Posts published in “Technology”

Riot Games and Moonton Games have settled their Intellectual Property Dispute

April 2, 2024

Riot Games finally withdrew all lawsuits against Moonton for alleged copyright infringement.

History

The first time Riot Games filed a lawsuit against Mobile Legends was in 2017, for the supposed copyright infringement of their assets, in addition to stylistic similarities. Prior to this, Riot Games had reached out to Google to remove Mobile Legends from the Play Store. However, Moonton relaunched as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang before Google could take action. The court dismissed the copyright infringement lawsuit in 2017. Tencent, which is currently the parent company for Riot Games, again filed a case against Moonton CEO Xu Zhenhua for allegedly violating the non-compete clause in his contract. The lawsuit settled for $2.7 million. Despite Tencent’s win against Moonton, the case details never revealed if Xu Zhenhua did in fact infringe on copyright. Riot Games still filed lawsuits against Moonton in the following years for a variety of reasons, including title card similarities – the Mobile Legends Bang Bang title card was updated the following year as League of Legends released its new logo in 2019.

Comparison of Art Styles

League of Legends new logo in 2019

Mobile Legends Bang Bang most recent logo receives ire for allegedly copying Riot Games

Moonton’s 515 Unite isn’t an exception to the similarities between the two franchises. It shares visual aesthetics with some sections of K/DA’s POP/STARS, and a closer examination reveals definite similarities in both the music and artistic style.

League of Legends’ virtual Kpop Group K/DA

Moonton’s 515 Unite

Just more recently, Moonton has released a new hero that closely resembles Riot Games’ Arcane character Vi. The new Mobile Legends hero Julian has been criticized by League fans as an amalgamation of League’s Sylas and Arcane’s Vi.

New Mobile Legends: Bang Bang hero Julian from Moonton

League’s Sylas official skin splash art from leagueoflegends.com

Moonton’s Guinevere Psion of Tomorrow skin also sparked comparisons, with its design having a striking resemblance to League of Legends’ K/DA Ahri skin.

K/DA Ahri’s official skin splash art from League of Legends

Guinevere from Mobile Legends: Bang Bang featuring Psion of Tomorrow skin with fox tails

Following ongoing legal disputes, Riot Games and Moonton Games have settled their differences under undisclosed terms.

MSI Claw Gaming Console now for Preorder in Saudi Arabia

March 15, 2024

The MSI Claw Gaming Console is now in Saudi Arabia, their entry to the growing popularity of handheld gaming console category. The MSI Claw Gaming Console was first revealed in CES 2024 earlier this year, the MSI Claw is now available for preorder in Saudi Arabia. The MSI Claw Gaming Console will be competing with Asus, Lenovo and Steam.

The MSI Claw Gaming Console is said to be the world’s first gaming handheld powered by the Intel Core Ultra processor, Intel’s newest flagship CPU optimized for premium thin and powerful laptops (and handheld), that features 3D performance hybrid architecture, advanced AI capabilities, and available with built-in Intel Arc GPU. The Claw will be running Windows 11 Home right out of the box which can also be upgraded Windows 11 Pro and it features an Intel Arc Graphics card on a 7-inch touchscreen display with 1080p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. It two 2W Hi-Res speakers, a 6 cell (53Whr) Li-Ion battery, a Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI port, a microSD slot, and features a fingerprint scanner built in to the power button for added security.

There will be 3 available variants of MSI Claw Gaming Console which is differentiated by the their CPU, CPU Speed and storage size but all other components will remain the same. You can head to specs page of the MSI Claw Gaming Console for more details.

In Saudi Arabia, the based model MSI Claw Handheld Gaming Console with Intel Core Ultra 5 135H and 512 GB storage is priced at SR 3,299, which is around Php 48,944.50, while a more powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and 512 GB variant will be available at SR 3,799, that’s Php 56,362.58.

The availability of the MSI Claw Gaming Console in the Philippine market is yet to be announced.

Melai Cantiveros Bends into Netflix Philippines’ Avatar: The Last Airbender Promotion

February 21, 2024

The live action adaption of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender is scheduled to be available tomorrow Feb 22, 2024 on Netflix, to help promote the series in the region, Netflix Philippines taps the services of Melai Cantiveros for their Appa Air video promo.

In a 3 mins video (embedded below), Melai who plays as the flight attendant of Appa Air provided a brief explainer of the coming series mixed with her comedic chops. It even featured the Philippines and a couple of its tourist spots like the Coron, Palawan for WATER, Chocolate Hills for EARTH, Mayon Volcano to represent Fire and the Bangui Wind Mills for AIR.

Mabuhay! Momshie Melai welcomes you aboard Appa Air. Now fasten your seatbelts and get ready for mindbending thrills and excitement in Avatar: The Last Airbender, ETA: tomorrow, only on Netflix ! ⬇️

Avatar: The Last Airbender will consist of eight episodes and will premier on Netflix tomorrow, Feb. 22th.

BMW launches the i5 in the Philippines

February 20, 2024

BMW has officially launches the BMW i5, an all-electric luxury sedan.

In a report by Top Gear Philippines, the BMW i5 eDrive40 will have a price-tag of P5.79 million, that comes with a five-year comprehensive BMW warranty, an additional six-year BMW Service inclusive package, an eigh-year high-voltage battery warranty, and a BMW Wallbox charger to be installed in the customer’s home by a BMW i partner.

To know more about the new BMW i5 Series and BMW 5 Series, you can checkout the 17-min video below;

This article was first published on electrified.blog

Moto Watch 40 announced

February 10, 2024

Motorola has announced the latest addition to their smartwatch family, the Moto Watch 40. The Moto Watch 40 follows the design of the Moto Watch 70 that was launched in May 2023. The Moto Watch 40 features a curved 1.57-inch LCD display with more than 85 watch faces. The watch is build using a zinc alloy casing and interchangeable silicone watch strap and is IP67 rated. The Moto Watch 40 will be running Moto Watch OS that supports supports notifications but does not support message replies or on-device calls.

It has a 24/7 heart rate monitor, a SpO2 tracking and, sleep and stress monitoring that is integrated with Google Fit. Moto Watch 40 is powered by a 240mAh battery that the company claims can last up to 10 days on a single full charge, it has fast charging support that can fully charge the watch in just 25 minutes using its two-pin magnetic charger.

Moto Watch 40 will available in two colors; Phantom Black and Rose Gold colors, and will retail for $65 from Motorola’s official website. No word yet for the global release of the Moto Watch 40.

Source: GSM Arena

CHERRY launches the Aqua Smartphones Series in the Philippines

February 7, 2024

Philippine-based smartphone company Cherry, previously known as Cherry Mobile, has announced their latest smartphone line – the Aqua Smartphones Series. The Cherry Aqua Smartphones series is composed of Aqua GR and the Aqua S11 Pro, with a retail price of Php 11,999 and Php 7,999, respectively.

The Cherry Aqua GR will have a 6.8-inches FHD+ Curved 120Hz display and a 4700 Mah battery that support 66W fast charging. The Cherry Aqua GR is marketed to mobile gamers with its 2.6GHz MediaTek Dimensity 7050 Octa-Core Processor, with 8 GB RAM and 8GB storage that is expandable up to 256 GB via Universal Flash Storage (UFS), it supports 5G connectivity and a rear camera system that’s powered by a 108 MP camera and a 16 MP selfie camera.

The Aqua S11 Pro on the other hand will have a smaller 6.7-inches FHD+ 120Hz display, a 5000mAh Battery that supports 33W charging, it will be powered by Mediatek G99 2.2GHz Octa-core Processor, just like the Aqua GR, the S11 Pro have a 8GB RAM and 8GB storage that is expandable up to 256 GB via Universal Flash Storage (UFS). The rear camera is a AI triple camera powered by its main 64MP camera. The front camera will also be a 16 MP selfie camera. Both the Aqua S11 and GR will support NFC.

Both the Cheery Aqua GR and Aqua S11 Pro are available in all CHERRY Retail stores nationwide and the official CHERRY online stores, Cherry Official Lazada and Cherry Official Shopee stores.

Source: Yugatech

Suzuki Philippines officially a launches the new Jimny 5-door

January 28, 2024

It’s official! The Jimny 5-door will be available in the Philippines, as Suzuki Philippines officially launch the New Jimny 5-door on January 25, 2024 at The Cove, Okada Manila.

The new Jimny 5-door is basically the 5-door version of the company 3-door Jinmy that we all know and love. The Jimny 5-door will have two variant; GL and the GLX, both have the same specs except that the GL will be sporting a 5-Speed Manual transmission, while the GLX will have 4-Speed Automatic transmission.

This is how Suzuki Philippines describe the new Jimny 5-door;

EXTERIOR

The New Jimny 5-door seamlessly incorporates all the practical and functional design elements of the Jimny. Its sturdy square body not only conveys off-road capability and durability but also contributes to the driver’s situational awareness. The upright A-pillars and flat clamshell bonnet improve visibility through the front windshield, while the dipped lines of the driver and passenger windows extend visibility from the side. The 5-door model boasts chrome accents on the front grille, a distinctive feature that accentuates the grille’s unique 5-slot design. Additionally, features such as the signature round headlamps and 15-inch dark-metallic alloy wheels further enhance the overall robust exterior styling.

INTERIOR

The theme of practicality and functionality extends seamlessly to the interior. Meticulously designed to balance aesthetics and functionality, the sleek black interior avoids unnecessary colors or decorations to minimize distractions, allowing the driver to focus on navigating the vehicle. Horizontal lines on the instrument panel and vertical lines in the meter cluster and center console panels assist the driver in gauging the vehicle’s angle, especially in challenging terrains such as rough or mountainous terrains.

The rear seat has undergone enhancements, featuring thicker seat cushions to provide better seating posture and comfortably accommodate two adults. Positioned directly above the rear passengers, the rear seat lamp ensures improved lighting, while the rear seat power window switches are conveniently located in both the rear doors and the front console box for easy control from both rows.

The extended wheelbase of the 5-door model has resulted in an expanded luggage area. Although the luggage box from the 3-door model has been removed, the lowered floor height and increased depth of the luggage area now offer a spacious 211L of luggage capacity (with the rear seatback raised). Enhancements include a luggage area lamp illuminating the entranceway for user-friendly access, and the removal of the toolbox for simplified loading and unloading of luggage. Similar to the 3-door model, the luggage area in the 5-door model comes equipped with an accessory socket.

SAFETY

Safety is paramount in the New Jimny 5-door GLX variant, featuring SRS front airbags for both the driver and seat passengers, as well as side airbag and curtain airbags for occupants in both the front and rear seats. Additionally, the vehicle is equipped with a reverse parking camera and sensors to enhance overall safety awareness.

PERFORMANCE

The Jimny 5-door features a powerful 1.5L engine, tuned for off-roading adventures. With a 340 mm longer wheelbase than the 3-door model, it maintains crucial off-roading features— ALLGRIP PRO, a sturdy ladder frame, exceptional approach, breakover, and departure angles, 3-link rigid axle suspension with coil spring and part-time 4WD with low-range transfer gear. Built for authentic off-road ruggedness and agile maneuverability, it serves as the ideal companion for global adventurers and wilderness professionals.

The New Jimny 5-door offers monotone color options for the GL and GLX variants, including Jungle Green, Celestial Blue Pearl Metallic, Arctic White Pearl, and Granite Gray Metallic. The GLX Two-Tone variant, on the other hand, is available in Sizzling Red Metallic – Bluish Black Pearl and Chiffon Ivory Metallic – Bluish Black Pearl.

Price

The New Jimny 5-door is available in all Suzuki Auto Dealerships nationwide with the following SRP:

Jimny 5DR GL MT – ₱1,558,000
Jimny 5DR GLX AT – ₱1,698,000
Jimny 5DR GLX AT – TWO TONE – ₱1,708,000

New Instagram Feature to Urge Teens on Healthy App Usage

January 21, 2024

Instagram’s daily active users reach a whopping 2 billion people a month and it’s no surprise that Meta is rolling out an update to encourage people to use less of the app. While it may seem counterintuitive for the company to reduce app usage, this is part of their effort to make the popular social media platform less detrimental to its users.

In the new update, the Quiet Mode feature will give “nightime nudges” on Instagram Reels or on Direct messages when the app detects that it’s been active for ten minutes late at night. On their most recent blogpost under “Giving Teens and Parents More Ways to Manage Their Time on Our Apps” dated June 27, 2023, the post says:

Update on January 18, 2024 at 3:00AM PT:

Sleep is important, particularly for young people, so we’re launching new nighttime nudges that will show up when teens have spent more than 10 minutes on Instagram in places like Reels or Direct Messages late at night. They’ll remind teens that it’s late, and encourage them to close the app.

Most phones have built-in health and wellness features to reduce screen time and app usage. But this does not guarantee teens are putting their phones down. In a literature review done by Neza Stiglic and Russell M Viner, they found out that higher screen times are associated with obesity and depressive symptoms.

Not just for kids

The company also has made Quiet Mode available to adults. Meta’s approach to focusing on providing better experiences for its younger users also extends to adults. The feature turns on automatically for app users below an age threshold. For adults engaged in activities like driving or working, Quiet Mode shuts off all notifications. It also sends an automated reply in the Direct Messages.

If a person is in Quiet Mode, other users will be able to see it. The feature changes the activity status to let other users know that the person isn’t actively on Instagram. The feature may affect content creators’ ability to engage with their followers. However, users can turn off Quite Mode anytime in the app.

Instagram also packaged another feature with the recent update. Users can filter out certain topics or emojis to ensure a more streamlined app content experience.

In addition to the rollout, Instagram also updated Parental Controls, allowing parents to monitor the app usage of children. This update lets parents access account settings, including privacy settings. Parents will then be notified of any changes or updates that have been made by the user.

Watch the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked January 2024 Event with this Official Replay from Samsung

January 20, 2024

Watch the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked January 2024 Event with this Official Replay from Samsung

Welcome to the era of mobile AI. Come see how Galaxy AI can empower you. Live on January 17, 2024.

00:00 Galaxy Unpacked
02:48 Opening Keynote: TM ROH
08:38 New way to get things done
21:50 Circle to Search with Google
35:08 New way to create
37:34 The Artful Awakening: The Wonder of Camera Innovation
49:29 New way to play
54:09 Design & Durability
59:50 Sustainability
64:20 New way to manage health
71:31 Closing

Galaxy Unpacked 2024 in a Nutshell

January 20, 2024

The biggest highlight of the event is Galaxy AI. Multitasking has never been easier thanks to Samsung’s collaboration and use of Google’s Gemini on the device.

Feature #1: Live Translation

Several keynote speakers introduced separate features for the phone. The first feature is a live translation option, allowing users of the Galaxy S24 series to instantly understand what their contacts are saying.

The Live Translate feature has long been available with Google Assistant, but it turns out that the Galaxy S24 series will be the first set of devices to take advantage of the feature without phone users having to switch between apps.

These are the supported languages for now:

Chinese
English
French
German
Hindi
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Polish
Portuguese
Thai
Spanish
Vietnamese

Feature #2: Photomoji

There are better ways to encapsulate a response to a friend’s weekend getaway suggestion. Emojis, for example. The Photomoji feature on Samsung Galaxy S24 allows creation of stickers and emojis straight from their photos without the need for third-party apps.

Feature #3: Chat Assist

If pictures aren’t your thing, the Galaxy S24 also makes it possible to rewrite your texts to a more appropriate tone. Say you want to communicate with a Gen Z male teen, the Galaxy S24 lets you choose from several text responses.

Feature #4: Transcript Assist

Recording meetings is a hassle since you have to identify different speakers. This hurdle is minimized by Transcript Assist’s ability to provide you with a transcript, all the while detecting who’s speaking at each turn.

Feature #5: Notes Assist

A stylus is pretty to use with any Galaxy device, but it doesn’t exactly make your handwriting any better. That’s why Notes Assist is there to make your handwriting cleaner. Notes Assist also formats the content in whatever way you like. Formatting will become a thing of the past as AI does it for you.

Feature #6: Circle to Search

There’s also a new way to search on the Galaxy S24 series. Circle to Search is Google’s first gesture operated search method, all without having to manually input it onto a search bar. You can simply draw on an existing image, text, or video, and results will be delivered on the same screen of the currently used app.

However, all this sounds intrusive. That’s why Samsung allows users to choose what information is being processed by AI online.

Feature #7: Camera and Image Post-Processing

In their partnership with Instagram, Samsung Galaxy’s S24 series will be the first device to have HDR enabled by default. With regards to content creation and social media posts, it’s now easier to edit photos with the help of Generative AI. All edited pictures will have a watermark, though.

The camera is packed with more power, and a video demo by Mr. Beast shows the camera’s stunning clarity on a 10x optical zoom. Other features were also shown during the event.

Feature #8: Share with anyone with Quick Share.

If you’re still using Bluetooth to share files, you’re missing out on Samsung’s Quick Share function. The update is it’s compatibility with a multitude of devices so you only have to press one button to share to other phones. Or PC’s. or TV’s.

Feature #9: Pro-visual Engine.

Gaming-wise, the Galaxy S24 series’ NPU can handle the heaviest. The addition of Ray Tracing make the experience more immersive, as told by guest and streamer Pokimane.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 series will be available for pre-order starting January 17 until the end of the month. Check out the price list below.

Galaxy S23 FE – $599 ($699 in the US)
Galaxy S23 – $699
Galaxy S24 – $799
Galaxy S24+ – $999
Galaxy S24 Ultra -$1299

Source: Samsung Newsroom

Lego Polaroid now on Sale for PHP 5,999.00

January 16, 2024

After leaking and being announced last year, the Lego Polaroid is now available for PHP 5,999.00.

The Lego Polaroid is made up of 516 pieces and includes many of the design features that made the original OneStep Camera so popular among fans, captured in a unique display model with functional features. Also included alongside the camera is a buildable Polaroid Time-Zero Land Film pack and three LEGO Polaroid illustrated ‘photos’.

If you’re a photographer, whether a professional or hobbyist, the Lego Polaroid is a addition to your collection. It is currently available in all Bankee Bricks retail stores in the Philippines and online.

Apple Vision Pro to launch this February 2024

January 9, 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.

Xiaomi SU7 announced with 800km range and ultrafast charging

January 8, 2024

Ahead of the CES 2024, Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi announced the Xiaomi SU7 and Xiaomi SU7 Max, the company’s entrant to the EV market. The EV sedan looks like the Porsche’s Taycan and will be available in two model, the rear wheel drive SU7 and SU7 Max, which features a dual motor AWD.

#XiaomiSU7 and #XiaomiSU7Max, what's your preference?#XiaomiEVTechnologyLaunch pic.twitter.com/kiIIAIIYDw

— Xiaomi (@Xiaomi) December 28, 2023

Here are the notable features of the Xiaomi SU7;

101kW CATL cell battery
800 km CLTC recharge range
800v HyperCharge Ultrafast charging
- up to 220km range in just 5 minutes of charge
- up to 510km in just 15 minutes of charge
- Xiaomi EV Modena Architecture
- Xiaomi Pilot autonomous system
Xiaomi Hyperengine
Colors: Aqua Blue, Mineral Gray and Verdant Green

At the pinnacle of performance, the ultimate driving experience is our starting point in crafting vehicles.#XiaomiEVTechnologyLaunch pic.twitter.com/tSBthJbZcn

— Xiaomi (@Xiaomi) December 28, 2023

Xiaomi did not provide any details regarding the price and with an availability this 2024.

Checkout some of the shots that Xiaomi released via their social media accounts.

You can watch the SU7 launch event below;

Join the #XiaomiEVTechnologyLaunch LIVE now!https://t.co/ls7b4FCeHC

— Xiaomi (@Xiaomi) December 28, 2023

Samsung partners with Hyundai to connect Smarthome to your EV

January 4, 2024

Samsung and Hyundai just announced that signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on January 3 to develop solutions for future lifestyles that fully integrate the smart home and connected cars.

The two S.Korean-based company are developing “the next-generation smart home” to connect Samsung’s SmartThings with Hyundai and Kia’s connected cars, including EVs, to develop the “Home-to-Car” and “Car-to-Home” services as well as an integrated home energy management service.

This means that the “Home-to-Car” and “Car-to-Home” services connect the smart home with in-vehicle infotainment systems, allowing for remote control in both directions. Using Samsung’s SmartThings platform, users will be able to perform a variety of actions pertaining to their cars while at home, like remote starting them, controlling air conditioning, opening and closing windows and checking their battery charging status. And from EV cars, users can control of home appliances such as TVs, air conditioners and EV chargers will also be possible.

“This is an opportunity to make the connected car’s Car-to-Home and Home-to-Car services more convenient in various fields,” said Haeyoung Kwon, Vice President of Hyundai and Kia’s Infotainment Development Center. “We plan to accelerate our technology development to continuously make global Hyundai and Kia customers’ journeys meaningful.”

Tiktok updates app for Devices with Large Screens

December 19, 2023

Tiktok just announced that the company has updated the app, so users will have enhanced app experience for viewers using devices with large screens like tablets and foldable smartphones.

The company explained that viewers will now have a better experience watching Tiktok videos using large screen devices, since viewers will have clear video feed, streamlined navigation bars and support for both landscape or portrait view.

The update is a clear indication that not all viewers are using mobile phones to watch TikTok and there may be a growing number of users that uses tablets and foldable smartphones to watch and may be even created tiktok videos.

Sony PlayStation 5 and Games on Sales in the Philippines starting this 18th until 31st December 2023

December 18, 2023

Sony Playstation are currently on Sales in the Philippines for a limited time, they offer discounted price for PS5 Console, Peripherals and Game Titles. The offer will be available at participating retailers, which you can find by going to https://www.playstation.com/en-ph/local/retailers/.

PS5 Consoles	Original SRP	Promotion SRP
PlayStation®5 Console	PHP 30,790	PHP 23,990
PlayStation®5 Console – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Bundle	PHP 33,890	PHP 27,090
PlayStation®5 Console – Two DualSense™ Wireless Controllers Bundle	PHP 33,990	PHP 27,190
PlayStation®5 Console – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition Bundle	PHP 36,290	PHP 29,490

Peripherals	Original SRP (Local Currency)	Promotion SRP (Local Currency)
PULSE 3D™ Wireless Headset	PHP 5,590	PHP 4,990
PULSE 3D™ Midnight Black Wireless Headset	PHP 5,590	PHP 4,990
PULSE 3D™ Gray Camouflage Wireless Headset	PHP 5,590	PHP 4,990
DualSense® wireless controller	PHP 3,990	PHP 3,190
DualSense® wireless controller – Midnight Black	PHP 3,990	PHP 3,190
DualSense® wireless controller – Cosmic Red	PHP 4,290	PHP 3,190
DualSense® wireless controller – Nova Pink	PHP 4,290	PHP 3,190
DualSense® wireless controller – Galactic Purple	PHP 4,290	PHP 3,190
DualSense® wireless controller – Starlight Blue	PHP 4,290	PHP 3,190
DualSense® wireless controller – Gray Camouflage	PHP 4,290	PHP 3,190
DualSense® wireless controller – Metallic Red	PHP 4,290	PHP 3,190
DualSense® wireless controller – Metallic Blue	PHP 4,290	PHP 3,190

	Game Title	Original SRP (Local Currency)	Promotion SRP (Local Currency)
PS5	PlayStation®5 Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut	PHP 3,490	PHP 1,990
PS5	PlayStation®5 God of War™ Ragnarök	PHP 3,490	PHP 1,990
PS5	PlayStation®5 The Last of Us Part I	PHP 3,490	PHP 2,490
PS5	PlayStation®5 Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales	PHP 2,490	PHP 1,490
PS5	PlayStation®5 Horizon Forbidden West™ Complete Edition	PHP 2,990	PHP 1,990
PS4	PlayStation®4 Horizon Zero Dawn PlayStation Hits	PHP 1,099	PHP 550

Sony PlayStation also have deals available in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. If you’re from these country, check out the source link to know the

Source: playstation.com

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

December 14, 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

Temu: Shop Like a Billionaire
CapCut – Video Editor
Max: Stream HBO, TV, & Movies
Threads, an Instagram app
TikTok
Instagram
Google
YouTube: Watch, Listen, Stream
WhatsApp Messenger
Gmail – Email by Google

Top Paid iPhone Apps

Shadowrocket
HotSchedules
Procreate Pocket
The Wonder Weeks
75 Hard
AutoSleep Track Sleep on Watch
Goblin Tools
TonalEnergy Tuner & Metronome
SkyView
AnkiMobile Flashcards

Top Free iPhone Games

MONOPOLY GO!
Roblox
Royal Match
Subway Surfers
Gardenscapes
Call of Duty: Mobile
Block Blast!
Makeover Studio: Makeup Games
Parking Jam 3D
Survivor!.io

Top Paid iPhone Games

Minecraft
Heads Up!
Geometry Dash
Bloons TD 6
MONOPOLY
Papa’s Freezeria To Go!
Plague Inc.
Red’s First Flight
Five Nights at Freddy’s
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Top Free iPad Apps

Max: Stream HBO, TV, & Movies
YouTube: Watch, Listen, Stream
Netflix
Google Chrome
Disney+
Goodnotes 6
TikTok
Amazon Prime Video
Temu: Shop Like a Billionaire
Peacock TV: Stream TV & Movies

Top Paid iPad Apps

Procreate
Shadowrocket
Nomad Sculpt
forScore
Toca Life: Hospital
Bluebeam Revu for iPad
Teach Your Monster to Read
AnkiMobile Flashcards
Endless Paper
ToonSquid

Top Free iPad Games

Roblox
Magic Tiles 3: Piano Game
Subway Surfers
Royal Match
Among Us!
Duet Cats: Cute Cat Games
Stumble Guys
MONOPOLY GO!
Bridge Race
Gardenscapes

Top Paid iPad Games

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

Top Apple Arcade Games

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

Sony PlayStation Portal Remote Player now available for Pre-order in Saudi Arabia

December 12, 2023

Here’s something for the gamers, the Sony PlayStation Portal Remote Player is now available for pre-order in Saudi Arabia.

First announced last August, The Sony PlayStation Portal Remote Player is more of an accessories to the PS5, since you can use the device to stream and play PS5 games from your console to the PlayStation Portal. The Portal connects to the PS5 via Wi-Fi and supports all PS5 games that are compatible with Remote Play. This includes both first-party and third-party games, as well as VR games. The Portal also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio.

You can pre-order your Sony PlayStation Portal Remote Player from Extra and Sony World, for SAR 949 or around ₱14,000.00. Customers who will pre-order the Sony PlayStation Portal Remote Player will receive their devices by February 2024.

Google releases Year in Search 2023

December 11, 2023

Google releases Year in Search 2023

It’s that time of the year again, where a lot of company release stats regarding their service. I actually posted the one from Spotify, since I use the service. Today, Google release their annual YEAR IN SEARCH and if you’ve been paying attention, the list is not really surprising since its became the trending topic for a period of time.

For news;

Actors;

Movies

Recipes

and last but not the least… Songs

If you like to the complete list from Google, you can go to here – Year in Search 2023

Google announced Gemini, the largest and most capable AI model

December 7, 2023

Google unveiled its latest and most ambitious artificial intelligence project: Gemini. Touted as the “largest and most capable AI model ever created,” Gemini promises to push the boundaries of what’s possible with machine intelligence, potentially impacting every aspect of our lives.

Gemini’s capabilities are truly impressive. It boasts superior performance on massive multitask language understanding (MMLU) tests, surpassing human experts in areas like math, history, medicine, and ethics. This means Gemini possesses not only vast knowledge but also the ability to reason and solve problems effectively.

Beyond its intellectual prowess, Gemini shines in its multimodal capabilities. It can seamlessly process and understand information from different sources, including text, images, and code. This allows it to perform tasks like explaining complex scientific concepts through interactive simulations or translating languages with nuanced understanding of cultural context.

One of the most exciting aspects of Gemini is its potential to democratize AI. Google plans to offer various sizes and capabilities of the model, making it accessible to a wider range of users and developers. This democratization could lead to an explosion of new AI-powered applications across various industries, transforming fields like education, healthcare, and even creative arts.

Google’s Gemini 1.0, will be available in three different sizes:

Gemini Ultra — our largest and most capable model for highly complex tasks.
Gemini Pro — our best model for scaling across a wide range of tasks.
Gemini Nano — our most efficient model for on-device tasks.

Google acknowledges the ethical concerns surrounding powerful AI and emphasizes its commitment to responsible development. The company has implemented safeguards to ensure Gemini’s safety and prevent misuse.

The launch of Google Gemini marks a significant milestone in the evolution of artificial intelligence. Its capabilities promise to revolutionize the way we interact with technology, solve problems, and understand the world around us. While challenges remain, one thing is clear: the future of AI is bright, and Google Gemini is poised to illuminate the way.

Meta rolling out end-to-end encryption on Messenger by default

December 7, 2023

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Messenger, just announced that it is rolling-out end-to-end encryption on 1-on-1 chats and calls on Messenger. End-to-end encryption have always been available on Messenger but this roll-out the company is making end-to-end encryption on Messenger by default. End-to-end encryption means that only you and the other person you are sending the message to, can see the messages and calls, not even Meta can view them.

Loredana Crisan, Head of Messenger explains;

Since 2016, Messenger has had the option for people to turn on end-to-end encryption, but we’re now changing private chats and calls across Messenger to be end-to-end encrypted by default. This has taken years to deliver because we’ve taken our time to get this right. Our engineers, cryptographers, designers, policy experts and product managers have worked tirelessly to rebuild Messenger features from the ground up. We’ve introduced new privacy, safety and control features along the way like delivery controls that let people choose who can message them, as well as app lock, alongside existing safety features like report, block and message requests. We worked closely with outside experts, academics, advocates and governments to identify risks and build mitigations to ensure that privacy and safety go hand-in-hand.

Aside from the end-to-end encryption, new features have been introduce to Messenger like Editing messages that are sent, Set a message to disappear after 24 hours, read receipt control, photos and video upgrades, speed control on voice messaging and additional security technology to make the Messenger platform more secure.

Twitch to shut down business in Korea

December 6, 2023

In a surprising announcement, Amazon-owned streaming platform Twitch has announced that it will shut down operations in South Korea effective February 27, 2024. The company cited a “prohibitively expensive” operating costs and network fees as the primary reasons for this decision.

Twitch has been operating in Korea for several years, but it has faced ongoing challenges due to the country’s high network usage fees. These fees, which are significantly higher than in other countries, have made it difficult for Twitch to operate profitably in the country.

In an effort to reduce costs, the company experimented with peer-to-peer streaming and also limiting stream quality to 720p, but Twitch’s financial burden of operating in Korea is still 10 times more expensive than in most other countries.

This decision is a significant blow to the Korean gaming community, which has relied on Twitch as a platform for streaming and watching esports competitions. Twitch has also been a valuable source of income for many Korean streamers, who will now need to find alternative platforms to broadcast their content.

The shutdown of Twitch in Korea is a reminder of the challenges faced by global technology companies operating in countries with high network usage fees. It also highlights the importance of Korea’s internet service providers in ensuring that the country remains an attractive destination for technology companies.

I wanted to quickly send my thoughts out to the Korean streamers that are impacted by the decision we have announced today. As I stated in the blog and in the live stream, this was a very difficult decision that we delayed for some time. I just wanted to send out my thoughts to…

— Daniel Clancy (@djclancy999) December 6, 2023

The closure of Twitch in Korea is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s gaming community. Twitch has been a popular platform for Korean gamers to stream their gameplay and watch esports competitions. With Twitch gone, Korean gamers will need to find alternative platforms to watch and participate in the gaming community.

There are several alternative streaming platforms exist for Korean gamers, including YouTube Gaming, AfreecaTV, and Kakao TV. However, these platforms do not have the same global reach as Twitch, and they may not be as popular among Korean gamers.

It is unclear what will be the future of Twitch in Korea. The company has not ruled out the possibility of returning to Korea in the future, but it is unclear when or if this will happen.

In the meantime, Korean gamers will need to adapt to a new streaming landscape without Twitch. It is possible that the closure of Twitch could lead to increased popularity for other streaming platforms in Korea. However, it is also possible that Korean gamers will simply watch and participate in the gaming community less often.

Rockstar Games release trailer of GTA VI

December 6, 2023

Rockstar Games release trailer of GTA VI

Song: Love Is A Long Road
Artist: Tom Petty
Written by Thomas Earl Petty and Michael W. Campbell
Published by Universal Music Works on behalf of Wild Gator Music (GMR) and Wixen Music Publishing, Inc. as agent for Gone Gator Music (ASCAP) and NotoriousJBPSongs (ASCAP)
Courtesy of Universal Music Enterprises, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.

The trailer confirmed a number of rumors surrounding the game, first is that it confirmed the first female protagonist ala Bonnie and Clyde, then the release of the game which will be in 2025 and that the game will be available in both PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.

The GTA VI is the eighth main Grand Theft Auto game, following Grand Theft Auto V, and the sixteenth entry overall. The game have been in development for 10 years.

Apple announces Watch Series 9 (PRODUCT) RED

December 2, 2023

Apple is once again partnering with (RED) to raise awareness and funds for the fight against HIV/AIDS. In line this with this, Apple has release the new Apple Watch Series 9 (PRODUCT) RED, it’s the new Apple Watch Series 9 but everything in RED.

The Apple Watch Series 9 (PRODUCT) RED will include a new palette and solar analog watch faces in red, joining Metropolitan, World Time, Numerals Mono, Gradient, Stripes, and Typograph in a collection of specially customized watch faces celebrating World AIDS Day.

Aside from the portion of the sales of (PRODUCT) RED that goes in goes directly to the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS. Apple also said that the starting December 1 to 4, App Store will donate all proceeds from select, exclusive in-app purchases for three amazing games — MONOPOLY GO!, Gardenscapes, and EA Sports FC Mobile — to the Global Fund, including playful avatars, cool shields, and star soccer players.

Additionally, starting on December 1st until December 8, Apple will donate $1 for every purchase made using Apple Pay on apple.com, through the Apple Store app, or at an Apple Store location.

Source: Apple

Amazon intros Q, a new generative AI-powered assistant for AWS customers

November 29, 2023

Amazon just announced Q, a generative AI-powered assistant that aims to “answers to pressing questions, solve problems, generate content, and take actions using the data and expertise found in your company’s information repositories, code, and enterprise systems.”

From their press release;

Amazon Q provides information and advice to employees to streamline tasks, accelerate decision making and problem solving, and help spark creativity and innovation at work. Designed to meet enterprise customers’ stringent requirements, Amazon Q can personalize its interactions to each individual user based on an organization’s existing identities, roles, and permissions. Additionally, Amazon Q never uses business customers’ content to train its underlying models. Amazon Q brings generative AI-powered assistance to customers building on AWS, working internally, and using AWS applications for business intelligence (BI), contact centers, and supply chain management to help organizations of all sizes and across industries use generative AI safely. Amazon Q is available to customers in preview, with Amazon Q in Connect generally available and Amazon Q in AWS Supply Chain coming soon.

Amazon Q will compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Bard and Microsoft’s Copilot, which is also powered ChatGPT. Amazon Q will be available in 2 Pricing plan; Amazon Q Business for $20/month/user, while the Amazon Q Builder will be $25/month/user.

Source: Amazon

Reports – Philippines has the highest shopping scam rate in 11 Asian countries

November 26, 2023

A study by the Global Alliance Against Software Piracy (GASA) and Gogolook found that 35.9% of Filipinos have been victims of a shopping scam. This is the highest rate of any of the 11 Asian countries surveyed. The report was issued by the Office of CICC Executive Director Alexander K. Ramos and published on CICC website.

The 2023 Asia Scam Report released at the 1st Anti-Scam Asia Summit in Taipei was published by GASA and Gogolook and was based on data collected from nearly 20,000 respondents across 11 countries in Asia including the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, China and Indonesia.

The study revealed that Filipinos are particularly susceptible to scams involving fake sellers and phishing websites. These deceptive tactics lure unsuspecting individuals into purchasing fraudulent products or revealing sensitive personal information.

To combat this growing threat, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) is issuing a stern warning to the public, urging them to exercise extreme vigilance when engaging in online transactions. The CICC emphasizes the importance of adopting protective measures to safeguard against shopping scams.

CICC Executive Director Alexander K. Ramos reiterated his appeal to the public to be careful when they do their online shopping, especially during the yuletide season.

“Based on our observation, shopping scams usually increase during the Christmas season,” he said. “Scammers take advantage of the high volume of online shopping and people’s vulnerability during this period,” Ramos explained. The mindset and immediate response of Filipinos, when confronted with scams, make them vulnerable to falling into traps, according to Ramos.

“Some people easily believe in false promises even if they are too good to be true,” he said.

Based on the Asia Scam Report; 24.8% of Filipino victims respond too quickly to scammers’ demands and 21.1% of victims chose to take a risk despite uncertainty about the risk. Other reasons for vulnerability include being enticed with incentives and over-trusting with friends and family members.

Here are some tips that you can take to avoid falling for shopping scams:

Shop from Reputable Websites: Patronize only established and trusted online retailers to minimize the risk of encountering fraudulent sellers.
Exercise Caution with Links: Approach links embedded in emails or social media posts with skepticism. Avoid clicking on suspicious links, as they may lead to phishing websites designed to steal personal information.
Protect Personal Information: Refrain from sharing sensitive details, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or home addresses, with anyone you don’t trust implicitly.
Beware of Unrealistic Deals: Exercise discretion when encountering deals that appear too good to be true. Such offers often mask fraudulent schemes.
Report Suspected Scams: If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to a shopping scam, promptly report the incident to the authorities.

Here are additional measures that you can take to protect yourself from scammers;

Use secured payment method like credit cards or PayPal, which offer protection against fraudulent transactions.
Make sure your devices and apps are up-to-date, including antivirus and anti-malware programs, to enhance your device’s security.
Stay informed on current and emerging scam trends and tactics to remain vigilant against evolving threats.

DICT announce that ‘Free Wi-Fi for All’ is now available in 93 sites in Zamboanga City.

November 22, 2023

Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has announced that the ‘Free Wi-Fi for All’ is now available in 93 sites in Zamboanga City.

DICT’s Free Wi-Fi for All, is a Free Public Internet Access Program aims to provide the Filipino people access to opportunities, education, and information, and the ability to participate in the growing digital economy through free Internet in public places nationwide.

To date, DICTS has listed a a total of 2,594 Live Sites where Filipino can use free wifi. You can go here to check the live sites in your area.

Ayaneo Slide Handheld Gaming PC announced

November 21, 2023

Ayaneo has officially launched their latest handheld gaming PC – the Ayaneo Slide, the first handheld gaming PC from Ayaneo to feature a full keyboard.

The Ayaneo Slide is powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 7840U cpu. with 6-inch 1080p IPS display, It also has a full QWERTY (RGB) keyboard, a QWERTY physical RGB keyboard will appear when you sliding the display up, similar to the Sidekick. The Ayaneo Slide also features a touchpad, and a hall-sensing joystick with up to 64 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 4TB M.2 NVMe SSD for storage.

Here are the notable specs of the Ayaneo Slide;

6” FHD IPS display, 1080p resolution, 368ppi, 400 nits, 100% sRGB, 85% DCI-P3
AMD Ryzen 7 7840U
QWERTY physical RGB keyboard
28W maximum TDP
“3+2” Triple Copper Tube Cooling System
RAM: up to 64GB LPDDR5x
Storage: Up to 4TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD
Wi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth 5.2
2x full function USB Type-C
Power button fingerprint sensor
OS: Windows 11 Home with AYASpace 2 Software Manager
Dimension: 226 x 90 x 28.5mm (37.5mm at controller)
Weight: 650g
Battery: 46.2Wh battery
Colors: Sunrise White, Bright Black

The Ayaneo Slide will allow you to access and download games from various game platforms, including but not limited to Steam, Xbox, Origin, Epic, and Ubisoft Connect. The Ayaneo Slide is available for pre-order now on Indiegogo. The starting price is US$899 for the 16GB + 512GGB model and US$1,5999 for the 64GG + 4TB variants. A special discount will available to those who will preorder the Ayaneo Slide.

Microsoft’s Windows app now available macOS, iOS and iPadOS

November 19, 2023

Microsoft just release the preview version of Windows App, an app that acts as a central hub to access Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365, Microsoft Dev Box, Remote Desktop Services, and remote PCs, securely connecting you to Windows devices and apps. Aside from macOS, iOS and iPadOS, the Windows app is also available for Windows OS and web browsers. Windows app is not currently available for Android.

The Windows app support multiple monitor, custom display resolutions, dynamic display resolutions and scaling, with device redirection, such as webcams, audio, storage devices, and printers. Windows app also supports Microsoft Teams optimizations. Windows App is available to when you have an active Microsoft business account, features to use a personal account is not yet available.

If successful, Windows app could signal’s Microsoft ambitions to move Windows as a cloud service than an OS that’s installed locally in our devices. To learn more about the Windows App, you can head over to the Windows App documentation page.

Valve announces Steam Deck OLED with bigger display and better battery life

November 11, 2023

Valve just announced the new Steam Deck OLED, a update to the 2 year old Steam Deck. Like what the name suggest, the new Steam Deck OLED will feature a 7.4” HDR OLED Touch screen and up to 1,000 nits in brightness.

Spec-wise the new Steam Deck OLED will feature a 7.4-inch OLED Display with 1280 x 800 x RGB resolution with 1,000 nits peak brightness (HDR) and up to 90Hz; a new 6 nm APU,
16 GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (6400 MT/s quad 32-bit channels), support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, and a 50Wh battery that will last for 12 hours of gameplay. You can checkout the full specs of the new Steam Deck OLED here.

The new Steam Deck OLED will be available this Nov. 16th with a $549.00 price for the 512GB model and $649.00 for the 1TB variant.