2017 v17n9 - THE SUMMER ISSUE by Gadgets Magazine

REN ALCANTARA managing EDITOR

Ren likes puppies, long walks in the park, and zombies. His idea of a perfect day would be a long walk in the park, with a puppy, during a zombie apocalypse. @hisnameisren

In a parallel universe, she’d be a travel writer. In this dimension, she’s a multi-tasker who makes full use of her IT knowledge and her Apple devices to be productive and efficient. She also loves to listen to audiobooks while doing routine stuff like driving or shopping. @presy1121

MIA CARISSE BARRIENTOS

theresa eloriaga

A bibliophile fascinated with tech. Also a walking fangirl dictionary.

An introvert with a happy soul who loves food and cats more than life.

JUNIOR EDITOR

@miaissocoollike

Sales Manager Account executive

Accounting manager Accounting Staff

Maribelle Alba Marisa Consuelo Carol Agabin Maritess Pascua-Maulion Lorie Bernardo

HR & ADMIN MANAGER Administration Staff

Amy Christine Giray Ramil Almojano Clifford Dela Paz

PR & MARKETING STAFF

Paula Candoy

Legal Counsel

Apparently I have a sister named Versace Anne.

Spreading lines and colors for our Creator.

All unsolicited manuscripts, illustrations and photos submitted must be accompanied by a stamped self-addressed envelope if they are to be returned. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Every care is taken to ensure that the content of Gadgets is fully accurate; however, the publisher and printer assume no responsibility for the effects arising therefrom. Gadgets Magazine is a registered trademark of Great Minds Media Inc. MAY 2017

Graphic Artist

@jaellaura_m

gerry gaviola staff writer

Cineaste. Audiophile. Gadget addict.

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JAEL MENDOZA

@afterhourscritic

President & CEO

GRAPHIC ARTIST

ROBBY VAFLOR STAFF WRITER

PRESY ALBA

EDITOR-AT-LARGE

JOSE ALVAREZ CONTRIBUTOR

You’ll never find Jose without a controller in his hand—in fact, the WASD keys on his keyboard have been worn out over the years. Aside from games, he also religiously follows several sports, especially soccer, and always has a joke ready to lighten any mood and put a smile on someone’s face. @awperative

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CONTENTS

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PARADE

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Targus 15.6” Transit 360° Spinner

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GADGETSLAB

Oppo F3 Plus Reviewed by Robby Vaflor

Oppo won a huge chunk of the already saturated Asian market with its selfie-centric product development, running with it ever since. The F3 Plus is the company’s upgrade to the highly popular F1s. I got my hands on one to see if the new tech upgrades warrant an entirely new-generation phone model. DESIGN The overall aesthetic of the phone feels a bit same-y. The design team decided to keep as much of the F1s DNA as they could. Not that there’s anything wrong with that: the F1s was a nice-looking phone; but a completely new phone would definitely need a nip and a tuck or two to distinguish it from the predecessor. The silhouette of the phone is sleek, and looks even sexier with the gold finish (also available in black) and the six bands that go around the back all the way to the sides. It is a very thin phone, but an ill-placed bevel separating the metal and glass elements (which may have been put there to make it look nicer from the front) makes it look thicker than it actually is. If there’s one thing you can’t fault Oppo with, however, it would be the build quality which is excellent as always. It does feel like a premium phone, but with a not-so premium price tag.

HARDWARE As advertised, the piece de resistance of the F3 Plus is its dual-lens selfie camera setup. The main lens is 16 MP for super detailed self-portraits, while a secondary 8 MP wide-angle lens is for taking selfies with more subjects (hence the word “groufie”). Built around the selfie camera is an octa-core machine running on a Qualcomm MSM8976 Pro Snapdragon 653 with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of on-board storage expandable up to 256 GB through a microSD slot. To supplement the front-facing camera, the rear camera has a new custom-built 1/2.8-inch IMX398 sensor designed with Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation which has a wide aperture of f/1.7 for better photos even in dim conditions. Extra features include a static fingerprint sensor instead of a regular home button. If you try this phone out, you’ll be duped into pressing hard on that sensor thinking at some point it will depress and click. It also has a dual-tone LED flash for the camera, a huge 4000 mAh battery that has a fastcharge guarantee via Oppo’s proprietary VOOC charging technology. At launch, the folks at Oppo announced that it is proven to be faster than other quick charge

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technologies out there. However, upon testing it out, the VOOCcharging F3 Plus took more than an hour to charge. It still tops up faster than most phones out there with a micro USB port. There is nothing wrong with the charger, it is just the limitations of the micro USB in comparison to, say, the USB-C. That being said, you are getting a lot of phone for the price, and it is a really good phone for daily use and can handle multitasking with ease.

USER EXPERIENCE The F3 Plus is an everyday phone. It’s able to handle my needs from leisure to work without a hangup. I want to note how clean Oppo’s operating system is. Sure it is based on an older Android version, but it has a stable build without the clutter of other custom operating systems. It can handle my constant shifting between different productivity applications that are on standby. The F3 Plus is also able to do some gaming in between and no matter what I throw at the phone, the battery has a steady drain that would last me the whole day of continuous use. In terms of its primary features, however, the F3 Plus comes out as a lifestyle phone. If you are one who loves to take photos and share them on social media, the camera interface has special functions that support it like double exposure, beautify and bokeh effects, among others.

VALUE At PHP 23,990 the F3 Plus is on the low end of the high end range when it comes to price, but specifications-wise you are getting a lot back for the money you shell out. It’s a nice everyday phone that feels very premium, and Oppo has proven that a premium phone doesn’t have to equate to a premium price point.

Specifications: Display: 6.0-inch IPS LCD touchscreen at 1920 x 1080 full HD resolution Corning Gorilla Glass 5 screen protection Processor: Qualcomm MSM8976 Pro Snapdragon 653 chipset Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A72 & 4x1.44 GHz Cortex-A53) GPU: Adreno 510 Platform: Oppo ColorOS 3.0 built on Android OS v6.0 Marshmallow Memory: 64 GB internal storage Storage expandable up to 256 GB with microSD/ 4 GB RAM Camera: 16 MP f/1.7 rear camera with phase detection autofocus, OIS, and dual-tone LED flash/ 16 MP f/2.0 and 8 MP wide angle dual-lens frontfacing camera/ Video quality up to 2160p at 30 fps Features: Front-mounted static fingerprint sensor Oppo VOOC fast charging technology Dual SIM support (microSD uses second SIM slot) Battery: 4000 mAh microUSB v2.0 What’s Hot: - Wide-angle “groufie” lens - Long battery life - Solid build quality What’s Not: - Still looks and feels like the F1s - VOOC isn’t really “VOOC-ing”

Bottomline If you want a decently-priced phone with good specs and love taking photos of or with friends and family (basically a can-do smartphone), the F3 Plus is the smartphone of choice.

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Nintendo Switch Reviewed by Ren Alcantara

Nintendo shook up the gaming world when it released the Wii over a decade ago. The new control scheme, the accessibility, and the ability to game in ways players had never really gotten to before, all lent themselves to an experience that is remembered fondly by all those who got to try it. Fast forward to 2017, and skip one generation ahead, and we have the Nintendo Switch. In practice, it’s a refinement of the Wii, but with the addition of portability. Does it give up too much to be portable, or is it the true evolution of the home console? DESIGN The design of the Switch is very much a compromise. It’s no secret at this point that it’s a combination home console and portable console in one device. These have conflicting requirements, so copious compromise is expected. It’s a few devices that snap together, depending on your particular need at the moment. You have the left and right controllers, the switch console, which includes its own screen, and the dock, which includes the charging and A/V interface. You also get what is essentially a holder for the L and R controllers, which allows you to configure them in a more traditional PlayStation-style. Want to play on the big TV? Dock the Switch, then snap the controllers on the holder, and get going. Suddenly need to go out for a spell? Grab the Switch, snap the controllers on to the sides, toss it in your bag, and go. The compromise is in pocketability. It’s not all that large, but you’re not realistically going to put this in any pocket. It’s too large, and the nubby joysticks that come out the front of the device are going to be a hindrance. Even in a bag, you’re going to have to be mindful of the sticks, as a controller is going to run you upwards of a thousand bucks. I’d probably devote an inner bag pocket for the Switch. I’m also not the biggest fan of the dock. When docked, the console sits inside what is essentially an enclosure, completely covering the screen, while leaving the sides open for locking the controllers in place to charge. It looks a little cobbled together, and isn’t anywhere as sleek as the previous devices, save maybe for the Wii U. It just looks better as a handheld.

HARDWARE The Switch isn’t a powerhouse of a machine by a long shot. While the competition has hardware that’s pushing the limits of processing technology, the Switch is happy with an Nvidia Tegra X1 SOC, an octa-core processor going at a cheerful 1.020 GHz, and 4 GB of LPDDR4 RAM. Remember though, that the device is portable, and gameplay is more than just brute force, so it’s not a deal-breaker in the least. The screen is a plentiful 6.2-inch affair, with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, giving you a reasonably sharp 237 pixels per inch, or more than enough to enjoy a little gaming on the go. When docked, you get a maximum of 1080p out of the HDMI port on the dock. This makes the most use of 22

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the 768 MHz clock speed, which throttles down to a calm 384 MHz maximum.

USER EXPERIENCE Oh man, where do we start? As a handheld, it’s great! Tipping the scales at under 300 grams, or less than a DSi XL, it looks a lot heavier than it actually is. There’s no getting around the overall size, but it’s a fair price to pay for the large screen that comes with it. It’s plenty sharp enough to enjoy your games, and works fine in some sunlight, though you’re probably going to want to get seated somewhere comfortable for a gaming session. The controllers snap on to either side of the device, and are all you hang on to while playing. This might seem a little unnerving on paper, but the connection is solid, and the fit is snug. It’s comfortable enough, and despite being a little wide, feels fine even for extended periods. On battery, and playing Breath of the Wild, we normally get upwards of two and a half hours of play, and to be honest, we’re a little too old to be playing for much longer than that on a handheld. There’s a lot of muscle in this little box, particularly for a portable gaming console, and it shows in the gameplay, which is basically a perfectly scaleddown version of the playing on a big TV. You could leven prop it up while you’re outside, disconnect the controllers, and use it like a tiny little console/ TV combo on the go. Pretty cool. Docked, the Switch really shines. Even though it’s not the most powerful console on the block, it’s no slouch. Game effects, speed, and immersion are all top-notch, even though this isn’t really what the Switch is about. This is a device that gives a unique gaming experience, and it does it well. 1-2-Switch, one of the titles available for the console, is a great showcase of the abilities of Nintendo’s newest wonderchild. The gyro and accelerometer system on the little tiny controllers are amazing. They allow such a fine level of control and feedback, that it’s just absurd the kind of things it lets you do. It’s a much, much more refined Wii, and all the better for it. The main problem with the Switch right now is the lack of titles. There’s really only Breath of the Wild right now, and the rest of the titles are party games. Granted, those are really quite fun, but they aren’t games you’d really sit down and play on your own. Time will definitely change that, so just give it a wait, and the value proposition will increase, no doubt.

VALUE Retailers are bringing the Switch into the country for about PHP 25,000, with one game. This is a little steep, but expected for being a product that is independently imported, this early in the cycle. That’s a lot of money for what is essentially one game. If it were closer to the PHP 15,000 it is worth in the US, and if there were a few more titles available, this score would jump up to a solid 5, just because there’s nothing like it. Wait for the price to drop, and more titles to come out, and you won’t regret it. Specifications: System-on-chip: Nvidia Tegra X1 CPU: Octa-core (4×ARM Cortex-A57 & 4×ARM Cortex-A53) @ 1.020 GHz Memory: 4 GB LPDDR4 Storage: 32 GB Internal flash memory Removable storage: microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC up to 2 TB Display: 6.2-inch, 1280 × 720 LCD @ 237 ppi up to 1080p via HDMI while docked Graphics: Nvidia GM20B Maxwell-based GPU @ 307.2 - 384 MHz while undocked, 307.2-768 MHz while docked Stereo speakers Headphone jack Connectivity: 2.4/5 GHz 802.11ac Wi-Fi Bluetooth 4.1 1 × USB 3.0 (on dock) 2 × USB 2.0 (on dock) 1 × USB Type-C (on unit) Power: 4310 mAh, 3.7 V lithium-ion battery Dimensions: 23.9 by 10.2 by 1.4 centimetres (9.41 in × 4.02 in × 0.55 in) (Console only) Weight: 297 grams (10.5 oz) (Console only) What’s Hot: - A wonderful refinement of the Wii - Both portable console and home console - Will have lots of exclusives What’s Not: - Local price is a little absurd - No titles yet

Bottomline You should own one, but maybe not yet. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

VALUE The LG G6 retails for PHP 37,990 which is just about right for the range of flagship phones. If you’re looking for a newly released phone in the market with all the top specs and features, then spending that amount wouldn’t be a problem.

LG G6 Reviewed by Gerry Gaviola

LG is finally bringing back it’s game with it’s new flagship phone, the LG G6. Gone are the days of the gimmicky phones that LG tried to market. Even the infamous Boot Loop problem is said to be absent in the model. With the G6, it’s nice to know that LG is once again becoming invested in producing phones that are practical, innovative, and not to mention, gorgeous. DESIGN

HARDWARE

The LG G6 looks and feels like a premium phone. Gone are the gimmicky modular design and changeable back covers in the previous G series models. Present in the LG G6 is a design with the perfect combination of metal, glass, and minimal plastic, which really makes it compete with other elegant designs in the market.

Utilizing Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 821 chip set and having 4 GB of RAM makes the G6 a powerful beast. Although it’s not running the most powerful chipset in the market, the G6 still manages to run games with highest graphic settings without any lag.

Phone screens nowadays are getting bigger without having to compromise the overall phone size. Following the trend of bigger displays, the G6 sports a gorgeous 18:9 widescreen display that measures at 5.7 inches. The strange aspect ratio is a win-lose situation. On the plus side, you get more screen real estate because of the reduced top and bottom borders and minimized bezels making it perfect for multitasking, playing games, and viewing widescreen video. On the negative side is that the unconventional aspect ratio might bug people who hate seeing black bars in unoptimized video. In some cases, there is an option to stretch the screen to fit until the phone’s curved edges. To be honest, after using the LG for over a week, it really isn’t that bothersome. The sleep/wake button that everyone loves is still located at the back, which makes unlocking your phone with the embedded fingerprint sensor ever so natural. On the other hand, the volume rockers are still located on the phone’s side. Overall, LG really stepped up its game with its ergonomic and beautiful design.

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The tall display was built with vertical multitasking in mind; LG’s hardware makes that experience possible. Simultaneously running both a social media platform and a game/video, will show no noticeable lag.

USER EXPERIENCE

Specifications: OS: Android 7.0 Nougat OS, v7.0 (Nougat) Processor: Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 821 Storage: 32/64 GB RAM: 4GB Screen: 5.7-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors Sim: Single SIM (Nano-SIM) or Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by storage) Camera: Dual 13 MP (f/1.8, OIS, 3-axis, phase detection AF) + 13 MP (f/2.4, no AF), dual-LED flash Comms: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot Dimensions: 148.9 x 71.9 x 7.9 mm (5.86 x 2.83 x 0.31 in) Weight:163 g (5.75 oz) Battery: 3300 mAh Li-Po Connectivity: GSM/CDMA/HSPA/LTE What’s Hot: - LG’s 5.7–inch display - Premium glass and metal design - Always on Display for checking time - Multitasking - Wireless charging - USB-C port - Dust/water proofing What’s Not: - Average battery life - Black boxes in unoptimized apps

The G6 runs a skinned version of Android 7.1 Nougat, and meets halfway when it comes to extravagant skins and traditional Android. Design– wise, the skin looks simple, natural, and easy to the eyes. The skin doesn’t come in as too flashy which is a good thing because it lessens distractions. Given the phone’s generous screen estate, playing games and watching videos are more enjoyable. For those apps that aren’t optimized for LG, the system provides an option for you to fill that big display. The option, however, doesn’t always appear. The G6’s body is built to last. With IP68 certification, it is has dust and waterproof protection. In this case, hardware harmonizes with LG’s design which give the user a unique and smooth experience.

Bottomline LG is back in the game with its new G6. If you’re considering a new flagship device, this is truly one to consider.

MAY 2017

Nyne TT Reviewed by Ren Alcantara

Music is life, but wires will be the death of all of us. Have you looked inside that drawer under the TV recently? It’s a rat’s nest of tangled wires and dust. Fortunately, we live in 2017, and that means accomplishing what once required the vinyl embrace of a cable is now wireless. Today, we take a look at the Nyne TT, Bluetooth speaker, and find out if it’s up to the task of enlivening your next party. DESIGN

USER EXPERIENCE

The Nyne TT is a rather large curvy box done in red and black, with a rubbery matte finish. The insides of the devices is kept safe by a metal speaker grille, while the top has raised buttons for volume, track control, a call button and a main power button, all hidden under a rubber strip, and very tactile. There’s also a Bluetooth indicator light, and a pretty illuminated “nyne” in case you forget what brand of speaker you’re using.

The first test we ran was a quick check of the TT’s ability to reproduce bass. I queued up James Blake’s cover of Limit to your Love to see how it responds to quick fast bass. The result: not as well as I had hoped. For a hefty speaker with enough internal volume to push a lot of air, the bass was very shallow and weak. The track does make it hard to do bass well, as it’s an extremely fast bass pulsing, but we could barely hear it over the vocals. Mids though, were quite pleasant, with Lana Del Rey’s Video Games coming out clear, if just a touch cloudy on the higher notes. This was also the case for a Cello instrumental, where the TT was able to play the sweet sound of the instrument quite nicely.

The sides are done in a silvery metallic plastic, and the back has a large protected channel, which presumably houses the back of the driver unit. It conveniently has an integrated kickstand for keeping the device vertical, as well as serving to hide the charging port, USB out port, and a 3.5 mm input. The kickstand also has a large cut-out that seems to be intended to keep the cables (should you want to use them for whatever reason) in check. This is a nice touch, and the designer who thought to include it deserves a raise. The plastic appears to be simple, un-reinforced ABS, and while that’s reasonably tough, don’t go treating this like a power tool—she won’t suffer it.

HARDWARE While we couldn’t find the size of the driver, it seems to run perhaps three-quarters the width of the unit, offers 2.0 stereo surround, and, of course Bluetooth 4.0 wireless connectivity. You also get an internal 2200 mAh battery, which is great, because the speaker also doubles as a powerbank. Should your device support it, the TT allows you to pair the device via NFC. It totally wasn’t necessary, but hey, we’ll take it. Should you have a non-Bluetooth source, the TT takes a 3.5 mm connection at the rear of the device, so more or less universal compatibility is not an issue.

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Pairing the speaker was completely painless, as was expected. Switch it on, find it on your phone and you’re set. A quick tap on the side of the speaker with an NFC-enabled device manages the same thing easily. Battery life is a bit less than the rated 10 hours, though I do suspect that’s keeping the connection good between the source and the speaker. Using it as a powerbank will of course reduce the juice it has to power itself, but it’s a nice backup to have, just in case.

Specifications: Wireless Inputs: Bluetooth, NFC Bluetooth Version: 4.0 Bluetooth Wireless Range: 33 feet 3.5 mm input Battery: 2,200 mAh USB charging output What’s Hot: - Great design - Extra features - Clear sound What’s Not: - Soft-sounding bass - Charges via a non-USB adapter

A small problem for some is that it uses a standard 12 V input for power, so there’s no charging it from a powerbank—you’ll need a wall outlet to top up.

VALUE The Nyne TT comes at a sticker price of about PHP 9,500, though it is generally on sale at this point. It’s a good-looking device, with decent ability. But if you’re a bass-head, you might want to look elsewhere. Still, it’s a reliable brand, and has a few extra features. In the end, it’s not a bad deal.

Bottomline Keep it in one place in your room and use it forever, with some light duty outdoors now and again. Not bad.

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BEOPLAY H5 Reviewed by Maribelle Alba

I don’t consider myself an audiophile but I seem to have accumulated a fair number of premium earphones over time. My most recent purchase is Bang & Olufsen’s first wireless earphones, the Beoplay H5. Here’s my review, after about four months of almost daily use. DESIGN Two things about these earbuds clinched the deal for me: gorgeous looks and great audio quality. Conceptualized by the award-winning Danish designer Jakob Wagner, the earpieces are made of textured rubber and polymer with a polished aluminum plate bearing the B&O marking on top. A braided textile cord connects the earpieces, with the in-line remote located near the left end. Each earbud contains a magnet, so you can connect both ends and wear the Beoplay H5 like a necklace when it’s not in use.

HARDWARE

function, you can adjust the tonality by dragging a white dot through quadrants labeled warm, excited, relaxed, and bright. It also allows you to increase the spaciousness of the sound stage. The app is an essential component of the entire Beoplay H5 experience as it lets you control how you want your music to sound, depending on your activity or mood. Preset profiles include Commute, Clear, Workout, and Podcast.

Each bud is built with a 6.4 mm electro-dynamic driver with a frequency range between 20 to 20,000 Hz. Also contained in the earpiece housing are two rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries (one on each side), with a capacity of 50 mAh for up to 5 hours of play time. Latching the two magnetized earbuds automatically turns off the device.

Several irritants detract from the audio excellence of these earphones. First, the odd shape of the buds make it difficult to find a perfect fit inside the ear. Perhaps because of the added weight of the remote on the left side, the left earpiece has a tendency to fall out. Not a major shortcoming, but irritating when you have to keep pushing it back into your ear.

The charging cube also contains magnets to charge the earbuds. A small indicator light blinks orange while charging and green when the batteries are fully charged, a process that takes about 2 hours.

One of my major considerations in choosing a Bluetooth headset is that it should be multi-point, for simultaneous pairing with two phones. I wrongly assumed that the Beoplay H5 would have this feature, only to discover that while it could be paired with several devices, it can connect only with one device at a time.

Another unique design feature is the charging cube with grooves for docking the earbuds. Also included in the box are silicon tips in four sizes, premium Comply Sport tips in three sizes, three cable clips, a carrying pouch, and a user guide.

Featuring the Bluetooth 4.2 technology, the Beoplay H5 supports aptX, aptX-LL, and AAC codecs for high-resolution audio output. The in-line remote houses an omni-directional mic, a multifunction power button in the center, and volume up/down buttons on either end.

USER EXPERIENCE If I were evaluating the Beoplay H5 on audio quality alone, it would merit at least a 4.5-star rating, as this is probably one of the best pairs of Bluetooth headsets I have ever used. Out of the box, it delivers clear, crisp, balanced, and natural audio reproduction with sparkling highs and warm lows. Perhaps a function of age, I find that my tastes have moved away from heavy thumping bass to more well-defined trebles and mid-tones. The Beoplay H5 delivers, with distinctive clarity and separation, as is only to be expected from a Bang & Olufsen audio device. The accompanying app allows you to customize the audio output to your taste. Using the ToneTouch www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Specifications: Dimensions: Earphones 39 x 28 x 23.5 mm / Cable length 52 cm Weight: 18 g Speaker: 6.4 mm electro-dynamic Frequency: 20 – 20,000 Hz Microphone: Omnidirectional Battery: Two rechargeable Li-Ion batteries, 50 mAh each Playtime: Up to 4 hrs Charging time: Approx. 2 hrs Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2 What’s Hot: - Outstanding audio quality - Gorgeous looks - Premium materials What’s Not: - Cannot connect two devices simultaneously - Has to be turned on manually to use with calls - Expensive

There are also a couple of reasons why the Beoplay H5 is not my go-to Bluetooth earpiece when I’m on the go and need constant access to my phone. For one, since it turns off automatically after 15-minutes of non-use or when you latch the magnetic ends together, you will need to physically turn it on then give it a few seconds to connect to your phone before you can answer an incoming call. Also, since battery life lasts only about 5 hours of play time, it won’t see you through an entire day.

VALUE The Beoplay H5 retails for around PHP 14,990— almost double the price of two other brands of Bluetooth stereo earphones I was quite happy with in the past. For pure listening pleasure, this is definitely a best-in-class contender. However, it lacks features and functionalities offered by other, lower-priced competitors, thus detracting from its overall value package.

Bottomline For audiophiles willing to pay the price, the Beoplay H5’s sound quality should more than make up for its other shortcomings.

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PHOTOFEATURE

On a beach somewhere, bathing in the bright summery sun, with the blue sea blowing a cool breeze as you enjoy a mimosa: thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the kind of perfect moment you want to take a photo of. Luckily, the Oppo F3 Plus is back, and this time, with the Oppo F3 to show us how we can go beyond the run-of-the-mill and into expert status when it comes to taking the best summer selfies. We are lucky to have popstar royalty grace us again in none other than superstar Sarah Geronimo to show off the flagship selfie phones. He isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dubbed royalty just yet, but the noontime heartthrob and all-around cutiepie Alden Richards joins Sarah to help her show us how to have the best summer ever with sun, sand and selfies.

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The Oppo F3 and F3 Plus are strong companions for work and study, able to handle whatever you throw at them. And when the work is done and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to vacation, they can double as elegant fashion accessories to complement your look and be able to take pictures and share them on social media at the same time. Solidly constructed, stylish, and very powerful to boot, these phones have been packed with great features just to prove that Oppo is the king of selfies, and the new F3 and F3 Plus are the heirs to the throne. 28

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OPPO F3 Plus

OPPO F3

Camera

16 MP main, dual 16 MP + 8 MP wide angle lens front camera

13 MP main, dual 16 MP + 8 MP wide angle lens front camera

CPU

Qualcomm MSM8976 Pro, 8 cores

Mediatek MT6750T, 8 cores

Memory

4 GB RAM + 64 GB ROM (expandable up to 256 GB with microSD)

Battery

4,000 mAh with VOOC technology

3,200 mAh with VOOC technology

Display

FHD 1920 x 1080 at 6 inches

FHD 1920 x 1080 at 5.5 inches

Oppo ColorOS 3.0 (based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow)

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Sarah Geronimo and Alden Richards

They say third time’s the charm, and certainly we are lucky to have Popstar Royalty grace our cover once more. And this time, in an unlikely pairing with the noontime heartthrob himself, Alden Richards. It is a tandem only in the depths of the interweb’s fanfiction communities would you hear about, but the good folks at Oppo made it happen, and it actually works. When Sarah isn’t slaying at sold out shows or starring in blockbuster hits, and when Alden isn’t busy melting hearts on TV or on the screen, both like to enjoy the vacation season with friends. Whether it’s somewhere exotic, or just stay-cationing somewhere in the city, they have the F3 and F3 Plus to capture great moments in stunning clarity and take more of the scenery in with the wide angle feature.

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COVERSTORY

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May 2017

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MOBILITY

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GREEN

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TRAVEL

Words and Photos by Presy Alba

Hanoi is one of two cities most visited by tourists in Vietnam, the other being Ho Chi Minh City better known to the rest of the world as Saigon.

It has to be said that most tourists go to Vietnam to shop and visit iconic spots on the side. If your main purpose in visiting Vietnam is to do lots of shopping for cheap knock-off or factory overruns of designer clothing and accessories, and see remnants of the Vietnam-American war then go to Saigon. But if you are interested in learning about the ancient history and culture of Vietnam mixed with shopping for silks, embroidery, coffee, and more, Hanoi is the place for you. Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam. It is where the seat of government is located. The city is full of French-inspired architecture and is considered the cultural heart of Vietnam. In some parts of the old quarter, if not for the Vietnamese characters on the storesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; signages, you would think you were in the Opera or Grand Boulevard district of Paris. A day tour of the cultural sites around the Old Quarter costs around USD 25 to 30 per person. This includes pickup and drop-off from your hotel, an air-conditioned shared coach for a maximum of 12 passengers, a set menu lunch (excluding drinks), and an English-speaking tour guide. The eight-hour tour will take you to see the very ancient Temple of Knowledge, the Old Quarter including a visit to St. Joseph Cathedral, the Catholic Cathedral of Hanoi, the birth and burial place of their national hero, Ho Chi Minh, a lacquerware factory, silk and embroidery house, and even Dong Xuan market. Just remember that if you want to see more sites, you have to spend less time at each stop. Additionally, you have to take into consideration

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that your van will be running at probably just 40 kilometers per hour as they strictly follow this speed limit all over the city. If you prefer to visit the sites at your own pace, it might turn out cheaper if you use Uber instead of taking a taxi. In the old quarter, you can walk from one site to the next while shopping for bits and pieces that catch your eye. Vietnamese embroidered products are especially nice and not very expensive. Silk products are also pretty cheap yet well made. If you’re into semiprecious stones and crystals, stop at the many small galleries that feature these items. A rose quartz the size of a chicken egg costs only around USD 25 here, a third of what you would pay for it in a gem factory in Singapore. If you plan to visit Dong Xuan market, you can buy products cheaper by the dozen, but not as cheap as Ben Thanh market in Saigon. And just like in Ben Thanh, be prepared to sweat it out. The place is not air-conditioned and packed to the hilt with merchandise for sale. If you don’t want to dive into the innards of the market, I still recommend you drop by, for at the entrance of the market are food vendors who sell peanuts, pistachios, and coffee by the kilo. The dark brown Vietnamese peanuts are super delicious, it’s like eating peanut butter; and the pistachios have a milky flavor that is very intriguing, and I don’t have to describe how great French Roast Vietnamese coffee tastes like.

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Hanoi is famous for its lacquerware. Ask your guide to take you to one of the better galleries. At the front of the store, you will see how the craftsmen and women create these works of art. You will see how it is done step-by-step. Then they will invite you into the display area where you can buy a wide array of lacquerware made with fine eggshells, oyster mother-of-pearl, etc. The items range from around USD 15 for a small box to a few hundred dollars for large frames. Another Hanoi specialty are silk and embroidered products. There is one particular street in the Old Quarter that is filled with shops that sell embroidered goods like napkins, placemats, table cloths, cotton and linen clothing, bags, etc. Many of these shops also sell silk products including souvenir items such as travel pouches, coin purses, and silk sleeping bags, and robes. If you book early enough, airline tickets to Hanoi from Manila costs less than PHP 10,000 roundtrip via Cebu Pacific, and that’s including travel tax. What’s even better is that it’s a straight flight of only four hours, instead of 8-12 hours if you take another airline that stops in Bangkok, Singapore, or Saigon. If you go on a trip for three days two nights, I suggest you take the day tour on the first day just to familiarize yourself with the city, then go around on your own the following day to do your shopping. It is better to stay near the Old Quarter so you can easily walk around.

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FOOD

IN-THE-WALL

Words and Photos by Robby Vaflor

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VISUAL SPACE ZEISS

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TIPS & TRICKS

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HOME

If we talk about degree of heat, summer in the Philippines must be among the hottest. For thalassophiles (people who love the sea) this season is warmly welcomed, but for homebodies, summer is dreadful. However, no summer is too hot with capable cooling solutions. Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation (SEPCO) just recently launched its newest line-up of cooling solutions to combat the blistering heat. The launch also solidifies the company’s credibility in providing innovative air conditioners for commercial and residential spaces. In an event touted “Samsung Airchitecture: Shaping air to cool the future,” the Korean tech giant brought together Samsung executives and valued dealer-partners as conversations on technology, innovation, and design in the field of air solutions took place. Samsung continues to build a smart future for businesses. The 360 Cassette leads the pack and boasts of the world’s first circular design that enhances the unit’s performance. With the 360 Cassette, consumers will not suffer from cold draft and instead have an even and fast cooling experience. Shifting the setting from the workplace

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to the home, the Samsung Wind-Free Air Conditioner provides the reliable comfort and protection that families seek. With the world’s first Wind-Free cooling technology and 21,000 micro holes that distribute air, quality time and fun bonding moments at home can now be enjoyed without the uncomfortable feeling of direct and unfiltered cold air blow. With the Wind-Free Air Conditioner’s Ultra-Wide PM2.5 filter, families are assured that the air produced is purified and ideal for the home. Its Digital 8-Pole Inverter also aids in saving more energy, producing less noise, and providing faster cooling. Whether at work or at home, SEPCO is confident its cooling solutions are more than capable of providing consumers reliable comfort. Aside from highlighting new offerings in the field of air solutions, Samsung also welcomed Bianca Gonzalez-Intal, JC Intal, and Lucia Intal as ambassadors for Samsung Digital Appliances. For Samsung, the young family of three is ideal to work with as the company rolls out its initiatives to help Filipino families in their journey towards a smarter and more efficient way of living. The new line-up of System and Room Air Conditioners is available in authorized Samsung dealers nationwide. For more details, visit the Samsung Facebook page or log on to samsung.com/ph.

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music corner

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GAMING

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APPS

Turn your

Rectioepts in

Cash

App review Words by Mia Carisse Barrientos

Shopping triggers two emotional responses: gratification and remorse. Most of the time we feel gratified from purchasing items we’ve long pined for. Conversely, when we end up spending more than we should, it’s the latter that takes hold. Shopping is great, and we shouldn’t feel guilty about buying things as long as it’s within our allowed spending budget. To rid you of the guilt of shopping, Snapcart found a way to incentivize shoppers through its app. Here’s how. What is Snapcart? Snapcart is an Indonesia-based cashback platform launched recently in the Philippines. Users of the app can get rebates from capturing personal purchase receipts, meanwhile the app collects valuable data— purchase data, analytics, and real-time insights--in return. Your trash bin is a goldmine. Why? Receipts stowed in the bin holds information about you. One example is your buying behaviour. This is beneficial to retailers as, with this data, they can create a blueprint for effectively marketing their products. Through receipts they are able to learn different product pricing and more, which serves as key information to help them better position their produce in the market. However, this valuable information is rather hard to acquire. To encourage consumers not to carelessly throw away receipts, this humble start-up came up with the idea to reward customers and turn paper statements into big data at the disposal of brands and retailers. How does the app work? The app is free and can be installed on Android and iOS devices. Once you have the app, you have to create an account. You can either sign up via email or Facebook. For this review, I linked my Facebook account and found the process fast and easy. 84

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Now that you have an account, you’ll be welcomed by quick how-to’s and can immediately snap receipts after. Currently, the app only honors receipts of purchases from grocery stores, cosmetics, pharmacies, and fresh food. Any purchase statement from establishments not mentioned might be rejected. As it is scanned through your phone’s camera, receipts must be generated by automated cash registers with details clearly displayed. I didn’t know these when I first used the app, but a quick scan through the FAQs section helped me know the app better. I have collected quite a number of receipts from grocery stores, can I scan them all? Snapcart allows a maximum of three receipt upload per day. You can scan remaining receipts the following day. Also know that the app will reject the receipt if it’s dated seven days after the purchase. The Snapcart Experience: If you consider yourself a social media expert, snapping receipts should come easy. The app has a built-in camera solely meant for scanning receipts accurately. You just have to position the statement on a flat surface and position your camera atop, just like creating a flat lay. If your receipt is long, there is an add button for capturing receipts from top to bottom within seconds. If in case you made a booboo, i.e. unintentionally moved the camera, Snapcart allows retakes.

After you’ve uploaded the receipt, the app will now do its work. In my experience, the app took around four hours to validate the receipt I uploaded. On the side, there are activities in-app you can partake in to gain coins while waiting. Coins can be used to play Snaptastic. This feature is like Wheel of Fortune, giving you a chance at winning more coins or prizes from the app’s various partners. How do I redeem my cashbacks? Once you reach the minimum cash out amount, you will be redirected to a page where you are to provide more details to further verify your identity. After you’re done with the process, you can cash out via bank transfer or other channels such as pre-paid phone top-up, e-voucher, e-wallet. How long you get your cashback credit depends on your preferred cash out channel (average of seven working days). Note that there’s a PHP 20 transfer fee, which will be subtracted to your cash out amount. Users also level up within the app depending on frequency of use. This allows them to receive bigger cashbacks in the long run. Easy-to-use and a rewarding experience makes Snapcart a staple for shoppers. With this app you can keep buyer’s remorse at bay! www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FireChat: g in g a s s e M y c n e g r e m E Without Data or Wifi Words by Gerry Gaviola

It’s better to be prepared than sorry. In this month alone, four strong earthquakes shook the country. Phivolcs has already appealed to fellow Filipinos to prepare for the inevitable 7.2 magnitude earthquake that’s to come when the West Valley Vault moves. When that happens, FireChat, a messaging app that works without data or Wi-Fi, may be the solution when attempting to contact your loved ones. Cellular towers and Wi-Fi networks can fail, especially during natural disasters. Thankfully, the effectiveness of FireChat doesn’t rely on the signals of these towers. FireChat works even without an internet connection or cellular signal. The makers of the application, Open Garden Inc., integrated FireChat with the innovative technology of multi-hop and store-and-forward capabilities. Creating a mesh network by using Bluetooth and peer-to-peer technology, the application is able to provide messaging capabilities between devices as long as they are within 200 feet of range. In the mesh network, encrypted messages are transmitted to one device from another until it

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is reached by the intended receiver. However, when an internet connection or cellular network is available, Firechat uses these connections to reach recipients. One thing to take note of is that the application’s effectiveness relies heavily on the density of the users. Since it uses peer-to-peer technology, the more people use the application, the better the service gets. Already used globally, FireChat has aided countries such as India and Mexico in times of natural disasters. The application is free of charge and is available in the Google Playstore and in Apple’s Appstore.

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FEATURE

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BULLETPOINTS

Words by Ren Alcantara Keeping my knives sharp is a matter of personal pride. Whipping out a knife that cuts through simple tasks like it doesn’t even know it’s doing work gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. Getting that laser-sharp edge took a lot of practice, and my share of trial and error, as well as a few tools to help make the job infinitely easier. I hope to pass this knowledge on to you, gentle reader, so that we can all have knives worthy of cutting cardboard, hamburger, and craft materials alike. First off, and this is probably the most complicated part of the process, is you’ll want a sharpening kit that has some form of angle guide. The importance of this can’t be stressed enough. Sharpening freehand on a stone requires a lot more practice than I have time for, and while I can get a decent edge on a stone with no angle guide, it’s never anywhere near as sharp as when I have my complete kit. My weapon of choice is the Lansky Sharpening System. Depending on the kit, this will include stones of varying grit, and an angle guide, so you can keep the angle of each stroke perfectly consistent. More than almost anything, is key to getting a very sharp edge on your blade. There are other great options out there, and I have tried a few, but this is what I happen to have, so I’ll stick with it. The main reason I have this is for a constant angle, so it shouldn’t matter what you use (even freehand), as long as you have the same angle for every stroke of the stone on the steel. The first thing I do when getting ready to sharpen my knife is to check if there is any one area that will need particular attention. Maybe there is a small chip, or a spot whose edge is rolled over. If any area needs extra seeing to, I take note of it for later. The knife then goes into the Lansky system’s clamp, after which, I draw on the very edge with a marker, for reasons I will get into shortly. Now, depending on the wear on the knife, I’ll either go with an appropriate grit of stone. Too coarse, and you’ll be removing more material than necessary, and adding an extra step to the whole process. Too fine, and you’ll be at it all day, wearing your smoother stones out in the process. This is something you’ll be able to tell from experience, but if you must, you might as well go too rough than not rough enough. Now, remember how we drew on the edge of the knife with a marker? This is so we know we have the right angle when we start sharpening. Hold the stone against the edge of the knife and make sure the very edge is resting on the flat of 88

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the stone. Draw the stone against the edge of the knife, as if you were taking thin slices off the stone with the blade. After one pass, you can check if your angle is right based on what you’ve scraped off. What you’re after is marker removed from the whole primary bevel (the actual edge of the knife). If there’s still marker at the edge, raise the spine a bit more during the stroke. If there’s no marker at the edge, but still some by the shoulder, drop the spine on the next pass. Once you have your angle right, keep it that way for every pass, and you’re on your way. “But Ren,” you might ask, “how do i know when to stop?” I’m glad you asked. Keep going, with moderate pressure (more than the weight of the knife, but not bearing down on the blade), until you raise a burr on the opposite side of the

Now, on to a few details. I have tried using circular strokes, and strokes in one direction, into the edge. Both seem to work reasonably well, but I tend to prefer strokes in one direction, because it makes more sense to me to consistently cut into the edge. Some kits come with honing oil, for use during sharpening. I have likewise tried it dry and oiled, and find that there isn’t any appreciable difference; however, if you use oil on the stones, you’re going to have to always use oil, so knowing this, I choose to keep my stones dry. It’s good practice to clean the stones after use, as the pores can get clogged up with metal, causing them to lose their bite, and be much

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blade.Basically, you remove material on the side you’re attacking, and causing the very tip of the blade to fold over to the other side. You’ll know you’ve done so once you can feel the rough, jagged material on the very edge opposite the one you’ve been sharpening. Once you can feel it, start working on the side with the burr. Keep going until you once again knock the burr over to the opposite side. If there is one thing you should focus on, it should be keeping that angle consistent; otherwise, you’ll either be making the knife duller, or scraping away, making no progress at all. Once you get that burr over, it’s time to switch to the next smoother stone, and repeat the process. Remember, you want a consistent angle, a fair amount of pressure. Keep going until you can feel

less effective. Soapy water, your bare fingers, and some elbow grease make short work of dirty stones. Clean stones make quick work of dull knives, so keep ‘em clean. Once I finish with the last stone, I move over to a leather strop loaded with metal polish. On the strop, drop the pressure to about the weight of the knife. Too much, and you’ll feed the edge into the leather and dull the edge. Remember to continue to keep the correct angle, otherwise, you’ll undo all your hard work. As long as you keel the right pressure and angle, don’t worry about it, as you can’t really over-strop. You can keep going until you get a mirror finish, and that’ll be fine. To check your work, you can take your freshly

the burr move to the other side, then switch to the next smoother stone. Basically, keep going until you’re out of smoother stones. It’s not going to be a fixed number of strokes per side, or alternating sides every stroke, or anything like that. The key here is raising the burr, and knocking it over to the other side. The key to that is a consistent angle and consistent pressure. And lots of patience. What you’re doing is a lot like sanding wood: you’re scratching away material with your current grit, and then scratching out the marks left by that grit, through the use of the next smoother stone. Simple on paper, but it takes some practice to master. Take note that some materials, like ceramic, won’t develop a burr, and others, like titanium and some of the harder steels, will take a long time to sharpen.

sharpened blade, and lay it at a 90-degree angle on the barrel of a plastic pen (think a Sharpie). If you apply a bit of sideways pressure on the blade, and it doesn’t budge against the weight of the knife on the pen, you’ve nailed it. There are many more nuances to the process as a whole, but this should get you started on the way to sharpening your knives. There are different blade profiles that require different methods, but for the usual knives we see and carry, this should do you right. Take your time, and practice. I ruined my share of blades getting the process right, but on the bright side, those knives I messed up eventually got re-sharpened to an edge much better than stock.

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BITS & BYTES Lenovo Think University Program Awards Miriam College New PCs As part of Lenovo Philippines corporate social responsibility, the top PC brand’s Think University program recently awarded 10 units of ThinkCentre M73 Tiny Desktop to Miriam College in Quezon City. This move comes a few months after the installation of several Lenovo desktops for the learning institution’s computer laboratories. The Think University program is one of Lenovo’s initiatives to help level up education in the Philippines. Through this program, students and teachers get to experience interactive learning in the classroom with the help of Lenovo devices. This step forward allows educators to cope with the changing needs of today’s students.

In photo (L-R) Marianne Angeles, corporate account manager of Advance Microsystems Corporation; Janine Librea, large enterprise representative for the commercial group of Lenovo Philippines; Anna Abola, marketing manager of Lenovo Philippines; together with Miriam College officials: Engr. Dexter Llevares, ICTO manager; Ma. Concepcion Lupisan, finance director; Dr. Noel Racho, human resources director; and Dahl Bennett, communications & media coordinator.

IMMAP Launches DigiCon 2017 Details of this year’s Digital Congress was announced by The Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines last April 6th. Themed as “DX: The Culture of Digital Transformation,” DigiCon 2017 will be held on October 11-13 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). Following the first and largest digital marketing congress in the country last year, Eduardo Mapa, vice-president and chairman of this year’s Digicon, announced that this year’s event would bridge last year’s while leveling up its programs, speakers, and activities. “We will also have culture and technology as part of the exhibit, and when you see Digicon 2017, it’s networking, it’s immersive and it’s taking conference in a whole new level,” said Mapa. DigiCon 2017 aims to provide a panoramic view on adaptive tools for the era of digital transformation. Teased in the launch via a panel discussion were topics on data analysis, experiential design, data protection and privacy, and virtual reality. With over 80 skilled speakers, the event will tackle the event’s main five + one topics: People and Organizations, New Age of Storytelling, Living Streams, Customer Experience, and Pivots and Unicorns, and Culture. Additionally, among those to be showcased in the event’s exhibit is virtual and augmented reality technology. To provide insights on the thriving culture of digitization, DigiCon 2017 has invited globally acknowledged leaders. Among the speakers invited are Brian Solis, the Alimeter Group principal analyst and award-winning author, Google director of people DN Prasad, WARC managing director for Asia Pacific Edward Pank, TNS APAC director for digital Zoe Lawrence, 90

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LOWE global head Wayne Arnold, McCann creative planner for Japan Shun Matsuzaka, Denstu Aegis Philippine CEO and IMAP founding president Donald Lim, Deloitte digital regional strategy director Amer Iqbal, JWT APAC director for digital Josie Brown, Spotify APAC managing director Sunita Kaur, EMEA marketing lead, Emerging Business for Facebook Ana Bishop Rehrig, Asia-Pacific CEO for iProspect Joanna Catalino, APAC CEO for Havas Media and India & South East Asia for Havas Group Vishnu Mohan, SEA general manager for Maker Studios, Gautam Talwar, ASEAN president for Cisco Naveen Menon, brand manager Mondelez Philippines for Tang PH Lawrence Dominique Lorico, Thinking Machines CEO Stephanie Sy, George Royeca

for Team VR, OnOff Group Design Thinking specialist and founder Phil Smithson, and deputy commissioner of the National Privacy Commission Dondi Mapa. IMMAP’s president Margot B. Torres in her statement said that “Over the years, not only has digital technology changed the way we communicate, interact, work, and play as individuals, it has begun transforming entire companies and industries.” For more information on Digicon 2017:The Culture of Digital Transformation, including how to attend, exhibit or sponsor, kindly visit http://www. digicon.com.ph. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Lenovo Announces Ashley Gosiengfiao as the Face of ‘Lenovo Legion’ in the Philippines Lenovo recently signed Ashley Gosiengfiao as the ambassador for Legion, Lenovo’s dedicated brand of gaming PCs that boast powerful processors, high-definition graphics, and stylish, portable designs. As PC gaming continues to grow in popularity throughout the country, Lenovo Legion aims to meet the needs of the increasingly discerning gamer community through empowering them with powerful and adaptable products that are co-created with gamers. Legion offers a perfect balance between plug & play PC gaming and DIY flexibility that will keep gamers one step ahead of the competition. “Ashley is the perfect example of how we see the Lenovo brand. She’s exceptional, versatile, competitive, and in tune with her audiences,” says Michael Ngan, country general manager of Lenovo Philippines. “Her cheery disposition, adventurous spirit, and the drive to share many of her talents, make Ashley an inspiration to all avid gamers in the Philippines and beyond.” Ashley shares how lucky and blessed she feels to be part of the Lenovo Legion family. “I am grateful to Lenovo Philippines for this opportunity and I look forward to representing the Legion brand with pride and enthusiasm. As a gamer and entertainer, I’ve always been a fan of Lenovo products, and I can’t wait to start meeting more gamers out there, and sharing

with everyone all the inspiring products and innovations from Legion!”

League of Legends along with other celebritygamers.

Ashley graced the launch of Lenovo Legion last January 2017 when she played a game of

Watch out for Ashley Gosiengfiao at Lenovo Legion’s upcoming events and activities.

Nintendo to Discontinue NES Classic Whether you were prioritizing the Switch or just weathering out the supply issues, it seems you may never be able to purchase your own Nintendo NES Classic as the company is discontinuing the highly in-demand console. A Nintendo rep said to IGN: “Throughout April, NOA (North American) territories will receive the last shipments of Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition systems for this year. We encourage anyone interested in obtaining this system to check with retail outlets regarding availability. We understand that it has been difficult for many consumers to find a system, and for that we apologize. We have paid close attention to consumer feedback, and we greatly appreciate the incredible level of consumer interest and support for this product.” With last shipments of the console going out to retailers, and with only a few already reaching the hands of consumers, it can only mean a much higher resale price for the sought-after retro console.

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No official statement has been released by Nintendo regarding the official status of the

console or possible future Nintendo Classics products.

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RELIC

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