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Posts published in “Business”

The latest business news in the Philippines.

Watch the iPhone 16e Intro Video

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.

Tim Cook teases about a “New” Product that Apple will launch on 19th of Feb

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.  

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.

Apple has finalized its purchase of Pixelmator

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.

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.

Watch this Nike Super Bowl Ad Featuring Women Basketball stars Caitline Clark, A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu and Juju Watkins

There’s one guarantee in sport. You’ll be told you can’t do it. So do it anyway.

You can’t win. So Win.

Here are the athletes featured in the ad (alphabetically);

  • Indiana Fever Guard Caitlin Clark
  • American Gymnast Jordan Chiles
  • New York Liberty Guard Sabrina Ionescu
  • USC Guard JuJu Watkins
  • Portland Thorns Forward Sophia Wilson
  • Las Vegas Aces Center A’ja Wilson
  • Barcelona Midfielder Alexia Putellas
  • American Sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson
  • Belarusian Tennis Player Aryna Sabalenka

Looks like Women’s sports is on the rise!

Apple to open its first retail store in Saudi Arabia

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 to acquire Tim Ho Wan for ₱892.29M

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 announces Netflix and Fiber X bundle

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.

Qualcomm Approached Intel About a Takeover in Recent Days   

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 files for bankruptcy as its colorful containers lose relevance   

Rappler;

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.

NagaTech announces NAGATECH LAKAN, the company’s first gaming laptop   

Cristina Joy Valerio, writing for Yugatech;

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.

This is the official announcement as posted on NagaTech’s official Facebook page;

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;

Intel Core Ultra 5
512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD
16GB DDR5 RAM
14” 2880x1800p 120hz 100% sRGB Display
100w PD Charger + 1080p Webcam

iOS 18 now available to all iPhone Users   

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 to let Grab users loan up to P30k   

Benise Balaoing, writing for ABS-CBN News;

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.

NNIC takes over NAIA, hits the ground running   

San Miguel Corp;

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 announces AirPods 4 and AirPods Max   

Apple;

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

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Apple iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max price in United Arab Emirates   

All 4 iPhones will be will available for pre-order this Friday, September 13, with availability beginning Friday, September 20.

iPhone 16;

  • 128GB – AED 3,399.00
  • 256GB – AED 3,799.00
  • 512GB – AED 4,649.00

iPhone 16 Plus;

  • 128GB – AED 3,799.00
  • 256GB – AED 4,199.00
  • 512GB – AED 5,049.00

iPhone 16 Pro;

  • 128GB – AED 4,299.00
  • 256GB – AED 4,699.00
  • 512GB – AED 5,549.00
  • 1TB – AED 63,99.00

iPhone 16 Pro Max;

  • 256GB – AED 5,099.00
  • 512GB – AED 5,949.00
  • 1TB – AED 6,799.00

Rewatch Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” Iphone 16 event

If you missed the Apple Iphone 16 Event last night, then you can rewatch the event from the embedded video below.

Watch the special Apple Event to learn about the next generation of iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, and so much more.

Audio Descriptions: https://apple.co/3MF5xtw

00:00:00 Introduction
00:04:32 Apple Watch Series 10
00:20:20 Apple Watch Ultra 2
00:25:54 AirPods
00:39:55 iPhone 16
01:11:42 iPhone 16 Pro

Apple announces “It’s Glow Time” iPhone 16 Event this Sept 9th

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.

Apple Podcasts now accessible on the Web

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.

Users can go to https://podcasts.apple.com, to start listening.

Google TV Streamer Announced

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 Ports
The 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 to discontinue Chromecast after 11 years

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.

Globe now offers Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Fold6 on Postpaid Plans

Globe telecom just announced that Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Fold6 is now available thru their postpaid plans.

The new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 will be available thru their GPlan 1799; a device cash-out of ₱40,600 for the 256GB model of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 and ₱47,600 for the 512GB variants. If the cash-out is too big for you, you can available of the 0% installment for the device, which will be spread throughout the 24 months lock-in period of the plan in addition to the ₱1,799 price of the plan;

  • ₱1,692 per month for 256GB model
  • ₱1,983 per month for 512GB model

For the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6, this will be under the GPlan 2499 and Platinum GPlan 4999.

Under the GPlan 2499 there will be a device cash-out of ₱63,700 for the 256GB model, ₱70,700 for the 512GB and ₱83,700 for the 1TB model. Just like with the Z Flip6, you can also available of the 0% installment (in 24 months) for the device in addition to the ₱2,499 price of the plan.

  • ₱2,654 per month for the 256GB model
  • ₱2,946 per month for the 512GB model
  • ₱3,488 per month for the 1TB model

As for the Platinum GPlan 4999, the device cash-out will be much smaller; ₱49,200 for the 256GB model, ₱56,200 for the 512GB and ₱69,200 for the 1TB model. If you will go to the 0% installment (in 24 months) route for the device in addition to the ₱4,909 price of the plan.

  • ₱2,050 per month for the 256GB model
  • ₱2,342 per month for the 512GB model
  • ₱2,883 per month for the 1TB model

Globe will be giving freebies worth up to ₱33,765 to those who will order the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 and up to up to ₱15,889 for Galaxy Z Flip6. To know more about Globe’s offering of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Fold6, you can go here.

Ad agency and Wellspring issue Public Apology for the “Gil Tulog” Marketing Stunt

The ad agency and company behind the controversial “Gil Tulog” marketing stunt has issue an apology, this is after Puyat Clan files complaint against the ad agency for doing ‘Gil Tulog’ campaign.

Gigil, the ad agency behind the “Gil Tulog” campaign, said “Even as all the necessary permits and clearances were secured, our approach had resonated differently and so the campaign was immediately discontinued.” The agency ended their statement with “Our agency will be putting in place more stringent measures to ensure this does not happen again.”

Wellspring, who commissioned the marketing agency, also issued an apology saying;

We made a misstep in our campaign and we are sorry.
We recognize and deeply regret the insensitivity of our execution and we offer our sincerest apologies to the Puyat family, the Makati City government, and the public.
We have learned from this mistake and are committed to doing better.

Gigil is not new to viral videos and trending topics, since they are the company behind some of the most viral ad like the RC cola’s commercials and this Grab Ph Ad. And if you believe that there is not bad publicity, then Wellspring got their money’s worth for doing the marketing stunt no matter how short it is, they will forever be connected to Gil Tulog a.k.a. Gil Puyat Ave.

Apple Maps on the Web in Public Beta

Apple Maps is now available on the web. Users can access Maps using their web browser to get directions, find places, order food, and explore cities. The service is currently in beta and available in English on Safari, Chrome, and Edge.

Apple also said that developers using MapKit JS, can link out to Maps on the web, so their users can get driving directions, see detailed place information, and more. Support for additional languages, browsers, and platforms will be expanded in the future.

Google Translate expands to 110 new languages, including 5 from the Philippines

Google just announced that they are adding 110 new languages to Google Translate, this includes 5 languages from the Philippines namely: Bikol, Hiligaynon, Kapampangan, Pangasinan and Waray.

Google explains that the expansion was possible with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) paired with PaLM 2 large language model.

In addition to the 5 languages from the Philippines, Google translate also added support for the following;

  • Afar which is spoken in Djibouti, Eritrea and Ethiopia.
  • Cantonese, which Google says “one of the most requested languages for Google Translate.”
  • Manx is the Celtic language of the Isle of Man. sands of speakers.
  • NKo a standardized form of the West African Manding languages that unifies many dialects into a common language.
  • Punjabi (Shahmukhi) is the variety of Punjabi written in Perso-Arabic script (Shahmukhi), and is the most spoken language in Pakistan.
  • Tamazight (Amazigh) is a Berber language spoken across North Africa.
  • Tok Pisin is an English-based creole and the lingua franca of Papua New Guinea.

With the additional 110 new languages, Google Translate now supports 243 languages. You can find the full list of newly supported languages on Google Translate here.

Apple Vision Pro now available in China mainland, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore

Apple’s highly anticipated spatial computing headset, the Vision Pro, has finally arrived in key Asian markets. After launching in the US back in February, the device is now available for purchase in Apple Stores across China mainland, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore.

The Vision Pro promises a seamless blend of the digital and physical worlds, offering users a variety of transformative experiences. From work and collaboration to entertainment and reliving memories, the headset boasts a wide range of capabilities. Apple is heavily emphasizing the guided in-store demo experience, allowing potential customers to explore the full potential of spatial computing.

This launch comes amidst reports of slowing sales in the US, where the $3,499 price tag may have deterred some consumers. By entering these new markets, Apple is targeting regions with a strong tech presence and potentially more receptive audiences.

Checking the Apple Online Store in Singapore, the new Apple Vision Pro retails for S$5,299 (around Php 228,171.46) and its limited to just two units per customer.

Source: Apple

List of iPhones supported by iOS 18

Now that the WWC is in the books and with the announcement of the iOS 18, you may be wondering if your iPhone can run the upcoming iOS 18 when it comes out later this year. Well, if you are using the 2nd gen iPhone SE or the later version, then you can rest easy since your device can update to iOS 18 when it becomes available.

Below are the list of iPhones that’s supported by the new iOS 18.

  • iPhone 15
  • iPhone 15 Plus
  • iPhone 15 Pro
  • iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • iPhone 14
  • iPhone 14 Plus
  • iPhone 14 Pro
  • iPhone 14 Pro Max
  • iPhone 13
  • iPhone 13 mini
  • iPhone 13 Pro
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max
  • iPhone 12
  • iPhone 12 mini
  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)

Not all features of the new iOS will be supported by older devices.

  • Messages via satellite will be available in iOS 18 along with Apple’s existing satellite features in the U.S. on iPhone 14 and later.
  • Apple Intelligence will be available in beta on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • Features are subject to change. Some features are not available in all regions, all languages, or on all devices.

If you want to try out the new iOS 18, you can download the developer beta version at developer.apple.com or wait for the public beta this fall.

Source: Apple

CCN Philippines to shut-down this 31st of January 2024

After all the reports, CNN Philippines has confirmed that the network will shutdown its operations on all media platforms this January 31, 2024. The company released their official statement on all their social media accounts as well an official statement published on cnnphilippines.com.

Here’s the full text of CNN Philippines’ official statement;

It is with deep regret that the management of Nine Media Corporation (NMC) announces the discontinuation of its news and production operations on all media platforms, branded as CNN Philippines (CNNPH), effective 31 January 2024. The decision follows significant financial losses sustained over the past years, despite rigorous efforts to adapt and innovate in a rapidly evolving and challenging media landscape.

We are aware of the impact of this closure on our valued employees and talents, we assure all affected staff will be provided with severance packages.

We express our deepest appreciation to our dedicated team for their unwavering commitment over the years that has elevated CNNPH as a trusted source of news and information in the Philippines.

With the conclusion of CNNPH’s operations, we would like to extend our profound gratitude to our partner, CNN Worldwide/Turner Broadcasting Corporation for their support and understanding.

To our loyal viewers, thank you for giving us purpose. We are honored to have served you.

Again, we would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to our employees, partners, and stakeholders. Thank you for the trust.

It’s unclear what will happen to its employees and talents, but it will be a big blow to the country’s “the future of journalism in the Philippines”, as well as the news media landscape.

Apple Vision Pro to launch this February 2024

After 7 months of waiting, Apple has finally launch the Apple Vision Pro, at least in the US, which will be available on Friday, February 2nd, pre-orders for the device will begin Friday, January 19th. The Apple Vision Pro is priced at $3,499 and is Apple’s first new major product category since the Apple Watch in 2015.

The Apple Vision Pro is a compact pair of glasses that lets you navigate, interact, and enjoy content in a spatial way. It features a custom micro-OLED display, a 3D camera, Spatial Audio, and a dual-chip (M2 and new R1 chip) system with advanced technology and design. The device is designed to blend digital content with the physical world, using visionOS, the world’s first spatial operating system. It offers an infinite canvas that transforms how you use the apps you love, allowing you to arrange apps anywhere and scale them to the perfect size, making the workspace of your dreams a reality. You can browse the web in Safari, create a to-do list in Notes, chat in Messages, and seamlessly move between them with a glance. The device also has augmented reality capabilities, but can also switch to virtual reality seamlessly by using the dial on the headset.

The Apple Vision Pro is Apple’s first 3D camera. You can capture magical spatial photos and spatial videos in 3D, then relive those cherished moments like never before with immersive Spatial Audio. Your existing library of photos and videos looks incredible at remarkable scale. And panoramas wrap around you — making you feel like you’re standing right where you took them. You can also take spatial videos with iPhone 15 Pro, then view them on Apple Vision Pro.

Apple Vision Pro will be available starting at $3,499 (U.S.) with 256GB of storage. Pre-orders for Apple Vision Pro will begin on Friday, January 19, at 5 a.m. PST, with availability beginning Friday, February 2.
Apple Vision Pro will be available at all U.S. Apple Store locations and the U.S. Apple Store online.

ZEISS Optical Inserts — Readers will be available for $99 (U.S.), and ZEISS Optical Inserts — Prescription will be available for $149 (U.S.).

Apple Vision Pro comes with a Solo Knit Band and Dual Loop Band — giving users two options for the fit that works best for them. Apple Vision Pro also includes a Light Seal, two Light Seal Cushions, an Apple Vision Pro Cover for the front of the device, Polishing Cloth, Battery, USB-C Charge Cable, and USB-C Power Adapter.

Apple release the top apps and games on the App Store with Temu as the Top Free iPhone Apps for 2023

Apple just published the top downloaded apps and games on the App Store this year. In their announcement, Apple even emphasis that “App Store is the world’s safest and most vibrant app marketplace.”

Below are the top apps and games on the App Store this year in the United States;

Top Free iPhone Apps

  1. Temu: Shop Like a Billionaire
  2. CapCut – Video Editor
  3. Max: Stream HBO, TV, & Movies
  4. Threads, an Instagram app
  5. TikTok
  6. Instagram
  7. Google
  8. YouTube: Watch, Listen, Stream
  9. WhatsApp Messenger
  10. Gmail – Email by Google

Top Paid iPhone Apps

  1. Shadowrocket
  2. HotSchedules
  3. Procreate Pocket
  4. The Wonder Weeks
  5. 75 Hard
  6. AutoSleep Track Sleep on Watch
  7. Goblin Tools
  8. TonalEnergy Tuner & Metronome
  9. SkyView
  10. AnkiMobile Flashcards

Top Free iPhone Games 

  1. MONOPOLY GO!
  2. Roblox
  3. Royal Match
  4. Subway Surfers
  5. Gardenscapes
  6. Call of Duty: Mobile
  7. Block Blast!
  8. Makeover Studio: Makeup Games
  9. Parking Jam 3D
  10. Survivor!.io

Top Paid iPhone Games

  1. Minecraft
  2. Heads Up!
  3. Geometry Dash
  4. Bloons TD 6
  5. MONOPOLY
  6. Papa’s Freezeria To Go!
  7. Plague Inc.
  8. Red’s First Flight
  9. Five Nights at Freddy’s
  10. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Top Free iPad Apps

  1. Max: Stream HBO, TV, & Movies
  2. YouTube: Watch, Listen, Stream
  3. Netflix
  4. Google Chrome
  5. Disney+
  6. Goodnotes 6
  7. TikTok
  8. Amazon Prime Video
  9. Temu: Shop Like a Billionaire
  10. Peacock TV: Stream TV & Movies

Top Paid iPad Apps

  1. Procreate
  2. Shadowrocket
  3. Nomad Sculpt
  4. forScore
  5. Toca Life: Hospital
  6. Bluebeam Revu for iPad
  7. Teach Your Monster to Read
  8. AnkiMobile Flashcards
  9. Endless Paper
  10. ToonSquid

Top Free iPad Games

  1. Roblox
  2. Magic Tiles 3: Piano Game
  3. Subway Surfers
  4. Royal Match
  5. Among Us!
  6. Duet Cats: Cute Cat Games
  7. Stumble Guys
  8. MONOPOLY GO!
  9. Bridge Race
  10. Gardenscapes

Top Paid iPad Games

  1. Minecraft
  2. Geometry Dash
  3. Bloons TD 6
  4. Stardew Valley
  5. MONOPOLY
  6. Five Nights at Freddy’s
  7. Red’s First Flight
  8. Poppy Playtime Chapter 1
  9. Plague Inc.
  10. Garten of Banban 2

Top Apple Arcade Games

  1. NBA 2K23 Arcade Edition
  2. Cooking Mama: Cuisine!
  3. Bloons TD 6+
  4. Angry Birds Reloaded
  5. Sneaky Sasquatch
  6. Warped Kart Racers
  7. Hello Kitty Island Adventure
  8. Snake.io+
  9. Fruit Ninja Classic+
  10. Solitaire by MobilityWare+