Here’s some bad news for the frequent flyer, sincce the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), through Memorandum Circular 019-2025, has announced that they will be increasing Passenger Service Charges (PSC) or terminal fees for the first time in about 20 years.
The adjustment will take effect for tickets purchased on or after April 21, 2025. Previous rates will apply for tickets bought before April 21st. CAAP explained that the increased fees will be use to fund necessary upgrades and improve passenger experience at CAAP-managed airports nationwide.
Below are the updated PSC/Terminal fees;
₱900.00 – International Departures from International, Principal Class 1, and Principal Class 2 Airports
₱350.00 – International Airports
₱300.00 – Principal Class 1 Airports
₱200.00 – Principal Class 2 Airports
₱100.00 – Community Airports
CAAP said that the adjustment, driven by inflation and rising costs, will enable them to maintain safety standards and enhance airport facilities, especially in regional areas crucial for tourism and economic growth. Childen under 2 years old, OFW, Transite passenger and those who are denied entry are excempted from paying terminal fees.
Tesla has officially launch its showroom and service center in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Located in Bujairi Terrace in historic Diriyah.
In an article on AP, “The facility will offer models, including Model 3, Model Y and the Cybertruck, and pop-up stores are also opening in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.”
Just like in the Philippines, Tesla KSA will initially offer the Model 3 and the Model Y crossover in the country. The Model 3 is the EV sedan, while the New Model Y is the crossover EV.
Image: Tesla Model 3 via Tesla.com/en_sa
Model 3 will available 4 variants; the Rear–Wheel Drive, Long Range Rear–Wheel Drive (RWD), Long Range All–Wheel Drive (AWD) and Performance AWD.
The base model for the Model 3 (RWD) will have an estimated range of 513km, top speed of 201 km/h and with an acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 6.21 secs.
Model 3
Rear–Wheel Drive – SAR 169,990.00
Long Range Rear–Wheel Drive (RWD) – SAR 189,990.00
Long Range All–Wheel Drive (AWD) – SAR 199,990.00
Performance All–Wheel Drive (AWD) – SAR 224,990.00
Image: Tesla Model Y Launch Series via Tesla.com/en_sa
The Model Y on the other hand will be available in 3 variants; Rear–Wheel Drive, Long Range Rear–Wheel Drive (RWD) and Long Range All–Wheel Drive (AWD).
The base model for the Model Y (RWD) on the other hand will have an estimated range of 455km, top speed of 217km/h and with an acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 6.9 secs.
Model Y
Rear–Wheel Drive – SAR 199,990.00
Long Range Rear–Wheel Drive (RWD) – SAR 219,990.00
Long Range All–Wheel Drive (AWD)) – SAR 299,990.00
Tesla KSA offers Cash, Lease or 50/50 Lease when buying any of their offerings.
Apple has officially announce the dates for their annual developer conference this 2025.
Apple today announced it will host its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) online from June 9 to 13, 2025. Developers and students will also have the opportunity to celebrate in person during a special event at Apple Park on June 9.
Available for free to all developers, WWDC25 will spotlight the latest advancements in Apple software. As part of Apple’s ongoing commitment to supporting developers, the conference will provide them with unique access to Apple experts, as well as insight into new tools, frameworks, and features.
The company is scheduled to announce the next/new generation of Apple software, including iOS 19, iPadOS 19, macOS 16, watchOS 12, tvOS 19, and visionOS 3.
The company is also expected to provide additional details to the much awaited full version of Apple Intelligence, which have been touted as the killer service/feature of the iPhone 16 and Apple silicon-powered Macs.
The construction for the ₱7.5 billion Daanbantayan Solar Power Plant has begun in Cebu last March 16th. This Cebu-based Solar Power Plant is a 176 Megawatt (MW) renewable energy project and part of the government’s “green lane” initiative.
Acciona Energia Global partnered with Cebu provincial government for the solar power plant, this public-private partnership will provide generate around 280 gigawatt-hours of clean energy to 300,000 people and reduce 259,000 tons of carbon dioxide emission annually.
“This project highlights the tangible impact of the Green Lane program, showcasing its success in attracting investors, particularly in renewable energy. It serves as a meaningful milestone, paving the way for more projects that advance our mission to promote green investments and create job opportunities for Filipinos,” Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary and BOI chairperson Ma. Cristina Roque said.
Acciona Energia Global’s project, the largest solar plant under construction in the Visayas and has a peak capacity of 176 MW, the solar plant is slated to begin operations next year.
Acciona chairperson and chief executive officer José Manuel Entrecanales Domecq said “This plant is Acciona Energia’s first plant in the Philippines, and as you know, as have been repeated, the biggest under construction in the Visayas archipelago. This project supports the government’s goal of increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix, ensuring energy security, and promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth.”
Philippine Airlines (PAL) just announced that they will be investing ₱10 million to “support aspiring women pilots” thru their “Fly With Her” Program (the “Program”) in partnership with PAL Foundation. With the “Fly With Her” Program, PAL aims to close the gender gap in the aviation industry, specially within their ranks since there are currently over 80 women pilots fly for PAL, which is just 9% of our pilot roster.
Here’s the full text of PAL’s official statement;
MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Airlines (PAL) seeks to address the gender gap in aviation through its Fly With Her program, which helps women pursue their dream of flying for the nation’s flag carrier. It recently pledged P10 million to the PAL Foundation, which oversees the scholarship program for women pilots.
“As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we reiterate our support to women who dream of flying for and even assuming top positions in the PAL organization,” said Alvin M. Miranda, PAL Vice President for Marketing.
Apart from the P10 million pledge, PAL will release a film inspired by a real-life story of a young girl who dreamed of becoming a pilot.
“When little girls see women take on leadership roles, it inspires them to do the same and possibly go beyond,” said Lilybeth T. Ng, PAL Assistant Vice President for Pilot Affairs.
The gender gap in aviation remains significant, with only around 6% of pilots worldwide being women.
An Ally of Women in Aviation
PAL has long been a staunch supporter of women in the airline industry. In 1989, its very own Captain Aimee Carandang-Gloria became Southeast Asia’s first woman commercial airline pilot to fly a commercial flight. She broke barriers again in 1993, by becoming the region’s first woman airline captain. PAL continues to lead the way in opening doors for women in the male-dominated industry.
PAL continues to work for clearer and more inclusive skies in aviation, on the strength of its signature service of #CareThatComesFromTheHeart.
Know more about the Fly with Her Program and PAL’s advocacy towards women in aviation by visiting https://www.philippineairlines.com/FlyWithHer
For those interested to joint the “Fly With Her” Program you can visit the FLY WITH HER PROGRAM for details like Eligibility Criteria, Selection Process and, where and how to apply.
Here are the price of the new iPad Air with M3 Chip in Saudi Arabia
iPad Air 11‑inch
Wifi Only
128GB – SAR2,699.00
256GB – SAR3,149.00
512GB – SAR4,049.00
Wi-Fi + Cellular
128GB – SAR3,349.00
256GB – SAR3,849.00
512GB – SAR4,749.00
iPad Air 13‑inch
Wifi Only
128GB – SAR3,699.00
256GB – SAR4,149.00
512GB – SAR5,049.00
Wi-Fi + Cellular
128GB – SAR4,349.00
256GB – SAR4,849.00
Apple Magic Tablet Keyboard
For 11-inches iPad Air – SAR 1,349.00
For 13-inches iPad Air – SAR 1,449.00
The new iPad Air with M3 Chip and the new Apple Magic Tablet Keyboard is now available for pre-order and will be available in Apple Authorized Resellers, starting March 12th.
Together with the new Macbook Air with M4 chip, Apple also announced a refreshed iPad Air powered by the “M3 chip and built for Apple Intelligence.”
Available in 11‑inch and 13‑inch Liquid Retina display, the new iPad Air supports Apple Pencil Pro as well as the Apple Pencil (USB‑C). Because it is powered by the M3 chip, the new iPad Air, which Apple claims to be “2x faster compared to iPad Air with M1,1 and up to 3.5x faster than iPad Air with A14 Bionic” and will be able to perform AI capabilities in iPadOS.
Apple iPad Air M3 Chip 11-inches and 13-inches
Here are notable specs of the new iPad Air;
– Display: 11 inches/ 13 inches Liquid Retina display, 264 ppi, 2360-by-1640-pixel resolution, True Tone and wide color display
– Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB storage
– Processor: Apple M3 chip 8-core CPU, 9-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
– Rear Camera: 12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture, Five-element lens, 5x digital zoom, 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps, 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps, 720p HD video recording at 30 fps
– Front Camera: Landscape 12MP Center Stage camera, ƒ/2.0 aperture, Smart HDR 4, 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
– Colors: Blue, Purple, Star light, Space Gray
Connectivity:
All Models
– Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with 2×2 MIMO
– Simultaneous dual band
– Bluetooth 5.3
Wi-Fi + Cellular models
– 5G (sub‑6 GHz) with 4×4 MIMO
– Gigabit LTE with 4×4 MIMO
– eSIM
Sensors
– Touch ID
– Three‐axis gyro
– Accelerometer
– Barometer
– Ambient light sensor
– USB-C port for Charging, DisplayPort and data USB 3 (up to 10Gb/s)
The new iPad Air with M3 Chip is now available for pre-order and will be available in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers, starting March 12th.
Below are the pricing of the new iPad Air with M3 chip;
iPad Air 11‑inch
Wifi Only
128GB – $599.00
256GB – $699.00
512GB – $899.00
1TB – $1,099.00
Wi-Fi + Cellular
128GB – $749.00
256GB – $849.00
512GB – $1049.00
1TB – $1,249.00
iPad Air 13‑inch
Wifi Only
128GB – $799.00
256GB – $899.00
512GB – $1,099.00
1TB – $1,299.00
Wi-Fi + Cellular
128GB – $949.00
256GB – $1,049.00
512GB – $1,249.00
1TB – $1,449.00
With the new iPad Air with M3 Chip, Apple has released a new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air, featuring an expanded trackpad and a 14-key function row for enhanced control. The keyboard utilizes a magnetic attachment and the Smart Connector for instant power and data connectivity, eliminating Bluetooth pairing. A machined aluminum hinge integrates a USB-C charging port. The new white Magic Keyboard, featuring the popular floating design, is available starting at $269 for the 11-inch version and $319 for the 13-inch version.
Apple iPad Air and Magic Keyboard top viewApple iPad Air and Magic Keyboard
Microsoft will be shutting down Skype this May 2025. The company said that the service will remain available until May 5, 2025.
Starting in May 2025, Skype will no longer be available. Over the coming days you can sign in to Microsoft Teams Free with your Skype account to stay connected with all your chats and contacts. Thank you for being part of Skype pic.twitter.com/EZ2wJLOQ1a
Microsoft explained that during this transition period, Skype users will have the ability to sign-on to Microsoft Teams (Free) on any supported device, this will transfer any skype chats and contacts to Microsoft Teams. At the same time, Skype users will be able to call MS Teams users and vice versa.
If skype users does not want move MS Teams, they will have the ability to export their skype data including chats, contacts, and call history. Then import the information their preferred video chat and messaging service.
With the impending shutdown, Microsoft added that the company will “no longer offer paid Skype features to new customers, including Skype Credit and subscriptions that allow users to make and receive international and domestic calls. Current Skype subscription users can continue to use their Skype Credits and subscriptions until the end of their next renewal period. Skype Credit users can also continue to use their remaining Skype Credit. After May 5, 2025, the Skype Dial Pad will be available to remaining paid users from the Skype web portal and within Teams.”
Launched in 2003, Skype is a P2P IP-based videotelephony, videoconferencing and voice calls. The company was acquired by Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5 billion and used it to replace their Windows Live Messenger.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, approved today, February 20, 2025, the Saudi riyal symbol; a historic move that will reinforce the Saudi currency’s identity.
The Governor of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), H.E. Ayman M. Al-Sayari, extends his profound appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for launching the Saudi riyal symbol.
Al-Sayari noted that this decision reinforces Saudi Arabia’s financial identity, locally, regionally, and internationally. He indicated that the implementation of the new symbol will be gradual for financial and commercial transactions, with coordination across all relevant entities.
Saudi Riyal Symbol
The agency explained that “the Saudi riyal symbol, developed to the highest technical standards, embodies the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage, carrying the name of our national currency “Riyal” in a design derived from Arabic calligraphy. The symbol will streamline the representation of the Saudi riyal in local, regional, and international contexts, making it suitable for use in referring to the Saudi riyal in all financial and commercial transactions.”
Before the announcement of the Saudi Riyals symbol, SAR, SR or the Arabic equivalent ريال or الريال السعودي, is the one being used.
The latest iPhone at the greatest price — iPhone 16e is here. It’s built for Apple Intelligence and powered by A18, the latest-generation chip. It also comes with supersized battery life, a 48MP Fusion camera, and a durable design.
Pricing, claims, and feature availability apply to the U.S. and may vary by region. For product details specific to your area, please refer to Apple.com.
It appears that a new Apple product announcement may be coming as early as February, as Apple CEO Tim Cook teased that the company welcomes “the newest member of the family” and included a date and a “hashflag” (a type of advertising on X, formerly known as Twitter). Aside from Tim Cook’s tweet, this announcement cannot be found anywhere else, not from any other Apple executive or any Apple social media accounts. It’s also worth noting that the time of the launch is not mentioned, so we can assume that the announcement will be a recorded video or, if they choose, they’ll simply release a press release.
Get ready to meet the newest member of the family.
As for the product, Apple is expected to announce a redesigned iPhone SE, since the last iPhone SE was announced two years ago. It is rumored that the new iPhone SE will feature an A18 chip, a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, a USB-C port, Apple Intelligence support, and more. Of course, we should take these rumors with a grain of salt, since the “newest member of the family” may not even be an iPhone but a product in a totally different category. I guess we just have to wait until the 19th.
More than four months after announcing Apple’s acquisition of Pixelmator, the deal appears to have been completed without any announcement, since users of the Pixelmator apps are displaying new splash screen announcing the deal.
The messages on the splash screen is a simple “We are excited to announce that Pixelmator Pro is now part of Apple,” and Pixelmator users confirmed that they are getting the similar message using app.
Apple now owns Pixelmator fully. I hope this is a good thing, but I did love that for many years I have been using it, the company has always provided regular updates and features. Something to be said for a hungry independent company. Still could be integrated in some great… pic.twitter.com/cfvw5xQEnz
While Apple has acquired Pixelmator, they haven’t revealed plans for the app’s future. It remains a standalone product for now, and hopefully won’t suffer the same fate as Apple’s Aperture app, which was discontinued in 2015.
Apple announced plans to expand in Saudi Arabia, starting with the launch of an online store in summer 2025 and opening physical stores in 2026, including a flagship location in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The expansion includes existing investments in the country, including the Apple Developer Academy in Riyadh, which opened in Riyadh in 2021 in partnership with the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tuwaiq Academy, and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University. The program has trained nearly 2,000 aspiring feamale coders, designers, and entrepreneurs. Apple hosted the country’s first coed Apple Foundation Program. A monthlong course for students from across the country to learn the fundamentals of coding and app development, with a focus on gaming. Apple plans to further expand the coed Foundation offerings, with the next cohort planned for spring 2025.
Apple has emphasizes its commitment to Saudi Arabia, highlighting investments, job creation, and the growth of the app economy, with developer earnings increasing up over 1,750 percent since 2019. Apple Pay is also gaining traction in the country, with Riyadh being the first city in the Middle East to offer Express Mode for transit payments.
Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) to acquire full ownership and control of Tim Ho Wan, a Hong Kong-based dim sum restaurant.
In an article on BusinessWorld, the deal to acquire Tim Ho Wan is worth S$20.2 million or around ₱892.29 million, which is only for the remaining 8% participating interest held by the other investors in Tim Ho Wan (Titan Dining LP).
Before this transaction, Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. (JWPL), already owns 92% participating interest in Titan Dining LP, since January 2024.
Once done, the ownership and management of Tim Ho Wan (Titan Dining LP) will transfer to Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. (JWPL), the fast-food operator said in a statement to the stock exchange on Tuesday. Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. is a subsidiary of Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC).
Orignated in Hong Kong, Tim Ho Wan, has around 80 stores across 11 countries and will be the Jollibee group’s flagship brand for high-end Chinese cuisine market.
Aside from Tim Ho Wan, Jollibee Foods Corps, also have other Chinese-Style Resto brands under its umbrella like Chow King, Panda Express, Hong Zhuang Yuan and Yonghe King.
Converge, one of Philippines leading ISP, announced “the new Converge Netflix Bundle, where new and existing FiberX customers will be able to have both an internet and Netflix plan, all in one. The new offering aims to provide countless entertainment options and a better streaming experience for FiberX users.”
The new Converge Netflix Bundle will include a FiberX plan that offers 325 Mbps speeds, a Netflix subscription with a lock-in period of 36 months, a new WiFi-6 Next Gen Modem, and a Converge Xperience Box with Freemium Channels — all put together into one subscription for the convenience of the customer.
The new Converge Netflix Bundle starts at Php 1,798 per month, inclusive of a Converge FiberX plan with boosted speeds of 325 Mbps, a WiFi6 modem, a Converge Xperience Box, and a Basic Netflix subscription that can support one HD stream at a time. Customers can avail of more premium bundles that can support multiple devices streaming at the same time and can offer additional Boost Modes with speeds of up to 200 Mbps. For existing subscribers, the Converge Netflix Bundle is available as an exclusive add-on starting at Php 298 per month.
Lauren Thomas, Laura Cooper and Asa Fitch, reporting for WSJ;
Chip giant Qualcomm made a takeover approach to rival Intel in recent days, according to people familiar with the matter, in what would be one of the largest and most consequential deals in recent years.
A deal for Intel, which has a market value of roughly $90 billion, would come as the chip maker has been suffering through one of the most significant crises in its five-decade history.
This is big in so many different levels!
In a report by NY Times, “Qualcomm has not yet made an official offer for Intel.”
Tupperware Brands Corp. and some of its subsidiaries filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Tuesday, September 17, giving in to dwindling demand for its once-iconic food storage containers and mounting financial losses.
The company’s struggles resumed after a short-lived pandemic boost, when increased home cooking briefly drove demand for its colorful, airtight plastic containers. A post-pandemic jump in costs of raw materials such as plastic resin, as well as labor and freight, further dented Tupperware margins.
I can still remember those all those sales agents that goes to our house trying to sell us different sets of Tupperware.
You can read the official statement from Tupperware here.
The NagaTech LAKAN features a 15.3-inch QHD+ IPS display with 240Hz refresh rate and 2560 x 1440 resolution. It comes with either a Ryzen 7 8845HS or a Ryzen 9 8945HS processor with two GPU options: either the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 or the RTX 4070.
For storage, it has either a 16GB or 32GB RAM that is configurable up to 64GB while having a 512GB SSD storage that can be upgradable. Windows 11 Home or Pro comes in the laptop.
The NagaTech LAKAN has a starting price of PHP 69,995.
Introducing: The NAGATECH LAKAN.
Our first step towards gaming and high performance laptops.
Quick Specs:
QHD+ 2560x1440p 240hz 15.3″ IPS Display
Ryzen 7 8845HS / Ryzen 9 8945HS
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8GB / RTX 4070 8GB
512GB SSD / Upgradable
16 / 32GB DDR5 5600mhz RAM / Up to 64GB
1080p IR Camera + Per-Key RGB Backlit Keyboard
Windows 11 Home / Pro
1-Year full coverage local warranty (parts + labor) + 7 day returns
Starting price: PHP 69,995 (4060/Ryzen7/512/16)
NagaTech, is a Philippine-based laptop maker. The company said that units for their laptops “are arriving end of Sept/start of Oct for local techies to give in-depth reviews.” and they plan to sell “online (directly through our Website) and Shopee this December.”
Last August, the company announced NAGA SIPAG, a high-performance productivity laptop with the following specs;
iOS 18 is now available, bringing iPhone users around the world new ways to personalize their iPhone with deeper customization to the Home Screen and Control Center; the biggest-ever redesign to Photos, making it even easier to find and relive special moments; and major enhancements to Messages and Mail. Starting next month, iOS 18 will introduce Apple Intelligence, the personal intelligence system that combines the power of generative models with personal context to deliver intelligence that is incredibly useful and relevant while protecting users’ privacy and security.
iOS 18 is a free software update for iPhone Xs and later.
The feature that I’ve been looking forward to is the HOME Screen Customization and as for Apple Intelligence features, it looks like we need to wait until next month.
If you do not have the AUTOMATIC UPDATES enabled, you can manually update to iOS 18 by going to SETTINGS > GENERAL > SOFTWARE UPDATES.
Maya is partnering with Grab to give users of the ride-hailing and food delivery app access to loans up to P30,000.
….
Aside from this, Grab users can now use Maya Easy Credit to top up their Maya Wallet and easily pay for Grab rides or food deliveries.
It’s interesting that Grab is partnering with Maya to offer loans to its users, even though Grab a offers similar finance service/features called Grab Pay, and it competes with Maya in some markets.
The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) has officially taken over management and operation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and with it, the task of modernizing the 76-year-old gateway.
NNIC, the consortium that includes San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and Incheon International Airport Corporation, has committed to spend P170 billion to execute its phased but ambitious plan to elevate NAIA to world-class standards. This includes plans to increase passenger capacity from 43 million to 62 million annually and air traffic movements from 42 to 48 per hour.
The government stands to gain about P1 trillion in revenues from the PPP project over the 25-year concession period. This includes the 82.16-percent revenue share to be remitted to the government yearly.
Travelers can expect business as usual, with flights, check-ins, and other services proceeding as normal. The plans for NAIA’s modernization, including terminal reassignments and infrastructure upgrades, will be implemented gradually and strategically in the coming months and years.
NNIC has assured the public that the transition will be seamless, with no disruptions to airport operations.
The things that SMC listed for the Immediate Improvements are things that are supposedly being done by the previous management.
Apple today announced a groundbreaking new lineup of AirPods models and features. The new AirPods 4 are the most advanced and comfortable headphones Apple has ever created with an open-ear design, and today, customers can choose between two distinct models: AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). AirPods Max now come in midnight, starlight, blue, purple, and orange, and offer USB-C charging for more convenience. This fall, AirPods Pro 2 will introduce the world’s first end-to-end hearing health experience, delivering active Hearing Protection, a scientifically validated Hearing Test, and a clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature.
AirPods 4 and AirPods Max will be available to pre-order starting today, with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 20. New hearing health features will be available this fall for AirPods Pro 2 users in more than 100 countries and regions.
Pricing
AirPods Pro 2 – $249 (USD)
AirPods Max – $549 (USD)
AirPods 4 – $129 (USD)
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation – $179 (USD)
Photos
Apple AirPods Max Side View.
Apple AirPods Wireless Charger.
Apple AirPods 4 with case.
Apple AirPods Max Noise Control Button.
AirPods Max available in five new colors; Starlight, Orange, Purple, Blue, and Midnight
Apple has announce their iPhone 16 Event this 9th of September at at 8 p.m. Riyadh Time. The company is expected to announce the next generation of iPhone 16 as well as provide more information on the Apple Intelligence as well as Apple Silicon, Watch Series 10, and AirPods 4.
The event will be held at the Apple Park and you can watch the live stream of the event from Apple’s website, the Apple TV app and Apple’s official YouTube channel. You can also come back here and watch the live stream from the embedded video below.
You can now listen to an Apple Podcast on the web. Apple just launch Apple Podcast on the web, this allows podcast listners to stream full Apple podcast using any modern web browser, using any device, in more than 170 countries.
Apple Podcasts on the web offers a full streaming experience for listeners with its dedicated interface that includes personalization, recommendations, and notifications.
Listeners can sign in with their Apple Account to access their Library, Up Next queue, and subscriptions. The responsive design ensures a consistent experience across all devices. Sharing shows and episodes is easier than ever, and playback will appear as a download in your hosting provider’s dashboard.
Apple Podcasts is not the only web-based podcast players, since music streaming giants YouTube Music, Amazon Music, and Spotify have been offering web version of their service for a long time, as well as start-ups and indie podcasts players.
The introduction of Apple Podcasts on the web could be Apple’s way of growing its userbase and offering its service to other platforms like Android, Linux or any device with a browser.
Together with the discontinuation of the Chromecast, Google announced the new Google TV Streamer as the Chromecast’s replacement and a smart home hub for your Google Home and Matter devices.
Google did not provide much information on the device’s specifications, but we know it supports “up to 4K HDR @60 fps” videos with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. It will have Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4 GHz/ 5GHz) connectivity with Bluetooth® 5.1. It will have 4GB of RAM but only 32GB of storage, which is surprising considering it’s a streaming device.
Google TV Streamer PortsThe device will have a USB-C port for power/data, HDMI 2.1 (Type A), and ethernet for a more stable and reliable connection. Unlike the Chromecast, the new Google TV Streamer will be powered by the Android TV OS.
As a smart home hub, Google TV Streamer supports Matter and has a built-in Thread border router, enabling quick and secure connections for smart home devices like locks and motion sensors. Google TV Streamer is available in two neutral colors: Porcelain and Hazel (exclusively available on the U.S. Google Store). Its low-profile design allows it to fit neatly between your TV and media console, while still providing access to the handy ethernet port.
Beyond hardware, the new Google TV Streamer is AI-powered to personalize and curate content across all your subscriptions in one place. The device can also access your Google Photos to create unique screensaver art using generative AI.
Google TV Streamer is available for pre-order today, August 6, and will be available on September 24 for $99.99 from the Google Store and other third-party retailers.
Google, in a blogpost, announced that the company will be ending the production of Chromecast after 11 years and more than 110 million devices sold. The company explained that when they first launched the Chromecast, most, if not all, TVs were not as smart or integrated as today’s models, and they had few to no apps. The connectivity of these TVs was also limited.
Despite discontinuing production, Google said that Chromecast will still be available while supplies last. The search giant will also continue to provide software and security updates for the newer Chromecast models.
I still own the 2nd-gen Google Chromecast, and it still works perfectly. It’s the best, easiest, and most affordable way to convert a “dumb” TV into a smart TV and connect it to a smartphone.
Current Model: Google Chromecast with Google TV (HD)
When we launched Chromecast, most TVs had few (if any) apps, streaming was unreliable and complicated and connecting your TV to your phone, tablet or laptop was clunky and hard. Chromecast was our answer to this problem, a simple and affordable way to cast your favorite online content right on your TV screen. It was as easy as plugging in the device and hitting play. Chromecast’s small dongle form factor made it easy to hide behind a TV, and the affordable price made it accessible to millions and the perfect gift for many.
Since then, technology has evolved dramatically. Streaming and smart TVs abound. We invested heavily in embedding Google Cast technology into millions of TV devices, including Android TV. Android TV has expanded to 220 million devices worldwide and we are continuing to bring Google Cast to other TV devices, like LG TVs. Thousands of apps support casting, making it easier than ever to watch your content from your phone and tablet on the big screen. So we are taking the next step in evolving how streaming TV devices can add even more capabilities to your smart TV, built on top of the same Chromecast technology.
