Hwm philippines september 2017 (1) by Jay banzai

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asUs ZenFone 4 serIes

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an InsIde Look at oppo

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thoUGht Leaders

dIosdado banatao Chairman of PhilDev

Jerry shen

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September 2017 VOLUme 13, ISSUe 09

CONTENTS S

p t e

m b

0 1

ASUS ZENfONE 4

Scene

Bulletin

Spotlight

Q+A

Learn

HWM PH | September 2017

CONTENTS S

p t e

m b

0 1

gEAr 32

47 test

TEST 42 Oneplus A5000 LG K8 moto Z2 play moto e4 plus ASUS ZenFone Ar Acer Aspire VX 15 ASUS rOG G752Vm Sony SrS-Xb10 Sony SrS-Xb30 JbL e45bt panasonic Lumix DC-GF9K HyperX pulseFire plextor S3C Synology DiskStation DS1817+ transcend Drivepro 520 Samsung Galaxy book Hp Sprocket

20 SpOTLighT

fEATUrE

fEATUrE 62 Current Cars toyota Wigo mercedes-benz GLA porche Gt2 rS

52 test

74 E-cars Lexus NX 300h mitsubishi Outlander pHeV Nissan Note tesla model X toyota priuspHV

LEArN 90 making Food Look better

54 test

CONTEST 96 Qihoo 360 Smart Camera

HWM PH | September 2017

74 fEATUrE

editorial (editor.ph@hwzcorp.com) group editor LIONELL GO MACAHILIG lionell.macahilig@hwzcorp.com senior writers CIARA ALARCON ciara.alarcon@hwzcorp.com JONNAH LYNNE PANTE jonnah.pante@hwzcorp.com staff writer NESTOR DOMINGO JR. nestor.domingo@hwzcorp.com intern LORRAINE MAE NEvADO Creatives (design.ph@hwzcorp.com) art director and photographer vICTOR FELIX PULGAR victor.pulgar@hwzcorp.com sales and marKeting (sales.ph@hwzcorp.com) media manager APRIL SALAZAR april.salazar@hwzcorp.com media executive REA GRACE REYES rea.reyes@hwzcorp.com marketing Coordinator CARMELA LLENOS mela.llenos@hwzcorp.com management managing director CHARITY IBAY charity.ibay@hwzcorp.com hr and admin supervisor MARIA THERESA SANTOS tess.santos@hwzcorp.com accounting supervisor JONALD ALBUERO jonald.albuero@hwzcorp.com Circulation Coordinator JOEL MOLA CRUZ joel.molacruz@hwzcorp.com office service assistant GENE TOMA CRUZ Company driver JEFFREY USI porter LEO MENDOZA

hardware Zone phils. Corp. Unit B-4, Topy Main Building, No. 3 Economia Street, Bagumbayan, Quezon City 1110, Philippines Tel: (+632) 634-9179; Fax: (+632) 634-9180 HWM (HardwareMAG®) is published monthly by Hardware Zone Phils. Corp., under license by SPH Magazines Pte. Ltd., Publisher of HWM (HardwareMAG) Singapore. HWM (HardwareMAG), Copyright and trademark registered by SPH Magazines Pte Ltd. All rights reserved. The trademark and content may not be used or reproduced without the permission of SPH Magazines Pte. Ltd. and Hardware Zone Philippines Corp.

ChieF exeCutive oFFiCer LOH YEW SENG lohys@sph.com.sg group editor-in-ChieF CAROLINE NGUI nguislc@sph.com.sg group editor RETA LEE retalee@sph.com.sg general manager PANG LEE CHENG panglc@sph.com.sg

strategiC development direCtor FOONG SEONG KHONG foongsk@sph.com.sg publishing serviCes direCtor LEONG TSCHENG YEE leongty@sph.com.sg Corporate CommuniCations head CHIN SOO FANG soofang@sph.com.sg senior human resourCes manager IRENE LEE leebl@sph.com.sg

international oFFiCes hardware Zone indonesia office Martin Wijaya (Chief Editor) PO Box 6169 JKUPL 14440 Jakarta, Indonesia Tel: (62) 21-612-0233 / 0955 Fax: (62) 21-6220-2580 Email: info.id@hwzcorp.com

hardware Zone malaysia office Michael Low (Editor) 30, Jalan Kartunis U1/47, Temasya Industrial Park, Glenmarie,Seksyen U1, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia Tel: (603) 5569-6800 Fax: (603) 5569-6810 Email: sales.my@hwzcorp.com

hardware Zone taiwan office Dennis Chou (Asia Media Contact) 2F-2, No. 35, Sec 2, Fushing South Rd, Taipei 106, Taiwan Tel: (886) 2-8773-4199 Fax: (886) 2-8773-4200 Email: sales.tw@hwzcorp.com

hardware Zone thailand office Pongsawat Wongterasoot (Exec. Editor) 345 Soi Ratchadapisek Rd, 10 Sub-Junction 7, Huaykwang District, Bangkok 10320, Thailand Tel: (66) 2645-2588 Fax: (66) 2645-2008 Email: sales.th@hwzcorp.com

Copyright © 2016, Hardware Zone Phils. Corp. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine shall be reproduced in any form without the written consent from the Publisher. Comments, opinions, and views of individual contributors expressed in the magazine do not necessarily represent those of the Publisher. Under no circumstances whatsoever shall the magazine/publisher be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages that may arise out of or in connection with the use of the information made in the magazine. All views, opinions, results, and benchmarks used in this publication are based on the prerogative and expertise of the writer(s) serving the respective market and readership of which the publication and products are marketed in.

HWM PH / September 2017

Ed’s NotE S E

LIFE IN THE FAST LANE It is interesting to know that back in July, the philippines, through the Chamber of Automotive manufacturers of the philippines, Inc. (CAmpI), hosted the first-ever electric Vehicles (eV) and Hybrid Summit in the Southeast Asian region. Although the event was just part of the series of activities in line with the country’s hosting of the 33rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASeAN) Summit, it became an opportunity for the philippines to show its interest in promoting eco-friendly modes of transportation not only within the country, but also in the entire region. Gathering key players in the automotive industry, namely Lexus, mitsubishi, Nissan, and toyota, each participant brought to the table an electric or hybrid vehicle model that doesn’t only look good, but also helps in cutting down on carbon dioxide emissions. While it is still a long journey for us to see many diesel- or gasoline-free vehicles running the streets, the hosting of the first eV and Hybrid Summit in the philippine is a step toward a greener transportation landscape. Supporting this initiative, we have dedicated a special feature that highlights some of the vehicles shown during the event. the September issue of HWm philippines is also loaded with special features on the newly launched ASUS ZenFone 4 Series and our recent visit at OppO’s manufacturing facility in Guangdong, China where we learned more about the strict process of smartphone making and the development of smartphone photography. Speaking of the ASUS ZenFone 4 Series, we sat with CeO Jerry Shen to talk about the company’s direction in its smartphone business. We also got a special opportunity to talk with Filipino It pioneer Diosdado banatao who is now helping local startups to succeed not only in the philippines, but also in the global It landscape. there’s more in store for you. Just read on!

The HWM Team Comments about this issue? Suggestions? the HWm team would love to hear from you! Send us your thoughts at editor.ph@hwzcorp.com.

HWM PH / September 2017

S C E N E

MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU A few days after its global launch in Taiwan, ASUS officially brought to the philippine market the new ZenFone 4 Series. Staged at the SmX Convention Center in pasay City, the grand launch was spearheaded by none other than ASUS CeO Jerry Shen and ASUS philippines Country manager George Su. As a key technology partner, Qualcomm’s regional Head for SeA and Pacific Mantosh Malhotra also graced the occasion. Although its naming convention reminds us of the first ZenFone 4 which was launched a couple of years back, the new ZenFone 4 Series refers to the latest generation of smartphones from ASUS. The ZenFone 4, together with other first-generation ASUS smartphones such as the ZenFone 5 and the ZenFone 6, was named according to the size of the screen. At the grand launch headlined with “We Love photo” as its campaign theme, ASUS is obviously gearing toward mobile photography with the unveiling of the ZenFone 4 Series. As evidence, all smartphones in the Series come with a dual camera system, placed either on the front or on the back, depending on the model, with one of the cameras having a 120-degree field of view for wide angle shooting. Augmenting the imaging hardware, ASUS has introduced to the line

HWM PH | September 2017

exclusivities such as the ASUS Superpixel engine, pixelmaster 4.0, and ZenUI 4.0 with Android 7.0 Nougat as the software foundation. All phones in the ZenFone 4 Series are dual-SIm handsets equipped with a fingerprint sensor for enhanced security. top-billing the ZenFone 4 Series is the ZenFone 4 pro (ZS551KL), brandishing a 5.5-inch AmOLeD screen with Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080p). As a flagship handset, this model comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 clocked at 2.35GHz, espousing an Adreno 540 GpU, 6Gb rAm, and 64Gb/128Gb onboard storage. In terms of imaging, the ZenFone 4 pro is equipped with a dual camera system on the back, featuring a 12-megapixel Sony ImX362 sensor with F1.7 aperture and a 16-megapixel Sony ImX351 sensor with 2x optical zoom. the front carries an 8-megapixel Sony ImX319 sensor with F1.9 aperture. the ZenFone 4 pro is also the most expensive model in the Series at php 39,995. the other smartphone members of the new ZenFone 4 Series include the ZenFone 4 (PhP 28,995), ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro (PhP 18,995), ZenFone 4 Selfie (PhP 13,995), and the most affordable ZenFone 4 Max (PhP 9,995).

S C E N E

Red Hot It was a blooming rainy afternoon of a sea of red flocked over the fourth floor of Sm Aura premier as smartphone brand OppO opened its concept store inside Sm’s prestigious mall in bGC, taguig City. Celebrities Coleen Garcia and robi Domingo graced the launch along with several OppO executives in front of fans and members of the media. Also taking place during the event was the launching of OppO’s latest offering, the OPPO F3 Red Limited edition priced at php 15,990.

80 Delightful Years Celebrating its 80th anniversary in the industry, Canon, through its local arm Canon marketing philippines, Inc. (CmpI), staged an event at Newport City in pasay. Spearheaded by CmpI’s new president and CeO Kazuhiro Ozawa, the company announced the comeback of Canon photomarathon which is set to happen on October 21 this year. Canon also introduced two new DSLr models, the eOS 200D for budding photographers and the eOS 6D mark II full-frame camera for photography enthusiasts. Starting prices of the eOS 200D and the eOS 6D mark II are php 39,998 and php 119,998 respectively.

New Face Fujifilm flashed its big news all over the country as the camera manufacturer formally welcomed celebrity Liza Soberano as its latest endorser during the Fujifilm’s Photo Art City held at the music Hall of Sm mall of Asia in pasay City. together with the entire welcoming crew, Soberano roamed around the four major exhibiting areas of photo Art City using the three latest offerings of Fujifilm: The X-A3 (PhP 34,990), Instax SQ10 (php 14,999), and the Instax mini 9 (php 3,999.)

HWM PH | AUGUSt 2017

Car Connectivity pioneer electronics Asia Centre has announced the release of its four new multimedia receivers to the market: the 1-DIN AVH-Z7050bt, 2-DIN AVHZ5050bt, AVH-Z2050bt, and the AVH-Z1050DVD. the new products are designed to enhance user experience through the convenience of one-cable smartphone connectivity in order to provide superior performance. this is made possible through the utilization of Apple Carplay and Android Auto as default driving companions.

Gaming Boost A day after the official launch of the ZenFone 4 Series in the country, ASUS philippines staged the rOG Masters: The Philippine Finals 2017 which happened at the Annex of Sm City North eDSA in Quezon City. Considerably the biggest revelation of the event was the announcement of the philippines as the venue of the upcoming ROG Masters Asia-Pacific Finals happening in October wherein competing teams will vie for prizes with a total amount of USD 500,000 or equivalent to over php 25-million.

Season of Passions Huawei technologies philippines, Inc. has announced its partnership with the Fort bonifacio Development Corporation (bDC) for bonifacio Global Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Season of passions, the biggest festivity of arts, food, and music in the metro. In line with this, Huawei also introduced its newest video streaming app and video service, Vidplus and Clipz, offering a rich selection of Chinese and Hollywood movies, documentaries, lifestyles videos, and shorts about a variety of subjects.

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S C E N E

Affordable Choice Celebrating its 9th year of operations, local brand torque mobile has unveiled five new devices comprised of two tablets and three smartphones, all of which are priced under php 5,000. the newly-launched devices are the eGO Note 3G (php 3,799), eGO Note 4G (php 4,599), eGO Zoom Lite (php 3,999), eGO Wi-Fi (php 2,599), and the eGO pHAb 3G+ (php 3,099). the event also highlighted the partnership between torque and Air21 express, a move which aims to improve torque’s customer service. Also present on the event is celebrity elisse Joson.

Gaming Access razer has sealed the deal with Asia’s leading e-payment enabler mOL Accessportal, making the latter the master distributor of virtual currency zGold. the partnership is projected to accelerate the global growth of mOL and razer’s digital payment and content rebranded as ZGold-mOL points, which will be made available to gamers with over 1 million points of purchase in 17 countries across Southeast Asia and New Zealand. the deal also sets to revolutionize gaming transactions in emerging markets.

Superhero Smartphone ekonic has introduced the gadget inspired from DC Comics’ famous series depicting the alliance of superheroes, the limited edition Justice League Smartphone loaded with features such as an Android 7.0 Nougat OS and compatibility with 700mHz indoor-frequency Lte networks, 16Gb rOm and 2Gb rAm, 8-megapixel (rear) and 5-megapixel (front) cameras, up to 32Gb storage expansion via microSD, and a 2000mAh Li-ion battery. this handset also weighs 170g and boasts a 5.5-inch IpS display.

HWM PH | September 2017

30 Years and Beyond

marking its 31st year in the industry, taiwan-based pC components maker biostar recently staged a grand event in pasig City, a couple of months after it showcased its new products at Computex 2017. established in 1986, biostar shipped over 100 million motherboard and is aiming to ship 100 million more in the coming decades. In the philippines, biostar, through its local distribution partner eA Global, is bringing to the Filipino market its current line of motherboards for both AmD and Intel platform users.

Cherries on Top Cherry mobile has unveiled its newest Cubix lineup comprised of the Cube play (php 1,999), Cube play HD (php 2,999), Cube max (php 3,999), and the Cube book (php 6,999), all of which are exclusively available for purchase through Lazada. Worthy to mention, the new Cube Book is an affordable 14inch notebook which runs on the latest Windows 10 OS and is powered by an Intel Atom Z3735F quad-core processor with Intel HD Graphics. It also comes with 2Gb rAm, 32Gb rOm, and is powered by a 10000mAh battery.

Delicate Delish

An internationally-known brand of gelato café has made it to the philippine shores. the store, known as Gelatofix, officially launched its premier branch in the country located in taguig. the brand is known as an Italian Artisanal gelato café, wherein top gelato products and exquisite Italian cuisine converge. the café also boasts the creations of award-winning chefs Gelato World Cup Champion master Chef Filippo Novelli and Gelato Master Chef David Chang. Gelatofix announced that it will be adding five new outlets over the next 12 months within metro manila.

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B u l l E t i N

BETTEr AND fASTEr iNTErNET Globe telecom spearheads launch of USD 250-million SeA-US submarine cable system

Aligned with its goal of bringing First World Internet to the country, Globe telecom commercially launched today the USD 250-million Southeast Asia-United States (SeA-US) submarine cable system. establishing a link between Davao and the United States, the infrastructure brings enhanced international connectivity for businesses in mindanao and the rest of the philippines. Gracing the groundbreaking launch are Globe telecom president and CeO ernest Cu, Globe telecom Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II, Department of Information and Communications technology (DICt) Secretary rodolfo Salalima, and pt telkom CeO for Wholesale and International business Abdus Somad Arief. the SeA-US cable system is connected to the Globe cable landing station in brgy. talomo, Davao City which also houses the power Feed Equipment necessary to run the system. Outside of Luzon, the undersea cable is the first direct connection of Globe to the United States via Guam, Hawaii, and California, offering faster transmission of data to the US. The 14,500km SEA-US international cable system uses the latest 100Gbps transmission technology to deliver an additional 20tbps capacity. Learn more about this project at www.globe.com.ph.

TwO DECADES Of ExCELLENCE

Dell emC marks 20th year in pH, opens doors to new home in taguig Dell EMC, a part of Dell Technologies, has officially inaugurated its new home in the newly-built World Plaza building situated at one of the country’s largest business districts, the bonifacio Global City (bGC) in taguig, coinciding with the company’s 20th year in the philippines. Following the successful merger of Dell and EMC last September 2016, and the official joint operations made last February this year, the new office will house the world’s largest privately-owned IT company, Dell EMC. The move to the new office is acknowledged by Dell EMC as “symbolic of a new start for the Dell EMC team.” The new office is located on the 17th and 18th floor of the new World Plaza Building in BGC. The said building is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold-certified building, and operates as an “intelligent building” with automated monitoring, tracking, controlling, and managing of water and electricity consumption. It also has an indoor quality system to allow entry of fresh air. It follows the concept of an open office with most spaces intended for collaboration, which is relevant to what the company is promoting – a transformed workforce for an increased productivity, collaboration, and communication among employees. Know more about this move and Dell emC’s portfolio through www.dellemc.com/en-ph and www.dell.com.ph.

STARTUP STEP-UP

AIm-Dado banatao Incubator launches to spur startups in pH the Asian Institute of management (AIm) has joined forces with Filipino It pioneer Diosdado “Dado” banatao, the chairman of the philDev, to accelerate startup development and entrepreneurship in the philippines through an incubator program. AIm, in partnership with philDev, received a php 14.8-million grant in initial funding for the AIm-Dado banatao Incubator under the Department of Science and technology (DOSt) Incubation Creation program. “We believe that AIm’s being located in the philippines is not an accident. At AIm, our motto is ‘Lead. Inspire. transform.’ and the working out of that vision begins here, in the philippines. One of the fastest ways we can achieve this is to give the country’s biggest economic engine the rare opportunity to benefit from the mentorship of global visionaries, such as Dado Banatao,” Jikyeong Kang, AIM president and Dean said. Through the AIM-Dado Banatao Incubator Program, qualified startups will get rent-free working space, and have an access to AIM’s mentoring program and expertise of its alumni and faculty, including individuals who have a successful track record in Silicon Valley. Beneficiaries will also have an access to the global funding network of Banatao, PhilDev, and AIM. Read more at www.aim.edu. 16

HWM PH | September 2017

TEChNOLOgy fOr ThE ELDErLy

Cloudfone outs new feature phones with S.O.S button for senior citizens

CyBErSECUriTy CONCErNS DICt, Kaspersky Lab host 1st Cybersecurity Summit in pH

Kaspersky Lab, in cooperation with the Department of Communication and Information Technology (DICT), held its first-ever cybersecurity summit in the philippines to jump-start the collaboration of the two entities in helping the local business sector understand, evaluate, and strengthen their cybersecurity policies. Dubbed “CyberSecurity Summit 2017”, the conference promoted the sharing of intelligence and technology between public and private sectors to better combat the escalating number of cyberattacks against businesses in the country. For the first time, Kaspersky Lab’s top security analyst in Asia Pacific set foot in the philippines to provide an overview of the local threat landscape. Vitaly Kamluk, Director of the Global research and Analysis team (GreAt) at Kaspersky Lab ApAC, zeroed in on organized cyberattacks targeting the philippines. At the same event, the DICt formally unveiled its department order which is critical to the implementation of the National CyberSecurity plan 2022 (NCSp) and will ensure the protection of government networks, critical infrastructures, and individuals. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com and www.dict.gov.ph.

DISASTER-RESILIENT

Cebuana Lhuillier preps businesses and communities with 2nd Disaster resilience Forum Cebuana Lhuillier recently held the 2017 reADY Disaster resilience Forum embarking on the theme “All Sectors In: Making Everyone Disaster-Resilient” and gathering stakeholders to push for disaster preparedness among Filipinos. Held in partnership with the Insurance Commission, the Climate Change Commission, and GIZ, the event discussed measures on disaster resiliency for mSmes, agriculture sector, and high-risk communities. the forum was divided into three parts and featured a range of speakers from public and private institutions known to have deep involvement in disaster risk reduction and management. Cebuana Lhuillier also rolled out other initiatives including an Android app that provides real-time disaster-related information, Cebuana Alerto. It also led the formation of the microinsurance Agents Association of the philippines (mIAAp), an organization founded that promotes the interest and welfare of microinsurance agents nationwide, and the introduction of Claims rapid Action in a Disaster-Stricken Area Operations (rApIDO), an initiative that enables Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions (CLIS) to immediately process and settle claims right at the site where a disaster had happened. read more at www.cebuanalhuillier.com.

Cellprime Group’s mobile and tablet brand Cloudfone has an interesting addition to its lineup of mobile devices - handsets that are developed especially for people aged 60 and above: the Cloudfone Lite Senior (bar) and the Cloudfone Lite Senior (Flip). One of the key features of the mentioned feature phones is its integrated S.O.S button which with just one press automatically activates an alarm, sends emergency text messages, and calls up to five different emergency contacts. the said S.O.S button is programmed to perform these functions in a sequential manner. Once pressed, it will first send an SMS message which users can customize the content to five emergency contacts. the device will then ring a loud alarm to signal an emergency before continuously making emergency calls. the Cloudfone Senior Lite won’t stop calling the five pre-selected emergency contacts until someone answers. The button is placed in front of the flip variant and at the back of the bar version. While it remains focused on developing midrange and flagship smartphones like the recently launched excite prime 2 and prime 2 pro, Cloudfone explained that the Senior Lite feature phones, which took one and a half year in the making, is the company’s way of using available technologies that would benefit senior citizens. the company also delivered free Senior Lite phones to 20 senior patients of martinez memorial Hospital in Caloocan City, in line with Cloudfone’s CSr Give-back project. Cellprime executives also lead a demonstration on how the Senior Lite phones can help during emergencies. the Cloudfone Lite Senior (bar) and the Cloudfone Lite Senior (Flip) are now available in all trade channels for php 799 and hp 1,299 respectively. For more details about the Senior Lite feature phones and other CloudFone smartphones, visit www.cloudfone.com.ph.

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B u l l E t i N

STArTiNg yOUNg

mILO philippines, FC barcelona to host football training camp for children mILO philippines has sealed the deal for a four-year partnership with professional football club FC barcelona to promote a shared commitment on engaging the youth more into sports. Announced last November 2016, the deal has made MILO Philippines the official malt beverage of FC Barcelona. Also in line with the said collaboration, mILO philippines has announced road to barcelona, the company’s newest campaign which will scout for the next football champions who will be given a chance to experience training in Camp Nou, the home stadium of FC barcelona. the road to barcelona will host a local selection camp slated from September 2 to 3 at the mcKinley Hill Stadium in taguig City. Participants who will be comprised of children ages 8 to 12 years old will undergo training to be included on the official top 10. Following the selection criteria aligned with mILO philippines’ brand essence and FC barcelona’s team ideals which include the right mix of values (60%) and skills (40%), ten kids will be sent to participate in a training camp in Camp Nou, in which the top two members will be given an all-expense paid trip. the selected group will also be the philippine representative for the mILO-FCb camp in October. more info at www.milo.com.ph.

CONvENiENT SOLUTiONS

Schneider electric outs Integrated Hotel and Guest room management Solutions in pH Schneider electric has launched its Integrated Hotel Solutions and Guest room management Solutions (GrmS). through these solutions, Schneider electric provides hotels with innovation at every level that enables them to achieve operational excellence, drive down costs and energy consumption, maximize staff productivity, and ensure the highest levels of guest satisfaction, thereby strengthening customer loyalty. Among these solutions is the Guest room management Solutions that allow hotel guests to have control of their full room experience. Hotels can also provide their guests with a smarter room experience through room controllers that offer multi-language support and elegantly designed products that blend with their hotel décor. Guest rooms are unoccupied 70% of the time, yet account for up to 80% in hotel energy consumption. through the Integrated Hotel Solutions and Guest Room Management Solutions, Schneider Electric simplifies complexity with a single integrated platform that ensures hotels are connected, sustainable, comfortable, efficient, and safe, even granting them up to 44% in energy savings. By letting them have full control of their room’s functionalities, hotels are providing their guests with the best personalized hotel room experience using the latest technological innovations without having to worry about excessive energy use,” Enzo Payonga, Operational Offer Manager, ecobuilding Division, Schneider electric philippines, said. Learn more about this through www.schneider-electric.com.ph/en.

TrANSpOrTATiON MAgNifiED

tata motors unveils its latest range of commercial vehicles three years after stepping into the philippine shores, tata motors is continuously strengthening its presence here in the country as India’s top motoring manufacturer launched a new lineup of commercial vehicles at the SmX Convention Center in pasay City. Along the way, Tata Motors also established a partnership with Pilipinas Taj Autogroup Inc. as its official local distributor. Through the partnership, tata motors will commence the supply of its commercial vehicle brands to their philippine counterpart. the range includes the Lpt range of light, medium, and heavy trucks; the SFC 407; the mini truck range of Ace and Super Ace; and the company’s grandest offering to date for the commercial segment, the Tata Prima range of tractor trailers and tippers. The Prima range is Tata Motor’s current flagship product with items seemingly a representation of the world, with engine and design made from various countries such as the United States and Italy, and has been tested by trucking professionals from the countries of middle east, europe, and Africa. besides the philippines, tata motors is already expanding its presence in other Southeast Asian markets. the company has put up manufacturing plants situated in countries like Vietnam, thailand, and malaysia. Read more about Tata Motors and its vehicle offerings through its official Philippie website at www.tatamotors.ph.

HWM PH | September 2017

TOwArDS DigiTAL LEArNiNg Fujitsu bolsters connectivity in five Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan campuses

Xavier University–Ateneo de Cagayan has formally established its partnership with Fujitsu Philippines to boost the connectivity in all of its five campuses across Cagayan de Oro City as the university gears toward the distinction of being a smart digital campus. this announcement came after relying on the solutions provider which played the vital role in implementing Xavier University’s ICt infrastructure plans since the campus first laid its backbone in 2009. this partnership is part of Xavier-Ateneo’s initiative that involves digital learning in accordance to its vision of becoming “A leading ASEAN University forming leaders of character by 2033.” Xavier University’s Computing and Information Services Office (CISO) Computing and Network Services Unit Head Fren marlon b. peralta stated that the upgrade has aided XU in boosting the capabilities of its network in which they are looking at an 8-15 year cycle. “Our next steps are now focused on the optimization of the converged campus network infrastructure, especially now that we are moving toward an online campus setup. All of the student services like admissions and enrollment, as well as student evaluation and assessment, are now accessible online,” said peralta. For more details, visit www.fujitsu.com/ph and www.xu.edu.ph.

BEACh BONDiNg MOMENTS Win a trip for two to boracay in tCL’s promo

the rainy season has started, but with tCL, the summer season continues as it announces the “beach bonding moments” promo. every single receipt purchase of tCL tV products from July 1 to September 30 at participating dealers nationwide is entitled to one raffle coupon. Four lucky participants will be chosen to win a trip-fortwo package to boracay. The first raffle draw for July 1 to August 15 entries was on August 29, while the second raffle draw for August 16 to September 30 is on October 14. It will be held at TCL Sun Inc. Head Office at 4:00PM. Deadline for dropping of entries for the second raffle draw is scheduled on September 30, 2017. Learn more about the promo details at www.tclphilippines.com.

DigiTAL TOLLwAyS

New tollways program enables motorists to pay toll fees using prepaid and credit cards Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) launched its digital tollways program that ushers a new era of e-payment as well as aiming to build awareness on the various platforms that are available for motorists traveling across the superhighways NLeX, SCteX, and CAVIteX. the initiative was made by the mptC partners paymaya philippines, easy trip Services Corp., and AF payments, Inc. (AFpI) as they recognize the big role of digital technologies in transforming the experience of driving along the tollways, and enabling communities and businesses connected by the expressways. the mptC Digital tollways program enables motorists to pay toll fees using easy trip rFID, mastercard contactless cards, and beep cards, as well as other prepaid and credit cards including the Smart mastercard powered by paymaya while traversing the NLeX. the card is backed by over 15,000 reloading stations nationwide and is ideal for motorists who shop and pay bills at the same time since it works anywhere mastercard is accepted, be it even online and abroad. mastercard acceptance for the CAVIteX and the SCteX will commence soon. Also, motorists will be able to use Visa cards as a toll payment option. Learn more about digital payment solutions at paymaya.com.

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S p o t l i g h t

HWM PH | September 2017

Testament of Confidence

OPPO recently brought us to its manufacturing facility at Dongguan in Guangdong, China for us to personally witness the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stringent process of smartphone production and learn more about its concepts on smartphone photography. Text by Lionell Go Macahilig

The exterior of OPPOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manufacturing facility in Dongguan.

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S p o t l i g h t

THe sTringenT Process of sMarTPHone Making An inside look at OPPO’s manufacturing facility in China. Smartphones are ubiquitous these days and there are lots of brands out there that are manufacturing these mobile contraptions in mass production. many of these smartphones come from China and the common conception of consumers when it comes to a “China phone” is that they are inferior when it comes to overall product quality. Challenging this notion, OppO deliberately brought us to its facility at Dongguan in Guangdong, China for us to personally witness the company’s stringent process of smartphone production.

SMT Center

sMT cenTer and asseMbly line Similar to computing devices like laptops and desktop pCs, the foundation of a smartphone is the motherboard. With that, our tour in OppO’s manufacturing facility started at the Smt center where the motherboards of OppO smartphones are created. Starting off with the numbers, the SMT center consists of 38 motherboard and 28 small plate production lines, all of which produce a mindboggling 7.5 million motherboards and 25 million sub-boards each month!

Smartphone motherboards

ensuring the quality of motherboards produced at the Smt Center, OppO acquired equipment from the best-in-class manufacturers in the world. Once complete, each board undergoes a series of 18 inspection procedures, just to make sure that the board is of best quality. this series of inspection consists of machines that verify the quality of the boards produced by other machines. In the mounting line, three more automatic inspection proceduce and a manual inspection procedure occur to check the welding quality of the boards. to sum up, the standard set by OppO for the Smt Center goes beyond the national standard in China and is one of the highest in the industry.

HWM PH | September 2017

OPPO has acquired equipment from the best-in-class manufacturers in the world.

Once the motherboards and sub-boards are manufactured, these components go to the assembly line workshop to become the finished smartphone that we know. Located on the third floor, the workshop has a total of 26 assembly lines and produces units of OppO r11 at the time of writing.

Qe lab: WHere THe TesTs HaPPen Our tour concluded at the Qe Lab where smartphones undergo a series of QA tests. Comprising of electrical performance tests, structural tests, and environmental aging tests, the phones go through a total of 150 tests, including:

Button click test - because the power and volume are the commonly used keys by consumers, these keys are mechanically tapped by a machine 100,000 times with 1kg force. meanwhile, the fingerprint key is tapped 1 million times. In real-world usage, it will take around six years for you to complete 100,000 clicks, if you click the buttons 50 times a day. Drop test - the subject is dropped from a height of one meter, with its six surfaces, eight corners, and 13 edges receiving an impact twice. If the first drop test is successful, the subject will move on to the second drop test from a height of 1.5 meters.

Button click test

Drop test

Press test - A simulation of a scenario wherein the user presses the handset against a small object (a key for example) and verifies whether the handset is damaged.

Rain test

Static electricity test

Tumble test - the handset is placed inside a rotating compartment 75 times at a rotational speed of 3-5 times per minute (equivalent to tumbling 150 times from a height of one meter). the device’s exterior may be bruised but should not be cracked or detached, and its functionality should not be affected. Eventually, the handset will be disassembled to verify signs of internal damage.

Sweat test

Press test

Salt spray test - the handset is exposed to a moisture with 5% salt concentration and stored in a hot and humid environment (55°C and 95%H). Later, the handset is exposed to air with normal temperature. A complete inspection will follow. Sweat test - the handset is wrapped with a cloth soaked in a mixture of artificial sweat. After that, the phone is exposed to a hot and humid environment (55°C and 95%H). 48 hours later, the handset is taken out of the room for verification.

Camera test

Environmental test - the handset is placed in an environment with an extremely high temperature of 85°C for 500 hours. After the test, the functions should be normal and the rF index parameters are within the specified range. Micro drop test - the front and back sides of the handset are thrown from a 7cm height 20,000 times. the handset is also thrown with its four sides receiving an impact. each handset is thrown 42,000 times in total.

Rain test - the handset is positioned at a 75-degree angle wherein any of its four sides is exposed to a rain test based on the IPX2 waterproofing grade (rainfall rate at 60L/hour or is equivalent to moderate rain). After the test, the handset is wiped and verified if all the functions are normal. the handset is left to completely dry in three days. Finally, it will be disassembled to check if the internal parts are not corroded.

Twisting test

Cosmetic test

OppO smartphones are also subjected to scenarios where daily substances are involved such as coffee, cooking oil, and soap. OppO’s Qe Lab attempts to simulate real-world settings and usage scenarios.

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S p o t l i g h t

looking back, looking forWard: THe evoluTion of oPPo’s sMarTPHone PHoTograPHy In recent years, OppO has quickly become one of the top smartphone brands not only in the philippines, but also in the entire globe. the fast rise of OppO in the smartphone landscape can be attributed to its focus on mobile photography, particularly on ensuring that users will get good self-portraits. The evidence of OPPO’s emphasis on selfies can be seen on the software and hardware improvements that the company brought to its handsets in less than a decade.

“the most frequently encountered problem by our customers is basically when they’re taking a selfie. They notice that they are not beautiful enough. Well, for the rear camera, the customers usually realize that it’s very difficult for them to take pictures at any time,” OPPO photography product manager Su Yu’s response when he was asked regarding customers’ complaints about taking photos with a smartphone. Listening to customer feedback such as these has become a strong foundation for OppO’s research and development team (r&D) in addressing the problems in smartphone photography with innovative solutions. “the current trend in rear cameras has become helpful for us in facilitating the development of front cameras. We’re not here just to improve the camera, but also to make up on the needs and enhance the experience of our users. If a particular technology is good for our customer and it improves the user’s experience, then definitely we will try to apply and develop that technology,” OppO Hardware Director King bai added.

In 2012, OppO launched the U701 which featured beautify 1.0, the first built-in beautification technology on a smartphone. Now on its fourth iteration, beautify 4.0 brings together all of the enhancements that OppO introduced to the technology through the years such as natural skin effect and customized beautification to the likes of the OPPO F3 and the OPPO F3 Plus. Software aside, OppO also invested in the research and development on the hardware level of its smartphone cameras. In 2013, the Chinese smartphone maker became the first to define the 80-degree selfie angle (dubbed as the “Golden Angle”) and big aperture with the launch of the OppO r809t. 2013 was a year of rapid evolution in OPPO’s smartphone cameras: the R809T was followed by the Find 3 which made OPPO as the first company to use 6P lens, and the Find 7 which made the company as the first one to use blue glass, resulting in cleaner and more natural-looking photos by filtering out unnecessary lights. Collaborating with renowned electronics company Sony, OppO co-developed the Sony ImX214 sensor which was used on the Find 7. OppO’s collaboration with Sony continued with the launch of the R9s which integrated the IMX398, designed to offer up to 40% faster focusing speed and better low-light performance. Apart from Sony, OppO also worked with chipmaker Qualcomm. As a product of this partnership, the smartphone manufacturer is now introducing the Snapdragon 600 series to the r11. the integration of the Snapdragon 600 series brings to the r11 technologies such as Spectra 160 ISp and Hexagon Vector eXtensions (HVX), making it capable to shoot and process 20MP+ images with efficiency. Proving the effectiveness of the enhancements that OPPO

HWM PH | September 2017

OPPO Hardware Director King Bai

introduced to the software, optics, and image sensors of its handsets, the Chinese company successfully rose to become one of the top ten biggest smartphone brands in the world today. This success is not only reflected on the brand’s reputation, but also on the actual sales record of the company. Selling like hotcakes, the r9s became the best-selling Android smartphone in the first quarter of 2017, whereas the R11’s online sales volume in 40 minutes surpassed the combined online and offline sales volume of the r9s in one day. these scenarios serve as proofs of customers’ confidence in using OPPO handsets.

a Walk doWn MeMory lane the development of OppO’s smartphone photography through the years.

oPPo ulike2 Industry’s first 5-megapixel front camera beautify 2.0 2012

oPPo find 7 blue Glass 6p lens 13-megapixel back camera VOOC flash charge 2014

oPPo n3 OPPO Ulike2

OPPO Find 7

OPPO N3

Industry’s first electric rotating camera 13-megapixel camera VOOC flash charge 2014

oPPo f1 8-megapixel beautified selfies 3Gb rAm, 32Gb rOm premium metal body VOLte 2016

oPPo f1s OPPO F1

OPPO F1s

OPPO F1 Plus

16-megapixel front camera beautify 4.0 2016

oPPo f1 Plus 16-megapixel front camera 4Gb rAm, 64Gb rOm touch Access VOOC Flash charge 2016

oPPo f3 Dual selfie camera 2x larger field of view 2017

oPPo f3 Plus OPPO F3

OPPO Photography Product Manager Su Yu

OPPO F3 Plus

OPPO R11

“OppO’s main aim is to improve the user’s experience through generations of improvement. Our concept, our vision is to enable our users to take beautiful pictures at any time in any place. Of course, the photos that are taken by using an OppO smartphone can’t be as good as the photos that are taken by a DSLr, but we will continue to improve our technology,” Su concluded.

Dual selfie camera VOOC Flash charge Flash touch Access 4Gb rAm, 64Gb rOm 2017

oPPo r11 Snapdragon 660 ISp 20-megapixel front and back cameras 2017

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Q + A

“Empowering luxury for everyone means that we keep the price of the device reasonable, but it has to offer much better experience.” Jerry Shen, CEO, ASUS

HWM PH | September 2017

empowering luxury for everyone

ASUS’s head honcho talks about the launch of the new ZenFone 4 Series. by The HWM Team

It only took a few years for ASUS to become a leader in the smartphone segment. What do you think are the factors behind ZenFone’s success? Our passion and focus on innovation and user experience are key factors behind ZenFone’s brand success. For example, if we have a design report, we work hard to have a good engineering report, so that we can provide a much better experience to our customers than before. Can you share with us the design philosophy behind ASUS’s ZenFone smartphones? Because of the different experiences that our customers want to achieve, we invest more in experience and innovation. We divided our design philosophy for the ASUS ZenFone smartphones into three categories: acumen luxury, premium luxury, and empowering luxury for everyone. Empowering luxury for everyone means that we keep the price of the device reasonable, but it has to offer much better experience. We remember that ASUS introduced a ZenFone 4 model a couple of years back. What is the difference of the new ASUS ZenFone 4 Series? When we launched the first generation ZenFone a couple of years ago, we introduced smartphones with 4-inch, 5-inch,

and 6-inch display sizes. We used the screen size as the basis of naming the first ZenFone models, including the ZenFone 4. But because we started to realize that we are doing better and better, we decided to create a generation concept. Since the first generation became successful, we thought that we can do better, so we thought that we need to introduce evolution. Every generation of ZenFone, we need to make sure that there is an evolution. So we started using numbers to indicate generation. Generation means evolution. We need to make sure that the experience we provide is much better than before. You are reintroducing selfie-centric smartphone models with the launch of the new ASUS ZenFone 4 Series. Can you elaborate on this? We thought that evolution in every generation is important. Hence, with the ASUS ZenFone 4 Series, we are enhancing our selfie-centric smartphones by improving product experience. We have inputted a lot for this generation, just to provide empowering luxury for everyone. This initiative can be seen through our ZenFone 4 Selfie and ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro, both of which featuring a dual front camera system with better aperture and 120-degree field of view for wide angle shots.

Can you cite some of the key enhancements that you introduced to the ASUS ZenFone 4 Series? Very few companies are investing so big in camera. With the ZenFone 4 Series, we promise to provide excellent experience. The ZenFone 4 Pro, for example, is equipped with a camera that uses the Sony IMX362 image sensor. It is much better than the Sony IMX298 image sensor that we used on the previous generation ZenFone 3 Series models. The sensor is coupled with our exclusive SuperPixel chip technology and enhanced software algorithm, through PixelMaster 4.0, which we developed. The ZenFone 4 Series also comes with a secondary camera with 120-degree field of view for wide angle shots needed when capturing wefies (group self-portraits). It’s not just a minor improvement, but it is very visible. On the outside, the ZenFone 4 smartphones feature symmetrical beauty with unibody chassis. The front, the sides, and every angle of the new smartphones are symmetrical. This design improvement is not only seen on the flagship model, but is also implemented on the entry-level and midrange models. Apart from aesthetics, we have also introduced a lot of improvements on the audio quality of our ZenFone smartphones.

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Q + A

innovation-driven entrepreneurship

The father of semiconductors in his search of groundbreaking startups. by The HWM Team

Why is the Philippine Development Foundation (PhilDev) partnering with the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in creating the AIM-Dado Banatao Incubator program for startups? It is the advocacy of PhilDev to eradicate or substantially affect poverty in the Philippines. There’s still a very high percentage of poor people here, and we saw a huge gap between the poor and the rich. In our research, we found out that it’s only through innovation that a country will develop its economy. Through economic development, we will see a significant positive effect on poverty. With the help of entrepreneurship, the mind, intellect, especially if it is based on technology, becomes more valuable than money. The combination of innovation and entrepreneurship will really take effect, and we don’t have it here in the Philippines today. What do you think are the problems in growing our local startup ecosystem? My observation over the last two years here is that, we have problems in funding. There are a lot of rich people here, but a lot of money is used for shopping centers or real estate and so on. It rarely goes into funding riskier endeavors like technology startups. So we have to deal with that. But again, as I said earlier, rich people do that because they don’t see the opportunity given to them. It’s a system of dependency. But should the rich lose their money? Yes, in the sense that they actually need to venture out

HWM PH | September 2017

because that is part of the system. What do you think are the addressable markets for our startups here in the Philippines? Let us consider the amount of research and development (R&D) that was generated through PhilDev for the government. Among the biggest R&Ds that was started is on Internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI). I would say that within a few years, we will have a lot of AI efforts here, understanding that it will affect almost all aspects of our lives. In fact, we have started to hire a lot of potential AI engineers in the country. It is still a very small amount, but we have to grow it. And the only way to grow this thing is to show example to the population that it can be done here. So that’s another inducement for a lot of potential entrepreneurs to look into huge markets. If you look at IoT and AI, there are thousands of billions of opportunities that we can do. We just need to apply the same attitude that we have in Silicon Valley here. How long will the incubation process take place for those that will qualify in the AIM-Dado Banatao Incubator program? I don’t think that time is a criterion. Along the way, we will judge as to whether that company can get to the next step or whatever that step may be. We don’t want to lose money simply because of time. If it does, it will keep going. Now, there will be a point where we will be very comfortable that that company

can raise money. Sometimes, we will just ask the startup to leave the incubator after a few months if the idea may not be good in the first place and we made a mistake in accepting them. So we will apply the fundamentals of a venture capitalist. We will kill a company when we think it’s not worth it anymore. How flexible the incubation program will be in accepting startup ideas? It doesn’t matter whether the idea is big or outrageous. The key thing is how we can innovate and apply it to an identifiable market. I will give you the standards for startups that we practice in Silicon Valley. First, we define the market for the startup. Without a market, it doesn’t matter how good your innovation is, because it will not work. Second, do you have an idea that is competitive in the market? Competitive means you innovate in a much better way than the potential competition. Next, is that technology the best in the world? Can you actually get the best engineers in the world to create that technology? If we could get from Silicon Valley, we would get them here to achieve that. The fourth thing is, can you actually generate a credible execution plan? In Silicon Valley, startups come up with a business plan. Assuming that we like the idea, the market, and the people in the company, we tell them to convert the business plan into a true operating plan. If the numbers that we see are okay, we tell the company, we are now going to be part of you and you don’t have to look for money anymore.

“It is only through innovation that a country will develop its economy and we will see a significant positive effect on poverty.” Diosdado Banatao, Chairman, PhilDev

pHOtOGrApHY AND Art DIreCtION vicTor felix Pulgar

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l E i S u r E

HWM PH | September 2017

One system, unlimited options By Marcus Wong Photography by Orland S. Punzalan Inspired by Charles Chevalier’s convertible lens system from the 19th century, the Lomography Society International’s Neptune Convertible Art Lens System is composed of multiple elements. there’s a rear lens element that attaches to the camera itself, and a selection of three front elements. these are the thalasa 3.5/35 Art Lens, the Despina 2.8/50 Art Lens, and the proteus 4/80 Art lens. together, they offer three of the most commonly used focal lengths for a variety of photography subjects. Shift from landscape photography to still life capture to portraits simply by changing the front element. because the Neptune system uses a dual aperture system with the rear lens element maintaining a typical aperture system, the aperture numbers only indicate the optimal maximum aperture for each lens. You can experiment with the entire range of aperture values no matter what front lens is installed. Other things to play with are the drop-in aperture plates that go in between the front and rear lens elements. these come in a variety of shapes that affect the way the system renders bokeh, giving your images a unique look. Unlike today’s lenses, the Neptune system relies on manual focus so you’ll be fully responsible for the sharpness of the images captured. but that’s a good thing, as it takes you back to the craft of photography itself, so you’ll learn to slow down and create your images.

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g E A r

dj down to its dna Pioneer DJM-750MK2 www.pioneer.ph The latest addition to its line of 4-channel mixers, Pioneerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DJM-750MK2 allows users to perform seamless mixes with its professional layout design with display. It features smooth curves on the EQs and channel faders as well as Magvel crossfader that gives a precise response during the most difficult scratch techniques. Allowing users to add more creativity to their performances, the DJM-750MK2 inherits the popular elements from the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flagship club mixer, with hardware consisting of a 64-bit digital signal processor coupled with 32-bit A/D and D/A converters. Users can also choose from AUX or Insert send/return to connect different types of FX units on iOS devices.

HWM PH | September 2017

form and function Hawk City-Hopper Pack hawkbag.com Perfectly designed to meet a userâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s urban lifestyle, the latest Hawk City-Hopper Pack can match any look without having to compromise multifunctionality. Engineered to carry various items with a capacity 22L, this backpack ensures sure that it could keep your everyday gears available as it comes with different compartments to keep them in place. Its main compartment features a gartered pocket to help you organize your things inside the bag, while the front compartment and gartered side pockets provide easy access to small yet essential stuff.

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g E A r

great value Mi Box www.mi.com A recipient of both Red Dot and Good Design awards, Xiaomiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mi Box runs on Android TV 6.0 platform and is easy to use with support for voice controls and Google Cast. With a single tap, it enables users to stream shows, movies, music, and more onto your TV. For voice control, users just have to speak into the voice remote control, then, the device will automatically search for the content that you want. With HDR video support, this 4K Android TV box lets viewers enjoy content with vivid contrast, color, and clarity. Priced at PhP 5,999, the Wi-Fi-enabled Mi Box houses a high-performance quad-core processor for video decoding with 2GB DDR3 RAM and 8GB eMMC flash.

HWM PH | September 2017

making a u-turn HTC U11 www.htc.com HTC is officially back in the Philippines with the launch of its newest flagship smartphone: the HTC U11, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first smartphone that boasts a revolutionary new squeeze interaction. It comes with HTCexclusive features such as HTC Edge Sense, Liquid Surface, HTC U Sonic, and HTC Sense Companion. The U11 boasts the highest ever DxOMark3 rating for a smartphone camera in both photo and video categories. Meanwhile, flaunting a liquid glass surface, the handset is encased with 3D glass on both front and back. The water-resistant device is also equipped with a 5.5-inch Quad HD 3D glass screen that promises to produce vivid images and text in any light â&#x20AC;&#x201C; even in direct sunlight. The HTC U11 (32GB) has a price tag of PhP 36,990 and is currently available on Lazada.

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g E A r

1. cherry mobiLe cubix cube book

2. ricoh interactive Whiteboard d6510

tech on a ShoeString budget

meetingS made digitaL

Cherry mobileâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cubix Cube book is a 14-inch laptop

the ricoh Interactive Whiteboard D6510 allows up to 20

that runs on the latest Windows 10 OS and is powered

users to view a presentation on web-connected devices

by a quad-core CpU, coupled with 2Gb rAm and 32Gb

from various locations. With this, users can collaborate

internal memory that can be expanded up to 128Gb.

and make changes using the whiteboard tools to write,

equipped with a 10000mAh battery, it is now available

draw, edit, resize, and save information.

on Lazada at php 6,999. cherrymobile.com.ph

www.ricoh.com.ph

3. ekonic JuStice League Smartphone

4. SamSung hW-k950 Soundbar

SUPERHERO SMARTPHONE

raiSing the bar

Sporting a shell especially designed for fans of DC

The first soundbar package to include two Dolby

Comics, the ekonic Justice League Smartphone runs

Atmos-enabled up-firing speakers and two wireless

on Android 7.0 Nougat OS, backed by 2Gb rAm and

rear up-firing speakers, the Samsung HW-K950

16Gb rOm. powered by a 2000mAh battery, it is

comes with a total of 15 speakers, each equipped

equipped with 8-megapixel (back) and 5-megapixel

with a dedicated amplifier. The HW-K950 retails for

(front) cameras. www.facebook.com/beekonic/

the price of php 54,990. www.samsung.com/ph

HWM PH | September 2017

5. fuJifiLm inStax mini 9

6. huion graphic tabLetS

Light up and Shoot

create more

the Instax mini 9 helps users in determining

Huion graphic tablets combine portability with

the most suitable lighting condition through

functionality to unleash oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creativity. they

its brightness adjustment dial of its lamp. this

feature small notepad-like dimensions and are

automatically determines the best brightness for

lightweight. they also allow users to choose from

taking pictures. the device is available nationwide

a lot of features, wherein they can customize the

and is priced at php 3,999. instax.com

device like the penâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pressure. www.huion.com

8 9

7. poLaroid Zip

8. torQue ego Wi-fi

9. canon varioprint dp

inStant fun

economicaL tabLet

printing WorkhorSe

taking advantage of bluetooth and NFC, the

Sporting a 7-inch WSVGA display, the eGO Wi-

Canon has launched the third generation of

polaroid Zip allows users to directly print their

Fi is powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core processor

its varioprINt Dp line that has the capability

photos from their device in less than a minute. It

and mali 400 GpU. running on Android 6.0

of producing up to speeds of 140 images per

prints 2x3-inch full-color, smudge-proof photos

marshmallow OS, the device is equipped with

minute and peak volumes of up to 2.2 million

with a sticky back for added creativity. Featuring

1Gb rAm and 8Gb rOm that is expandable via

letter/A4-size images per month. the line

ZINK technology, the Zip can print even without

a microSD card. The EGO Wi-Fi is affordable at

also features various management tools for

the use of ink. www.polaroid.com

php 2,599. torquemobile.com/

production planning. www.canon.com.ph

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g E A r

mercedeS-benZ x-cLaSS

maZda cx-8

kia picanto

pickup meetS LifeStyLe

cLaSSy and SpaciouS

compact meetS comfort

Featuring an adjusted style to resemble

Anticipated to become available in Japan

Just as compact as its predecessor, the all-

the GLS-class SUV, the recently unveiled

before the year ends, the all-new mazda CX-8

new Kia picanto delivers functionality and

mercedes-benz X-Class pickup is available

is a perfect match for those who enjoy their

comfort inside, as it has noticeable sheer

in three variants: the base Pure, mid-level

rides with more than five seats. Measuring

space. Available in wide range of color variants,

progressive, and range-topping power. In

4,900 x 1,840 x 1,730mm, along with its

it is equipped with a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;floatingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 7-inch LCD

Germany, the price starts at eUr 37,294, or

2,930mm wheelbase, it is revealed that it will

touchscreen infotainment system that allows

roughly php 2.19 million in our local currency.

have a 2.2L Skyactiv-D new-generation clean

you to navigate and give real-time updates.

www.mercedes-benz.com.ph

diesel engine. www.mazda.ph

www.kia.com/ph

neW ford muStang ready for takeoff Faster than before, the 2018 Ford Mustang is available in two models: the 2.3L EcoBoost, and 5.0L V8Coyote. Giving you a freedom to control, it is equipped with 12-inch LCD instrument cluster that lets you personalize everything you see. Apart from these, everything is thoughtfully designed, especially its controls. www.ford.com.ph

HWM PH | September 2017

neW Subaru Wrx your next upgrade Sporting an enhanced look and design, the new Subaru WrX is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged gasoline boxer engine that can output 264hp of power and 350Nm of torque. Although it is equipped with the same engine, it now comes with high-performance brembo brakes, and packs airbags from top to bottom. Subaru also revealed that there are no changes in prices too. www.subaru.asia/ph/

neW honda cr-v

mitSubiShi expander

at itS beSt

SLeek and futuriStic

Hondaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first-ever diesel variant of CR-V now has a new and efficient

the expander is mitsubishiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next-generation vehicle which combines

engine. It is powered by a 1.6L DOHC i-DteC diesel turbo engine that is

the features of an SUV (sports utility vehicle) and an mpV (multi-purpose

developed under earth Dreams technology. It has maximum power of

vehicle). powered by a 1.5L engine, this mitsubishi is available in 5-speed

120pS at 4000rpm, and peak torque of 300Nm at 2000rpm. It also has a

manual and 4-speed automatic transmission variants, measuring 4,475 x

low gear ratio, allowing quick and powerful launch. www.hondaphil.com

1,750 x 1,700mm with a ground clearance of up to 205mm. www.mmpc.ph

roLLS-royce phantom

honda civic type r

king of Luxury

dominate the road

Still showcasing its old luxurious look, rolls-royce upgrades its upcoming

Looks could be deceiving, but the Civic type r allows you to dominate

phantom by combining its classic design with new technology. Under the

the road as it enables you to drive faster. It has different modes and

hood is a new 6.75L twin-turbo gas V12 that generates 563hp of power

customizable digital meters that display your performance. It can also

and 900Nm of torque, allowing the phantom to reach 62mph in just 5.3

retune suspension, adjust throttle response, and change steering

seconds. It also comes with an eigh-speed, satellite-aided, ZF automatic

settings to elevate the road experience.

transmission. www.rolls-roycemotorcars-manila.com.ph

www.hondaphil.com

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Every Month, behind the doors of our super secret gadget testing facility, the latest tech products are put through their paces using industry-recocognized benchmarks and our own blend of real-world usage scenarios. Here are our findings!

HWM PH | September 2017

Oneplus 5 The Slayer

by Jonnah Lynne Pante It seems like this year has a monthly offer of flagship weapons from different brands in the smartphone department. this time, we’re putting the spotlight on the Chinese company Oneplus’s main slayer, the Oneplus 5. A looker in all of its angles, the Oneplus 5 that we had in our lab is dressed up in all-black with a matte back cover. Although it comes in a relatively large size at 5.5-inch, we liked how easy it is to grip even with small hands. Its premium-looking unibody design is further emphasized

through its rounded corners and curved edges which also granted the device an almost bezel-less screen. Speaking of its screen, the Oneplus 5 has a Full HD Optic AmOLeD display (1920 x 1080p) with a 16:9 aspect ratio, coated with 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on top. Obviously one of its main feats, the Oneplus 5 has its screen wide enough to let users enjoy watching films and playing games. Its display’s vivid color reproduction is also a plus. Common to most flagshiptiers these days, the Oneplus

5 carries a dual rear camera setup with dual LED flash to help capture scenarios in lowlight. The first lens is intended for wide-angle shots with its 16-megapixel camera backed by a Sony ImX398 sensor with F1.7 aperture. the other one is a 20-megapixel telephoto lens with Sony ImX350 sensor and F2.6 aperture. rolling these lenses’ capabilities into one, the Oneplus 5 is able to produce portraits with a natural-looking bokeh effect. Shooting modes include Auto, portrait, professional, panorama, time Lapse, and Slow motion. Situated on the opposite face is the same 16-megapixel front camera as that of the Oneplus 3t, but this time, the company decided to pair it with a Sony ImX371 sensor with F2.0 aperture, which renders edit-free selfies. Under the hood, the Oneplus 5 conceals another prime offering, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 octa-core processor clocked at a maximum of 2.45GHz, sideto-side with an Adreno 540 GpU. this supports our claim of enjoying playing games, especially the heavy ones, using the Oneplus 5. the device also offers generous memory (6Gb/8Gb) and storage (64Gb/128Gb). For its OS, the Oneplus 5 runs on Android 7.1 Nougat with Oneplus’s OxygenOS on top. the Oneplus 5 is also equipped with Dash Charge technology which equates a 30-minute charge to 60% of battery life. On a video loop test with its mobile data connection on and brightness and volume tweaked to the max, the Oneplus’s 3300mAh battery lasted for 10 hours and 52 minutes.

AT A GLANCE

OPERATiNG SYSTEM Android 7.1.1 Nougat PROCESSOR Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, 2.45GHz octa-core MEMORY 6Gb/8Gb rAm, 64/128Gb rOm CAMERA 16-megapixel wideangle + 20-megapixel telephoto rear, 16-megapixel front BATTERY 3300mAh Li-ion PRiCE php 27,300/php 32,000

A camera bump on the smartphone’s rear houses its dual lens setup.

conclusion

A premium smartphone on the outside and on the inside, the onePlus 5 stays true to the chinese company’s tagline – never settle. TESTED & RATED

9.0

/10

PHILIPPINES hardwarezone.com.ph

Lg K8 (2017) Modest Mobility by Lionell Go Macahilig the LG K8 (2017) is part of the recent family of affordable Android smartphones released by LG sometime in may this year. tagged at php 7,490, the K8 is sandwiched by its siblings K10 (php 8,990) and K7 (php 5,490) in pricing and specifications. Flaunting a 5-inch touchscreen display, the K8 comes with a removable plastic cover with added texture on it to boost the look of its plastic construction. the use of a removable plastic cover means that its battery module is removable too. meanwhile, the sides of the K8 are made rounded, facilitating easy handling.the volume rocker is located on the left side. If you are looking for the power button, it is located on the back of the handset, an assimilation of this design element from the flagship LG G6. Overall, the K8 looks similar to the K7, though the latter has a more prominent chrome lining on the sides.

In terms of imaging, the K8 carries a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. Looking at the outputs produced by the K8, we can instantly say that it came from a lowcost smartphone. Color is quite bland, and there are tendencies of overexposure and underexposure. photos taken at low light and night manifested noise that blurred image details. On the software side of things, the K8 runs on Android 6.0 marshmallow OS. backed by a quad-core processor coupled with a relatively unusual memory count of 1.5Gb, the K8 is reasonably snappy in executing essential smartphone functions. Yielding 29966 and 2356 on Antutuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CpU and GpU tests, it scored higher than the K7 and the moto C which we reviewed in one of our past issues. Nevertheless, the K8 was left behind by the K7 and the moto C in Quadrant

and SunSpider JavaScript benchmarks. the K8 shone again in the battery life test where it emerged as the longest-lasting among the three with a stamina of 520 minutes (8 hours and 40 minutes). Contemplating on the numbers produced by the three affordable smartphones, the more affordable K7 consistently placed itself in the middle, promising to offer a balanced performance in terms of responsiveness, graphics, browsing speed, and battery life. It is obvious that the main selling point of the LG K8, along with the K7 and the K10, is its affordable price. For the cost of php 7,490, the K8 is a decent phone to own with a good design and screen, fast software performance, and long battery life. but if you are after a phone that can capture photos that are worth sharing on social media, we suggest that you save your money for a phone with a better camera.

AT A GLANCE

OPERATiNG SYSTEM Android 6.0 marshmallow PROCESSOR Qualcomm Snapdragon 425, 1.3GHz quad-core MEMORY 1.5Gb rAm, 16Gb rOm (expandable up to 2tb) CAMERA 13-megapixel rear, 5-megapixel front BATTERY 2500mAh Li-ion (Non-removable) PRiCE php 7,490

if you are looking for the power button, it is located on the back of the handset.

conclusion

The lG K8 is a decent phone to own with a good design and screen, fast software performance, and long battery life, but marred with mediocre camera outputs. TESTED & RATED

7.5

/10

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Moto Z2 play Comfort Phone by Ciara Alarcon Lenovo, through motorola, has made functionality affordable with the launch of the moto Z play’s successor. Arriving with some improvements, moto is playing it safe with the Z2 play as it offers overall balance performance from its minor features to its major ones. Without any additional moto mod accessory, the 6mm-thin moto Z2 play flaunts a unibody design. The smartphone is really smooth and bit slippery, which caused us to encounter difficulty in holding the phone with just one hand. Its chunky rear camera bump left us with awkward impression. Logically, the use of a moto mod accessory would make the Z2 play look thicker, but without one, the slim handset itself is stylish and looks premium. protected by Gorilla Glass 3, the device espouses a 5.5inch Full HD Super AmOLeD screen that produces crisp

and vibrant image quality. to personalize the display, users can change the brightness and color saturation in the settings. While the phone’s screen is readable outdoors in general, it is not when there’s direct sunlight. meanwhile, the fingerprint scanner which appears below the screen looks like a home button. Unfortunately, it doesn’t function as one. running on Android 7.1.1 Nougat, the handset is backed by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 chipset with the octa-core processor clocked at 2.21GHz. It scored 68759 on Antutu, 20578 on Quadrant, 12675 on Ice Storm (3Dmark), and 855 on Sling Shot (3Dmark) when our team ran various benchmark applications to put its performance to the test. Its scores are higher than the ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom. We opened numbers of application at once to see if it would run smoothly, and during our tests, we noticed

minimal lags. It was also able to play videos with heavy graphics and handle games. In terms of imaging, the Z2 play comes with a 12-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front shooter. Feature dual-tone and dual LED flash, both cameras offered a decent imaging performance. Once you try shooting images, you’ll notice that it has a fast shutter. Although it couldn’t outdo other photography-centric smartphones in its range, the Z2 play could still give you A+ photos even in low light with its different camera modes. packed with a 3000mAh battery, its lasted for more than 12 hours when we played our standard video loop test. Its stamina record sits between the ZenFone 3 Zoom (5000mAh) and the Samsung Galaxy S8+ (3500mAh). equipped with turbocharging feature, it can recharge without having to wait for a long time.

AT A GLANCE

OPERATiNG SYSTEM Android 7.1.1 Nougat PROCESSOR Qualcomm Snapdragon 626, 2.2GHz octa-core MEMORY 4Gb rAm, 64Gb rOm (expandable up to 2tb) CAMERA 12-megapixel rear, 5-megapixel front BATTERY 3000mAh Li-ion (Non-removable) PRiCE php 24,999

it is equipped with a responsive fingerprint scanner that looks like a home button.

conclusion

in all aspects, the Moto Z2 Play succeeds in doing fine. With an acceptable price tag, the device doesn’t compromise anything, giving users an overall balanced performance. TESTED & RATED

8.5

/10

PHILIPPINES hardwarezone.com.ph

Moto E4 plus Power That Can Last by Ciara Alarcon When moto released its latest budget phones that are primarily designed to meet the needs of the millennials, the brand didn’t forget about its target market’s desire to have an affordable smartphone that is packed with long battery life. With this, the smartphone manufacturer has added the moto e4 plus to its list. Holding the device for the first time, we have already noticed its bulky design, as well as its thick bezels on both top and bottom. Its big body caused us to have a hard time using the device with just one hand, therefore, we had to grip it tightly or we just simply hold it by both hands to prevent dropping it. Housed in a metal casing, the moto E4 Plus flaunts a premium impression. running on Android 7.1 Nougat, beating within the smartphone is a 1.3GHz quad-core mediatek mt6737 processor, complemented by

2Gb of rAm and 16Gb internal storage (expandable via microSD). putting the moto e4 plus to the test, it scored 31757 on Antutu, 4415 on Ice Storm (3Dmark), and 157 on Sling Shot (3Dmark). the scores are quite lower than those of the Arsenal Vr One. Although it offered smooth performance in general, we noticed that it became slower during heavy usage. It could smoothly play videos and run games, but lags were evident when heavy graphics was included. the moto e4 plus sports a 13-megapixel rear camera with F2.2 aperture and LeD flash, and a 5-megapixel front shooter with LED flash. For our camera test, we took numbers of shot and we’re impressed with the results. both front and rear shooters took decent photos even in places with dim lighting. However, image noise became apparent when we took selfies in low-light settings.

When we talked about its design, we said that it comes with a hefty body. Well, the moto e4 plus is forgiven on that matter since it carries a huge 5000mAh battery module. Used as our primary phone, it lasted up to two days with average usage, with activities including sending SmS, checking emails, and browsing different social media accounts. Its battery is also enough to power your device for a day if you would use it heavily. to better test its battery, we did our conventional video loop test, surprisingly, it lasted for almost a day, too. With an affordable price tag of php 8,999, the moto e4 plus is one of the best devices in its price segment. With decent overall performance, what strikes the most is its lengthy stamina. If you are looking for a smartphone that won’t let you down, then, the moto e4 plus might be the one for you.

AT A GLANCE

OPERATiNG SYSTEM Android 7.1 Nougat PROCESSOR mediatek mt6737, 1.3GHz Quad-core MEMORY 3Gb rAm, 16Gb rOm (expandable up to 128Gb) CAMERA 13-megapixel rear, 5-megapixel front BATTERY 5000mAh Li-ion PRiCE php 8,999

The Moto E4 Plus sports a 13-megapixel rear camera with F2.2 aperture and LED flash.

conclusion

With an affordable price tag, the Moto E4 Plus is designed for users who want longlasting usage experience, thanks to the smartphone’s huge battery capacity. TESTED & RATED

8.0

/10

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ASUS Zenfone Ar Ahead of Its Time by Lionell Go Macahilig the ASUS ZenFone Ar flaunts a 5.7-inch Super AmOLeD display, larger than that of the ZenFone 3 Zoom but the same size as that of the LG G6. As what you can expect from a phone that has a Super AmOLeD screen, the ZenFone Ar is clear and bright with warm color. the sides reveal the phone’s aluminum alloy frame with a sandblasted finish, chamfered edges, and buttons with a concentric pattern. the back sports a faux leather cover with the raised metal plate of the rear camera being prominent. ASUS is promoting the ZenFone Ar as the world’s first smartphone that supports both tango and Daydream Vr, Google’s Ar and Vr platforms. to support tango, ASUS has equipped the ZenFone Ar with triCam. this camera system consists of a 23-megapixel rear camera that serves as tango’s eyes, a motion-tracking sensor that repositions the phone

relative to its surroundings, and a depth-sensing sensor that provides an accurate measurement of between real-world objects in front of the ZenFone Ar. On the other hand, to support Daydream Vr, ASUS has bundled the ZenFone Ar with the Daydream View headset in which you can insert the phone to view Vr content. the package that we got also came with cue cards that guided us on how to use tango and Daydream Vr with the pre-installed Ar and Vr apps on the phone. the apps are simplistic at the moment, but we are already seeing their potential in fields like design, education, and gaming. Outputs produced by the ZenFone Ar’s front and back cameras are comparable to those of the ZenFone 3 Deluxe. both devices make use of a Sony exmor rS ImX318 image sensor. Internally, the ZenFone Ar is powered by a Qualcomm

Snapdragon 821 quad-core processor with Adreno 530 GpU and 8Gb rAm. this set of specs puts the ZenFore Ar in the same league as the Sony Xperia XZs which is powered by the similar Snapdragon 820 chipset. the ZenFone Ar yielded an overall Antutu score of 122143, Antutu graphics score of 50871, and SunSpider Javascript score of 967.8ms. these are close to the scores of the Xperia XZs (116179, 52015, and 1026ms) in our flagship smartphone shootout last June. In terms of stamina, the ZenFone Ar lasted up to 490 minutes (8 hours, 17 minutes). this is also close to the recorded stamina of the Xperia XZs (488 minutes). Nevertheless, do note that the ZenFone Ar has a larger battery capacity (3300mAh) than the Xperia XZs (2900mAh). With the price of a flagship smartphone at php 44,995, the ZenFone Ar is a device ahead of its time.

AT A GLANCE

PROCESSOR Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 OPERATiNG SYSTEM Android 7.0 Nougat DiSPLAY 5.7-inch Super AmOLeD (2560 x 1440) CAMERAS 23-megapixel rear, 8-megapixel front BATTERY 3300mAh PRiCE php 44,995

The TriCam consists of a rear camera, a motion-tracking sensor, and a depth-sensing sensor.

conclusion

carrying the price of a flagship smartphone at PhP 44,995, the Asus ZenFone AR is a device ahead of its time, banking on emerging technologies like AR and VR. TESTED & RATED

8.0

/10

PHILIPPINES hardwarezone.com.ph

Acer Aspire vx 15 Gaming Aspirations by Lionell Go Macahilig In spite of the fact that it is a gaming notebook, the VX 15 is not a member of the predator series, Acer’s elite family of gaming machines. Instead, the VX 15 is classified under the Aspire series, which has been known as the Acer’s roster of affordable notebook PCs. Faithful to its Aspire branding, the VX 15 is actually one of the least expensive gaming laptops out there, with a price tag of php 64,999. the Aspire VX 15 partly reminds us of the Lenovo Legion Y520 (php 74,995) which we tested last month. Like the latter, the VX 15 comes with a polygonal casing, octagonal to be exact. the entire chassis is obviously made of black plastic, but with a matte and scratched finish for added flair. Lifting the lid reveals the laptop’s 15.6-inch Full HD display with matte surface to prevent ambient glare. below the display is a chiclet-type keyboard with red

LeD-backlight and highlighted WASD keys for gaming appeal. the keyboard is coupled with an ample touchpad. Inspecting the sides, its mix of connectors include USb 3.0 and 2.0 ports (type A and type C), HDmI, LAN, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Although it comes with a card slot, the VX 15 doesn’t have an optical drive just like the ASUS rOG G752Vm on the next page. meanwhile, the back of the VX 15 shows two copious air vents for thermal management. the VX 15 comes in a variety of configurations, but what we got consists of a 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7700HQ quad-core processor, NVIDIA GeForce GtX 1050 ti graphics, 16Gb DDr4 rAm, and 256Gb solid state drive (SSD) for main storage. With this hardware set and running on microsoft Windows 10, the VX 15 managed to get high scores on our system benchmarks

(PCMark 10, 3DMark, and Unigine Heaven 4.0) and game benchmarks (Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood, Resident Evil 6, and Far Cry 2). putting its scores side by side with those of the similarly specced Legion Y520, the latter still got higher scores than the VX 15. Where the VX 15 really stood out was in the battery test. Yielding a recorded stamina of up to more than five hours, the VX 15 outdid all of the gaming laptops that were featured in our August shootout (the longest-lasting was the Y520 with over three hours). Contemplating on the outcome of the tests, we thought that Acer optimized the hardware for gaming, without setting aside the stamina of the Aspire VX 15. the Acer Aspire VX 15 might not have the predator branding, but it is still a gaming notebook from the looks down to the core. plus, it is more affordable compared to other similar offerings.

AT A GLANCE

PROCESSOR Intel Core i7-7700HQ (Quad-core, 6mb cache) DiSPLAY 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080p) GRAPHiCS NVIDIA GeForce GtX 1050 ti CONNECTiviTY HDmI, USb 3.0, USb 2.0, USb 3.1 type C, LAN, 3.5mm audio jack, card reader PRiCE php 64,999

The back of the Acer Aspire vX 15 shows two copious air vents for thermal management.

conclusion

The Acer Aspire VX 15 might not have the Predator label, but it’s still a gaming laptop from the looks down to the core. Plus, it is more affordable versus other similar options. TESTED & RATED

8.0

/10

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ASUS rOg g752vM Monster Machine by Lionell Go Macahilig Hot on the heels of the Shootout last month, wherein we featured the rOG Strix GL702Vm, ASUS sent us another rOG gaming laptop to review, this time the G752Vm. the G752Vm is a hulking behemoth that weighs 4.06kg and has a thickness of 43mm, much heavier and thicker than the GL702Vm (2.7kg heavy, 24mm thick). In spite of the fact that the two laptops carry the same 17.5-inch display size, the G752Vm also comes with a larger lid size. What substantially contributes to the heft of the G752Vm is its cooling system that consists of dedicated modules for the CpU and GpU. Quite visible through a smoked panel underneath, the cooling system is complemented with a large air vent at the back. Adding also to the weight and thickness of the G752Vm is the optical disc drive (bluray reader/Super-multi DVD) which is not present on the slimmer GL702Vm.

Like the GL702Vm, the lid of the G752VM flaunts a brushed metal finish. Its Full HD display has a matte surface to ward off ambient glare. Sitting below the screen is the red-backlit keyboard. According to ASUS, the G752VMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s keyboard is the first of its kind to feature antighosting with 30-key rollover. this means that even if you hit up to 30 keys simultaneously while gaming, all of them will be recognized and the intended command will be interpreted correctly. ASUS also supplied the G752Vm with five macro keys that are essential when programming complex combos. CpU-wise, the G752Vm is powered by an Intel Core i7-6820HK (Skylake). It is a bit slower than the Kaby Lake Intel Core i7-7700HQ (2.7GHz vs 2.8GHz) of the GL702Vm, but it is packed with a larger cache size than the latter CpU (8mb vs 6mb). the G752Vm is also loaded

with 32Gb rAm, doubling the 16Gb memory size of the GL702Vm. equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce GtX 1070, the G752Vm also has a more powerful GpU than the GL702Vm which uses a GeForce GtX 1060. Combining a powerful CpU, larger memory size, and faster graphics, the G752Vm managed beat all of the laptops that were tested in our past Shootout. In PCMark 10 and 3DMark, it scored 4656 and 4107 respectively. It also scored 2415, 15483, and 16521 in Unigine Heaven 4.0, Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood, and Resident Evil 6. On the downside, the G752Vm registered only 116 minutes of stamina (1 hour, 56 minutes) in our battery test. In spite of its weight and short battery life, the ASUS rOG G752Vm successfully showcased its potentials. We look at it not only as gaming notebook, but also as a desktop replacement system.

AT A GLANCE

PROCESSOR Intel Core i7-6820HK (Quad-core, 8mb cache) DiSPLAY 17.5-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080p) GRAPHiCS NVIDIA GeForce GtX 1070 CONNECTiviTY HDmI, mini Displayport, USb 3.1 type C, LAN, headphone-out jack, mic-in jack, card reader PRiCE php 109.995

The G752vMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cooling system is complemented with a large air vent at the back.

conclusion

in spite of its weight and short stamina, the G752VM was able to showcase its potentials. We look at it not only as gaming laptop, but also as a desktop replacement Pc. TESTED & RATED

8.5

/10

PHILIPPINES hardwarezone.com.ph

Sony SrS-xB10 Cheap Thrill for a Soundtrip by Nestor Domingo Jr. Having audio devices like headphones and speakers is always one of the best things in reviewing as it gives me a chance to channel my inner DJ and play tunes (philippine music is my jam, bruuuh!) for an hour or so. Small or even capsulesized speakers may have been the cheapest (or consumerfriendly) alternatives for every person who likes to hear something. However, it’s also undeniable that at low price points, most of these devices come with limited features that can hardly make their users feel satisfied for real. Sometimes, their loudness can’t really seem a worthy one to buck for the value. Sony, a brand which has been known for providing remarkable audio equipment for many years, is bringing to the market its latest lineup of wireless speakers under the eXtrA bASS Series. With these devices, one can actually enjoy the superior-calibrated

highs, lows, and kicks (with bass, of course) for just fairly affordable price points. Some of the models in the series provide multiple venues for connectivity and even flaunt entertaining feats like lighting effects. It doubles as a speaker phone as well. One of the line’s new audio devices, the SrSXb10 may look like another piece of those capsule-sized speakers that bare equally average sound, but this one though lives to its promise of providing extra bass. the SrS-Xb10 covers multiple devices at once, just expect some few beeps along the way in the process. It may cause you inconvenience in case you forget to turn on your bluetooth-connected device such as a smartphone, tablet, notebook, or even a desktop computer. the rubberized design makes the speaker waterresistant. It has a string that allows one to either hang

around atop and feel the listening experience in a somewhat intimately-closed setup, or use it as a surrogate sound source like a typical speaker. Innovative, but not perfectly a fit. the SrS-Xb10 has a transmission range of up to ten meters, depending on the location and interferences. tried doing so along my space and wound up having a lag between my device and the speaker itself. the speaker’s battery can run for a maximum of 16 hours. However, it lasted only over 12 hours with 75% volume level. It didn’t live up to its promise, but at a relatively high volume, the stamina isn’t bad. the SrS-Xb10 may be just a primer of what Sony’s eXtrA BASS Series could offer. If you are up for a capsule-like speaker, then the SrS-Xb10 may be a good choice for you for the relatively affordable price of php 2,990.

AT A GLANCE

SPEAKER TYPE Full range DRivER SiZE 46mm TRANSMiSSiON RANGE 20Hz–20kHz (Sampling frequency 44.1kHz) BATTERY LiFE Approximately 16 hours CONNECTiviTY bluetooth 4.2, NFC PRiCE php 2,990

The rubberized design makes the Sony EXTRA BASS SRS-XB10 waterresistant.

conclusion

The sRs-XB10 may be just a primer of what sony’s EXTRA BAss series could offer. if you are up for a capsulelike speaker, it may be a good choice for its affordability. TESTED & RATED

8.0

/10

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Sony SrS-xB30 Party-Popper by Nestor Domingo Jr. the Sony eXtrA bASS SrS-Xb30 is one heck of a wireless speaker. It is the epitome of a modernized boom box with its portability and durability intact with superior features which makes it a portable version of a party-popper through light, sound, and even its power. the SrS-Xb30’s chassis is IpX5-rated water-resistant, which means the device can withstand droplets and drizzle. Despite that, however, it is still not advisable to expose it to any forms of liquid, especially seawater. Just like any other soundbox, the SrS-Xb30 really has the capability to brought the house down with its superior sound complete with highs, lows, and bass kicking right on target. turn the eXtrA bASS on and you’re up for a ride of your life. this speaker can cover a large room if the volume’s on a full blast. With the Wireless party Chain

feature, the SrS-Xb30 can be linked with up to ten compatible audio devices. The SRS-XB30 is definitely different from the usual onepiece speaker setup where it can only provide one side of the music and neglecting the other. You can throw a party without much hassle as the device provides multiple avenues where you can connect up to three devices and take turns in playing tunes. Just expect some beeps along the way if you have troubles in doing so. the SrS-Xb30 also flashes lights that can go as an accompaniment to a party and be used as an instant assistant in setting the listening party vibe the wireless and effortless way. the lights, apart from music, can be controlled using Sony’s music Center app installed on your smartphone. As an additional function, the SrS-Xb30 can be used as a speaker phone. With its

Voice Assist Function, it can also double as the speaker version of either Apple’s Siri or Google’s Voice Assistant. this speaker’s battery life can last up to a whopping 24 hours, so imagine spending almost an entire day with it and let the music flow from time-to-time without worrying if the device’s battery will dry out anytime soon (heck, your smartphone may be going down to drain first before this unit does). In case you are very conscious of your speaker’s health, simply hold the call button for three seconds and it will inform you how much “gas” is left in the “tank.” Just hope you can hear the message clearly. If you are looking for a good kind to run the party for hours and hours, this speaker might give you your money’s worth. From its bolstering lights to the loud-thumping bass, the Sony eXtrA bASS SrS-Xb30 can be considered a standout.

AT A GLANCE

AMPLiFiERS Clear Audio technology S-master Digital Amplifier DSee (Digital Sound enhancement engine) TRANSMiSSiON RANGE Up to 10 meters BATTERY LiFE Approximately 24 hours CONNECTiviTY bluetooth 4.2 NFC PRiCE php 6,999

Don’t just turn up the party through its volume, turn on its flashy lights too!

conclusion

The sony EXTRA BAss sRs-XB30 lives up to its namesake with superior sound and features, which makes it an epitome of a modern-day party-setting boombox. TESTED & RATED

8.5

/10

PHILIPPINES hardwarezone.com.ph

JBL E45BT

Listen at Your Own Comfort by Lorraine Nevado more companies are incorporating bluetooth connection to their headphone products. JbL e45bt joins this group while still fitting the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature sound and sporting comfort fit fabric on its headband. the e45bt comes with a hippie color of teal which can easily attract attention when used in a crowded place. It is also available in black, blue, red, and white color variants. the ear cups are marked with left and right indications, with the back of the right ear cup holding the power button that lights silver when put on, and blinks blue when detecting other devices with an open bluetooth. the blue indicator becomes stable when connected to a device. At the same spot is the volume buttons, answer/end call (which is also the stop/play keys), and an input for a plug compatible to any devices with a 3.5mm audio jack.

the ear pads are soft foam covered with synthetic leather, held by a headband that has a bit of foam and clad with fabric inward. the headband gives comfort with these materials, while being paired with light weight and sliders at the sides that allow users to adjust to the length that they prefer. even when used for long hours, the e45bt will not leave a mark of heaviness in your head. Using the 4.0 bluetooth connection that reaches up to ten meters, JbLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature sound is just the same. However, we encountered more than one signal disruptions, such as when the music stopped for a few seconds. then upon restarting, sound distortion occurs. the sound skips to catch up to where the current time of the music is. A wired connector comes handy, just in case the e45bt ran out of battery life. We tested the e45bt with

various genres. It gave off a topnotch aural experience when we played music with solid bass. In listening to hip-hop, ballad, acoustic, pop songs, and music with classical instruments using the e45bt, the music quality is unbothered. No problems arose in turning the volume low, as it still has quality balance. However, turning the volume higher than what our ears can handle, the vocals begin to beat the instruments and the balance of the audio is not maintained. Looking for a headphone that you will enjoy while not disturbing other people, the e45bt is not yet the ideal one. because while we enjoy it, people nearby can already hear the music when playing at a high volume. With light weight and versatile connectivity, the JbL e45bt is a sound decision that you will make, if you are after comfort and convenience.

AT A GLANCE

TYPE Wireless on-ear headphones DRivERS 40mm FREQUENCY RESPONSE 20Hz - 20kHz iMPEDANCE 32ohms CONNECTiviTY bluetooth 4.0, 3.5mm audio jack BATTERY LiFE 16 hours PRiCE php 4,990

Compatibility with Bluetooth devices aside, the E45BT also comes with 3.5mm audio jack.

conclusion

Wireless and lightweight, JBl E45BT is a match for users who want no wire and heaviness to disturb them from time to time while listening to music. TESTED & RATED

8.5

/10

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panasonic Lumix DC-gf9K Selfie Gear by Ciara Alarcon When a smartphone is not enough, a mirrorless camera might be the right gear to use that could step up your selfies. recently, our team had a chance to try the latest digital single lens mirrorless camera of Panasonic – the Lumix DC-GF9K. through our various tests, we could say that the brand’s latest offering is worth more than selfies. In fact, you might as well channel your “inner blogger” and elevate your social media feed through the photos produced by this snapper. Gone are the days when carrying a camera also means having to bring a bulky device. With its compact body, the Lumix DC-GF9K is easy to handle and is convenient enough to bring with you every time. It is dressed up with leather-tone and metallic materials, giving the device a stylish design that could match any lifestyle. Apart from its trendy and

sophisticated look, it also features user-friendly controls that let our team shoot photos without having troubles. As a selfie-centric camera, it is equipped with a 180-degree tiltable monitor to make sure that taking selfies won’t also take too much of your time. Its monitor has static touch control too. It comes with various features, including hands-free shutter modes, background control mode, and panorama features that worked well during our tests. It has variety of beauty functions such as the beauty retouch mode, enabling users to make their skin look smoother and make their face look slim effortlessly. the Lumix DC-GF9K allows users to share their captured images on social media with its easy Wi-Fi image sharing feature. through the panasonic Image App, we never had to worry about transferring files on our other devices or smartphones. In

fact, this enables us to save more time than our usual routine in sharing photos. During our tests, our team used the camera as our primary device. to better check its image quality, we took numbers of shot with different subjects under various light conditions. With Lumix 4K photo feature, the Lumix DC-GF9K allowed us to capture images at 30fps and save them as 8-megapixel high-resolution photos. the Lumix DC-GF9K can produce clear images, however, we noticed that it has the tendency to become too saturated when the subject is exposed to sunlight. Also, it couldn’t eliminate image noise when we took photos in places with bad lighting. the Lumix DC-GF9K lasted for three days when we didn’t take much photos. but with continuous usage, it lasted for almost 13 hours. It took two hours to fully recharge.

AT A GLANCE

TYPE Digital Single Lens mirrorless Camera iMAGE SENSOR 16-megapixel Live mOS Sensor FOCUS Contrast AF system DiSPLAY 180-degree tiltable tFt LCD monitor with static touch control BATTERY 680mAh Li-ion PRiCE Inquire

The Lumix DC-GF9K is equipped with 180-degree tiltable TFT LCD monitor with static touch control.

conclusion

While appearing like an ordinary camera, the Panasonic lumix DcGF9K doesn’t only elevate selfies, but it also gives users their basic photography requirements. TESTED & RATED

8.5

/10

PHILIPPINES hardwarezone.com.ph

HyperX Pulsefire FPS Basic Yet Able by Peter Chu If your idea of a good gaming mouse involves flashy lights and a radical design, you’ll probably be disappointed with the HyperX Pulsefire FPS because of its plain-Jane looks. However, to be fair, the Pulsefire FPS does have some features to remind you that it is a gaming mouse, like its braided cord with red accents and the red HyperX logo on its back. It also has two lighting zones that will spring to life the moment it’s connected to your pC, but they can only light up in a single shade of red. Although the Pulsefire FPS isn’t loaded with features, it is an absolute pleasure to use, thanks to its form factor. It had no problems accommodating our grip, which tends to fluctuate back and forth between a claw grip and a palm grip, depending on the activity at hand. In addition, the spacious side grips of the Pulsefire FPS allowed us to

securely clasp onto the mouse using our thumb, ring, and pinky fingers – crucial when trying to precisely track the erratic movement of enemies in first-person shooters. We particularly liked the feel of the Pulsefire FPS’s left and right mouse buttons, as they felt primed and ready to actuate at the slightest amount of pressure from our fingertips. They had a tactile feedback that was satisfyingly crisp too. We’re also happy to report that the pixArt 3310 optical sensor of the Pulsefire FpS was consistently reliable and accurate – never did it felt skittish and the onscreen cursor always ends up where we want it to be. Helping to further improve our experience with the Pulsefire FPS is the HyperX Fury S mouse mat, which we were fortunate enough to be able to supplement this review with. the Fury S is available in sizes of small, medium, large, and extra-large. Suffice to

say, the extra-large version of the Fury S has enough room to accommodate a full-sized keyboard. It leaves you with ample space to freely swipe the Pulsefire FPS around using your entire arm instead of just your wrist. We have to point out that the Fury S is an incredibly solid mouse pad. It has a thickness of 4mm that contributes to its considerable weight, which, alongside its very grippy rubber underside, helps to keep it from slipping and sliding around. Durability shouldn’t be an issue either, thanks to the incredibly thick weave that runs along its four sides to prevent fraying. All in all, the HyperX Pulsefire FPS is definitely worthy of consideration if you’re in the market for a no-frills gaming mouse. It might not have that many value-added features as its competitors, but it manages to compensate for it by being thoroughly enjoyable to use, which is more important.

AT A GLANCE

TYPE Wired gaming mouse with braided cable TRACKiNG ENGiNE pixArt 3310 optical sensor BUTTONS Six buttons backed by Omron switches RESOLUTiON 400dpi to 3200dpi WEiGHT 95g PRiCE php 2,495

Making use of the PixArt 3310 optical sensor, the Pulsefire FPS is reliable and accurate.

conclusion

The HyperX Pulsefire FPs might not have many valueadded features, but it manages to compensate for it by being enjoyable to use, which is more important. TESTED & RATED

9.0

/10

PHILIPPINES 54

HWM PH | September 2017

plextor S3C A Step Up

by Lionell Go Macahilig eight months after we wrote about the S1, plextor sent us another solid state drive (SSD) model to review, this time, it is the S3C. plextor introduced the S3C back in June as part of the S3 series which is positioned as a value SAtA SSD solution for consumers. Value means that it is among the affordable SSDs that you could buy from plextor, especially if you are upgrading your system’s storage from the traditional hard disk drive (HDD) to SSD. the S3C is the 2.5-inch SAtA model of the S3 series. However, if you are looking for its m.2-2280 equivalent, you should check out the S3G. Clad in a metal casing, the S3C makes use of the SAtA 6Gbps interface. It has a height of 6.8mm, so fitting it inside an ultrathin laptop should never become a big deal. Inside, it uses an SmI Sm2254 controller which is also found on its m.2-2280 sibling. Available in 128Gb,

256Gb, and 512Gb storage capacities, the S3C utilizes SK’s 14nm Hynix TLC NAND flash for storage with 512mb DDr3 for DrAm cache. For this review, plextor provided us the 256Gb variant of the S3C (pX-256S3C). Since it is a value offering, the S3C’s packaging is straightforward and it contains only an installation guide (no accessories), apart from the drive itself. For testing purposes, we ran three different benchmarks on the S3C, namely Anvil’s Storage Utilities, AS SSD, and CrystalDiskMark. Specific details that we took from the tests include sequential read and write speeds as well as 4K read and write speeds. then we put the scores of the S3C side by side with those of the plextor S1 (256Gb), transcend mtS800 m.2 (512Gb), and the ADAtA Sp920SS (256Gb). based on the data that we retrieved, the S1 emerged as the fastest SSD among the

four models, followed by the S3C which shares similarities with the mtS800 m.2 in terms of average performance. Describing the performance of the S3C based on the numbers, it is more inclined toward performing better when its comes to sequential reading and writing than doing random operations. the S1, on the other hand, is more versatile as it can perform well in both sequential and random operations. ADAtA’s Sp920SS emerged as the slowest SSD among the four, which is understandable as it is a three-year old model. that said, plextor’s S3C also becomes a suitable upgrade from an aging SSD. On offer with a three-year warranty, the plextor S3C 256Gb retails for around php 6,000 which is not far from the price of other similar solutions in the market. Whether you are upgrading from an HDD or an SSD, the S3C is a reasonable sensible purchase.

AT A GLANCE

TYPE 2.5-inch SSD CONTROLLER SmI Sm2254 FLASH MEMORY SK Hynix tLC NAND STORAGE CAPACiTiES 128Gb, 256Gb, 512Gb iNTERFACE SAtA 6Gbps WARRANTY three years PRiCE Inquire

Like its naked sibling (S3G), the S3C uses an SMi SM2254 controller with SK Hynix 14nm TLC NAND.

conclusion

on offer with a three-year warranty, the Plextor s3c is not only a reasonable purchase when upgrading from a traditional HDD, but also when replacing an aging ssD. TESTED & RATED

8.5

/10

PHILIPPINES hardwarezone.com.ph

Synology DiskStation DS1817+ Centralized Storage

comes with eight drive bays, but with the use of two DX15 expansion units, support can be increased to up to 18 drives with a maximum supported capacity of 108tb. each bay has a SAtA connector that goes well with either 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch hard disk drive (HDD), or solid state drive (SSD). Faster yet energy efficient, the DS1817+ is powered by an Intel Atom quad-core processor coupled

with 2Gb/8Gb DDr3. power consumption ranges from 31.6W (when in idle) to 61.5W (during access). recognizing the fact that Smes typically do not have a dedicated staff who can handles It-related concerns, Synology has simplified the setup process of the DS1817+. Once hooked up to the network through the device’s Gigabit LAN, users should simply download and run the Synology Assistant application on their computer to locate and establish a connection with the DS1817+. Synology Assistant will guide users on how to install the latest version of DSm (6.1.3 at the time of writing), the operating system of the DS1817+. Do note that if you are about to use an old HDD or SSD on the NAS appliance, make sure that important files are backed up as DSm installation will reformat the drive involved. Synology’s browserbased DSM has a lot to offer

PROCESSOR Intel Atom C2538, 2.4GHz, quad-core STORAGE CAPACiTY 8 bays, up to 108tb

by Lionell Go Macahilig the DiskStation DS1817+ is part of Synology’s plus series of network-attached storage appliances. the series sits between the company’s more affordable Value and enterprise-oriented FS & XS series, hence, the plus line where the DS1817+ belongs caters to small and mediumsized enterprises (Smes). that said, Synology has ensured that DS1817+ is packed with a set of features that addresses the needs of the said market. the DS1817+

AT A GLANCE

to Sme users. It includes a collaboration suite that integrates mailplus (basically Gmail), Chat (a messaging app), Office (for users who do not want to buy microsoft Office), and Calendar (useful for organizing schedules). Another useful feature, DSm allows users to access different operating systems, along with their compatible applications, on their browser, saving Smes from spending on new hardware or software. Of course, Synology’s DSm is not all about work and serious stuff. It can also serve as a file manager that consolidates your photos, songs, and videos (and even streaming portals like Netflix) into one platform with a userfriendly interface, similar to having a tV box. Just make sure that productivity’s not affected with this feature. taking into account its potential benefits to the business, the DS1817+ is a worthy investment for Smes.

COMPATiBLE DRivES 3.5-inch SAtA HDD, 2.5-inch SAtA HDD, 2.5-inch SAtA SSD EXTERNAL PORTS Gigabit LAN, USb 3.0, eSAtA POWER CONSUMPTiON 31.6W to 61.5W PRiCE php 54,500

The DS1817+ has eight drive bays, but it can support up to 18 drives with two DX15 expansion units.

conclusion

Taking into account its potential benefits to the business, the synology Diskstation Ds1817+ nAs appliance is a worthy investment for sMEs. TESTED & RATED

9.0

/10

PHILIPPINES 56

HWM PH | September 2017

Transcend Drivepro 520 In and Out Security by Patrick Alcantara today’s trend of car service such as Uber, Grab, and Wunder, demands more security than we ever thought. Whether we side with the driver or the passenger, we deserve an equal level of protection in transit, and the transcend Drivepro 520 interestingly supplies both needs without a sweat. the Drivepro 520 is a dashboard camera that features front and rear infrared LeD that can record Full HD (1080p) videos. the rear camera records the interior of the car with the infrared LeD which helps to lighten up the road and what’s going on inside the vehicle. bigger than the usual dashcams, the Drivepro 520 measures 96.2 x 64.5 x 43.9mm in length, width, and height. but of course, transcend needed to put on more weight at 108g for placing an extra camera for interior recording. In our taste, the mixed

matte and glossy body of the Drivepro 520 plus the free 32Gb microSD card that comes with it is definitely a statement of superiority among its peers. Other stuff appearing in the box were the manual, suction cup, warranty card, and the car adapter. What can we say about the DrivePro 520? It’s the first front-and-rear dashcam to land on our workshop and we’ve never seen anything like it before. As mentioned above, the interiors were lit by the infrared LeD for better night vision. With this feature, drivers and passengers may feel more secured and complacent with every trip since other than the road video logs, the Drivepro 520 documents everything inside the car in any lighting condition. For drivers, the built-in GpS and Wi-Fi would be a great help in wireless access to the dashcam especially when they

have to save a certain point of the recording. Aside from the live view, a 2.4-inch LCD also projects the front images. An emergency red lock appears beneath the dashcam too, which functions as a marker on the clips captured for later viewing. road recordings, as what transcend Drivepro series is known for, were excellent. the front lens lets you record 130-degree angle, powered by an F1.8 aperture. We were also able to capture still images while taking videos with the handy snapshot button placed to the right of the Drivepro 520. this duallens dash cam also comes equipped with a motion G-Sensor which is useful in case of unwanted incidents. the transcend Drivepro 520 places on top of our musthaves whether you drive or ride passenger cars. priced at php 10,990 on Lazada, we can say that the higher price tag is undoubtedly worth it.

AT A GLANCE

RESOLUTiON Front: 1920 x 1080p (30fps) Rear: 1280 x 720p (30fps) DiSPLAY 2.4-inch color LCD CONNECTiviTY Wi-Fi, USb 2.0 STORAGE 32Gb via microSD WEiGHT 108g PRiCE php 10,990

The Transcend DrivePro 520 has infrared LEDs for night recording.

conclusion

The Transcend DrivePro 520 places on top of our musthaves whether you drive or ride passenger cars. We can say that the higher price tag is undoubtedly worth it. TESTED & RATED

8.5

/10

PHILIPPINES hardwarezone.com.ph

Samsung galaxy Book Multifaceted Mobility by Nestor Domingo Jr. the Galaxy book is one of the latest offerings from Samsung’s line of tablets that promises to provide the combined work-and-play experience with convenience for people on-the-go at the price of almost php 45,000. Not only that this 2-in-1 tablet computer boasts a stunning display and a sleek design, it also offers incredible performance that anyone can deal with – be it business or leisure. Imagine having a vivid 10.6-inch AmOLeD display while delivering superior performance, thanks to its 7th Generation Intel Core m3 processor backed by 4Gb rAm. Weighing 644 grams, it is light but packed with features that is likely meant for doing various tasks such as doing office duties, video watching and mind you, even sketching. the version of the Galaxy book that we got comes with a relatively measly 64Gb. However, there’s also a version of it where its interal

memory size is doubled to 128Gb. Storage can be expanded to 256Gb through a microSD card. Another upside about the Galaxy book is the bundled stylus, which is quite as fast and responsive as it gets. the S pen has the similar size of an ordinary pen. It is also sensitive to pressure, not bad for having a noob’s chance of trying the likes of drawing, calligraphy, or lettering. plus, Samsung’s Notes provides a very convenient venue to scribe or jot down notes the way you wanted. putting the Galaxy book on the table and using it for multi-tasking activities is an expedient experience. However, doing so can also result in having its battery module to become hot and you might find it too inconvenient to hold. In terms of imaging, the Galaxy book’s 5-megapixel camera is capable of matching those entry-level

smartphones when it comes to taking selfies. It may not be necessarily an upside but somehow, it fares better than any other webcams out there. Connectvity-wise, the Galaxy book supports Wi-Fi 802.11ac annd bluetooth 4.1. For wired connection, it comes with a USb 3.1 type C port with speedy charging support. the Galaxy book boasts its own enhanced version of keyboard with keys positioned more distant from each other. It is like having the suitable tablet version of a laptop computer or even a desktop pC. With a magnetic cover, which can be slided up or down, it offers and easy way to attach and detach, depending on your preferences and purposes. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy book is poised to give other similar devices some competition and their users value for their money. It is a multifaceted mobile device for work and leisure.

AT A GLANCE

PROCESSOR 7th Generation Intel Core m3 MEMORY 4Gb rAm DiSPLAY 10.6-inch AmOLeD STORAGE 64Gb CONNECTiviTY bluetooth 4.1 Wi-Fi 802.11ac, USb 3.1 type C PRiCE php 44,950

A tablet with a better attachabel keyboard? Samsung’s Galaxy Book has them all enhanced.

conclusion

The Galaxy Book is poised to give premium tablets and people a run for their money. The features, though, have to fare up very well with its superb accessories. TESTED & RATED

8.5

/10

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hp Sprocket Printing Memories by Jonnah Lynne R. Pante While the fastest and easiest way of storing memories through photos nowadays is by means of social media, the oldfashioned method of printing pictures never goes out of style. If you’re the type who wants to have physical copies of photos and paste them on a scrapbook and put them on photo albums, check out the Hp Sprocket. Hp’s Sprocket is a portable instant photo printer that weighs only 178g, as light as a standard smartphone, and has dimensions of 116 x 75 x 23mm. It comes compatible with most Android smartphones and iOS devices, particularly those running on Android 4.4 and iOS 8.0 versions and above. It is important to note that the HP Sprocket is not the first and lone portable photo printer in the market as other brands also have their own. However, what sets the Hp Sprocket apart from other

names in the competition is its seamless setup and usage. Aside from an established bluetooth connection, the Hp Sprocket requires an app of the same name to allow users to instantly print photos from their smartphones. the Hp Sprocket app which can be downloaded free from the Google play Store and Apple App Store allows you to add a little spice to your photos before printing them like adding stickers, frames, texts, filters, and even adjusting the brightness and contrast of your photos. battery life was quite acceptable too, as the Hp Sprocket didn’t require us to repeatedly plug it to replenish its juices. the device can be charged using a typical microUSb connector. One of main features of the Hp Sprocket is it uses the Zero Ink or ZINK technology which means that there’s no pyhsical ink, cartridge, ribbons, and toners found

inside this small printer, explaining why it’s very light and compact. It only has a blue paper called the ZINK smartsheet with the same size as the 2 x 3” ZINK sticker photo papers, which are by the way, waterproof and tear-resistant. the ZINK Smartsheet does the job of calibrating the Hp Sprocket. remember to place the smartsheet first, facing down, before putting the ZINK photo papers on top. Now on to the important part, the Hp Sprocket’s performance. Frankly, the quality of the photos the Hp Sprocket gave us were not that impressive as they look different from the original photos from our paired devices in terms of color accuracy and sharpness. With its fair share of strong points and downfalls, the Hp Sprocket clearly delivers in reminding us of precious moments depicted through printed photos.

AT A GLANCE

DiMENSiONS 116 x 75 x 23mm WEiGHT 172g CONNECTiviTY bluetooth 3.0 MEMORY 512mb PRiNT QUALiTY 313 x 400dpi PRiCE php 7,290

The HP Sprocket uses the Zero ink (ZiNK) technology to instantly print photos.

conclusion

What sets the HP sprocket apart from the other names of the same product in the market is its sleek form factor and seamless installation and usage. TESTED & RATED

8.0

/10

PHILIPPINES hardwarezone.com.ph

F E A t u r E

Zenith

Of ZENfONE The new ASUS ZenFone 4 Series brings to you the best in smartphone photography along with exclusivities such as ASUS SuperPixel engine, PixelMaster 4.0, and ZenUI 4.0 with Android 7.0 Nougat OS. Text by Lionell Go Macahilig Art Direction by Victor Felix Pulgar

HWM PH | September 2017

SpecificationS

CpU 10nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, 2.45GHz octa-core gpU Adreno 540 MEMOry 6GB RAM DiSpLAy 5.5-inch AMOLED rEAr CAMErA 12-megapixel with F1.7 aperture, 16-megapixel with 2x optical zoom frONT CAMErA 8-megapixel with F1.9 aperture STOrAgE 128GB, expandable up to 2TB BATTEry 3600mAh Fast Charging DiMENSiONS 156.9 x 75.6 x 7.6mm wEighT 175g priCE PhP 39,995

the ultimate zenfone experience

pre-order Bundle free Zenpower ultra (php 2,495) pOwErfUL fLAgShip Beating at the core of the Zenfone 4 pro is a Qualcomm snapdragon 835 octa-core processor with adreno 540 gpu and generous 6gB ram.

TripLE SONy SENSOrS combining the imaging prowess of three sony sensors (two on the back, one in front), the Zenfone 4 pro delivers the best in mobile photography.

The ultimate embodiment of ASUS’s concept of mobile photography experience on a smartphone, ZenFone 4 Pro’s (ZS551KL) cameras are powered by three image sensors from Sony. Its dual rear camera system is composed of IMX362 and IMX351 sensors with 2x optical zoom, whereas the front camera carries an IMX319 sensor. The flagship ZenFone 4 Pro is also one of the most powerful smartphones today, being powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 processor with 6GB RAM, with a price tag of PhP 39,995.

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SpecificationS

F E A t u r E

CpU Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, 2.2GHz octa-core gpU Adreno 512 MEMOry 6GB RAM DiSpLAy 5.5-inch Super IPS+ LCD rEAr CAMErA 12-megapixel with F1.8 aperture and 1.4µm pixel size, 8-megapixel with 1200 wide angle frONT CAMErA 8-megapixel with F2.0 aperture STOrAgE 64GB, expandable up to 2TB BATTEry 3300mAh Fast Charging DiMENSiONS 155.4 x 75.2 x 7.5mm wEighT 165g priCE PhP 28,995

the essential zenfone epitome The latest representation of ASUS’s smartphone evolution, the ZenFone 4 (ZE554KL) has a 5.5-inch Super IPS+ LCD screen with FHD resolution and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon octa-core CPU with ample 6GB RAM. Carrying a dual rear camera system, it is equipped with a 12-megapixel Sony IMX362 and an 8-megapixel shooter with 120° field of view for wide angle shots. Meanwhile, its front camera is backed by another 8-megapixel snapper with F2.0 aperture. The ZenFone 4 is priced at PhP 28,995.

HWM PH | September 2017

freeBies Bl clip 2 portable Bluetooth speakers (php 3,099) + clear case (php 699) + Zenpower slim (php 519) CrAfTSMANShip clad in a solid aluminum unibody using advanced nano molding technology (nmt), the Zenfone 4 is thin and light, yet incredibly strong.

DUAL rEAr CAMErAS the asus Zenfone 4 carries a 12-megapixel sony imx362 sensor with f1.8 aperture and an 8-megapixel camera with 120° field of view.

selfie & wefie made perfect by experts

SpecificationS

Stepping up the selfie game, the ASUS ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro (ZD552KL) highlights a dual front-facing camera system that consists of a 24-megapixel Sony IMX362 sensor and a 5-megapixel shooter with 120° field of view for stunning wide-angle ‘wefie’ shots. The rear camera is made capable too, backed by a 16-megapixel Sony IMX351 sensor. Running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octacore CPU, the ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro has 64GB ROM and a 3000mAh Fast Charging battery for PhP 18,995.

CpU Qualcomm Snapdragon 625, 2.0GHz octa-core gpU Adreno 506 MEMOry 4GB RAM DiSpLAy 5.5-inch FHD AMOLED frONT CAMErA 24-megapixel with F1.8 aperture, 5-megapixel with 1200 wide angle rEAr CAMErA 16-megapixel with Sony IMX351 STOrAgE 64GB, expandable up to 2TB BATTEry 3000mAh Fast Charging

freeBies

DiMENSiONS 154.02 x 74.83 x 6.85mm

add freeBies: clear case (php 699) + gong yoo poster SNAppy pErfOrMANCE elegant on the outside yet powerful on the inside, the ZenFone 4 Selfie pro is powered by a fast yet efficient Qualcomm snapdragon processor.

DUAL frONT CAMErAS with a Sony iMx362 sensor coupled with a 120° field of view camera, the ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro lets you capture stunning selfies and wefies.

wEighT 147g priCE PhP 18,995

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F E A t u r E

it’s more than just a selfie

SpecificationS

Arriving at PhP 13,995, the ZenFone 4 Selfie (ZD553KL) is the more affordable sibling of the ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro. It comes with a dual front camera system, comprising of a 20-megapixel sensor and an 8-megapixel snapper with 120° field of view for capturing ‘wefie’ moments with family and friends. Sporting a 5.5-inch HD IPS LCD, the ZenFone 4 Selfie is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 octa-core processor with 4GB RAM and ample 64GB onboard storage expandable up to a whopping 2TB capacity!

CpU Qualcomm Snapdragon 430, 1.4GHz octa-core gpU Adreno 505 MEMOry 4GB RAM DiSpLAy 5.5-inch HD IPS LCD frONT CAMErA 20-megapixel with F2.0 aperture, 8-megapixel with 1200 wide angle rEAr CAMErA 16-megapixel with F2.0 aperture STOrAgE 64GB, expandable up to 2TB BATTEry 3000mAh Fast Charging DiMENSiONS 155.66 x 76.2 x 7.85mm wEighT 144g priCE PhP 13,995

HWM PH | September 2017

freeBies clear case (php 699) + gong yoo poster TripLE SLOT in addition to two sim slots, the ZenFone 4 Selfie has a dedicated slot to accommodate a microsd card. the phone’s storage can expand by up to 2tB.

SOfTLighT LED fLASh unlike a typical camera phone flash, Softlight LED flash just delivers the right amount of light, softening your skin’s texture and bringing out its true tone.

SpecificationS

CpU Qualcomm Snapdragon 430, 1.4GHz octa-core gpU Adreno 505 MEMOry 3GB RAM DiSpLAy 5.5-inch HD IPS rEAr CAMErA 13-megapixel, 5-megapixel frONT CAMErA 8-megapixel STOrAgE 32GB, expandable up to 256GB BATTEry 5000mAh Fast Charging DiMENSiONS 154 x 76.9 x 8.9mm wEighT 181g priCE PhP 9,995

the power to go further

LoNg-LASTINg with its ample 5000mah battery, the Zenfone 4 max can be used to recharge another smartphone with the included usB otg cable.

DUAL CAMErA SySTEM the Zenfone 4 max’s dual rear camera system consists of a 13-megapixel sensor and a 5-megapixel sensor with 120° field of view for wide angle shots.

Like the preceding ZenFone 3 Max, the key highlight of the ZenFone 4 Max (ZC554KL) is its long stamina brought about by its non-removable 5000mAh Fast Charging battery. Sporting a 5.5inch IPS display with HD resolution (1280 x 720p), it shares similarities with the ZenFone 4 Selfie in terms of CPU and graphics, with 3GB RAM and 32GB built-in storage. With a dual rear camera system and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera, the ZenFone 4 Max is the most affordable in the Series with a price tag of PhP 9,995.

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F E A t u r E

It’s pring time Host and radio DJ Joyce Pring talks about her other passion when she’s away from the microphone - racing - with some thoughts that can inspire other women to go behind the wheel. Text by The HWM Team Art Direction by Victor Felix Pulgar

1. Let us talk about one of your interests which is racing. When did you start realizing that racing is your passion? “I was a host for the final race of Vios Cup Season 2 and I really enjoyed watching all the cars go at it. I was attracted by the idea of how the sport is so physically and mentally challenging. Eventually when I started going to racing school, getting in the car, and actually being able to drive around the track, I had realized that it was an absolutely fascinating experience to balance both adrenaline and calm - I fell in love.” 2. Who or what has inspired you to enter racing? “The stigma that women can’t drive well just straight up annoys me so I wanted to prove to myself, and to anybody who doubted, that women can be great drivers, sometimes even better than men. Although above that, I’m always inspired to take on new challenges and adventures; I feel like it’s how I build my character and feed my personality healthily so I’m always up to try something new.” 3. Tell us something about your most memorable racing experience. “It would be difficult to pick just one but I remember the first checkered flag I ever crossed. The feeling was incredible and my coaches were extremely proud of me for not only finishing, but finishing strong. There’s a sense of achievement when you overcome something you had once felt could overcome you. That was something I’m really proud of.”

HWM PH | September 2017

4. There has been a trend in which women are penetrating and dominating the racing scene. What are your thoughts about this trend? “It’s inevitable and about darn time.” 5. What is your dream car and why do you want it? Or what are the best five cars for you? “I thoroughly enjoyed driving the (Porsche) 911, so maybe that and a Range Rover Evoque for everyday city driving.” 6. What is your advice to other women who are aspiring to become a racer? “My advice to women I don’t want to limit to just car racing - to any woman out there who aspires to be successful and overcome fields in which women are doubted: never back down and keep pushing to break boundaries. Anything is possible when we focus on what we can achieve instead of what could go wrong. Aim for absolute excellence and take courage; passions bear fruit when they are partnered with uninterrupted purpose. Also - don’t forget to have fun and look cute while you’re at it.”

“Never back down and keep pushing to break boundaries.”

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F E A t u r E

Fun, Fresh, Free

live and win moments with the all-new toyota Wigo

easy to own, easy to drive, and easy to enjoy: these are the words that sum up one of the immensely popular mini hatchback in the philippines - the toyota wigo. first launched in 2014, the wigo has sold over 40,000 units since its introduction, a manifestation of filipinosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; love to this fun and young vehicle.

a re-energized look to its front bumper, grille, and alloy wheels. enhancing its edgy look, it possesses sleek projector-type headlamps with line guide and led rear combination lamps. evoking a premium feel, the new wigo is also furnished with rear reflectors and outside mirror integrated signal lamps.

this 2017, the new toyota wigo parades a sporty and fun silhouette that speaks volumes. epitomizing a more dynamic image, it features

inside the vehicle, the new toyota wigo showcases a redesigned interior with new seat patterns and door trims. in front, it features

HWM PH | September 2017

a multifunction and navigation-ready audio system that highlights the new steering switch, providing effortless access to oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music. in addition to orange metallic, the new toyota wigo also comes in five other exciting colors: black, gray metallic, red, silver mica metallic, and white. powered by a new VVt-i engine, the new wigo is now available in three variants: wigo 1.0e mt (php 526,000), wigo 1.0g mt (php 564,000), and wigo 1.0g at (php 599,000).

A Closer Look

enhanced interior aesthetics aside, the redesigned interior of the new wigo brings extra comfort and uncompromised safety for both the driver and the passenger.

fun at fingertips accompanying the multifunction and navigation-ready audio system, the new wigo features steering wheel buttons that provide quick access to your tunes.

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Salute to Strength and Astute Styling By The HWM Team

The latest iteration of the first compact SUV from Mercedesbenz, the all-new GLA continues the tradition of powerful design and sharp features since its commencement in 2013. Showcasing a sharpened front section, the all-new mercedesbenz GLAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s front apron presents a more dynamic shape with new air intake grilles and front splitter insert in silver chrome plus flics in high-gloss black. both the front and the tail end of GLA are now

HWM PH | September 2017

equipped with bright yet energy-efficient LED High Performance headlamps. For enhanced styling, the multi-spoke 20-inch light-alloy wheel is available in two color variants: matte black with high-sheen rim flange and titanium grey with high-sheen finish. the astute design of the new GLA is not only meant for aesthetics, but also for good aerodynamics. this, along with a variety of optimizations such as the use of LeD headlamps, results

pICtUre Mercedes-benz

in lowered fuel consumption of 7.4L per 100 kilometers, reinforcing Mercedes-Benzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pioneering role where efficiency is concerned. At the core of the mercedes-benz GLA beats a 2.0L four-cylinder turbo engine that delivers a maximum output of 280kW (381hp) at 6000rpm and a maximum torque of 475Nm at 2250-5000rpm, putting it in the league of the most powerful cars in its segment. A speed of 100kph is achieved from standstill in just 4.4 seconds.

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The Widowmaker Returns By The HWM Team

In the complicated world of porsche 911s, the maddest and baddest of them all wears a badge that reads Gt2. In 2010, porsche decided to add an even wilder version of the Gt2 called the GT2 RS. The recipe of the GT2 RS is simple: shave weight, add power, and then send all power to the rear wheels. essentially, it turned an already fast car to one that is close to supersonic. the latest 911 Gt2 rS follows this recipe closely. It has a 3.8L twin-turbo flat-six that produces a whopping 700hp of power and 750Nm of torque. And like its predecessors, all power is sent to the rear wheels alone. to keep the car light, it gets a titanium

HWM PH | September 2017

exhaust system and carbon fiber bits throughout its body. Opt for the extra Weissach package and porsche can reduce the overall weight by an additional 30kg by replacing the roof and anti-roll bars with carbon fiber ones, and also giving you special ultra-light magnesium wheels. All this power and weight savings mean that the 911 Gt2 rS can propel from a standstill to 100kph in just 2.8 seconds. top speed is 340kph. take a bow, son.

pICtUre PorscHe

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l e a r n

Be smarter

Ever wondered how to get food to look delicious in a photograph? We have too. So, we’ve teamed up with Adobe to bring you photographer Eleanor Tay’s top tips to getting better food photos. Edited by Marcus Wong

pICtUreS eleanor Tay

Make food Look better HWM PH | September 2017

l E A r N

aLways try to go for naturaL Lighting

Whenever possible, I like to take food photos in natural, indirect sunlight, as direct sunlight tends to cast harsh shadows and can easily lead to overexposed photos. If you’re taking photos in a café/restaurant, try to get a window seat where the light isn’t shining directly onto the table. Sunlight in the morning and late afternoon always tends to be gentler too, casting a gentler shadow.

With good natural lighting, photos don’t need as much editing but a few tweaks in Lightroom will help to make your images really stand out. I like to make sure that the white balance is not too yellowish and that there is enough contrast between white/blacks. Sometimes when the color temperature is tuned cooler, it brings out vibrant blue shades instead. Counter this by going into color mixer and desaturate the blues. Before edits

After edits

Before edits

HWM PH | September 2017

when Lighting is diM in a restaurant/café/bar

If the lighting is dim in a restaurant/café there are a few options I like to use: iPhone apps When I don’t want to bring out extra lighting gear, my favorite option is to use my iPhone. While most people might think this means the flash light on their mobiles, I personally find that lighting too harsh. And in warm lighting conditions, the cool light from mobiles can sometimes make the food look unappealing or create unexpected results like a blue tinged foreground and a yellow tinged background. Instead, I use an app called SoftBox Pro (other apps include LightBox, SoftBox, or Photo Light HD/Refboard for iPad) that allows me to use my iPhone or iPad screen as a light box. I can change the color of the screen to match the lighting conditions in the restaurant so that the colors of my food are preserved.

If the restaurant uses incandescent lighting, choose a yellow tone so that the food maintains its color, and in fluorescent lighting, use the white to cast light on your subject. Because the whole screen is lit, the light covers a larger surface area without overexposing any particular spot. Speedlight If you want to take clear photos in a dark space, opt for a speedlight, which is my favorite option if the location allows. Observe your surroundings and try not to impose on other guests or make them feel uncomfortable, and never use flash in a fine dining restaurant. Even the most basic speedlight helps as long as you can angle the flash so that it’s not aimed directly at the food. It’s always best to look for white walls or ceilings to bounce the flash off of, as colored walls will affect the color of your photo. My personal favorite is to find a white wall and bounce the flash to the side. This creates better light and shadow play. hardwarezone.com.ph

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adding LightrooM MobiLe enhanceMents

Then comes the enhancement. Because food plating usually involves many elements, some of which do not stand out much, Lightroom’s Selective Edit tool comes in handy. Most of my photo editing is done on-the-go now, so Lightroom Mobile is my favorite app.

2 1. Basic Color setting I always start by adjusting the white balance of an image as it instantly makes the photo brighter. 2. Color Mix Setting Depending on the image, I usually go into “Color Mix” to make tweaks to specific colors. I tone down blue saturation as food items look better in warm tones.

3. Basic Light Settings Next, I work on the basic light settings. My norm is to use Auto mode just to see how this affects the image. It usually does the trick for most photos, requiring just some tweaks to the shadows, whites, and blacks after to get the effect that I like. 4. Selective Adjustments Settings After that, I take a look at the photo to see what areas need to be tweaked. Usually food items like roast beef or sautéed mushrooms lose their depth due to the lack of vibrant colors. This is where radial selective edits come in handy. In this image, I’ve lightened the shadows over the mushrooms so that more texture can be seen. The lime has also been lightened so that it appears more vibrant in the photo and not overcast by shadow.

5. Finding the right balance As mentioned above, White Balance adjustments always help to perk up a photo. It’s also one thing friends always ask how to get right! In Lightroom Mobile, the white balance picker helps if you can select a neutral area, but sometimes manual adjustments are still required. It’s always good to have something black or white in the photo if you’re just starting to understand white balance. Another trick is to leave a small piece of paper that has both black and white at the side of your photo. Use the white balance picker to detect the white balance off that then crop it off after. 6. Composition Use table props to enhance the natural ambience of the location. Or if you’re geeky enough to carry notebooks/gadgets in your bag, they can also come in useful to fill up spaces in your composition. Usually cafés are decorated with flowers or little display items you can borrow for your setup, but always remember to put the items back. Composition can be tricky sometimes in small spaces like cafés but there’s always the Photoshop replace tool to get rid of elements in the photo which shouldn’t be there.

HWM PH | September 2017

After edits

Before edits

soMetiMes we need a LittLe Magic

At times, I have to shoot food items at home. Due to time and space constraints, I keep my compositions simple. But sometimes, something just seems to be missing that calls for a little Photoshop magic. As much as I’d love to be able to make latte art at home, most of us don’t have a proper coffee machine. This is when old photos and Photoshop come in handy. For this Mothers’ Day flatlay, the latte art was added separately from an old photo I took at a café sometime back, just to make the image more interesting. The colors for this photo were also made more vibrant, and details on the cake were sharpened to better show the flower petals and water droplet. hardwarezone.com.ph

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The HWM team congratulates Alfred Reyes for winning the Jaybird X3 from our August issue contest!

HWM PH | September 2017

Terms and Conditions • This contest is open to all HWM readers except staff of Hardware Zone Phils. Corp. • The qualifying period for this contest is until 30 September 2017. • Only the winner(s) of the contest will be notified via email. • Winners are given 15 days to respond to the notification email and another 15 days since replying to claim their respective prizes. Prizes not claimed within this period will be forfeited. • Selection panel’s decisions are final and no correspondence will be entertained. • Only one (1) entry per reader in a particular contest. • Should the specified prize be no longer available (e.g., phased out), the contest sponsor may change the prize to another product of similar or equal value. • By sending in your entries, you are agreeing to the above-mentioned terms and conditions.

Great things never come from comfort zones. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to Grow Up. Drive the new GLA. www.mercedes-benz.com.ph