors outfitted with sensors detect real-time data on weather conditions and pollutants, including carbon dioxide, sulfur, ozone, and particulate matter. These data points are consolidated in the command center and shared with Baguio’s environmental and health agencies for analysis through Cisco’s ruggedized industrial switches made to withstand harsh environments. They are used to forecast pollution patterns and trends and provide effective measures to safeguard residents’ health.

Speaking about the power of public-private partnerships, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong emphasized that building a smart city takes careful planning and a strong partnership foundation. “To become a smart city, having a well-defined plan is crucial. Recognizing this, we in the city government initiated discussions with Cisco regarding a potential partnership,” said Magalong. “The response from Cisco was exceedingly impressive as they promptly organized themselves and provided a comprehensive response. Their willingness to collaborate positions us closer to our goal of transforming into a smart city.”

Zaza Soriano-Nicart, Cisco Philippines’ managing director, said, “In line with our purpose of powering an inclusive future for all, Cisco has always believed in leveraging the power of public-private partnership to build smart, inclusive, and sustainable communities. But we recognize that all of this is only possible with trust, commitment, and respect. We thank Mayor Benjamin Magalong and his team for their trust and partnership. We hope to continue building on this foundation to address Baguio’s most pressing challenges together through the Smart City Command Center.”

The Baguio Smart City Command Center is part of Cisco’s CDA program in the Philippines, UGNAYAN 2030, a strategic partnership with governments worldwide to accelerate their national digitalization agendas and create new value for the country, its businesses, and its citizens. Individual projects in countries are cross-pollinated in Cisco’s wider CDA ecosystem, currently present across 48 countries globally.

Xendit payments infra bridges gaps in the digital economy

FinTech

Gadgets Magazine 17

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26 Jul 2023

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Unicorn startup Xendit took the stage at a fintech summit to lead the dialogue on how the Philippine finance industry can accelerate the digital economy—and fast, through building payments infrastructure.

In line with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap and its subsequent National Strategy for Financial Inclusion, Xendit has been advocating the digitization of payment processes to democratize access to innovation and bridge gaps in the digital economy.

“The faster the money moves through an economy, the faster the economy can grow. There will always be friction points that can potentially slow the momentum of growth, but the moment we are able to fully digitize the payments process for all Filipinos, we can erase the effect of the natural infrastructure challenges of an archipelagic nation,” said Xendit Philippines president and ceo Yang Yang Zhang.

Up until 2021, statistics showed that cash was still king in the Philippines. But as technology paved the way for new and innovative ways to pay for goods and services, consumer behavior likewise shifted. Digital banking, e-wallets, QR code payments, and Buy Now Pay Later methods have gained significant traction.

Co-building ‘pipes’ where money flows

Spurred by a favorable regulatory environment, Xendit built its Philippines team in hopes that its technology could introduce a robust payments infrastructure. Xendit’s partner businesses enjoy its reliable service delivered through a single integration, with an end goal of creating a payment experience that is responsive to local needs and promotes inclusive progress.

“Fundamentally, we build infrastructure on multiple layers. We work directly with banks to co-build world-class solutions to address their own challenges and those of everyday consumers. By doing so, we aggregate financial institutions for merchants to create a seamless payment experience that ultimately empowers both customers and businesses,” said Zhang.

Prior to Xendit’s foray as a local player, many of the payment integrations currently available did not exist and had to be built from the ground up. Among Xendit’s pioneering products is Direct Debit, a service that allows bank account holders to directly access their funds to make payments on e-commerce sites and top up their e-wallets.

With this convenience, businesses experience repeat and subsequent purchases from those customers, while also enjoying the instant settlement of funds, resulting in better visibility and immediate access to said funds. Direct Debit is an industry-standard across the rest of the world, and today, it has become a definitive experience for Filipino businesses and consumers, too.

Core to the success of a digital payment infrastructure is the support from consumers who will use it. When there is strong consumer trust in the system, digital acceleration and financial inclusion can be achieved. But in order for that trust to become unassailable, stakeholders in both the government and private sectors must work together to ensure that transactions are safe and secure and that consumers are educated on their rights and responsibilities in the digital economy.

Yet inasmuch as roads and pipes continue to be built, work on payments infrastructure is a goal-driven process that has virtually no end in sight. Xendit aims to work with not just merchants, but more and more government and private agencies involved in the transfer of money in the economy. What it uniquely offers at this time is its capability to scale operations and process millions of transactions efficiently while maintaining uptime all the time.

The BSP’s twin objectives of converting at least 50% percent of total retail transactions volume to digital and onboarding 70% of Filipino adults to the financial system is nearing its 2023 set deadline. Now is the time to strengthen the country’s digital payments infrastructure, as its inherent reliability, scalability, and cybersecurity safeguards can help expedite the fulfillment of such a vision.

Xendit is a fintech company that offers payment solutions for businesses. It provides a suite of world-class APIs and a dashboard UI that simplifies processes to enable businesses and organizations of all sizes to accept various modes of payments quickly, reliably, and securely. More information is available at the website, and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Interested businesses can sign up to try the dashboard.

Google’s Indie Games Accelerator program helps improve Filipino mobile game Vita Fighters

Innovation

Gadgets Magazine 17

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26 Jul 2023

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Google’s Indie Games Accelerator program helps improve Filipino mobile game Vita Fighters

Filipino game developer Ranida Games joined Google’s IGA program as a member of its 2022 class—the sole representatives from the Philippines—to get support as it was building and improving its debut title Vita Fighters. The game is a tribute to pop culture, anime, and many classic games in the fighting game genre, such as Sega’s Virtua Fighter, from which it takes its 3D-block aesthetic.

With the Philippines becoming a developer hub for mobile games, startup companies now have access to more growth opportunities at hand, including Google Play’s Indie Games Accelerator (IGA) program.

The IGA is Google’s mentorship and education program specifically designed for game developers that show a lot of promise. Every year, IGA takes a group of talented developers to train them and “supercharge” their growth on the Android and Google Play platforms through an intensive 10-week course.

With just 12 team members based in Manila, Ranida had originally launched Vita Fighters on the Google Play Store. After years of applying, they were accepted into the IGA program last year, providing them the guidance they needed to improve the game and scale up for greater success.

Aiming to win in the global arena

Vita Fighters promises to be an immersive and epic mobile fighting game appealing to both casual gamers and fighting game veterans. Ranida aims to sell the title globally, emphasizing its simplified touchscreen controls that are intuitive yet offer nuanced gameplay. With a complex combo system reminiscent of Capcom’s Street Fighter, Vita Fighters has the potential to replicate the success of popular games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Call of Duty Mobile.

“Now we’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with IGA. It’s just the beginning for us,” said Walter Manalo, Ranida Games’s managing partner and co-founder. “We were very much lacking in terms of how to grow our game.”

“With IGA, especially with the mentors that we had, they equipped us with tools; the mentors explained a lot of things to us,” added Ben Joseph Banta, Ranida’s CEO and studio head.

Aside from building a solid mobile video game by itself, IGA taught Ranida more tricks of the trade, such as the benefits of analytics and a customized Google Play Store page. Thanks to these, as of now Vita Fighters’ conversion rate grew to 22 percent from 18 percent initially.

“We really want to grow our business, not only in terms of downloads but in terms of revenue,” said Manalo. “We’d like to scale up our operations and tap the global market.”

A bustling family of like-minded players

Getting into IGA not only gave Ranida a fighting chance to show what the team and Vita Fighters are truly capable of but also a sense of community among peers from around the world with the same dreams.

“We learned that there were other IGA participants that were also experiencing all the problems that we have,” said Banta. “Everyone is learning at the same time, and we are happy to have this shared experience with them.”

“Having the chance to meet our fellow developers here in IGA, we felt like we were a family,” Manalo shared with a smile.

Beyond passionate developers and designers, this opportunity represents and fulfills gamers and enthusiasts worldwide. Thanks to Google and IGA, creations like Ranida’s Vita Fighters from underappreciated regions now offer more mobile gaming options to enjoy.

Download Vita Fighters on the Google Play Store today. Learn more about the IGA on its official website.

Kaspersky reports intensified scamming activity surrounding Threads

Cybersecurity

Gadgets Magazine 11

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26 Jul 2023

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Kaspersky reports intensified scamming activity surrounding Threads

Just one week after its launch on July 5, Threads, the new microblogging app from Meta, has already amassed an impressive 100 million sign-ups. However, as is often the case with popular trends, scammers have wasted no time capitalizing on its popularity. Kaspersky experts have discovered several deceptive tactics being used by scammers to exploit Thread’s user base. This involves primarily masquerading as the app to trick users, possibly gaining unauthorized access to their accounts, personal data, and even their finances.

Fraudsters have developed phishing pages that mimic a non-existent web version of Thread. Users are deceived into entering their login credentials and accidentally divulging their private information to scammers. Since Threads is linked to other META services, users may also face the risk of losing access to various social media accounts, such as Instagram and Facebook. Not only does this pose privacy concerns like identity theft and doxing, but more worryingly, it carries financial risks. Personal banking information or even corporate finances, as businesses use these accounts for creating ad campaigns, may end up in the wrong hands.

Another scam also involves a fictitious service called Threads Coin, which claims to offer enhanced possibilities by bridging the gap between the physical and digital worlds, specifically within the Metaverse. Users are tempted to purchase this coin using Ethereum. However, it is important to note that the only outcome users experience is financial loss.

Another scheme presents users with the opportunity to generate followers for free on a new social network. They can opt for 10,000, 25,000, or 50,000 followers. Once the desired option is selected, the user is prompted to undergo a human verification process. This involves selecting one of the available options, which may include sending an SMS and potentially winning a special prize. However, to claim the prize, the user may be required to make a payment. Unfortunately, the user ends up losing money and never receives the promised prize. Furthermore, the scheme encourages users to share the scheme via SMS, unknowingly becoming unwitting tools for spreading the scam.

An example of a fraudulent page offering to get free followers on Threads

“Scammers have mastered the art of capitalizing on trendy topics, emphasizing the importance of maintaining constant alertness. The prevalence of scams surrounding the popular Threads app serves as a stark reminder of the risks we face in the digital realm. From deceptive schemes to data collection tactics, these fraudsters spare no effort in compromising your personal and financial security. To safeguard ourselves, we must adopt a skeptical mindset, scrutinize suspicious activities, and prioritize cybersecurity measures. By staying cautious amidst the allure of trendy topics, we can fortify our defenses and navigate the digital landscape with confidence,” comments Olga Svistunova, security expert at Kaspersky.

To stay protected and explore new technologies in a safe way, Kaspersky experts also recommend:

Be cautious when downloading software from the internet, especially if it’s from a third-party website. Always try to download software from the official website of the company or service that you are using.
Verify that the website you are downloading software from is legitimate. Look for the padlock icon in the address bar and make sure that the website’s URL starts with “https://” to ensure that the website is secure.
Use strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. This can help protect your accounts from being compromised by attackers. Use a Kaspersky Password Manager to make using secure passwords easier.
Be wary of suspicious links or emails from unknown sources. Scammers often use social engineering techniques to trick users into clicking on links or downloading malicious software.
Use a reliable security solution and keep it up to date. Kaspersky Premium is armed with the latest intelligence and can help detect and remove any malware that may be on your computer.

Run for fun, fitness, pets, and the environment at Vermosa Green Run

Active Lifestyle

Gadgets Magazine 17

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26 Jul 2023

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Run for fun, fitness, pets, and the environment at Vermosa Green Run

Two thousand five hundred runners and 256 dogs ran for fitness and fun at the second Vermosa Green Run at Imus, Cavite recently, recommitting their love for the environment as they recycled plastic bottles on-site.

The multi-level run consisting of 3K, 5K, 10K, and 21k distance categories added a 1K Dog Run this year that proved to bring out hundreds of dog owners who relished the bonding time and fun adventure with their pets.

“We brought back the Green Run because we were inspired by the response to the first Green Run. We saw how eager people were to get back to being active and resuming their normal lives in 2022 and we received many requests to have another one this year. Then we added a Dog Run because we see a lot of individuals and families bringing their pets here to recreate and just chill on weekends, even weekdays. We’re glad we included fur babies in the fun because the response was overwhelming. We are definitely going to hold The Green Run every year in this vast, pollution-free space,” said Vermosa Project Development manager Moses Aragones.

Entertainment celebrity Valeen Montenegro of GMA, an avowed Green Run enthusiast and serious runner, has participated in both Green Runs. “Last year I ran the very first half marathon of my life. This year I was able to break my 10K personal record and finally did a Sub 1 pace.”

“Running has many physical and mental benefits. It’s cardio, a calorie burner, it improves bone and muscle strength, gives you stamina, and a runner’s high. Mentally, it has helped me manage stress, it has improved my sleep and I have more energy all day,” said Valeen.

“What I like best about Green Run is that it’s a safe and encouraging environment,” she added.

The run was staged inside the 740-hectare Vermosa Estate, Ayala Land Estates’ fourth largest estate, now cited as the newest growth center down south. Designed for complete mixed-use development similar to other Ayala Land properties, Vermosa is known for promoting an active and healthy lifestyle through state-of-the-art sports facilities and recreational areas. It will be a complete package of residences, malls, offices, institutions, schools, a church, entertainment venues, sports-lifestyle facilities, government centers, and BPOs.

Vermosa continues to commit to the environment by giving part of the Green Run proceeds to the Haribon Foundation’s Adopt-a-Seedling Program. “Through the Green Run, we want to create greater awareness for the need to sustain life on our planet and help build stronger, fitter, happier individuals,” Aragones shared.

The Green Run 2023 was supported by FPG Insurance, MILO Philippines, SunLife, JGO Mart, Doggo Flask, Alaxan, Seda Hotel Nuvali, Merrell, Fitbar, Runnr, Toby’s, Pocari Sweat, Oishi, Equal Sugar, Healtway Qualimed Hospital and Immuntab Multivitamins.

Level Infinite to kick off its Gamescom presence with “Into the Infinite: A Level Infinite Showcase”

Gaming

Gadgets Magazine 17

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26 Jul 2023

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Level Infinite to kick off its Gamescom presence with “Into the Infinite: A Level Infinite Showcase”

Level Infinite will return to Gamescom with Into the Infinite: A Level Infinite Showcase, the gaming brand’s first independent showcase. The show will reveal exclusive updates from Level Infinite and Tencent’s Global Partner Studios, with access available on Twitch and YouTube channels starting at 7PM CEST on Wednesday, August 23.

In addition to the showcase event, Level Infinite welcomes visitors of Gamescom to the Level Infinite booth, located in Hall 6, from August 23 to August 27. Together with partner studios from around the globe, visitors to the booth will be able to go hands-on with the following titles: