We here at Gadgets hope you and your loved ones continue to be safe during these unusual times. As we start to move into what would normally have been the start of another school year, schools, students, and teachers alike have needed to adapt. While safety is of paramount importance, it is critical that education continues. As such, measures have been taken to ensure both the safety of the population and the learning of the students are both addressed. In this month’s CoverStory, we take a look at the different facets of education to see how schools, teachers, and students are going to cope with the necessary quarantine measures. We also have a few tutorials on how to get some of your creative endeavors done at home, whether it’s getting some music recorded, of sharing videos, as well as the usual parades, news, and labs you’ve come to expect from us. Thanks for joining us, and once again, we’ll catch you next month! Ren Alcantara Editor-at-Large
MARIBELLE M. ALBA
PRESY ALBA
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
EDITOR-AT-LARGE
#GIRLBOSS
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.
@bellealba
@presy1121
REN ALCANTARA
ARNEL DORIA
Question EVERYTHING.
Marketing guru. Automotive industry veteran. Road safety advocate.
EDITOR-AT-LARGE
@hisnameisren
MOBILITY CONSULTANT
PRESIDENT & CEO
SALES AND ADVERTISING MANAGER ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Marisa Consuelo
ACCOUNTING MANAGER ACCOUNTING STAFF
Maritess Pascua-Maulion Lorie Bernardo
HR & ADMIN MANAGER ADMINISTRATION STAFF
Amy Christine Giray Ramil Almojano
LEGAL COUNSEL
GABRIEL JOHN PE
JOSE ALVAREZ
Let the scarlet moon guide you.
Jose loves football, video games, computers, and history, but not necessarily in any order.
STAFF WRITER
@pe_gab
CARMELA BIRAO
“Ceeeeeeeeeeeb!”
Stay hydrated.
@_easyo
@carmelabirao
ZEIL ROMERO
CHINI YU SORIANO
Let it be.
I love dogs.
@zeil_heyo
@chinisoriano
GRAPHIC ARTIST
JULY 2020
@josealvarez
JERICO LUTRANIA
DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER
2
CONTRIBUTOR
VIDEOGRAPHER
GRAPHIC ARTIST
Maribelle Alba
DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER
Carol Agabin
Jerico Lutrania Alba Law Office
GADGETS Magazine is published monthly by Great Minds Media Inc. Address all correspondence to Unit 802, The One Executive Office Bldg., #5 West Ave., 1104 Quezon City. Our telephone number is: 8288-8588 Our website is: www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
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JULY 2020 | Volume 20 No. 11
26. Cover Story
07
Parade Take a look at some of the month’s gadgets release
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Gadgets Lab
26
Cover Story:
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JULY 2020
We tested en mass
What the new school year will look like
34
Photofeature:
40
Mobility
54
Feature:
Rule school with these bad boys
It was a great month for car lovers
FEU MILES
FEU is leading the way
56
Apps
58
Behind the Scenes of Gadgets TV
52
Need work done? These might help
A look at how we make Gadgets TV
Hearthstone Developer Interview A talk with the team behind Blizzard’s iconic card game
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Offers a Convenient Way to Pay Your Bills
P
aying bills has always been part of every adult’s to-do list every month. May it be for electricity, water, phone, or Internet bills, it’s a must to pay it on time. However, it’s quite a hassle to have to travel to each utility or payment center, especially now that the community quarantine restrictions have limited our movements.
Good thing that M Lhuillier has got you covered for your bills payment! True to its promise of being the “Tulay ng PaMLyang Pilipino”, the country’s leading non-bank financial institution lets you pay your monthly dues all in one place.
To pay, ask for a bills payment slip at the branch. Fill it out with the needed details like the biller’s name, your account name and number, and your contact details. Present your slip along with your payment and a service fee, if necessary.
Through M Lhuillier’s swift and easy bills payment system, Filipinos can pay for their utilities (electric, water, telephone, cable bills), tuition fees, loan installments, insurance premiums, online purchases, and travel and tour bookings. No need to go to different payment centers, just head to your nearest M Lhuillier branch.
Finding a branch is quite easy with M Lhuillier’s expansive network of more than 2,500 outlets nationwide. For added convenience, you can also pay your bills through M Lhuillier’s official digital wallet app, the all-new ML Wallet. Through the app, registered users can use their stored cash in the wallet and pay bills anytime, anywhere with just a few steps.
M Lhuillier continues to be of service for every Filipino family even during the COVID-19 crisis through its wide range of financial services available offline and online. These include Kwarta Padala, Domestic and International Money Remittance, Quick Cash Loans, Bills Payment, Jewelry, and Money Changer. For more information and the complete list of M Lhuillier Bills Payment partners, visit www.mlhuillier. com/kwarta-padala or call their toll-free number 1-800-1-0572-3252. You may also contact M Lhuillier through email at customercare@mlhuillier.com.
70 Music Corner
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62
Gaming
68
Bulletpoints
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Music Corner
JULY 2020
Zombies, Guns, and even more Guns
Taking care of your light
Better take notes for recording success
74
Enterprise
78
Cybersecurity
82
Bits and Bytes
Some news from big business
92
Relic Remember this tablet and stylus combo?
The latest in computing security
Some news for you
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
PARADE
Realme C11 Smartphone The realme C11 is the newest member of the brand’s C-series smartphones, and one of the first smartphones powered by MediaTek’s newest G35 SoC made for gaming and photography. Mated to the G35 SoC is 2GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage which is expandable up to 256GB via MicroSD. The realme C11 has a 6.5-inch mini-drop display with a 20:9 aspect ratio for a bigger view. The realme C11 has a 13-megapixel shooter at the back with a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The camera supports hardware-level bokeh and nightscape mode. It also has one of the biggest battery on its level packing a massive 5000 mAh battery.
PHP 4,990
Realme Watch Smartwatch The realme watch is the brand’s first foray in the smartwatch market. It has 1.4-inch touchscreen with a high 320 x 320 resolution. The realme Watch features an Sp02 monitor, a 24/7 high precision PPG optical heart rate sensor, and supports 14 different sports modes. Through the realme Link app, you can control music, your phone’s camera shutter, and receive notifications on the realme Watch. The realme Watch has a 160mAh battery which realme rates for 7 to 9 days. The realme Watch also has an IP68 rating making it water and dust resistant.
PHP 3,990
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JULY 2020
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Realme X3 SuperZoom Smartphone The realme X3 SuperZoom is realme’s newest flagship smartphone. Rom is powered by the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ SoC paired with a massive 12 GB RAM and 256 GB of internal storage. Putting the Super Zoom in the realme X3 SuperZoom’s name is the phone’s quad-camera with a powerful 64-megapixel main shooter, 8-megapixel periscope lens capable of 5x zoom and OIS, 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and 2-megapixel macro lens. At the front is a dual-front facing camera. The main camera is a 32-megapixel Sony IMX 616 shooter and a secondary 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera. The realme X3 SuperZoom has a 6.6-inch FHD+ screen with an amazing 120 Hz refresh rate. The realme X3 SuperZoom has 4200 mAh battery capable of 30W Dart Charging.
PHP 24,990
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HyperX Predator and Fury RAM If you want to get your game on, HyperX has you covered. With updated speeds and capacities for the HyperX Predator DDR4 RGB memory modules, featuring kits up to 256 GB and 4600 MHz speeds, these memory models are just the thing you need to take your rig’s performance to the next level. The HyperX Predator DDR4, delivers fast frequencies and low latencies with speeds up to 4800MHz. And since gaming isn’t just about performance, they also come with aluminum heat spreaders, and a matching black PCB to fit in with your build. The HyperX Fury, on the other hand, delivers great value for money, without compromise, offers Plug N Play at 2400MHz and 2666MHz, for stellar performance for gaming.
MediaTek Helio G25 and G35 Smartphone processor MediaTek has just launched the latest chips that deliver gamingfocused smartphone performance. The G25 and G35 feature MediaTek HyperEngine game technology for faster, smoother performance, enhanced power efficiency, and brilliant graphics. They also deliver low-latency connectivity, enhanced imaging features, and system optimizations for more smartphones. Both chipsets are powered by the ARM Cortex-A53 CPUs, running at 2 GHz and 2.3 GHZ for the G25 and G35, as well as the IMG PowerVR GE8320 GPUs, with 650 and 680 MHz speeds for the G25 and G35 respectively. Both chipsets deliver enhanced power efficiency for longer battery life and system performance, even in extended use.
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
JULY 2020
9
Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera The Canon EOS R5 is the newest flagship camera from Canon’s mirrorless EOS R-series. The new EOS R5 has a 45-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor that approaches medium format territory making the camera the perfect companion for the serious photographer. The Canon EOS R5 also has Canon’s latest DIGIC X image processor, the same image processor found in their flagship EOS-1DX Mark III. The EOS R5’s electronic shutter has a continuous shooting speed of up to 20fps and the mechanical shutter has a continuous shooting speed of up to 12 fps. The highlight of the Canon EOS R5 is its video recording capable of shooting up to 8K video resolution at 30 fps and 4K resolution at 120 fps. To make sure that every image comes out sharp, the Canon EOS R5 has a 5-axis In-body Image stabilizer inside its magnesium alloy body.
Canon EOS R6 Mirrorless Camera The Canon EOS R6 is the little sibling of the EOS R5 but don’t underestimate it. The EOS R6 has a 20-megapixel full-frame CMOS; the same one found in Canon’s flagship EOS-1DX Mark III. Like the EOS R5, the EOS R6 has the brand’s DIGIC X image processor giving it superior image output. Like its bigger sibling, the EOS R6’s electronic shutter has a continuous shooting speed of up to 20 fps and 12fps continuous shooting on its mechanical shutters. The EOS R6 is also capable in the video department able to record at 4K at up to 60 fps and in FHD at 120 fps. Like the EOS R5, the EOS R6 has a magnesium alloy body with a 5-axis in-body image stabilizer.
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Givi Antarctica Motorcycle Top Case Givi, the world’s premiere motorcycle accessories manufacturer, has just released the B42N Antarctica Monolock Top Case. The culmination of decades of research and experience, the Antarctica offers a stunning design, without compromising performance and safety. The case has reflective prismatic elements on each front corner for increased visibility, and a massive 42-liter capacity, enough to hold a single modular helmet, or two demi-jet type lids. The Antarctica features the Micro 3 Locking System, which offers security, through a few easy steps. Made of high-grade, injection-molded Polypropylene, the case has been created to deliver years of strength, security, and reliable service.
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
JULY 2020
11
Oppo Enco W31 TWS Earbuds The Oppo Enco W31 is the brand’s first true wireless earbuds in the country. The Enco W31 offer a truly immersive audio experience coupled with an outstanding and comfortable design. Oppo has fitted the Enco W31 with dual microphone environment noise cancellation which can be a lifesaver when in an important call. The Enco W31 also has built-in infrared optical sensors which automatically pause media playback when you take the buds out of your ears. For your music experience Oppo has equipped the earbuds with a bass and balance mode to help personalized your listening experience. Changing tracks is also simple thanks to the Enco W31 intelligent touch controls. Oppo has rated to Enco W31 with up to 15 hours of music playback and up to 12 hours of call time with its charging case. You have to worry about long down time with the device only needing 2.5 hours for a full charge.
PHP 2,990
HP P22h FHD Monitor Monitor The HP P22h FHD Monitor is one stylish and sleek business display that can surely boost productivity with an ample 21.5-inch diagonal Full HD IPS screen with a 3-sided micro-edge bezel for unlimited sightlines. The HP Monitor is capable of multi-display setups and convenient navigation of documents and spreadsheets, providing a better work experience. The HP P22h Monitor has a 1920 x 1080 resolution to deliver clear and crisp images for all content, including documents, charts, graphs, spreadsheets, pictures, and videos. It has 100mm of available adjustable height, plus it swivels and tilts 5/+25 (+/-2) and has 90-degree pivot rotation which makes for the best view that puts content front and center of the workstation, making for optimum ergonomics. The monitor has HDMI and DisplayPort connectors, as well as a VGA connection for a versatile configuration. It also has a display assistant that allows users to manage the display and quickly resize screen partitions so they can work in separate regions of the screen.
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Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite Tablet The newest tablet offering from Samsung is finally here. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is the brand’s new mid-range tablet capable of punching above its weight class. The tablet has a 10.4-inch WUXGA+ now capable of using the brand’s S Pen. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is powered by an Octa-core processor mated to 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage expandable via MicroSD. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite has a 7,040 mAh for all-day performance. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite has an 8-megapixel rear camera with a 5-megapixel front camera capable of face unlock. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite comes in two color scheme: agora blue, and oxford gray.
PHP 26,990
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
JULY 2020
13
Pioneer DMH-ZF9350BT Car Infotainment System The Pioneer DMH-ZF9350BT is the newest flagship car infotainment unit from Pioneer. The DMH-ZF9350BT is a 1-DIN receiver with a 9-inch display equipped with a floating design that enables drivers to tilt the 24-bit True Color capacitive touchscreen. The device has support for Alexa Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, it also has a new internet browsing app. The receiver is also engineered with top-of-the line audio components which enable Hi-Res Audio playback, and support for lossless formats such as FLAC. Pioneer has also equipped the DMH-ZF9350BT with advanced sound retriever audio enhancement software, 13-band graphic equalizer, and time alignment features so drivers can tweak the audio to achieve the personal audio experience they desire.
Pioneer DMH-ZS9350BT Car Infotainment System The Pioneer DMH-ZS9350BT is a 2-DIN receiver with a fixed 9-inch display. Like the DMH-ZF9350BT, the DMH-ZS9350BT’s screen is a 24-bit True Color capacitive touchscreen. The device also has support for Alexa Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It also has the same audio enhancement software and new internet browser app.
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Pioneer DMH-Z6350BT Car Infotainment System The Pioneer DMH-Z6350BT is a 2-DIN receiver with a fixed 6.8-inch 24-bit True Color capacitive touchscreen. It also has the same audio enhancement software found in the DMH-ZF9350BT and DMH-ZS9350BT. It also has Alexa Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, as well as the new internet browser app.
Pioneer DMH-Z5350BT Car Infotainment System The Pioneer DMH-Z5350BT is the value-oriented 2-DIN 6.8-inch receiver from the brand’s new Z-series of car infotainment system. Since the device is value-oriented, it doesn’t have the same specialized audio parts nor Alexa Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. But despite the lack of special features, the receive still has the same advanced audio receiver enhancement software, 13-band graphic equalizer, and time alignment features. Also replacing the new internet browsing app is Weblink.
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
JULY 2020
15
HP Smart Tank 515 and Smart Tank 500 Multifunction Printers The pinter serves as a bridge between the digital and the physical world, and to fill such an important role, you can’t compromise. HP delivers, with the Smart Tank 500 and Smart Tank 515 All-In-One printers that give you up to 8,000 pages of quality, borderless prints with unparalleled reliability. As multifunction printers, these also give you the ability to scan documents to digitize them, or make copies in a snap, thanks to an easy-to-understand 1-inch LCD display. Should you need the convenience of a wireless printer, the 515 has you covered with Dual-Band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi direct connectivity, apart from the standard USB port.
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Learn-from-home printing needs? Here’s why you should invest in HP Smart Tank printer
N
owadays, there is one great reason for parents to invest in personal computers and household printers—learn from home.
And while there may be a lot of brands and products in the market to choose from, HP gives moms and dads the best reasons why they should pick the HP Smart Tank printers. Reason 1: Print, copy, scan features The HP Smart Tank 515 wireless and Smart Tank 500 offer versatility with their printer, copier and scanner functions. This makes them ideal tools, along with a computer, to help enhance the children’s online learning. With the all-in-one printers, they can easily print everyday worksheets, copy manuals, and scan finished home works on an A4-sized flatbed scanner for sharing online. Reason 2: Prints up to 8,000 colored or 6,000 black pages With their high-capacity integrated ink tank system, the HP Smart Tank 515 and Smart Tank 500 can continuously print 8,000 colored pages or 6,000 black pages, making them high-volume, low-cost printers that are perfect for budget-conscious parents and students who need to print volumes of research paper. The transparent ink tank can easily be monitored and refilled, even by older kids, using spill-free, resealable ink bottles. Reason 3: Affordable ink bottles The HP Smart Tank 515 or Smart Tank 500 uses a set of Original HP inks— Cyan, Magenta, Yellow. These come in bottles priced at P275 each while the GT53XL Original HP Black ink bottle is priced at P330. The individual inks enable users to simply buy whatever color they need.
Reason 4: 2-year home service warranty To ensure the Smart Tank printers will continue to provide learn-from-home printing essentials, they have a 2-year onsite warranty that enables users to get a “good as new” unit delivered to their homes to replace printers which have unresolved problems. The coverage usually lasts for two (2) years or until the unit has printed 30,000 pages, whichever comes first. Customers can report printer problems thru HP Ink Tank Service hotline numbers 1-800-1441-0094 (toll-free), +63917-1394357 (SMS/Viber), or +632-8395-3329 (contact center). Reason 5: Replaceable print heads In the long run, choosing the HP Smart Tank 515 and Smart Tank 500 will allow parents to save on printer repair and replacement costs, as damaged print heads can be replaced with original HP print heads that can be easily installed using a step-bystep process. The print heads are available at HP authorized resellers and Service Centers nationwide. Reason 6: Print and scan anywhere, anytime Using the mobile printing feature of the HP Smart Tank 515, users can access the printer
through the HP Smart app installed in their smartphones and tablets, to print almost anything, from anywhere, at any time; send prints on the go; and share documents and images directly from their mobile devices. This is ideal for mobile parents who need to help their kids with assignments and projects. Reason 7: Order ink bottles online easily By choosing HP Smart Tank 515 or Smart Tank 500, one can also avail of exclusive HP services such as fast and convenient ordering of print supplies online. Getting Original HP inks at the HP Lazada flagship store also entitles buyers to free deliveries within Metro Manila and other selected areas. Reason 8: Get exclusive promotions from Lazada, Shopee and retail stores The HP Smart Tank 515 AIO printer is available for P9,295 while the HP Smart Tank 500 is available for only P7,950 at the HP Lazada and Shopee online stores and all authorized HP resellers nationwide.
Lenovo Yoga Duet 7 2-in-1 Laptop
The Lenovo Yoga Duet 7 is the first 2-in-1 Yoga PC. The device comes with a 13-inch WQHD 2K resolution touchscreen display with 100 percent sRGB color accuracy and 450 nits brightness. Despite being thin and light, the Yoga Duet 7 still packs a punch sporting up to a 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10510 processor and up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM. Transferring files is blazing fast thanks to the device’s 1TB NVME PCIe storage. The Yoga Duet 7 also come with Lenovo’s highly innovative E-Color Pen with built-in smart sensors. By simply pressing down on any real object, the pen’s sensor can capture its color and replicate it digitally.
Starts at PHP 64,995
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Laptop
Users of the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 are sure to turn heads thanks to the laptop’s premium all-aluminum finish and razor-thin profile. Adding to the looks department is the laptop’s UHD 4K display resolution with 500 nits of brightness. The screen can either be 14-inches or a bigger 15.6-inches depending on the configuration. The Yoga Slim 7 comes with up to an Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor or up to an AMD Ryzen 7 4800U 8-core design processor making it one of the most powerful thin and light on the market. The Yoga Slim 7 can also come with either an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU or an AMD Radeon Vega 8 graphics. The laptop also comes with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of NVME PCIe x4 SSD storage.
Starts at PHP 49,995 (AMD variants) Starts at PHP 69,995 (Intel variants)
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Lenovo ThinkStation P620 Desktop
The Lenovo ThinkStation P620 is the world’s first workstation powered by AMD’s new Ryzen Threadripper PRO processors. The Lenovo ThinkStation P620 will deliver more than unmatched processing potential thanks to the new Ryzen Threadripper PRO. The Lenovo ThinkStation P620 will have a flexible GPU configuration, faster memory, quicker storage transfer speeds, and 10GB of built-in Ethernet. The workstation will include support for up to two NVIDIA Quadro RTX 8000 or four RTX 4000 graphics cards. Up to 1 TB of memory and 20 TB of storage space. The desktop is also the first workstation to offer PCIe Gen4 available, offering twice the bandwidth of the current standard PCIe 3.0.
AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3000WX Series CPU AMD just dropped a massive bomb, launching its new Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3000WX series of desktops processor which has up to a massive 64 cores and 128 threads. AMD is claiming that the Ryzen Threadripper PRO will be the most versatile workstation processor ever created with its multi-threaded performance rivaling even dual-socket solutions. The Ryzen Threadripper PRO processor are based on 7nm process technology providing unmatched CPU core density. Additionally, the Ryzen Threadripper PRO series supports up to 128 PCIe 4.0 lanes enabling a variety of advanced configurations that leverage next-gen GPUs and storage solutions. The Ryzen Threadripper PRO series is the world’s only processor family with full memory encryption as a standard feature for a safety and worry-free experience.
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
JULY 2020
19
GADGETS LAB
Nokia 5310 (2020) Reviewed by Ren Alcantara
I have been in this business for a long time now, and while new products are always exciting, I do miss the days when Nokia was at the top of the mobile phone market and releasing devices that were designed to be nothing if not different. While those days are now gone, we’re starting to see signs of the renewed Nokia, and that old fire that put them on top. Nokia sent over the 2020 edition of the 5310, a popular device in its day, so we got to see if there’s room for a device like this more than a decade after the original hit the market. DESIGN The new 5310 is almost a straight throwback to the classic 5310 design. It’s not a 1:1 rehash, as the new one has a few aesthetic updates to make it a little more current, but it’s clearly cut from the same cloth. It has the same candybar form factor of the original, with a keypad for input, and audio controls on either side of the screen. Our demo unit came in a fetching black and red color scheme, though it is also available in a gorgeous white and red if that’s more your jam. The phone is curvy and slightly matte, with a little weight to it. It’s done entirely in plastic, but the heft keeps it from feeling like a toy.
HARDWARE The Nokia 5310 is a feature phone with a few extra tricks. This is reflected in the hardware the phone has. The screen is a 2.4-inch TFT with a pixel density of about 167 ppi, it has an astounding 8 MB of RAM, and 16 MB of storage, and GSM + Bluetooth connectivity. The battery is a hefty (for its size) 1200 mAh deal, and it has a VGA main camera with an LED flash. It might seem like a throwback—and it is, but it does have an ace up its sleeve.
USER EXPERIENCE It wouldn’t be fair to go into a review of a phone like this thinking to compare it with current smartphones, so we’re going to look at it for what it is: a feature phone that’s a little extra. To be fair, I did actually plop my SIM card in it to use it for a few days as a daily driver. I have to admit, there are some really solid reasons to pick a feature phone, not the least of which is how little space it takes up in a pocket. Seriously. I have forgotten just how small and light phones can be. It’s always a trade-off between functionality and size, but there are times you just need a device you can rely on despite having very limited space. It was a great companion to have in the small cash pocket of my jogging pants, where my usual phone just can’t fit. Bluetooth connectivity allowed me to use it with true wireless headphones for a particularly effective
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workout tool—I had music to work out to, and unlike a dedicated music player, I could still easily be reached with a quick SMS or phone call. Listening to music is made even simpler thanks to the sidemounted music controls that are very tactile and easy to activate even through the fabric of a pocket. The music player is a little rudimentary, and if you fill a 32 GB memory card with music, you’re better off just shuffling through. You can have a playlist of favorites within the music player, so if you have the patience, you can make a nice mix of tracks beforehand to save yourself the trouble of going through all the saved audio tracks on the phone. I wasn’t expecting all that much from the built-in speakers, but when I played a few tracks, the music that the 5310 was able to produce was astounding in both its volume and clarity. It easily beats what even my regular flagship-level personal phone can deliver. This could easily provide music for a little party, or for some extended-play background music at a beach somewhere. You wouldn’t even need an internet connection or a separate Bluetooth speaker to make that happen. There are some things I missed while using this as my daily device. Internet connectivity is possible, though it’s via a 2G connection, and since you won’t be able to install apps anyway, aside from being able to look things up online, its usefulness is rather limited. There’s no WiFi either, so you will unfortunately not be able to use any internet-based messaging apps on this. The camera is also quite basic, and feels similar in performance with phones from the original; 5310’s era. It’s still better than nothing though. It does make for a rather more capable secondary phone, and lets you enjoy music in quite a usable way, as long as you don’t mind shuffling through tracks now and again. Personally, I think I’ll put a sim card in here, and use it when exercising, or keep it in a go bag, so I have a simple, functional phone ready to go at any time. If you need a basic phone, but want something with a little more capability than just a generic feature phone, this also fits the bill.
VALUE At a price of a hair over PHP 2,000, this is actually pretty great value. Whether you’re in it for the retro feel, a need for a reliable second phone, or a handy workout buddy that can also call and text, it’ll do the job and give you some nice background music to boot.
SPECIFICATIONS: • • • • • •
Dimensions: 4.87 x 2.06 x 0.52 in Weight: 88.2 g Display: TFT, 2.4 inches Storage: 16MB, expandable via microSD Bluetooth 3.0 Battery: 1200 mAh
What’s Hot: • Battery life • Super nostalgic • Superb speakers What’s Not: • Only 2G Connectivity • Rudimentary music player
BOTTOMLINE It’s a music player that lets you communicate.
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Haylou Solar Smartwatch Reviewed by Gabriel Pe
Budget Smartwatches have started flooding the market. The revolution comes as smartphone manufacturers slowly roll out these devices to build their wearables ecosystem. The Haylou LS05 Solar Smartwatch backed by Xiaomi is a value smartwatch with a sub- PHP 2000 price. But at that price range is it any good? DESIGN The Haylou Solar is definitely a good-looking smartwatch when you consider everything about it. The unit itself is composed of a metal body with rubber watch straps. You can remove the watch straps but there’s no official band customization support as far as I know. The watch face is a 1.28-inch TFT touchscreen with 240 x 240 resolution. On the side of the watch is a button that functions as the return button in most cases. The back is a heart sensor that is covered by plastic, and the charging pins.
HARDWARE The Haylou Solar has an ultra-low dynamic optical heart sensor and accelerometer. The watch doesn’t offer many connectivity options except Bluetooth 5.0 and the magnetic proprietary charger. The always-on heart rate sensor does much of the device’s heavy lifting, with it the watch offers 12 sports modes and sleep monitor. The Haylou Solar displays basic information such as the time, your heart bpm, your total sleep time, your steps, calories supposedly burned, and total distance traveled. The companion Haylou Fit app does it one better, providing in-depth statics of your activities.
USER EXPERIENCE Prior to getting the Haylou Solar, I had my doubts on the effectiveness and longevity of cheap smartwatches being sold online. Among the highly sought-after smartwatch on the different e-commerce platforms was Haylou’s LS01 smartwatch, a sub-PHP 1500 smartwatch. As I dug deeper, I found out that Haylou was among the companies providing OEM and Bluetooth devices to some of the biggest smartphone manufacturers in China, among which is Xiaomi who actually sold Haylou’s new smartwatch the Haylou Solar on their Youpin platform. On the watch itself, the Haylou Solar definitely surprised me first with it price and second with
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the performance it gave. The Haylou Solar offers most functions smartwatches have at less than half of its usual cost. The always-on heart rate monitor delivered on its promise and did not provide false readings. I tried fooling the device by giving it to another person and the bpm changed immediately since the person just woke up from a nap. The same goes for the sleep monitor which accurately recorded my sleep time. Aside from the sensors the watch’s Bluetooth feature also added some quality of life updates. The music controller allowed earbud users like me to control music without reaching for my phone. The phone finder feature was also usual for a klutz like me who likes to throw my phone around the house. One downside of the Bluetooth phone finder is that it’s limited due to Bluetooth’s range. The Haylou Solar sometimes doesn’t reconnect immediately to your phone once you leave the Bluetooth range. The Haylou Solar does have an IP68 rating but is not recommended to be used in water. Technically you can take a bath with the device but Haylou recommends wiping the device after. It isn’t recommended to swim with the device either.
platform. While the smartwatch is not made by Xiaomi, the company has still backed the device.
SPECIFICATIONS: • Display: 1.28 TFT touchscreen (240 x 240 resolution) • OS: Proprietary; supports Android 4.4 and above, iOS 8.0 and above • Sensor: Heart rate monitor, accelerometer • Connection: Bluetooth 5.0, Magnetic charging • Protection: IP68 • Battery: 340 mAh li-ion • Dimensions; 43.5 x 11.4mm (watch body), 22cm (watch strap) • Weight: Approx 54g What’s Hot: • Functional • Price • Decent battery life • Metal Design • Magnetic charging • 24-hour heart sensor
What’s Not: • Few watch faces • Not customizable watch band • Not for water use despite IP68 rating • App can be better • No GPS and Wi-Fi
Personalization is not the device’s strong suit. The Haylou Solar only has a limited number of watch faces that you can use. The Haylou Fit app also doesn’t offer any options to customize the watch either. What you can control from the App are the notifications that can be displayed on the watch. Notifications can’t be scrolled on the app, so you’ll need to open your phone to read them. You also can’t answer calls on the watch itself since it doesn’t have microphone support, but you can deny calls instead.
VALUE The Haylou Smartwatch costs around PHP 1,800 making it one of the cheaper smartwatches in the market. Now if you’re hesitant to take the Haylou Solar smartwatch because it’s a relatively unknown brand, worry not. The Haylou Solar is part of the Xiaomi Ecosystem under its Youpin
BOTTOMLINE The Haylou is definitely a value smartwatch that offers essential functions
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Realme C11 Reviewed by Gabriel Pe
realme has been on roll lately with their smartphone offerings. The realme 6 series is currently one of the best value smartphones on the mid-range segment, the realme X3 SuperZoom has the specs to take on some of the biggest names in the flagship level, and the brand has recently debuted its first smartwatch the realme Watch in the country. Now the brand is looking to make another mark in the entry-level segment with the realme C11, a device they claim could be a solution for students taking online classes this coming school year. DESIGN The realme C11 follows a minimalistic design. Ours was the Mint Green colorway which reflects light really nicely due to the new engraving design on the back. The new design at the also gives the phone a nice grip even without a jelly case. The phone has a 6.5-inch mini-drop HD+ (1600 x 720) with a 20:9 aspect ratio. On front of the phone is the 5-megapixel front camera, at the back is the dual-rear camera setup which is now on a square formation which is a pretty nice touch. Not much can be seen on the left side of the phone just the sim card/ memory card slot, on the right is the volume and power keys, and on the bottom are the microphone slots, microUSB port, 3.5 mm audio port and downward-facing speakers.
HARDWARE The realme C11 has the latest MediaTek Helio G35 processor with our demo unit sporting 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage that is expandable up to 256GB via microUSB. The specs allowed for low graphics settings in graphicintensive games such as PUBG: Mobile and CoD: Mobile but more about this later. Camera-wise, the realme C11 has a 5-megapixel front camera. A dual-camera setup at the back that has a 13-megapixel main camera and a 2-megapixel depth sensor at the back. Finally, the phone is powered by a 5000 mAh battery. As an entry-level phone, the realme C11 doesn’t any features we have grown accused to such as a fingerprint reader which realme has replaced with a face unlock for a more efficient log-in to the phone.
USER EXPERIENCE I have to say I was impressed with the realme C11, especially with the new MediaTek G35
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processor. The phone can definitely game (albeit in lower resolutions) and surprisingly never heat up uncomfortably. I played some PUBG: Mobile and COD: Mobile and the phone plowed through it without any issue. I’m also happy to report that realme C11 did get uncomfortably hot during my heavy gaming sessions with it. The screen of the realme C11 isn’t the best out there but for an entry-level phone it certainly is bright for one, usable even in outdoor settings. The 6.5-inch screen was also great for a bit of multi-tasking. As for media consumption, the 20:9 aspect ratio provides good screen real estate for viewing videos and movies. The camera of the realme C11’s camera was also great considering it segment. The 13-megapixel camera provided great images when shooting outdoors. The camera had great portrait shooting capabilities that provided good subject and background separation. Lastly, the realme C11’s had decent digital zoom capabilities. You can check out my initial review to see some of the sample shots of the camera. One of the qualms I had with the camera was its night photography. Images from night mode came out soft. Still, it’s good to know that phone has one even if it’s not that good. Indoor photos were also a bit lackluster, but were still usable.
SPECIFICATIONS: • Display: 6.5-inch Mini Drop display with HD+ resolution (1600 x • Processor: MediaTek Helio G35 • GPU: IMG PowerVR GE8320 • OS: realme UI 1.0 • RAM: 3GB • Internal Storage: 32GB • Camera: rear 13-megapixel main camera, 2-megapixel depth sensor; front: 5-megapixel • Battery: 5000 mAh • Connection: MicroUSB, 3.5mm audio port, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi • Features: NightScape, Slo-mo, Face Unlock • Dimensions: 164.4mm x 75.9mm x 9.1 mm • Weight: 196g
What’s Hot: • Price • Good Camera • Great Battery Life • Casual Gaming What’s Not: • Indoor photos aren’t something to write home about • NightScape is meh
Were the realme C11 really excels is the battery. The 5000 mAh battery lasted me about two days in heavy use and more than a week in light use (a few hours of browsing and video streaming in a day). Charging the phone was average about 2 hours for a full charge considering that the phone has no official fast charging capability.
VALUE The realme C11 costs just PHP 4,990 for the 2GB and 32GB variant. Though our demo unit had 3GB RAM, I doubt a gigabyte less RAM will really bog down the needs of most students except for wider multi-tasking capabilities. With that in mind, I think that the realme C11 is definitely great value for your money.
BOTTOMLINE The realme C11 is a great phone in the entry-level segment.
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AOC 27B1H Monitor Reviewed by Ren Alcantara
All this time working from quarantine has given me a brand-new appreciation for a large display. For years, I’ve been working on a 15-inch laptop, and it manages to get the job done. Lately though, with more time spent looking at screens than paper, and more opportunities for gaming, I’ve felt that the small display on my laptop just isn’t enough any more. Thankfully, AOC sent a monitor for us to review, in the form of the 27B1H.
DESIGN The first, and most striking thing about this monitor are the bezels. They’re really quite thin, and while the image itself doesn’t extend to the very edge of the panel, it’s still striking. Aside from that, it’s a nicely understated black body on a black stand. The inputs are all at rear, with controls available near the right corner of the bottom edge. As you might have gathered from the name, it’s 27 inches on the diagonal, offering what I feel is an ideal balance between screen size and overall bulk, and shouldn’t take up much more space than it’s worth. It’s also designed to be assembled without tools, so once you get it out of the box, it won’t be five minutes before you have it set up and running. One thing to note though is that it uses an external power brick and a DC barrel jack, so be prepared to make a little room for that as well.
HARDWARE Aside from the slim bezels on three sides and an astounding 14.3mm thickness on most of the back, this display has the features you’re probably looking for in a work laptop. There’s of course an HDMI input, as well as an analog input, and a 3.5mm output jack in lieu of built-in speakers. The panel itself is an IPS affair, which gives great viewing angles and renders colors more than well enough. Unless you’re running tests, or really absolutely concerned about contrast ratios, you shouldn’t have any problems with it. It runs at a resolution of 1920x1080, with a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz. GtG response time is at a reasonable 7ms.
USER EXPERIENCE Before we go into the meat of the review, I’d like to go over my typical PC use. Being a journalist, it’s roughly 70 percent research and writing, 25 percent gaming, and about 5 percent random YouTube videos. As far as work is concerned, this is a display that works wonderfully. The large display allows me to actually have four browser windows open with enough space to actually
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have each one useful. Low blue mode can also be activated to help with eye strain, and late at night, and even though the resolution at a screen this size means you get only about 82 PPI, I honestly didn’t get bothered by it at all. Working with images for the magazine, light image editing, and working with precision on programs like Audacity weren’t a problem in the least, and was even quite pleasant thanks to the increased screen size. Based on the specs, color accuracy isn’t bad, and while it’s not the best, is also not a factor unless you’re dealing with extremely color-sensitive work, at which point, you’re probably not considering a model such as this anyway. Gaming, which is disproportionately important to me, was perfectly fine on the display as well. While it doesn’t have extra features like AMD Freesync compatibility or a super-high refresh rate, it handles fast-paced titles just fine. I’m still into Overwatch, and even when the action starts getting intense, at no point did I feel that the monitor was letting me down. There wasn’t any tearing or ghosting, and while 7ms response times aren’t the lowest out there, it’s more than capable of doing the business. I will also occasionally watch movies on my laptop, just because it’s sometimes the most convenient way to do so, and it’s here that sometimes you can start to notice the weaker contrast ratio this display can deliver. Blacks aren’t as dead as on some other displays, and while it’s not something I personally have an issue with, I know my share of people that are maddened by this, so it’s something to be aware of.
great for what you get. A 27-inch monitor from a reputable manufacturer isn’t going to be cheap. Unless it’s this display. At just PHP 11,388, it’s actually quite good value, particularly if, like me, you’re mainly after the screen real estate.
SPECIFICATIONS: • • • • • • • • • • •
Screen size (inch) 27 inch Resolution 1920x1080 Refresh rate 60Hz Response time (GtG) 7 ms Panel Type IPS Brightness (typical) 250 Backlight WLED sRGB Coverage (%) 100 Flicker-free Aspect ratio 16:9 Viewing angle (CR10) 178/178 º
What’s Hot: • Great value • Large screen size • Reliable brand
What’s Not: • No extra features • 60Hz refresh rate max
Overall, while it might not win an award for being the best monitor in the entire universe, it’s still quite a capable device, and we haven’t even gotten to the best part about it.
VALUE As far as I’m concerned, price is a feature when it comes to devices. It represents the brand’s ability to balance function and cost to create a reasonable product. This is something the 27B1H excels in. It does everything more than adequately well, in order to deliver a price that’s
BOTTOMLINE A great, no-frills monitor that won’t break the bank JULY 2020
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Nespresso Latissima Touch Reviewed by Maribelle Alba
I love good coffee but cannot justify splurging on a high-end fully-automatic machine, so I’ve settled for more affordable models that offer a decent brew. In the past, I’ve had a Starbucks Barista home espresso machine and a CBTL Kaldi with accompanying milk frother. Late last year, I was persuaded to try out a latte macchiato at a Nespresso pop-up store, and that sealed the deal for the Latissima Touch. Here’s my longterm review. DESIGN The Nespresso Latissima Touch is the newest addition to the Nespresso line of coffee machines and has a built-in milk dispenser. It comes in black, gray, or white with chrome accents on the coffee capsule lever on top and the drip trays below. It is compact and industrial-looking, and sits nicely on the kitchen counter without taking up too much space. Made of hard plastic materials, the Latissima Touch weighs only 4.5kg and can be easily stowed out of the way when not in use. In front, on the left-hand side, is a round nozzle for dispensing coffee above which is a lever that you lift to access the capsule container. Below the round coffee outlet is the used capsule drawer which can take about 9-10 capsules. Underneath that is a drip tray that you can push in to accommodate tall drinks. On the right-hand side, the top surface contains the on/off button, 2 LED indicators for descaling and cleaning, and six tactile beverage buttons. In front, there is a steam connector door that you slide open to attach the milk container. Below this a platform inside which is the descaling pipe. The milk container itself is cleverly designed with durable plastic parts attached to the lid that are easy to dismantle and clean. There’s a connector to attach the container to the machine, an aspiration tube to suck the milk up through the spout, a milk froth regulator knob, and a cleaning button. At the rear is the clear plastic water reservoir. To fill up, you can just flip the lid up and pour water in, or you can lift the entire water tank out.
HARDWARE At the heart of the Nespresso Latissima Touch is the thermoblock heating system that quickly heats up cold water in just a matter of seconds. It then keeps the water temperature at optimal levels so you can instanly prepare single serve cups of your favorite coffee drinks. Its extraction system delivers 19 bars of water pressure for consistent quality coffee. Meanwhile, the automatic capuccino system heats the milk and creates dense and rich foam that can
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be adjusted to your preferred thickness. It also includes a cleaning system that rinses out the pipes to prevent milk build-up that can cause contamination and clogging.
USER EXPERIENCE The machine ships out with a water hardness test strip so you can program the machine appropriately. Apparently, soft water with lesser dissolved minerals extracts flavors and nutrients better. Hard water, on the other hand, means scale will build up faster inside the machine, requiring more frequent maintenance. After that one-time setting, all you need to do is pop in your choice of coffee capsule, attach the milk container, and wait about 25 seconds for the machine to heat up. Once the lights stop blinking, you lightly touch the beverage button for your drink. The factory settings for the six beverage buttons are: Espresso – 40ml; Lungo – 110ml; Capuccino – 40ml coffee/50ml milk; Latte Macchiato – 40ml coffee/150ml milk; Creamy Latte – 40ml coffee/150ml milk; and Warm Milk – 120ml. These can, of course, be customized to taste. After a milk drink has been dispensed, the Clean indicator lights up and you will need to press the Clean button on the milk container lid to rinse it out. You can then detach the container and store it in the fridge for the next drink. The machine automatically switches off after 9 minutes.
VALUE On the Nespresso online store, the Latissima Touch is currently listed at PHP 27,000. However, it is occasionally offered as part of a promo or discounted package, so if you’re in no rush, you can just keep an eye out for that. Nespresso capsules cost between PHP 30 to PHP 40 and come in boxes of 10s. Add to that the price of fresh milk, and your outlay for each mug of coffee you make should be around PHP 50. Not cheap, but not a bad price for coffee just the way you want it. SPECIFICATIONS: • Weight: 4.5kg • Height: 25.8cm • Removable water tank: 0.9L • Removable fresh milk container: 0.35L • Used capsule container: 9 • Dimensions (WxDxH): 17.3 x 32 x 25.8cm • Folding drip tray for taller mugs • One-touch recipe preparations • Automatic power off after 9mins • Automatic standby after 30mins • Max pressure: 19bar What’s Hot: • Compact, easy to use • Consistently good coffee What’s Not: • There are cheaper machines • Only takes Nespresso pods
Nespresso machines take only Nespresso coffee capsules, so that’s a consumable that you will need to replenish regularly to enjoy your daily brew. There are a multitude of choices ranging from light to medium to dark roasts, and flavors ranging from fruity to caramely to spicy. You can also get the decaffeinated version of your favorite roasts. For those concerned about the sustainability impact of single-use aluminum capsules, Nespresso has a recycling program where used pods are turned into costume jewelry and home décor by a local women’s group.
BOTTOMLINE It’s like having a personal home barista. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
Fitbit Charge 4 Reviewed by Maribelle Alba
This will be my third review of a Fitbit Charge In four years, having first checked out the Charge HR2 in 2016, then the Charge 3 in 2018. I’ve had a Fitbit in one form or another on my wrist virtually 24/7 over the past 5 years, until I won an Apple Watch in a media raffle last Christmas 2019. After a 6-month break from the Fitbit ecosystem, I must admit I’m glad to be back. DESIGN Except for very minor, hardly noticeable details, the Charge 4 looks much the same as its predecessors, which is why I’ve downgraded my score in the design category. Looks will not be the compelling reason for why anyone would want to upgrade from an earlier model. Instead of the aluminum case on the Charge 3, the Charge 4 casing is now made of plastic resin in either black or rosewood. A color-matched classic wristband makes for a nice unibody look. There is an option for a storm blue wristband/ black tracker combination, and on the Special Edition, a granite reflective woven band with a black tracker. The unified color scheme disguises the fact that the Charge 4 is slightly thicker than its predecessor, although it is still light enough to be comfortably worn the whole day.
HARDWARE The Charge 4 has the same basic equipment and components as other Fitbits. An optical heart rate monitor calculates blood flow using light detectors and tracks pulse rate every 1-second when exercising and every 5-seconds at other times. A 3-axis accelerometer and altimeter track movement and elevation, and the new GPS feature now also tracks location. A vibration motor buzzes gently for discreet notifications, alarms, and reminders. Connectivity is via Bluetooth 4.0 for syncing with a smartphone and for Spotify controls. It also has NFC for Fitbit Pay, a tap-to-pay feature that’s not yet offered in the Philippines. It is powered by a lithium-polymer battery that fully charges in two hours and can last up to 7 days or 5 hours with continuous GPS use.
USER EXPERIENCE I have missed my Fitbit! While the Apple Watch Series 5 is packed with a lot of bells and whistles, I must be honest and say I don’t actually need all those apps on my wrist. The Fitbit Charge 4 gives me exactly what I need and want—without the extraneous stuff. As usual, out of the box, I placed the tracker into its custom charger, paired it to my phone,
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added it to my Fitbit app, and then completed the firmware update. It was then good to go.
vigorously, to wake it up. Plus, why don’t we get Fitbit Pay?
Once synced with my phone, I chose my preferred clock face as well as apps/settings. Installing the Charge 4 gave me a free 90-day membership to Fitbit Premium which offers app enhancements like advanced sleep analytics, a wellness report, guided programs, mindfullness sessions, video workouts, as well as fun games and new challenges. After 90 days, I will have to decide if it’s worth paying PHP 519 monthly or PHP 4,190 per year for continued access to these features.
VALUE
Back to the Charge 4 experience, one major upgrade is the addition of built-in GPS for real-time information during outdoor activities like running, biking, etc. A word of caution, though, it drains your battery pretty fast, so be sure your Charge 4 is fully charged before you head out. Another new feature is Spotify Connect & Control that let you choose which device you’d like to play your music on—your phone, laptop, TV or other Connect-enabled speakers. You can choose your playlist, shuffle, skip content, and like songs on the Charge 4. The only catch is that you need to be a Spotify Premium subscriber to be able to enjoy this feature. Personally, the one feature I like best about Fitbit devices is its sleep tracker, which even Apple cannot match. With the latest updates, Fitbit’S Sleep Tools provide better insight into the oftneglected health essential, sleep quality. Based on heart rate, restlessness, time awake, and sleep stages, you get a daily Sleep Score. In my case, I find it very motivating waking up to a good score, knowing that I am well-rested and ready to face another day. A poor score, on the other hand, motivates me to try to get to bed earlier. Although the Fitbit trackers are targeted at healthconscious individuals with active lifestyles, I am quite happy to just know how many steps I took through the day (and celebrate when I hit my steps goal). Being prone to occcasional arrhythmias, it’s also reassuring to be able to see what my current heart rate is, just by lifting my wrist. What don’t I like about the Charge 4? There’s really just one thing that irks me—you need to tap quite hard on the screen, or lift your wrist rather
The Fitbit Charge 4 carries a PHP 9,590 price tag, actually cheaper than the PHP 9,990 sticker price on the Charge 3 when It launched two years ago. Considering that this is a device you’ll probably be wearing 24/7, that’s not a bad deal. SPECIFICATIONS: • Display: Backlit OLED greyscale touchscreen • Sensors: 3-axis accelerometer, optical heart rate monitor, GPS, altimeter, NFC • Components: Vibration motor • Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0 • Battery: Lithium-polymer, 2-hour charge time (0-100%), up to 7 days battery life or 5 hours with continuous GPS use • Memory: 7 days detailed motion and heart rate minute by minute data, 30 days daily totals • Water resistance: Up to 50 meters • Materials: plastic resin case, flexible band with stainless steel buckle What’s Hot: • Same reliable Fitbit features with some add-ons • Now has GPS and links to Spotify What’s Not: • Looks the same as previous models • Touch display is not very responsive
BOTTOMLINE The Fitbit Charge 4 is officially my new 24/7 companion.
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COVER STORY
DISTANCE LEARNING W
e all know that staying in school is your best bet, but what happens when a pandemic forces us to stay home? In this month’s CoverStory, we take a look at what schools administrators, teachers, and students are doing to cope with the Pandemic, and how they’re adjusting to distance learning. Even during these strange times, the learning can’t stop.
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EDUCATION IN THE NEW NORM Based on notes from Dr. Michael M. Alba President, Far Eastern University
What is the new norm in education? Far Eastern University president Dr. Michael Alba sees two distinct phases in the new norm. First is a short- to medium-term covid-contemporaneous norm, to be followed by a more enduring postcovid norm once a vaccine is found. He cites an article in The Economist magazine that sees the covid-contemporaneous norm ending as early as September this year for North America and Europe, and January next year for the rest of the world—if all goes well with the Oxford University vaccine, which is the most advanced among the 180 vaccines under development. However, at least for the next six months, while a vaccine is unavailable, not just education but virtually all aspects of daily life will be in a twilight zone, an uncharted territory beset by uncertainty, fear, illness, and limited economic activity. Covid-contemporaneous education In traditional school settings, the physical classroom is an enclosed space with poor air circulation (usually due to air-conditioning), and classes are held over long periods—conditions that have been identified as conducive to the spread of the virus. Definitely, until mass vaccination can ensure public safety, remote learning appears to be the only viable option for continued education. The challenge for educators now is how to offer an immersive, engaging, and transformative schooling experience away from school. Fortunately, FEU is well-placed to deliver a quality remote learning schooling experience because, according to Alba: “We were one of the first adopters of the Canvas learning management system in the Philippines and have used it
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since 2016. Second, through FEU’s institutional subscription, our faculty and students have free access to the Microsoft Office Suite of applications including Teams. Third, we’ve invested on education technology and IT infrastructure. Most critically, our faculty have been extensively trained in digital literacy since 2016, and, for many, the training was equivalent to a semester’s worth of full-teaching deload. Also, since we were already gearing up for big data and predictive analytics, we had the means to explore what would constitute quality remote learning.” No one mode fits all Contrary to the popular belief that remote learning requires students to have internet access, a computer or a mobile device, there are solutions that take into account the unique personal situation of each student. As an example, FEU offers these remote learning options: Fully Online. For students with good, stable online connections and computer devices, distribution of learning activities, materials, faculty consultations, and mentoring are 100% online and asynchronous. Blended Online. For students who have minimal internet access, learning materials are offered in printed form and in flash drives filled with video lectures, learning activities, and other materials, and are sent to the student via courier.
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A paradigm shift for teachers With the shift to remote learning, teachers are faced with the challenge of how to prepare for and deliver their courses in the coming year. Remote learning is not simply digitizing lecture notes, assignments, and exams. For one, synchronous online learning, which emulates a classroom setting with students still attending a class taught by a teacher poses many difficulties. First is the attention span of students. Without the visual cues of classmates’ reactions, online classes can be cognitively taxing. In fact, a rule of thumb for synchronous learning sessions is that the duration of a class in minutes should not be more than the age of the student in years. For 10-year olds, an effective online learning session should not be more than 10-minutes. Moreover, without a stable internet connection, it can be a frustrating experience for students who might not be able to follow the discussion. Given these obstacles, lectures as the backbone of instruction are no longer feasible in remote learning. There needs to be a paradigm shift about the teacher’s role in class from being “the sage on the stage” to “a guide on the side.” Advising teachers to fully embrace a studentcentered pedagogy, Alba recommends the active learning, flipped classroom approach where new topics are introduced outside of class hours in the form of instructional videos, digital research, or text readings. Teachers need to pare down
learning objectives to the truly essential and organize the knowledge content in modules that can be presented in small chunks. Teachers also need to plan the entire term so that the online course is very clearly mapped out, well-organized, and well-communicated. All the instructional materials can be given out at the start of the classes, after which students can have the flexibility to go through the course work at their own pace, with guidance and mentoring as needed. Another issue is assessment of learning outcomes. The usual high stakes, multiple choice exams will not work in a remote learning situation as the integrity of the test results cannot be guaranteed. Instead, teachers will need to design authentic assessments such as open book tests with generous time limits, real-world projects, or reflection questions. In fact, teachers should consider ungraded assessments. Finally, educators also need to mind their personal well-being, and set boundaries about when they can be reached and when students can expect a response to their queries. Despite the challenge of COVID-19, educators must persist in their mission by continually reflecting, innovating, persevering, and, ultimately, applying their learnings to the transformation of education in the post-covid world.
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TEACHING FROM HOME
I
n this CoverStory article, we take a look at arguably one of the most important pieces of this puzzle: teachers, and what they’re doing to keep the wheels of education turning despite the challenges set by the pandemic. To help us out, I reached out to my good friend Tracy Monsod, a Fine Arts teacher at the Ateneo de Manila University, one of the many schools that has elected to switch to holding classes online. Tracy has been teaching since 2013, and like many others in the school, has had to shift to meeting her class online. Pre-pandemic, a typical lesson done by Tracy was probably the same as you might remember from your own time in school. She would usually do a lecture for about half an hour, then go into a discussion with the class, after which they would have break out sessions. “For the most part, I’ve taught what we like to refer to as “workshop” classes, wherein there’s a lot of hands-on stuff for the students to do. I’m not all that confident in doing heavy lectures, because talking for at least an hour is already very tiring just thinking about it, I do like production work myself! So the workshop classes are my jam,” she shared. Given the subject she teaches, Tracy also required her students to submit two major projects: one at the middle of the term, and a final project at the end of the term, with formal presentations of the students’ work, sometimes in front of a panel of experts from the relevant industries, to give fresh, outsider feedback on the work. This all changed when the pandemic broke out. “Everything got really confusing and anxiety-
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inducing,” she exclaims. “Since Ateneo was never really one that did a lot of remote or online learning, it really was a big challenge for all of us to suddenly pivot.” The change involved ending the semester early, and passing all the students—a move that got a lot of attention on social media. While that was happening, Ms. Monsod shared that channels of communication opened up to take stock and figure out what to do next. After careful consideration, the decision was made to move the Intersession (what we used to know as summer semester) to July instead of June. “We spent May and June mostly learning the ropes of a new learning management system (LMS) that we’d use in the coming semesters for fully online classes. Several of us underwent ‘training’ (if that’s the word for it) and the hope is that we in turn help train other faculty as well to get used to this new learning environment.” She also shared that part of the preparation was to make the lessons adaptable. “For example, if we were to do video calls as a class and some might not be able to attend, we’d record the sessions and/or prepare transcripts that we could make available.” Two weeks into the Intersession, they’re still learning as they go, smoothing out snags, and dealing with the many expected accessibility issues both the faculty and the students are facing. According to Tracy, part of the challenge that she has to face as a teacher in these times is that students can’t necessarily be expected to pick things up at the same pace, so concessions have to be made. There are still sessions that are held all together, and through dialogue with her class, they settled on a schedule wherein they meet once a week, “bring up any questions or concerns regarding the modules I’ve made available for them, or the projects I assigned.” If they need it, Tracy has also made herself available to her students via email. Teaching classes from a distance wouldn’t be possible without tech, and fortunately, the department had the teachers covered.
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“The department was aware not everyone might have the hardware to conduct classes online, so we managed to request for some stuff like microphones and webcams. I have a microphone on loan from the department so I could record my lecture videos. I’m trying to learn how to record our live sessions without the use of Zoom or Google Meet (which have built-in record functions) primarily because hosting a call with around 20 other people slows my computer down using those applications. We all agreed to use Discord instead since it holds up pretty well, and…I wouldn’t have to send an invite code every time. To record, I’ve been trying to use OBS with some extra stuff but I have so far failed. I had one minor successful attempt but I can’t seem to do it again.” As with any tech, there’s always a learning curve, particularly when you have a whole class to handle. “Life is hard,” she admits. The rest of the hardware is quite standard. As Tracy also happens to be a practicing graphic designer, she uses her personal MacBook Pro and its built-in webcam. Audio is handled by a Samson Meteor condenser mic from the department, and, when it’s necessary, she connects an external screen to her laptop, for more screen real estate. Interestingly, she and her class also use a host of Google services, including Docs, Sheets, and Drive, along with pre-pandemic services such as Slack, and Trello to make coordinating with her fellow teachers. “Tech isn’t new to us, especially the millennial teachers, as we’ve always used stuff like that.” A lot of things are, admittedly, more difficult, Tracy shared. The lack of physical presence itself seems to be the main reason for that difficulty. Even with video, she explains, “it’s not the same as being in the same room where you can get a better read of body language and facial expressions, and students can’t just raise their hands when I say something they don’t understand.” Thankfully, the school has done their best to make things easier. “Ateneo has been preparing for full online learning for months, and we’re expecting full implementation in the first semester. They have things to help both faculty
and students cope with this new system, keeping in mind that mental well-being is just as important. On a smaller scale, our department has been working very hard to make sure everyone is equipped to teach. Since our department is actually quite young, it wasn’t too difficult for a bunch of us to adapt. On top of providing what it can in terms of equipment, there are constant efforts to help each other out in terms of learning the new LMS, planning syllabi that are more appropriate for online learning, etc.” There are some advantages to the current setup. Getting ready in the morning is simpler, she says, and there’s no need to worry about the drive to the campus, giving her more time to prepare her coffee, which is an extremely important part of her day. All told though, Tracy doesn’t feel like permanently teaching online is sustainable. “Like I said, I’m still a big fan of human interaction when it comes to educating. There are so many things you miss out on when you’re fully online. If anything I think a more blended approach might be better—a mix of face-to-face and online. It’s more flexible that way and takes advantage of both methods. While digital means are great in many aspects, humans are social beings and we need human connection and interaction. It’s easier to engage the class when you’re standing there in the same room making actual eye contact. One-on-one consultations are easier to do when you can step into a quiet room or a quiet corner of the office.” Teaching was never an easy job, and the way things are right now, things are even more challenging. “Ironically, while it is technically distance learning, it’s hard to put distance between us and our work since it’s just always there. We need to maintain some sense of sanity, and sometimes that means reminding ourselves that we don’t have to reply to an email at 9 PM, or not having the LMS open in a tab 24/7.” Still, Tracy, and countless other teachers like her soldier on despite the hardships, forging forward to continue to mold the minds and hearts of the next generation.
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HOME SCHOOLING FOR STUDENTS To ensure students can still continue with their education despite the pandemic, the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education have proposed a hybrid learning system for the new school year, leveraging the power of the internet mixed with the guidance of students’ parents. While schools and universities have already prepared for the transition, one of the oftenforgotten aspects of the transition are the students themselves. To know more about how students expect to deal with online learning, I talked with some students from various learning levels (high school, senior high, college, and postgrad), who shared their thoughts on the impact of online learning affected them. Distractions galore Technology is convenient in every way. Thanks to the internet, learning resources are readily available for many curious students. But the internet is also a double-edged sword as, besides readily available resources, it also offers a ton of distractions such as social media, video streaming, and many others. Both high school and senior high school students found it difficult to focus on the task at hand mainly due to the allure of many distractions offered at home. As for the college student, he notes that prioritizing school work is important to overcome distractions but it doesn’t completely erase it. As for the law school student, studying at home is nothing new, but it was a huge challenge for others who have a hard time concentrating in a home setting. Another that changed is the way students interact with one another. While most admit missing their friends in the classroom, they have found a way
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to still be connected. Most have turned to social media to talk and chat with their friends online. Others, like the college student, have taken it to the next level. According to him, he and his friends have found a way to recreate talking in class digitally. Instead of talking in a separate group chat, he and his friends started playing browser-based party games when the lectures get boring. Learning is limited Despite studies proving that online learning is an effective learning alternative, all of the students agreed that you don’t absorb as much as you would in a classroom setting. Teachers and professors guiding students and immediately responding to questions have more of impact thanwould have thought. The law school student noted that it was business as usual for the last semester, with recitations and lectures moving digitally into online conferences. But the major change was on how they take quizzes, with online platforms preventing students from going back to review and revise their answers once they finish a question. Despite transitioning to a digital classroom, he noted that the current system is not conducive to fully absorbing the lessons. According to him, many of his classmates are now considering taking leaves of absence until the situation normalizes.
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School work has become more complicated. According to the students, some teachers prefer to have a scanned (or photographed) work submitted instead of using their respective platform’s quiz or seatwork option. Everyone is catching up one way or another As the country gets ready for the opening of the new school year this coming August, one thing is for certain. Many students still lack the necessary device and internet access for online learning. According to DepEd, as much as 33% of students have no internet access nor the necessary gadgets for online classes. Financial difficulties caused by the pandemic have also forced some families to think twice about enrolling students for the new school year. According to the latest DepEd data, only about 80% of last year’s total enrollees have re-enrolled for the new school year. The added expenses for online learning is believed to have hampered parents’ decisions to enrol their students for the new school year. Even those who already have an internet connection are dismayed to discover that they need additional equipment such as webcams, noise-canceling headphones, printers, and scanners. The start of the new school year is a mystery to everyone, even to the students themselves. But after talking to the students, one of the things they most sincerely hope for is a return to the classroom.
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PHOTO FEATURE
Lenovo ThinkPad T14
No matter what you’re trying to achieve, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 offers powerful specs, great endurance, and years of reliable service.
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Asus Zephyrus Duo 15
With an extra display for controls, notifications, and added functionality, the Asus Zephyrus Duo 15 is much more than your ordinary laptop.
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FEBRUARY JULY 2020
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Philips Curved LCD Monitor (328EQJAB) This Philips monitor gives you a massive 32 inch curved display so you can have all your documents, textbooks, and browsers open, for greater productivity from home.
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HP Smart Tank 515 The HP Smart Tank 515 gives you thousands of pages of borderless prints per refill, scanning, and wireless convenience in a single device. What more could you want from a printer?
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HP X360 Spectre
The HP X360 Spectre offers a whole different level of power and versatility thanks to it’s convenient 360-degree hinge that lets you swivel it all the way around from laptop to tablet mode. With touch screen capabilities, superb battery life, and additional productivity features, this laptop is ready to keep pace with your busy life.
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Go pro with HP ProBook 400 series laptops’ enhanced security features and durability
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or millions of people working from home, using the right technology is part of getting the job done. That is why most professionals invest in efficient and reliable equipment to help them perform better and achieve more, wherever business takes them.
Combining style, efficiency, and durability, the new HP ProBook 400 series allows one to work smarter and look good while at it. It counts on a thin, stylish durable design that protects technology that is built strong from the core up. It also boasts of integrated security and a spill-resistant keyboard feature, letting one meet the demands of work proficiently. Work remotely stylish and secure With the HP ProBook 400 series, one can tackle workloads with technology that protects what is essential for everyday use. It also has a Mylar film atop the keyboard, protecting the sensitive electronics from minor spills. Fingerprint passwords and wireless connection Remembering passwords one by one can be a thing of the past. With the new HP ProBook 400
series, access multiple websites safely by simply logging in via a fingerprint reader. One can also send documents and photos wirelessly to an HP ePrinter via the HP ePrint Driver app installed on the laptop. Collaborate better by easily sharing internet connection through the HP Wireless Hotspot. Whether around colleagues or working with family at home, get online fast and improve productivity with this wireless internet connection sharing feature. More ways to go Pro The HP ProBook 400 series lets one power through deadline-driven days with a choice of the latest 10th Generation Intel® Core™ processors or AMD Ryzen™ quad-core processors, both offering amazing value in speed and performance.
Those that run on the 10th Gen quad-core Intel® Core™ processors are the HP ProBook 430 (13” diagonal HD display), HP ProBook 440 (14” diagonal HD display), and the HP ProBook 450 (15.6” diagonal HD display). Meanwhile, those that operate on the AMD Ryzen™ quad-core processors are the HP ProBook 445 (14” diagonal HD display) and the HP ProBook 455 (15” diagonal HD display). With five options to choose from, one can find a perfect size that brings excellent versatility and multitasking performance suitable for both business and leisure. Get a hand on the new HP ProBook 400 series by ordering online via https://forms.gle/6f3yX6Xu1uALNQNK7.
MOBILITY
Nissan introduces the Ariya electric crossover SUV
N
issan introduced the all-new Nissan Ariya, an electric crossover SUV that lets customers travel farther while enjoying greater driving excitement, confidence and comfort, and connectivity.
With a 100% electric powertrain, the Ariya promises powerful acceleration and smooth, quiet operation. Drivers and passengers can relax and enjoy the ride thanks to autonomous driving technology, concierge-level assistance, seamless connectivity and a spacious, lounge-like interior. With an estimated range of up to 610 kilometers1, the no- compromise Ariya is perfect for daily commutes and weekend road trips alike. CEO Makoto Uchida and COO Ashwani Gupta unveiled the Ariya to a global audience during a livestreamed event at the new Nissan Pavilion in Yokohama last July 15, 2020. “The Nissan Ariya is a truly beautiful and remarkable car,” Gupta said. “It enables you to go further, easier and in comfort. The Ariya is designed to impress, and to express what Nissan strives for—making our customers’ lives better.” The all-new Nissan Ariya is scheduled to go on sale in Japan in mid-2021. It will be priced at around 5 million yen. The Ariya is planned to go on sale in Europe, North America and China by the end of 2021. Powerful performance for a wide range of needs
Spacious, flat-floor cabin
Advanced design and technology for stress-free driving
The Ariya’s striking looks represent Nissan’s new design language, Timeless Japanese Futurism. It is characterized by a distinctive Japanese approach, conveyed in a simple yet powerfully modern way.
The Ariya is also the most technologically advanced Nissan car to date. Drivers will feel more confident and less stressed thanks to the ProPILOT 2.0 advanced driver assistance system and the ProPILOT remote park and e-Pedal features. Also standard across the Ariya lineup is Nissan’s Safety Shield system. This includes intelligent around view monitor, intelligent forward collision warning, intelligent emergency braking and rear automatic emergency braking technology.
Nissan’s designers took advantage of the car’s new EV platform, which allows for a flat floor, and its compact climate control components to give the Ariya the most spacious cabin in its class. The lounge-like interior, featuring Zero Gravity seats, provides a welcoming and comfortable environment for driver and passengers alike. “The Ariya enhances driving excitement, ensures high levels of comfort and confidence and heightens the joy of connecting,” Gupta said. “It’s more than just a great EV crossover, it’s a great vehicle. It’s a true force of wonder, and it’s coming soon.”
An all-new human-machine interface lets customers use natural speech to adjust car settings. Over-the-air firmware updates keep the Ariya feeling fresh and exciting. The Ariya also includes Amazon’s Alexa to help customer simplify and organize their lives. Specifications (subject to homologation) Japan-market specifications Battery capacity Estimated
Ariya (2WD) 65kWh (nominal) 63kWh (usable)
Ariya (AWD)
90kWh (nominal) 87kWh (usable)
65kWh (nominal) 63kWh (usable)
90kWh (nominal) 87kWh (usable)
Building on Nissan’s strength as an EV pioneer, the Ariya takes the powerful performance and capabilities of zero-emission vehicles to a new level.
Output
160kW
178kW
250kW
290kW
Torque
300Nm
300Nm
560Nm
600Nm
Acceleration (0-100 Km)
7.5sec
7.6sec
5.4sec
5.1sec
Top speed
160kph
160kph
200kph
200kph
The car’s all-electric drivetrain combines excellent power delivery, charging capabilities and range. Customers can choose from multiple configurations to meet their individual needs. These include twowheel-drive and e-4ORCE all-wheel-drive versions, as well as two different battery sizes.
Estimated range Based on WLTC Japan cycle
Up to 450km
Up to 610km
Up to 430km
Up to 580km
The e-4ORCE all-wheel control system balances the powerful performance with all- weather capability. The system’s twin electric motors provide a balanced, predictable ride, with sports car-level power delivered in the blink of an eye.
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Length
4,595mm
Width
1,850mm
Height
1,655mm
Weight (depending on model and equipment)
1,900kg - 2,200kg
Wheelbase Luggage capacity Tire size (front and rear)
2,775mm 466L
408L 235/55R19 225/45R20 (available as an option)
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The 2020 Mazda3 edition100 celebrates design perfection with new trim package
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azda Philippines celebrates the all-new Mazda3’s recognition by the World Car Awards as the 2020 World Car Design of the Year awardee with the introduction of a new trim package that enhances both its design and desirability. The Mazda3 edition100 features colorway and detail enhancements that accentuate the dynamic form of the Mazda3 Sportback Premium, giving it an even more preeminent presence on the road.
The 2020 Mazda3 is Mazda’s first new generation model to realize its more mature Evolved KODO: Soul of Motion design philosophy. It has established a whole new standard for beauty and craftsmanship in its class. For the Mazda3 edition100, original equipment Mazdaspeed body kits have been color-matched with the three key body colors of the Mazda3 Sportback Premium to make a more distinctive and desirable option for the more sophisticated and discerning customer: soul red body kits for the snowflake white pearl and jet black Mazda3 exterior; and gloss black body kits for the soul red crystal exterior. Combined with this new exterior color combination are distinct premium red leather seats and interior trims, further enhancing the appeal of this latest package for the Mazda3. The Mazda3 edition100 is further differentiated by its ck 18-inch wheels and standout red brake calipers, both a nod to the Mazda3’s sporty and dynamic DNA. Finally, a relocated front license plate holder opens the striking front grille of the car, revealing more of the dynamic beauty and vibrant elegance that has made the Mazda3 the 2020 World Car Design of the Year Award winner.
The World Car Design of the Year Award is meant to highlight new vehicles with innovation and style that push established boundaries. The all-new Mazda3 combines an evolution in design and craftsmanship with proven performance and enhanced comfort while raising the bar of safety with its advanced i-Activsense suite of active and passive safety systems.
“For a hundred years now, Mazda has been at the forefront of designing and creating vehicles that arouse the emotions of its owner,” says Steven Tan, president and CEO of Mazda Philippines.
Equipped with Mazda radar cruise control, cruising traffic support, smart brake support for forward and reverse, as well as front and rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, adaptive LED front-lighting system, lane departure warning with lane keep assist and driver attention alert, and driver monitoring systems, the 2020 Mazda3 has earned for itself the Top Safety Pick+ status, the highest safety award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an independent motor vehicle safety testing organization. This is also the tenth straight year that the Mazda3 has been accorded the Top Safety Pick recognition by the IIHS.
“We introduce the Mazda3 edition100 as the first model to celebrate the brand’s unrelenting passion for seamlessly combining stimulating design with groundbreaking engineering. As this year’s World Car Design of the Year winner, the Mazda3 edition100 becomes an even more compelling choice for those who appreciate the exclusivity of distinction.”
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The all-new Mazda3 was also awarded the maximum five-star rating by the Euro New Car Assessment Program (EURO NCAP) in 2019 when it received the highest ever score of 98% for Adult Occupant protection. It likewise performed impressively in the other three Euro NCAP test categories - Child Occupant, Vulnerable Road User (pedestrian safety), and Safety Assist. All these recognitions prove the Mazda3’s superior over-all design and Mazda’s century-long passion and devotion to innovation in manufacturing. The complete Mazda3 edition100 Package adds PHP 100,000 to the PHP 1,510,000 SRP of the 2.0-liter Mazda3 Sportback Premium. Customers may inquire with Mazda sales consultants from Mazda’s 20 dealerships across the nation. They may also visit the social media pages of Mazda Philippines on Facebook and Instagram, as well as its website www.mazda.ph for more details about Mazda Philippines’ latest products and offers.
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Yamaha launches the XSR 155 Yamaha Philippines has just launched the hotly anticipated Neo-Retro-styled XSR 155. Powered b a liquid-cooled, 4-stroke SOHC, single-cylinder 4-valve 155cc fuel-injected engine with Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) mounted in a Deltabox frame, the Sports Heritage XSR 155 brings all the styling of its bigger brothers the XSR 900 and XSR 700. Combining timeless style with modern technology and reliability, the XSR 155 makes for a great commuter, without sacrificing style. Features include a Full LCD digital speedometer designed with an authentic retro style with an easy-to-read panel that includes a transmission indicator. The XSR 155 includes an inverted fork, which gives a modern look, and a great strength and rigidity, along with shock absorption, and great handling. The classic seat design not only offers great aesthetics, it also gives the rider greater flexibility when it comes to seating position. Rounding off the new-retro look is the tank design, which borrows the curves from its larger sibling, the XSR 900. With an outer shell that just invites further customization, and a 14-L capacity, it’s the perfect match for this stunner of a bike. An LED headlight and tail light deliver great low-light performance without sacrificing the overall look of the XSR series. The XSR155 has additional features for a great ride, including a slipper clutch for smoother engine braking, front and rear tires with a versatile tread pattern, and 17-inch wheels. Its intricate design pays true homage to the XSR design philosophy. It is highly customizable, and builders are allowed countless interpretations in which they can express their creativity. Those who don’t want a full rebuild can choose from various bolt-on accessories that can either enhance the standard style or turn it into a Café Racer or Tracer themed ride. The XSR 155 is available in the Yamaha Flagship Shop, the YZONE and Yamaha Rev Zones nationwide with an SRP of PHP162,000 and is available in garage metal and tech black.
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Hyundai SANTA FE: How to spell premium, comfort, and unrattled in seven words Driving and riding comfort are two aspects that are often overlooked when it comes to mobility. Sometimes, it’s just the matter of getting from Point A to Point B while looking formidable at it. But for those who see driving and riding comfort as an investment for their well-being especially in their dynamic lifestyles, Hyundai possesses the premium mid-size SUV that can give you the refinement you seek to stay confident and unrattled during your daily drives: the Hyundai SANTA FE. Style. From its imposing cascading grille with Hyundai’s signature honeycomb pattern, the bold character lines complementing its separated headlight design (high-efficiency LED lights matched with LED daytime running lights), the wheel air curtain and the lateral blocking of the rear spoiler for improved aerodynamics, down to its 19-inch alloy wheels, the Santa Fe is sure to command attention even from afar, minus the noise. Agility & Efficiency. When it comes to performance, the Santa Fe effortlessly gives you a maximum power of 200ps/441Nm from its 2.2L CRDi e-VGT diesel engine that meets the strict Euro 4 emission rating, lessening your carbon footprint for a more sustainable drive. This being a Hyundai, you know it’s got fuel efficiency in its DNA. and when you mate that to an 8-speed automatic transmission? You’re sure to be quicker and more agile on the road without compromising fuel economy. Notable Comfort. The Santa Fe’s premium driving and riding experience comes from within— from its monocoque or unibody structure, to be exact. With its chassis and body frame built together, the Santa Fe’s structure offers greater stability, flexibility and ability to withstand stress without the noise and vibrations that may be more pronounced in ladder-frame vehicles. The result? A calm, composed, and never rattled ride, making the Santa Fe one of the best-sellers in the American and European markets. Technology. Santa Fe drivers are treated to a cockpit full of tech goodies that can make driving safer and more entertaining: the 7-inch floating type radio display with Apple Carplay, Android Auto, aux-in, USB & Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition—which also serves as your surround view monitor, the wireless smartphone charging to make connectivity more convenient, the head-up display (HUD) that provides added safety and ease by projecting vehicle information on your windshield to minimize eye movement while driving, and the automatic power tailgate system with smart sensors that detects your key fob and opens your tailgate for you—no waving of hands or feet needed!
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Accessibility. Step inside the Santa Fe and you’ll be greeted by its generously refined interior. Its 7-seating cabin has comfortable plush leather seats, automatic recline & slide buttons to easily adjust legroom for the 2nd row seats, as well as armrests, air-conditioning controls and 12V socket charging for the 3rd row. And when it comes to easy accessibility, the Santa Fe’s seats can also quickly respond to the smart one-touch walk-in button that automatically slides the 2nd row seats for your passengers’ easy access to the 3rd row, as well as smart one-touch folding switch that can automatically fold the 2nd row seats down to increase your luggage space. Fierce Durability. Apart from the Santa Fe’s unrattled structure, you can also stay worry-free with its durability, because the Santa Fe’s body is made with Hyundai’s Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) which is known to be 10% lighter, but twice as rigid as conventional steel. If the Santa Fe’s younger brother, the Tucson, remained intact from a fallen boulder thanks to its body made with 50% AHSS, then just imagine how durable the Santa Fe could be with its body composed of
68% AHSS! That’s why it’s not surprising that the Santa Fe has received a 5-star safety rating from the European New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP). Enhanced Safety. The Santa Fe may be engineered with a durable structure and a series of smart technology driver features, but its safety doesn’t end there. It also comes with an abundance of safety features that will keep you worry-free, like the 6-airbag system, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), downhill brake control, and electronic parking brake. As for the Santa Fe after your purchase? You wouldn’t have to worry for a long while with its 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty. Note that some features apply only to the Hyundai Santa Fe high-end variant. Those are just some of the many ways to spell out The Santa Fe Difference that’s bound to keep you calm, confident and composed while leading you towards better journeys.
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ositioned to be the top variant of the brand’s top-selling nameplate, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) introduces the Xpander Cross in the Philippine market.
MITSUBISHI MOTORS PH LAUNCHES XPANDER CROSS
The Xpander Cross is a family-friendly 7-seater crossover MPV built with solid SUV styling, comfortable and pleasant drivability, as well as a spacious, practical and versatile interior design. With the popularity and the many awards the Xpander has achieved, the Cross variant further expands the vehicle’s capabilities by adding a rugged sporty style and toughness to the comfortable and versatile 7-seater MPV. “The Xpander is a very important product to MMPC as it fits many of the vehicle requirements of Filipinos. It provides the reliable performance, spacious and comfortable interior, host of safety features and a very bold design. Now with the entry of the Xpander Cross and its added features, we see renewed potential to the already successful Xpander nameplate,” says MMPC president and CEO Mutsuhiro Oshikiri. With the tagline Live Extra, the Xpander Cross encourages Filipino families to break away from the regular work-to-home routine and live life to the fullest. Now with a class-leading high ground clearance of 225mm and enhanced robust design, the Xpander Cross enables its owners to explore more adventurous terrains. Dynamic Exterior Design The Xpander Cross reflects the Mitsubishi Motors DNA through its Dynamic Shield design that projects both dynamism and power. To further exude a sporty SUV image, the Xpander Cross is enhanced with the following: • • • • • •
New front grille and bumper design LED headlights and fog lamps 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels New fender arch and side body molding New rear garnish and LED combination lamps Roof rails
Outstanding Driving Performance The Xpander Cross is engineered with a 1.5L MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control system) gasoline engine DOHC 16-valve that generates reliable power and fuel efficiency. Thanks to high-performance sound absorbing and vibration blocking materials installed in the engine, the Xpander Cross is the most silent model in its class (near 80% articulation index).
cruise control features to lessen fatigue during long drives.
sterling silver metallic, and graphite gray metallic.
Designed with users in mind
The launch campaign of the Xpander Cross features a celebrity family as its brand ambassadors. “The Arellano family is the best representation of a modern and adventurous Filipino family. Despite their hectic schedule, both Drew and Iya are still able to balance a fun and healthy lifestyle. They both excel in their professional careers, are known for their sporty lifestyle and still manage to be amazing parents to their kids,” notes Alvin Dalida, MMPC 1st VP for marketing and sales division.
The 7-seater Xpander Cross has a spacious cabin with versatile seats that can be configured in various positions to accommodate different space or seat requirements. The second and third row seats can be folded flat with no gaps to accommodate large cargo loads. All of these are combined with a luxurious interior design dominated by black with brown accents and dual tone leather seats. The ergonomic dashboard features a white-lit high contrast instrument meter display and a 7-inch touch screen multimedia system with reverse camera.
Now with the class-leading 225mm ground clearance, combined with a special tuned suspension with a rebound spring the Xpander Cross is capable of traversing more challenging terrains without compromising ride comfort.
Traveling with family is even more comfortable with convenient power outlets on all three rows. For loose items, the Xpander Cross also offers ample storage spaces such as seatback pockets, seat under tray, and rear cargo box.
To further enhance driving comfort, the xpander cross is designed with a wide windshield and high seating position that provides good visibility for the driver and is also equipped with
Colors and Price
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The Xpander Cross retails for PHP 1,255,000, and is available in sunrise orange, quartz white pearl,
The Xpander was first launched in the Philippines in 2018. It immediately gained strong traction in the market as it sold 13,494 units during the first year and now has a total of 36,168. Currently the Xpander is the best-selling MPV in its category in the country and it has contributed 30% in the total sales of MMPC. The Xpander also won numerous awards from highly recognized award giving bodies that validates the Xpander is a value for money vehicle. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
Mitsubishi Motors PH unleashes the new Strada Athlete Mitsubishi Motors Philippine Corporation (MMPC) reveals its newest pick-up variant, the Mitsubishi Strada Athlete. The powerful and durable truck now carries a tougher and sportier aesthetic design with its black dynamic shield, black front bumper garnish, 18-inch black alloy wheels, black roof, styling bar and side decal accents that are matched with a luxurious two-tone interior finish. These enhancements provide a bolder and tougher attitude for the Strada nameplate that will appeal very well to pick-up enthusiasts. Mutsuhiro Oshikiri, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation shared, “We are very excited to introduce the Strada Athlete here in the Philippines. It’s robust and sporty design best represents the capabilities of our truck. With 40 years of truck engineering heritage, the Strada has been refined to become a well-balanced road warrior that does not only conquer rough terrains but also provides advance technology, comfort and safety to its driver and passenger.” In line with the Strada Athlete’s tagline—Unleash the Athlete—Mitsubishi Motors Philippines also introduces the current ONE Heavyweight Champion, Brandon Vera, as its brand ambassador. “For us, Brandon Vera best represents the Mitsubishi Strada Athlete as his characteristics reflects the very definition of a true athlete. Apart from being a successful world champion in mixed martial arts, Brandon is considered a role model by many followers of the sport because of his discipline, attitude and dedication to be the best version of himself. Like the Mitsubishi Strada Athlete, the newly enhanced pick up variant of Mitsubishi Motors is designed to contend with the very best trucks available in the market. The Strada Athlete has an exterior design that exudes commanding presence and is equipped with features that are geared to provide overwhelming power, utmost comfort, safety and reliable overall performance—making the Strada Athlete a versatile champion,” says Mark Parulan, MMPC’s brand communications department head. Power and versatility The Mitsubishi Strada Athlete is equipped with a 2.4L MIVEC Turbo Clean Diesel engine that produces 181ps and 430Nm of torque. It is matched with a six-speed automatic transmission with Super Select 4WD II system—on the 4x4 variant—that allows you to shift to 4 driving modes on the fly. Premium tough The Strada Athlete flaunts a two-tone black and orange leather with orange stitching accents in its seats, gear shift panel and floor center console that further exude the sporty look and feel inside.
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Strada Athlete with Brandon Vera
With the passengers’ comfort in mind, the cabin carries a clever J-line design to maximize interior space—giving the second row a better legroom. In addition to all these, the Strada Athlete is also equipped with 8-way power-adjust driver seat and cruise control to help lessen driver fatigue during long drives. Peace of mind is a priority The Strada Athlete is not just about brute strength and durability. It is also built to prioritize the safety of its driver and passengers. The engineers of Mitsubishi Motors ensured to equip the following safety features to provide peace of mind while traversing various driving and road conditions: forward collision mitigation (FCM), blind spot warning with lane change assist (BSW with LCA), rear cross traffic alert (RCTA), ultrasonic
misacceleration mitigation system (UMS), Mitsubishi active stability and traction control (M-ASTC), trailer stability assist, hill descent control, hill start assist, multi around monitor with guiding and expected course line, auto high beam, and reinforced impact safety evolution (RISE) body. Price, colors, and availability The Strada Athlete 4x2 version carries a PHP 1,443,000 price tag, while the Strada Athlete 4x4 costs PHP 1,760,000. Three color options are available: sunflare orange pearl (exclusive to the Athlete variant), white diamond, and graphite gray metallic. Both variants are now offered in all Mitsubishi Motors showrooms nationwide. To know more, visit the Mitsubishi Strada microsite at www.newstrada.mmpc.ph
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Jaguar, Range Rover electric vehicles coming to PH
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ll British Cars, the exclusive Philippine of Jaguar and Land Rover cars, has announced the arrival of new electric vehicles in the country.
Jaguar I-PACE The Jaguar I-PACE is an all-electric five-seater smart sports car, that is able to deliver power unmatched by conventional vehicles. Able to deliver 97% of electric power at the wheels (versus only 70-75% from cars with engines and gearboxes), the I-PACE produces 400ps of power and 696Nm of torque, capable of accelerating from 0-100kph in just 4.8 seconds—all without noxious emissions. As in the best handling sports cars, I-PACE keeps its weight between the wheels with the battery sitting low between the axles, allowing a near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution. Two electric motors deliver power to where maximum grip is available among all four wheels. The body, made from alloy and steel, was fashioned to maximize strength and safety without compromise on weight. It was designed to maintain downforce as the vehicle increases speed. Powering the I-PACE is a 90kW lithium-ion highvoltage battery. Charging from zero to full would take 12 hours and 48 minutes using the bundled 7kW charger, ideal for home charging. It is covered with an eight-year, 160,000-kilometer, 70 percent health state warranty. I-PACE is also capable of regenerative braking which allows it to harness energy during deceleration. For convenience, users can leave the charger plugged and can set when the I-PACE will charge. The I-PACE can pre-condition the battery and cabin temperature prior to planned departure. The thermal management system ensures the battery is optimized for the journey. It can also update its software over the air, ensuring users to always have the latest version of telematics and battery energy control software. The I-PACE units coming to Manila will be future-proof and will be equipped with the latest upgrades. It will sport an 11kW onboard charger to allow faster charging in the future and the new Pivi Pro infotainment system, which is created to be as intuitive and easy to use as 46
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a smartphone. Additionally, it also comes with a Type 2 Plug 7kW wall charger, for which installation costs will vary per household. The Jaguar I-PACE has a PHP 7,590,000 sticker price. Range Rover PHEV and Range Rover Sport PHEV Meanwhile, the Land Rover brand is bringing in two new additions to its refined all-terrain SUVs, the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles. Both are equipped with a 2.0-liter Ingenium turbocharged petrol engine complemented by an 85kW electric motor. Together, the Ingenium engine and electric motor are capable of 0-100kph acceleration in 6.7 and 6.8 seconds respectively, both with a top speed of 220kph. Drivers of our PHEV models can choose from two driving modes: [1] Parallel Hybrid mode (default driving mode) – combines petrol and electric drive. The driver can optimise battery charge or fuel economy by utilising one of two charge management functions: • SAVE function – prevents the battery charge dropping below a pre-selected level. • Predictive Energy Optimisation (PEO) function – entering a destination in the • navigation system enables this feature which uses inbuilt GPS altitude data for the selected route, to intelligently combine the electric motor and petrol engine to maximize fuel economy. [2] EV (Electric Vehicle) mode – enables the vehicle to run solely on the electric motor using the energy stored in the battery, the ideal solution for quiet, zero-emission journeys. With their hybrid powertrain, the Range Rover PHEV and Range Rover Sport PHEV produce only
64g/km of CO2 emissions and reach 2.8L/100km fuel economy on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). In Parallel Hybrid Mode, both plug-in hybrid models can reach up to 700 kilometers. In EV mode, it provides an all-electric range of up to 50km without the Ingenium petrol engine running. This range allows users to make short electric-only trips within Metro Manila with the luxury of near-silent driving. The hybrid powertrain offers exceptional power of 404ps and instantaneous torque of 640Nm. The Range Rover PHEV and Range Rover PHEV have a 13kWH high-voltage lithium-ion battery that can be charged from zero to full in 2 hours and 45 minutes. It is covered with an eight-year, 160,000 kilometer, 70 percent health state . Both models are capable of regenerative braking, harnessing the energy during deceleration. The Range Rover PHEV is available in Vogue standard wheelbase at PHP 11,990,000 and Autobiography long wheelbase at PHP 15,190,000. The Range Rover Sport is priced at PHP 9,490,000. Each comes with a Type 2 Plug 7kWh wall charger, although installation costs are not included and may vary per household. BGC Boutique Showroom All British Cars is also expanding with their Jaguar Land Rover BGC Boutique Showroom. The second showroom follows the global Jaguar Land Rover ARCH retail design standard which was designed to excite customers and create memorable experiences while remaining customer-centric. It is located at 5th Avenue cor. 24th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Clients may set an appointment before visiting the showroom or book a virtual appointment now by contacting (02) 8784 5003 or +63 919 068 2798 so representatives could introduce the new electric vehicle line up while they are at home. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
The all-new Ford Territory will redefine the SUV segment in PH T
he Ford-engineered and designed all-new Ford Territory, Ford Philippines’ latest SUV offering that will launch in the country in August 2020, is set to redefine the SUV segment in the market as a spacious, featurepacked, and competitively-priced SUV with the Ford DNA at its core.
Designed to empower the modern Filipino on the road, the all-new Ford Territory combines a stylish sleek look, impressive performance, compact size, spacious interior, and smart and safe technologies that will offer an upgraded driving experience to value-seeking young professionals and starting families. With dimensions of 4.6m in length, 1.9m in width, and 1.7m in height, the all-new Ford Territory is powered by a 1.5L EcoBoost engine mated to a CVT transmission for refinement and fuel efficiency. With this powertrain, customers can enjoy lower service maintenance costs with a once-a-year scheduled service interval instead of twice a year. Available in Titanium and Trend variants, the 5-seater SUV will be equipped with driver-assist technologies such as 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control, active park assist with parallel and segment-first perpendicular parking function, leather power adjust seats with cooling function, and an in-vehicle infotainment system with 10-inch touch screen with multi-view function and wireless charging. The all-new Ford Territory also comes with panoramic moonroof and 18-inch alloy wheels. “With the Ford DNA ingrained in its design, quality, and capability, the all-new Ford Territory is designed and engineered following Ford’s highest global quality standards to deliver an all-in-one SUV package that will deliver great value to Filipino customers looking for a stylish, spacious and technologically-advanced SUV,” says PK Umashankar, managing director, Ford Philippines. Ford Philippines is the first market in the company’s International Market Group (IMG) composed of nearly 100 markets around the world to offer the all-new Ford Territory, which will reinforce Ford’s presence in the small and mini-SUV segments in the country. Customers can sign up for exclusive updates and product details on the all-new Ford Territory by visiting www.ford.com.ph/kmipage/
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The new Toyota Vios has leveled-up looks and features
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eading car manufacturer Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has officially unveiled the 2020 update of its best-selling, locally made passenger car – the Toyota Vios.
Introduced in an online launch program witnessed by thousands of viewers nationwide, the New Vios is expected to continue its streak as the Philippines top-selling car, a record it has held for over a decade. The New Vios lineup boasts improvements on its looks and features across 9 available variants: G CVT, G MT, E CVT, E MT, XLE CVT, XLE MT, XE CVT, J MT, and J Base MT. The New Vios gets an eye-catching upgrade ot its exterior with the glossy black front grille, further accentuated by the 3-tier LED headlights and daytime running lights for G variants. G, E, and XLE variants also get LED foglamps. G variants have 16-inch alloy wheels and LED rear combination lamps with line guide for a sleek and sporty look from the front, to the side, and the back. From getting in the car and to the destination, the New Vios makes the drive experience fun and convenient. Access is quick and easy with the smart entry feature and push start button for G variants. Get more control as you drive with the paddle shifters and eco/sport drive modes for the G CVT variant. Ensuring that each trip is safe, the New Vios gives the driver and passengers peace of mind as all variants come with SRS airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake distribution + brake assist, vehicle stability control and hill-start assist control. Back camera is available for G variants, and customers may choose from 3 or 7 SRS airbags for certain variants. The 2020 model features a low and wide stance, sporting a refreshed look while maintaining its reasonable price point. The Vios Advantage With all the improvements in features, technologies, and overall driving and riding experience, the New Vios remains to be a practical and smart choice for individuals looking for a reliable daily driver that’s easy to own, use, and maintain, or business owners looking to invest in long-lasting vehicles suited for local conditions.
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Variant
SRP
Color
1,071,000
white pearl
1,056,000
super red v | grayish blue mica metallic | alumina jade metallic | black
1,012,000
white pearl
G CVT
G MT
997,000
E CVT
891,000
E MT
841,000
XLE CVT
841,000
XLE MT
791,000
XE CVT (7AB)
753,000
XE CVT
747,000
J MT (7AB)
707,000
J MT
697,000
Base MT (7AB)
681,000
Base MT
671,000
super red v | grayish blue mica metallic | alumina jade metallic | black thermalyte red mica metallic blackish red mica grayish blue metallic alumina jade metallic black
freedom white thermalyte red mica metallic alumina jade metallic freedom white thermalyte
Carrying the core Toyota benefits that customers get from their Toyota vehicles, the New Vios comes with offers that provide great value and make ownership more fulfilling.
Customers may also inquire and request quotation online through the virtual showroom accessible anytime anywhere via https://toyota.com.ph/vios.
Buyers of the New Vios can enjoy free periodic maintenance package up to 20,000 KMs, 5-year warranty, and one year comprehensive insurance. Loyal customers may also take advantage of trade-in discounts, while both current car owners and first-time buyers can choose from flexible financing deals.
For more information, visit TMP’s official website at www.toyota.com.ph and follow the official social media accounts and online communities at ToyotaMotorPhilippines (Facebook and Instagram), @ToyotaMotorPH (Twitter), and Toyota PH (Viber).
The New Vios will also be made available through the recently introduced car-leasing program, Kinto One.
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Now open: The new home of Mercedes-Benz in BGC is a lighthouse project of Daimler in SEA On July 1, 2020, Mercedes-Benz Philippines through its partner dealer CATS Motors Inc. officially opened its first state-of-the-art MAR2020 showroom in the country located in Bonifacio Global City, a lighthouse project of Daimler in Southeast Asia. It is not just a new dealership but a new concept for Mercedes-Benz Brand Experience. MAR2020 stands for ‘Markenauftritt Retail’ which translates to ‘Brand Appearance Retail’. The new brand experience in Mercedes-Benz has evolved in many ways to bring enhancement of customer experience and customer satisfaction. New showroom architecture MAR2020 brings a new concept and new visual identity. The 554sqm state-of-the-art facility boasts a new contemporary architecture both outdoors and indoors, with an exterior that sports a modern design and a shift to digital. Authentic luxury can be seen and felt inside the showroom. The ingenious lighting design not only emphasizes the vehicle in its technical and creative brilliance, but also provides an atmosphere of excitement, elegance and peace. For this reason, a welcoming warmly lit atmosphere is deliberately provided in areas where customers spend more time in. The interior environment is more relaxing and engaging, giving the warmth and comfort of a business class lounge. A bar area is made available for a more casual and convenient discussion. In addition, getting access to the cars, opening doors, and seeing the vehicles in all its full glory is much more comfortable and enjoyable. Combination of the best traditional and modern culture Mercedes-Benz redefines the roles between the real and digital world and is bringing together the benefits of both worlds. One main highlight is the integration of digital and analogue forms of communications. The new facility is equipped with modern technology that allows integration at the point of sale, and digital assets like LED screens that communicate relevant content thoughtfully and clearly, conveying information in an entertaining matter. And through the combination of personal contact and digital elements, the point of Sales becomes a point of experience. Visitors will be able to experience the brand interactively using digital touch tables to configure the car they want. Product presentations and visualizations can also be displayed to LED screens in Star walls. A team of Product Experts is present to address questions about the technical aspects and provides practical advice on how to make full use of vehicle’s features, from connectivity services up to driving assistance systems. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
Supported with media platforms, the new Star Showroom provides a venue where customers and interested parties experience Mercedes-Benz virtually and in reality. This reflects the design idiom of genuine modern luxury and makes it more intensively experienceable in retail.
interior of a brand-new Mercedes-Benz, the gloss of pristine paintworks and the exploration of features and innovations. The new Star showroom has a hand-over area that completes a great vehicle handover experience.
New reception situation and handover experience
The introduction of the new BGC Showroom with MAR2020 standards marks a big change in how Mercedes-Benz approaches retail across the globe. It also demonstrates a big commitment affirming the leading position of Mercedes-Benz among luxury car brands in the Philippines.
The new brand architecture is experienceable even when entering the showroom. The customer receives a comprehensive care and the presence of Star Assistant as a host and the “first face” of the brand ensures a very welcoming atmosphere at reception. The experience is centered around the needs of a customer, from viewing the vehicles, to experiencing its features, everything has been tailored to be easier and more convenient. Everything can be done digitally to serve the new breed of customers. With technology transforming the way you learn about the car, to the actual buying and payment. Buying a new car is an exciting process. There is nothing like the unique smell of the luxurious
It is located at the corner of 5th Avenue and 24th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig with easy access to main roads. The new MercedesBenz BGC will serve as a focal point of interest for all Mercedes-Benz customers in the central National Capital Region and neighboring cities. Lastly, Mercedes-Benz remains committed to safeguard the health and welfare of its clients, employees and guests who visit to any of its facilities. All offices, showrooms and service centres uphold the highest standards of health protocols and safety measures. JULY 2020
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TPLEX project complete with opening of Rosario, La Union segment San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) formally opened the final section of the 89.21-km Tarlac Pangasinan La Union Expressway (TPLEX), completing the four-lane toll road project that will hasten travel to and from Northern Luzon provinces, and help significantly boost economic activity in the region, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The opening of the final 11-kilometer segment of the TPLEX, which will further reduce travel time from Tarlac to Rosario to just one hour from threeand-a-half hours, and Metro Manila-to-Baguio from six hours to just three-and-a-half hours, was led by SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang and the DPWH. The historic event was also witnessed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Finance Secretary Carlos “Sonny” Dominguez III, Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, National Task Force Against Covid-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez, National Action Plan Against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Secretary Vince Dizon, Congressman Ramon Guico, Congresswoman Sandra Eriguel, Governor Pacoy Ortega III, and Governor Amado Espino III. “In the face of a global pandemic that has also greatly affected our economy and the livelihoods of many Filipinos, we at San Miguel Corporation remain committed to continuing our investments in growth-generating and job-creating projects that will help build the resilience of our people,” said Ramon S. Ang, president of SMC, parent company of SMC Infrastructure which built and operates the TPLEX. “Because of the political will of President Rodrigo Duterte, the hard work and follow-through of DPWH secretary Mark Villar, and of the support of government’s entire economic team, we were able to complete this major project that will benefit so many regions in Luzon,” Ang added. Ang said that the completion of TPLEX, along with its commitment to continue investments on major infrastructure projects, are SMC’s contribution to the efforts of the government’s economic team, led by Secretary Dominguez, to boost the economy. “The economy ground to a halt because of the pandemic, and among the most affected were our farmers as well as small businesses such as restaurants, hotels, stores, that also rely on tourism. By not scaling back on investments in infrastructure, we will be able to create more jobs, keep the flow of goods and services moving, and pave the way for more local tourism for the long-term,” he added. Meanwhile, Villar also thanked SMC for delivering on its commitment to complete the TPLEX and 50
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said the expressway would be vital to bringing tourism and trade back to Central and Northern Luzon. “We may be opening this last section of the TPLEX during a time of national crisis, but this symbolizes our hope for a better future ahead. This engineering marvel showcases the capability and talent of Filipinos, and demonstrates how we can all work together to achieve something great for the common good,” Villar said. “Our recovery as a nation cannot wait. We have to start now, and I would like to assure the public that President Duterte, along with the entire Build Build Build team, continue to work with utmost urgency on these projects, which I hope will form the foundation of a new phase of growth for our country,” Villar added. In total, the TPLEX now has ten interchanges and 11 toll plazas, namely: Tarlac City, Victoria, Pura, Ramos, Anao, in Tarlac; Carmen, Urdaneta, Binalonan, Pozorrubio, Sison in Pangasinan, and Rosario, La Union. The Sison, Pangasinan exit was added to the original alignment to help locals, and is currently being completed. Earlier, SMC also received original proponent status for its proposal to extend the TPLEX from Rosario, La Union to San Juan, La Union, whose beaches have become a hot spot for local tourism. The proposed four-lane extension project will cover some 59 kilometers. “Our next goal now is to extend TPLEX all the way to San Juan. We look forward to the continued support of our national and local governments for this project, which will bring even more growth to the region,” Ang said.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March, SMC, under Ang, has been at the forefront of private sector efforts to help mitigate the crisis’ impact on the public and the medical sector. It has spent over PHP 13 billion on various efforts to help boost government response, provide life-saving medical equipment and supplies to front liners, and donate food and disinfectant alcohol to disadvantaged communities. Ang said that contributions towards the recovery of the economy, which include initiatives to boost public health capacity and workplace health safety; support the agriculture sector and boost infrastructure, are among SMC’s priorities in the coming months. Aside from the Pozzurubio-Rosario TPLEX section, the completion of a new unit of Masinloc Power Plant, Skyway 3, Skyway Extension, Skyway 4, and MRT-7 are also in the pipeline. SMC has also said it is pushing through with its plan to build the PHP 735-billion Manila International Airport (MIA) project in Bulakan, Bulacan. The massive development is expected to solve perennial congestion problems at the NAIA, increase the country’s competitiveness as a tourist and investment destination, and produce over a million direct and indirect jobs throughout Bulacan, neighboring Luzon provinces, and nationwide. SMC has also committed to complete its ongoing capacity expansion program for its food and beverage businesses, which will further create more jobs in various regions nationwide. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
Book your P2P bus with Toyota SWATRide As part of its shift to move beyond being just a car manufacturer, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation has created a New Mobility Business Division headed by Maria Cristina Fe Arevalo. As one of its initiatives, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) announced that it will be providing a free booking service application, SWATRide, for point-to-point (P2P) buses plying the UP Town Center – Glorietta 3 route from July 20, 2020 to October 20, 2020. With the gradual resumption of public transportation in Metro Manila, TMP expands its efforts to improve the commuting experience of Filipinos, especially as they transition and fully integrate into the “new normal.” SWATRide allows a convenient booking experience, as passengers can view seat availability and directly book their trip with preferred seats in advance. Likewise, this mobility solution enables precautionary controls that help both the public and the government in controlling the spread of COVID-19. SWATRide is readily available for download from the App Store, Google Play, and Huawei App Gallery.
In consultation with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), TMP aims to support government’s efforts in providing reliable, convenient and safe transportation for the commuting public, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Likewise, TMP worked with Delta Neo Solutions, the transport service operator of P2P buses of the identified high-ridership route, to seamlessly integrate SWATRide in the passengers’ experience. All project partners have committed to ensure that the P2P buses will be well-sanitized and
made compliant to safety and health guidelines mandated by the Government. With three bus units running at 50% of regular capacity in observance of physical distancing protocols, over 300 passengers are expected to be served daily. In May, TMP and Toyota Mobility Foundation started providing 10 free shuttles equipped with SWATRide booking service for use of around 200 healthcare workers of the Philippine General Hospital daily under the DOTr’s Free Ride for Health Workers Program.
SEAOIL protects frontliner staff with personal protective kits As part of their #FuelPHtoRecovery campaign, SEAOIL Philippines assures customers that it is safe to gas up at their outlets as it has taken active steps to protect station personnel from the coronavirus disease. The company has embarked on a campaign to help customers and staff remain always safe, prioritizing safety at every step. As early as the beginning of the enhanced community quarantine period, personnel in all SEAOIL outlets have been given alcohol, liquid soap and gloves for their personal use. They also received vitamins to boost their immunity. Face masks designed and produced by Rags2Riches, a social enterprise dedicated to eco-ethical fashion, were distributed to outlets across the country. SEAOIL’s decision to partner with Rags2Riches is their way of helping boost the local economy and providing livelihood to the brand’s artisans. Each staff member was also provided with a face shield designed by top car customizer, Atoy Llave, who perfected the mold to ensure that the shield is comfortable to wear, even for an extended period of time. Additionally, SEAOIL also offers contactless payments to minimize physical contact between staff and customers. Paymaya, G-Cash and PriceLOCQ are available as totally contactless www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
options. For those paying using credit card or cash, customers can place their payments in trays. For cash payments, SEAOIL is encouraging customers to pay the exact amount to reduce contact.
“As we move forward with this new normal, we are making sure that our frontliners are protected and our customers safe when they gas up at SEAOIL,“ said CEO Glenn Yu in a statement. JULY 2020
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Suzuki will deliver a test unit straight to your doorstep When purchasing a vehicle, one must be able to take the car for a test drive just to check if the chosen car model is what they’ve been looking for, ticking all the boxes on that dream car checklist. At the moment, although dealerships have opened, safety and health precautions are still highly encouraged. Suzuki Philippines (SPH), the pioneer compactcar distributor in the country, rolls out the Shall We Home Test Drive program to give customers a chance to experience their vehicles without having to go out of their own homes. Now test drives are as easy as going online https://auto.suzuki.com.ph/testdrive to book, and wait for the car to arrive! With the Shall We Home Test Drive, customers can now take their Suzuki vehicle of choice on the road to determine how well it fits their lifestyle and daily needs. The choices include Suzuki favorites such as the Ertiga, Swift, Dzire,
Ciaz, Celerio and APV. Curious and interested in experiencing the new vehicles Suzuki has to offer? the all-new XL7, all-new S-Presso, the new Vitara, and Jimny are available for test drives too. For those running online shops and delivery services, the all-new Carry might just be the vehicle to for a growing business. Just recently, SPH launched their S.M.A.R.T. guidelines to be implemented at all Suzuki dealerships nationwide, to remind employees and customers to Sanitize Thoroughly, Maintain Safe Distancing, Adhere Strictly, Reach People Online, and to Think Positive. These guidelines will also be followed for the Shall We Home Test Drive. All test drive vehicles are disinfected and properly sanitized. During the actual test drive, only one person will be allowed in the vehicle together with the Sales Executive seated at the back row of the car to maintain a safe distance from each other.
Rico Blanco and Gretchen Ho are the new faces of Geely PH Sojitz G Auto Philippines (SGAP), the local distributor of Geely, has chosen singer/songwriter Rico Blanco and TV host/news personality Gretchen Ho as its brand ambassadors. In a Zoom meeting with SGAP officials, Blanco and Ho expressed their excitement about showcasing Geely’s quality vehicles. “I think everyone agrees that the Coolray is a great car. It’s just that people are not brave enough to try it out and I think that’s our job now,” Blanco said. “I can’t wait to spread the word about it. And just like Rico, I go for the new things. I go for something different and unconventional… striking. I think that Geely has a promising future here in the Philippines,” Ho added. Rico Blanco takes pride in being one of the first customers who took notice and believed in the Geely brand prior to becoming its endorser. He said, “I feel that this partnership is really meant to be, because I found the brand when I was actually looking for a vehicle and it was in the middle of about a 3-month search. At the last minute, I found Geely and I did my research.” The singer/ songwriter recounted how he instantly knew that Geely was the brand for him. “I needed a car that was nimble and small but powerful. So, when the Coolray was brought to me, I stepped on the pedal once, and I said this is it. I didn’t even go the full throttle, it was just the first tap on the pedal and I decided right then and there it was the car.”
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Blanco reiterated that it was his personal journey as a Geely vehicle owner that made him trust the brand. “It was really the experience. Apart from it looked great. The specs are killer. Like there’s nothing in its price range that has this speed, the appointments inside, and the leather.” As a new kid on the block, Geely has been gaining good market reception. Based on the first quarter reports published by CAMPI and AVID
this year, Geely ranks 3rd among the B-segment SUVs. SGAP wants to continue with this trend by concentrating on gaining more people’s trust through its quality products, services, and credible partners. As a Geely brand ambassador, Ho notes, “I’m a woman in action. To be honest, I can’t wait to convince people to buy cars. I’m excited to take it around. I’ve been planning already where to go.”
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PayMaya and beep team up to provide safer, contactless commute for all Digital financial services leader PayMaya Philippines partners with beep™ to provide commuters a safer way to load up their beep cards. Commuters can enjoy a safe and contactless commute by simply purchasing their beep load packages on the PayMaya app. With this load up method, there is no longer a need for face-to-face interactions with the teller, nor an exchange of cash, which can contribute to the further spread of the virus. PayMaya users can choose among three beep load packages on their PayMaya app: P100, P250, and P500 with an additional P5 convenience fee. To buy a load package on PayMaya, simply follow these easy steps: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Tap treats on the app homepage Select a beep card load package Input your beep card number, then tap continue Wait for a purchase confirmation in-app and via SMS Head over to a beep e-load station and tap your card to receive the load package.
Once the beep card is loaded, it can already be used on LRT 1, LRT 2, MRT 3, as well as in Point-toPoint (P2P) and Metro Manila city buses. There’s also a growing number of modern PUVs, among other transportation modes, that accept beep cards as a payment method. AF Payments head of business development Sharon Fong said, “We recognize the challenges and health risks that the daily Filipino commuter faces during the pandemic. We want to help mitigate those health risks by promoting contactless commuting. So instead of paying for your fare with cash that gets passed around by different people, you just tap your beep card. Loading your card is also safer and more convenient when you use cashless options, such as PayMaya.” “As the country reopens, more Filipinos are starting to go back to work and use public transportation. At PayMaya, we’re committed to making cashless options widely available in the transportation sector in order to promote a safer and more convenient commute for the public. Our partnership with beep™ is just one of the many steps we are taking to achieve this goal,” said Shailesh Baidwan, PayMaya president. Apart from PayMaya, commuters can also reload their beep cards through select Smart Padala agents in their neighborhood for a quick and convenient transaction. All they have to do is follow these simple steps:
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1. 2. 3. 4.
Go to your trusted Smart Padala agent and ask if beep load packages are available. Give the beep card account number and load amount. You can load P100, P250, and P500. Pay for the load amount with the additional P10 service fee. Head over to a beep e-load station and tap your card to receive the purchased load.
PayMaya has previously announced its support to the directive released by the Department of Transportation(DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) mandating the use of contactless payments in public utility vehicles as part of the measures in what is dubbed as the “new normal.” In June, it entered into an agreement with the ride-hailing app hirna and its partner taxi drivers to be able to accept cashless payments from its customers via PayMaya QR. PayMaya has also previously equipped taxi operators in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Baguio with contactless payments, and enabled the first digital bus ticketing system with the Araneta Bus Port for
cashless payments through credit and debit cards as well as via PayMaya QR. PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines with platforms and services that cut across consumers, merchants, and government. Aside from providing payments acceptance for the largest e-commerce, food, retail, and gas merchants in the Philippines, PayMaya enables national and social services agencies as well as local government units with digital payments and disbursement services. Through its app and wallet, PayMaya provides millions of Filipinos with the fastest way to own a financial account with over 40,000 Add Money touchpoints nationwide, more than double the total number of traditional bank branches in the Philippines combined. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 30,000 partner touchpoints nationwide serves as last mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved with access to services. To know more about PayMaya’s products and services, visit www.PayMaya.com or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
JULY 2020
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FEATURE
FEU Tech launches inclusive mastery e-Learning platform for the unconnected
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ith the COVID-19 pandemic forcing the Filipino government to place parts of the country under varying degrees of quarantine, everyday life has been disrupted like never before. Schools are particularly affected, having been forced to temporarily shut down as a precaution against further waves of infection, resulting in an unprecedented number of students having to take classes online.
The adjustment certainly presents many challenges, and this is why the FEU Institute of Technology (FEU Tech) is proud to announce it will be breaking the traditional formula of education by releasing a digital learning system called the Mastery-based Individualized Learning Enhancement System, or MILES for short. The pioneering system is expected to be available not only at FEU Tech, but also the Alabang and Diliman campuses by August 2020. Through the online course management platform CANVAS, MILES will create a user-friendly interface to deliver well-designed content that is geared towards personalized learning. MILES is the first of its kind not only in the Philippines, but in the rest of the world. Yet what truly sets MILES apart from other remote learning solutions is that it truly takes every student’s personal situation into account. “We
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can’t take for granted that every student has access to a stable Internet connection,” said Rolan ‘Marco’ Garcia, director of innovation and entrepreneurship at FEU Tech. Garcia refers to the fact that despite the Philippines registering as having some of the heaviest Internet usage in the world, the country still has abysmally slow Internet speeds. In 2019, the country’s fixed internet download speed ranked 16th slowest among 87 countries. According to FEU Tech senior executive director Dr. Benson Tan, this reality is what has spurred FEU Tech to design an unparalleled solution that keeps even the unconnected in mind. “We certainly don’t want them to be left behind,” he explains. “So that is why MILES offers different learning options that cater to students with different situations.”
For example, the Fully Online option is mainly for students with good, stable online connections and computer devices. Distribution of learning activities, materials, faculty consultations, and mentoring would be 100% online and asynchronous. The Blended Online option is available for students who have minimal internet access. Here, learning materials will come in the form of both printed materials and flash-drives filled with video lectures, learning activities, and other materials. These will be sent via a courier for a nominal fee. Though it will only be available once the government allows the resumption of physical classes, there’s even a Blended Face-to-Face option that balances asynchronous learning with on-campus interactions. Classes and lab courses that require personal interaction will fall under this option, but all faculty consultations and
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exams will be online. “This option is best for students who really want elements of the face-toface environment,” Garcia explained. With remote learning looking to be the only viable approach for schools in the foreseeable future, FEU Tech’s MILES program presents a groundbreaking new solution that is inclusive and easy to understand. Not only that, but parents and students who choose to avail of the MILES program will have further peace of mind given the wealth of experience FEU has behind it when it comes to innovation. Although the first of its kind in the world, the MILES program is not FEU Tech, Alabang nor Diliman’s first foray into utilizing technology to give students a better education. At all schools, for example, students are given access to computer labs that take their individual needs into consideration—whether they are an IT major, multimedia arts major, and so on. Furthermore, all these schools offer opportunities especially designed to give students a leg up in a rapidly digitizing world. From blended courses that allow students to study both business and Information Tech and even offering certification programs courtesy of tech titans like Cisco and Microsoft, the schools have always aimed to stay inclusive, relevant, and competitive—something that they intend to continue even in the face of this unprecedented crisis. Both FEU Tech’s senior director for administration Jarvis Muyargas and senior director for computer studies Rossana Adao agree, of course, that the transition into such a unique solution certainly comes with its own set of challenges on their end. “For one, nobody really expected the pandemic to come about. It’s a complete 180-degree turn, to suddenly live with the realization that classroom learning as we know it may not come back for a while,” explained Adao. “There were a lot of meetings and deliberations that had to happen before FEU Tech decided to roll out MILES.” Yet Muyargas also adds that all the effort is definitely worth it. “We believe that the ongoing crisis doesn’t have to mean learning and mastery have to stop. With MILES, we can ensure that no student will be left behind,” concluded Muyargas.
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JULY 2020
55
VISUAL SPACE
Behind-the-scenes Words by Ren Alcantara
We recently started a new project here at Gadgets, and a few of you might already have seen it. Twice weekly, we upload a newscast-style video online, covering some of the interesting and important news developments in the industries we focus on. It was a decision brought about in part by the growing accessibility of video, and as a nice way to make better use of our time under quarantine. While videos in the vein of Gadgets TV are difficult enough with the correct resources and no quarantine,l but recording from home, with no real professional gear made the endeavor a little more challenging. As with most of the things we do here at Gadgets, we used our technology to make it all happen. In this month’s Visual Space, we’ll take you through how we make our GadgetsTV newscasts happen.
The Material There’s no real shortage of material to make the newscast. With our partners in the industry starting to figure out how to adjust to the conditions brought about by the lockdown, more and more developments happen as the weeks roll by. We check for the most interesting and relevant bits of news, and put them together in a template that we have for use as a script and guide for out video editors.
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The SETUP This is where I personally had to get a little creative. My wife and I currently stay in a one-bedroom condo, so I had to look around for a space that would be suitable for recording a newscast. Fortunately, the side of our home that is connected to the balcony is covered by a large, plain curtain, so that served well. The nearby coffee table, which conveniently rises to the necessary height, serves as the desk, and the living room lighting serves to even things out. I did have to make LED panels to serve as fill lighting, and find a place to set them for the correct effect.
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The Hardware
The Software
I have never really been too much into photography, so to shoot the video for the newscast, I rely solely on my mobile phone. Shooting at full HD and 60FPS is plenty for uploading online, and produces a file that’s a manageable size to upload to drive. The smaller size also makes it easier for our off-site video editors to download, hastening the process. To mount the camera, I purchased a clamp that holds the phone securely, and allows me to connect a tripod mounting plate thanks to a ¼-inch threaded hole at the bottom. This then mounts onto my wife’s tripod, which I can then extend to get the framing just right.
Since memorizing walls of text just isn’t my thing, particularly since I’m on a weekly recording schedule, I rely on a teleprompter. I don’t really have anything fancy for that, just my iPad pro, and Promptsmart, a teleprompter app that listens to you speak and scrolls the script along to keep pace. It’s not perfect, and sometimes fails to pick up what I’m saying, but it’s still the simplest solution. The app also allows you to record from the iPad’s on camera, simplifying the process, if front camera quality is all you need.
Audio is handled by a lavalier microphone that connects to a 3.5mm-USB C adapter for my phone, which saves us the trouble of having to sync the audio and video in post. Before the lav mic was an option, I actually relied on recording audio with an action camera and external microphone. It's inelegant, but it works in a pinch, and is something worth considering if you have no other option. With audio and video out of the way, I had to make sure the lighting was even, to give our home a more studio-like feel. I am reasonably handy with a soldering iron, and with a quick trip to Lazada, ordered a number of LED light strips, and other essential hardware to make some light panels. Once those arrived, it was a simple matter of wiring everything up to some old plastic panels I had lying around, providing power, and placing it where the light bounces evenly. The effect is very even, and provides a much more polished look to what would otherwise look like a plain home video. If you don’t have light panels, pick a nice spot with diffused sunlight, and that should do quite well.
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On the side of our editors, they use Adobe Premiere, and are able to add music, title cards, transitions, and other additional material in about a day, allowing us to release the episodes twice a week, without too much trouble.
While we’re not sure a whole lot of our readers will be looking to make a newscast in the near future, this isn’t a bad example of how you can start recording videos at home. You don’t really need a lot of equipment, just a nice spot, some sun, and something to show the world.
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GAMING
A mini semi-fireside with Hearthstone developers: An interview about Hearthstone’s Demon Hunter class, Battlegrounds, and some future plans Words by Gabriel Pe
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lizzard’s Hearthstone development team has been on a roll lately, launching the newest expansion Ashes of Outlands as well as a new Hero class, the Demon Hunter, in the same expansion. Now the team is preparing to launch the newest expansion of the digital card game. Recently, Gadgets Magazine had the opportunity to interview (via email) two of the developers from Blizzard’s highly successful card game. Chadd Nervig, a senior game designer for Hearthstone and Liv Breeden, game designer for Hearthstone. Both game designers talked about the Ashes of Outlands, the new Demon Hunter Class, the current state of the game, and a bit of Battlegrounds.
On the new year and new expansion One of the many questions that piqued my curiosity is how the Hearthstone developers think of yearly content and expansion. The questions we asked involved the naming scheme for the year, a bit of the plot for the new year and how expansions affect previously used cards and characters. What are your criteria in determining the yearly name (Year of the Dragon, Year of the Phoenix)? Chadd Nervig: Our pattern has been to use various unusual creatures, usually mythical ones. I can’t promise we’ll always stick to that, but it’s worked well so far! We select a creature that somehow relates to the year. We knew that Year of the Dragon was a connected narrative that would ultimately be about a powerful dragon; “the Dragon” in “Year of the Dragon” is Galakrond (but of course that was hidden until Descent of Dragons). We see this current year as
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a sort of rebirth of Hearthstone—a really big moment. New ways to play, new class, big game system additions and improvements: thus, a phoenix. It also fit quite well with Kael’thas and Al’ar, featured in the first set of the year! Year of the Dragon saw a whole year of following the League of Explorer fight the League of EVIL with all of the single-play story mode following a storyline, will we see that in Year of the Phoenix?
in the Year of the Phoenix gives us time to focus on individual sets while planning for one in the future! Descent of Dragons saw some previous cards take on a new life and new effects such as Alexstrasza, Yszera, and Malygos, will you do this once again in the future with other cards from other expansions?
Chadd Nervig: We’re super happy with how Year of the Dragon’s year-long narrative worked out. We like to keep things fresh, so this year we’re doing three separate stories. But, we may return to the year-long narrative style sometime in the future, since it was so well received.
Chadd Nervig: Yeah, bringing back previously-used characters in new forms is a really exciting thing to do! We still want to provide mostly new characters, but a few throwbacks here and there add some fun spice to each set. We’re happy with how this has worked out, and will continue to do it when the time is right, and when the character fits the fantasy of the expansion set.
Liv Breeden: When we revisit a year-long narrative, we want to make sure that we give it the time and planning it deserves to tell its story. Taking a break
Liv Breeden: It’d be pretty silly to have a dragon set and not have the Dragon Aspects be part of the expansion. The theme of the expansion really
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Chadd Nervig, Senior Game Designer, Hearthstone
Liv Breeden, Game Designer, Hearthstone
dictates what characters you see in the cards, and we want to make sure that the characters we choose are representative of the expansion.
Our goal is to make sure every class feels special in its own way and I think we did a great job with Demon Hunter.
Are there any Warcraft characters that are still not in Hearthstone that you would like to include in future expansions?
The new Felfire Festival has brought a new short solo adventure, will we see more of these solo adventures in the future? If so, how often will they come?
Are you satisfied with the current class decks or do you see a need for more tweaks? Ashes of Outlands saw some classes regain their identity will there still be future changes that will change their playstyles once again?
Chadd Nervig: The Warcraft universe is incredibly rich in amazing characters and lore. There are still tons that we’re super excited to explore in future content.
Chadd Nervig: No specific announcements to make at this point, but we are committed to continuing to release single-player content, free in every phase this year. The current state of the game and future plans Of course, I needed to ask about the current state of the meta and a bit of future plans. The arrival of the Demon Hunter class has opened the possibility of new hero classes coming to the game in the future, and what our characters from World of Warcraft might make an appearance in the game. What made you decide to include a new class in the new expansion and do you have future plans to add new classes to the game? If so, what are the target classes? Chadd Nervig: Illidan is a massively popular character in the Warcraft universe, and we were super excited to bring him to Hearthstone. We’ve also been talking about a new class for a while now, and we wanted to visit Outland. All three of those things combined to make the perfect storm of an expansion. A new class is something we don’t take lightly; a ton of time and effort went into Demon Hunter. No plans to announce at the moment for any other new class coming. Liv Breeden: Before making Demon Hunter, the design team sat down and hashed out all the different class identities. What did it mean to be a Mage in Hearthstone? What about a Paladin? Priest? We really dialed in the strengths and weaknesses of a class and by doing so we were able to carve out a space for Demon Hunter that was unique to them.
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Chadd Nervig: We’ll continue to make small changes in Demon Hunter until they feel like they have clear strengths and weaknesses while still being a fun and powerful class choice. As far as the rest of the classes go, there are a number of things we’re monitoring for possible change. Druid tends to have draw-randomness because ramp as a mechanic is rather feast-or-famine depending on what point in the game you ramp. Cards like Fungal Fortunes and Glowfly Swarm help Druid have powerful archetypes but also emphasize more of that draw randomness; something we are keeping in mind going into the next expansion. Rogue is a tempo-based class and as a result, is prone to swing turns, but we think even for Rogue there are so many slam-dunk feeling turns that the rest of the game can feel less meaningful. Warrior is powerful, but in a way that we think is fun and skill-testing. If the Warrior population grows out of control, it’s something we’d likely address, but if they are the most populous and highest win-rate class in the short term we don’t think that is necessarily a bad thing. For Mage, Puzzlebox is probably the appropriate power level in a vacuum but with Dragoncaster it’s coming out a little earlier than we’d like in highly competitive decks. We’ll likely look to address that in an upcoming patch. The rest of the classes will undergo quite a bit of change during the next expansion and we’ll look to do a late week 1 or week 2 balance patch if the need arises. Liv Breeden: Class identity is something we’re always evaluating. If we find that something is inherently not fun about a class, we might change how we view their strengths and weaknesses.
Liv Breeden: One of my favorite stories in the Warcraft universe is Arthas’ fall from holy Paladin to Death Knight to Lich King. And we got to tell some of that story in Knights of the Frozen Throne, but there’s so much more to him than just his time as the Lich King. Illidan is another character with a heavily detailed past that we recently touched on in Ashes of Outland. There are so many characters that have just as epic stories to tell, we just need to find the appropriate space to tell it within. On Hearthstone Battlegrouds The interview questions were done prior to the Felfire Festival and the arrival of the minion type rotation in Battlegrounds. Even so, I wanted to ask whether my favorite Battlegrounds minion would return in the future. Will there be a rotation of minions and heroes alike in Battlegrounds? Chadd Nervig: We have been adding and removing minions and heroes from the pool in Battlegrounds over time and expect to continue to do so. Speaking of Battlegrounds, will Nightmare Amalgam be making a future return? I’ve always had a great time causing havoc in my lobbies with two or three Amalgams with divine shield and poison. Chadd Nervig: Amalgams were fun in many ways. While we have no current plans to bring back Nightmare Amalgam specifically, I wouldn’t be surprised if you see similar minions or gameplay at some point in the future, but it’s still too early to talk about that yet.
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Words by Jose Alvarez Command & Conquer: Remastered Collection Developers: Petroglyph Games, Lemon Sky Studios Publisher: Electronic Arts Platform: PC
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n the 1990s, real-time strategy games were in their infancy, with only a few games in the genre. Then-Westwood Studios’ co-founder and president Brett Sperry, who developed the original Command & Conquer series, actually coined the term real-time strategy itself. This meant a new reality for those who played turn-based games: decisions had to be made in real-time, much like military strategy dictates who will win and who will lose.
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I have a close personal connection to the series itself. One of my first forays into the real-time strategy series was with Command & Conquer. When I was going to school in the Philippines almost 20 years ago, my cousin and I started regularly playing Red Alert 2 at Internet cafes. The experiences with the series stuck with me, although learning that many of the original team had left after the completion of Zero Hour stuck with me. Upon hearing of the release of Command & Conquer: Remastered Collection, I strongly believed that Electronic Arts wanted to make things right for the fans of the series. While Electronic Arts bought Westwood Studios in 1998 and merged it into EA Los Angeles in 2003, many Westwood alumni formed Petroglyph Games in 2003. Almost two decades later, the chance to remaster Command & Conquer became a reality. Fan demand for a remake or a remaster had been building for decades. At EA Play 2018, fans wanted another game on the PC, and EA contacted Petroglyph Games. With some of the original development team back along with graphical improvements, and constant solicitation of fan feedback, what was there not to like? The gameplay is similar to both Tiberian Dawn and Red Alert, with graphical improvements and online matchmaking. Over 100 campaign missions are now available, as The Covert Operations, Counterstrike, and The Aftermath are now available, along with missions and videos from the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation ports. This truly brings both the console and PC experiences together. Like in the original release, you construct a base and then acquire resources to build units and defenses to conquer your opponents. This takes place in an alternate history timeline. The original factions return, such as the Global Defense Initiative (GDI), the Brotherhood of Nod, and in the case of Red Alert, the Allies and the Soviets. Each faction has a campaign that you can play through. You can even set up skirmish games over the Internet so you can face your friends and complete strangers to see who is the true master of war. Overall, the updated graphics just enhance the gaming experience for fans of the series and newcomers to the series as well. You get all the fun you had at Internet cafes trying to beat your friends and online opponents. This is definitely a nostalgic pickup for anyone who is a fan of real-time strategy games, as this is one of the best games in the genre—except now you can enjoy it in 4K.
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JUNE 2020
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GAMING Publisher(s): Sony Interactive Entertainment Developer(s): Naughty Dog Platforms: PlayStation 4
Words by Ren Alcantara
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hen The Last of Us came out in 2013, it erased any doubt that video games could be storytelling masterpieces in their own right, with characters, themes, and gameplay all coming together to create an experience that rivals anything on the silver screen. Naughty Dog, the studio behind the franchise, had some big shoes to fill with the planned sequel, so they understandably took their time making the successor, The Last of Us 2, worthy of carrying the story forward. Now, before anything else, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the game, a lot of which is driven by narrow-mindedness (which the game actually touches on, albeit lightly), and some of which centers on the narrative. We’re not touching on the former at all, though the latter does have some merit. But I get ahead of myself. First, a backgrounder. Also, the game has been out long enough, so this is not going to be a spoiler-free review.
The Last of Us 2 picks up a few years after the conclusion of the events in the first game. Ellie and Joel have made their way to Jackson, where survivors have come together to create a city in a world that is still ravaged by the cordyceps plague. Ellie has grown up to be an extremely capable survivor, and along with her friends, runs the same patrols Joel and his brother Tommy do, clearing the surrounding snowy wilderness and town of infected. The game starts with a scene showing Joel and Tommy, recounting the end of the first game and the difficult choice Joel made to save Ellie, potentially damning the rest of the world in the process. It then starts a cleverly designed portion of the game that’s equal parts tutorial and narrative, easing you into the controls while keeping things interesting with dialogue that fills you in on the events of recent years. You then flash forward and are given control over Ellie as she’s getting ready for the day’s patrol. The tutorial section continues into a mock combat segment with colony children, reminding you of how to use the handy quick throw function, and sending you off into the world.
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You then find yourself in control of Abby, somewhere in a similar frozen locale, where the game goes through some last lessons on the control scheme, when the game suddenly changes gears and picks up with some stealth and combat elements. These remain essentially unchanged from the first game, though there’s a greater level of polish and smoothness to executing moves, particularly when it comes to melee combat. You now have a quick dodge that is necessary to make any progress when duking it out without ranged weapons, giving the game a nice sense of timing and reading the attackers’
Now, if it seems like I’ve hurried through the gameplay portion of the review, that’s because I have, but with a purpose in mind. This game shines because of its story, and is what needs to be discussed the most. Neil Druckmann said early on that this was not a game that was not meant to be fun. It’s a game whose characters are fueled by hate and rage, which makes a stressful environment even more so. You feel this right from the start, when you learn of Abby’s role in the story, and how the game very successfully induces the hatred for her that Ellie must feel. The Last of Us Part 2 does that very successfully, and in one swift scene, turns Abby into one of the most hated characters in all of video game history. That it’s a story built on relationships that developed over the course of the previous game, and leverages that as successfully as this title does is a testament to the kind of masterful storytelling the writers managed. From there, it’s a hate-driven rampage as Ellie makes her way across the country with Dina,
The thing is, it managed to generate such an intense level of hatred for the Abby character that there wasn’t anything they could do to bring her back to a likeable level. Not even having the player slog through a dozen hours as Abby, showing the cause for her pain, surprise-killing her friends, and giving her a heart in multiple ways was able to shake off the feeling that she was just getting what she deserved. They made her too difficult to forgive. Maybe that was intentional, and done in a way to make us connect further with Ellie, but that feels a little too meta to be the case.
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moves. It’s still fairly easy and very straightforward, so it doesn’t cause any frustration. Don’t expect any massive changes to the third-person shooter genre—this game isn’t about gimmicky mechanics. In that sense, it’s unremarkable, but wonderfully so.
playstyle. The final bit of tweaking is done in the form of player upgrades, letting you gain or improve abilities, such as better crafting, more health, and new weapon abilities. Overall, it’s a game that goes well out of its way to give you the experience you want.
As you progress through this, and subsequent parts, you will of course get access to various weapons, each with their intended purpose, allowing you to process through the game in your desired fashion, whether it’s blasting through or sneaking. The upgrade system is also superb, and lets you customize the performance of the weapons even more, further tailoring it to your
Additionally, this is a title with amazing gameplay customizability and accessibility options. It’s not a simple easy-medium-hard slider. There are options to increase the number of scavenged items, change enemy and friendly AI response, and change player resilience. This makes for a very, very approachable game for anyone who wants to get into it—which really should be everyone.
to seek revenge for Abby’s actions. You can feel the rage emanating from the screen in more than one scene as Ellie makes her way to Abby, cutting through innumerable obstacles fueled, it seems, only by her quest for vengeance. Then, the game does something as massive as it is ambitious. After the first 12 hours or so, the game once again puts you in the shoes of Abby, and keeps you there for more or less the remainder of the game. The point here was to show the perspective of the other side—the “bad guys” or at least who you think are the bad guys from the traditional main-character-centric point of view. It’s meant to show that they too are people, were wronged, and have their own emotions. It’s meant to show the human condition, more than just offer up a convenient person to hate and eventually eliminate. It was a massive gamble, and while I appreciate the point behind it, I’m honestly not sure it paid off.
Aside from that admittedly large issue, the game does an amazing job developing relationships between characters on either side of the conflict. For example, at more than one point in the story, I found myself repeatedly muttering “Don’t kill Dina” over and over again, as it’s something that I felt the game would totally do without second thought. The game also does a great job using those relationships to raise the stakes and push you through the story, kicking and screaming all throughout. One thing I am thankful for though, is the ending. Despite all the difficulties with the
approach to and use of the character of Abby, the game does end in a way that is, at least to myself, satisfying, giving us the closure we need, without turning anyone else into a monster. Even Ellie’s own issues from the first game are put to rest in a way that I felt wasn’t just acceptable, but actually fulfilling. On the whole, I would say this is a game that anyone who appreciates a good story should play. It’s supremely accessible, tells an amazing story, and gives you more than a few insights on humanity, which is more than most people might give a video game credit for.
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Words by Jose Alvarez Command & Conquer: Remastered Collection Developers: Petroglyph Games, Lemon Sky Studios Publisher: Electronic Arts Platform: PC
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n the 1990s, real-time strategy games were in their infancy, with only a few games in the genre. Then-Westwood Studios’ co-founder and president Brett Sperry, who developed the original Command & Conquer series, actually coined the term real-time strategy itself. This meant a new reality for those who played turn-based games: decisions had to be made in real-time, much like military strategy dictates who will win and who will lose.
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I have a close personal connection to the series itself. One of my first forays into the real-time strategy series was with Command & Conquer. When I was going to school in the Philippines almost 20 years ago, my cousin and I started regularly playing Red Alert 2 at Internet cafes. The experiences with the series stuck with me, although learning that many of the original team had left after the completion of Zero Hour stuck with me. Upon hearing of the release of Command & Conquer: Remastered Collection, I strongly believed that Electronic Arts wanted to make things right for the fans of the series. While Electronic Arts bought Westwood Studios in 1998 and merged it into EA Los Angeles in 2003, many Westwood alumni formed Petroglyph Games in 2003. Almost two decades later, the chance to remaster Command & Conquer became a reality. Fan demand for a remake or a remaster had been building for decades. At EA Play 2018, fans wanted another game on the PC, and EA contacted Petroglyph Games. With some of the original development team back along with graphical improvements, and constant solicitation of fan feedback, what was there not to like? The gameplay is similar to both Tiberian Dawn and Red Alert, with graphical improvements and online matchmaking. Over 100 campaign missions are now available, as The Covert Operations, Counterstrike, and The Aftermath are now available, along with missions and videos from the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation ports. This truly brings both the console and PC experiences together. Like in the original release, you construct a base and then acquire resources to build units and defenses to conquer your opponents. This takes place in an alternate history timeline. The original factions return, such as the Global Defense Initiative (GDI), the Brotherhood of Nod, and in the case of Red Alert, the Allies and the Soviets. Each faction has a campaign that you can play through. You can even set up skirmish games over the Internet so you can face your friends and complete strangers to see who is the true master of war. Overall, the updated graphics just enhance the gaming experience for fans of the series and newcomers to the series as well. You get all the fun you had at Internet cafes trying to beat your friends and online opponents. This is definitely a nostalgic pickup for anyone who is a fan of real-time strategy games, as this is one of the best games in the genre—except now you can enjoy it in 4K.
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Words by Gabriel Pe Publisher(s): Riot Games | Developer(s): Riot Games | Platforms: Microsoft Windows
When Valorant was announced as “Project A” during Riot Games’ 10 years of League of Legends anniversary event, many were intrigued. For the last 10 years, Riot has devoted all of its resources into its bread and butter, League of Legends. A stand-alone spin-off, let alone a different game seemed far-fetched. So is Valorant the next big Riot hit, or should the MOBA giant stay in their game?
Valorant developer by Riot Games. The game launched just last June 2, 2020, but due to the hype surrounding the game, it already had a following even before the global launch. The game had already broken streaming records last April during its limited closed beta testing in the US, Europe, and CIS regions. questions as to how Riot would implement character abilities in a tactical FPS but once you play the game for yourself and listen to some pros talk in their streams, you realize that it all made sense. Adding characters with unique abilities took strategizing to the next level, with teams choosing the right character even before the match begins.
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TACTICAL SHOOTER TO THE CORE Prior to launch, a lot of fans have speculated that the game is a mix of Valve’s Counter Strike and Blizzard’s Overwatch, but upon playing the game you’d be quick to note that it mostly shares the tactical aspects and objectives of Valve’s shooter over the latter. Currently, Valorant has three game modes, the normal game, the ranked or competitive mode, and Spike Rush. All three share the same objective, one team plants the bomb (or in this case the spike) in the designated zone while the other team prevents them from doing so. Each game (except Spike Rush) is a best of 25 rounds, with the The Spike Rush mode is a quicker game mode with power up orbs scatter across the map.
earn extra funds for kills and completing game objectives such as planting the spike or defusing it. While you can continuously buy guns, it’s important to keep track of your money and know when to buy what to keep your economy healthy.
Like Counter Strike, players need to buy their guns and armor during the start of each round. Round wins grants more money however consecutive losses also grants losing teams bonus money to
Valorant currently has 11 playable agents each has its own unique abilities which replaces the common utilities. Each agent has four unique abilities, three of which are available to buy during the start of a round while the fourth is the agent’s ultimate ability which can only be earned by completing objectives such as getting kills, defusing the spike, and grabbing the ultimate orbs around the map. You can also gain one ultimate orb for dying so you can cast an ult in a half, but where’s the fun in that?
DEFYING LIMITS What makes Valorant fun to play is the
blinds with his abilities. Yet he can also be used as an entry-fragger thanks to his small teleporting
agents such as Cypher and Sova are used to gather intel thanks to the location revealing
sites at a weird and usual angle.
Others such as Duelists Jett, Raze, and Reyna have massive mobility to help players play aggressive when entry-fragging or camping unusual angles when defending.
Another thing Valorant does well is its various audio cues. I found that the game’s audio cues add heavily in its tactical aspect, from determining enemy locations to the satisfying “dings” when you get a kill. The sound also adds to the overall immersion of the agents, with the game giving
My personal favorite, Omen, can be used as a control type of character providing smokes and
for each ability including a warning voice line from the agent when they’re ulting.
THE NEXT BIG ESPORTS TITLE? One of the allure of Valorant is the prospect of it being the next big esports title. Riot already has a successful esports title in League of Legends and have already expressed plans to establish another for Valorant. Esports organizations have also started creating teams for Valorant, signing veteran FPS and Battle Royale players to their rosters. Honestly, the idea of a Valorant competitive environment.
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BULLET POINTS
FLASHLIGHT MAINTENANCE
Words by Ren Alcantara
S
ince most of us are stuck indoors, there’s really not a lot to do. Not being out means our EDC gear isn’t really getting the use they would normally see, and that incidental neglect can sometimes be a problem. As the lockdown continues, take the time to give your flashlights a once-over to make sure they’ll function as needed when you need them. Every few months, I go over my lights and batteries to make sure everything is up to spec and ready for use.
The first thing to do is check for external damage. Rubber buttons can wear out over time and develop holes and tears, exposing the light’s circuitry to moisture—a sure fire way to cause a failure. Depending on the exact material the rubber is made of, staying in enclosed spaces can make them brittle and crumbly, so give their integrity a check as well. While you’re on the exterior, if you have a lanyard, check that the lanyard loop hasn’t chewn through the lanyard itself as can sometimes happen when edges abraid the material. If you’re running a clip, make sure the tension is good around the flashlight tube, and between the clip and body.
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A good-quality EDC light will likely have a metal case, and while it’s tough, it’s not impervious to damage. Give the case a lookover and see if there are bumps and scrapes that might affect function. The battery tube can get deformed by getting caught in a door (ask me how I know) or some other form of pinching situation, and dropping one on
asphalt or concrete can give it sharp edges that can tear up pockets and pouches. Make sure everything is in good shape, and while you’re at it, give the light a good wipe with a microfiber cloth to get rid of any dirt or solvents that may be on the surface. Avoid alcohol, as it can cause plastics and rubber to degrade.
Check the emitter head to make sure that it’s intact, with no cracks, chips, or anything that might let moisture in, or cause the glass or plastic to shatter and injure the user. This happens more than you might think (again, ask me how I know), and isn’t something people generally think about, so it pays to give it a close inspection. Once that’s done, open it up, take the battery out, and check the o-rings that seal the light and
Now, I’m not going to go into which lubricant you should use, as it will depend on what material your o-rings are, so check the manufacturer guidelines and go with that. I myself have used silicone grease for a long time and I’ve had good results. Don’t over-lube, as that will attract dirt. Just enough for a little shine will do well.
keep it air-tight. This is going to be different depending on the brand and make of your light, so consult your user manual or a YouTube video if you’re not sure. Also worth noting is that some lights, like the Lumintop FW series of lights, have little bits that might fall out and get lost depending on how you disassemble the light. Clean out the inside of the tube. While the o-rings and threads are all accessible, give them a good wipe, and re-lubricate them.
charger so I can rotate the different cells, and I can more closely monitor the charge on each one to avoid over-charging. I also take care not to let the charge drop below 40 percent of the rated capacity, so it helps that my lights have voltage indicator functions.
Next up, give the cell a little attention. I generally charge my batteries externally, with a quality
A quick word on cells. I always try to get quality cells so I get the best performance from my lights. A few minutes on the Internet will let you know what’s good and what to avoid, as well as how to keep from buying counterfeit cells. You likely spent a fair amount of money on your light, so it doesn’t really make sense to feed it cells of poor quality. As such, it pays to take care of the cells, as they can be investments of their own.
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Once everything has been inspected, cleaned, and lubed, and once the cells have been charged for either storage or use, you can put the light back together, give it a quick function check, and put it away with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your gear will be ready when you need it.
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MUSIC CORNER
HOME Recording Words by Ren Alcantara
B
eing stuck at home means we have much more time to pursue some side projects, whether for fun or maybe as a side hustle. One of the simpler, and more enjoyable ones is recording audio at home. Maybe you want to lay a new track down, or try your hand at voice-over work. Either way, it doesn’t take too much to try out, and if you feel this is your calling, there are a number of upgrade paths you can take to elevate your recording capabilities.
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YOUR MOBILE PHONE The simplest way to give home audio recording a try is to use your mobile phone. Modern mobile phones have decent enough microphones for at least getting a feel for recording a short snippet of audio, a nice riff, or a song verse or two. Play around with the distance between your audio source and the phone’s mic until you get as full a sound as possible. Better recording apps also make quite a difference, usually thanks to a better interface and the ability to record additional tracks that you can lay on top of each other. I personally have had success putting a vocal track down on a guitar recording I made with just my phone and the app Bandlab. It might not win a grammy, but it was more than adequate for sharing, and should be plenty if you just want to experiment with making music at home.
If you have an Apple device, Garageband is a very easy-to-use and surprisingly powerful application that lets you record layers, keep time, and even loop tracks with an intuitive UI that anyone can pick up and learn with little effort. I’ve recorded podcasts, made intro music, and recorded two-and three-track layered audio on it and an iPad pro, and the results don’t sound like they were made on a single, portable device. If you want to upgrade without spending a lot of money, you can head over to your online merchant of choice, and purchase yourself an inexpensive lavalier or small 3.5mm shotgun mic for even better audio quality. Decent brands usually go for less than PHP 1,000, and deliver great audio quality that you can even use for vlogging, or run-andgun outdoor shooting and recording.
A Dedicated Recorder If you want something with better audio quality that still remains portable, you can look into a dedicated audio recorder. While more expensive than a simple external mic and a mobile phone which you probably already have, these recorders offer stellar performance, and should be more than enough for any home gamer. There are popular brands out there, but the standard for mini audio recorders remains the Zoom H1n. I personally use this for recording podcasts, voice-overs, and the occasional music track, and it has performed great. You can use it as a stand-alone recorder with up to a 32GB microSD card, or plug it into a computer with a microUSB cable for use as an external mic (more on that later). Should you need it, you can still connect a 3.5mm microphone into the input jack for greater versatility. With this, you’ll need a computer to pull the audio from the SD card, and a program to edit the audio and combine tracks, but as a self-contained recording device, this is one that’s hard to beat, with prosumer-level performance for under PHP 6,000 locally.
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Your Computer If you have a computer at home, you’re already halfway to making music or recording a solid V.O. The built-in microphone won’t be of much use here, so you’ll have to start with an external audio source. Unfortunately, just plugging a microphone into the 3.5mm jack on your computer will probably not yield the results you’re after, as the internal hardware of most computers just isn’t able to deliver the kind of performance you’re likely going to be looking for. Don’t worry though, there are a few options. You can check online for a quality USB condenser microphone. Great-quality ones are available for anywhere from PHP 3,000-4,000, and should deliver quality home-recording level audio, and since it’s USB, it requires no setup beyond unboxing the microphone, and plugging it into a free USB port. You’ll still need a program to record and manipulate your audio, but keep reading, and we’ll cover that as well. There are condenser microphones available online for less than PHP 1,000 as well. Those are
workable, but require additional hardware to use, as plugging them straight into your computer’s microphone or audio input jack won’t work— you’ll need an external sound card for it to play nice with your computer, which adds a few hundred bucks and another delivery to your list. Mics with XLR connectors (the kind of large plugs you usually see on karaoke mics) will also work if you have them, but you’ll need an external audio interface to record on a laptop or desktop. If you already have an external recorder like the Zoom H1n mentioned earlier, you can use that as an external microphone as well. This is my personal podcast setup, and works great, as the recorder can be used on its own, and serves as an excellent input when plugged in via USB. I’m a big fan of devices that serve more than one purpose, and this is an excellent example of that. It should also work when connected to an iPad or iPhone, but additional hardware connectors are necessary, so if I need to record on the go, I just use the H1n on its own.
Software The most commonly used software for audio recording on the PC or Mac is Audacity. It offers much more functionality than the home gamer is likely ever going to need, lets you edit your audio to your heart’s content, and is reasonably straightforward to learn and use, at least for the simpler functions you might want to have access to at home. It’s also free, which is a huge plus, and lets you specify which inputs you’re going to be using to make a recording. It’s a rather technical piece of software though, so you’re going to need patience and a willingness to learn, a teacher, or lots of YouTube videos to help figure it out. It’s not too bad though, and is well worth the effort you’ll put in.
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Another piece of software I’ve grown to love is Voicemeeter Banana. This is a virtual mixer that lets you control the audio inputs from multiple hardware and virtual inputs and outputs, so you can have multiple microphones outputting on multiple headphones or speakers, all done virtually, with no additional mixing hardware required. It’s donation-based, so you pay whatever you feel the software is worth—something I recommend you do once you can. It’s a little confusing to start with, and it took me a few weeks of experimentation to understand, but now I’m not sure I can live without it.
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THE SPACE If you want the best audio quality possible, you’re going to need a space in which to record. If you have a spare room, you’re set. Just hang some thick blankets up to keep the sound from bouncing around and coming back to the microphone, switch off anything that makes noise, like fans, air-conditioners, and the like, and you’ve got a recording booth. If you have a desk, and a microphone, just set the mic down on top of a roll of paper towels so you it’ll be the correct height to reach your mouth when you’re standing, and you’re done—no mic stand required! If you don’t have the luxury of a spare room, don’t lose hope. We currently stay in a one-bedroom condo, but I am able to record quite well in my “audio booth,” which is one of our closets. The clothes offer great reverb damping, and the small space is great for getting up close to the mic and making the most of the proximity effect, making my voice sound fuller and more detailed. All you need is a way to get the mic up to the correct height, maybe a pop filter (which you can make with a stocking and a hanger), and your clothes. Make some space by pushing your clothes off to either side of the mic, hit record, and enjoy the dead silence provided by your own little recording booth. This will of course probably only be doable if you’re doing vocal work with a portable recorder, but it’s a great way to get the best possible environment for that, with no additional space or cost. While by no means exhaustive, this is a reasonably comprehensive guide to what you can do to get your own home recording endeavors off the ground. It doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or difficult, and yields recording that are more than good enough to share with the world, or land a gig. This is a great time to try new things out, and with a little hardware and some ingenuity, you can record your own audio at home with stellar results.
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ENTERPRISE
Cisco offers 0% financing program to support Filipino SMEs
Cisco has launched a new financing programme to help SMEs invest in cutting-edge technology at 0% interest and with no upfront costs, at a fixed 3-year monthly payment term. The 0% financing programme will provide SMEs access to necessary technological enablers from Cisco that include software, hardware and services without breaking their budget. They will enjoy a 3-year, full payout lease plan where they pay equal 36-month payments on their Cisco purchases that costs between USD 20,000 to USD 300,000 and will fully own the equipment at the end of contract period. “The world is going through an uncertain economic period and, at Cisco, we are committed to doing our part to help lighten the burden for Philippines’ SMEs,” said Karrie Ilagan, managing director for Cisco Philippines. The launch of the program comes at the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic wherein lockdowns across the region have disrupted supply chains and decreased business activities. Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) account for 99.5% of all businesses and 63% of the Philippines’ total employment. With this much impact on
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the country’s progress, Cisco deems it crucial to provide support for the recovery of the MSME industry to ultimately provide support for the overall recovery of the national economy. “The outbreak of COVID-19 has had a huge impact on SMEs across the country,” Ilagan said. “However, the situation has also brought about a rapid shift in mindset of SMEs to be more receptive to the idea of integrating technology in various aspects of their business and accelerate their digital transformation journey not as a means of survival in the current environment but also for driving future growth.” As the government starts to ease some of the restrictions and reopen the economy, SMEs are looking to adopt technology and digitize their business to resume operations safely, open new growth opportunities, and contribute to the overall economic recovery post COVID-19. The new program from Cisco provides financial support to SMEs that seek to equip themselves with the necessary tools and solutions to accelerate their business in the new digital era. These include tools for virtual meetings
and collaboration, cybersecurity solutions and networking equipment. “SMEs are the backbone of ASEAN economies, accounting for over 85% of total business establishments and making up the main contributions to private sector employment in the region. However, they are currently facing the biggest challenges to their operations. Technology can help solve some of their key challenges and revitalize their operations. It is more important than ever for partners like Cisco to provide the muchneeded assistance, not just through our solutions and expertise but also through programmes that can help alleviate financial concerns,” said Raz Mohamad, director small business and commercial for ASEAN at Cisco. The new financing option is now available through Cisco Capital, the vendor financing business within Cisco that delivers customer-centric, partnerenabled payment options for Cisco-led solutions. For more information on the offer, visit www. cisco.com/c/en_my/buy/payment-solutions/ solutions/small-business or connect with the local Cisco team.
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Demystifying 5 myths about collaborative robots Collaborative Robots or “cobots” are more than just a cool innovation we all are excited to discover and utilize. It is in fact already widely used in manufacturing companies around the world, with automation increasing productivity dramatically while realizing immense growth and sustainability. With independent research forecasting sales growth to jump six-fold by 2030, cobots are being hailed as one of the fastest growing products in automation. As the global economy emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, that push towards automation becomes even more essential. In a purely manual labor-dependent manufacturing setup, the disastrous effects were seen as factories were forced to shut down because workers could not report for work and operate equipment in person. With the collaborative nature of the cobots, manufacturing operations can run smoothly with lesser human intervention while realizing productivity gains and ensuring business continuity. Yet, despite their many advantages, there are a number of concerns and misconceptions that hinder the adaption of cobot technology. Universal Robots provides us some guidance to separate fact from fiction. Myth #1. Cobots will replace human labor For ages, a common belief has been that automation—such as the use of robots—will steal jobs. In this case of cobots, this is not true. Cobots can perform the strenuous and repetitive tasks, thus freeing humans to take on better, more exciting roles within the company. With cobots enhancing productivity, companies often find themselves in a position to hire more people, thus creating jobs, not eliminating them. According to World Bank’s Enterprise Survey for the Philippines, on average, firms that deployed partial or full automation in their operations would likely to hire more workers. A World Economic Forum study suggests that by 2022, robots may create about 133 million jobs globally, but no machine will ever replace human dexterity, critical thinking, decision-making, and creativity. As the Philippines ramps up infrastructure improvements, cobots will work productively and smoothly with ingenious and efficient Filipino workers overseeing and operating them. Myth #2. Robotics automation is for complex, large-scale operations Many Filipino manufacturers see robots as large, lumbering contraptions used in assembly lines. The reality is, with the flexibility of cobots, companies can automate even the simplest of tasks. Regardless of the scale of output, cobots
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Universal Robots benchmark.
can be deployed for processes that are repetitive, manual, or potentially strenuous for workers— such as pick and place, packaging and palletizing, screw driving, gluing, dispensing, and welding. Myth #3. It’s a hassle to implement and maintain robots It is true that industrial robots can be large, cumbersome, and difficult to operate. One might say they practically require a PhD to run them. But not cobots. Cobots are easy to implement, operate, and maintain. Since cobots are so compact and lightweight, there is no need to change the production layout when switching the cobot between tasks. They are easily programmed or re-deployed and require minimal maintenance. Hence, operations will not be affected despite a shortage of factory workers. Myth #4. Cobots are dangerous Indeed, it is impossible to work alongside traditional industrial robots without some serious safety concerns. These traditional robots handle heavier, larger materials, and require safety cages to keep humans out of the workspaces. Cobots are different from traditional industrial robots. They are created with safety in mind, reducing safety risks for workers. Specifically designed to work in conjunction with human workers, they perform best as a minimally disruptive solution to safety concerns. Given their built-in safety functions and subject to propoer assessment, cobots and individuals can safely work in tandem without needing cages.
Myth #5. Cobots are costly There is some truth to this myth – robots can be expensive. For cobots, upfront costs are typically cheaper than traditional robots, with an average payback period as short as twelve months. Cobots are cost-effective and their installation requires minimal investment, given they do not need major infrastructure changes. Unlike traditional robots, they can also be redeployed to different functions in the production line and used around-the-clock. The coming age of robots While there is so much catching up to do in terms of technological advancement in the Philippines, the country is definitely setting its sights on exponential growth and sustainability with the help of automation. Automation with humanity in mind is not just possible, but sustainable and safe, with the use of collaborative robots or cobots humming along with humans. The age of robots is here to stay, for the better of us all. “Over time, there are still apparent debates whether adopting automation such as cobots are efficient for companies. In the Philippines, conversations are about cost, job loss, and safety being paramount. Primarily, cobots can add up to the effectiveness of human labor, can be deployed regardless the scale of operation, and can be easily maintained that is safe and cost efficient,” said Darrell Adams, head of Southeast Asia & Oceania for Universal Robots, a Denmarkbased collaborative robots (cobots) technology market leader.
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Google Cloud launches new multi-cloud analytics and new security solutions at Next OnAir 2020
Google Cloud kicked off its annual Next OnAir conference by announcing new solutions across its smart data analytics and security portfolios to help accelerate customers’ ability to digitally transform with cloud computing. Bringing data analytics across cloud platforms Google Cloud launched BigQuery Omni, a multicloud analytics solution that enables customers to bring the power of Google’s BigQuery data analytics software to data stored in Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Azure. Powered by Google Cloud’s Anthos, BigQuery Omni will allow customers to connect directly to their data across Google Cloud, AWS, and Azure for analysis without having to move or copy datasets. Through a single user interface, customers will be able to analyze data in the region where it is stored, providing unified analytics experience. “For customers, moving data across different clouds is both cumbersome and expensive. To address this, we continue to invest in multi-cloud in an effort to democratize access to the best technologies for our customers, no matter what cloud provider they’re using today,” said Debanjan Saha, general manager and vice president of engineering, Google Cloud. “BigQuery Omni provides enterprises with the openness and portability they need to break down silos and create actionable business insights, all without having to pay expensive egress fees for moving data from other cloud providers to Google Cloud.”
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“As hybrid and multi-cloud adoption has become the norm, enterprises are increasingly looking for data products that provide a consistent experience and lower complexity of using multiple clouds, while enabling the ongoing use of existing infrastructure investments. The launch of BigQuery Omni is an important milestone demonstrating Google Cloud’s strategy to help customers efficiently operate multi-cloud environments,” added Rick Harshman, managing director, Asia Pacific, Google Cloud. Adding Confidential Computing As organizations move workloads to the cloud, one of the biggest concerns they have is how to process sensitive data while keeping private. Google Cloud encrypts data-at-rest and in-transit, but customers’ data must be decrypted for processing. Confidential computing is a breakthrough technology that encrypts data-in-use – while it is being processed. Confidential computing environments keep data encrypted in memory and elsewhere outside the CPU. This new technological breakthrough will transform the way organizations process data in the cloud, maintain control over their data, and preserve confidentially. Confidential VMs is Google Cloud’s first confidential computing product. Google Cloud already employs a variety of isolation and sandboxing techniques as part of its cloud infrastructure to help make its multi-tenant
architecture secure. Confidential VMs, now in beta, takes this a step further by offering memory encryption so that customers can further isolate workloads in the cloud. Google Cloud is the first major cloud provider to offer this level of security and isolation while giving customers an easy-to-use solution that doesn’t require changing code in apps or compromising on performance. Confidential VMs are available on AMD CPUs and take advantage of the secure encrypted virtualization supported by 2nd Gen AMD EPYC CPUs. “Customers across all industries are navigating the complexities of compliance and privacy in the cloud, especially those in regulated industries, such as financial services firms, healthcare companies, and government agencies,” said Sunil Potti, general manager and VP of security at Google Cloud. “These companies want to adopt the latest cloud technologies, but strict requirements for data privacy or compliance are often barriers. Confidential VMs will help us better serve customers in these industries, so they can securely take advantage of the innovation of the cloud while also simplifying security operations.” “At Google, we believe the future of cloud computing will increasingly shift to private, encrypted services that give users confidence that they are always in control over the confidentiality of their data. Confidential Computing can unlock computing scenarios which previously have not been possible,” said Rick Harshman.
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CYBER SECURITY
Philippine businesses keen on investing in cybersecurity measures – Palo Alto Networks research
Philippine business, among Southeast Asia, are the most confident and proactive in dealing with cybersecurity issues according to recent research conducted by global cybersecurity provider Palo Alto Network. The research survey was conducted among 400 respondents from a diverse range of industries and sizes from four key ASEAN nations: Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, and Singapore. The survey was conducted online last February, prior to commencement of strict widespread social distancing measures. According to the Palo Alto Network research, about 54% or one in two companies in the country have increased their cybersecurity budget compared in 2019, with about half (43%) alloting a majority of its IT budgets to cybersecurity. This spending, Palo Alto Network notes, is attributed to the need to upgrade existing security framework to automate technologies (67%), a growing volume of cyberthreats (63%), and the result of cyber risk assessment (57%). “It’s encouraging to see that Philippine companies are consistent in giving due importance and attention to cybersecurity. This underscores businesses’ growing awareness of the importance of preventing successful cyberattacks that have the potential to disrupt businesses, as we’ve seen in recent years,” said Oscar Visaya, country manager for the Philippines, Palo Alto Networks. “However, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses will now need to navigate the newfound risks brought about by remote work and other COVID-19 themed threats. This
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will require a relook at cybersecurity existing strategies and investments,” Visaya added. Alongside popular solutions such as antimalware and anti-virus tools (86%) as well as next-generation firewalls (59%), almost half of the respondents (47%) said their companies have begun investing in cloud-native security. According to the Asia Cloud Computing Association’s 2018 Cloud Readiness Index, the Philippines ranked ninth in terms of cloud adoption in the Asia-Pacific region. Emerging solutions such as software-defined widearea network security (42%) have also become popular as more companies across the Philippines connect offices and staff to cloud infrastructure. However, this is a double-edged sword as more than half of the company respondents believe that the most glaring obstacle is employees’ lack of awareness on cybersecurity (58%), thus making an organization more vulnerable to internal cyberthreats. Other cybersecurity challenges noted in the survey were: risks from third-party service providers and suppliers (45%), and IT departments having other priorities on which to focus (33%). The report also noted that Philippine companies are the most proactive and frequent in reviewing cybersecurity standing operating procedures (SOPs), particularly companies in the finance, transport, and public sectors. The Palo Alto Networks survey observes that 98% of Philippine companies claimed to have updated their cybersecurity policies and SOPs at least once a year. Philippine companies are also the most mindful about transparency when it comes to cyberthreats, with 98% supporting mandatory
reporting of data breaches to authorities in compliance with guidelines by the National Privacy Commission (NPC). The country also led its ASEAN neighbors in maintaining and overseeing cybersecurity in company workstations. 83% of companies surveyed said they check their computers monthly to ensure data protection software is up to date. Likewise, the Philippines have the most organizations (93%) that clearly communicate their cybersecurity SOPs with their employees. With this, less than half (45%) of the Philippine respondents believe that their company is susceptible to cyberattack, in line with the high scores for confidence. Despite the high level of confidence, almost a third of the companies in the Philippines (29%) still regard their organization’s cyberthreat risk level as “high” and “very high”, with 49% claiming that monetary damage worsened last year compared to 2018. Besides the monetary damages, companies regard the loss of internal data (38%) such as employee information and intellectual property, and external data (24%) such as customer transactions, as the biggest worries during a cyberattack. “Philippine companies are being confronted by new cyber risks and perennial threats, which leave cybersecurity teams and the broader workforce with little choice but to adapt. The race is now on for businesses to leverage new tools such as automation and machine learning to close the gap as fast they can, and secure both an ever-expanding network and a growing number of connected devices,” added Visaya.
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Security response planning on the rise, but containing attacks remains an issue - IBM study IBM Security has announced the results of a global report examining businesses’ effectiveness in preparing for and responding to cyberattacks. While organizations surveyed have slowly improved in their ability to plan for, detect and respond to cyberattacks over the past five years, their ability to contain an attack has declined by 13% during this same period. The global survey conducted by Ponemon Institute and sponsored by IBM Security found that respondents’ security response efforts were hindered by the use of too many security tools, as well as a lack of specific playbooks for common attack types. While security response planning is slowly improving, the vast majority of organizations surveyed (74%) are still reporting that their plans are either ad-hoc, applied inconsistently, or that they have no plans at all. This lack of planning can impact the cost of security incidents, as companies that have incident response teams and extensively test their incident response plans spend an average of $1.2 million less on data breaches than those who have both of these costsaving factors in place. The key findings of those surveyed from the fifth annual Cyber Resilient Organization Report include: • Slowly Improving: More surveyed organizations have adopted formal, enterprisewide security response plans over the past 5 years of the study; growing from 18% of respondents in 2015 to 26% in this year’s report (a 44% improvement). • Playbooks Needed: Even amongst those with a formal security response plan, only one third (representing 17% of total respondents) had also developed specific playbooks for common attack types — and plans for emerging attack methods like ransomware lagged even further behind. • Complexity Hinders Response: The amount of security tools that an organization was using had a negative impact across multiple categories of the threat lifecycle amongst those surveyed. Organizations using 50+ security tools ranked themselves 8% lower in their ability to detect, and 7% lower in their ability to respond to an attack than those respondents with less tools. • Better Planning, Less Disruption: Companies with formal security response plans applied across the business were less likely to experience significant disruption as the result of a cyberattack. Over the past two years, only 39% of these companies experienced a disruptive security incident, compared to 62% of those with less formal or consistent plans. “While more organizations are taking incident response planning seriously, preparing for cyberattacks isn’t a one and done activity,” said Wendi Whitmore, Vice President of IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence. “Organizations must also focus on testing, practicing and reassessing www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
their response plans regularly. Leveraging interoperable technologies and automation can also help overcome complexity challenges and speed the time it takes to contain an incident.” Updating Playbooks for Emerging Threats The survey found that even amongst organizations with a formal cybersecurity incident response plan (CSIRP), only 33% had playbooks in place for specific types of attacks. Since different breeds of attack require unique response techniques, having pre-defined playbooks provides organizations with consistent and repeatable action plans for the most common attacks they are likely to face. Amongst the minority of responding organizations who do have attack-specific playbooks, the most common playbooks are for DDoS attacks (64%) and malware (57%). While these methods have historically been top issues for the enterprise, additional attack methods such as ransomware are on the rise. While ransomware attacks have spiked nearly 70% in recent years, only 45% of those in the survey using playbooks had designated plans for ransomware attacks. Additionally, more than half (52%) of those with security response plans said they have never reviewed or have no set time period for reviewing or testing those plans. With business operations changing rapidly due to an increasingly remote workforce, and new attack techniques constantly being introduced, this data suggests that surveyed businesses may be relying on outdated response plans which don’t reflect the current threat and business landscape. More Tools Led to Worse Response Capabilities The report also found that complexity is negatively impacting incident response capabilities. Those surveyed estimated their organization was using more than 45 different security tools on average, and that each incident they responded to required coordination across around 19 tools on average. However, the study also found that an over-abundance of tools may actually hinder organizations ability to handle
attacks. In the survey, those using more than 50 tools ranked themselves 8% lower in their ability to detect an attack (5.83/10 vs. 6.66/10), and around 7% lower when it comes to responding to an attack (5.95/10 vs. 6.72/10). These findings suggest that adopting more tools didn’t necessarily improve security response efforts — in fact, it may have done the opposite. The use of open, interoperable platforms as well as automation technologies can help reduce the complexity of responding across disconnected tools. Amongst high-performing organizations in the report, 63% said the use of interoperable tools helped them improve their response to cyberattacks. Better Planning Pays Off This year’s report suggests that surveyed organizations who invested in formal planning were more successful in responding to incidents. Amongst respondents with a CSIRP applied consistently across the business, only 39% experienced an incident that resulted in a significant disruption to the organization within the past two years compared to 62% of those who didn’t have a formal plan in place. Looking at specific reasons that these organizations cited for their ability to respond to attacks, security workforce skills were found to be a top factor. 61% of those surveyed attributed hiring skilled employees as a top reason for becoming more resilient; amongst those who said their resiliency did not improve, 41% cited the lack of skilled employees as the top reason. Technology was another differentiator that helped organizations in the report become more cyber resilient, especially when it comes to tools that helped them resolve complexity. Looking at organizations with higher levels of cyber resilience, the top two factors cited for improving their level of cyber resilience were visibility into applications and data (57% selecting) and automation tools (55% selecting). Overall, the data suggests that surveyed organizations that were more mature in their response preparedness relied more heavily on technology innovations to become more resilient. JULY 2020
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Glupteba malware hides in plain sight – Sophos report
Sophos, a global leader in next-generation cybersecurity, recently published a report about a malware family whose infection numbers have been steadily growing since the beginning of the year. The malware has also been getting regular updates and feature enhancements that seem to be focused on its ability to conceal itself from detection on infected computers. The report took a deep dive into what makes the Glupteba malware distinctive. The core malware is in essence, a dropper with extensive backdoor functionality, but it is a dropper that goes to great efforts to keep itself and its various components hidden from view by the human operator of an infected computer, or an infected computer, or the security software charged with its protection. To accomplish these tasks, the creators of Glupteba have opted to take a modular approach to their malware, which can download and execute payloads intended to extend the functionality of the bot. Many of these payloads are exploit scripts and binaries that originate in open source tool repositories like Github and have been lifted whole-cloth from their archives to be leveraged against the victim’s computer. One of the ways Glupteba uses these exploits is for privilege escalation, primarily so it can install
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a kernel driver the bot use as a rootkit, and make other changes that weaken the security posture of an infected host. The rootkit renders filesystem behavior invisible to the computer’s end-user and also protects any other file the malware decides to store in its application directory. A watcher process then monitors the rootkit and other components for any sign of failure or crash and can reinitialize the rootkit driver or restart a buggy component. That watcher process also gets used to deliver a surprising amount of bug reporting telemetry back to Glupteba’s creator(s). After all, an application crash is a very noticeable event, and if the goal of the malware is to maintain its stealth, then avoiding crashes is of paramount importance. The malware also uses the Windows Registry to its advantage, storing many of its configuration options under unobtrusive Registry key names. The names of some of these configuration values also provide a clue about Glupteba’s overall goals. For instance, the bot stores the name(s) of its command-and-control server(s) under a key labeled “CDN” – a term of art in the hosting industry that refers to a Content Delivery Network, a type of business that caches frequently-requested data so it can be retrieved more rapidly by a large population.
Sophos can infer that the bot’s propensity to self-protection and stealth, and this CDN label, that Glupteba’s creators intend this malware to be part of a service offering to other malware publishers, giving them a pay-perinstall business model for malware delivery. The most unscrupulous threat actors design their malware to be stealthy. This means that they strive to stay under the radar and remain in the wild for a long time, performing reconnaissance and collecting information to determine their next move and to hone their malicious techniques. While researching Glupteba, we realized the actors behind the bot are investing immense effort in selfdefense. Security teams need to be on the lookout for such behavior. In addition, Glupteba is designed to be generic, capable of implementing a wide range of different malicious activities through its different components and extensive backdoor functions,” said Luca Nagy, a security researcher at Sophos and lead author of the report. For more information about the Glupteba malware, you can read the full SophosLab Uncut article at https://news.sophos.com/ en-us/2020/06/24/glupteba-report/
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BITS & BYTES
LinkedIn offers free online courses for in-demand jobs
As part of the Microsoft global skills initiative, LinkedIn is launching 10 LinkedIn Learning paths available for free. These Learning Paths are aligned to 10 jobs that are in-demand in today’s economy and are well-positioned to continue to grow in the future. These 10 jobs were identified as having the greatest number of job openings, have had steady growth over the past four years, pay a livable wage, and require skills that can be learned online. All you need to do to get started is visit opportunity. linkedin.com to see current job opportunities and the different learning paths available. The 10 role-based learning paths are: • Software developer - Become a Software Developer • Sales representative - Become a Sales Representative • Project manager - Become a Project Manager • IT Administrator - Prepare for CompTIA Network+ Certification • Customer service specialist - Become a Customer Service Specialist • Digital marketer - Become a Digital Marketing Specialist • IT support/help desk - Prepare for the CompTIA A+ Certification • Data analyst - Become a Data Analyst
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• Financial analyst - Become a Financial Analyst • Graphic designer - Become a Graphic Designer These learning paths can be useful in the top hiring industries in the Philippines, which, as of April and May 2020, are led by: • Hardware & Networking • Construction • Consumer Goods • Finance The top job title based on volume in April and May 2020 was ‘Software Engineer’. LinkedIn has also seen a strong acceleration in the need for soft skills. To help professionals come up to speed on these skills, it is making 4 learning paths available for free: • Job seeker - Finding a Job During Challenging Economic Times • Critical soft skills - Master In-Demand Professional Soft Skills • Digital transformation - Digital Transformation in Practice: Virtual Collaboration Tools (combination of digital fluency and remote work) • Allyship and Inclusive Conversations - Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging for All
In addition, LinkedIn is introducing the following features on its platform to help job seekers. 1. #OpenToWork - Job seekers can now indicate to employers and their network that they are ‘Open To Work’ by adding a specific photo frame to their online profile photo. 2. Offer Help: We’ve made it easier for LinkedIn members to share in a simple post that they are willing to offer a helping hand — by connecting people, reviewing resumes, or providing general job-seeking guidance — to others in their network. 3. Interview Prep: To help job seekers get through the interview phase, LinkedIn is offering free interview prep tools, including a newly launched feature leveraging Microsoft-AI for real-time feedback on answers. To help shed light on the rapidly changing economy, LinkedIn is also making available some of its Labor Market Insights from LinkedIn’s Economic Graph. Using this new interactive tool, policymakers and the public can search and download data on which companies are hiring, what jobs are available, and what skills are needed in over 180 countries and regions around the world.
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Globe myBusiness teams up with international learning management services
The global pandemic has encouraged many industries to adjust and find ways to thrive in the new normal. In the education sector, institutions are expected to explore new ways of learning while maintaining social distancing guidelines. Earlier this month, the national government announced that face-to-face classes will be postponed until a COVID-19 vaccine is developed. The Department of Education said that the while preparing schools for “a different setup” is a challenge, the Department is readying the resumption of school operations based on their Basic Education — Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) which would affect almost the entire education infrastructure in the country — from the DepEd Central Office down to the school level. Meanwhile, the Commission on Higher Education shared that they are working with the Department of Health to draft guidelines on health protocols when classes resume. “With the threat of COVID-19, schools and universities are seeing additional pressure to
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develop and implement technology that will support students’ learning. In some cases, it takes a toll on the system, leading to reliability issues that impact the overall educational experience,” says Mark Abalos, education segment head for Globe myBusiness. As response to this pressing need, Globe myBusiness, Globe’s center of excellence in Education, has partnered with Learning Management Services (LMS) providers to ensure that schools are supported in deploying learning platforms to their students and teachers. Together with D2L-BrightSpace, Edmodo, and Google Education, the telco giant makes sure that flexible learning options are accessible to institutions with various needs. LMS is a software application that administers, documents, and tracks educational courses and training programs. Since it is accessible online, it serves as a viable alternative resource for institutions looking to offer lessons without holding physical classes.
“Our partnership with the world’s leading LMS providers is a promising solution to a challenge we are facing today. By using technology as a tool for education, we hope to recreate the way we learn amid these extraordinary times,” adds Abalos. Globe has recently provided LMS services for partner institutions such as Indiana Aerospace University in Cebu, Top Achievers Private School, Cebu Doctors University, Bukidnon Faith Christian School, Rosemont Hills Montessori, San Pablo Colleges and St. Peter College of Ormoc. They add to the roster of institutions already enjoying the benefits of Globe’s services, joining Emilio Aguinaldo College and the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde in Manila. Through interactive, experiential, collaborative, and reflective means, Globe myBusiness pushes to maximize digital learning. More so, parents, students, and educators can rely on Globe to be their trusted partner in making the most out of the ever-changing landscape of 21st century learning, especially in times of crisis.
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De La Salle Lipa chooses PLDT Enterprise to enable e-Learning PLDT Enterprise, the B2B arm of the country’s leading ICT and digital services provider, recently turned over 665 units of pocket WiFi devices with Smart GIGA Study plans for the use of the Lasallian Associate Partners of De La Salle Lipa in Batangas. The SMART pocket WiFi devices will augment the school’s ‘BorderFree Education’ system by connecting teachers and students online during the COVID-19 pandemic. SMART’s Giga Study plans are specially developed prepaid packages that cater exclusively to the academe. Giga Study includes daily data allocations for online learning tools essential to today’s new normal of learning. It also provides open data allocations that can enable both learners and faculty members to access information vital to furthering their expanded online needs. “We have not stopped teaching. Even before March 15, we already had approximately 15 kilometers of fiber optic cable on the whole campus, linking all our classrooms in a local area network. So we were prepared for this emergency. Through PLDT, we are extending our virtual infrastructure beyond the physical campus into the homes of our teachers. Thus
the name ‘BorderFree Education’,” said Dfezie Torres-Tipan, chief of strategic services of De La Salle Lipa. The school has nearly 800 academic and administrative staff and over 9,000 enrolled students. The fortified partnership with PLDT Enterprise provides the necessary connectivity for the faculty to conduct their educational activities for the benefit of their students who are safely studying at home. “We hope to reinforce this fortified partnership further in the future by also providing the students of De La Salle Lipa with stronger internet connectivity at home. Our students, faculty, and staff can access our digital educational infrastructure even as they are working from home,” Tipan added. This initiative is only one part of PLDT’s ongoing efforts to enable schools like De La Salle Lipa, to leverage on technology and continue learning for its students even while at home. “Our stance with the government to help combat this current crisis and help cope with the guidelines of quarantine has been the echoing
mandate not just for us in PLDT, but of the entire MVP Group of companies,” said Jovy Hernandez, ePLDT president & CEO and SVP & head of PLDT and Smart enterprise business groups. “We hope to expand our partnerships with the other schools and academic institutions to make e-learning not just as the band-aid solution today but instead the catalyst to elevate our education system to the next level of learning,” he added.
T.I.P. offers free online tutorial for college freshmen and alumni As the Technological Institute of the Philippines (T.I.P.) shifts to online and flexible learning for the School Year 2020-2021, it also converted some of its student programs and services to be accessible online such as the Study Group Tutorial (SGT). The SGT program began 3 years ago as an in-campus study group activity headed by peer student tutors. This pre-selected group of students tutored and assisted fellow students and peers in particular courses or lessons where they needed help. The face-to-face tutorials were conducted at the T.I.P. grounds and were offered for free to students. With the observed significance of this service to T.I.P. students, the institution included the SGT among the programs and services it is offering online, now calling it the Online Study Group Tutorial (OSGT), and making it a permanent feature of the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS), T.I.P.’s official online learning platform where students can access the program. The OSGT is offered for free and is T.I.P.’s way of welcome incoming college freshmen and transferees as they enter a new phase in their academic life. Incoming college freshmen and transferees can register to OSGT soon after
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they enroll in T.I.P., which tentatively starts on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. They have the option to choose topics in Mathematics and English under the guidance of the Math and Physics Department, and the English Language Proficiency Training Managers. The online version of the program is facilitated by faculty members and peer tutors as teaching assistants. Early access to OSGT is beneficial for college freshmen and transferees because it is a good starting point for them to experience what it is like to learn online. It also gives them time to adjust to using Canvas LMS before online and flexible learning classes start on Monday, August 24, 2020. As additional good news, T.I.P. is also extending the OSGT to its alumni. Aside from Mathematics and English, Advanced Coursework will be offered to them for free to help them prepare for their board examinations and work. This is their opportunity to have a refresher course at no cost. Enrolling in the program is like acquiring a private tutor at home, and allows them to access educational materials anytime at their own pace, helping increase their ability to do asynchronous learning. This whole new learning experience
for students is in line with T.I.P.’s new thrust to lead in online and flexible learning in the new normal. To know more about OSGT, you may call the following numbers: (+632) 8911-0964, (+63) 917-8590279 for T.I.P. QC and (+632) 8733-9117 for T.I.P. Manila. For interested incoming senior high school and college students, you can enroll in T.I.P. online via tip.edu.ph/admissions or emailing admissions.qc@tip.edu.ph (QC) or admissions.manila@tip.edu.ph (Manila).
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Asia Pacific College and National University venture into online learning with Globe Business
In preparation for the upcoming trimester, Asia Pacific College (APC) and National University (NU) partnered with Globe Business to offer free connectivity solutions through SchoolSURF Plans, Home Prepaid WiFi kits, and Load Up to enrollees.
available to all students of APC and NU. They simply need to plug and play the Globe Home Prepaid WiFi modem supplied by the schools. APC and NU’s IT Resources teams will disburse data under the SchoolSURF plan to the prepaid SIMs installed in each device using the Globe Load Up platform.
“For education to work in an online environment, teachers and students must be able to interact in a way that’s similar to the face-to-face experience. Our collaboration with Globe Business will bring learning innovations and other opportunities to ensure flexible engagements,” said NU president Dr. Renato Carlos H. Ermita, Jr.
Globe Business’ SchoolSURF data plan is designed to reduce distractions that come with remote online learning. The plan restricts access to unauthorized websites so that parents and teachers are assured that students can focus on their school activities. With SchoolSURF, users can access digital learning apps such as GSuite, Office356, Coursehero and Blackboard. They may also use virtual communication platforms such as Zoom, Facebook Messenger, Viber, and Whatsapp to assist in online classes and school administration tasks.
The unavailability of internet connections in many Filipino households poses a challenge for distance learning, which is by far the safest alternative to in-school classes. “By democratizing access to education, every student will have equal opportunity for continuous learning in a connected environment, and eventually, equal opportunity in finding their place in the workforce,” shared APC president Dr. Tata P. Medado. At no extra cost to students and their parents, the connectivity solution from Globe will be
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“Our partnership with APC and NU will allow students to maximize technologies that can prepare them for an online future,” mentioned Peter Maquera, senior vice president for Globe Business. “Aside from enabling e-books, course materials, high-quality video lectures, and Cloud-hosted virtual labs to be within reach, the SchoolSURF Plan also gives students a convenient way to connect. APC and NU’s programs are great examples of how we can make online learning attainable for all Filipinos.”
APC and NU are part of a consortium led by SM, one of the country’s top conglomerates in retail, banking, and property. Both institutions have developed distance learning programs to enable classes to resume amid the pandemic. The APC Home Study Program aims to create a safe and conducive learning environment that not only makes digital resources available to students, but also allows them to consult with their industry mentors online, and engage in project-based learning through virtual tools. On the other hand, NU’s Flexible Learning Experience—also known as FLEX—focuses on blending remote asynchronous and synchronous learning, which means students will experience a mix of scheduled classes and recorded lectures that are accessible anytime and anywhere. Globe Business continues to empower organizations, like APC and NU, and other large enterprises through quality services, innovative solutions, and digital knowhow. Apart from connectivity solutions, the enterprise arm of Globe Telecom offers an expanding line of Cloud, cybersecurity, and ICT products to help businesses build resilience amid any situation.
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Pru Life UK holds webinar to discuss mHealth in the country Leading life insurer Pru Life UK has launched the latest edition of its PRUWise Webinar series called Health Scape PH, which was a timely and insightful dialogue among key stakeholders from the country’s healthcare sector to discuss mHealth in the country. The Webinar was attended by about 1000 participants. The webinar titled “Health Scape PH: Harnessing th Power AI and Mobile Health in Transforming PH Health,” discussed topics on mobile digital health (mHealth), challenges post-COVID-19, and the behavioral shift towards digital healthcare, as well as highlighted the role of the public and private sector in advancing mHealth in the country. Panelist for the webinar comprised of representatives from Pru Life UK and its regional headquarters Prudential Corporation Asia, as well as industry partners from Babylon, a global healthcare organization with a growing strong presence in Asia, the Department of Health and leading telecommunications provider PLDT group, “We are pleased to hold the first Healthscape PH webinar along with our partners to discuss digital health as part of our ongoing advocacy of supporting Filipinos’ wellbeing through innovation. We believe there is a strong opportunity to leverage mobile health technologies to help promote more accessible and affordable healthcare in the Philippines,” said Antonio “Jumbing” De Rosas, president and CEO, Pru Life UK. At the webinar, Prudential Corporation Asia Chief Health Officer Andrew Wong discussed Prudential’s ambition for digital health and how the company is playing a more extensive preventive role alongside protection to address the growing health burden in Asia. Meanwhile, Babylon’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mobasher Butt explained what makes their technology the world’s first integrated medical AI platform and how healthcare systems can be transformed through a digital-first healthcare delivery model. He also shared how AI can help address issues in the accessibility and affordability of healthcare services in the Philippines. Other key stakeholders from the government and private sector discussed the need to advance digital health in the Philippines, highlighting how public and private institutions can work collectively towards this goal. DOH Director IV for Knowledge Management and Information Technology Service Dr. Enrique Tayag offered an overview of the future of the country’s health system, including a glimpse into DOH’s efforts in promoting mHealth as a powerful tool to help disseminate relevant health information and guidelines to the public, especially as part of COVID-19 response efforts. “We have always embraced technology because we believe that it will always support what we have for improving access to services. In fact, 86
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we had one mobile app application that’s for smokers so they can quit and they actually get teleconsultations when they use the apps. We’re developing it now so that we can scale it up. That was in collaboration with the World Health Organization,” Tayag told Gadgets Magazine in an exclusive interview after the webinar. “We also had partnerships with different third party developers for telemedicine consultations, but, but we also caution, everyone who approached us for their proposals in introducing these apps. Because, one, there may be privacy and data protection issues. We want to make sure that people are protected when they share valuable information when they install it in these apps. Secondly, that they actually get the services they expect or desire and so you Government is actually going to scale up its processes on telemedicine because of the new normal and we expect to work with the private sector including Pru life UK, so that we can provide the best health services we cannot now ignore the contribution of the private sector,” he adds. First Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer Angel Redoble of PLDT Group, ePLDT, and Smart discussed how the telecommunications industry can supplement digital health efforts with technology infrastructure and safeguarding user data. He shared his views on the readiness of Filipinos in using mHealth tools now that the National ID System is almost in place. He also expressed his thoughts on how the telecommunications industry can work closely with the health and life insurance sectors to leverage mHealth to reach more Filipinos nationwide and strengthen the Philippine mobile healthcare system. “As we conclude this pioneering and informative discussion on mobile health with leaders from both the government and private sectors, we are excited with the ongoing developments in the Philippine healthcare system and reiterate our commitment to ensuring Filipinos’ health and wellbeing through our protect, prevent, and
postpone proposition,” said Allen Tumbaga, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Marketing Officer, Pru Life UK. Pru Life UK has a key figure for mHealth in the country. Last November 2019, the company commissioned advisory firm Quisumbing Torres to launch a whitepaper titled “Mobile Health in the Philippines,’ which examines the readiness of the country’s regulatory environment for mHealth. A few months later Pru Life UK introduced Pulse, its holistic health management app which allows users to proactively manage their health and lifestyle through AI-enabled tools, relevant health information, and other value-added resources. As of writing the app now has more than 1.3 million downloads a number Tumbaga was happily surprised about. “When we were trying to estimate before how many we use it, we were using, oh, we will be very happy if a million will be using it. I believe my forecast was a bit less. But then we were pleasantly surprised when people took on to the app and until now they keep on downloading the app. I would say possibly that the current situation heightened their interest for to be able to get something on their hand where they can consult with not necessarily to do something like the usual Google searching, but really something more intelligent, that can aid them with a question about their health and so on and so forth,” Tumaga told Gadgets Magazine in an exclusive interview after the webinar. According to the whitepaper, there are seven recommendations on how to implement mHealth in the country. Pru Life UK president Antonio De Roxas in his opening remarks notes that three of the seven recommendations have been started making progress. With Dr. Eric Tayag noting it’s not a matter of if the country but only a matter of when. “The country has the potential to actually fulfill all the steps. But the question is not if we can, but when. So we have to have the infrastructure, we have to change the culture, we have to manage the change is going to happen,” Tayag said. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
Go Paperless with digital document management powered by Microsoft AI In any firm, big or small, transactions between departments and across functions expose companies to missed opportunities, noncompliance, and even financial vulnerability. At the center are countless documents that carry important information, which are crucial to running a business. In this era of digitization, most companies still route paper files and manage their compliance manually — practices which are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to errors. Yet as remote work has become the new norm created by COVID-19, document and compliance management through manual means has ceased to be viable. Championing the digital shift of integral business processes, systems integrator and application developer Paperless Trail Inc. highlights the importance of embracing the “new normal” in doing business. Responding to the difficulties encountered by organizations through technology, Paperless Trail Inc. developed industry-leading solutions that effectively move compliance and document management to the digital space. In the last 10 years, Paperless Trail Inc.’s applications Archive One, Activity Factory, and Go Paperless! have become essential tools for forward-looking businesses looking to spend less time on administrative tasks, and more on highvalue work that produces long-term results. Self-regulation through Archive One Archive One is a document management software (DMS) that serves as an auditing tool, which seamlessly classifies, stores, secures, and retrieves essential documents. It is particularly helpful in the IT-BPM sector, whose companies usually employ thousands of individuals, therefore giving companies a huge amount of data to track. Jay Edades, technical director of Paperless Trail Inc. shares, “Human Resources departments have to track and update employee data to ensure each worker’s records are complete when filing taxes or assisting with health benefits and social security claims. They also have to provide relevant information to certain clients about employees working on those accounts. With Archive One, we ease the burden of digitization work and fix the method data for each employee in order to make complete reports.” Archive One has also been used by the financial sector to audit all information related to a particular transaction. For example, if a client spends PHP 100,000, Archive One can give a breakdown of the transaction along with all the related attachments found in the system. This allows for easy tracking of transaction numbers, voucher numbers and supporting documents to enable the team to account for missing or inaccurate paperwork.
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“The biggest impact of Archive One is that it tells executives if the information they have is complete and if they are compliant with standard procedures,” Edades explains. Remote document routing made easy by Activity Factory Paperless Trail also deploys Activity Factory, a workflow software that eliminates paper forms and the manual conduct of routing and approvals. It utilizes a checklist system that breaks down the workflow of business-wide operations into concrete steps. Files can be attached to each step in the workflow to signal compliance, and the platform only clears the team to advance once each checkpoint is fulfilled by the designated employee. Through these checkpoints, businesses can audit themselves by having the software ensure that the paperwork is complete for each juncture in the process. Since it follows a workflow that assigns steps to certain people, it immediately determines where the bottlenecks are in the system and therefore promotes accountability in the organization. According to Edades, Activity Factory is especially helpful to financial institutions involved in credit and loan application processes, and the manufacturing sector tasked with meeting ISO quality standards. Go Paperless! for managing countless pages of documents Complementing the two applications is Go Paperless!, the scanning service brand of Paperless Trail that has become the go-to solution of many businesses of all sizes in the Philippines. It has scanned over 250 million pages to date and offers image conversion to searchable text through indexing for easier information retrieval.
Go Paperless! enables the digital storage of business records and addresses the challenge of storing and retrieving paper-based documents. This, according to Edades, supports companies into going digital as part of their long-term strategy. “Once your records are digitized, you only need the press of a button to access everything you need to run your business. It frees up physical space and gives nearly real-time access to any document that you need,” Edades adds. AI-Processing and information security Edades emphasizes that Paperless Trail’s solutions not only optimize business processes and allow teams to work more efficiently, but they also address a key concern among executives: data security. “We acknowledge that each page contains sensitive information and the reason we built these applications is to prevent hacking, mishandling of data, missing documentation, and mitigate other data security risks. Our programs are built to automate along with necessary safeguards that uphold the information security of our partners,” Edades reiterates. Paperless Trail’s services are powered by Microsoft Artificial Intelligence (AI) which helps in digitizing thousands of documents daily by extracting text from images and conducting word analysis for contextualizing information. Edades adds, “Running Microsoft AI together with our own technology gives our solutions a stronger backbone. It also gives us and our clients a solid sense of security especially as we handle sensitive and complex information in millions of documents. We are thrilled to have found a partner in Microsoft as we champion the digitization of compliance and business processes of companies in the Philippines.”
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Sun Life Asset Management marks 20th anniversary, assets under management over P94-B Sun Life Asset Management Company, Inc. (SLAMCI) is marking its 20th anniversary with the milestone of breaching PHP 94 Billion in assets under management (AUM), as of end-June 2020, strengthening its suite of multi-awarded mutual funds collectively called Sun Life Prosperity Funds. The AUM breach took place amid the current challenges in the market, which saw declines following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We see this as a vote of confidence from our clients, and we thank them for their continued trust. As we mark two decades of being our clients’ partner for prosperity, we are inspired to continue innovating so we may offer products and services relevant to their needs.” Valerie Pama, SLAMC president, said. Enhanced digital solutions According to Pama, SLAMCI aims to continue its digital transformation, which proved to be valuable especially when the COVID-19 pandemic struck the country. SLAMCI was among the few financial services companies that remained operational during quarantine, allowing it to continuously serve its clients’ needs while in the safety of their homes. For instance, those who wished to add to their investments were able to use the Bills Payment Program, while the My Sun Life Client Portal and
Sun Life PH Mobile App allowed them to add to or redeem from their chosen Fund. Electronic Statements of Account were also made available on the My Sun Life Client Portal so clients may monitor their investments while webinars were held to keep clients informed about the state of the market and how they can manage their investments in these unprecedented times. On July 22, 2020, SLAMCI marks another first, holding its Annual Shareholders Meeting via Zoom.
Valerie Pama, SLAMC president.
Enriched financial literacy advocacy
Bright partnerships, brighter futures
With the importance of being financially secure coming to light in the current situation, SLAMCI aims to further enlighten Filipinos on how investing in mutual funds can help them grow their hard-earned money so they can achieve their long-term financial goals.
SLAMCI remains the largest non-bank asset management company in the Philippines, managing a total of 16 funds and catering to 160,000 investors with the help of 2,500 financial advisors. As the company marks its 20th anniversary, it looks forward to serving Filipinos for the next 20 years and beyond and offering a wider variety of wealth solutions, innovative tools, and excellent service.
SLAMCI is especially encouraged by the growing number of young investors. Millennials (20 to 35 years old) now make up 31% of its clients, closely following Gen X-ers (36 to 55 years old) which comprise majority of SLAMCI’s clients at 47%. “This is a good indicator that we are raising a more financially-prepared generation,” Pama said. “With this, we are inspired to continue with our financial literacy efforts such as webinars and special information campaigns.”
“It has been a fruitful two decades of bright partnerships with the Filipinos, and we thank those who made it happen. It would be our honor to fulfill this purpose for more years to come,” Pama said. “Rest assured that we will remain at their side most especially in these trying times, so we can help them rise above the challenges and look forward to a brighter, more prosperous future.”
Robinsons Bank introduces RBank Biz portal and QR facility to help businesses move forward With the new normal in place, many Filipinos have begun exploring the online market space as an alternative means of livelihood. From baked goods, handcrafted masks, electronics, and more, the e-commerce landscape is thriving with unique business ventures.
No matter how small or big the business is, RBank offers online and offline payment channels such as Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals for debit and credit cards, E-Commerce Payment Solutions, and QR Code payments for cashless, cardless, and contactless transactions.
As the e-commerce landscape surges and the global trend for contactless transactions continues to grow, Robinsons Bank is introducing the RBank Biz Portal and RBank QuickR QR Code capability—new safe and efficient ways to help buyers and sellers manage their business during this crisis.
This allows business owners to reach a larger customer base since this platform accepts payments from other local banks. What’s more, it gives their business added visibility in RBank’s website. Soon, RBank Biz will enable a Merchant Dashboard where RBank merchants can easily track their receivables, providing a robust sales monitoring facility for their business. And the greatest part of this service to its clients, RBank Biz is all FREE!
Wider choices, greater opportunities Take your business to greater heights with RBank Biz, a business solution that’s guaranteed to provide ease and convenience! RBank Biz is an online platform that can help business owners, even online sellers in Facebook, manage their cashflow. Interested e-commerce sellers and micro business owners can easily apply to become an RBank Merchant through its digitized application process. The application process can take as short as three (3) days, depending on their type of business. With RBank Biz, not only does it provide more payment options to customers, but also ease and safety in completing their transactions. 88
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Just visit www.bit.ly/RBankBiz to sign up as an RBank Merchant. Enjoy the QuickR way to pay and receive payments via QR With the gradual shift to contactless transactions, RBank QuickR is the perfect solution to avoid handling cash and remain safe from the covid virus. RBank’s QR (QuickR way to pay) is a cashless payment solution that allows RBank accountholders to send and receive digital payments from other
RBank accounts or RBank Biz merchants via QR code, and without investing in any hardware. Furthermore, RBank’s QR promises contactless payment, ensuring minimized contact between merchants and customers. Through RBank’s QR, payments received are credited to the RBank account in real-time ensuring efficient cash flow. Users need not worry about security since all information transferred via QR code is encrypted and secure. In a few months, expect RBank QuickR QR code to have the capability to receive payments from other banks! To cater to the market’s changing needs especially as the world adjusts to the new normal, Robinsons Bank is committed to its promise to expand its products and services to serve you better and to be your partner towards a brighter future www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
Expediting sustainability and resilience in the real estate industry in the 2020 ULI-PH Conference
(L-R clockwise): Issa Litton, moderator; Scott Dunn, vice president for Southeast Asia - AECOM; Julia Nebrija, chief operating officer - Philippine Japan Initiative for Clark; Madhu Raghunath, sector leader for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand - The World Bank.
Six months into 2020, there has been a rapid shift to reevaluating and rethinking our built environment as disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic have affected our way of living. The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Philippines held its annual conference which centered on sustainability and resilience in the real estate industry. Local and international industry leaders led the dialogue on how to take smarter approaches to our assets, technology, infrastructure, and cities.
neighboring countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Held online via live webcast, the 2020 ULIPhilippines Conference entitled The FutuRE Summit highlighted sustainability and resilience in the industry and addressed issues in climate change, urban challenges, current and future crises, and socio-economic inclusivity. The panel discussions were moderated by Issa Litton.
VP for business development at Igloohome Best Jittida Haputpong, founder and CEO of UbiPark Mosstyn Howell, and VP for sales and marketing at PAM Jason Hutty shared their respective business products and services that leverage real estate through innovation and technology. Igloohome provides a secure access management platform for smart homes and cities. UbiPark digitizes the parking transaction from start to finish, allowing people to search, navigate, access, and pay for parking directly from their smartphone or in-car display. UbiPark has actively been communicating a cashless and agile parking solution, prior to COVID-19. Lastly, PAM provides intelligent navigation solutions and events communications.
In the second session of the event which focused on innovation, Shelli Trung, partner and managing director at REACH Australia, presented an overview of the Asia Pacific Region’s global venture capital deal value in 2018 and share in global prop-tech investments in 2017. She also reported a Philippine case study, noting: “The Philippines actually offers a really interesting opportunity when it comes to venture capital,” although it is still behind its
Founder and CEO of Inteluck Kevin Zhang introduced its data-driven logistics platform services across South East Asia. When asked about scaling up business products or services in an industry and region, Zhang answered, “When you look at all the different industries, the business model is always the same, how they make money is always the same. But the core difference between a great company or a normal company or the
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company that can grow in the long-term is how they utilize market data and knowledge to improve efficiently and save costs.” Meanwhile, co-founder and CEO of uHoo Dustin Onghanseng described how uHoo measures air quality to enhance health, safety, and comfort. Its user-friendly application that can be integrated with other gadgets available at home to automate healthy air and it can also be integrated directly to building systems. Elaborating on the product, he added, “Most recently, we’ve launched the uHoo Virus Index, this is a world’s first, it is patent pending. What it can do is it can tell you how to deactivate COVID-19, because COVID-19 survives in specific environments and all you have to do is create an environment that is detrimental to the virus to deactivate it.” Addressing how to further nurture the innovation ecosystem of other countries, Trung concluded: “Every single sector needs to play their role and know what their role is. We want engagement, having these panels are important but being customers, providing the checks, matching our checks, getting a tax incentive out there, making sure we all do our part and together we can build that ecosystem.”
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Subaru Asia helps discover the next music star in Asian Dream Subaru Asia has partnered with global music legend Michael Bolton to launch the first season of Asian Dream, a reality singing competition which spotlights six talented musicians from across Asia, who compete for a spot on Michael’s Asian Dream tour and as a Subaru Ambassador. Viewers that have been eagerly awaiting the show can watch it exclusively on AXN on 6 August, Thursday at 7:25 pm (6:25 pm JKT/BKK). Over the course of seven episodes, the contestants from Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam are mentored, coached and pushed to the limits by Michael Bolton, and his co-host, singing sensation Morrisette Amon, along with celebrity guest experts. Across the progressive elimination format, the singers face a wide range of physical and mental challenges that will make or break them, until the final showdown. The winner will perform in the Asian Dream concert tour with Michael Bolton next year. The challengers are: • Becky Yeung (Hong Kong) • Karl Zarate (Philippines) • Linh Tran (Vietnam) • Sasha Ka (Thailand) • Poova Sri Rama (Malaysia) • Tyen Rasif (Singapore) Motor Image—distributor of Subaru cars in the region and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tan Chong International Limited—is committed to developing Asian talent who have passion, tenacity and drive. Motor Image previously sponsored program favorite Asia’s Next Top Model and commissioned Bolt of Talent. “We are proud to provide a unique platform and opportunity for aspiring singers to pursue their dreams. They are mentored individually by industry veterans, hone their skills through a series of challenges and improve their performance. Through this experience, as they grow as performers, I hope Asian Dream will serve as a launchpad for their future success,” said Mr Glenn Tan, deputy chairman and managing director, Tan Chong International Limited. Mr Tan also appears on the show as a guest judge. The show premieres on AXN, a regional channel that redefines the entertainment experience for discerning audiences through world-class TV programs. “As a platform that has been home to captivating reality competitions such as The Amazing Race Asia and Asia’s Got Talent, we are proud to partner with Subaru to launch this highly-anticipated show, and are always on the look out to work with strategic partners
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and brands that reflect our values and vision of bringing quality content to viewers”, said Avani Bhanchawat, vice president, affiliate, media & sponsorship sales, KC Global Media Asia, which owns AXN. Multi-Grammy award winner Michael Bolton, who is one of the creators of the show, appears as a resident judge on Asian Dream. He has sold more than 65 million records worldwide, including nine #1 singles, ten Top 10 albums, and over two dozen songwriting awards. He became a viral internet sensation in the Saturday Night Live “Jack Sparrow” video, garnering over 200 million YouTube views. Speaking about his involvement in Asian Dream, Michael said, “I am thrilled to be partnering with Subaru Asia to find some of the best and brightest stars in the region, and helping them rise to their full potential. Although I was signed at the age of 16, it took me eighteen years to break through, so I feel I can relate to these young artists’ aspirations. It takes more than just a great voice or an x-factor to make it in the music business; it also takes commitment and drive, values which we share with my friend and collaborator Glenn Tan.” Alongside Michael Bolton, Asian Dream boasts a veritable line-up of established Asian entertainers. Filipina singer and actress Morissette Amon is the other resident judge of the show. Since joining the world of show business at the age of 14, she has gone on to win more than 30 awards, including Artist of the Year and Pop Song of the Year. Together with Michael Bolton, she guides
the contestants as they rise to the challenge of becoming well-rounded, versatile and captivating performers. The resident judges are joined by guest celebrities from across Asia, including: • Fashion Photographer Yu Tsai (United States of America) • Actress Tan Kheng Hua (Singapore) • Singer Sara Wee (Singapore) • Choreographer Alif Archo (Singapore) • Singer and Subaru Ambassador Mild Nawin (Thailand) • Singer and actress Janine Weigel (Thailand) • Musician Thanh Bui (Vietnam) • Singer and actress Ho Ngoc Ha (Vietnam) • Asia’s Next Top Model Season 6 winner and Subaru Ambassador Dana Slosar (Thailand) • Asia’s Next Top Model Season 6 runner-up Mia Sabathy (Taiwan) The contestants are mentored by the guests in the show, to hone their skills as performers and thereafter compete head-to-head in a series of challenges. These give the contestants an opportunity to understand what is needed on the journey to become a professional singer. Asian Dream is produced by Refinery Media in association with Passion Films and premieres across Asia on Thursday, 6 August, at 7:25 pm (6:25 pm JKT/BKK), exclusively on AXN. The episodes are also available online thereafter at www.subaru. asia/asiandream.
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2020 R1v1r Runes PH champ beat 2x TI winner OG.N0tail in 1v1 showmatch 2020 R1v1r Rune Philippines champion Zedrick “Jeff” Dizon beat 2x The International Champion OG’s team captain Johan “N0tail” Sundstein 2-1 last July 20 at the Red Bull R1v1r Runes Civil War event live streamed on KuyaNic’s facebook page. R1v1r Runes is a custom map created in the Dota 2 environment. The map is played on a 1v1 mirror match up with the main objective is to be the first one to kill your opponent three time or be the first to destroy the opponents tier one tower. N0tail took a convincing game one with the juggernaut head to head (3-0), however the Atenean managed to take game 2 a windranger matchup 3-0 to force a winner takes all game 3. It was back and forth affair in the last game with both players taking 2 kills each. But it was the Pinoy who managed to take a decisive blow to win the game 3-2. In 2019, the Red Bull R1v1r Runes tournaments were hosted in seven countries: India, Croatia, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, UK, and the Philippines.
Riot Southeast Asia partners with Mineski’s Youth Esports Program to support student development The Youth Esports Program (YEP) is getting a power boost in its initiative and activities for esports grassroots program in the country as it partners with global game developer and publisher, Riot Games through its regional bloc Riot Games Southeast Asia. Through the partnership, students that are part of the Youth Esports Program will gain access to Roit’s speakers through workshops and career talks, participation in activities organized by the publisher, and other support for student initiatives. Among these initiatives include weekly Legend of Runeterra tournaments for YEP chapter orgs, Valorant content contests, and more. “The Philippines has always been one of our most important markets and we have been consistently blown away from the passion and talent discovered within the community here. We are excited to partner with the Youth Esports Program and to support their efforts in nurturing the next generation of esports and game industry professionals,” said Chris Tran, Head of Esports for Riot Games Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.
“We’re very happy and excited to have Riot Games be part of the program. We are aligned on our objective of raising the next level of esports to the level of other varsity sports in the schools. Together, we hope to create the infrastructure needed for students to responsibly pursue their passions in the exciting industry of esports and gaming. The Philippines’ best professional teams of the future will come from the current youth,” said Marlon “Lon” Marcelo, director, YEP.
The partnership also marks the inclusion of Valorant as an official tournament game in the Youth Esports Program’s soon-to-be-announced national crosscampus esports league.
The Youth Esports Program is a collaboration between Mineski Philippines and the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) to develop future esports talent in the country through
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students. It aims to establish a coalition of students esports orgs in campuses across the country as accredited YEP chapters, and supports students esports initiatives through career opportunities, event support, esports skills development and more. The Youth Esports Program promotes esports as a healthy, responsible, and legitimate extra-curricular activity for the country’s youth. Schools and student organizations interested in partnering with the Youth Esports Program may email them at yep@mineski.net or message them on Facebook at facebook.com/ youthesportsprogram. JULY 2020
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Words by Jose Alvarez
Going to school during COVID-19 is going to be radically different. You’re going to be on Zoom and socially distancing from your teachers and classmates. You can use laptops, tablets, smartphones, and more today to complete your schoolwork, but what if this pandemic happened in a less connected time? Thankfully, Jeff Hawkins had a solution when it came to tablets: the GRiDPad. Hawkins was ahead of his time when it came to speech recognition patterns, paving the way for Siri and Alexa today back in the 1980s. He worked for Intel and, later, GRiD Systems in 1982. He enrolled in the biophysics program at the University of California at Berkeley in 1986 and even patented a “pattern classifier” based on handwritten text for his PhD program, but nobody else at the university were even working in the field. Hawkins took the idea back to GRiD Systems, where he would develop the GRiDPad. GRiD Systems was later acquired by the Tandy Corporation in 1988, and Hawkins would stay on to oversee his creation. The GRiDPad came out in September 1989 and measured around 9 x 12 x 1.4 inches and weighed around 4.5 pounds. The first iteration of the GRiDPad had an Intel 8086 processor (10MHz), PCMCIA storage, a black and white 640x400 10-inch display, and ran on MSDOS 3.3 as its operating system. It had a touch-screen interface with a stylus and handwriting recognition that Hawkins himself developed. Later iterations of the GRiDPad included 256KB or 512KB battery-backed RAM cards and the GRiDPad SL would even
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run on Windows 3.1 when it was released in 1992. The GRiDPad Convertible, which was also released in 1992, was the first fully convertible tablet as the screen would move up to reveal a full-sized keyboard, although it weighed almost 10 pounds, which would be unthinkable even for the heaviest laptops today. Hawkins filed a patent in 1992 flipping the screen orientation between landscape and portrait which we see in our tablets today. The United States Army used the GRiDPad for inventory management, ordering special versions of the GRiDPad made out of magnesium for durability. Other government agencies also used the GRiDPad, and it became popular among bookkeepers, delivery drivers, and major corporations such as Chrysler and Best Foods Baking Group. One unit cost around USD 2,370 without software and USD 3,000 with software, or around USD 4,927.45 and USD 6,237.02 today. Hawkins was cautious about how the GRiDPad should be used. “I never saw pen computers as a replacement for a full PC,” he said in a 2008 interview. Hawkins went on to develop its successor, the Palm Pilot, which was one of the most successful portable devices of its time.
Technology companies decided to incorporate elements of the GRiDPad into their own products. Apple’s iPad, the Microsoft Surface, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab all incorporate touchscreen technology and other elements of the GRiDPad in their products today. Hawkins eventually retreated from the technology world to focus on neuroscience. He wrote a book in 2004 called On Intelligence, and his specific area of interest is cortical columns, or structures in the neocortex where scientists believe that the brain creates and stores models of objects in the environment that it encounters. While Hawkins is still working in neuroscience today, he believes that cortical columns may affect the development of artificial intelligence, which means that Hawkins may return to the technology world one day. Tablets used to be heavy and hard to carry around, but thanks to tech companies picking up on the elements of the GRiDPad, they can fit in your backpack and can be used to access information on the Internet at your fingertips— literally. Thank the GRiDPad for pioneering the way forward for tablets which you use in schools today.
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