Gadgets Magazine | The Philippines' First Tech-Lifestyle Magazine

Oppo launches selfie-centric F1s

Smartphones & Tablets

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11 Aug 2016

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Quick Specs:

Processor: Octa-core MediaTek 6750 processor @ 1.5 GHz
GPU: Mali-T860 MP2
RAM: 3 GB RAM
Memory: 32 GB internal storage, microSD expandable up to 128 GB
Display: 5.5 inch IPS HD display protected with 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 4
Cameras: 13 MP f/2.2 with Phase Detection Autofocus and LED flash rear; 16 MP f/2.0 front
Battery: 3075 mAh
Operating System: ColorOS 3.0, based on Android 5.1
Connections: dual nanoSIM; 4G LTE; WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/; Bluetooth 4.0; GPS; microUSB
Dimensions: 154.5 x 76 x 7.38 mm; 160 g
Colors: Gold and rose gold
Others: Fingerprint reader
Price and Availability: PHP 12,990; Pre-selling starts from August 12 to 18, with public release on August 19.

Smartphone front cameras have been getting better and better the past few years, to the point that they’re almost as good as the rear shooter. Almost. Today, Oppo’s newly launched F1s “Selfie Expert” finally crosses that long-standing line with a selfie camera that’s significantly better than the rear one at 16 MP f/2.0 versus 13 MP f/2.2.

You read that right. Not only does the F1s sport more megapixels and a wider aperture at the front—allowing for larger and better lit images—it also struts a 1/3.1 inch image sensor ensuring a sizeable receptacle for the light passing through the lens. Selfie-centric camera features are also present, including Beautify 4.0 for better yet natural-looking self portraits; filters and plugins; and selfie panorama.

However, that doesn’t mean that the rear camera has been forgotten. Far from it, the 13 MP rear shooter’s heart is a 1/3.06 inch sensor for brighter low light shots with greater dynamic range and depth.

The phone itself is gorgeous and feels great in hand thanks to its metal and glass build. Up front is a 5.5 inch HD IPS screen protected by a top-to-bottom 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 4. At the upper part of its face is the aforementioned 16 MP front camera, call speaker and proximity and light sensors; while at the chin is a 1 mm-thick home button which boasts a fingerprint sensor with a 0.22 second unlock time. This security measure also allows users to assign up to five fingerprints to launch specific apps. Capacitive back and recent apps buttons flank the sensor, both lighting up when the phone is in use.

At the bottom edge of the phone are dual CNC-drilled speakers, primary microphone, microUSB port, and 3.5mm jack.

The right side has the power button and the microSD/SIM tray (more on that later).

Volume rockers are placed on the left edge, while the top has a secondary microphone. The edges are chamfered to make the phone easier to hold.

Meanwhile, the back boasts a matte finish with two thread-thin metallic bands at the upper and lower parts. The 13 MP rear shooter sits at the upper left side accompanied by an LED flash.

Inside its metal unibody is an octa-core MediaTek 6750 processor paired with a Mali-T860 MP2 GPU, 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of expandable storage, and a 3075 mAh battery. It boasts dual SIM connectivity, having a triple slot tray that holds two nanoSIMs with the microSD card getting its own space. Each SIM slot has 4G LTE capability, while Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, and GPS roundup its other connectivity options.

The Oppo F1s is currently will hit pre-selling status on August 12 to 18, and will be available to the general public on August 19. It’s priced at PHP 12,990, available via Home Credit’s six months to pay, zero percent interest promo.

Spots for Pokemon GO ‘lure parties’ this weekend

Gaming

Robby Vaflor

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11 Aug 2016

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Spots for Pokemon GO ‘lure parties’ this weekend

If you’re like the majority of people in the Philippines–nay–the world, you’re probably heading out this weekend to find Pokémon. Not even a week has passed since Pokémon GO was launched in the Philippines, establishments big and small have started putting lures out for Pokémon. As in other countries, many businesses joined in on the hype and regularly throw “lure parties” for all the aspiring Pokémasters out there trying to be the very best that no one ever was.

This weekend will be the country’s first widespread string of lure parties. To help you plan your Pokémon-catching weekend, here are the most talked about ‘lure party’ events in the country:

Major mall chains

Ayala, Robinsons, and SM have all announced weekend lure parties nationwide.

Robinsons labels itself as the “longest lure party” this weekend, with non-stop lures from 12 noon, to 7 pm running from Friday to Sunday, August 12 – 14.

via Robinsons Malls (https://www.facebook.com/RobinsonsMalls)

SM Supermalls, on the other hand, prides its lure party as the “biggest” in the country with over 150 all the aspiring Pokéstops 50 SM malls spread out across the country. The event will only be for Friday, August 12 from 5 – 9 pm.

SM Lure Party — via SM Supermalls (https://www.facebook.com/smsupermalls)

Ayala’s been very low-key with their adjectives, but all the same, they’re having non-stop lure drops from August 12 – 14 in two intervals: first from 11 am – 2 pm, and second from 4 – 7 pm.

via Ayala Malls (https://www.facebook.com/AyalaMalls360)

Lure parties with a twist

If you want to make a day of it, you can stop by Eastwood City on Friday from 6 – 9 pm. The lure drops are unlimited, and they also request people to dress up as a Pokémon character. They’ll have music and a Pokémon quiz.

via Eastwood City (https://www.facebook.com/eastwoodcity)

If cool is the rule (and rhyming isn’t cool), then head down to Cubao Expo’s Nerd Row (The Appraisery Boardgame Cafe, Cosmic Gorgons Gaming and Art Lounge, and the Four Strings Uke Hub). They’ll be throwing lure parties every Friday from 7 pm to 12 midnight. You can drink beer, eat, and play board games while waiting for a rare Pokémon to pop out. If that isn’t tempting enough, Team Instinct members get 10% off food and drinks from the stores mentioned.

Cubao X — via Cubao Expo (https://www.facebook.com/cubao.expo)

Luxury Within Reach: Redfox Debuts New Branding

Archives

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11 Aug 2016

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Redfox Technologies International Ltd., one of the many innovation leaders in the tech scene, recently came out with a new brand image meant to reinforce its market presence in the country and internationally.

Along with the reveal of its new image branding, Redfox also launched its tagline “Luxury within Reach,” which will serve as the basis for the creation of products with quality and elegance pegged at a reachable cost.

From being a PC manufacturing company to becoming a provider of end-to-end solutions and globally-acclaimed products, Redfox won’t stop at nothing to win the hearts of consumers. The company has beefed up its product portfolio, now offering a premium selection of products that include its latest line of smartphones, laptops, gaming PCs, and other peripherals for techies from all walks of life. This is in addition to its existing lineup of pioneering products.

In line with the launch of its new branding, consumers will soon get to see the first UXperience Center in Southeast Asia that will offer interactive E-Sports and learning hubs supported by E-Blue. This initiative is expected to catapult the brand into the global stage.

Moreover, Redfox also plans to do mall tours to promote its flagship smartphone “Aurea.”

Committed to offer the best customer service and satisfaction, Redfox also announced that a global RMA and nationwide service center, that will provide customer support 24/7, is currently in the works.

Redfox is embracing change, continuously developing innovations and cutting-edge technologies for its smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop, and gaming PC segments. Redfox is also securing more successful partnerships to better its array of offering and facilitate business opportunities.

For more info, please visit www.redfox.global.

KEF speakers and headphones: leaping from ‘good’ to ‘sublime’

Arts Entertainment

Robby Vaflor

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11 Aug 2016

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KEF speakers and headphones: leaping from ‘good’ to ‘sublime’

Since 1961, KEF, has been a prominent name among audiophiles, offering quality high-fidelity audio solutions to the public. Through constant innovation, the company founded by Raymond Cooke has striven to recreate sound as close as possible to its original source, guaranteeing excellent quality audio whether you’re on the go, at home, at work, or anywhere in between.

Hi-Fi sound anywhere in your home or office

KEF’s EGG Wireless Digital Music System functions as a complete system with a built-in amplifier and a digital-to-analogue converter, bringing precision and accuracy in reproducing every tone and nuance in your audio.

The EGG uses KEF’s Uni-Q driver technology, allowing it to reproduce higher registers with great accuracy. It has a maximum output of 95 dB and an amplifier output power of 50W.

Quick Specs:

Wireless: Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX codec
Input: 3.5 mm jack, Mini USB Type B, Mini TOSLINK Optical
Sampling rate: Up to 96 kHz
Resolution: Up to 24 bit
Price: PHP 22,000

If you’re really passionate about sound, you can’t go wrong with the X300A. It’s available in both wireless or wired input variants. KEF applies its 50 years of engineering expertise to ensure distortion-free sound reproduction with minimal hum or interference. The X300A Wireless works with DLNA and Apple’s AirPlay, allowing all your devices to be connected to your speakers, from your smartphone to your TV.

Quick Specs:

Amplifier type: Twin AB
Analogue input: 3.5mm stereo jack
Digital input: Mini USB type B
Wireless: AirPlay, DLNA
Resolution: Up to 24-bit
Sampling rate: Up to 96 kHz
Price: PHP 34,000 and PHP 44,000 (wireless)

Quality and portability combined

One of KEF’s most popular and highly praised products is the Muo. It was created in partnership with British cult designer Ross Lovegrove in the same aesthetic vein as the award-winning flagship loudspeaker Muon, but much much smaller. Aside from its beautiful rounded aluminum exterior, the speaker boasts a mini version of the Uni-Q driver present in both the EGG and the X300A. While smaller in size, its innovative design widens its dispersion to fill the room with full-bodied sound.

KEF's Muo carries much of the same technology that the flagship speakers have, but in a beautifully compact package. — KEF’s Muo carries much of the same technology that the flagship speakers have, but in a beautifully compact package.

Quick Specs:

Wireless: Bluetooth 4.0 with signature aptX codec
Input: 3.5mm auxiliary; micro USB (for charging and firmware updates)
Bluetooth capacity: 2 devices
Bluetooth memory: 8 devices
Full charge: 3 hours
Playback: Up to 12 hours
Price: PHP 14,000

Soundtrack for your commute

KEF hasn’t been making headphones for long, but don’t let the lack of seniority fool you. The company has brought its 50 years of audio engineering excellence to the headphone game with the M series. Consistent with the rest of KEF’s line, the M series headphones show off a Beyoncé-like “pretty on the outside strong on the inside” quality, with all models being designed by the legendary Studio F.A. Porsche.

KEF products are available at Coby’s Gear and Gadget in Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

Smart welcomes Pokemon GO in PH with free data access for subscribers

Telcos

Jonah Mendoza

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11 Aug 2016

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Smart welcomes Pokemon GO in PH with free data access for subscribers

One with the legions of Filipinos excited for the arrival of Pokemon GO in the country, leading mobile services provider Smart Communications will give subscribers 7 days of free data access to Pokemon GO upon the launch of the hit game in the Philippines. This offer is available on both Android and iOS.

Smart and TNT subscribers who are using iPhones or Android smartphones can enjoy 7 days free data access to Pokemon GO upon accessing the game and start playing without data charges for 7 days upon the launch of the game in the country. No registration/activation required. Just download the app and start playing the game.

A worldwide phenomenon

A location-based augmented reality mobile game, Pokemon GO lets players assume the role of a trainer who discovers and catches Pokemon or “pocket monsters” as if in real life using the GPS and camera of their smartphones.

Players level up their Pokemon and battle other trainers to gain Pokécoins that can be spent on in-game items.

Developed by Niantic Labs in partnership with Nintendo affiliate The Pokemon Company, Pokemon GO has swept gamers since it was first launched in the USA, Australia and New Zealand on July 6. The game is now available in over 30 countries, including Japan, where the original Pokemon game and anime series originated.

#PHforPokemonGO campaign

“Smart is one with the whole nation in waiting for Pokemon GO to finally go live in the Philippines, and we are very excited to welcome the game in our own big way,” said Kathy C. Carag, Smart Mobile Business Head.

“Smart subscribers nationwide can look forward to more special treats and promos that will allow them to make the most of their Pokemon GO experience.”

Drumming up the excitement among millions of Filipino fans, Smart joined the rally for #PHForPokemonGO on social media since the game was released in select markets last July 6. On Twitter alone, the anticipation and clamor for the game reached more than 14 million impressions on over the last couple of weeks for Smart and Pokemon Go.

Leveled-up Pokemon GO experience

Smart and TNT subscribers can easily level up their gameplay via convenient and secure Pokemon Go in-app purchases even without a credit card.

With Smart’s Google Direct Carrier Billing for Android users, subscribers can easily purchase Pokecoins, Pokemon Go’s currency mainly used for buying items that will help gamers catch Pokemons – directly charged to their prepaid load or postpaid account.

Smart Postpaid subscribers who are iPhone users can also conveniently buy Pokecoins, charged to their monthly billing, through Smart’s Pay-With-Mobile service.

Catch the latest updates on Pokemon GO by following Smart’s official accounts on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SmartCommunications), Snapchat (LiveSmartPH), Twitter and Instagram (@LiveSmart).

PLDT Enterprise supports The Philippine Virtual Reality Conference: Mobile VR Jam

Telcos

Jonah Mendoza

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10 Aug 2016

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PLDT Enterprise supports The Philippine Virtual Reality Conference: Mobile VR Jam

PLDT Enterprise, through its emerging technologies business unit, Disruptive Business Group (DBG), aims to drive awareness for Virtual Reality (VR) technologies in the country with its support of the recently concluded Philippine Mobile VR Jam and Virtual Reality Conference.

The 1st Philippine Mobile VR Jam and Virtual Reality Conference provided participants with a first look at the most promising projects in the country through a series of workshops and seminars. It was organized by VR Philippines, a group of virtual reality developers and enthusiasts dedicated to promoting the advancement of virtual reality technology. Among the attendees were software developers across the country.

Niko Peralta, Head of PLDT DBG’s Digital Mobility R&D said, “PLDT Enterprise is proud to support the burgeoning VR industry. As part of the PLDT Group’s digital pivot, we are constantly on the look-out for new-frontier solutions that will further the advancement of today’s digital enterprise. Start-ups can always rely on our support by which they can build on these newer tech.”

PLDT and SMART’s support of the Philippine Mobile VR Jam and Virtual Reality Conference events underscore its commitment to be at the forefront of the dawning VR technology revolution in the country. “We view virtual reality as technology that today’s enterprises can potentially utilize to deliver more engaging and immersive customer experiences,” said Lemelen Palad, DBG Product Development Manager for M2M and IOT. “A more personalized approach in the ever-growing mobile-first consumer market dictates that businesses today have to be more creative in the way they reach out to their customers,” Palad added.

The event series culminated with the “Virtual Reality Conference” which featured exhibits by various software companies, displaying an end-to-end VR ecosystem from design and production, including proposed commercial applications. Business models include gamification, real-estate, first-person training modules, among others.

Joey Limjap, VP & Head of PLDT ICT Research & Development, added, “We know that VR is still at its nascent stage, and are delighted to be a part of the Philippine Virtual Reality Conference and help create greater awareness of this fascinating and exciting technology. Of course, our PLDT Innolab will always be open to the new technologies like VR and serve as an incubator to further develop it’s potential.”

GadgetsLab: Vivo V3Max

GadgetsLab

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10 Aug 2016

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As someone who has been in the field of tech for quite some time now, fresh innovations still never cease to amaze me. While the majority of smartphones might look the same on the outside, there’s still a distinction in the performance each can offer. In this review, we’ll look into what makes the Vivo V3Max a cut above the rest.

Design: (4/5)

The Vivo V3Max’s design has a familiar feel to it: a beautiful metallic body, curved edges, 5.5-inch screen, all of which are reminiscent of the flagship phone from Cupertino and most Android smartphones in its class. However, it sports a Vivo logo on the upper front of the device, letting you distinguish it at first glance. Along with that are its slightly thick bezels, 8 MP front shooter and sensor on the upper part of the screen, and three capacitive navigation keys on the bottom part.

On the device’s back are an aptly placed fingerprint sensor and another Vivo emblem occupying the center, as well as its 13 MP camera along with the flash on the upper left region. The sides of the device carries the usuals such as the hybrid SIM card tray, volume rocker, power/lock button, audio jack, micro-USB port, and speaker grilles. The phone’s design is very minimalistic and that contributes to its appeal.

Hardware: (4.5/5)

Apart from being solid in the hand, the V3Max also comes with impressive hardware that makes it a mid-range powerhouse. The device is run by a Snapdragon 652 octa-core processor that clocks in at 1.8GHz and is paired with 4 GBs of RAM, delivering on its promise of “faster than faster” performance. Meanwhile, doing mundane tasks on the phone’s HD screen was a pleasant experience, with great viewing angles even when the display’s tilted to face various directions.

The shooters built in the device produce admirable output, images come out crisp and detailed, but color reproduction could be better. The rear cam is a bit of a let-down, but its accompanying app offers various editing and beautification options, which shutterbugs would greatly appreciate.

As for storage capacity, the Vivo V3Max ships with 32 GBs of internal memory which is expandable via micro-SD. This should give users enough storage space for games, photos, and other apps without slowing the device down. Its 3000 mAh battery, when fully topped up, can last for a whole day even with data on.

User Experience: (4/5)

The V3Max runs Android Lollipop and is overlaid with Vivo’s very own Funtouch OS. Like its form factor, the V3Max’s UI offers a design and experience quite similar to iOS devices: lack of app drawer, notification bar slides down from the top of the screen, and settings bar that comes up with a slide of a finger on the bottom part of the display. There aren’t much distinctive qualities to it but it’s fairly easy to navigate and runs smoothly, so no qualms there.

What I liked the most about this device is its very accurate and fast fingerprint scanner. Registering my index finger only took seconds and it recognizes it in a jiffy. Your data is secured and you no longer have to deal with passwords or security patterns every time you need to wake the screen.

One of the main selling points of this smartphone is its built-in Hi-Fi capabilities. This translates to audio reproduction that is close to hearing the real thing. This gives a phone that offers superb audio quality whether you play music using its built-in speakers or through a pair of cans.

Value: (4.5/5)

For around PHP 16,000, you get a phone that gives you a bang for your hard-earned buck. The V3Max is a mid-ranger that could very well pass off as a top-tier smartphone with its octa-core processor, 4 GB RAM, very capable cameras, all-metal body, and fingerprint sensor.

Bottomline:

Take it from Captain America, this smartphone is definitely bang for the buck.

Specifications:

Dimensions: 153.9 x 77.1 x 7.6 mm
Weight: 168 g
SIM: Dual
Display: 5.5 inches, IPS LCD capacitive, 1080 x 1920 resolution
OS: Android 5.1 Lollipop
Processor: 1.8GHz Snapdragon 652, octa-core
RAM: 4 GB
Internal memory: 32 GB expandable up to 256 GB via micro SD
Cameras: 13 MP rear, 8 MP front-facing
Battery: 3000 mAh Li-Ion, non-removable

What’s Hot:

8 MP front cam delivers superb output
Very responsive fingerprint sensor
Powerful processor and generous RAM combo
Great audio output

What’s Not:

Common design
Rear-cam’s output could use more color

Published in Gadgets Magazine July Issue.

Quick Look: Alcatel Streak announced—back to basics

Smartphones & Tablets

Chris Noel Hidalgo

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10 Aug 2016

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Quick Look: Alcatel Streak announced—back to basics

You don’t really need powerful processors, boatloads of RAM, and other fancy schmancy features if all you want to do on a smartphone is browse the net, access social media websites, call and text your friends, take simple photos, and play the occasional Candy Crush. It struts very modest but still reliable specs, including a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 processor clocked at 1.1 GHz, an Adreno 304 GPU, 1 GB RAM, 8 GB of expandable storage, 5 and 2 MP shooters, and a 1780 mAh battery. The innards also run on the Android Marshmallow 6.0 OS for smooth overall performance during basic tasks. Better yet, it struts LTE connectivity, a feature rarely seen in a phone at this price point.

Quick Specs:

Processor: Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 @ 1.1 GHz
GPU: Adreno 304
RAM: 1 GB RAM
Memory: 8 GB internal storage, microSD expandable up to 32 GB
Display: 4.5 inch FWVGA display
Cameras: 5 MP with Autofocus and LED rear; 2 MP front
Battery: 1780 mAh
Operating System: Android Marshmallow 6.0
Connections: dual SIM; 4G LTE; WiFi 802.11 b/g/n; Bluetooth 4.1; GPS
Dimensions: 132.2 x 65.1 x 10.01 mm; 136 g
Colors: Silver
Price: USD 30 (around PHP 1,400)

Source 1, 2

(Updated) LG V20 specs and renders leaked

Smartphones & Tablets

Chris Noel Hidalgo

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10 Aug 2016

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(Updated) LG V20 specs and renders leaked

Set to launch this September, the LG V20 will be one of the first non-Nexus smartphones to ship with the newest Android 7.0 Nougat operating system out of the box. Details are sparse as of the moment, but the V10‘s successor hasn’t escaped the clutch of leakers and rumor mongers.

The V20 will retain the V10’s 5.7 inch screen with a QHD resolution above which is the same small, secondary always-on display strip for notifications and shortcuts. Driving it will be a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, an Adreno 530 GPU, and 4 GB of RAM. For imaging, the V20 will supposedly strut a 21 MP primary camera and 8 MP dual front-facing snappers. As of writing, there are no renders of the V20 yet.

The V10 was revealed in September last year.

Update: V20 renders have surfaced online, courtesy of OnLeaks and Android Authority. Reminiscent of the LG G5, the most glaring update to the V-series of smartphones is the very noticeable camera apparatus at the rear, at the bottom of which is a hub most likely for a fingerprint sensor. The volume keys have also been shifted from the back to the left. There’s also the possibility of the LG G5’s modular system making a return given the visible sectioning at the bottom chin. Or it could just be part of the V20’s design.

Source 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Globe to Provide Free Wi-Fi to LRT Employees and Passengers

Telcos

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9 Aug 2016

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Globe to Provide Free Wi-Fi to LRT Employees and Passengers

Globe Telecom recently entered an agreement with the Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC), the operator of the Light Rail Transit System-Line 1 (LRT1), to provide reliable Wi-Fi access to both passengers and employees.

The agreement makes Globe the first telco company to provide free Wi-Fi services in all 20 LRT stations and is expected to benefit around 400,000 passengers daily. This initiative is part of the telco’s commitment to address growing customer demand for constant connectivity.

According to Joel Agustin, Globe senior vice president for Program Governance, Network Technical Group Agustin, Globe will also provide fiber optic cable systems that extends the length of the entire LRT 1 and cover all LRT stations and LRMC’s depot in Pasay City. In addition, the telco provider will also enhance its wireless infrastructure by deploying cell sites in each of the LRT stations.

He further explained that the deployment of fiber optic cables and enhancement of the company’s wireless infrastructure along LRT 1 would improve mobile coverage and enhance network capacities. Once completed, this is expected to improve customer experience not only of customers riding LRT 1 but also those plying the Taft Ave. and Rizal Ave route.

“Globe will also deploy the new LTE700/1800/2600 MHz spectrum to provide adequate capacity to handle the massive mobile traffic volume at these stations,” Agustin added.

In early June, Globe also signed a similar agreement to provide free Wi-Fi connectivity in all 13 MRT stations along EDSA.

NAXIONAL: Bringing the Best of South American Dishes to Uptown BGC

Food

Jonah Mendoza

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9 Aug 2016

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NAXIONAL: Bringing the Best of South American Dishes to Uptown BGC

Naxional is the newest go-to restaurant for those looking to broaden their culinary horizons. Located at the second floor of the Uptown Parade in BGC, the South American-themed diner is officially celebrating its grand launch on Friday, August 12, 2016.

Naxional was originally conceptualized by Raymund Magdaluyo, of the Red Crab Group, who was inspired by his visits to diners abroad including: Coppelia in New York and Electric Diner in London. Upon returning to the Philippines, Magdaluyo reached out to Jun Sunga and Vanessa Matsunaga to turn his vision into reality.

Many of the founding members were born and raised in South American countries, and are eager to bring the flavors they grew up with in the Philippines. Other well-known South American partners include: Brazilian actor Daniel Matsunaga and his mother, Gege Matsunaga, and Lifestyle Network Venezuelan host and winner of “The Clash”, Cynthia Patos.

“We want the menu to be South American home-cooked dishes, which we think Filipino diners would love to try. Family cooking takes time, so you have to put effort on these dishes. We designed the menu well enough that dishes (need to be) prepared a day or two (ahead),” said Patos.

Other members of the founding team, who are not originally South American, paid multiple visits and fell in love with the food in the region.

“All our experiences were put together, and allowed us to have a unique and exciting concept of bringing the Latin American culture to Manila,” said Lei Norwood, Naxional partner and wife of Fil-Am basketball player, Gabe Norwood. “As Gabe and I explore South America, we fell in love with their food and we are excited to share our favorite flavors with everyone. Naxional is basically born out of the collective passion we and the partners have.”

Heavily inspired by the most-loved dishes that South American locals enjoy every day, Naxional’s menu is filled with traditional family recipes cooked with not just imported spices, but also with locally sourced ingredients from the crops of Filipino farmers which makes it more flavorful

Creating a consistent and flavorful experience for the entire family, Naxional’s menu contains the following sets: Pasabocas (starters), Ensalata (salads), Sopas (soup), Brunch, Entrees for both one and for sharing, Asadas (grilled meat), Sandwiches and Desserts. The al fresco bar is ready to introduce new South American cocktails to the Philippines.

Their signature dish, Patacones, is a popular Puerto Rican household dish made of the customer’s choice of meat perfectly seasoned in sofrito sauce, topped with carne (beef), cerdo (pork) or camarones (shrimp), served with fried plantains and guacamole.

Another must-try is Elote, a Latino favorite, which is a popular street food made of chargrilled sweet corn, dabbed with chili butter, mayo lime, and crumbled cheese. Diners should also get their hands on Ecuador’s Encebollado – hangover fish stew served with cassava and pickled red onions.

Naxional’s chefs also serve specialty South American steaks such as the Black Angus Picanha, open flame grilled on their in-house fire pit.

The diner is open Monday to Saturday, 11 A.M. to 1 A.M. and on Sundays from 8 A.M. to 10 P.M.. For the latest updates, follow Naxional on Facebook: www.facebook.com/NaxionalSouthAmericanDiner and @NaxionalDiner on Instagram and Twitter.

Review: AOC G2460PG—silky smooth G-Sync visuals

Computers & Laptops

Chris Noel Hidalgo

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9 Aug 2016

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Review: AOC G2460PG—silky smooth G-Sync visuals

“The human eye can’t see past 30 frames per second. I only need 24 frames each second in order to get a playable experience. There’s no signifi cant difference between 60 and 30 fps. 144 frames per second? Only a spider has enough eyes to perceive that correctly.” they said. “Chris, do you have hacks? You can’t have possibly shot me within a split second of my avatar shoulder-peeking that wall,” they said. Then I patted our loaner AOC G2460PG and said, “My preciousssss 144 Hz, 1 ms, G-Sync monitooooooor.”

Specifications:

Display: 24 inch Full HD 144 Hz TN W-LED panel with 16:9 aspect ratio
Features: Nvidia G-Sync, Ultra Low Motion Blur, 3D Vision, 3D Vision 2, 3D LightBoost; Flicker-free; Dynamic Contrast; Kensington Lock; Vesa Wall Mount
Response time: 1 ms
Brightness: 350 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio: 1,000:1
Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 80,000,000:1
Ports: DisplayPort; three USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0
Power Consumption: 40 W (in use), 0.5 W (standby), and 0.5 W (off )
Stand: -5/22 degree tilt; -165/165 swivel; 130 mm height adjustment
Dimensions (with stand): 551.4 x 400.4 x 221 mm; 6.54 kg
Warranty: Three years

Design: 4.5/5

Though the AOC G2460PG may look like a regular monitor with its pretty standard design, taking a closer look reveals its finer points. The bezel has a brushed metal finish to disguise its hard plastic body, and boasts of a horizontal chin strip and control icons in Nvidia’s signature green color. Additionally, it has a bright green cable clip on the stand to further drive home its Nvidia-ness. G-Sync marques are present on the front’s upper left corner as well as the back’s upper right.

The display itself is pretty slim, only bulging a bit at the back as to fi t all the required circuits. It is attached to a very robust stand that’s a reasonable diameter of around nine inches—enough to give it a solid anchor but not enough to take up all your desk space. This stand allows the display to be raised up to 130 mm from its lowest point, tilted up and down 25 degrees, and even pivoted to a portrait orientation. Corresponding adjustments are silky smooth, with the monitor staying exactly where you leave it.

Hardware: 3.5/5

A little bit of internet sleuthing reveals that the G2460PG is equipped with an AU Optronics TN panel originally rated at 120 Hz. However, AOC has already overclocked it out of the box (yes, monitor overclocking is a thing) to 144 Hz, making for an easy plug-and-play aff air.

The panel outputs 16.7 million 8-bit colors, which along with the processing power under the hood should equate to artifact-free performance. Combined with technologies such as Nvidia G-Sync and Ultra Low Motion Blur, you can confi dently blame most of your image problems on the source content and not on this puppy.

The G2460PG would have gotten a higher score, but it does not have any speakers nor does it have audio pass-through capabilities.

User Experience: 4/5

The AOC G2460PG performed admirably throughout the review process, with the pros heavily outweighing the cons. Physical setup was easy enough, though it might take more than two hands to screw in the stand to the body. It also took up a lot less desk space than I initially thought it would.

Gaming image quality is superb, thanks to its highly accurate color output and decent color saturation. Overwatch by itself is colorful enough, but this monitor added another layer of luster to

Blizzard’s already gorgeous MOBA shooter. G-Sync was also able to keep tearing in check even with frame rate fluctuation. Other games such as Counter Strike: Global Offensive, Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor, and NBA 2K16 also experienced the same flawless performance.

Value: 4/5

I thought going beyond 60 Hz was irrelevant. But after experiencing the magic that is 144 Hz G-Sync, I’ve been very “meh” about my run of the mill monitor back home. At a sticker price around half of its competitors, the AOC G2460PG is more than worth its value, and should be a major purchase gamers and enthusiasts—myself included—should be saving up for.

What’s Hot:

Great color output
No noticeable input lag
Well-built
G-Sync at a reasonable price

What’s Not:

Not enough video ports
Speakers and audio output absent

Bottomline:

I was genuinely sad to see this monitor be taken back.

Final Score: 16/20

Yamaha Ride Your Story goes on full swing

Motorcycles

Chris Noel Hidalgo

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9 Aug 2016

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Yamaha Ride Your Story goes on full swing

Yamaha Motor Philippines celebrity ambassadors James Reid and Nadine Lustre, along with the Mio i 125, Mio Soul i 125, Mio 125 Mxi, and Mio sporty, recently invaded the Mandaluyong Greenfield District Park as the brand continues its Ride Your Story campaign with the Mio lineup of bikes. Making the event more memorable was the introduction of Revvy Bear, Yamaha’s newest mascot.

The Mio motorcycles were also the ride of choice for Yamaha’s women-exclusive Safe Riding Science Activity. The program aims to educate female riders on proper motorcycle techniques, using seminars and hands-on tutorials to give them a complete learning experience. 100 participants joined the initial activity, with all of them getting to meet Nadine Lustre afterwards. It is planned to be a continuous program that will be available throughout the Philippines.

Some of the first venues set to be visited by the Ride Your Story campaign include Siliman University, La Salle Bacolod, and other campuses. The campus tour will be tackling the daily problems of students from pressure to traffic conditions and will explain how the Mio motorcycles can help them face these trials. The feel of the upcoming tour was given an empowering start by the NU Underdogs.

Yamaha is also on the lookout for the next Mio ambassadors. The search for these Mio Revsetters is open to all students above 18 years old currently enrolled in college. They can register at the flagship Yamaha YZone shop or through yamaha-motor.com.ph. The top 16 finalists will be part of Yamaha’s webisodes, with the top 4 to be proclaimed as the official 2016 Revsetters.

PayMaya, Bayad Center team up to enable bills payment

Technology News

Jonah Mendoza

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9 Aug 2016

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PayMaya, Bayad Center team up to enable bills payment

PayMaya Philippines (formerly Smart Money, Inc.), the digital financial services unit of Voyager Innovations, and the country’s leading bills pay fulfillment company Bayad Center have partnered to provide Filipinos a more convenient, faster, and more secure option to pay their utility bills and government fee requirements via PayMaya, the leading digital payments app in the country.

By simply downloading the PayMaya app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store (or updating the app for existing users), consumers can now conveniently settle their bills on time with a simple tap on the ‘Pay Bills’ feature on the app. The billers that are now available on PayMaya’s Pay Bills include Bayad Center partners and private companies such as MERALCO, PLDT, Laguna Water, and Cignal. Soon, more partners and government agencies will be onboarded including Smart, Sun Cellular, SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, POEA, Maynilad, PRC, and NBI among others.

“At PayMaya, we strive to accelerate financial inclusion in emerging markets and improve lives through payment innovations. Our partnership with the leading payment fulfillment company Bayad Center is a demonstration of this commitment. Through the Pay Bills feature of PayMaya, we are proud to redefine the customer experience of Filipinos and provide a hassle-free option to pay their bills by a simple tap on their smartphone from the comfort of their home, without the need for a bank account or enroll their bills,” said Orlando Vea, President and CEO of PayMaya Philippines and Voyager Innovations, the digital innovations arm of PLDT and Smart.

“Bayad Center has always been committed to bringing the payment collection service closer to every Filipino. Through PayMaya, we make it even more convenient for the paying public to settle their bills since they can easily access the facility through their mobile phones. What is even better is that our OFWs can now pay for their bills back home without having to send money and pay charges. It is payment made available anytime, anywhere,” said Oscar Reyes, Chairman of Bayad Center.

On top of the PayMaya virtual account that can be used to pay for online transactions, customers can also request for their own PayMaya physical prepaid card which can be used in brick-and-mortar stores worldwide that accept Visa. A variant also comes with its own beep™ wallet, allowing users to ride the MRT, LRT, BGC buses, and other point-to-point (P2P) transportations powered by beep™ for their daily commute. Users who link their PayMaya app and card, and upgrade their PayMaya account can facilitate peer-to-peer money transfers and ATM withdrawals.

Suzuki Philippines posts 37% growth in H1, eclipses the 27.4% automotive industry growth

Mobility

Jonah Mendoza

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8 Aug 2016

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Suzuki Philippines posts 37% growth in H1, eclipses the 27.4% automotive industry growth

Consistently strengthening its market presence, Suzuki Philippines Inc. (SPH) announces an impressive 37 percent first half sales growth compared to the same period last year. This increment is better than the performance of the industry for the first six months of 2016, which stands at 27.4 percent (based on CAMPI data). In 2015 SPH, the only integrated automobile and motorcycle company in the country, recorded a massive 52 percent year-on-year growth, which it hopes to surpass this year.

A marked increase in unit sales, successive inaugurations of new dealerships and a very enthusiastic market response to the most recently launched model, the Suzuki Ciaz, all contributed to drive the company’s growth in H1. From January to June 2016, SPH sold a total of 6,613 car units, up by 1,770 over last year’s H1 sales of 4,843.

The bestselling models namely the Suzuki Celerio, Ertiga and Swift, continued to raise the numbers for the company. Aside from the record-breaking sales growth of Celerio, the Ertiga showed a 20 percent improvement over 2015 H1 sales to help boost SPH’s sales increase. Suzuki Ertiga is a popular choice for those who are looking for a spacious interior as it can accommodate seven people on a three-row layout with adjustable seat slides to customize the space on each row.

Meanwhile, the subcompact sporty hatchback Suzuki Swift made a 9 percent hike in the same period. Boasting superior handling and fuel economy, the Swift announced its 5 millionth unit sold worldwide in April this year, and contributed significantly to the first quarter sales tally of SPH.

The current performance of the latest member of the Suzuki family, the subcompact sedan all-new Ciaz also played a major role in SPH’s success this year. The launch of Ciaz in the Philippines was highly anticipated after its successful introduction in other Asian countries, and it has sustained the market’s interest with the numerous marketing activities including the Ciaz Media Test Drive, Ciaz Media Launch and Ciaz Bank Test Drive. Ciaz’s entry in the market months ago was successfully met with high sales turnaround and favorable feedback among its initial buyers. Indeed, this luxurious sub-compact sedan car which promises fuel efficiency and enhances the overall driving experience further invigorated the interest of the public in the Suzuki brand.

With the escalating demand for the Ciaz, it is already projected that this stylish sedan will become another big sales driver for Suzuki Philippines. It comes in five different colors, offers a premium interior, and is designed to provide supreme comfort in terms of bigger leg space, headroom and shoulder room thanks to its longer wheelbase.

Clinching the top honors during the DOE Fuel Eco Run

During the 280-kilometer Euro 4 Fuel Economy Run organized by the Department of Energy (DOE) in partnership with Petron Corporation last May, Suzuki got three out of the top five spots in fuel efficiency in the gasoline category.

Suzuki Celerio CVT emerged as the #1 gasoline-powered engine after being able to cover an average of 29.14 kilometers per liter of fuel. The event which was participated in by 70 vehicles from more than 20 different manufacturers also recognized Ciaz as #1 fuel efficient car for gasoline in the sedan category at 27.94km/L.

As well, the Celerio M/T (clocking in at 27.70km/l), Ciaz GLX A/T (22.93km/L), Swift 1.2 (22.35km/L), and Ertiga GLX A/T (22.03km/L) all gave strong performances at the event which was organized to raise public awareness on the DOE’s fuel efficiency labelling program.

Suzuki continues to bring its products closer to the Filipinos

SPH continues to share the Suzuki Way of Life not only with its innovative product lineups but also by making its cars and services more accessible to more patrons with additional stores and branches. For the first half of the year alone, SPH heralded the opening of its five new dealerships in key areas of the Philippines, particularly the Suzuki Auto South Cebu, Suzuki SM Seaside City Satellite Showroom, Suzuki Auto Quezon Avenue plus the two shops in Bulacan, the Suzuki Auto Pulilan and Suzuki Auto Malolos.

The opening of the new dealerships aims to bring the Suzuki brand closer to its market especially in locations that are seen as dynamic catalysts of economic growth.

With a vibrant forecast for the rest of the year, SPH looks forward to closing 2016 with a bang.

Shuzo Hoshikura, General Manager for Automobile, Suzuki Philippines, expresses his gratitude and shares his excitement for H2. “We are very happy with the recent growth in our sales and we would like to thank those who remain loyal to our brand. Be assured that better days are coming as we announce additional launches this year,” he said.