2018 v19n2 - THE HOME ISSUE by Gadgets Magazine

Maribelle M. Alba

Ren Alcantara

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Managing Editor

#GIRLBOSS

Être fort pour être utile

@bellealba

@hisnameisren

PRESY ALBA

MIA CARISSE BARRIENTOS

EDITOR-AT-LARGE I don’t travel light, I lug too many gadgets, I can walk for miles exploring and I never say no to the local fare.

If you ask me a Kpop-related question, I’ll respond with an essay

@presy1121

@miaissocoollike

THERESA ELORIAGA

Jewel Sta. Ana

ASSOCIATE Editor

ART DIRECTOR

STAFF WRITER

Garmonbozia.

Nope, I don’t have a pawnshop

@theresaeloriaga

@monsterjewfloat

JAEL MENDOZA

GRAPHIC Artist

She holds a sketchpad on one hand, and a music sheet on the other hand @jaellaura_m

Marketing guru. Automotive industry veteran. Road safety advocate.

JOSE ALVAREZ

CONTRIBUTOR

Blessed be the froot

Jose loves football, video games, computers, and history, but not necessarily in any order.

@sailorapollo11

GERRY GAVIOLA

CONTRIBUTOR

Cineaste. Audiophile. Gadget addict. @gerry.g626

MARLET SALAZAR

@josealvarez

RACINE ANNE CASTRO

CONTRIBUTOR

Racine has spent six years writing tech features, ads, songs about pimples, whitepapers, and wrestling fanfic. @wracinemania

Marisa Consuelo

Accounting manager Accounting Staff

Maritess Pascua-Maulion Lorie Bernardo

Carol Agabin

HR & ADMIN MANAGER Administration Staff

Amy Christine Giray Ramil Almojano Clifford Dela Paz

PR & MARKETING STAFF DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER

Paula Candoy Jerico Lutrania

Legal Counsel

Alba Law Office

GADGETS Magazine is published monthly by Great Minds Media Inc. Address all correspondence to Unit 801-802, The One Executive Office Bldg., #5 West Ave., 1104 Quezon City. Our telephone number is: 288-8588 Our website is: www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

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PAULA CANDOY

CONTRIBUTOR Marlet is a book-lover, and can forego lunch to buy a book.

CONTRIBUTOR

@marletds

@polacandoy

SEPTEMBER 2018

Maribelle Alba

Sales AND ADVERTISING MANAGER Account executive

Consultant, Mobility Section

RONEL BAUTISTA

GRAPHIC Artist

ARNEL DORIA

President & CEO

Ur island girl.

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CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER 2018 | Volume 19 No. 2

Parade

GadgetsLab

Discover some new tech.

The All-New Nissan Terra Live life outside with Nissanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family-friendly SUV.

Pinoy Apps Combining Filipino ingenuity and technology.

SEPTEMBER 2018

Hands-on reviews of the hottest devices.

Mobility Be in the know on the hottest motoring news.

Travel Destination

Discover new things to do at these famous destinations.

Home Activities

Home is where the heart is, along with a lot of other things.

Travel Safe

The signs are out there.

Gaming Game face on.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

ASEAN Ties of History

Artist Corner

Find the best music devices for every corner of your house.

Uniting nations through art and culture.

Sounds Like Home

Schneider Electricâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Go Green in the City

Home Smart decluttering tips to apply to your humble abode.

We put he spotlight on the works of Ron Lee.

Food Check out these awesome hangouts in the metro.

Innovations for a sustainable future.

Bits and Bytes Your monthly fix of consumer tech news.

SEPTEMBER 2018

Enterprise The 4-11 on the movers and shakers in the world of business-related tech.

Phonograph Old-school jamming.

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PARADE

Moto e5

Smartphone The Moto e5 is just the smartphone you need to get through the day. Running Android 8.0 Oreo, the Moto e5 is big with features such as a 5.7inch Max Vision display with an 18:9 aspect ratio, Qualcomm Snapdragon 425, Adreno 308 GPU, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB onboard storage, dedicated microSD slot, and 4000 mAh battery. It is stylish with Moto’s signature curved back and is a photography wonder with a 13 MP rear camera and a 1.12µm pixel size.

PHP 7,999

Moto g6

Smartphone The new Moto g6 is fitted with a 5.7-inch Full HD Max Vision that is designed to impress. The display, designed to deliver vivid colors and fine details is complemented by an attention-grabbing 3D glass back. Beyond looks, the Moto g6 packs a punch with a Snapdragon chipset that utilizes 8 cores and 4 or 3 GB RAM that keeps things fast. Quality portraits are ensured by dual 12 MP plus 5 MP rear cameras, while security is taken care of by a multifunctional fingerprint scanner.

Starts at PHP 14,499

Moto e5 Plus Smartphone

Enjoy even the longest commutes with the Moto e5 Plus’ 5000 mAh battery and 6-inch Max Vision screen. With a wide 18:9 aspect ratio, the e5 Plus fits perfectly in the hand thanks to a curved back, and looks as great as it feels thanks to a reflective wave pattern. The Android Oreo-powered unit is powered by a combination of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 SoC and 2 or 3 GB RAM, and is packed with features such as 16 or 32 GB ROM, 12 MP main camera, 5 MP front shooter with flash, and a super-fast fingerprint reader.

PHP 9,999

SEPTEMBER 2018

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Asus Zenbook Pro 15 Laptop

Unleash your creativity with the newest addition to the premium line of notebooks from Asus. The sleek laptop packs some impressive hardware. It boasts a futuristic ScreenPad that combines the power of a high-resolution 5.5-inch auxiliary touchscreen and a traditional touchpad, raising the bar for laptops. Packaged inside its aluminum unibody with a luxurious finish is an 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor and a huge 16 GB of RAM. Coming in with either 1 TB or 512 GB PCle SSD storage, the Zenbook Pro 15 ensures smooth gameplay and faster boot-up. As the new pinnacle of the Zenbook Pro series, the 15.6-inch model comes with two display options: one in 4K UHD and an IPS FHD touchscreen. It also features dual-band 802.11ac gigabit-class Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C, as well as USB Type-A and standard HDMI ports.

PHP 109,995 (512 GB of storage) PHP 119,995 (1 TB of storage) PHP 134,995 (4K UHD touchscreen variant)

Asus Zenfone Live L1 Smartphone

Asus has recently launched its much-awaited entry-level smartphone at an attractive price point. Bringing a couple of features not usually seen in its segment, the first Android Go phone from Asus flaunts a 5.5-inch screen with an 18:9 display, and facial unlock. Optimizing its operating system and making pre-installed mobile apps slimmer and faster, the dual-sim phone has 16 GB of storage that’s expandable up to 512 GB through a microSD slot. Resting inside its sleek, metallic unibody is a Snapdragon 425 chipset and a respectable 3,000 mAh battery will last you from dusk ‘til dawn. Its 13-megapixel main camera, as well as its 5-megapixel front snapper, let you capture photos with signature Asus quality. Running on Android Oreo with the ZenUI 5 overlay, the Zenfone Live L1 is a value-for-money device that is hard to beat.

Asus ROG Scar II Gaming laptop

Thin is in, and the Scar II might just be the thinnest gaming laptop in its class. The 17.3 inch laptop in a 51.7-inch chassis is just 2.9 KG, and comes in at about an inch thick. Packing an Intel core i7 processor running at 2.2 GHz, the powerful Nvidia GTX 1060 with 6GB of VRAM, and 16 GB of 2666MHz DDR4 RAM, this is a monster in a supermodel’s body. Extremely thin screen bezels give it an even slimmer appearance, and Aura Sync RGB lighting make sure you get your kills in style.

SEPTEMBER 2018

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Velop Dual-Band Mesh Wi-Fi Series Mesh Wi-Fi System

The Velop Dual-Band series is a compact and affordable Wi-Fi system that is flexible and smart. It offers a slew of features such as Intelligent Mesh, advanced parental controls, website blocking, Amazon Alexa compatibility, dual band technology, as well as ease of use and set up with the Linksys app. Available in 1-pack, 2-pack and 3-pack options, the mesh system can be installed in various configurations, and is compatible with any ISP modem or gateway. Both Dual-Band and Tri-Band nodes are 100 percent interoperable and interchangeable for easy upgrade. Two inches shorter than the Velop Tri-Band solution, it is small enough to be placed anywhere. Each Velop unit is a powerful Dual-Band AC1300 device that delivers an optimized Internet connection throughout your home.

PHP 5,995 (1 pack) PHP 10,995 (2-pack) PHP 15,995 (3-pack)

Rakk Kali

Wireless Mechanical Keyboard The wait is over. Those of us looking for a wireless mechanical keyboard that’s actually portable have had our prayers answered thanks to the Rakk Kali. Armed with low-profile red switches, the keyboard is much thinner than most mechanical keyboards available now. Wonderfully flat, and with the same satisfying tap at the end of each keystroke, the Kali is a travelling gamer’s best friend. More than just a plain keyboard, the Kali also offers RBG lighting for each of the keys, and the outside border of the keyboard. Should a day’s worth of Bluetooth connectivity not be enough, you can plug the Kali in via the included USB cable to keep the action going.

PHP 2,995

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SEPTEMBER 2018 11

Oppo R17 Pro Smartphone

The Oppo R17 Pro has flagship written all over it. It flaunts a 6.4-inch AMOLED bezelless display with 1080 x 2340 resolution, as well as an aspect ratio of 19.5:9 thanks to its waterdrop-style notch. Powering its processes is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 SoC with Adreno 616 GPU. It’s a behemoth on the storage front as well with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. It has a 25MP sensor with f/2.0 aperture sitting on the notch, and a triple camera set-up—12MP + 20MP + TOF (Time of Flight) 3D stereo camera—on its back. This super flagship is built with in-display fingerprint scanning technology, and SuperVOOC fast-charging technology that will give users a 40 percent charge in just 10 minutes.

Oppo F9

Smartphone Selfie fanatics, rejoice! The selfie expert has finally announced a groundbreaking new smartphone from its F-series. Taking the line a step further, the Oppo F9 is the very first model from the brand to have a dual-camera setup with 16-megapixel + 2-megapixel rear camera sensors, while retaining the powerful 25-megapixel front camera from its predecessor. Equipped with a large 6.3-inch water drop screen and a clearer resolution of 2280 x 1080 pixels, the F9 features a tiny triangular top notch. Aside from its unique top notch design and extra-slim bezels, the phone is the first one in the line to have the VOOC Flash Charge technology, which is four times faster than conventional charging, and with a 3500 mAh battery, it’ll take a lot of shots before you have to juice up again.

PHP 17,990

SEPTEMBER 2018

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Origin EVO17-S Gaming laptop

Bigger and bolder than their previous models, the EVO17-S brings the magic of virtual reality without excess bulk. It provides top-tier graphics thanks to a 17.3-inch FHD screen, a refresh rate of 144 Hz, and either a 1080p or an optional 4K UHD G-SYNC display, all made possible by the desktop-class NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 GPU. Coming in at around three kilograms and just under one inch thick, the carbon fiber machine with gamer-approved red accents is the thinnest and lightest custom laptop ever offered by Origin. Take the device’s performance to another level with Intel’s top-tier 8th generation i7 or i9 processors with Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading technology that prevent system lag and poor performance. It offers the same dual PCle SSD setup, up to 32 GB of DDR4 memory, and an additional 2.5-inch HDD or SSD slot that is expandable to 8 TB of storage. You can even choose the brand’s HD UV printing service to personalize your device’s exterior.

Origin EON15-S Gaming laptop

Known for its customized PCs, Origin has recently launched the newest additions to its lineup of gaming laptops. Known as the EON15-S, this lightweight piece of gaming gear flaunts a 15.6-inch FHD display with thin bezels. Putting high performance in a compact package, it is powered by an 8th generation six-core Intel i7 processor clocked up to 4.1 GHz through Turbo Boost technology. It also ensures buttery smooth frame rates and power-efficient virtual reality gameplay, thanks to NVIDIA’s powerful GeForce GTX 1060 and a solid battery that lasts up to 8 hours. Gamers, streamers, and content creators will also love its dual-SSD storage, built-in 32 GB of DDR4 RAM, hybrid mechanical RGB keyboard, and customized lid design. The EON15-S will also have an Intel Core i9 variant that redefines PC gaming.

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SEPTEMBER 2018 13

Nikon Z7

Mirrorless camera Nikon welcomes you to the future of imaging with its newly-released mirrorless cameras, starting off with the Z7. Coming in with a massive 45.7-megapixel BSI-FX format sensor, the newest pro-level camera comes with a revolutionary full-frame Nikkor 24-70 mm lens that lets you capture more detailed images. It has 493 focus points that covers up to 90 percent of the image area for remarkable autofocus. With a native ISO of 64 to 25,600, the reinvented mirrorless camera from Nikon can capture every detail from the lightest to the darkest situations. It can also shoot sharper 4K Ultra HD videos, features 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen, has the fast Expeed 6 image processor, and a 3.6m-dot Quad VGA electronic viewfinder. The new full-frame Z lens mount enhances its low-light performance, maxing out the aperture to f/0.95.

Nikon Z6

Mirrorless camera Another camera from the most recent Z-series is a versatile multimedia powerhouse. Among its highlights are full-frame 4K video recording at full pixel readout and extended low-light shooting capabilities down to -4EV. The Z6, as a toned-down version of its brother Z7, has a lower 24.5-megapixel BSI-FX format camera sensor and fewer focus points at 273. Its base ISO starts at 100, and can max out at 51,200. It uses the same Expeed 6 image processor, hybrid autofocus, has a silent shooting mode, 3.69 million OLED electronic viewfinder, and 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen with a 170-degree viewing angle. It has also a built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, a lightweight, professional-grade, as well as the highlyadvanced Z-mount that also supports older lenses through a separate mount adapter. Built for video production, the Z6 offers incomparable, all-around performance.

SEPTEMBER 2018

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DJI Mavic 2 Pro Drone

With new gimbal-stabilized sensors and advanced intelligent features, the Mavic 2 Pro is designed for pros. It has a bright, 20-megapixel Hasselblad Camera with a bigger CMOS sensor, 8 GB of internal storage, and can shoot 4K videos up to 100 megabits per second. Having a top speed of 44 miles per hour with a flight time up to 31 minutes, this intelligent drone is equipped with 10 sensors and have been outfitted with DJI’s new image transmission system, beaming 1080p video to your phone under five miles away. It’s also foldable, making it the best travel companion.

DJI Line Friends (Brown) L Spark Mini Drone

Who says a portable drone can’t look cute? DJI teams up with the chat app giant to produce the very first characterized drone in the world. Dressing the Spark with a new look, the drone bears the visage of Line’s popular stoic bear, Brown. Featuring DJI’s signature technologies, the drone automatically takes off from your hand through FaceAware and takes commands via hand gestures. Its Intelligent Flight Mode lets you capture stunning footage thanks to intuitive controls, while the ActiveTrack recognizes the subject’s movement, tracking and capturing images flawlessly. It bears a 12-megapixel CMOS sensor with a built-in 2-axis gimbal, offering awesome cinematography abilities to film enthusiasts. With a maximum flying speed of 50 km per hour, and maximum connection distance of 2 miles, the newest Spark variant allows you to seize your travel moments, with Line’s signature flair.

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SEPTEMBER 2018 15

Nokia 5.1 Plus Smartphone

Nokia has been releasing devices left and right since its return to the Philippines, and among these is the upgraded Nokia 5.1 Plus with Android Oreo 8.1 out of the box. Now made bigger, with more power, the mid-ranger flaunts a 5.86-inch HD+ display with a 19:9 screen-to-body ratio and an edge-to edge screen design. Its high-gloss body gives it a polished look, making it a stunning phone to behold. At the heart of the device is an octa-core Mediatek Helio P60 processor, matched with an internal memory of 32 GB and 3 GB of RAM. Adapting a dual camera setup, it has 13-megapixel plus 5-megapixel main sensors, backed up with a sophisticated AI assistance technology. Since itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a certified Android One device, the smartphone can be upgraded to the latest version of Android Pie.

SEPTEMBER 2018

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Nokia 3.1

Smartphone The new Nokia 3.1 blends an anodized machined metal frame and sculpted glass display to deliver stand-out looks, and comfort in the hand. Subtle but striking metal accents match its dual diamond-cut body for a premium finish. The brand’s most-affordable 18:9 smartphone, it promises better content viewing with a large 5.2-inch HD+ display protected by damage-resistant 2.5D curved Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Performance is handled by an octa-core MediaTek 6750 chipset, giving users twice the processor cores and 50 percent faster processing than its previous iteration. It also comes with a 13MP auto-focus rear camera, a full set of sensors, Android One OS, and more.

PHP 9,990

Nokia 2.1

Smartphone The Nokia 2.1 is all about endurance. A 4000 mAh battery built-in allows the Nokia 2.1 to last up to 2 days, even with a large 5.5-inch HD screen and dual front-facing stereo speakers. Its upgraded Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 64-bit mobile platform gives users 50 percent faster and smoother performance, to enable efficient and fast switching between apps. Nokia 2.1’s cameras, meanwhile, allow users to capture the action wherever they are with its 5MP front-facing selfie snapper, or 8MP rear camera with auto focus. All these features are housed in a body with Nokia’s signature sophisticated design with eye-catching metallic accents.

PHP 5,990

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SEPTEMBER 2018 17

Sony IER M9 In-Ear Monitor

The Sony IER-M9 is a premium in-ear stage monitor that provide the best tonal balance for monitoring your on-stage performance with absolute sound isolation and a stable fit. It is engineered with a Multi Balanced Armature (BA) system for achieving the best tonal balance for stage monitoring. The IER-M9’s Penta BA driver system (5 BA / 5 way) includes a super tweeter to give musicians an edge by feeling the rhythm and pitch of the music, as well as detailed nuances during live performances. The IER-M9 has an outer housing molded sound path and has dedicated audio grade film capacitors for refined sound with low distortion. For better sound reproduction, it is made with an outer housing shape that is designed to isolate noise and have a stable fit, 13 variations of ear buds, magnesium alloy diaphragm, gold-plated terminals, and silver-coated copper voice coils work in symphony to faithfully reproduce sound without losing any details.

Sony IER-M7 In-Ear Monitor

The IER-M7 is developed to deliver even musical expression on-stage. It offers musical expression tuned for professionals. The IER-M7 shares most of the IER-M9’s features but has a Quad BA system (4 BA / 4 way)—a magnesium alloy inner housing, a brass sound path, and high-quality network circuits—for a driver. It promises sound that improves the performance of musicians. A clean, even sound is achieved with the supplied 4.4mm balanced standard cable or the use of similar optional cables. Silver-coated OFC (Oxygen-Free Copper) is used in both supplied cables.

SEPTEMBER 2018

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Sony MDR-Z7M2

Over-Ear Headphones The MDR-Z7M2 is a dream come true for music geeks. Featuring a wide frequency response, dynamic range, and a linear plane wave, these over ear headphones offer listeners a three-dimensional and spatial sound experience. It utilizes a 70 mm HD driver along with an aluminium-coated Liquid Crystal Polymer diaphragm to provide refined music reproduction for listeners. This combination also allows more natural sound with the low coloration at mid-high range. Its driver unit contains a larger magnet for sharpened music clarity. The pair of cans also feature a Fibonacci-patterned grill, Beat Response Control, use of non-lead solder and corson alloy contacts in the jack, a standard unbalanced cable and a balanced connection cable, three dimensional sewing, as well as a synthetic leather headband with aluminum-alloy hanger and slider for keeping the headphones in place and providing comfort for hours of music listening.

Sony Bravia OLED A9F Series OLED TV

The Bravia OLED A9F offers an unprecedented viewing experience through a combination of proprietary technologies and solutions. The A9F series promises professional grade picture quality with the Picture Processor X1 Ultimate at its core. This component intelligently detects and analyzes each object in the picture through Sony’s new Object-based Super Resolution for exceptional accuracy and detail. The Object-based HDR remaster has also been updated for better depth, accurate texture, and much realistic picture. Sony is also introducing the “Netflix Calibrated Mode,” which mirrors the same picture quality as a studio evaluation master for television. The series is also CalMAN-ready, and comes equipped with the Pixel Contrast Booster, Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology, and Hands-free Voice Search function.

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SEPTEMBER 2018 19

Lenovo Ideapad 330 Laptop

Powerful and user-friendly, this versatile laptop can be configured to suit your needs and budget. Available with up to an 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor, and sporting an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card for the high-end variant, the Ideapad 330 is a good choice for handling even the most demanding games and software. With three different anti-glare screen sizes ranging from 14, 15, and 17-inches, in either HD or full HD, the sturdy and elegant Ideapad is constructed with a tough polycarbonate chassis. You can even get up to 2 TB of storage for all the space youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need. Its base model, powered with Intel Celeron N4000, offers reliable performance without breaking the bank.

PHP 17,995 (Base model) PHP 39,995 (14-inch FHD IPS screen, Intel i5 8th gen processsor, 4 GB RAM + 1 TB HDD) PHP 40,995 (14-inch FHD IPS screen, Intel i5 8th gen processor, 4 GB RAM + 2 TB HDD) PHP 48,995 (15.6-inch FHD screen, Intel i5 8th gen processsor, 4 GB RAM + 1 TB HDD) PHP 52,995 (15.6-inch FHD screen, Intel i7 8th gen processor, 4GB RAM + 2 TB HDD)

Lenovo P10 Tablet

This Lenovo tablet redefines family multimedia devices with a stunning dual-glass design, all-metal frame, and narrow bezels. Lightweight and ultra-slim, the Lenovo P10 embodies elegance. An entertainment powerhouse, the P10 comes with four Dolby Atmos speakers and a brilliant 10.1-inch FHD display. Inside the tablet is the reliable Snapdragon 450 chipset that delivers smooth performance no matter the task. Matched with 32 GB of internal storage and 4 GB of RAM, this solid mid-ranger features an ultra-fast fingerprint sensor that takes full advantage of the built-in multi-user capabilities. It provides security for everyone through its family member profile, keeping personal files and apps separate and private.

SEPTEMBER 2018

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Lenovo E8 Tablet

Lenovo has recently released its newest generation of Android tablets built for entertainment. Leading the line is the E8, which allows multiple dedicated profiles, interfaces, and storage. Larger than standard tablets, this 8-inch entertainment slate has a high-definition display that offers consumers a wider view of their favorite movies or games. Running Android Nougat, and paired with 16 GB of internal memory, this device manages to still be thin and light enough for daily use. With Dolby Atmos support, its front speakers take the cinema sound experience and put it in a package that fits in your bag. Offering up to 10 hours of video playback, the E8 is definitely made for the road.

Lenovo E10 Tablet

Another device from Lenovoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s E-series of tablets is the 10.1-inch E10. Ready to deliver an immersive audio-visual experience anywhere you go, this powerful and thin tablet packs two front-firing Dolby Atmos speakers, along with an HD display and the Snapdragon 210 chipset. An Android Go device, this entrylevel tablet is built with simplicity in mind. It also has 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage onboard. Just like its little brother the E8, it comes with a 5-megapixel autofocus rear camera, as well as a 2-megapixel front snapper.

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SEPTEMBER 2018 21

D-Link COVR-C1203 Wi-Fi Mesh Router

Providing seamless coverage for your entire home, the newest dual-band Wi-Fi system from D-Link offers optimal performance in a stylish package. With easy setup and management, the COVR-C1203 gives high-speed wireless connectivity without the hassle. Thanks to its dual-band AC wave II with up to 1200 Mbps transmission rates, expanding exclusive and stable Wi-Fi connectivity zones up to 460 square meter, even in dead spots, is now easy. You can also use the dedicated Ethernet ports for linking Network-Attached Storages (NAS), media centers, and gaming consoles to the Internet. Equipped with the Smart Roaming technology, the Wi-Fi mesh router scans the signal strength of your devices and automatically links them to the strongest signal available. The Smart Steering feature, meanwhile, directs your devices to the best wireless band.

PHP 14,780

Honor Play Smartphone

Say hello to the very first gaming smartphone made for the brave. Appropriately named, the Honor Play sports a huge 6.3-inch Full View screen for a better view of the play area, a stunning 2.5D curved display, and a unibody metal design in an elegant matte finish. Gameplay is made faster and smarter, thanks to Honorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s groundbreaking GPU Turbo technology that further optimizes the graphics capabilities of the GPU. With the flagship Kirin 970 chipset under its hood, gaming enthusiasts can expect fluid and smooth gameplay with greater frame rates, even with the most demanding mobile titles. With AI capability out of the box, the Honor Play puts a realistic gaming experience right in your pocket through its AI image and audio recognition. Installed with AI Motion Detection and Image Stabilization, the AI-powered dual 16-megapixel + 2-megapixel rear cameras captures images perfectly by identifying scene types and adjusting camera settings in real time.

PHP 15,990

SEPTEMBER 2018

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Vivo Y85

Smartphone After the success of its flagship phone, Vivo has released another gorgeous phone for the discerning consumer. Right off the bat, the Vivo Y85 runs a MediaTek Helio P22 octa-core chipset together with 4GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage. Flaunting a larger 6.22-inch Full HD+ display, the Vivo Y85 gives a remarkable multimedia experience to its users. It offers Android Oreo 8.1 out of the box with Vivo’s FunTouch 4.0 for enhanced use. Selfie fans will also enjoy its 8-megapixel front-facing camera, as well as the dual 12-megapixel plus 2-megapixel rear sensors, both powered by AI technology.

PHP 11,999

Fujifilm Instax SQUARE SQ 6 (Taylor Swift Edition) Instant camera The first analog instant camera from Fujifilm gets a new look and this time, it’s with the American Pop Sweetheart Taylor Swift. Swifties will definitely be smitten with its design, featuring a gold-colored newspaper pattern in a bold, black color similar to the artist’s latest album Reputation. The metallic ring around the lens give it a more luxurious feel, as well as the singer’s autograph imprinted on the camera’s rear body. An exclusive shoulder strap and film case is also included on this limited edition Instax SQUARE SQ 6. Apart from the color filters, the package also includes a special Taylor Swift SQUARE film, highlighting the superstar’s autograph on its back.

SEPTEMBER 2018

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HP Omen Mindframe Gaming Headphones

Omen, HP’s gaming line, has created a set of headphones that is designed to keep your head cool, even in the heat of battle. Designed for long hours of use, it is the first to feature a thermoelectric cooling (TEC) system in an audio device. The mesh-covered earcups use thermoelectric technology to keep your ears from sweating. Aimed at professional gamers, the noise-cancelling headset light up, and is powered over USB 2.0, for constant, uninterrupted power. Locating enemy gunshots and footfalls is made simpler, thanks to its DTS Headphone:X and 7.1 virtual surround sound features. Also, its unidirectional mic sends and receives real-time audible feedback for clearer communication with your teammates.

Fitbit Charge 3 Fitness Tracker

The latest addition to the Charge family is now official. Featuring a premium swimproof design up to 50 meters with a smarter and sharper touchscreen, the Fitbit Charge 3 has a lot of essential smart features to offer. With a slimmer display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, the smartwatch monitors your heart rate, all-day calorie burn, and real-time heart rate zones, 24/7. Thanks to its highly advanced SpO2 sensor, tracking breathing disruptions and new health conditions like sleep apnea is now easy. Its Auto Sleep and Female Health Tracking shows sleeping habits, track periods, and estimate ovulation and fertility windows. Along with its advanced health and fitness features, it also expanded its smartphone notifications by viewing, accepting, and rejecting calls, checking Facebook alerts, calendar, and responding on the go with pre-populated or custom quick replies for Android users. There’s no wonder why it’s dubbed as the most advanced health and fitness tracker to date.

PHP 9,990 (regular variant) PHP 10,990 (special edition)

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SEPTEMBER 2018 25

Mi Sports Bluetooth Headset (Youth Edition) Sports earphones

The new edition of the wireless Mi Sports Headset is made even bolder and better. With 11 hours of battery life, and a lightweight build of 13.6 grams, the water-resistant and sweat-proof earphones are a perfect companion for fitness buffs. Coming with 5 different comfortable ear tips and unique ear hooks for better fit, the Mi Youth Edition ensures style and comfort. It has a built-in MEMS microphone for hands-free voice calls and multi-point connection, pairing it up and allowing easy switch between two devices. Control buttons are also added for taking calls and adjusting volumes conveniently.

SEPTEMBER 2018

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GADGETS LAB

Specifications: Weight: 0.5 kg Length: 32 cm Width: 6 cm Height: 12 cm Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB Switches: Red, low profile RGB lighting What’s Hot: - Wired and wireless operation - Great mechanical feel - Lights! What’s Not: - Small layout - Hard to tell keys apart by touch

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SEPTEMBER 2018

Specifications: Dimensions: 130 x 272 x 165 mm (horizontal) Weight: 1.9 kg Dual Wide Range Drivers Class D Digital Amplification Auxiliary Analog Line Input Stereo Pair Operation Supports music subscription services Stereo Pair Operation Connectivity: Bluettoth and WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Comes with an RJ-45 wired LAN and USB ports What’s Hot: -Provides impeccable audio in louder volumes -Streams music in high-resolution -Wireless and portable -Can be controlled through voice commands (Amazon Alexa) What’s Not: -Setting up for music streaming could be cumbersome -It’s a tad pricey

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Specifications: Processor: Intel® Core i7-8700K @ 4.8 GHz RAM: 16GB DDR4. 2,666 MHz Optical Drive: Yes Expansion Slots: 1 x PCI-E x 16 (GPU), 1 x PCI-E x 1, 1 x M.2 Connector (Wi-Fi), 1 x M.2 Connector (Hybrid: SATA, NVMe, Optane), 5 x SATA 6GB/s Rear ports: 2 x USB 2.0 type A 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 type A 4 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 type A 5 x Audio jacks 1 x SPDIF 1 x RJ45 Front Ports: 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 type A 2 x USB 2.0 type A 1 x Mic in / Headphone out 1 x Card Reader 2-in-1 GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1080, 8GB

What’s Hot: - Superb performance - Hot-swappable SSD bay - RGB lighting What’s Not: - Steep price tag - Wi-fi is an additional option

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SEPTEMBER 2018

Specifications: Functions: print, copy, scan, wireless Print Speed Black: ISO - up to 8 ppm, draft - up to 19 ppm Print Speed Color: ISO - up to 5 ppm, draft - up to 15 ppm Print Technology: HP Thermal Inkjet Duty Cycle: up to 1000 pages (monthly, A4) Printer Quality: color - up to 4800 x 1200 optimized dpi color/ black - up to 1200 x 1200 rendered dpi Scan resolution: up to 1200 x 1200 dpi (optical) Scan size: 216 x 297 mm (maximum) Scan speed: up to 21 seconds Copy resolution: up to 600 x 300 dpi (black), up to 600 x 300 dpi (color text and graphics) Display: 7 segment + icon LCD Processor speed: 360 MHz Number of print cartridges: 1 black bottle, set of 3 color bottles Connectivity: Wi-Fi, 1 hi-speed USB 2.0, Windows, Mac, HP ePrint for mobile Paper handling input: 60-sheet (standard) Paper handling output: 25-sheet (standard) What’s Hot: -Easy to refill ink tanks -Setting up was a breeze What’s Not: -Print quality could use a bit more sharpness

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COVER STORY

Words by Gadgets Team Art by Jael Mendoza

Home is where the heart is. With tech though, it can be so much more. It can be where the movie theater. Or the arcade. It can even be where the gym, or office is too. In this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CoverStory, we take a look at a few things you can do right from home. Beat the traffic, the travel time, and the weather, and stay in!

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Words by Ren Alcantara

SEPTEMBER 2018

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Traffic, high fuel costs, ride sharing shortages—we can’t blame you for wanting to just give up and stay in bed. There is a way though. If your work allows it, you can skip the long commute, the cold lunches, and pants. You can work from home. Now, there are a lot things to consider should you want to attempt this. Being centers of one kind of production or another, offices provide a lot of things for their employees—things that you, as the stay-at-home worker, will have to provide for yourself. We won’t quite be talking about freelancing or being self-employed, as that’s a whole other can of worms, but if you want a productive home office that you can use to get a little more time out of your day, then you’re on the right page. Jump out of your slacks, sit your butt onto an office chair, and let’s get to it. The first thing you’ll want to have is space. While it’s incredibly tempting to just take your notebook, park it on your lap, and prop yourself up on the bed with a few pillows, this isn’t the best of ideas. You want a place that’s devoted to working, if only to get you into that working mindset. The mind is a powerful thing, but it’s also quite sneaky. If it’s not in a place that it can associate with working, it tends to not be in the right state to be properly productive. Yes, this means no spreadsheets on the dinner table either. You’ll want a spot that you can dedicate to working, or if you’re absolutely short on space, one that you can configure to become a workplace. All the necessary tools for your trade should be within easy reach, so pens, pads, notebooks, and files should be accessible, just like they would be at your actual office. The point here is to get as close to your work environment as possible, so you can easily get more into that work mindset. Next, you’ll want some hardware. First off is a comfy chair. While it would be a simple matter to take one from around the dining table, the kind of sitting involved in desk work just won’t let you get away with that for long. A good quality office chair will easily pay for itself in avoided back pain. If you already have a laptop, that’s great. You can take that same one and use it at your work office, and your home office. Whether at home or the office though, consider getting yourself a fullsized external keyboard and mouse. It’s just easier and more efficient that way, and much better for your hands. And use the cloud whenever you can. It’s a great way to be sure you have access to everything you need should you change venues later on. This necessarily means a decent Internet connection, of course.

devolving into an unwashed slob, which might actually be more important. Closely related to this, know when to quit. Just because you don’t have a homebound commute to worry about, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stop working. For the sake of your sanity, and the quality of your work, set your hours. The beauty of working at home is that you are really quite flexible time-wise. Just be careful to keep it balanced. It’s just as easy to goof off as it is to over-extend. While it’s great to have a whole workspace to yourself, you shouldn’t forget to socialize. Whether to get fresh ideas or clear your head, take a moment every once in a while to speak with people in person. An office environment has the water cooler, seatmates, and lunch breaks for interaction, so have some of your own. We can’t help but be social creatures, and being around people helps our work in a lot of little ways. Even a quick, collaborative video call to someone (if they’re down for it) is a great way to refill your social bar for a bit. Being at home has a few hidden traps as well. A major one is snacking. A whole fridge of food, and a well-stocked pantry is great if you need a quick break and a stretch, but constantly stuffing your face will have consequences farther-reaching than just lost productivity. Be mindful of what you consume, particularly since there’s nobody around to help you do it. Speaking of accountability, since you might not have colleagues with you to help keep your tasks in check, make yourself accountable to something. A visible list that you can look at and go through keeps you honest with your time. Being accountable to a master list will take some of the mental strain off, while still having something you need to update and answer to. There are clear advantages to telecommuting, though only if done correctly. Should you be one of those lucky enough to be able to work this way, we hope these little tips help you to be as productive as possible, right from the comfort of home.

Just because your co-workers are cats, doesn’t mean you can forget to take care of yourself. Get out of your sleep clothes, jump into the shower, and start your day like a regular office-goer. Apart from establishing a routine that tells you it’s time to switch to work mode, it’ll keep you from

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Words by Mia Carisse Barrientos

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Optimal health is a state we all want to achieve. Getting there however, is no easy task. The road to overall wellness is steep and full of obstacles. Stumbling blocks take the form of your stash of chips in the bedside table, your excessively comfortable gaming setup, your unforgiving work schedule, and all the other shortcuts and treats that just aren’t good for you. But as the saying goes, change starts in you. Start living healthy by modifying daily habits, and make it even easier by changing things up at home. Good health starts in the kitchen

The food we consume dictates the direction our health will go. If all you eat everyday are microwavables, you can’t reasonably expect to have the energy of an athlete or the lifespan of an Okinawan. Making the transition to a healthy diet, however, isn’t a one-day affair. It’s a gradual undertaking that requires discipline and awareness of which food is best for your body. With everything determined, you will need the right tools to set your healthy diet plan in motion.

feature. You can track what goes in and comes out of the fridge, regulate in-fridge temperature, see what’s inside in panoramic view, and even search for recipes through Amazon’s Alexa. The icing on the cake is knocking on the screen twice makes it transparent, turning your regular fridge into a display fridge. While out, you can also remotely check on the contents of your fridge thanks to its compatibility with the LG SmartThinQ app. With total control over the contents of your fridge, you can avoid spoilage and make healthier dishes. A healthy kitchen needs a juicer on the countertop. If eating a combination of vegetables and fruits in one seating is beyond you but you want to start eating healthy, juicing is your best bet. You get to enjoy freshly-squeezed, natural goodness without the guilt. To start juicing, the elements you should be looking for include it being dishwasher-safe, wide feed tubes, and a separate pulp container. These features are in the Panasonic MJ-L500 Slow Juicer. It is compact yet can accommodate big vegetables and large piece of fruits. Panasonic has created a highly efficient machine that lets you get fresh juice within seconds, even from frozen fruits.

Clean air, quality life

In science class, we learned that plants help keep

the air pollution-free. You can begin cultivating greenery, but if you weren’t gifted with a green thumb you can always turn to technology. Several studies have shown that the air inside the home might be at least as contaminated as the air we breathe outside. Indoor air is filled with cooking debris, dust particles, mold, and more irritants than you might think. Lacking proper ventilation or regular intensive cleaning, you might suffer adverse effects from inhaling these pollutants. Sharp and Dyson have found ways to combat this home dilemma. Plasmacluster is Sharp’s well-known line of air purifiers. These devices filter air of harmful elements and release negative ions to refresh it. In the Philippines, where mosquitoes arrive in swarms, an air purifier that also doubles as a mosquito catcher is a welcome addition in the home. Sharp’s Plasmacluster with Mosquito Catcher does what it promises. It sucks in and captures pesky mosquitoes on a toxin-free glue sheet, while also effectively purifying the air. Dyson’s Pure Cool rids the air of pollutants while cooling your home. Its bladeless design creates powerful suction to capture ultrafine particles and keep them inside its sealed filtration system until the unit is emptied. Purified air then gets diffused by its Air Multiplier technology, circulating clean and cool air throughout the room. Dyson’s Pure Cool is also compatible with a partner app for remote controlling and monitoring of air at home.

Fitness in the home

Even with all these, optimal health cannot be attained without exercise. It’s that simple. You can go on and on why exercising just wouldn’t work for you, but if you look around, you’ll find that you already have everything you need to get fit within the four corners of your abode.

To maintain the freshness and crispness of your food, having a reliable refrigerator is essential. If you’re in the market for a new fridge, you might as well go for one that will allow you to keep tabs on expiration dates and make organizing goods a non-hassle. LG’s InstaView ThinQ Smart Refrigerator enables you all these and more. Introduced at CES this year, the new fridge is part of LG’s ThinQ Smart series. The front of the fridge is a massive 29-inch touchscreen display. It may seem like a gimmick, but in use, it’s quite a nifty

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If you have a TV, or better yet, a smart TV, fitness is just a tap away. There are tons of fitness videos you can search up on YouTube, networks that broadcast exercise routines at various hours in a day, and workout apps that are just waiting to be discovered. If you don’t have a TV, you probably have a laptop. If you aren’t privileged with a laptop, you have a smartphone. You can even have fun while sweating it out at home. Titles like Just Dance get you moving and sweating in no time while having a great time. It’s a collaborative game you can challenge a family member or a friend with to boost motivation and foster relationships. And if in the oddest situation you don’t have any of these, most household items can be converted into workout gear. With the right mindset, any home is a healthy home.

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Words by Jewel Sta Ana

SEPTEMBER 2018

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People go out of their comfort zones for many reasons. Some wanted to take a breath of fresh air and see nature, while others just want to have a quick escape from their responsibilities. As a self-confessed introvert, and with the unpredictable climate that our country has, I always choose comfort over anything. When drizzle turns to a downpour, everyone has no choice but to stay safe within the confines of their home. Being resourceful is one of my special skills, and staying up in my room with my gadgets, installed with different online streaming apps and mobile games, while sipping a cup of coffee is the best way to keep myself entertained—and it could be yours too. It’s all about the setup

Your own entertainment-slash-game area could be anywhere—it could be in your own bedroom, attic, or somewhere in your living room. Space, just like what your ex reasoned while breaking up with you, is a special factor to consider. This can limit a few things, so you really have to be careful in the planning stage. Small places can cater to space-saving tech pieces like laptops, tablets, and compact Bluetooth speakers while larger areas, on the other hand, would need to have bigger devices. This include tall speakers for immersive and digital-surround sounds, gigantic widescreen LED TVs, comfy lazy boy couches, and LCD projectors. According to studies, lighting and environment can significantly affect a person’s mood. You can start by finding a permanent place and adjusting its lighting. Installing ambient lights to keep your surroundings relaxed is advised. Others even prefer total darkness which makes you more focused on the content you’re watching, or the game that you’re playing.

A few things to consider

In this project, you are your own boss. The first thing that you should put in mind is your vision about your soon-to-be hideout. Whether you want to have a general living area or a gaming station, knowing exactly what you want to happen keeps the design sharp, and costs low. You can never go wrong with careful planning.

Consistency can be difficult these days, and keeping a frequently-used area tidy is just as important here as the rest of the house. Aside from keeping your couch free from potato chip crumbs and wiping your gadgets with a soft, microfiber cloth; you need to organize your devices’ wires and cable to prevent accidents. For your devices’ and your own safety, invest in a quality AVR, since short-circuits and power surges are likely to damage sensitive electronic devices.

Must-have equipment

Next comes the fun part: you need to prepare your checklist for your scheduled trip to the metro’s tech hub, Gilmore. This place is a wonderland for tech buffs since most of the stores there offer great deals and freebies. They also have the latest hardware at a fraction of price compared to malls. Physical tech stores are still the best option for hunting the finest tech deals that you’ll need since you can see and test products with the supervision of a sales personnel. You may also get some advice from their accommodating staff. Newbies to the gaming world might want to start investing in an entry-level gaming laptop that could cater to current-generation titles for PCs but if you want something more, you might want to look at building a desktop for the full gaming experience. There are a lot of packages available,

all varying in configuration. Additional peripherals like a mechanical keyboard, mouse, gaming headsets, chairs, and mics are also a must. It’s also a good idea to have gaming consoles on your list since a lot of heart-stopping, AAA titles are console-exclusive. For cinephiles like me, I prefer to have a large, immersive screen where I can watch my favorite films. Thanks to technology, televisions are now smarter than ever. Shell out a few bucks extra for a smart TV or streaming device that lets you access all your favorite shows with a few clicks. If you want to set up a mini cinema with a lower budget, all you need is a clear wall, a working laptop, and a decent projector. To complement it, you might also want to invest in at least 2.1 speakers for better audio than your laptop can provide. Bean bag chairs, lazy boy chairs, or a big couch are also best additions to your own multimedia room, most especially when the air-conditioning system is on. More rainy days await, most especially this month. Aside from saving your time and staying sane, your own entertainment center might just save your bank account from dropping to dangerous levels from going out all the time. All you need is a good internet connection, the right equipment, and a bit of creativity to make things happen from the comfort of your own home.

With a design pictured in your head, it’s time to get back on your budget. Getting your priorities right is the key in building a great entertainment center. Once you figure out the things that you have to upgrade, subscriptions that you have to sign up for, and furniture that you need to add, you can move on to the next creative step which is all about translating ideas into reality. As far as multimedia experience is concerned, acoustics, lighting, and space are deeply interconnected. Optimize the space that you have as much as possible. Be wary about cutting corners and trying to save money, as they can often lead to more spending later on. If you have some extra cash, shelling out a few for spacesaving home pieces are worth a shot. You have to keep in mind that you should put comfort over everything because you are doing this for your own pleasure.

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PHOTO FEATURE

A muscular look matched with luxurious and spacious interiors, the Nissan Terra is a family-friendly SUV that catches attention. From city driving to navigating tough terrain, its impressive power and true-to-Nissan off-road capabilities make every journey fun and relaxing. Raising the bar for driverassistance systems with the Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the newest addition to the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growing portfolio embodies innovation that excites and encourages individuals to get out of their comfort zones and experience the outdoors.

Photo may vary from actual unit. Nissan Philippines, Inc., reserves the right to alter, delete, or enhance features and specifications without prior notice, depending on market requirements. 38

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Technical Fabric Windbreaker Jacket, Printed cotton-blend t-shirt, printed flowy shirt, striped cotton t-shirt by MANGO PH Art Direction by Theresa Eloriaga and Ronel Bautista Photography by Novelyn Quiamco of Light Stroked Images HMU by Mitch Elendu and Alrea Cruz Styling by Paula Candoy

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Decorative pocket shirt, Bow cotton shirt, Pink 100% linen regular fit shirt by MANGO PH

Powerful 4x4 system Designed to handle even the toughest terrain, its Hill Descent Control and the 4-wheel Active Break Limited Slip (ABLS) provide more control to the person behind the wheel. 40

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BE ON TOP OF EVERYTHING View the carâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tire pressure, intelligent 4x4 system, and fuel economy with one button thanks to the Advanced Drive-Assist Display

TOUGH exterior, TOUGH engine Ensuring an exhilarating drive, the Terra is powered by 2.5-L common rail turbo diesel engine mated with either a 7-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission. Its high torque performance of 450 Nm at 2,000 RPM is greater than most SUVs. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Embark on new adventures with the whole family Perfect for long road trips, the all-new Nissan Terra offers spacious cabin seats and an 11-inch flip-down rear entertainment system. Rear Seat Climate Control It offers a comfortable ride for the passengers with its rear seat air-conditioning.

Photo may vary from actual unit. Nissan Philippines, Inc., reserves the right to alter, delete, or enhance features and specifications without prior notice, depending on market requirements. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

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Pink Bow cotton shirt, Blue 100% linen regular fit shirt by MANGO PH

Confidence no Matter the Destination

Photo may vary from actual unit. Nissan Philippines, Inc., reserves the right to alter, delete, or enhance features and specifications without prior notice, depending on market requirements. 42

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Intelligent Rear View Mirror Have an unobstructed view of your rear with just one switch. Intelligent Around View Monitor Widen your view of the road with its four cameras for a clear, 360-degree birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye view of the vehicle. LANE DEPARTURE WARNING Gives you a visual and audible alert when your vehicle starts to drift out of your lane unintentionally. Blind Spot Warning Helps keep an eye on blind spots and alerts drivers on presence of vehicles hidden from sight.

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A Man of Action: Alvin Fortuna

Interviewed by Jewel Sta. Ana We’ve seen him on the silver screen as Kardo, the violent and abusive stepfather in the recently concluded Cinemalaya 2018 entry The Lookout, and as the General Perez in the long-running Primetime series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, but apart from being a seasoned actor, Alvin Fortuna is, first and foremost, a family man. A loving father to his two young boys George and Gelo, the 5’11 commercial model is a jack of all trades. Aside from his acting and modelling, he is also part-owner of the Fil-Asian Resto Bar Lazat, located at Scout Limbaga. Despite being extremely busy with his tapings and restaurant, he makes an effort to spend time with his sons. He drives them to school himself whenever he’s free. “Meron din kaming regular dinner with my sister-in-law every Sunday. Nanonood kami ng movies and minsan may activities kaming ginagawa like yung mga bago ngayon na papasok ka by group sa mga mystery rooms to solve puzzles,” he shared cheerfully. Growing up with his lola and military uncles in Laguna, the industrious pillar of the Fortuna family practices an authoritative style of parenting. “Actually, madisiplina ako. Lagi ko talaga silang dinidisiplina dahil ganun din ako pinalaki. Marami akong natutunan sa lola at uncles ko kaya ngayong tatay na ako, ina-apply ko yun sa mga anak ko. Pag sinabi kong hindi, hindi. Pag sinabi kong bawal, bawal talaga.” Carla, his wife, is also extremely hands-on when it comes to their children’s welfare. They have a mandatory one-hour reading rule at home to keep their sons motivated at school. “Lagi ko syang sinusuportahan sa lahat ng gusto niya. Kung ano man ang naiisip nya, simpleng ideas man yan sa business, pinagtutulungan talaga namin.” Simple and practical, durability is on top of Alvin’s list when it comes to purchasing a car. This is a reason he prefers spacious SUVs over sedans. “Pang-pamilya kasi yun eh saka mas mataas compared to a sedan. ‘Di sya madaling abutin ng baha. Alam niyo naman dito sa atin, madalas bahain ang Metro Manila. Maaasahan mo din talaga kapag long drive.” The whole family also makes time to go on road trips. In fact, the family has already made it as far as Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte. Whenever he’s in-charge of the steering wheel, safety is his priority. “Unang-una syempre, kailangan calm ka. ‘Di dapat palaging mainit ang ulo mo. Pag may gustong mauna, pagbigyan mo na kasi baka nagmamadali talaga sila. Hinahayaan ko na lang kung saan ako mas comfortable. Ganun lang, gusto ko relaxed lang pag nagda-drive lalo na kapag kasama ang pamilya. Smooth lang dapat.”

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MOBILITY

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Subaru All-New Forester Regional Launch

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APPS

WHAT’S APP?

Filipino-made apps ready for the global stage Words by Mia Carisse Barrientos

We Filipinos are naturally resourceful and creative. When given a stage on which to perform, we rise to the occasion with brilliant creations. In this month’s What’s App?, we turn the spotlight on these apps made by Filipinos. Ready your phones for these original pinoy apps.

basketball journey of Joaquin “Wax” Rivera. Set in Tondo, Wax will go against both real and ingame players as he strives to make it into the big leagues. Victories grant Wax various power ups, skills, and experience, which can then be used to rise through the ranks. The game visuals as well as the story are stunning and noteworthy, while gameplay is simple and easy to pick up. All these elements make for a game you just can’t put down.

World of Numbers iOS and Android (Free) Exercising is as essential for the body as it is for the mind. When the brain is constantly at work, doing a variety of tasks, it is more likely to render enhanced functionality, for a productive you. Playing games is a great way to stimulate and challenge the mind. Brain It On! combines puzzles with physics to create a game that not only keeps boredom at bay, but also improves your mental abilities. This level-based game has players draw shapes and figures to beat physics puzzles. From simply having a ball hit the left border of the screen to more challenging tasks figuring out how to catapult an object to an indicated area in-game, Brain It On! will have you put your game face on level after level. Barangay 143: Street League iOS and Android (Free) There’s no denying our collective love for basketball. Anywhere you go, you’ll see people on the streets shooting basketballs through even makeshift hoops. Philippinebased digital solutions company and art studio, Synergy88 Digital tries to capture this passion for the sport in the game Barangay 143: Street League. This game follows the

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helped propel the service to where it is today. Its app version offers virtually all the functionalities users enjoy on the website. You can choose from thousands of templates or start making your own original designs with choices of fonts, graphics, and layouts. The app is intuitive and takes almost no time to get accustomed to. Download Canva and get designing! Squadzip iOS and Android Squadzip is a mobile enterprise solution created by Filipinos Roman Mercado and Joaquin Barandino in 2014. The productivity platform is aimed at companies’ sales personnel who are always out doing fieldwork. Squadzip makes Paydro Live iOS and Android (Free) We love to come together and bond over interests we share as a people. Paydro live leverages on this. Created by Gian Scottie Javelona, one of the Filipinos who earned a spot in Forbes’s 30 Under 30 list, Paydro Live is a game show you can participate in through your phone. The game challenges players’ wits with 11 multiple-choice trivia questions at 12:30 PM every weekday which happily coincides with lunchtime for most of the Philippine workforce. Due to insistent public demand, the game recently added a 9PM schedule during weekends. Consecutive correct responses lets the player take a part of the day’s prize money. The game gets friends and family members to put their heads together for a chance at earning real cash. Questions are a mix of history, current events, and just about anything, so the more players in the group, the greater the chance of bagging a win. Make your lunch breaks more fun with Paydro Live!

it easier for employers to monitor day-to-day activities, as well as for sales people to make their activities outside the office known. With an interface that takes cues from social media sites, the service is intuitive. Squadzip utilizes a tagging system called ziptags to collect and analyze data from users anywhere they are in the world even without internet connection. The solution is run on Amazon Web Services, giving clients the confidence of efficiency and security. Clients can subscribe to the service for USD 30 per month. It is also available for a 30-day trial.

Canva iOS, Android, and Web (Free) In case you missed it, the beloved online photo editor and graphics-design tool Canva is available on mobile. While not entirely local, Canva has within its team a pool of Filipino talents that has www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

SEPTEMBER 2018

Maybank Brings Banking to All Connected Filipinos

Leading the charge to provide banking to every Filipino through technology, Maybank brings us the iSave savings account and Maybank 2U PH app. Through the app, anyone with government IDs and an Internet connection can create a fully functional Maybank bank account without ever leaving the comfort of their homes. Users simply have to download the app from the Google Play Store, and soon the Apple App store, upload relevant identification such as a photo of pertinent documents, a signature, and a photo, and wait three to five days for the delivery of their ATM card. This iSave account is, for all practical uses, a regular deposit account that can be used as normal. To sweeten the deal, the ATM card can be used at any local ATM, or any Maybank ATM overseas with no additional charges. The iSave account has no maintaining balance, no required initial deposit, and starts earning interest once the account hits an average daily balance of PHP 20,000. Accounts can then be funded via in-bank deposits, or online funds transfers from other banks. Maybank is also looking at other deposit channels down the road. Along with allowing customers to open savings accounts, the app can also be used to apply for credit cards and auto loans, with no lines, no traffic, and no extra hassle. Simply download the Maybank2U PH mobile app on your smartphone, prepare a driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s license, passport, SSS ID, PRC ID, or a postal ID, your GSIS or SSS number, your TIN, and prepare to take a selfie. You can then open the app, and follow the instructions for opening an iSave account. The app wll prompt you to take photos of the pertinent documents, your signature, and a selfie. Once the steps are completed, you will receive a reference ID. You can then wait for the approval email from Maybank. The company has also struck a partnership with the Air Asia rewards program, Air Asia BIG, to let customers earn points for banking with Maybank. 62

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Power PDF Advanced

A powerful function that I’m certain many out there will enjoy is the ability to create a workflow via the sequencer. This can be a series of steps, such as removing watermarks, then searching and highlighting terms; or add a watermark, then an image, then flatten, and then print. If you find yourself doing processes with PDFs that are repetitive and long, this is the perfect way to ease your pain. Digitally signing a document can also be done through the app. From a simple image that can be drawn via the trackpad and inserted into the document, to a more complicated and secure digital ID, getting your credentials onto a document

is a simple matter of a few mouse clicks. Secure delivery is the icing on the cake, allowing you to encrypt the PDF and keep it safe from prying eyes. For those who require it, Power PDF also has a reliable OCR feature that turns a PDF into text that you can search, copy, and manipulate. All of this comes in a package that starts at onetime fee of USD 179 (about PHP 9,500). This is a great deal, considering all the features included, plus the thought that went into making such a simple app to just pick up and use. If you deal with PDFs frequently, hitting that purchase button is a no-brainer.

Words by Ren Alcantara

PDFs are a way of life in the digital age. Whether it’s for a series of important documents, a user manual, an eBook, or anything that requires a scalable digital copy that’s easily shareable, the PDF is ready to deliver. With PDFs though, come the question of PDF editors. Adobe Acrobat has long dominated the scene, but it’s not the only option. Today, we take a look at Power PDF Advanced, the latest iteration from Nuance that gives you a lot of the functionality you look for in a PDF reader and editor, without the bloated price tag. One of the first things you will notice about the program is that it’s absolutely brimming with features. The menu bar alone has many of the common ones you’ll need to get the job done. Fortunately, it’s all laid out in a clear, well-thoughtout manner that doesn’t require that much time to get accustomed to. The layout should be familiar to anyone who has spent some time with a word processor, and everything, yes, even the buttons for converting to other file formats like MS Word, or Excel, is within easy reach. Each menu function has a handy description that appears when you hover over it, so even those new to the software can figure their way around. More commonly used functions like the handy Stamp tool, and the attachments tool, are located on a menu bar left of the document, for easy access. Markup tools, important for collaborative work, or editing, is a whole tab to itself. Comment files can be imported through a straightforward import tool, and should a highlighter or red pen not be enough to do the job, there’s a handy audio recording function for lengthier comments.

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SEPTEMBER 2018

TRAVEL

The Island of

Learn how to dance in the middle of a storm Words and Photos by Jewel Sta. Ana

Crystal blue waters, fine white sand, breathtaking landscapes, and fresh seafood—this is what El Nido is all about. It’s a perfect summer destination not only for beach bums but for everyone who wants to take a break from city life. Unfortunately, life can be a mess, as can be the weather, so when the sun did not appear during our stay in El Nido, my friend and I had to find ways to enjoy the place despite the rain. Luckily, we found some secret activities that you can do in the island, regardless of the climate. The journey

The 5-hour van transfer from Puerto Princesa International Airport to El Nido’s town proper is quite long, so you’ll need some snacks for the trip. A visit to the nearby convenience store just across the arrival area of the airport wouldn’t be a bad idea. To make the most out of your time there, we highly advise you to book the earliest flight to Puerto Princesa. Don’t forget to save PHP 1000 beforehand for the roundtrip, and air-conditioned van transfer. A one way ticket to El Nido, on the other hand, costs PHP 500.

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To save more, backpackers can usually score accommodation discounts from AirBnB and Agoda. We were fortunate enough to be able to get the help of a friend who happens to own a four-storey inn. Our lodging was only 5 minutes away from the city proper and is accessible from the main road, which made our lives easier. Given the steep terrain in the island, the main transportation in the area is the 4-seater tricycle.

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Gastronomic surprises

El Nido is a destination of rich and varied cuisine. Not only it does refill your hungry tummy, the experience also gives you best memories to take back home. There’s a strip of restaurants not far from the beach where you can find great places to dine. Jarace Grill, a famous local restaurant, serves freshly-caught seafood. We savored every bite of Buttered Shrimp, Cheesy Baked Mussels, Grilled Liempo, and Chicken Inasal while enjoying the view of Mt. Taraw in the background. At anywhere from PHP 200-400, their rice meals are budgetfriendly and are good for sharing. After finishing our traditional Filipino dinner, we went to the best pizza place on the island upon my foodie pal’s suggestion. Commonly known as Alexander’s Pizza, the pizza parlor offers handtossed pizza baked in a brick oven, just like the Italians do. We ordered a 12-inch tomato-based Alessandra, with pepperoni, onions, green bell peppers, and mushrooms, and the 4-Cheese Pizza, combining mozarella, stracchino, fontina, and blue cheese on a bed of mushrooms and ham. The nightlife in El Nido is not as wild as in Boracay. Bars around the town proper are more relaxed than one expects. Sava Bar is perfect for introverts who just want to seize the moment and enjoy

the view over cocktails. Their Filipino fusion dishes such as their scrumptious, deep fried Sisig Croquettes, hit the spot. We also satisfied our sweet tooth at one of El Nido’s most famous dessert places, Gusto Gelato. Their must-try homemade gelatos, which cost PHP 120 for a single scoop or PHP 180 for a double scoop, won’t disappoint you. We were able to try their best-sellers like the Snickers-flavored gelato which

tastes like heaven in a cone. For chocolate lovers, there’s the Mint Chocolate and Dark Chocolate gelatos.

the 75-meter trail walk with Kuya Sedric, my tour guide. The strenuous, 10-minute climb up the safest part of Mt. Taraw cliff is worth it for seeing the wonderful panoramic view of El Nido island. According to our guide, the limestones that make up the cliff are about 350 million years old, and are

now 100 feet above sea level. Crossing the longest hanging bridge in the island could be terrifying, but the sweat is nothing compared to the beauty that awaits you. Should you find yourself in El Nido, do not forget to put this place on your itinerary.

We were supposed to sign up for a whole-day island tour, but it got cancelled the next day due to a gale warning issued by PAG-ASA. There’s an ordinance in the municipality about cancellation of tours, which is strictly followed by everyone.

Must-try activities

Kindness and discipline are things that the people of El Nido live by. This is what we learned as we made our way to visit their wonderful, white beaches. We were lucky enough to meet Kuya Khanz, whom we hired as our personal tricycle driver for two days. He took us first to the recently-opened Lio Ecotourism Estate, an on-going project by Ayala Land located in the northernmost part of El Nido. The up-and-coming gem of Palawan showcases a magnificent view of the islets within El Nido Bay. According to our personal tour guide-slash-tricycle driver, the 325-hectare property offers almost everything you need--from traditional and contemporary hotels to international bars and restaurants. You can play beach volleyball, or try kayaking and paddleboarding to its untouched lagoons right from the estate. It’s also located close to the island’s own airport, making it a convenient destination for tourists. Approximately 10 kilometers away from Lio, we found ourselves walking in the peaceful shore of Las Cabanas. It’s on the southern part of the first class municipality, and is known for having the best sunset views. Unfortunately, the sun was flocked by the monsoon so we did not witness it on our trip. Despite the situation, we managed to enjoy the place by kayaking around the shore at a travel-friendly rate of PHP 150 per hour. Other safe yet adventurous activities that fellow tourists did was jet-skiing, and riding the 750 meter long zipline that gets you to the nearby Depeldet Island. The last stop on our three-day escapade was the great canopy walk suggested by my friend’s aunt. We have to warn you, though--it’s not for the faint-hearted. Safety gear like helmet and harnesses are needed to be worn by visitors, and special instructions should be followed strictly. My friend backed out on the last minute, so I took all the remaining courage that I had and braved

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SEPTEMBER 2018 65

Words and photos by Presy Alba

Netherlands is famous for its windmills and canals—both are must-sees. Many of the places outside of Amsterdam though having authentic windmills and houses are actually new developments designed for tourism. Many of the buildings have been relocated from other places to create the arts and crafts villages. Giethoorn, on the other hand, is the real thing. It is a quaint but very picturesque little village 120 kilometers northeast of Amsterdam. Established in the 13th Century as a mainly farming community, the village got its name after the great number of goat horns that were found in the surrounding fields, believed to be horns of wild goats that drowned in the flood of 1170. The town is often referred to as “Little Venice” or “Venice of Netherlands” because the only way to go around is through the maze of canals and the pedestrian paths and footbridges. Canals were created and dug by villagers to extract peat for fuel; all were filled by rain water to form shallow lakes and ponds. Eventually, the interconnected canals became the most convenient way for

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people to move around and carry goods from one place to another. Getting to Giethoorn is a one-anda-half hour drive from Amsterdam. A perfect place to visit for the day if you want to do something uniquely Dutch without contending with the crowds, it is a good place to visit on a weekday when there are fewer visitors. Visiting Giethoorn feels like youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in a theme park, but it is an authentic working canal village with a small community of 2,620 permanent residents who live there all year round. But because it is becoming more popular with tourists, some of the houses have been turned into small bed and breakfast places or rental properties. There are several souvenir shops and restaurants that cater to the visiting public, too. It is a purely pedestrian community â&#x20AC;&#x201C; there are no roads within the village and even residents have to park their vehicles at the private parking lot at the entrance of the village. There is also a public parking lot where visitors can park for a fee. The main attraction is the village itself. The beautiful thatched-roof houses and the establishments in the village can be accessed by way of the footpaths and footbridges that crisscross the narrow canals. Many of the properties are surrounded by well-kept gardens. The best way to explore a wider area of the village is by renting an electric canal boat. Small canal boats that can carry up to four passengers comfortably are available for rent at â&#x201A;Ź20 for an hour. The boat rental guy gives a short orientation on how to navigate the canals and what color to follow, ensuring us that we get back to the dock within the designated time, so it is quite easy just to look for the right color at each junction. Canal signs are pretty similar to road signs, so it is easy to understand if a canal is a dead-end or if no entry is allowed. Most of the narrower canals are one-way, so all boats have to cross the lake to go back to the village. Navigating the maze of canals is pretty straightforward and piloting the boat is not very complicated. The boats are sturdy enough they can handle a few side scrapes and even some head-on collisions with the canal bank. Other enjoyable activities in the village are trying out the local delicacies and shopping for local handicrafts and souvenirs. For people who want to explore and see the Dutch countryside while have a relaxing day outdoors, Giethoorn is a great way to spend a day out of Amsterdam.

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SEPTEMBER 2018 67

GAMING

Developer and Publisher: Netmarble Games | Platform: iOS and Android Words by Jewel Sta Ana

2018 has been an exciting year for superhero films, most especially for Marvel Studios. As it marks its 10th year anniversary of putting our beloved comic book superheroes onto the silver screen, the company has released numerous surprises for geeks. Aside from exciting movie releases for next year and limited-edition action figures, the Disney-acquired production house has also ventured into gaming, giving the fans their ultimate dream: to gather Marvel Cinematic Universe’s mightiest heroes and villains for action-packed battles right at their fingertips, in Marvel Future Fight. Before it became one of the top-grossing roleplaying games for Android and iOS devices, it was once a lackluster title. Thanks to further gameplay improvements and tweaks to the storyline made by the South Korean game publisher Netmarble Games, it has finally grabbed the attention of millions around the world. Currently, it has 50 million downloads, and is part of Google Play’s Editor’s Choice list, rounding it up as one of the best games in the app market. Before tapping the install button, you’re going to have to allocate some space

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since the single-player game eats up a hefty 1.7 GB of storage. An internet connection is a must for you to start your journey, but once the app is installed, you’ll do fine with mobile data. You have a starting lineup of heroes to begin with, but unlocking more lets you change your crew up as the game progresses. Apart from selection, you can also dress your favorite superheroes or villains up with costumes that can be purchased with in-game crystals. These costumes not only change your character’s look, they also give you different skills. Adding to your roster requires you to have enough of the in-game resources which are Biometrics or X-Genes (for mutant characters), so make sure that you have some in your inventory.

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The game has a huge lineup of superheroes and villains to choose from, including Sharon Rogers and the K-Pop-star-slash-warrior Luna Snow. As is the case in other similar games we’ve encountered, character growth is very important in this mobile game. Aside from ranking up and growing the character’s mastery, knowing the Type Affinity of your teammates is one of the keys to consider with every brawl. You can categorize them through their battle type--Combat, Blast, Speed, and Universal--indicated by icons on each character. There’s a guide on the top right part every round to remind you about this. When your opponent’s damage display is yellow, it means that your character has the advantage, but when it’s gray, a switch is needed to your crew. Team chemistry can lead you to triumph and more experience, most especially if your characters have direct relationship to each other (eg: Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy). Marvel Future Fight lives up to its name, and exceeded our expectations. It gives you a unique

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gaming experience, letting you follow storylines of various Marvel heroes through Epic Quests. This mode makes specific characters stronger, and enables players to receive the protagonist in the story which adds to their roster of fighters. There’s the main Story Mission where you can collect gold and experience points, Biometrics, and Gear Upgrade Kits for your team existing characters. Daily Missions, on the other hand, offers materials like ISO-8, magical Norn Stones, and the rare M’Kraan Shard as rewards, all of which are essential for increasing stats and abilities of superheroes. Recreating memorable action scenes from previous Marvel films, the Legendary Battle challenges players to defeat iconic villains. Ant-Man and the Wasp’s encounter with Ghost, The Avenger’s clash with Thanos, T’Challa and Erik Killmonger’s duel in the vibranium mine, and Thor’s uprising against Hela are the stages that

you can clear. You can also explore other Marvel Universe-themed content in Special Missions with corresponding Biometrics, Custom Gear, and XP. Stages marked with a Hidden Route symbol means additional prizes. You can also join a team and play with other fans around the world through joining an Alliance, where you could encounter bigger bosses that are difficult to beat. There’s so much going on with this game that it actually does raise the bar for mobile RPGs. From its very detailed characters to its heart-stopping stages, the whole game reflects Marvel’s signature artistry which we have come to expect. Packed with multiple story lines and remarkable graphics, Marvel Future Fight is not just an ordinary mobile game. From a geek’s perspective, it is an artistic product from the fusion of comics and film—all placed in one platform, reaching fans globally.

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Developer and Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment | Platform: PC Words by Jose Alvarez

To quote another popular game series,â&#x20AC;&#x153;War never changes.â&#x20AC;? The history of the World of Warcraft series has always had a constant premise: the Alliance and Horde fighting one another for supremacy over the planet of Azeroth. In the past 14 years since the release of the original game, the conflict has spread to other planets (Outland in The Burning Crusade and Argus in Legion) and even timelines (Draenor in Warlords of Draenor). The latest installment, Battle For Azeroth (BFA), is not only a fight between the Alliance and Horde, but the battle for the survival of the planet Azeroth itself.

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After the events of Legion, the planet of Azeroth is wounded and bleeding a substance called Azerite. This material has great potential, and the Alliance and Horde both want the material so they can finally claim victory over each other. However, the war between the factions has taken them to the new continents of Kul Tiras and Zandalar when they both realize they need new allies to help them in their respective war campaigns. BFA has brought many changes to the game. Other than the usual changes such as reworkings of player classes and specs, introductions of new dungeons and zones (Kul Tiras and Zandalar) and an increase to the max level of the game (now 120), there has also been a stat squish. To prevent the numbers from getting way too large, Blizzard occasionally does this. The last time a stat squish was implemented was 2014’s Warlords of Draenor. Item levels have also been squished, a first time in the game’s history that it has been. One of the main additions to the game is the ability to roll as different Allied Races. The Alliance have received Void Elves, Lightforged Draenei, and Dark Iron

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Dwarves, while the Horde have Highmountain Tauren, Nightborne, and Mag’har Orcs. Additional Allied Races are expected to be released during the expansion as well. Two new features are Island Expeditions and Warfronts, which highlight the player vs. player (PvP) aspect of BFA. Island Expeditions can be done on four different difficulties: Normal, Heroic, Mythic, and PvP (where you can fight other players for Azerite). These are similar to Scenarios from Mists of Pandaria and reward Azerite, which is used to upgrade your new artifact item, the Heart of Azeroth. Warfronts involve 20 players fighting the opposite faction to control objectives. While introduced in Legion, all zones now have a much wider leveling bracket, which will allow players who are leveling straight from Level 1 to quest wherever they wish. PvP has also been reworked significantly. Servers are no longer just PvP, PvE, RP, or RP-PvP. War Mode, which is a recent addition to the game, has officially been introduced. Through this mode, you gain

additional rewards from completing world quests and can add three additional abilities when you are out in the world. This makes for a very immersive PvP experience that has been sorely lacking from the game in the past expansions. Tier bonuses have been removed from the game entirely, allowing players to customize sets of armor (and reforge them to their liking). Currently, there are only helm, shoulder, and chest pieces with Azerite traits. Some traits affect your spells and abilities directly, while others give you defensive traits such as a personal shield or healing. The final upgrade in Azerite armor is an item level increase. While other pieces of gear have a chance to become Warforged or Titanforged like in Legion, Azerite armor cannot be upgraded in this manner. BFA is looking like another quality expansion from Blizzard so far, and many players have returned to the game. Some people even broke power leveling records by going from 110 to 120 in a mere five hours. All in all, war never changes, and the war between the Alliance and Horde will continue.

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MUSIC CORNER

Sounds Like Home The Best Music Devices for Every Room in the House Words by Racine Anne Castro

For a nation of music-loving families, having a home that fosters a love for sound is a big deal. Transform your home into the ultimate audiophile abode with gadgets that let your entire family thrive in tune-age— no matter which room you’re in.

THE FAMILY ROOM High-fidelity audio systems In the heart of the home where the family comes together to enjoy each other’s company— usually with some form of entertainment in the background, like TV or music—get bolder, richer sound with a hi-fi audio system. This is usually the biggest area in the house, too, so you’d want to make sure the music fills the room without affecting quality. To enjoy high-quality music in a wider space, get a surround sound system or open-back speakers to enable a more spread-out sound. Your sonic sala awaits. THE KITCHEN Smart speakers For those of you who whistle while you work, hands-free is the way to go. Save your device’s screen from grease, crumbs, stains, and other kitchen mishaps that could damage it or affect its performance. A smart speaker or any voiceactivated audio device gives you the freedom to set the soundtrack to your kitchen adventures with a few simple utterances. Voila! SZA Sisig. Dua Lumpia. Bangus a la Beyoncé.

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THE BATHROOM Water-resistant wireless speakers No shame in admitting your love for banyooke. We’re all guilty here. But as much as you relish in singing (and sometimes dancing) along to your favorite tracks while showering, it’s probably not a good idea to bring your mobile device into the bathroom. It’s neither safe, wise, nor hygienic. Instead, leave it outside where it’s nice and dry and pair it with a bluetooth speaker—one that’s water-resistant or has a protective pouch. Want to be extrasure that your speaker stays dry? Get one with a carabiner or handle that allows you to hang your device on a hook or towel rack. THE BEDROOM Noise-cancelling headphones Your love for your favorite songs, artists, and albums are sometimes deeply personal. Get lost in the intimate connection between you and your music while you spend “me-time” in your sanctuary. Whether you’re relaxing after a long day or working on something in solitude, a pair of deep-bass headphones with noisecancelling features can keep you in the zone. It’ll be just you and Ed Sheeran in the comfort of your bedroom.

THE VERANDA OR BACKYARD Portable boombox Pinoys are a celebratory bunch. We pull out all the stops when we host parties and gatherings at home, and we often have music playing in the background that everyone can sing along to. When friends or relatives come over to celebrate, you’d want an audio device with a big sound for all to enjoy, but is not so disruptive that it results in angry neighbors. Good boomboxes produce quality audio without the obnoxiousness you might get from surround-sound systems. Use one that you don’t need to plug in, and make sure it reads multiple audio sources—CDs, USBs, AUX IN, and even SD cards. That way, everyone can take turns on DJ duties no matter what device they have on-hand. What audio gadgets do you use at home? What’s on your home audio wishlist? Share your thoughts with us! Tag @gadgetsmagazine on Twitter and Instagram.

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SEPTEMBER 2018

VISUAL SPACE

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SEPTEMBER 2018

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GREEN

O REEN IN THE CITY

Innovations for a Sustainable Future Words by Mia Carisse Barrientos

At Schneider Electric’s Philippine Country Finals of Go Green in the City 2018, De La Salle University-Manila bagged back-to-back victories with Team Green Goldies’ The Radiative-Heat-Recovering (RHR) Glass. As the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, Go Green in the City is Schneider Electric’s annual global business case challenge aimed at empowering students. Through the competition, students are encouraged to unleash their skills and creativity in creating the next big innovation to promote smart cities and green energy management. Topics such as sustainability and inclusivity, the digital economy, smart supply chain, cybersecurity, and no boundaries or bold ideas for going green help mobilize them in raising awareness on and addressing global problems. While ideas are produced by students, Schneider Electric also has participants learn from industry leaders and experts. Through Go Green in the City, the company also hopes to foster a collaborative environment between schools. “Through Go Green in the City competition, we aim to empower the youth by letting them exercise their creativity as they develop green and sustainable ideas. Go Green in the City is their platform to share their concepts and ideas that can help make a Smart Nation out of the Philippines and other countries by embracing digitization, innovation and sustainability. In recent years, the Philippines has consistently ranked in the regional and global competitions. In 2013, we took home the global championship. In 2015, the Philippines grabbed the third prize of the global competition. And for 2014, 2016 and 2017, our local teams have been strong contenders in the regional finals. So for this year, let’s aim to continue this streak and secure a podium finish at the global finals, if not the grand

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prize. We truly believe that young Filipino talents have what it takes to rise as global leaders of innovation and sustainability,” said Alexandre Vermot, country president, Schneider Electric Philippines. On the 8th installment of the global case challenge, Schneider Electric was able to gather over 400 entries nationwide. The schools that qualified for the Philippine Country Finals include: Syd Ian Matthew De Ama (Far Eastern University) and Chelsea Kate Lavilla (University of Sto. Tomas) aka Team Foodies; Don Emmanuel Santamaria and Fae Nicole Serrano (De La Salle University-Manila) aka Team Green Goldies; and, Earle Kit Sanchez (MAPUA Institute of Technology) and Kathlyn Mae Yap (De La Salle University-Manila) aka Team OffTheGrid. Judging and evaluating entries were Schneider Electric Philippines country president Alexandre Vermot, Schneider Electric Philippines CFO Douglas Luiz De Camargo, Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance president and Blue Sky Energy Corporation CEO Alexander Ablaza, Philippine Green Building Initiative executive vice president and COO Amado De Jesus, Jr., and ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc. - Bantay Kalikasan program director Jen Santos. Don Emmanuel Santamaria and Fae Nicole Serrano from Team Green Goldies of the De La Salle University-Manila won with their e-Hub project. This follows the 2017 Country Finals win of DLSU-Manila students Iliana Benice Tan and Aaron Jules Del Rosario who secured the first runner-up spot in the regional finals with

their Glass X project, a design that absorbs the heat being received by building from the sun and converts it into energy for a building’s own cooling system. Team Green Goldies’ E-Hub project is an application that packs all things renewable into one mobile platform. The app has three primary features: allow users to invest and donate on renewable energy projects; enable project developers to propose ideas and initiatives and set-up crowdfunding; and has built-in e-store for buying and selling products related to green energy. The app will also include latest news on renewables, articles and blogs from users, games, and average prices of various sources of electricity. E-Hub is an innovative financing mechanism that grants access to greener energy to address the decline in renewable energy investments and the low level awareness with regards to it. Runners-up Team OffTheGrid and Team Foodies presented their GG Tap and Power Glass project which maximizes daily water consumption to generate electricity and The Green Cycle application that serves as a two-part solution using logistics and energy generation to address the world’s food waste problem, respectively. Team Green Goldies was awarded PHP 100,000 and will also receive mentorship from Schneider Electric Philippines’ team of experts in preparation for the Asia Pacific Regional Finals. They will be competing against the respective country winners in Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

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SEPTEMBER 2018

MINIMALISM

HAPPINESS IN 80

SEPTEMBER 2018

Words by Gerry Gaviola

When you think about it, it makes sense to feel happier once you begin decluttering. More doesn’t always mean better, and in some cases, cutting down to bare essentials can be the best way to make room for better things. I’ve made three home changes in the past five years, and have learned the value of keeping things that only matter. And believe me, in a world of pretty and shiny tech, it was difficult to let go of things. Since things can get so easy to gain, and so hard to lose, many may feel instantly defeated or anxious just thinking about getting rid of possessions they’ve grown to love. Human as we are, it’s easy to attach sentimental value to everything we obtain, and even much easier to accept things that are free! Now, believe me when I say that you can find happiness in simplicity. Sure, it feels too good to brag and show off every once in a while, but don’t be that fool who finds contentment in attention and in the unnecessary. This goes for tech, things, and life and general. Would you rather prefer to live in meaningless grandeur, or have a lifestyle that gives you less stress, less stuff to maintain, and less stuff to clean? Without a second thought, I would choose the latter.

Getting rid of all that junk

The first step in getting into a minimalist lifestyle is getting rid of all your waste or excess. The first time I left my ancestral home, our family held a garage sale. For clothing, I had one simple rule: If I hadn’t worn it for over 30 days, it didn’t deserve to be mine. This is, of course, excluding formal wear meant for special occasions. Getting rid of tech was even a harder one. If you frequent tech events then you’d know that giveaways are always a thing. Within a month’s time of attending these events, you would’ve accumulated a ton of free power banks, cables, cases, and other cheap mass-produced things from China. And with these things come a lot of novelty items that quickly become paperweight. For tech and everything else, I had one rule: if two or more things had the same function, I ended up getting rid of the other. If that singular device broke, it only meant asking temporarily borrowing from a neighbor or a friend. And perhaps one of the greatest perks of getting rid of all that is unnecessary is that you’d get to sell them and earn an extra buck. Go on OLX, Carousel, or Shoppee, and sell, sell, sell!

Consistency is key

Often times, the first place people will move into will have limited space. And sometimes, a space that is confining will teach you to be tidier and more spatially creative. Moving into a new home is always exciting, and I was glad that I brought less junk with me when the time came to move out. But my first attempt at living a minimalist lifestyle didn’t go as planned. I quickly filled the space with things I loved: speakers, instruments, and tech. And just like that, my home was a mess. It’s easy to let go of goals, but as long you’re aware that you’re drifting from one, making a change is possible. It’s never too late to break bad habits! My third chance in attempting to build a minimalist home was when I finally chose to fly and join my family abroad. Moving wasn’t easy. I heartbreakingly got rid of things that mattered to me: my guitar, my keyboard, my books. The thing about it was that I’d be leaving the rest of my family and friends behind, and in my mind, I wanted to keep a little bit of everything to remind me of them. But that just wasn’t possible, given the baggage constraints. The thing about leaving is that it requires you to change your perspective. Everything I tried to dispose of suddenly gained sentimental value— in my head, a lot of junk magically became so important. But no. There are way better ways to keep the memories while keeping things simple and compact. Be wise, and go digital!

Go for things that are versatile

One of the most challenging disposals I did was getting rid of my tech. I easily fell in love with things that were new and hi-tech, and they’ve quickly accumulated. But many do the same thing. Two of the same thing that have the same function is a no-no. Go for things that are versatile!

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Audio needs

Beginning with music, what better way is there than to buy a versatile speaker that can accurately spread out sound for all your audiophile needs. There are plenty of soundbars out there, and many that won’t break the bank. If you’re on a tight budget, you can go and purchase the Sembrant SB750 Soundbar which Kimstore sells for just under PHP 3000. Although it isn’t the best sounding, for its price it packs a balance of great bass and clarity. And what’s good about it is that it supports Bluetooth connections. Seamlessly connecting your phone will enable you to enjoy all those tunes.

Jamming to your favorite tunes

Don’t you ever feel like playing along with a new tune you’ve fallen in love with? If so, then a purchasing a keyboard may sound like a great plan. Being a Digital Piano, the Yamaha P-115B offers ease of use even for beginners. Sporting an intuitive design and great specs, the keyboard features a touchscreen screen controller, Yamaha’s amazing CF sound engine, and weighted keys. Again, being digital, you’re able to emulate different instruments as well.

A portable computer like no other

Portability is key as well as being able to squeeze as many functions into a singular device. Although it can never be a full laptop replacement, the iPad comes as a neat tool for almost anything—video and photo postprocessing, music production, arts, note taking, you name it. Last April, Apple announced it’s budget iPad offering which retains all the neat capabilities and more. With better multitasking capabilities and support for the Apple pen, now’s a better time to get one!

Invest in a beast of a phone

If you’re not a fan of Apple, you can also go with Samsung’s new top of the line phablet, the Note 9. Marketed as one of the best phones money can buy, the new phone features an even brighter display, better battery, outstanding performance, and new tricks that can be done with the brand’s new S Pen.

Keeping it powered

One of the caveats of owning things that are portable and electronic is that they’ll eventually run out of juice. If you’re sick and tired of always running out of juice, invest in a power bank with enough power to charge all your goods. The Aukey 20000mAh would be a good buy, especially if you own power hungry devices. The versatile power bank packs dual USB ports capable of outputting 2.1A—perfect for simultaneously charging both your phone and tablet at maximum speed. With it also comes excessive current, overheating, and overcharging protection. Again, like with all things in this list, it’s best to go with things that are much more capable so you wouldn’t need to invest in two of the same thing.

Say goodbye to that ball of tangled wires

If you’re a person who owns both Android and Apple devices, mixing up wires can get pretty annoying. Before all your devices eventually switch to the much capable USB-C connection, it’s best to invest in a much capable charging cable. The Moowee cable seamlessly charges both Micro USB and Apple Lighting supported devices. It offers a maximum charge current of 2.4A and for Micro USB devices, it wouldn’t matter which orientation you plug this wire into.

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FOOD

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BITS & BYTES

Araneta Center Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Gateway Mall 2 Officials from the Araneta group and executives from partner Megawide Construction Corporation formally start the construction of the muchawaited mall through a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony. Araneta Center’s senior officers, starting with senior vice president for Operations Mr. Antonio Mardo, senior vice president for Business Development Mr. John Castelo, vice president for Leasing Ms. Lorna D. Fabian, vice president for Materials Management Mr. Noel Leonor, head of Architecture and Engineering Ms. Bernadette Tan, senior management consultant Mr. Rowell Recinto, and management consultant for Architecture and Engineering Ms. Julie I. Castro, led the activity. Representatives from Megawide Construction Corporation, assistant vice president Mr. Romeo Fumigay and executive vice president Mr. Ronald Paulo, were also present at the event. As part of Araneta Center’s redevelopment, the newest mall enhances the Center’s position as a lifestyle hub with its extensive shopping and dining offerings. “We needed more space to accommodate more of the retail operators and F&B (food and beverage) operators in the country,” shared by Araneta Center Inc.’s senior vice president, Antonio Mardo.

Philippines’ top beauty queens spearheaded by Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray, Binibining Pilipinas International Ma. Ahtisa Manalo, Binibining Pilipinas Supranational Jehza Huelar, Binibining Pilipinas Grand International Eva Patalinjug, Binibining Pilipinas Globe Michele Gumabao, first runner-up Vickie Rushton and second runner-up Samantha Bernardo also attended the ceremony.

Scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2020, the second Gateway mall will have a state-ofthe-art Cineplex, spacious activity area, unique food hall, fully air-conditioned 500-seater chapel, and an organic vegetable garden. It will also be connected to the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Adjacent to it will be the first Ibis Styles hotel in the country, operated by AccorHotels.

Grab and GetGo Team Up for #GrabThatFlight next dream holiday. As Grab becomes an everyday app, we are constantly making our platform more rewarding for our consumers by giving them access to more meaningful partner benefits that truly matter to them. With GrabRewards, we want our consumers to get more value for every ride they take with us and having a partner like GetGo on board will enable us to offer them even more.” said Theresa Busmente, Grab Philippines’ head of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships. “Our promise to our members is that we will continuously offer more options where they can earn GetGo points for their free getaways. We are happy to partner with Grab in making our members’ commutes more rewarding,” shared Nik Laming, Cebu Pacific’s general manager for Loyalty Division. Grab and GetGo Rewards by Cebu Pacific has announced a partnership that will bring more travel opportunities to Grab users.

Cebu Pacific destination. For 1000 and 4,500 GrabRewards points, members will be able to get 100 and 500 GetGo points respectively.

Through the tie up, Grab consumers can convert their GrabRewards points to GetGo points, which then can be used to redeem free flights to any

“Knowing that travelling is an important aspect of every Filipino’s lifestyle, we are excited to partner with GetGo to bring our consumers closer to their

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To start converting GrabRewards points to GetGo points, click ‘GrabRewards’ in the Grab app’s left menu bar and select GetGo from the browse list to redeem this offer. Users who redeem the offer will be taken to a page within the app, where they will be asked to input their GetGo username and password to sign-in and convert their points.

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SM Supermalls Celebrates 2018 Cybermonth SM Supermalls recently held its annual Cybermonth celebration. Throughout the month of August, SM treated customers to exclusive deals and events at SM malls nationwide. At the Gadget Sale, customers enjoyed up to 50 percent discounts on select gadgets and gizmos from partner brands. SM also had a Tech X-hibit which showcased the latest devices and tech gear customers could get their hands on. During the month-long celebration of everything tech, events at the CyberZone such as a Cosplay Festival, Gamer’s Corner, #AweSM Logo Hunt, as well as Digital Photography Workshops were held for customers to enjoy As part of SM’s #AweSM 60-year celebration and Cybermonth, the mall giant also launched 60-themed deals such as pay only 60-percent, less PHP 60, or pay only PHP 60 for items. “The Cybermonth celebration will be extraordinary with fun on-ground gaming activities, the latest gadget finds, and great cyber deals,” said Jonjon San Agustin, SM Supermalls SVP for marketing.

Dot Property Now the Fastest Growing Property Portal in PH Dot Property Philippines announced that it has recorded more than one million visits in both May and June of this year, making them the fastest growing property portal in the Philippines. It has been noted that 60-percent of the property queries made are of the 25 to 36 demographic— millennials who comprise majority of the Philippine workforce today. The figure reflects that more and more Filipinos now turn to the internet when looking to get a property, more specifically utilizing property portals such as Dot Property. Dot Property offers a comprehensive website and app design which allows users access to a curated collection of real-estate listings in the Philippines and in select countries. It also enables agents and developers to showcase their properties and reach potential buyers without hassle. According to Dot Property Philippines, leads coming through their portal rose 33 percent in May and 26 percent in June compared to the same period in 2017. They hope to keep the momentum going by improving their services and making sure that properties listed in the site are up to standard. Dot Property also comes out with articles potential buyers can relate to and get relevant information from.

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The company also divulged that its agent network has grown, with number of agents up by 92 percent in June. Dot Property Philippines recently added home listings in the Philippines from the Mitula Group, its parent company,

to the website. And to support more than property searches, Dot Property Philippines also teamed up with Bank of the Philippines Islands (BPI) to offer potential buyers BPI’s Housing Loans along with a mortgage calculator within the Dot Property Philippines website.

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Epson High-Capacity Ink Tank Inkjet Printers Hit Over 30M Units in Cumulative Global Sales Seiko Epson Corporation has announced that cumulative global sales of Epson’s high-capacity ink tank inkjet printers, which was first produced in 2010, have exceeded 30 million units. The company had by the end of FY2017 (ended March 2018) introduced the printers in about 150 countries and regions, with growth in emerging economies causing the proportion of high-capacity ink tank products in the overall inkjet printer market to grow annually. Epson has continued to maintain the number one share of the market in these products due to its strong brand recognition in the market and its abundant lineup. In FY2018 (ending March 2019), Epson will further accelerate the shift from conventional ink cartridge models to high-capacity ink tank models with the aim of establishing the latter as the inkjet printer mainstream. In both emerging and advanced economies, the company will also continue to promote the replacement of laser printers with highcapacity ink tank inkjet printers by enhancing its lineup with products with overwhelming cost performance and enhanced ease-of-use. Through these efforts, Epson plans to sell 9.5 million highcapacity ink tank products in FY2018 – an increase of 20 percent compared to the previous fiscal year. This is expected to account for about 55 percent of total Epson inkjet printer sales.

Vivo X21 Now Available through Smart Data on the Go Plan 2000 Vivo and Smart have recently partnered to bring the latest Vivo X21 to more Filipinos. The Vivo X21 will be available under Smart’s Data on the Go Plan 2000, which includes unlimited calls to Smart and non-stop internet surfing. This smartphone from Vivo flaunts a 6.28-inch Super AMOLED display ideal for doing business on to entertainment, whenever, wherever. The Vivo X21 is the first smartphone in the world to incorporate an In-Display Fingerprint Scanning Technology, creating buzz at the Mobile World Congress and Global Stage for Innovation CES. The partnership was made official 16 August 2018 in Makati City. Vivo’s Annie Lim, vice president for PR Strategy and Partnerships, and Smart AVP and head for Enterprise Wireless Solutions Chet Alviz were present at the contract signing. Smart is the exclusive network partner of Vivo for the X21. Customers can avail of the plan at Smart branches nationwide. The Vivo X21, retailing at 29,999, is also available at authorized Vivo outlets and kiosks across the Philippines.

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HP’s Customer Delivery Inspection Helps Identify Fake Products HP Philippines helps protect businesses against possible counterfeit ink and toner cartridges circulating in the market by offering free Customer Delivery Inspection (CDI). The HP Customer Delivery Inspections are on-site examination of large or mediumsized deliveries of printing supplies which are suspected to contain counterfeits. If a suspected fake product is on hand, customers can request assistance from HP anticounterfeiting and fraud experts. The inspections are meant to protect business operations from the impacts of using poor quality fake printing products and supplies, which can interrupt workflow and incur additional costs. HP customers can request for an examination by filling out a Customer Delivery Inspection request form and emailing it to apj.anti-counterfeit@hp.com. The HP anti-counterfeiting and fraud program administrator will review the request and

will arrange a free product inspection if the suspicion is deemed to be credible. If counterfeits are found, the customer will be advised to buy genuine products directly from HP authorized resellers. Customers can also do a mobile authentication, tamper-evident label check, security seal check, and online validation. By scanning the QR code on the product with a smartphone, customers can validate if their purchase is an authentic HP supply. Meanwhile, through the tamper-evident label check, consumers can look for signs of cartridge tampering: pattern lines do not match, colored label instead of transparent, or label text shows ‘seal is void’. To check the security seal, tilt the box front to back to show “OK” and “√” moving in opposite directions while tilting the box left to right will show “OK” and “√” moving in the same direction. To validate online, visit hp.com/ go/ok and enter the anti-counterfeit number found in the security seal.

Acer Named as Top PC and Notebook Brand in the Philippines own digital transformation. However, this competitive advantage is present mostly in large corporations with access to vast resources for technological integration. 99 percent of registered small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines still do not prioritize digital adaptation in their business operations. IT companies like Acer encourage these economic drivers to discover the opportunities in integrating powerful tools in their business operations.

Countries are widening and expanding their technological capabilities to keep up with the global trend, and the Philippines continues to progress as its customers adapt to fast-changing technology. The growth of Acer in the consumer segment proves that the demand for computing devices puts the country on the right track towards digital transformation. According to the research conducted by International Data Company (IDC), Acer dominates

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the Notebook segment recording the company’s market share between 29 percent to 35 percent for the first half of 2018. Furthermore, the Taiwanese brand acquired its 13-year-long streak of being the leading PC line in the country with more than 20 percent of the market share for personal computers. These indicators of consumers adapting to tech trends and innovation mark the clear advantage of businesses that are already undergoing their

“Integrating technology does not always have to seem like a major investment, especially for small players like MSMEs. They can start with establishing their digital presence because this can help widen their customer base. Aside from this, a business’ online presence can help establish networks and partnerships. To do so, they need to equip their businesses with reliable hardware that can keep up with the digitalization,” shared by Acer Philippines’ managing director Manuel Wong. With this in mind, Acer continues to provide consumers with quality products and aftersales services. From its entry-level to high-end devices, the brand offers affordable products suited for both home and business use such as laptops, tablets, monitors, projectors, and cloud solutions.

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Xiaomi Corporation Shows Rapid Growth in 2018 Xiaomi recently announced its unaudited consolidated results for the second quarter and first half of 2018 ended June 30, 2018. Recording outstanding operating results in the second quarter of 2018, the Shenzhen-based tech company proves its strength and resilience with its powerful “triathlon” business model, which encompasses hardware, new retail and internet services. According to the financial report for the second quarter of 2018, the Group has recorded a revenue of approximately RMB45,235.5 million, representing an increase of 68.3 percent yearon-year. International revenue , on the other hand, resulted a growth rate of 151.7 percent , with a direct conversion of RMB16,412 million, accounting for 36.3 percent of its total revenue. Net profit for the second quarter was RMB14,633 million. Adjusted profit (Non-IFRS Measure) increased by 25.1 percent year-onyear to RMB2,117 million. The results reflects how Xiaomi became one of the fastest growing companies in the tech industry. Xiaomi’s smartphone segment recorded revenue of approximately RMB30.50 billion in RMB3.96 billion, driven primarily by increasing monetization in mainland China.

sales, representing year-on-year growth of 58.7 percent, which was driven by an increase in both smartphone sales volume and the average selling price (“ASP”). The fastest growth in revenue was seen in the IoT and lifestyle products segment, growing 104.3 percent year-on-year to RMB10.38 billion. Revenue from the internet services segment grew 63.6 percent year-on-year to

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A strong international presence also contributed to the rapid growth of the company. According to Canalys, Xiaomi’s smartphone export continues to increase in India and Indonesia, ranking first and second respectively in terms of market share by shipment. Recording impressive growth, Xiaomi also ranked second in Indonesia in terms of smartphone shipments. In May 2018, Xiaomi expanded its horizons to Western Europe, targeting France and Italy. Shipments in Western Europe grew over 2700 percent year-on-year. As of the second quarter of 2018, Xiaomi ranked among the top five in the smartphone markets of 25 countries and regions.

Monthly active users of Xiaomi’s MIUI operating system increased 41.7 percent from 146 million in the second quarter of 2017 to 207 million in the second quarter of 2018, driven by increasing smartphone shipments and user adoption. Average revenue per user increased 15.4 percent. As of the second quarter of 2018, over 115 million devices were connected to Xiaomi’s IoT platform, representing a 15 percent quarter-on-quarter growth. Nearly 170 million users now own more than five Xiaomi devices, representing a 19 percent quarter-on-quarter growth. “Eight years ago, I came up with a crazy idea, which was to build a smartphone business based on the business model of an internet company, transforming the global image of “Made in China” products and benefiting everyone across the globe with amazing products at honest pricing. The interim results that Xiaomi has announced today prove that this idea has become reality. Tapping on the Hong Kong capital market, we are full of confidence and truly excited by the prospects of the Group. Xiaomi will continue building on our unique and powerful ‘triathlon’ business model to further penetrate the high-end smartphone market, introduce more IoT products to international markets, and expand our range of internet services, laying strong foundations for our revenue growth in the future ahead,” shared by Xiaomi’s founder, chairman, and CEO Mr. Lei Jun.

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ENTERPRISE

Converge Extends its Fiber Network Services Nationwide The premier pure fiber network provider, Converge ICT Solutions Inc., gears up for its five-year-long project of providing fiber internet connectivity for more households and enterprises in the country. With experienced international network providers in the industry like Korea Telecoms, LSI-Fibernet Konstruk Corporation, and TE Connectivity Subcom, as strategic partners, Converge aims to fulfill its mission to fast-track its completion of their massive, nationwide network rollout. This gives the company an opportunity to provide more advanced and reliable end-to-end fiber Internet connectivity on a nationwide scale through the expertise of the company’s new partners, helping them with financial backing and deployment of infrastructure. Converge president and CEO Dennis Uy firmly believes that this move serves as a catalyst for social and economic progress, connecting ordinary Filipinos globally and accelerating the Philippine government’s ongoing IT projects. With this in mind, Converge´s humble efforts seek to help prepare, lift, and further open the Philippines to global competitiveness. This leverages the

company’s unique and strategic position in the burgeoning Asian economy. “We have set our sights on bringing the best internet connectivity by starting in Metro Manila and some key provinces in Luzon. By going nationwide, we can do more rollouts and more installations on other islands in the Philippines, helping more people connect with one another through our infrastructure” Uy shared passionately. Miles Tonn Chua, COO of MetroWorks ICT Construction Inc. (a subsidiary of Converge ICT), confirms that the current total flow of investments is estimated at US $2 billion for the next five years. The recent fiber optic line expansion, which is scheduled to be completed by 2021, is targeted mainly at Northern and Southern Luzon, as well as key cities situated in Visayas and Mindanao. It can reach more than 13 million of the total 22 million households nationwide.

Slated to be implemented both Full Turn Key (FTK) and Semi-Turn Key (STK) approaches, the partnerships entail an end-to-end approach, which includes supply for imported materials and provides services up to acceptance. The Converge Group can also provide their own materials which is extremely practical, given the nature of the National Capital Region. “With more projects to be completed, it will certainly contribute to the growth of Converge ICT, which is expected to be exponential,” adds Chua.

Kärcher Inaugurates First Flagship Store in the Philippines As part of its efforts to bring innovative products closer to Filipinos, the German cleaning technology provider Kärcher recently opened its first service center and showroom in the country, located in the city of Parañaque.

the brand new showroom and service center, local customers can now expect full and immediate support from us from simply inquiring about our products to actually seeing and using the products in action for a test run.”

The shop displays the company’s latest and upcoming products, and caters to potential business clients who want to personally experience the brand’s products and see how they work through professional demonstrations. In addition, the establishment also serves as service center for Kärcher’s Home & Garden, and Professional cleaning lines.

For Andree Buhl, economic and commercial counsellor of the German Embassy in Manila, the launching of the Kärcher Center is a sign of the budding German interest in setting up business in the Philippines:

Present in the event are Parañaque City vice mayor Jose Enrico Golez, Kärcher Philippines country manager Zurich Fernandez, Kärcher Global deputy chief executive officer Markus Asch, Kärcher ASEAN president Klaus Puehmeyer, and economic and commercial counsellor of the German Embassy in Manila Dr. Andree Buhl. According to Fernandez, the opening of Kärcher Center is a testament to its commitment to reach out to Filipino customers. “Our new flagship Kärcher Center will definitely help develop our commitment to bring the right cleaning solution to every Filipino customer. With www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

“The Philippines is an economic powerhouse in the Southeast region, and together with its English-speaking population, it is no wonder that German firms are confident in expanding in the country. I’m very excited that a company as huge as Kärcher is now here. It will not only bring world-class cleaning technologies for Filipinos but also help both nations’ economies in creating job opportunities.” The new Kärcher Center is just part of the company’s ongoing initiatives in the Philippines. Earlier this year, it restored the People Power Monument along EDSA, and last December, refurbished the Rizal Monument in Luneta Park. Both of these are under the “Kärcher Cleans the World” campaign that aims to help preserve national and historic landmark across the world. SEPTEMBER 2018 91

Synology Introduces Complete Business Backup Solution

Synology, leading network attached storage (NAS), IP surveillance and network equipment provider has recently introduced its newest products, Active Backup Suite and Service Replacement Service (SRS) for Philippines SMBs and SMEs. The Synology Replacement Service (SRS) enables SMBs to maximize server availability and protect investments. Applicable to all current rackmount NAS servers, the service offers free two-way shipping for replacement products and collection of defective hardware as early as the next business day once the application is approved. SRS also provides timely support to reduce service downtime caused by unexpected hardware failure. Users can also check the application process online. The Active Backup Suite is Synology’s complete business backup solution. It includes Active Backup for G Suite and Office 365, all of which protects scattered data in physical, virtual, and cloud workloads. The Active Backup for Business

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provides protection for various workloads from PCs, Windows and Linux servers, and virtual machines through one centralized console on a single Synology NAS. It supports incremental backup, global deduplication and versatile ways of restoring data. The integration with Synology Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) allows users to replicate a production environment for a temporary disaster site. The Active Backup for G Suite allows businesses to control and protect corporate data stored on the G Suite by backing up and centralizing it to Synology NAS, while Active Backup for Office 365 provides an onpremise backup solution that protects corporate data created and stored on cloud devices. Synology also stays on top of current and emerging trends such as AI, Hyper Converged Infrastructure (HCI) and 5G to offer solutions relevant to market needs. The company interweaves these innovations into their devices to provide users with the best service. The top NAS provider in the Business Choice

Awards 2018 by PC Mag, Synology’s products have set new benchmarks in the IT space.“ We design our solutions to enable our customers to run their businesses in the most efficient and secure way possible. ASEAN Summit, Midori Hotel, JetStar Pacific, and Holiday Inn are successful examples.” said Mike Chen, marketing director of Synology. Synology’s sales revenue in the ASEAN increased 30 percent in the first half of 2018, and the momentum is expected to continue in the future. According to the company, numbers show that the demand for NAS in the Philippines has increased with the country’s impressive development. The market is witnessing a growth of more than 50 percent this year which is the highest in the region. Given the positive feedback from the market, Synology is going to dedicate more resources in the Philippines to raise brand awareness, as well as collaborate with various segments.

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Artificial Intelligence – The CFO’s Strategic Ally Words by Anna Tan, head of Apps for Oracle Philippines Chief Financial Officers have never had it harder. They’re pressured to cut costs, increase revenue and forecast more accurately. Meanwhile, they face the continuing need to deal with economic uncertainty, regulation and scrutiny from investors.

cloud applications specifically, are at the cutting edge of providing business benefit through endto-end solutions.

It’s little wonder that, according to research from recruiter Robert Half, three out of four CFOs say their stress levels will increase over the next two years. It’s also probably why, as Deloitte suggests, CFO turnover is on the rise. CFOs relish the strategic role their office plays in decisionmaking. But their workload means they can risk burning out. Working nights, weekends and reduces their workplace efficiency and can be bad for one’s health. That’s why advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are so welcome; promising as they do a means for CFOs to manage their increasing workloads.

By connecting internal data, third-party data, open data and unstructured data in the cloud, along with relevant enterprise apps such as HCM, sales and marketing, organizations can create a data source that’s second to none. Intelligent algorithms can then analyse this data for hidden insights and present these insights, along with recommendations on the next best action, to CFOs; helping them make the right decisions for the business. This gives businesses the agility to be both responsive and predictive.

In fact, spending on cognitive and artificial intelligence in this region will grow a fiveyear CAGR of 69.8% to US$5.0 billion in 2021, according to IDC.CFOs in particular are looking to AI to free them up to provide forward guidance to the business, by automating routine transaction processing, eliminating manual tasks and reducing the likelihood of errors.

The CFO ‘toolkit’

The benefits of AI are compelling. First, the technology enables transformational automation, freeing employees from mundane and repetitive tasks. Virtual agents, for example, can simulate financial tasks such as account reconciliation and compliance and operate them on a 24/7 basis; increasing productivity for the department. Second, AI can reveal new and predictive insights. AI allows CFOs to ask not only ‘what happened?’, but also ‘what would happen if?’, allowing them to make better long-term decisions. What’s more, AI systems improve the efficiency of decision making by providing information in human terms through Natural Language Processing. Third, AI can help CFOs improve business outcomes. For instance, AI tools can reveal how CFOs can leverage excess cash for early payment discounts, or they can improve supply selection through AI analytics. One example of this concept in practice is when AI can enhance ERP apps so they can monitor supplier invoices for those that offer early discount payment and flag these opportunities, so finance teams can better prioritise payments.

Better decisions for better business

AI apps, almost by definition, need to be connected to the enterprise through the cloud. This is because the cloud is the best way to costeffectively build data lakes that provide the raw fuel for machine learning and AI-derived insights. AI and machine learning embedded within

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This approach improves over time. Every occasion a CFO uses their expertise to accept or change a recommendation made by the AI, the machine learns from that decision and incorporates it into future analysis. In this way, the AI and CFO work together for the smartest and most efficient outcomes.

Avoiding the siloed data trap

By breaking down organizational silos through cloud computing, and then deploying AI applications, CFOs can accelerate workflow by creating a more cohesive, responsive and predictive organization. By discerning longterm patterns in data, AI apps can then provide unprecedented insights into what the future may hold and how likely future scenarios might affect performance and growth. This is important in an era where uncertainty is the new normal. Ultimately, enterprises will future-proof their business and capitalise continuous innovation in enterprise applications. Across APAC (Singapore), full-scale AI implementations are gathering pace, and many organisations are preparing the way by moving their ERP systems to the cloud. In Singapore, a country well-known for innovation, RedMart is leading the way in Singapore. The e-commerce platform allows customers to buy groceries and household products, including fresh and frozen food, personal care, health and wellness, baby, and beverage, and pet products online. The company was keen to continue its rapid growth trajectory and identified business agility as a key enabler. RedMart was looking for a solution that could provide accurate and complete financial book-keeping, deeper insights for decision-making and more efficient internal operations across all aspects of the organization. Working with Oracle, the company brought all its

financial, supplier management and procurement capabilities together on one platform. Oracle ERP Cloud allows RedMart to collaborate with suppliers over a common platform. This gives RedMart the ability to further reduce costs in the long term through better, more efficient negotiation and compliance processes. Another example in the ASEAN region is Serba Mulia Auto, an automotive dealer and financial services company based in Indonesia. The company has opted to place its ERP applications in the cloud. As part of the project, the company integrated the back-ends of its various business functions such as accounting for a streamlined process which will serve as a unified base for future Cloud solutions. Cloud ERP paves the way for AI embedded in ERP with the potential to inform board-level strategy. One example is India’s SP Jain School of Global Management. The cloud has proved a game changer for the institution, where it helped facilitate modern learning experiences by providing a unified view of academic and nonacademic activities. The cloud has also aided in streamlining student data, so the organisation can achieve insights at a click of a button. The company is keeping a close eye on machine learning and AI; and is already thinking about how AI can be used to automate repetitive tasks such as taking attendance, sending out fees reminders, and outreaching to alumni. Artificial intelligence will help finance departments shift from filling out paperwork to focusing on business strategy and decisions. The trajectory of this shows incredible potential, with IDC predicting that global spending on cognitive and AI solutions will grow 54.4 percent per year through 2020. AI will do this not by replacing humans but by empowering them, taking on boring tasks and freeing employees for the more rewarding and strategic work. In achieving this, CFOs will need to apply rigour to ensure that data quality and processes are up to scratch. If they succeed, they will find they’re able to meet their new responsibilities with ease.

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Lenovo Records Back-to-Back Double-Digit Quarterly Revenue Growth

In the first fiscal quarter, Lenovo Group achieved strong double-digit growth in revenue year-onyear. Group revenue reached USD 11.91 billion, up by 19-percent year-on-year. The company also reported strong pre-tax income during the quarter of USD 113 million, an improvement of USD 182 million year-on-year, as profitability improved across all businesses. Lenovo’s profit attributable to equity holders also grew to USD 77 million, up USD 149 million yearover-year. Basic earnings per share in the first fiscal quarter was 0.65 US cents or 5.10 HK cents. The company has turned a corner in its transformation and enters a new phase of growth, thanks to meaningful progress on its strategy and focus on “Intelligent Transformation” during the quarter. Last quarter, Lenovo announced the creation of its new Intelligent Devices Group (IDG), combining its Personal Computer and Smart Devices Group with its Mobile Business Group. Rethinking the ways these units and their devices interact and impact customers led to IDG’s double-digit, quarterly revenue growth year-over-year, and PC unit market share gains in every geography. At the same time, Lenovo is not only driving, but capitalizing on, global growth trends in both software and services. Lenovo’s key business units each tallied significant growth and market strength during the quarter:

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The Intelligent Devices Group is energized by the synergy of shared platforms and resources, delivered a strong revenue growth of 14-percent year-on-year, amounting to USD 9.95 billion. • During the quarter, the PC and Smart Devices (PCSD) business under IDG delivered strong double digit revenue growth for the 2nd consecutive quarter, growing 19 percent year to year while maintaining industry leading profitability of 5 percent. Lenovo is the fastest growing player (by units) among the Top five global PC makers and returned to the global PC number one leading position according to Gartner. Outside of the core PC business Lenovo continues to invest in growing its portfolio of smart devices including smart home, smart office, and AR/ VR. • The Mobile Business Group (MBG) under IDG improved significantly during the quarter, thanks to three key measures. The group reduced operating expenses by more than USD 100 million; secondly introduced a refined product portfolio and thirdly focused on selected markets where the company can compete profitably. With the refined product portfolio in place, the company focused on mainstream segments and successfully launched Moto G and E during the quarter. Revenue and volume continued to strengthen in Latin America in particular, outgrowing the market in both for seven quarters. In North America, Lenovo’s mobile volume nearly doubled year-on-year thanks to the right scaling strategy to expand in all four major carriers.

Building on a strong Q4, Lenovo’s Data Center Group (DCG) further accelerated its momentum, reporting another record revenue quarter of USD 1.6 billion, the third consecutive quarter of double-digit revenue growth, and up 67.8 percent compared to the same quarter a year earlier. The record high revenue was driven by growth in Software Defined Infrastructure, High Performance Computing & A.I businesses and Hyperscale. Lenovo’s software-defined products, led by the new ThinkAgile brand, once again drove more than triple-digit growth year-on-year, and along with the announcement of the new ThinkAgile CP for next-generation composable cloud infrastructure. The Hyperscale business also grew by triple-digits year-on-year while improving gross profit and diversifying the customer base. Traditional infrastructure continued on a positive trend and flash-based storage solutions showed strong momentum at 42 percent YOY growth. This quarter also saw Lenovo surpassing HPE to become the number one supercomputer provider on the top 500 supercomputing list for the first time, with 117 systems. With an eye to the future, Lenovo’s Capital and Incubator Group (LCIG) continues to invest and build the Group’s next-generation IT capabilities in AI, IoT, Big Data and VR/AR across various sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare and transportation.

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Remote Job Search Made Easier

With the work-from-home model becoming more common each day, the number of remote jobs for the taking also skyrockets. To be able to tap into the many opportunities at our disposal right now, it is a matter of knowing where to look. CrewBloom, a US-based outsourcing company, conducted an interview to its thousands of applicants to create guidelines about jumpstarting a home-based career. Here are the answers that they have gathered.

1. Refine job search

Instead of going through every job board there is or Google’s first page of search results, visit websites specializing in remote jobs. They are always a better, more reliable resource than mainstream search engines designed for traditional, in-office roles.

2. Check social media postings

Opportunities can come from anywhere. Companies post about new openings on their social pages before investing in job boards. While job boards offer the best way to narrow your search, it wouldn’t hurt to check listings on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Following specific groups on Facebook can also land you on your dream job. If eyeing a certain company, social media pages will likely share job opening announcements, so be sure to follow and like their company page.

3. Use niche sites

Niche sites make the job search easier because they usually put all related job openings in one place for a more streamlined search. For those who already have a specific job or industry in mind, this is an ideal step for you to follow. A few examples of niche sites focuses on tech startups, web development, media and advertising, food and beverage industry, and non-profit sector.

4. Know the right keywords

Employers use different terms in their job listings and descriptions that’s why it is important to find which ones they commonly use. To make sure to find all potential remote job postings, use terms

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like “remote,” “home based,” “work from home,” “virtual,” “online jobs” or “telecommute.” The same goes for the job titles.

5. Go beyond your current location

Most job sites show job listings from a searcher’s location by default, this isn’t the case in remoteheld. When looking for remote jobs, widen the search criteria by removing the location constraint.

6. Know which jobs can be done remotely and master the requirements

The remote work model is bigger than ever and still growing. Jobs in marketing, administrative support, multimedia, and information technology are among the most common. Content writing is another sprawling field spanning across all industries and not dependent on collaborating in an office setting.

While reading through remote job postings, make a list of the common requirements that these positions look for in their ideal candidate. Also take note of the more technical skills that employers prefer in an applicant such as knowledge in certain digital tools and softwares.

7. Look for remote-friendly companies There are companies that are completely officeless, which means business is solely done in their homes. Find them easily by researching with keywords like “completely distributed” or “100% distributed.” CrewBloom is one of the companies fully embracing the remote model, allowing all employees to work from the comfort of their home. To find out more, visit their website at www.crewbloom.com.

SEPTEMBER 2018 95

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