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    Canvas Learning Management System Grows APAC Presence

    Software-as-a-service company Instructure, creator of the Canvas learning management system (LMS) announced that it doubled its Asia-Pacific manpower in order to better handle its growing presence in the region. The most recent investors in the Canvas LMS include the SCEGGS Darlinghurst in Sydney, Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, Singapore’s SIM University, and New Zealand’s University of Auckland.

    “The success that Canvas has seen over the past 12 months in the APAC region indicates that there is a growing and real need for cutting edge technology that becomes an enabler, allowing the institutions we work with to deliver the best and most compelling learning experience possible,” said Troy Martin, director of APAC for Canvas.

    He added, “We’ve seen how progressive Asia-Pacific can be when it comes to driving innovation in education and student-centered learning, and Canvas is uniquely placed to facilitate that transition towards a digital teaching model. Our APAC customers, including SCEGGS, Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, SIM University, and University of Auckland have selected Canvas as their LMS platform partner of choice to tackle head-on the challenges and opportunities presented by the global education marketplace. We are delighted to be working with them moving forward.”

    The above institutions combine for a student-staff population of over 54,000. With Canvas in tow, they will be able to enjoy a system that would integrate seamlessly with external tools and applications, while also being compatible with most operating systems and devices. Furthermore, Canvas’ solid feature set, ease of use, and manageability should allow for an enriched educational experience for both students and teachers.

    Canon showcases its newest technological innovations at the Canon Expo 2016 Shanghai

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    Photos and images spoke plenty at the Canon Expo 2016. The imaging company showed why it remains to be at the forefront of best-in-class technologies through the milestone exhibition of its rich history, expansive product line-up, and cutting-edge innovations.

    Technologies put on display include a camera that allowed diagnosis of hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and diabetes–illnesses that that plague millions of people all over the world—simply by taking a photo of a patient’s eye and printing it, all within 5-7 minutes. Portable, working x-rays, each one no bigger than a food tray, promised a world wherein the medical procedure can become accessible to even the most remote areas.

    The possibility of building and test driving one’s own dream car, marrying customizability and practicality in one seamless, immersive experience, came to life in the Mixed Reality exhibit. A high-resolution, 120-megapixel camera flaunted its ability to capture even the minutest detail. Coupled with Canon’s processes that record and print three-dimensional surfaces, genuine, detailed surface textures can effectively be reproduced. These are just few of the plethora of technologies showcased by Canon in the recently concluded expo in Shanghai.

    Following last year’s New York, Paris and Tokyo EXPOs, the Shanghai EXPO marked the last jewel in the Canon EXPO 2015/2016 crown. Over 7,000 m2 of products and solutions showcased contributions from Canon’s numerous technology hubs across the globe such as the United States, Japan, Mainland China, Hong Kong and South Korea.

    The event commenced with an opening ceremony hosted by Canon Inc. Chairman and CEO Fujio Mitarai, Canon Inc. President and COO Masaya Maeda, and Canon China President and CEO Hideki Ozawa, who were joined by Chinese government officials and regional distributors. Later on the first day, Mr. Mitarai and Mr. Ozawa delivered keynote speeches to an audience of approximately 1,000 attendees.

    During his speech, Mr. Mitarai discussed the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT), stressing that Canon possesses key IoT technologies: lenses, sensors and processors. He said, “These technologies are going to be the foundation on which Canon takes its prime position against the competition in the IoT.”

    Taking the stage next, Mr. Ozawa said that to achieve the ideal of “Closer and Connect,” Canon must cultivate new markets with new customers and develop new business through such endeavors as elevating the Canon brand image in Asia. Continuing, he said “By 2020, I want the Canon Asia Marketing Group to become a US$10 billion company.”

    The 2016 Shangai EXPO recorded an attendance of roughly 44,000 visitors from 19 Asian countries and regions, surpassing the previous attendance record of around 30,000 visitors.

    Quick Look: Philips 279X6QJSW Monitor

    The Philips 279X6QJSW will put you in the center of whatever you’re doing thanks to its subtle and immersive curved design. It sports a 27 inch MVA LED panel that provides superb contrast ratios and crisp colors in a 178-degree angle across its 16:9 Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution. It also boasts Flicker-free technology to lessen eye fatigue, SmartImage presets for optimized image quality based on what you’re doing, as well as AMD FreeSync technology for tear- and artifact-free gaming.

    For the ins and outs, the Philips 279X6QJSW has VGA, HDMI, and DisplayPort interfaces, and is also MHL-ready so you can stream content directly from your mobile devices.

    Quick Specs:

    • Display: 27 inch Full HD 60 Hz MVA LED panel with 16:9 aspect ratio
    • Technologies: Flicker-free, Smart Contrast, SmartImage, AMD FreeSync
    • Response time: 4 ms
    • Brightness: 300 cd/m2
    • Contrast Ratio: 3,000:1
    • SmartContrast: 50,000,000:1
    • Viewing Angle: 178 degrees
    • MHL: 1080p @ 60 Hz
    • Ports: VGA, DisplayPort, MHL-HDMI, HDMI audio out
    • Power Consumption: 20.35 W (in use), 0.3 W (standby), and 0.3 W (off)
    • Stand: -5/20 degree tilt
    • Dimensions (with stand): 631 x 475 x 187 mm; 5.58 kg
    • Color: Gun metal, white

    Internet TV Service, iflix, Turns 1

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    iflix, Southeast Asia’s go-to internet TV service, providing subscribers quality and unlimited access to thousands of TV shows and movies has just celebrated its first birthday last May 26.

    What started as a humble team of 23, occupying a shared office space, was able to achieve feats in just a year. Here are some of iflix’s most notable accomplishments:

    • April 2015 – The Company announced the appointment of its advisory board, comprised of some of Hollywood’s most influential business and creative leaders, including the chairman and CEO of MGM, president and CEO of Fox networks, among others.
    • June 2015 – iflix was launched commercially in the Philippines, alongside telecommunications partners Philippines Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and Smart Communications, Inc.
    • November 2015 – Celebrities Ruffa, Richard, and Raymond Gutierrez, JM Rodriguez, Iza Calzado, Karylle, and Jasmine Curtis-Smith joined iflix as ambassadors and shareholders in the business. iflix went live in Thailand, drawing over 200,000 subscribers in its initial 12-week trial phase.
    • March 2016 – iflix welcomed industry heavyweights Sky Plc and Emtek Group to its impressive investor roster, joining Catcha Group, Evolution Media Capital, PLDT and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), following the successful completion the company’s huge second round of funding.

    Today, iflix has a record of five partnerships with leading telecommunications providers in the Philippines, including PLDT and Smart, as well as Telkom Malaysia, Digi, Celcom, Maxis, and UMobile in Malaysia, and TrueMove in Thailand. The company also recently announced collaborations with Telkom and Indosat Ooreedoo ahead of its Indonesian launch.

    Viewership Trends on flix

    • iflix’s Philippine members watch an average 195.96 minutes each day.
    • iflix members prefer enjoying iflix on their mobile phones – with the majority on Android devices.
    • Milenials and Gen-Ys comprise 68-percent of total members.
    • Filipinos’ favorite genre is drama.
    • iflix members prefer late night viewing with peak watching hours from 9pm.
    • iflix members from the Philippines download the most content.

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    iflix continues to strengthen its relationships with the world’s leading providers of high-quality entertainment content bringing more first run-exclusives, award winning TV shows and movies, and exceptionally popular Asian and local programs to iflix members across the region. Here are just a few of the new shows and new seasons coming to iflix over the coming weeks and months:

    • Flash (Season 2)
    • Arrow (Season 4)
    • Robot (Season 2 – exclusive to iflix)
    • Hunters (Season 1 – exclusive to iflix)
    • Bosch (Season 1 – exclusive to iflix)
    • The Magicians (Season 1 – exclusive to iflix)
    • Downton Abbey (Seasons 1-5)
    • The 100 (Seasons 1-2)
    • Pretty Little Liars (Seasons 1-6)
    • The Originals (Seasons 1-3)
    • The Last Ship (Seasons 1-2)
    • House (all seasons)
    • Keeping Up with The Kardashians (Seasons 1-4)
    • 30 Rock (all seasons)
    • Justin Bieber: Never Say Never
    • Gotham (Season 2)
    • Avatar
    • Titanic
    • X: Men – First Class
    • Night at the Museum
    • The Office (all seasons)
    • Voltes V (all episodes)
    • Daimos (all episodes)
    • Bates Motel
    • 12 Monkeys
    • Millionaire Matchmaker

    Each iflix subscription provides users unlimited access to the service on up to five devices, including phones, laptops, tablets, and television sets, for viewing wherever, whenever. iflix subscribers can also download TV shows and movies from iflix’s extensive library for offline viewing. The service is priced at only PHP 129 per month in the Philippines for unlimited access with no ads.

    For new subscribers, iflix offers a complimentary 30-day trial with full access to its world-class service, features and content, with no credit card or payment details required. Go to www.iflix.com to register.

    Quick Look: Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Processors

    If the high-end Intel Core i7-6700K just ain’t enough for you—maybe you’re rendering a 4K video, streaming, recording, playing a CPU-intensive game, and exploring VR all at the same time—then feast your  eyes on the latest Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition processors.

    Specs wise, the series is as impressive as ever. Available in 6/12, 8/16, and 10/20 core/thread options, they boast the latest Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 that further boosts single core performance by up to 15 percent on top of Turbo Boost Technology 2.0’s already significant performance increase. Moreover, it supports up to 40 PCIe lanes, up to four discrete graphics cards, and the newest Thunderbolt 3.0 interface.

    To keep data flowing for better system responsiveness, the Extreme Edition processors feature up to 25 MB of cache and support for four channel DDR4 memory at 2400 MHz. Of course, these chips are unlocked so enthusiasts can fine tweak clock speeds to their liking.

    Quick Specs:

    • Intel Core i7-6950X
      • Cores/Threads: 10/20
      • Base Clock Speed: 3.0 GHz
      • Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0: Enabled
      • Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Speed: Up to 3.5 GHz
      • Cache: 25 MB
      • Memory Support: Four channel DDR4 at 2400 MHz
      • PCIe Lanes off of CPU: 40
      • TDP: 140 W
      • Socket: 2011-v3
    • Intel Core i7-6900K
      • Cores/Threads: 8/16
      • Base Clock Speed: 3.2 GHz
      • Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0: Enabled
      • Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Speed: Up to 3.7 GHz
      • Cache: 20 MB
      • Memory Support: Four channel DDR4 at 2400 MHz
      • PCIe Lanes off of CPU: 40
      • TDP: 140 W
      • Socket: 2011-v3
    • Intel Core i7-6850K
      • Cores/Threads: 6/12
      • Base Clock Speed: 3.6 GHz
      • Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0: Enabled
      • Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Speed: Up to 3.8 GHz
      • Cache: 15 MB
      • Memory Support: Four channel DDR4 at 2400 MHz
      • PCIe Lanes off of CPU: 40
      • TDP: 140 W
      • Socket: 2011-v3
    • Intel Core i7-6800K
      • Cores/Threads: 6/12
      • Base Clock Speed: 3.4 GHz
      • Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0: Enabled
      • Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Speed: Up to 3.6 GHz
      • Cache: 15 MB
      • Memory Support: Four channel DDR4 at 2400 MHz
      • PCIe Lanes off of CPU: 28
      • TDP: 140 W
      • Socket: 2011-v3

    PLDT, Globe agree on IP peering deal for better internet in the country

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    PLDT has moved to establish a bilateral IP peering arrangement with Globe Telecom that will help improve local internet traffic quality and provide better internet experience for the subscribers of both telco operators.

    “This is a very positive development and is in line with our digital pivot. We are focused on taking effective measures to improve internet services in the country. IP peering is one such measure. By keeping local traffic local, we improve the internet experience of both PLDT and Globe subscribers,” said Ernesto R. Alberto, PLDT Executive Vice President and Head of Enterprise.

    “The other complementary effective measure is local caching. PLDT is working with global internet players like Google, Youtube, Facebook and Microsoft to store more popular internet content in the Philippines so Filipinos can access this more quickly. Caching is needed because about 90% of internet content frequently accessed by Filipinos come from overseas. This is one reason why PLDT is building more state-of-the-art data centers in different parts of the country,” said Atty. Ray C. Espinosa, PLDT Head of Legal and Regulatory Group and member of the PLDT Board of Directors.

    “Effective and efficient use of radio frequencies is another effective measure. Hence, Smart is quickly integrating the newly accessed frequencies from the San Miguel telco businesses into its mobile network rollout plan to provide additional capacity to handle the rapid growth of data traffic. Complementing this, PLDT has stepped up its investment in fiber to the home. We currently have about half a million fiber lines, with speeds of up to 1 Gbps already available in certain areas,” Espinosa added.

    With the peering arrangement, PLDT and Globe will now allow direct local exchange of traffic between PLDT’s Philippine Internet Exchange (PhIX) and Globe Internet Exchange (GIX) that is destined to each other’s own broadband and mobile customers.

    “The intention here is to keep local traffic within the country which should lower latency due to less hops and thus, should result in marked improvements in fixed broadband and mobile internet services in the country,” Alberto noted.

    “This milestone agreement ushers in new ways of establishing partnerships within the industry in order to improve internet services throughout the country,” he emphasized.

    Senator Bam Aquino witnessed the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between PLDT and Globe held in Makati Thursday.

    The MOA paves the way for the initial phase of bilateral peering which is localized IP traffic exchange between the PLDT Group broadband and mobile subscribers and Globe Group subscribers, which should be completed 30 days after the execution of the MOA. It also dictates that the two telcos will work towards executing a fuller bilateral peering agreement within 90 days after the initial phase has been accepted.

    Quick Look: Motorola Moto Z

    Motorola is looking to be a pioneer in the fairly new modular smartphone category with the Moto Z. This sleek smartphone is the brand’s most premium device to date, packing major heat in its aircraft-grade aluminum and stainless steel body that’s gorgeous and water-repellent to boot. Specifically, it is equipped with a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor clocked at 2.2 GHz; an Adreno 530 GPU, 4 GB of RAM, either 32 or 64 GB of expandable storage; and a 2600 mAh Li-Po TurboCharge-capable battery. Its shooters are 13 and 5 MP at the back and front respectively, while its display is a 5.5 inch Quad HD AMOLED one protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4.

    The modularity of this Android Marshmallow smartphone allows for the use of snap-on back covers called Moto Mods. Depending on the module used, the phone can become a projector, a boom box, or gain extra battery life. A module development kit will also be available for purchase so those with the creativity, knowledge, and skills to create ingenious back covers can help expand the Moto Mods ecosystem.

    The Motorola Moto Z and Moto Mods are expected to be launched during the last quarter of the year.

    Quick Specs:

    • Processor: Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 @ 2.2 GHz
    • GPU: Adreno 530
    • RAM: 4 GB LPDDR4 RAM
    • Memory: 32/64 GB internal storage, microSD expandable up to 256 GB
    • Display: 5.5 inch Quad HD AMOLED display protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 4
    • Cameras: 13 MP f/1.8 with Laser Autofocus, Optical Image Stabilization, and Color Correlated Temperature (CCT) flash with dual LEDs rear; 5 MP f/2.2 front
    • Battery: 2600 mAh Li-Po with TurboPower charging
    • Operating System: Android Marshmallow 6.0.1
    • Connections: nanoSIM; 4G LTE; WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Dual Band with MIMO; Bluetooth 4.1 LE; GPS; A-GPS; NFC; USB-C
    • Dimensions: 153.3 x 75.3 x 5.19 mm; 136 g
    • Colors: Black with lunar grey trim; black with rose gold trim; fine gold
    • Others: Fingerprint reader; Moto Mods connector; Water repellent nano-coating

    Starmobile and Smart Partner Up for PHP 1,288 Play Click Bundle

    Starmobile and Smart announced a partnership yesterday that will make the recently launched Starmobile Play Click an even more bang for the buck offering. As opposed to the open-line version of the Play Click which retails for PHP 2,690, the Smart-branded one will sell for only PHP 1,288.

    “With this partnership, Smart bolsters its thrust to bring the smartphone in the hands of every Filipino by offering feature-rich handsets at a very affordable price,” said Katrina Luna-Abelarde, first vice president and smart wireless consumer operations head. “This is our way of breaking the barriers for many of our fellowmen to enjoying a much richer mobile digital experience.”

    “While we are already very proud of what the Play Click can do, we wanted to sweeten the deal even further for our customers,” added Michael Chen, Starmobile product development head. “This partnership with Smart further adds value to the already value-packed Play Click.”

    This 4.5 inch quad-core smartphone packs 512 MB of RAM, 4 GB of expandable storage, 1650 mAh battery, and dual SIM capability. Being powered by the Smart network, the bundle also comes with a Smart prepaid SIM with 100 MB of free data per month for a whole year. Additionally, every monthly accumulated load top up of PHP 100 will also entitle users to an additional PHP 30 load reward for 12 months. The bundle also ships with a free Talk N’ Text SIM.

    The Starmobile Play Click Smart bundle will be available in Smart and Starmobile concept stores and kiosks nationwide and on the Smart Online Store (http://store.smart.com.ph/) starting tomorrow, June 17, 2016. Interested customers must purchase a PHP 100 Smart Prepaid load card in order to be eligible for the promo.

    Hassle-free gifts for Father’s Day brought to you by Home Credit

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    What better way is there to greet your dad or husband a Happy Father’s Day other than giving him a usual greeting card or preparing his favorite meal for breakfast? Now that it’s just around the corner, don’t panic because Home Credit’s got it covered for you. From the latest smartphones to the hottest laptops and tablets, and even the newest TV and home theater systems, there is an easy, simple and fast way to purchase these great gifts he will surely enjoy.

    For the different kinds of loving dads

    The man who loves capturing life’s greatest moments deserves that Samsung Galaxy J7 he’s been eyeing at an affordable price. With a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera for selfies, he can shoot excellent photos midday or even in the dark. The OPPO F1 is another great phone the selfie-loving dad will enjoy. Dubbed as the “selfie expert,” OPPO F1 comes with a 13-megapixel rear camera, an 8-megapixel front camera and a Beauty 3.0+ to brighten the skin and remove those unwanted wrinkles.

    For the hardworking dad who comes home late at night, the new ASUS ZenBook UX305 comes with a built-in webcam which allows him to talk to his family anytime, anywhere. The Acer Iconia One 8 can also be an alternative for on-the-go dads — a pocket-friendly 8-inch Android tablet that permits him to edit his presentations on the way to meetings.

    And for every household’s remote control king, he definitely deserves an all-new LG 55-inch TV accompanied by a home theater system. Now, he can enjoy watching the NBA finals in the best way possible. What more can the best dad in the world ask for?

    Avail of that gift through Home Credit

    In partnership with Silicon Valley, Automatic Centre, MemoXpress, and Western Appliances, Home Credit ensures customers will be able to avail of these gadgets for most deserving dads and husbands by applying for a Home Credit loan in an easy, simple and fast way. All the customer needs to do is to present at least two (2) valid IDs and the loan gets approved in as little as five minutes.  The customer only has to cash out an initial down payment and a minimal 3% processing fee and afterwards, leave the store with the perfect Father’s Day gift.

    With Home Credit, customers may purchase their smartphones, tablets, and a lot more at Silicon Valley, MemoXpress, and other leading concept stores and retailing partners with an approved monthly installment varying from 6 to 9 months at a cash out with 0% interest.

    Customers may also avail of these gadgets or even their LED TV and home theater system from selected Western Appliances stores from June 1 to July 31, 2016. Through the Hulugang abot kaya, mas pinagaan pa promo, customers can choose a loan term of 6 or 12 months.

    No hassle, it’s that easy, simple and fast! For more information, visit www.homecredit.ph.

    SimpliVity expands its portfolio to offer customers better enterprise solutions

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    SimpliVity has just announced two new remote office and branch office (ROBO) solutions, OmniStack Solution with Lenovo System x for Remote Sites and OmniCube CN-1400, to provide flexibility, centralized management, and improved data protection capabilities to enterprise and mid-market customers with remote sites.

    SimpliVity’s hyperconverged infrastructure takes the remote out of ROBO by providing global unified management, which eliminates the requirement for on-site IT expertise. SimpliVity consolidates all IT infrastructures for virtualized workloads at remote offices, including data protection, to simplify management and backup and restore data over existing WAN links. Several enterprise customers have already seen the value of SimpliVity’s ROBO solutions, including Sinclair Oil, Woodman’s Food Group, and Merlin Entertainments.

    “Enterprises have struggled with managing IT infrastructure at remote sites since the data at ROBOs is often inadequately protected and IT staff is often non-existent. The challenge of keeping network bandwidth costs in-check has also plagued ROBO deployments, given the ever-growing volumes of data passing over the WAN,” said Jesse St. Laurent, VP Product Strategy, SimpliVity. “All our ROBO solutions are designed with enterprise-performance in mind as they deliver improved data protection and the ability to manage all remote sites from a single console – for even the largest enterprise customers. With an expanded portfolio of available x86 models optimized for ROBOs, we are able to offer enterprises increased flexibility and choice at their remote sites at a compelling price point.”

    Benefits of SimpliVity Solutions for ROBO
    • Threefold reduction in TCO – SimpliVity eliminates the need for local staff to manage the ROBO resources, reduces storage requirements by 90%, and lowers power, cooling and space demands
    • Faster, more reliable data protection to reduce risk – Reliable data protection with enterprise-proven RPOs and RTOs eliminates the need for specialized backup and recovery toolsfor ROBOs
    • Improved WAN utilization –Advanced WAN optimization reduces network traffic to backup, clone, or move workloads between sites and eliminates the need for separate WAN appliances.
    • Greater staff productivity – Simplified management of all resources, including VMs, resources, and data protection policies, improves productivity for maintaining remote sites

    The OmniCube CN-1400

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    The OmniStack Solution with Lenovo System

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    The OmniCube CN-1400 is available now. Meanwhile, the OmniStack Solution with Lenovo System x for Remote Sites will be available  in June. For more details, contact the partner distributor in the Philippines, MSI-ECS at (02) 688-3509 / (02) 688-3501 or email them at [email protected]. Visit http://www.msi-ecs.com.ph for more details.

    Review: Toshiba Canvio Connect II 1 TB

    Given the unpredictable nature of Philippine internet, you can’t always depend on the cloud for easy access to data. Sometimes, you have to take matters into your own hands and bring your data with you anywhere you go, whether that means packing a truckload of flash drives in your bag—something I’m guilty of—or carrying a portable external drive—the much more efficient approach. The Toshiba Canvio Connect II falls under the latter method, but is it any good? Let’s find out.

    Specifications:

    • Available Capacities: 500 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, 2.5 TB, and 3 TB at 5400 rpm
    • Cache Buffer Size: 8 MB
    • Interfaces: microUSB 3.0 to USB 3.0/2.0
    • Maximum Data Transfer Rate: 625 MB/s
    • Included Software: NTI Backup Now EZ, Pogoplug PC
    • Dimensions: 109 x 78 x 14 mm (L x W x D); 165 g
    • Colors: Satin gold, white, black, blue, and red

    Design: 4/5

    The Toshiba Canvio Connect II is one professional looking portable drive, with a smooth, clean exterior that reflects its no nonsense capabilities. Its face is mostly a blank slate, disturbed only by the Toshiba marque on the upper left and the hard drive activity LED on the upper right. The light is blue when connected via USB 3.0 and white when using a USB 2.0 connection.

    The bottom has four anti-vibration rubber feet on each corner, and the device’s right edge houses the microUSB 3.0 port. Our review unit came in a sleek satin gold finish, though white, black, blue, and red color options are also available.

    Hardware: 4/5

    There’s not much to say about the Toshiba Canvio Connect II’s innards. Like most other portable hard drives, it is available in various capacities ranging from a low 500 GB to a sizeable 3 TB, all using a 5400 rpm 2.5 inch platter drive. It also has a fairly normal 8 MB data cache buffer. It’s rated for transfer speeds of up to 625 MB/s, though that’s the optimal USB 3.0 transfer rate. Real world read and write speeds will be much, much lower. Though again, the same can be said for most other portable storage solutions out there.

    User Experience: 4/5

    The Toshiba Canvio Connect II performs quite well for its price, and as long as you’re connecting to a USB 3.0 port, you’ll be able to enjoy fast transfer speeds with little to no significant drop-offs.

    Using CrystalDiskMark to test the drive’s synthetic performance, it was able to finish five passes of a 1 GB test file with a sequential read and write speed of 116 MB/s. To test its real world capability, I transferred over three things: first is the 6 GB game folder of Overwatch; my office folder filled with 8 GB of various sized documents, images, and whatnots; and a 1 GB .RAR file. Across all three, I hit transfer speeds that ranged from a low 5 MB/s for the fragmented small files all the way to 100 MB/s for the larger bulk. All in all, I got an average 80 MB/s read and write performance from the Canvio Connect II—perfectly fine for the everyday user.

    The bundled software were also very welcome, allowing for easy data backups through NTI Backup Now EZ; and cloud capability for your personal computer through Pogoplug PC. Taking advantage of the latter will net users 10 GB of free in-the-air storage.

    Value: 4/5

    With a competitive price, the Toshiba Canvio Connect II is more affordable than some of its competitors while delivering essentially the same dependable everyday performance. The bundled software, while not as elaborate as other solutions, is a welcome sight for a device at this price point and are easy enough to setup for everyone that knows how to click things with a mouse.

    What’s Hot:

    • Clean look
    • Priced competitively
    • Remains cool to the touch

    What’s Not:

    • Bundled cable isn’t pretty

    Bottomline:

    • It’s a simple, portable, and affordable solution for your data storage needs.

    Overall: 16/20

    Editor's Pick FINAL LOGO

    Globe brings new fitness app KFIT designed to discover and plan wellness goals

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    A start-up that is bound to change the fitness industry, KFit helps you discover, plan, and reserve fitness, beauty and wellness activities near you, anytime. Once you have the app on your device, it automatically gives access to a huge variety of activities that suit your needs, whether you want to relax at a spa, pamper yourself with a new haircut or go for a workout at a studio near you. You can choose to purchase individual fitness, beauty and spa activities, or opt for the KFit Pass, which entitles 10 fitness activities per month at only PH999.

    In addition to conventional gyms and studios, KFit also gives customers access to a wider choice of fitness facilities including badminton and tennis courts as well as swimming pools. This eliminates repetitive fitness workouts. It lets you discover new fitness locations, and at the same time learn about the perfect activity for your busy schedule.

    “As KFit continues to gain popularity, it goes to show that lifestyle apps change our awareness and access to fitness and health. As Globe partners with this latest fitness app, we want our customers to have the advantage over KFit’s large number of service providers that includes a wide selection of amazing fitness studios, gyms, and sports facilities, beauty salons, and spas. And the best part about KFit is that it is available in nine cities across Asia Pacific. You can stay active even while you are traveling for holiday or business across different locations,” shares Dan Horan, Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business.

    To get you started, Globe and KFit is giving Php400 off the Fitness Pass for every new sign-up exclusive to Globe customers. You just need to key in the promo code “TAKEMETHERE” in the “Promo Code” field provided. Each promo code has its value in its respective currency, and can only be used in that particular country. The promo code is valid until August 2016.

    To learn more about KFit and how you can start setting your fitness goals, visit www.Kfit.com or download the KFit app. For more information on Globe and its latest products and services, visit www.globe.com.ph.

    Gamdias Hermes 7 Color

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    Unleash your full gaming potential with this mechanical keyboard from Gamdias.

    The Hermes 7Color Mechanical Gaming Keyboard has elements that provides exceptional precision and comfort for to equip you on the most intense gaming sessions. This mechanical keyboard is crafted with hardcore gamers in mind.

    Its ergonomic form factor provides durability and customization options to suit each user’s preference. The Hermes 7-Color’s Neon Light Spectrum features seven adjustable backlights and nine built-in preset light effects with five customizable patterns. Its metal plates add to its durability. Meanwhile, anti-slip rubber feet ensure it stays in place during the heat of the action.

    The Gamdias certified mechanical keys feature a 50 million actuation lifecycle, giving the Hermes longevity and its TTC Blue Switches give the keys a lighter overall feel for better feedback when typing. With up to eleven speed adjustment levels, five custom pattern shortcut keys, exchangeable WASD/Arrow keys and a consecutive Attack Mode, gamers are given enough tweaking options for every gaming situation.

    PHP 5,190

    All DepEd school divisions nationwide to benefit from expanded Global Filipino School (GFS) program of Globe Telecom

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    All 221 school divisions of the Department of Education (DepEd) nationwide are expected to benefit from the five-year expanded Global Filipino School (GFS) program of Globe Telecom which intends to transform select public schools into centers of excellence in information and communications technology and innovative teaching methods.

    “Globe has been a longtime advocate of education. We want to give Filipinos, especially those who are underprivileged yet deserving, more access to education opportunities through ICT. Thus, we decided to make GFS available to all DepEd divisions to help increase understanding and effective usage of ICT in the classroom and eventually, provide the students the skills and knowledge they need to succeed not only in the classroom but also outside of school,” said Fernando Esguerra, Globe Director for Citizenship.

    GFS was initially piloted by Globe and DepEd in Bilar National High School four years ago and is now present in 20 public schools nationwide. With the positive feedback received from the initial GFS implementation, Globe decided to roll it out in all DepEd divisions within a five-year period beginning 2016.

    “Our gratitude to the GFS program of Globe Telecom for enhancing the ICT skills of the Boholano teachers and students and for providing Bilar NHS wth multimedia facilities, thus, developing our 21st century learners. It’s good to hear that more schools will benefit from it,” said Dr. Wilfreda D. Bongalos, Schools Division Superintendent DepEd Division of Bohol.

    Under GFS, schools are provided with unparalleled online connectivity to give homeroom teachers access to limitless teaching and learning engagements available on the internet that will help further improve their craft and make learning fun and interesting for the students. The schools are also given a Globe Digital Laboratory package containing netbooks/tablets, mobile projectors, printers, and sound systems while teachers are trained on 21st Century Teaching Methods that use ICT in the classroom.

    For the students, they are taught “Learning and Innovation Skills” as well as “Information, Media, and Technology Skills”. With Learning and Innovation, students are trained to be creative, to think critically, communicate, and collaborate in preparation for a more complex work and life environments ahead of them. On the other hand, Information, Media and Technology helps students use the wealth of information available to them more effectively.

    Teachers, on the other hand, are trained on ICT education and project-based learning through the Globe Global Filipino Teachers (GFT) program so they can maximize the resources provide to their school. All schools under GFS are intended to become teacher training hubs and training partners of the DepEd Division Offices in conducting teaching workshops for neighboring schools of each division.

    While developments in technology have made it easier for both students and teachers to access a vast library of information previously out of their reach, a significant number of public elementary and high schools nationwide still do not have internet access due to lack of adequate infrastructure. Thus, with the program’s nationwide implementation, Globe expects to address the concern and at the same time, improve the Philippines’ global ranking in education.

    Disney mobile now available in PH

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    Disney fans young and old can enjoy more enchanted moments with the new Disney Mobile smartphones, now available in the Philippines. Made possible by CellPrime, the Disney Mobile devices will be available exclusively through Globe’s myStarter postpaid plans beginning at P750 per month.

    Filipino technology distribution giant CellPrime is the Product Development Partner of Disney Mobile handsets in the Philippines and is the first to enjoy such a mobile phone partnership with the Disney brand in the market. “We are proud to bring our partnership with Disney further, as they entrust us with the introduction of Disney Mobile, their first mobile phone brand in South East Asia,” said Eric Yu CEO of CellPrime Distribution Corp. “Earlier this year, CellPrime launched special edition CloudFones and CloudPads that come with exclusive Disney, Marvel and Star Wars accessories and a collectible range of Disney Mobile accessories that can be used by all brands. Now, the new Disney Mobile smartphones are the latest innovations that we are offering to everyone who loves Disney.”

    A magical Disney portal for kids and adults alike

    Digital natives and tech-savvy Disney fans of all ages have three design themes to choose from: Mickey Mouse, Disney Princess and Frozen. The devices are packed with exclusive Disney custom user interface and content, such as wallpapers, widgets, ringtones,. Also included are special Disney apps in tune with the theme of each smartphone, such as Princess Story Theater, Frozen Storybook Deluxe and Castle of Illusion. Other content may also be accessed on the Disney Philippines website. Running on Android Lollipop, each Disney Mobile device has a 1.2 GHz Quad core processor, dual SIM and 4G LTE capabilities, 5” HD IPS screen, 13MP rear camera, and 5MP front camera.

    “Going beyond hardware specs like having a great screen and LTE connectivity at a competitive plan from Globe, we are focused on finding ways to deliver the magical world of Disney at the touch of your fingertips. With exclusive content like a custom UI comprised of fun widgets, live wallpapers and Disney songs as ring tones, your Disney Mobile device gives you access to a world of Disney content and services. It truly is a device like no other,” added Yu.

    More game-changing innovations to come

    The Disney Mobile devices are not the only new products that CellPrime has in store for the Filipino consumers. With its collaborations with numerous globally reputable technology partners such as Intel, Microsoft, Disney, NBA and Spotify, consumers can expect more exciting innovations to be launched by CellPrime this year.  

    “The launch of Disney Mobile Accessories and Disney Mobile smartphones with Globe is just the beginning of exciting things to come. Stay tuned for a ‘first in the world’ launch in the coming months,” said Yu.

    Disney Mobile handsets can now be purchased through Globe stores or online.