It has happened again. The year has flown by, and Christmas is upon us once more. We hope 2018 has been good to you once the books are settled, and that the coming holidays see you surrounded with the ones you love. Before the year comes to an end, we’ve got one more issue to keep you through the long break. Those with money burning a hole on your pockets might want to take a look at our Parades and Labs this month, where we show off the latest tech vying for your attention. Our CoverStory presents some last-minute gifts you might want to get, and we of course have all the regular sections you’ve come to expect from Gadgets. Pull up a chair by the tree, finish wrapping your gifts, and enjoy this month’s issue. From all of us here at the magazine, we wish you a merry Christmas, and a wonderful new year! Ren Alcantara Managing Editor
Maribelle M. Alba
Managing Editor
#GIRLBOSS
Être fort pour être utile
@bellealba
@hisnameisren
PRESY ALBA
MIA CARISSE BARRIENTOS
EDITOR-AT-LARGE I don’t travel light, I lug too many gadgets, I can walk for miles exploring and I never say no to the local fare.
If you ask me a Kpop-related question, I’ll respond with an essay
@presy1121
@miaissocoollike
THERESA ELORIAGA
ASSOCIATE Editor
Jewel Sta. Ana
ART DIRECTOR
STAFF WRITER
Garmonbozia.
Nope, I don’t have a pawnshop
@theresaeloriaga
@monsterjewfloat
JAEL MENDOZA
GRAPHIC Artist
She holds a sketchpad on one hand, and a music sheet on the other hand @jaellaura_m
RONEL BAUTISTA
ARNEL DORIA
Consultant, Mobility Section
Marketing guru. Automotive industry veteran. Road safety advocate.
JOSE ALVAREZ
GRAPHIC Artist
CONTRIBUTOR
The incarnation of the award-winning, hit single ‘ Torn ‘ by Natalie Imbruglia.
Jose loves football, video games, computers, and history, but not necessarily in any order.
@sailorapollo11
@josealvarez
MARLET SALAZAR
2
Ren Alcantara
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Maribelle Alba
Sales AND ADVERTISING MANAGER Account executive
Marisa Consuelo
Accounting manager Accounting Staff
Maritess Pascua-Maulion Lorie Bernardo
Carol Agabin
HR & ADMIN MANAGER Administration Staff
Amy Christine Giray Ramil Almojano Clifford Dela Paz
PR & MARKETING STAFF DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER
Paula Candoy Jerico Lutrania
Legal Counsel
Alba Law Office
GADGETS Magazine is published monthly by Great Minds Media Inc. Address all correspondence to Unit 801-802, The One Executive Office Bldg., #5 West Ave., 1104 Quezon City. Our telephone number is: 288-8588 Our website is: www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
All unsolicited manuscripts, illustrations and photos submitted must be accompanied by a stamped self-addressed envelope if they are to be returned. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Every care is taken to ensure that the content of Gadgets is fully accurate; however, the publisher and printer assume no responsibility for the effects arising therefrom. Gadgets Magazine is a registered trademark of Great Minds Media Inc.
JEFF Daniel Ringon
CONTRIBUTOR Marlet is a book-lover, and can forego lunch to buy a book.
CONTRIBUTOR
@marletds
@hefedanyel
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
President & CEO
Self-proclaimed marketer. Pop culture fan. Sleeper, er, sleeping agent.
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
Your pickup might be tough, but is it New Ford Ranger tough? The next generation of the Ford Ranger is here, and it’s tougher and smarter than ever before. The new 2.0-liter Bi-Turbo engine on the top-of-the-line Wildtrak delivers a massive 213 PS of power and 500Nm of torque, while its 10-speed automatic transmission brings greater torque, improved flexibility, and a quieter and more comfortable drive.
More than just muscle, the New Ford Ranger also puts new technology in your hands. From driver aids like adaptive cruise control that helps keep a safe, fixed distance from the vehicle in front, to Ford’s worry-free active park assist, for quick, easy, painless parking, and autonomous Emergency Braking that helps bring the Ranger to a stop before a possible collision, this Ranger isn’t just power in an impressive package. The New Ranger keeps the styling cues that give it that same tough, off-road stance that drivers love about the truck. A bolder grille and sharper, more distinct lower bumper give it a more balanced, refined look, while the Wildtrak variants also come with LED daytime running lights and HID headlights for better visibility, as well as hoop sports bar, roof rails and bed rails for greater versatility. Despite being a rugged, go-anywhere truck, the Ranger has more creature comforts than you might think. Keyless entry simplifies your ride, and push-button ignition helps you get going without
fumbling for your keys. The interior of the New Ranger has also been redesigned. Done in a rich, black theme with silver accents in the stitching, this is a truck that looks as good inside as it does outside. Surfaces are durable, and have a great tactile feel for superb longevity without sacrificing style. Got heavy cargo? The Ranger has your back with first-in-segment tailgate lift assist, so you can load up without breaking a sweat. Sync 3 puts the New Ranger’s smart functions and entertainment features in one place. Hands-free calls, selecting music, and using navigation apps can all be done safely, without taking your hands off the wheel. Available in eight colors, including Absolute Black, Cool White, Aluminum Metallic, Meteor Grey, Blue Reflex, Sunset Red, Diffused Silver and Saber, the New Ranger is available now at Ford dealerships near you. Head on to your nearest Ford dealership to experience the new Ford Ranger.
CONTENTS
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 | Volume 19 No. 5
09
20
28
34
40
Gift Guide
Mobility
No more holiday shopping stress!
52
The latest from the motoring world.
68
69
70
Parade All the new stuff you’ll want to get your hands on.
PhotoFeature Capture special holiday moments with the Vivo V11.
Road Safety: Traffic Lights Know what red, yellow, and green mean.
6
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
Gadgets Lab We test the newest gadgets to make choosing easy for you.
Toys, toys toys Your quick guide to collecting toys.
Tech Treats Here’s a list of things to gift people special to you.
Destileria Limtuaco Museum
Your favorite liquor through the years.
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
73
76
80
81
82
Stay in ‘cause baby, it’s cold outside.
What makes a home smart?
72
Artist Corner: Ronel Bautista
Apps
Make room for these cool apps.
Still life, reimagined.
Christmas Playlist
84 Food
Eat and let live.
Artificial Intelligence
94
For the Love of Reading The e-Reader to your bookworm.
8
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
Gaming No-one’s beating your high score.
Singapore What makes this country beautiful.
102
Motorola, DynaTAC Hello, Moto.
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
PARADE
iPad Pro (2018) Tablet
Packed with spectacular features, the redesigned iPad Pro changes the way consumers think about tablets. Faster than most laptops, the device is equipped with an octa-core A12X processor and a massive screen that delivers a stunning, high refresh rate through its 120 Hz ProMotion display. It now sports smaller bezels and squared off edges, and integrate Apple’s Face ID system to its 7-megapixel front, IR camera. It also has a 12-megapixel rear camera, smart connector for keyboards, and a USB-C port that supports 5K displays. Available in either 11-inch and 12.9-inch Liquid Retina displays, it offers larger storage options of up to 1 TB with 6 GB RAM and iOS 12.
PHP 51,990 (11-inch, Wi-Fi, 64 GB) PHP 61,490 (11-inch, Wi-Fi + Cellular, 64 GB and Wi-Fi, 256 GB) PHP 64, 490 (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 64 GB) PHP 70,990 (11-inch, Wi-Fi + Cellular, 256 GB) PHP 73, 990 (11-inch, Wi-Fi, 512 GB, 12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 64 GB, and 12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 256 GB) PHP 83, 490 (11-inch, Wi-Fi + Cellular, 512 GB, and 12.9-inch, Wi-Fi + Cellular, 256 GB) PHP 86, 490 (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 512 GB) PHP 95, 990 (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi + Cellular, 512 GB) PHP 98, 990 (11-inch, Wi-Fi, 1 TB) PHP 108, 490 (11-inch, Wi-Fi + Cellular, 1 TB) PHP 111,490 (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 1 TB) PHP 120, 990 (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi + Cellular, 1 TB)
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
9
Nokia 5.1 Plus Smartphone
Targeted at mobile gamers, the Nokia 5.1 Plus is powered by an AI-enabled MediaTek Helio P60 chipset that’s able to run apps and intense games smoothly thanks to eight processing cores. Users can enjoy hassle-free multitasking with its 3 GB RAM as well as store photos, videos, and apps to their heart’s content on 32 GB of expandable storage. Take perfect photos care of dual 13 MP + 5 MP rear cameras with PDAF. Users also benefit from the device’s use of AI, intelligently injecting photos with more sharpness and color. Users can review photos and videos on the Nokia 5.1 Plus’ edge-to-edge display with a notch on the top housing its 8 MP front-camera with f/2.2 aperture. The Nokia 5.1 Plus runs on Android Oreo out of the box, and as it is part of Nokia’s Android One line of smartphones, it will receive security patches and OS updates for at least two years.
PHP 12,990
Fitbit Charge 3 Smart Tracker
The latest evolution of the best-selling Charge family of devices delivers a premium swimproof design with a large touchscreen display and up to 7 days of battery life. It is crafted with an aerospace grade aluminum case and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protected display for a slimmer, modern silhouette, increased durability, and more comfortable fit. It delivers Fitbit’s most advanced health and fitness sensors and algorithms including heart rate tracking, 15+ exercise modes, swim tracking, health dashboard, female health tracking, automatic Sleep Stages, and more. The standard package comes in black with a graphite aluminum case or blue gray with a rose gold aluminum case.
PHP 9,990 PHP 10,990 (Special Edition)
10
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
Uniqlo x Alexander Wang HEATTECH Collection Apparel
New York designer Alexander Wang re-envisions Uniqlo LifeWear with the new HEATTECH series. The collaboration collection features HEATTECH for men and women designed to be worn as an inner layer or on its own for lasting warmth. HEATTECH fabrics are lightweight and have rayon fibers that absorb body moisture and converts it into heat, creating a self-heating loop between your body and the fabric, while keeping you feeling dry. Infused with Alexander Wang’s signature design and styling, the new functional apparel guarantees warmth, better style and better comfort.
Prices start at PHP 790
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
11
OnePlus 6T Smartphone
The Shenzhen-based smartphone brand has recently launched its new flagship phone that’s out to take the crown from the bigger brands. Sporting a 6.41-inch, edge-to-edge Optic AMOLED display, the OnePlus 6T is jampacked with top-notch features. At its heart lies the powerful Snapdragon 845 chipset, together with either 6 GB or 8 GB RAM for faster performance and shorter boot times for even the most demanding mobile games and apps. To complement its hardware, the latest handset from OnePlus runs on Android Pie with the Oxygen OS overlay, boasts an in-display fingerprint scanner, and puts more power into your hands with its fast-charging 3700 mAh battery. It can also shoot clearer and more detailed photos with its 16 MP + 20 MP dual cameras, thanks to its built-in optical image stabilization (OIS), nightscape mode, intelligent scene recognition and dynamic studio lighting. Through its dual-SIM and 42 band support, you will never miss a moment.
Fujitsu Scansnap iX1500 Scanner
Designed for ultimate ease of use, the compact iX1500 allows you to scan and organize data, and adjust settings with just one touch on its 4.3-inch touch screen. Users can scan with preconfigured profiles for optimized workflow, and save information or select destination when sharing the scanner among several users. Through its intuitive software Scansnap Home, users can easily manage documents, edit, and organize and search data through folders, tags, and keywords. Built smart, the iX1500 automatically names and suggests titles for your scanned paper based on content and preset naming conventions. Suggestion accuracy is also improved the more titles are repeatedly edited, enabling users to avoid spending time on repetitive corrections. The iX1500 scans 30 sheets per minute in color-duplex mode, can scan long receipts that tend to curl with Receipt Guide, can scan unconventional documents with manual scan, cleans streaked images with streak reduction, has dust detection, and has built-in Wi-Fi with direct connect mode.
12
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
Hella PowerBleu Performance Bulb Automotive Headlight Bulb
Nighttime was never really our thing as a species. Being visually oriented means we need light to get around safely. Add darkness to something innately tricky such as driving, and you want as much light as you can get to cut through the dark. Hella wants to give you a safe drive with the PowerBleu Performance Bulb. With light comparable to xenon bulbs, a wide field, and great range, it illuminates your way, bringing to light potential hazards that might cause you problems down the road. Easy plug-and-play installation and direct interchangeability with original equipment bulbs, and high-quality UV-filtered quartz glass for less eye strain make this the clear choice when it comes to automotive illumination.
Hella Twin Tone Horn Automotive Horn
Whether it’s to alert others of your presence, or to call attention to something on the road, the horn is an important part of your vehicle. Hella, a trusted brand in automotive parts, offers horns that have plenty of volume, and a penetrating tone that ensures you will be heard, even over the busy sounds of the street, and inside other vehicles’ cabins. With twice the lifetime of OEM specs, superb corrosion resistance, and compact size for easy installation, this is a horn that checks all the right boxes.
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
13
OtterBox Symmetry
iPhone Xs and Xs Max Case The new Symmetry series has been redesigned to be slimmer, with buttons that are easier to push. To up your iPhone’s style, it comes in a broad array of colors and graphics in a sleek, one-piece design. With an ultra-slim form, the Symmetry series is the perfect way to protect your phone in style.
PHP 2,350 (Xs) PHP 3,050 (Xs Max)
OtterBox Defender
iPhone X, Xs Max, and XR case Coming with the OtterBox Certified Drop+ Protection seal, the Defender Series offers rugged protection for your iPhone X, iPhone Xs Max, or iPhone XR. Its multi-layer design absorbs and dissipates shock, while its port covers keep dirt and debris out from damaging your smartphone. The Defender is available in a wide variety of colors and build-your-own options.
PHP 9,990 PHP 10,990 (Special Edition)
14
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
OtterBox Commuter
iPhone Xs and Xs Max Case Thin, tough and ready to go, Commuter Series offers perfect iPhone protection for the daily grind. Despite its slim design, it has an outer shell and inner slipcover to absorb shock, while covers keep dust from getting into ports. The Commuter for the new iPhones are available in a wide variety of colors as well as build-your-own options.
PHP 1,650 (Xs) PHP 2,250 (Xs Max)
Asus AiO V272 All-In-One PC
Desktop PCs are supremely useful. You have power, comfort, and a large monitor, but true to their name, they tend to take up about a desk’s worth of space. Those who want the convenience and ergonomics of a desktop PC, but without the associated bulk have a solution though: the all-in-one, and Asus has has a beast of an AiO in the V272. A huge, gorgeous 27-inch display with a 16:9 aspect ratio, give you plenty of room for spreadsheets, documents, or videos. Discrete graphics, a Core i7 processor and up to 16 GB of RAM make it a force to be reckoned with, and up to 256 GB + 2 TB of SSD and HDD storage give you more than enough room for all your files, all this with a footprint barely larger than a monitor. Put your desk organization woes to rest with the V272.
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
15
Mi 8 Pro
Smartphone The new iteration of Xiaomi’s Mi series gets a futuristic look. The Mi 8 Pro now has a transparent unibody which reveals its flagship Snapdragon 845 processor and Adreno 630 GPU. Coupled with handy AI features such as AI portrait and AI beautify, its dual 12-megapixel rear cameras utilize Sony IMX363 and Samsung S5K3M3 sensors for clearer, brighter photos even in low-light conditions. Its larger-than-life 6.21-inch AMOLED full screen display provides an unmatched visual experience, delivering punchier and crisper colors. Crafted for professionals, it is the very first Xiaomi smartphone to integrate a pressure-sensitive, in-display fingerprint scanner.
PHP 32,990
Mi 8 Lite
Smartphone Inspired from the works of French impressionist Claude Monet, the newest mid-ranger from the Shenzhen-based smartphone company sports a curved glass body with a mesmerizing mirror-like, gradient finish. Now with a bigger 6.26-inch FHD+ display, the Mi 8 Lite gives a more immersive gaming and viewing experience. Crafted for high performance and power efficiency, it runs the Snapdragon 660 octa-core SoC with Artificial Intelligence Engine. Capture more detail than ever before through its 24-megapixel front-facing camera with the Sony IMX576 sensor that gives bright, beautiful selfies even in low-light conditions. With its 12-megapixel + 5-megapixel AI dual cameras, producing images with less noise is now a breeze, along with Dual Pixel Autofocus that dramatically improve focusing speeds so you won’t miss your shot.
PHP 13,990 (4 GB + 64 GB) PHP 16,990 (6 GB + 128 GB)
16
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
Epson SureColor SC-T3130 Large-Format Printer
Epson has recently released its newest range of technical printers, starting off with the SC-T3130. Designed for printing floor plans and blueprints, the entry-level SC-T3130 can produce A1 prints in as fast as 34 seconds. Featuring integrated wireless and Wi-Fi Direct connectivity, architects and designers can seamlessly print from tablets and smartphones or use the new 4.3-inch colour LCD touchscreen with its simple and intuitive menu control and navigation. The advanced printer driver enables users to make last minute changes before printing, reducing the risk of misprints.
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
17
Realme 2
Smartphone The midrange market is more competitive than ever. With phones getting released on what almost feels like a weekly schedule, it’s a great time to be a consumer. Realme, the new kid on the block hopes to give smartphone buyers more choices with the Realme 2 Pro. With the extremely capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, the Adreno 512 GPU, up to 8 GB of RAM, and a huge 6.3-inch 1080 x 2340 display, this is a giant among its midrange brethren. A 16 + 2 MP main camera setup with AI scene detection gives spectacular results regardless of the subject, and a large 3500 mAh battery gives you all-day performance, without having to slow down. If you’re looking for a mid-range monster, you’ve just found it.
Realme C1 Smartphone
Great-looking devices don’t all have to be flagships. Realme, one of the newest players in the local smartphone market has just released the C1, a smartphone that offers great value, with flagship looks. Behind the Gorilla Glass 3 screen is a 6.2-inch, 720 x 1520 display, larger than any of the phones in its class. Its heart is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 chipset with an octa-core processor that runs at 1.8 GHz, and 2 GB of RAM. 16 GB of expandable storage via a dedicated microSD card slot gives you plenty of space to save shots taken with the 12 MP + 2 MP rear snappers, and the single 5 MP front camera, and dual-SIM card slots mean you’re always going to be connected, wherever you are. With a massive 4230 mAh battery, and a gaming mode to boost performance, you’ve got enough juice to last you even the longest gaming sessions.
PHP 5,990
18
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
GADGETS LAB
Specifications: Display: 6.41-inch FHD+ Halo FullView Super AMOLED, 2340 x 1080 resolution Rear Camera: 12 MP + 5 MP with f/1.8 and f/2.4 apertures, dual pixel PDAF, depth sensor, and Google Lens Front Camera: 25 MP with f/2.0 aperture, equipped AI Face Beauty via camera app Battery: 3400 mAh, with dual engine fast charge (9V/2A) Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 660AIE, octacore RAM: 6 GB Internal Storage: 64 GB, expandable up to 256 GB via microSD Operating System: Android 8.1 Oreo Funtouch OS 4.5 SIM Slots: dual with 4G Colors: starry night and nebula What’s Hot: -Elegant design -Impressive performance -Offers a number of security options -Fast-charging battery What’s Not: -Can be uncomfortable when used for long periods -Lacks noise isolation
20
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
Specifications: Display: Touchscreen grayscale OLED Sensors: 3-axis accelerometer, optical heart rate monitor, relative SpO2 sensor, altimeter, NFC Components: Vibration motor Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0 Battery: Lithium-polymer, 2-hour charge time (0100%), up to 7 days battery life Memory: 7 days detailed motion data, 30 days daily totals Water resistance: Up to 50 meters What’s Hot: -Feels much lighter on the wrist -Waterproof What’s Not: -Notification text is tiny
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
21
Specifications: Display: 6.5-inch 19.5:9 Full HD+ (1080 x 2340) IPS, 396ppi Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 710 2.2GHz octa-core CPU GPU: Mali-G51 MP4 RAM: 4 GB ROM: 64 GB or 128 GB, expandable via microSD card Cameras: 20 MP f/1.8 PDAF + 2MP rear, 16 MP f/2.0 front camera Connectivity: 4G LTE/Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ Bluetooth 4.2 Security: fingerprint and face scanner Ports: micro USB, audio jack Operating System: EMUI 8.2 based on Android 8.1 Oreo Battery: 3,750 mAh What’s Hot: -Amazing camera night mode -Value for money What’s Not: -Gets warm quickly -Camera lacks sharpness
22
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
Specifications: Processor: Intel Core i7 8550U Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce MX150 2GB GDDR5 Memory: 8 GB, DDR4 at 2400MHz Storage: 2.5 inch 1TB Up to 2TB Hard Drive M.2 128GB up to 512GB SSD 2.5” 1TB Up to 2TB HDD + M.2 128GB up to 512GB SSD Connectivity: 802.11 ac, Bluetooth V4.1, LAN 10/100/1000/Gigabits Mbps Camera: 1 M Pixel Speaker: 2 x 3 W Ports: 1 x USB 2.0 1 x Kensington Lock 1 x Audio Jack(s) Back I/O Ports: 1 x RJ45 LAN 4 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 1 x HDMI 1 x HDMI-Out 1 x DC-in Power Supply:120 W Power adapter Dimensions: 63 x 46.2 x 5 ~18.7 cm (WxHxD) Weight: 8.5 kg OS: Windows What’s Hot: -Gorgeous -Powerful -Can even handle gaming What’s Not: -Price, if you’re very sensitive -Limited USB ports
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
23
Specifications: Display: 6.2-inch 19:9 HD+ display, 1520 x 720 resolution Rear Camera: 13MP + 2MP f/2.2 aperture, PDAF dual rear with LED flash and AI Front Camera: 5MP f/2.2 aperture, 1.12um pixels front with AI Battery: 4230 mAh Processor: 1.8 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 450, octa-core RAM: 2 GB Internal storage: 16 GB, expandable up to 256 GB via microSD Operating system: Android 8.1 Oreo, Color OS 5.1 SIM slots: dual, nano
What’s Hot: -Great design -Superb value
What’s Not: -Cameras could be sharper -Compromises have to be made to meet the price
24
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
Specifications: Engine: Dyson digital motor V10 Cyclone technology: 14 concentric array cyclones Filtration: Fully-sealed, advanced whole machine filtration system Battery: Seven-cell, nickel cobalt-aluminum battery Runtime: Up to 60 minutes Design: Cordless Tools: Dusting brush; crevice tool; mini motorized tool; docking station; combination nozzle; torque drive cleaner head; soft roller cleaner head What’s Hot: -Powerful suction -Cleans most surfaces with packaged tools -Three power modes What’s Not: -Quite hefty for one-hand use -Loud on max mode
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
25
Specifications: Display: 5.5-inch HD display (1280 x 720) with Oleophobic coating Rear Camera: 5 MP Front Camera: 8 MP AF camera with LED flash Battery: 4000 mAh Processor: 1.4GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 RAM: 1 GB Internal Storage: 8 GB, expandable up to 128 GB via microSD slot Operating System: Android Oreo (Go edition) SIM Slots: Dual, nano Colors: blue/copper, blue/silver, and grey/silver What’s Hot: -Powered by Android Go -Long battery life -Affordable What’s Not: -No fingerprint scanner -Cameras aren’t the best
26
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
COVER STORY
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
27
28
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
29
30
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
31
32
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
33
PHOTO FEATURE
The holidays give us all a reason to smile. Don’t let those precious memories fade; capture them with the Vivo V11.
34
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
35
AI mode for outstanding picture color Capturing vivid colors depends on adjusting to available lighting. The V11 intelligently identifies scenes and backgrounds, and adjusts accordingly for photos that stand out.
Stunning portrait images with dual rear cameras The best portraits make you stop and stare. With the V11’s dual rear camera system of 12 MP (24 million photosensitive units) and 5 MP dual rear cameras with a large f/1.8 aperture and 1.28μm pixels plus Artificial Intelligence, taking remarkable photos come easy.
Snap to your heart’s content Every photo-loving person’s nightmare is having to delete pictures because of full storage. Vivo solves this dilemma by equipping the V11 with 128 GB of internal storage so you can snap away.
More time to shoot with dual-engine fast charge
No moment is wasted if you have a shooter that tops up fast. The V11 is engineered with dual-engine fast charge that gives the device power to capture more in just a matter of minutes.
36
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
37
38
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
From photoshoots and concerts, to show appearances, a day in the life of a celebrity is almost never dull. Julie Anne San Jose is one of the most sought after stars in the Philippines. She has it all: talent, beauty, wit, and poise. When there’s no need for her to be performing in front of a crowd or a camera, Julie Anne shares that she’s just like the rest of us. “I’m just a normal person: I eat, I sleep, and I watch shows and movies.” Julie Anne has recently fallen in love with period dramas. When she has time to kill, you’ll catch her rewatching episodes of Game of Thrones as well as the retelling of Mary, Queen of Scots’ story in Reign. She also enjoys traveling. This year, she had the chance to travel to Dubai, which she notes as one of the best places she has been to. “There was a lot of nice infrastructure, and the food was really great. But the best part was seeing so many Filipinos.” Julie Anne tells that the mere running-into-fellowFilipinos at malls, and elsewhere just gives her a warm feeling. During her travels, Julie Anne never forgets to post updates on her social media accounts. This is her way of sharing her fun adventures to fans and to the rest of the world. And a look at her Instagram gallery will let you know she means business. “When it comes to posting on my Instagram, I am meticulous. I make sure the composition is good.” This Instagram pro, suggests posing at an angle you are comfortable in and cutting down on use of filters. “I like my photos with more rawness in them; it just makes them more real-looking.” For selfies, Julie Anne counts on the V11 to capture her memories. “I love the V11’s front camera. With its megapixel count, you can trust it will capture your best features with rich details.” One of her proven
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
selfie tips is just being confident. If there’s anyone who knows when you look best, it’s you.
On the upcoming holidays
Julie Anne is looking forward to spending time with her family this holiday season, as well as traveling with her sister. She also notes that she’s excited for when her mom will start putting up the Christmas decorations. Her mom, she shares, loves shopping for ornaments and this has rubbed off on her. She admits that she now enjoys collecting decors and seeing them on display.
On 2018 coming to a close and the new year
2018 has been an eventful year for Julie Anne. She starred in the successful drama My Guitar Princess, which she says she really enjoyed as it explored the topic of music—something really close to her heart. She also released a new album this year and went on a roadshow Three Stars, One Heart with Christian Bautista and Regine Velasquez. For the year to come, Julie shares that there are a lot of things fans should look out for. She excitedly hinted at a collaboration with rapper Gloc9, as well as making new music. She also made known that she’ll be performing for GMAs New Year Countdown. Julie Anne is excited for 2019 and we’re just as excited— for the year to come and her.
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
39
The holidays are here. While there’s a good chance you’ve already completed your holiday gift shopping, there might be items you missed or need to be swapped for something better. Don’t fret, we have put together a new list of awesome gift ideas guaranteed to bring the holiday cheer.
40
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
Courier Bucket Hobo -Anti-theft sling bag -Made with slash-resistant, cotton mesh fabric -Adjustable, lockdown straps, and two zippered interior wall pockets for easy access to frequently used items -RFID-blocking pockets and slots
LTD Satchel -Versatile, anti-theft travel bag -Made with slash-resistant fabric and adjustable, locking straps -Roomy main compartment with interior organizer, pen loop, and tethered key clip -Padded, fleece-lined space for iPad or tablets -RFID-blocking slots
Heritage Tour -Anti-theft sling bag -Ideal for travel and everyday use -Made with slash-resistant fabric -Roomy compartment with single RFID-blocking pocket -Padded slot for iPad or tablets
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
41
Sling Dry Sack (10 L) -Made with waterproof and sturdy 70D fabric -Comes with a sturdy carrying strap, tri-glide buckle, and swivel clip -Carrying capacity of up 10 liters PHP 1,190
Nebula -Ideal for fitness junkies -TSA-approved, padded sleeves for 16-inch laptop and regular-sized tablet -Internal small mesh pockets for keys, phone, and other important items -Stretchable side mesh pockets can store water bottle and snacks -Carrying capacity of up to 34 liters PHP 5,990
Pocket Towel -Lightweight, quick-drying, and super absorbent towel -Ideal for camping -Comes with a soft, zippered EVA case PHP 1,490
Farpoint 40 -Ideal for backpackers -LightWire frame suspension for comfort -Comes with laptop and tablet sleeve -Large compartment that can carry up to 40 liters of baggage PHP 7,990
42
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
All-New Honda PCX150 -4-Stroke, Liquid-Cooled, SOHC, eSP, 150 cc engine -13.6 Nm @ 6,500 rpm maximum torque -10.8 kW @ 8,500 rpm maximum horse power -ACG starter (electric) -Full transistorized ignition system -Automatic, V-Matic Transmission -Telescopic front suspension -Unit swing rear suspension -Single disc (ABS) front brake -Mechanical leading trailing (drum) rear brake -Cast wheels with tubeless tires -PGM-Fi fuel system -Smart Key System (keyless ignition, alarm, and answer back) -Idling Stop System PHP 133,900*
All-New Honda CLICK125i
All-New Honda CLICK150i -4-Stroke, Liquid-Cooled, SOHC, eSP 150 cc engine -13.4 Nm @ 5,000 rpm maximum torque -9.7 kW @ 8,500 rpm maximum power -ACG Starter (electric) -Automatic, V-Belt Transmission -Telescopic front suspension -Unit swing rear suspension -Hydraulic front disc brake -Mechanical leading trailing rear brake -Cast wheels with tubeless tires -PGM-Fi fuel system -Smart Key System (keyless ignition, alarm, and answer back) -Idling Stop System -Combi-Brake System
-4-Stroke, Liquid-Cooled, SOHC, eSP, 125 cc engine -8.2 kW @ 8,500 rpm maximum power -10.8 Nm @ 5,000 rpm maximum torque -ACG Starter (electric) -Full transistorized ignition -Automatic, V-Belt Transmission -Telescopic front suspension -Unit swing rear transmission -Hydraulic front disc brake -Mechanical leading trailing rear brake -PGM-Fi fuel system -Cast wheels with tubeless tires PHP 74,900*
PHP 95,900*
Honda BeAT -4-Stroke, Air-Cooled, SOHC, 110 cc engine -6.48 kW @ 7,500 rpm maximum horse power -9.21 Nm @ 6,000 rpm maximum torque -ACG Starter (electric) -Telescopic fork front suspension -Mono-Shock-Unit Swing rear suspension -Mechanical leading trailing rear brake -Hydraulic front disc brake -Cast wheels -4.0 L fuel tank capacity -PGM-Fi fuel system -Full transistorized ignition -Automatic, V-Matic Transmission -Combi-Brake System (for ISS variants only) -Idling Stop System www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
PHP 69,900* (ISS variant) PHP 64,900* (Standard variant)
Suggested Retail Price*
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
43
DJM-40 4-INCH COMPACT ACTIVE MONITOR SPEAKERS -35W 2-way bass reflex, active monitor speakers -Class A/B amp: 2 x 21 W/ 4 ohms -Well balanced response via time alignment -Front-Loaded Bass Reflex System -3D stereo sound
Pioneer HDJ-X5BT WIRELESS, OVER-EAR HEADPHONES -Closed, dynamic headphones -40 mm dome-type drivers -With bass reflex chambers -5-30000 Hz frequency range -Military-grade drop protection and nano-coating -Available in black and silver
PHP 8,990
Pioneer HDJ-X10 FLAGSHIP PROFESSIONAL OVER-EAR DJ HEADPHONES -Closed, dynamic headphones -50 mm dome-type drivers -5-40000 Hz frequency range -Military-grade drop protection and nano-coating -Available in silver PHP 19,990
Pioneer DJ DDJ-SB3
2-CHANNEL DJ CONTROLLER FOR REKORDBOX DJ
-Unlocks Serato DJ Lite software -Intuitive layout -New pad scratch function, codeveloped with DJ Jazzy Jeff -Large jog wheels
-Plug and play -Bundled rekordbox DJ software -With club-style controller layout -Beat FX feature
PHP 17,990
44
Pioneer DJ DDJ-400
2-CHANNEL DJ CONTROLLER FOR SERATO DJ LITE
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
PHP 19,990
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
Suzuki Raider R150 Combat Series -147.3 cc DOHC 4-valve, 6-speed engine -11.5 kw @ 9,500 rpm maximum power -12.4 Nm @ 8,500 rpm maximum torque -Carburetor fuel system -Oil-cooled cooling system -Electric and kick start -DC-CDI (Digital) ignition system -Manual 6-speed, constant mesh transmission -Telescopic, coil spring oil damped front suspension -Swingarm with mono shock up rear suspension -Front and rear unique wavy disc brakes -Tubeless tires -4.9 L tank capacity -Euro 3 compliant -Eco and Power modes -Shift Timing Light Indicator -Enhanced tachometer -Blue lens headlight -Combat-inspired decals and colorworks -Available in matte black and matte gray PHP 97,900
Suzuki Skydrive Sport -4-stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 2-valve Suzuki Eco Performance Fuel Injection (SEP Fi) 113 cc engine -6.7 kw @ 8,000 rpm maximum power -8.5 Nm @ 6,000 rpm maximum torque -CVT transmission -Electric and kick start -Air-cooled cooling system -Front disc brake -Euro 3 compliant -3.6 L fuel tank capacity -Key shutter anti-theft technology -New frame with large floorboard, low seat height and high ground clearance -Large dual front racks with utility hook -Headlight and taillight inspired by the GSX-R series -Available in colors black, hyper pink, and matte silver PHP 67,900
Suzuki Raider R150 Fi Suzuki Smash Stylish Colors -4-stroke, single cylinder SOHC, 2-valve Pulse Secondary Air Injection System (PAIR) 115 cc engine -6.4 kw @ 8,000 rpm maximum power -9.0 Nm @ 4,000 rpm maximum torque -Carburetor fuel system -Air-cooled cooling system -Electric and kick start -CDI ignition system -Front disc brake (for blue and matte gray variant) -AutoClu. 4-speed transmission -Available in blue and matte gray for disc/drum variant, and pink, violet, black, matte black, red, and yellow for drum/drum variant PHP 60,900 (Disc/Drum Brake Variant) PHP 57,900 (Drum/Drum Brake Variant)
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
-147.3 cc, DOHC, four-stroke, four-valve, single cylinder -13.6 kw @ 10,000 rpm maximum power -12.4 Nm @ 9,500 rpm maximum torque -Fuel injection fuel system -Liquid-cooled cooling system -Six-speed transmission -DC-CDI (digital) ignition system -Electric and kick start -Euro 3-compliant -Oil-damped telescopic coil spring front suspension -Mono-shock swingarm rear suspension -Unique wavy disc front and rear brake -Available in black, red, and MotoGP blue PHP 109,900
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
45
46
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
47
Nokia 7 Plus -Series 6000 aluminum unibody -6-inch, 18:9 IPS LCD full HD+ display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection -Snapdragon 660 processor -12 MP + 13 MP dual rear cameras powered by ZEISS optics -16 MP front-facing camera powered by ZEISS optics -4 GB RAM with 64 GB of internal storage (expandable up to 256 GB via microSD card) -3800 mAh fast-charging battery (lasts up to 2 days) -Android One-certified -Also available in white PHP 19,990
Nokia 6.1 Plus -5.8-inch, 19:9 FHD+ display with 2.5D curved front -Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection -Snapdragon 636 processor -16 MP + 5 MP dual rear cameras -16 MP front-facing camera -4 GB RAM with 64 GB of internal storage (expandable up to 400 GB via microSD card) -Android One-certified -3060 mAh fast-charging battery -Also available in blue PHP 15, 990
Nokia 3.1 -5.2-inch, 18:9 HD+ display with Corning Gorilla Glass protection -Mediatek MT6750N processor -13 MP auto-focus rear camera -8 MP front-facing camera with 84.6-degree field of view -Comes in 2 GB RAM/16 GB and 3 GB RAM/ 32 GB of internal storage -With gyroscope for AR gaming -Android One certified -2990 mAh battery PHP 8,990
48
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
Mio Aerox S -Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 4-valve -11.1 kW @ 8000 RPM -13.8 Nm @ 6250 RPM -Keyless Ignition System -Blue Core engine upgrade with Stop and Start system -Anti-Lock Brake System -New Graphics -Variable Valve Actuation PHP 122,900 (Matte Blue and White)
Mio Soul i 125S -Forced air-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 2-valve -125 cc -7.0 kW @ 8000 RPM -9.6 Nm @ 5500 RPM -TCI (Transistor Controlled Ignition) -V-belt Automatic Transmission -Blue Core engine upgrade with Stop and Start system -Aggressive Front Face -3D emblem PHP 83,900 (Matte Gray and Matte Green)
Mio i 125S -Air-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 2-valve -125 cc -7.0 kW @ 8000 RPM -9.6 Nm @ 5500 RPM -Blue Core engine upgrade with Stop and Start system -Integrated Key Shutter and Answer Back Key System -Reflectorized Graphics -3D emblem PHP 75,900 (Matte Black and White)
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
49
Sonos Play: 1 -Compact size, powerful sound -Humidity resistant. -Two Play:1s work as Sonos home theatre rear speakers -Wall or stand mountable -Two Class-D digital amplifiers -One tweeter for crisp and clear high-frequency response. -One mid-woofer for faithful playback -Adjustable bass and treble controls -Top-panel buttons & lights -White with light metallic grille; black with graphite grille finish -Comes in black or white PHP 18,900
Sonos Play: 5
Sonos Beam
-Streams over Wi-Fi -Airplay 2-compatible -Perfectly-tuned six Class-D digital amplifiers -Three tweeters for crisp and clear high-frequency response -Three mid-woofers for faithful playback -Phased speaker array (three drivers on top and three on the bottom) creates a wide stereo soundstage -Audio line-in, auto-detecting 3.5 mm connection -Adjustable bass and treble controls -Touch-interface controls and lights -White or black matte enclosure with graphite grille finish -Comes in black or white
PHP 49,600 -Speech enhancement technology -Automatically pairs with your TV and remote -Voice control -Alexa-compatible -AirPlay-compatible -Four full-range woofers for faithful playback plus deep, rich bass -One tweeter creates a crisp and clear dialogue -Three passive radiators add warm sound to the bass -Adjustable bass and treble controls -Five perfectly-tuned Class-D digital amplifiers -Five far-field microphone array for advanced beamforming and multi-channel echo cancellation -HDMI Cable connects to your TV’s HDMI ARC input -Optical Audio Adapter to connect to your TV -Top-panel capacitive touch controls and LED indicator PHP 49,990
Sonos Sub -Wirelessly connects to any Sonos speaker, Amp, or Connect:Amp -Automatic equalisation for optimal sound -Versatile design -Two Class-D digital amplifiers -Two force-cancelling speaker drivers for deeper, richer sound, and zero cabinet buzz or rattle -Dual acoustic ports tuned to enhance Sub performance -Frequency response: Plays down to 25 Hz -Adjustable volume controls -Side panel buttons and lights -Premium white gloss; premium black gloss finish -Comes in black or white 50
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
PHP 69,400
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
MOBILITY
52
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
What’s Hot: -Auto Gear Shift (once you’ve mastered it) - Good price point
What’s Not: - There is a learning curve for the AGS - Trunk space is quite compact
Bottomline: Worth consideration as a multi-purpose sedan for personal and commercial use.
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
53
54
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
55
56
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
57
58
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
NISSAN INTELLIGENT MOBILITY Nissan Intelligent Mobility is our journey to the future in the Nissan cars and trucks we drive today. Our aim is to transform the way you drive and transform the way you live, moving us to a better world. Through our Nissan Intelligent Mobility vision, we are building a better future for our customers that is more confident, more exciting, and more connected. It encompasses three core areas of innovation, inspiring how cars and trucks are powered, driven, and integrated into society:
INTELLIGENT DRIVING
INTELLIGENT POWER
INTELLIGENT INTEGRATION
MORE CONFIDENCE
MORE EXCITEMENT
MORE CONNECTED
Nissan Intelligent Mobility guides everything we do. We’re using new technologies to transform cars from mere driving machines into partners. Together the journey is more confident, connected, and exciting. Whether it’s cars that share the task of driving with you, or highways that charge your EV as you go along, it’s all in the very near future. And it’s a future already taking shape in the Nissan you drive today.
INTELLIGENT DRIVING
INTELLIGENT POWER
INTELLIGENT INTEGRATION
1. INTELLIGENT DRIVING Nissan Intelligent Driving gives customers more confidence through increased safety, control, and comfort for everyone on board.
2. INTELLIGENT POWER Intelligent Power makes driving more exciting for our customers by making it cleaner and more efficient.
3. INTELLIGENT INTEGRATION Intelligent Integration keeps customers more connected by conveniently linking our cars to the wider society.
A pioneering technology under Intelligent Driving is Nissan ProPILOT, a single-land autonomous driving technology that can automatically control the distance of the vehicle to the one in front, and ProPILOT Park, fully fledged system that helps drivers park by automatically controlling acceleration, brakes, handling, shift changing and parking brakes to guide the car into a parking spot.
• Nissan is committed to a holistic approach toward a zero-emission society, putting advanced technologies into Nissan EVs and related infrastructures.
• By networking cars, individuals and social infrastructure, Nissan will contribute to cleaner air, a greener planet and fewer fatalities on the road.
• Alternate sources of on-board electric power, such as fuel cells, will further encourage fuel diversity and renewable energy development.
• Nissan will help connect cars to social infrastructures such as road, information and electric power networks which will eventually lead to reduced traffic jams, more efficient car sharing, remote vehicle operation and improved energy management.
In the Philippines, Intelligent Driving features such as the Moving Object Detection, which gives you visual and audible alerts if the system detects something moving directly behind your vehicle while in reverse; Blind Spot Warning, where a visual indicator appears in the driver’s or front passenger’s door when another vehicle is detected in your blind spot area; Forward Collision Warning, which helps maintain an adjustable set distance between you and the car in front of you; Intelligent Emergency Braking, which provides an audible and visual warning, even fully applying the brakes if necessary, when a pedestrian is detected; Intelligent Around View Monitor, that uses four cameras to give you a virtual, composite 360° bird’s-eye view of your vehicle from above; Rear Cross Traffic Alert, that watches the area around the rear of the vehicle and can warn you about detected approaching vehicles you might not see; and 4x4-I System, which allows automatic distribution of horsepower to four wheels which aids the driver to have full control on the road, can already be experienced in vehicles such as the Nissan Terra, Nissan Navara, Nissan Patrol, and Nissan X-Trail.
• Nissan continues to develop ICE technologies for better fuel economy yet powerful driving and a cleaner world.
66
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
67
68
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
HOBBIES
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
71
VISUAL SPACE
Destileria Limtuanco Museum
72
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
73
VISUAL SPACE
74
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
APPS
Words by Mia Carisse Barrientos
The sharing economy is fast-evolving. It continues to branch out and now has reached the delivery service industry. Among the names that push this movement forward is Mober. Apart from same day delivery, Mober also prides itself in its transparent pricing, real-time driver location tracking, cargo insurance, SMS or call contact, as well as 24/7 customer support. Mober’s base fair for vans are at PHP 750, PHP 1500 for mini-trucks, and PHP 3,000 for trucks. After the first five kilometers, customers will be charged an additional PHP 30 per kilometer covered. As of the moment, customers can only pay in cash. Mober operations manager, Hanz Pura, did share that they’re working on making credit card payments available soon. He also mentioned the roll out of a new update to their
app, which will make the booking process even more intuitive. In 2017, Mober received a seed funding from 2GO and has grown exponentially. It has also partnered with SM Appliance, Robinsons Appliance Center, Mandaue Foam, Abenson, and more to offer same-day delivery service to customers. At the rate Mober is going, we’re going to see more of them in the future. Mober is free to download on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Mober is a local tech start-up that has been operating since 2015. It is an on-demand, sameday delivery service and the first of its kind in the Philippines. The service was founded by Dennis Ng, who sought to create cost-effective solutions for issues in the delivery of goods. The idea was formed when he was shopping at an appliance center. He was told that delivery of his newly purchased refrigerator would take three to five days. Frustrated as to how unfair it is that you pay on the spot and get the item so late, Dennis came up with a solution that would soon disrupt the logistics industry. With Mober, you could get a van or a truck to ship your items within an hour, something that would take days with regular logistic services. It is, as its name suggests, ‘mobile’ and ‘moves’ cargo fast. Booking a service is easy. You can either log on to mober.delivery or download the app on your phone, and begin entering essential details such as your pick-up and drop-off location. Whether you need to book a van, mini-truck, or truck; get it to where you are asap or later; or utilize it for moving house, appliance delivery, pet shuttle, or full freight service, Mober gives you plenty of options to meet your specific requirements. Each Mober booking also comes with one helper, to lend a hand in loading and unloading items from the vehicles. Mober connects its fleet of reliable partner truck and vans owners to customers in Metro Manila, nearby provinces such as Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna, and Pampanga, and just recently in Cebu.
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
75
Words by Jeff Daniel Ringon
Everyone has gotten lost before. With industrialization, real estate flourished, the government developed infrastructure and streets were formed. As a result, navigation became more and more complicated. Luckily for us traveling has been made a whole lot easier in the digital age. Gone are the days where we go blindly on forested roads. Smartphones have changed how we live, and particularly, how we get around. Stop, Look, and Listen While Google Maps and Waze are generally our go-to apps when it comes to navigation, our Finnish friends from Nokia have quite a useful one of their own. HereWeGo was originally made to be used on their devices but it has been made available for the rest of the smartphones as well. The app has the basic navigation app fundamentals: satellite, transit, and traffic. The satellite mode is your basic two-tone map, the transit map is for viewing the main roads, and the traffic map if you like your maps tagged with information on up-todate traffic flow. All of it works like your
76
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
everyday navigation apps. However, HereWeGo has aces up its sleeve.
Downloading the whole map of the Philippines will take less than 500mb. How’s that for efficieny?
Find Your Way The app’s best features are their Collections and offline functionality. The Collections feature allows you to save multiple destinations under a single category. This means you can create a map for your itinerary, quite handy for when you’re travelling on foot, by car, or by commuting.
With this, you’d be able to search for any registered place offline. Search results not only show you the map, but it can also give you travel times via walking or by car, depending on the destination. Another nifty aspect of the navigation is that even while offline, so long as the area is saved, you can still see your progress in real time. Simply put the pointer in the app will show you if you’re facing the right direction. Say goodbye to doubtful treading.
The offline functionality is where the app shines, though. Google Maps does have the same feature, but with HereWeGo, you’re allowed to think bigger. Yes. You can download an offline map of a city, even a whole country.
While it’s no 3310, this is a great little alternative to Maps and Waze, and has a few little extras that make it able to hold its own.
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
Words by Mia Carisse Barrientos
From cleaning, repairing appliances, to doing laundry, or any other household chore, Wanderhand is ready to lend a helping hand. Wanderhand is a location-based application that makes getting skilled personnel as simple as a few taps on your phone. As an on-demand service app, Wanderhand allows you to simply book a service provider and pay for the service cost after--think ride-hailing apps, but for back-breaking tasks. The all-Filipino app was soft launched in February 2018. It was created by a team of visionaries in the field of human resources and information technology with the mission of improving life through technology. They conceptualized a mobile platform on which you could request a service and have service personnel show up at your doorstep. Their vision was also to help diligent Filipinos who didn’t have a place to start plying their trades. To make the dream come true, the team would search barangays for skilled workers looking for extra income. Candidates then go through a meticulous process involving background checks and verification of listed experience, and those who are approved are given the title Service Provider (SP). After a few months of operation, Wanderhand now has over a hundred competent plumbers, house cleaners, electricians, air-conditioning technicians, and laundry service providers. As Wanderhand moves forward, they are looking to extend their pool of SP’s further by enlisting professionals namely physical therapists, nurses, veterinarians, and among others.
and agree on the fine print shown in-app. The registered user will then be able to choose a service to avail. A service request will then be blasted to SPs within the area with skills that match. The alert sent to SPs indicates the length of service time, service cost, and client address. SP’s will then bid to take the service. Wanderhand users will then choose from SP’s who offered their services. To make the choice easier for clients, ratings and comments for each SP can be viewed within the app. Once chosen, the SP and client can now converse through the app’s chat service for further instructions. Wanderhand does not allow conversations outside the app so they can moderate and keep both parties secure. The only payment option Wander Hand allows is cash, and this is given directly to SPs. Though there’s a competitive base price for each Wanderhand service, it is up to the SP’s to give discounts, or if they get a tip, it’s theirs to keep. Need a hand? Wanderhand is available free to download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Currently, Wanderhand’s area of concentration is four Metro Manila cities in which they have a presence to maintain a quality of safe and fast service up to the satisfaction of clients. How does Wanderhand work? There are two Wanderhand apps: one is for the SPs, and the other is for end users. To start using Wanderhand, users will have to register--the usual fill the blanks with necessary information process
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
77
GAMING
Developer: Rockstar Studios | Publisher: Rockstar Games Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One Words by Jose Alvarez
Some people will argue that the sequels aren’t necessarily better than the original, but in some cases they are. Think of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 when it comes to video games, and Home Alone 2 and The Empire Strikes Back when it comes to movies. It has been eight years since the original Red Dead Redemption made it to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 (as is typical of Rockstar’s long development times), and people have had high hopes about this installment in the Red Dead series.
Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR 2) is actually a prequel to the original game. The new protagonist is Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang. The protagonist of the first game is also in the game but plays a much smaller role. Action takes place in the year 1899 at the tail end of the Wild West era. Faced with divisions within the gang, Arthur must choose between staying loyal or following his own ideals. The game adds three new fictional states: New Hanover, Ambarino, and Lemoyne, in addition to Austin and West Elizabeth. Ambarino is mostly a mountain wilderness resembling the United States’ Rocky Mountains and has an Indian reservation; New Hanover is a quickly-growing industrial hub; and Lemoyne is similar to the state of Louisiana— it is bayous, has plantations, and is also a former French colony. The gameplay retains most of the aspects of the first game. However, player choice is a focal point in the game. According to Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson, “We try to give you options within a lot of these missions to choose how you approach it, whether you’ll go or send your buddies in first.” Even the tiniest things will have an impact later on—how you interact with NPCs will open up quest lines (or close them) and affect your reputation with certain individuals.
78
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
Some new aspects to the game include swimming and dual-wielding weapons. Hunting, for instance, reflects real-life hunting: what weapon you choose to kill an animal and where you shoot it will affect the quality of the meat and pelt. In addition, injured animals may try to escape. Like in the real world, animal skins and carcasses will degrade over time, decreasing their value. There are various ways you can get rid of these animal parts, either by selling them to butchers or the general store, taking them back to your camp, or crafting them into clothing or other items. You can even customize your horse to suit your choices, and the possibilities are endless.
Just like animal parts, all items will start to decay over time; weapons will also require maintenance. Arthur can also gain and lose weight depending on how much he eats, a game mechanic Rockstar Games has not used since 2005’s Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. The player character will also have to bathe regularly, much like in real life. The amount of realism put into the game may frustrate impatient gamers and excite fans of the series, making it a mixed bag. However, it is a solid buy and will keep players entertained for weeks on end.
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
79
Developer: Aleson | Publisher: Azur Interactive Games Limited Platform: Android Words by Jewel Sta. Ana
A mind-blowing plot, impressive graphics, and challenging quests; these are the things that I commonly search for as a casual gamer. I have encountered and tried a lot of role-playing games (RPGs) on the app market, but only few have kept a spot on my phone. There’s one, however, that ticks all the boxes on my list, and has made me squeal like a little girl. This is CASE: Animatronics. If the title rings a bell, then you’ve probably heard of its PC version on Steam. Many critics have compared it to Five Nights at Freddy’s due to its similar gameplay and animatronic villains. Russian game developer Aleson worked with Azur Interactive Games Limited for the Android version, retaining the horror, and garnering more than a million downloads in Google Play. It goes a long way for occupying just about 132 MB of your device’s internal storage, and can even be played offline.
A night full of terror
Players step into the shoes of John Bishop, a workaholic detective who carries out investigations late at night. Waking up from a nightmare at your table, you find yourself alone with only a flashlight in hand. You also have a tablet that gives real time access to the office’s CCTV cameras. After receiving a phone call from an old friend, things suddenly turn strange and then take a twist towards terrifying. You see a pair of red eyes shine approaching from the darkness while the sound of metal fills the air. You are able to identify the thing as an animatronic creature. Locked down inside the facility while being chased by a robotic monster, you have no choice but to figure out what’s going on, search for an escape route, and find the one responsible for this madness.
80
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
The gameplay
The game might be simple, but it is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Players have to be alert when it comes to their hearing, decisive, and observant of the things happening on-screen. The game effectively utilizes jump scares to keep you on your toes, and when great graphics are matched with striking, spine-chilling music and sound effects, expect yourself to scream at the top of your lungs. Best when played with your headphones on, the game gives an immersive experience to the players without the fancy, action-packed world that other RPGs and FPS shooting games offer. What we liked about the game, despite limited life, is the checkpoint feature which automatically saves your in-game progress. Clues are also not hard to find since the developers made it shine even in the dark. Unlike any other horror game, CASE: Animatronics lets the lead character hide and cower in lockers, closets, and even under tables. Staying on the move would also help you to survive the chaos. The game, however, is full of missions to accomplish, all of which get difficult as you go on. You are granted only three lives to finish the game in one sitting, which can be quite a feat. Purchasing in-game currency, as well as watching ads when online, are the only way to gain additional lives.
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
81
MUSIC CORNER
82
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
HOME
Artificial Intelligence: It’s in your home Artificial intelligence is far more accessible than you might think. Words by Victor Wang, ASEAN Sales Account Manager of Synology
The term ‘artificial intelligence’ (AI) has been dominating headlines and conversations. It is the technology that’s about to change the way the world works. AI possesses the ability to streamline processes, cut costs, and transform business potential. What few people realize is that AI is also changing the way people live.
AI is transforming the home. It is being used to design intelligent living spaces that recognize you and your needs, making life easier. Imagine waking up in the morning and walking into the kitchen to a pot of freshly brewed coffee and a note that you’re late for your gym class? Or perhaps looking in the fridge and discovering that your favourite yoghurt, the one you finished on Tuesday, has been replaced? That you don’t need to turn around when you are halfway to work because you’re not sure you turned off the alarm because you were in such a rush–the AI has already done it for you. AI can handle all of these. Much of its potential remains unexplored as of yet, but these scenarios are just the tip of the AI iceberg and its ability to revolutionize the home. The steady evolution of devices and drop in prices will likely see AI become a realistic part of the home sooner than most people realize. In fact, research firm Gartner has predicted that by 2022, AI devices will most likely be at a level of emotional intelligence that they will know more about a person’s family than they do. Amazon Echo and Google Home have found their way into lounges and kitchens, personalized to suit a particular person’s tastes and moods. These devices have truly made AI accessible. Today, you don’t need a hefty investment or a fully automated house to enjoy the benefits of AI. Homes are already equipped with a router, a network attached storage (NAS) device,
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
surveillance cameras, and a thermostat. These devices may be as common as the coffee machine, but they can be seamlessly connected to AI to give you complete control over your home. Want to protect your children from accessing inappropriate online content? Using Siri on your iPhone and an AI-integrated NAS and router will allow you to monitor the internet usage of every person in your home as well as their online behavior. It provides simple and effective parental control from anywhere. You can even use this setup to generate a QR code that anyone can scan to gain access to your Wi-Fi network. It’s a much easier way of allowing people access to your network than fumbling about in a desk drawer for the Wi-Fi password you can never remember. Have you been woken at 2 AM by the alarm blaring only to discover it was wind, rain, or a random spider landing on the sensor? Invest in an AI-integrated system–they will bypass the tedium of the false alarm and give you a good night’s sleep. Synology’s AI-powered surveillance system is capable of advanced pattern recognition algorithms that will minimise false alarms and maximise a good night’s rest.
printing. Adjust the lighting, create a template for a photo book, build memories into easy to find folders and do it all in a quarter of the time it used to take. This is possibly one of the simplest ways in which AI can change the way you live and yet it is one of the most rewarding. From photos to surveillance, from music to monitoring the internet–AI is already in the home, improving your quality of life by taking away the menial, repetitive tasks and adding in the fun. It’s accessible today and will make a significant difference to the way you live. Synology at a glance Synology creates network attached storage, IP surveillance solutions, and network equipment that transform the way users manage data, conduct surveillance, and manage network in the cloud era. By taking full advantage of the latest technologies, Synology aims to help users centralize data storage and backup, share files on the go, implement professional surveillance solutions, and manage network in reliable and affordable ways. Synology is committed to delivering products with forward-thinking features and the best in class customer services.
And for those who can never find their photographs or sort them in any kind of usable order? You can use AI-driven systems like Synology’s Moments that will not only categorize photos based on themes, objects and people, but allow you to edit them so they are perfect for
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
83
TRAVEL
Words and Photos by Presy Alba
In my past visits to Singapore, I spent most of my time seeing the sites and shopping. Eating was not a planned event, so my companions and I just ate where it was convenient wherever we were at meal times. All my previous Singapore eating experiences have been excellent albeit most were geared toward the tourist market. But even if you are on a budget, you have to plan in splurging on at least one meal and eat at local favorites on your next visit. High Tea at the Marriott Tang Plaza
The Marriott Hotel chain is famous for serving excellent food, which is why it is not surprising that Singaporeans are willing to line up for the High Tea Buffet at the Marriott Hotel Tang Plaza on Orchard Road. At around SGD$45 per person, the sumptuous buffet served from 3:00-5:00 PM every day is a true bargain, especially if you compare it to the dinner buffet which costs more than SGD$100 per person. Even if all you eat at the buffet are the cold prawns, it will be well worth the price. There is a very varied selection of Asian, American and European cuisine, and the dessert display is nothing to sneeze at either.
Tiong Bahru Bakery at Orchard Road
Considered by many locals as the best bakery in Singapore, the Tiong Bahru Bakery offers pastries that can compete with the best pastry shops in Europe or the USA, plus they offer exotic and interesting twists to familiar recipes. It is great that you don’t have to go all the way to Tiong Bahru just to enjoy their delicious baked goodies, because they now have a branch on Orchard Road, just next to Tangs Department Store and Lucky Plaza.
84 84
DECEMBER 2019 DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2018 • JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
I have to say that their Pain au Chocolat is one of the best I’ve tried, and the Croissant with Green Tea and Almonds is a refreshing twist for people who like matcha.
Tunglok Seafood at Orchard Central
Hailing from the Szechuan Province of China, HaiDiLao Hot Pot is a famous restaurant in Singapore where locals are willing to wait for hours just to get in. People are willing to do this because HaiDiLao give their customers incentive to wait: you can choose to get free appetizers and drinks, have a massage or even a manicure while you wait for your table. You can already pre-order the food while you’re in queue so that everything is ready when you finally get to your table. Their small orders are designed to feed up to four people, making it a good destination for small groups. Excellent service is standard in this restaurant. They anticipate everything— from providing covers for your bags so they
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
don’t get spattered with the bubbling hotpot, to giving you a zip-top cover to protect your phone— because they know that you will surely take lots of pictures while eating but you will want to protect your phone from food smears and smudges; and they give you an apron to protect your clothes. And even if there are people waiting outside, the pacing inside is relaxed, so you can enjoy the food at leisure. Szechuan cuisine is known to be spicy but whether you like it bland to super spicy, you will find one that fits your taste from their wide array of the hotpot soup base selection. After selecting your chosen soup base, you can then order the ingredients depending on what you want to eat. One thing you must not forget to order is the hand-pulled noodle to complete your HaiDiLao experience. No matter how much you ordered, leave room for dessert. And if you have left-overs, they will pack it up for you to take home.
DECEMBER2018 2018-JANUARY DECEMBER • JANUARY 2019 2019
85 85
FOOD
Pacita:
Three-in-One Foodstop
If you’re craving Asian, American, or maybe a mix of both cuisines, there’s no need for you to fly out. Approximately an hour away from Metro Manila, Pacita in San Pedro, Laguna is a gastronomic destination. The district’s Pacita Avenue is a food hotspot, akin to Quezon City’s Maginhawa area. Along the stretch is a two-level establishment that is home to WGM Cafe and Pizzeria, Oppa Samgyeopsal, and Jeju Bingsu and Dessert House, all of which promise to hit the spot. Trendy chill spot with great food and coffee On the first floor of the establishment is WGM Cafe and Pizzeria. WGM’s concept is selfindulgence. This reflects in the restaurant’s food offerings as well as its interiors. WGM’s design is warm and inviting, making you want to stay just a little longer. Cozy furniture and quiet nooks abound, offering you a place to stay whether you’re alone, or hanging out with friends. There are inspiring quotes on typography printouts hanging from the ceiling, trendy decor, as well as board games available for borrowing. The best part of the WGM experience however, is a hidden staircase revealed as you slide a bookshelf to the side. The steps lead to the cafe’s second level, which features rustic components for a look that seems to have jumped out of a fantasy novel. It has a cozy loft on one side, with its dreamy swing seats, and another side has tables set on tatami mats. The second level can be rented out for events.
Words by Mia Carisse Barrientos Photos by Theresa Eloriaga
Travel and food go together. Going places not only entails the discovery of new cultures, but also introduces different flavors to one’s palate. Whether traveling domestically or outside the country, you’re bound to encounter a taste you’ll fall in love with and would want to return to.
Classic Carbonara (PHP 115)
86
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
Blueberry Cheesecake
But the full indulgence can only be experienced through WGM’s signature dishes. The restaurant serves rice meals, sandwiches, pasta, and different kinds of beverage inspired by fusion of Japanese, Filipino, and American flavors. For light eaters, WGM’s sandwiches are served with a side of potato chips. Their bestseller, the Tokyo Tower, is a tall stack of chicken pesto, a BLT, and ham and cheese, in white bread. The restaurant also serves fettuccine with either Filipino-style tomato-, basil pesto-, or creamy bechamel sauce. Its most popular rice meal is the classic garlic tapa and its thinsliced beef marinated in tangy, sweet sauce and fried to perfection. While you can dine solo at WGM, it is also perfect for groups. The restaurant has a selection of meals for sharing as well as Barkada Snacks including chicken wings and lollipop, burgers, nachos, fries, and different
Crispy Pork Belly with Houseblend Sauce (PHP 159)
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
WGM Pizza
Tokyo Tower (PHP 155)
Garlic Tapa with Egg (PHP 119)
flavors of pizza. A perfect match for these munchies are coffee, blended drinks, milkshakes, yoghurt, and house blend drinks complete with toppings. Despite the huge helping of items in the menu, prices at WGM are relatively cheaper, making it an ideal hangout spot for just about anyone. K-BBQ that will make you drool Korean barbecue is a food trend that is here to stay, and it is evident in the many K-BBQ restaurants that have appeared all over Metro Manila. In Pacita, meanwhile, there’s a restaurant making headlines. Oppa Samgyeopsal is proud to be the first of its kind in the district. Occupying a space on Oppa Samgyeopsal’s unlimited meat set comes with unlimited side dishes
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
WGM Milkshakes
the building’s second level, Oppa Samgyeopsal is frequented by K-pop and K-drama fans as well as meat-loving diners. For only PHP 329, customers can start grilling unlimited marinated bacon-thin pork belly which is extra rich in flavors. And if they want beef thrown
in the mix, they would only need to shell out an additional PHP 70. The sets come with unlimited rice, lettuce, egg rolls, beef soup, and side dish servings, so you can mix and match to your liking. For customers who prefer a little extra flavor, they can opt for marinated meat. To make the KoreanBBQ experience more exciting, you can have unlimited serving of soft and chewy mozzarella to go with your grilled meat for an additional PHP 50 per person. Oppa Samgyeopsal also sells soju and Korean ice cream to complete the Korean BBQ experience.
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
87
Bacon-thin pork meat grills fast
Apart from cold desserts, customers can also get their crepe fix at Jeju Bingsu. As their meal is being done, customers can watch the crepe being prepared, cooked to golden perfection, stuffed with flavorful fillings, and topped with any of a variety of sweet delights. The three restaurants are owned and managed by Laguna-native, and young entrepreneur Jary Rie Olivares. A physical therapist by profession, Jary got her start in the food business at the age of 25, and continues to learn the ins and outs of the food
industry. WGM, which is her first restaurant, now has three branches across Laguna--Binan, Pacita, and Cabuyao. She also plans to further branch out with a pending opening of Oppa Samgyeopsal at SM Lucena, and moving forward other spots in the south. Driven by her love of food, Jary has turned a 25-year-old building into a dining attraction visited by customers from all walks of life. Go on a trip and feast at these restaurants. They are located at Pacita Avenue, San Pedro, Laguna.
Refreshing ice-cold delights To ease stuffiness brought about by unlimited grilled meat, there’s Jeju Bingsu and Dessert House on the building’s first level. The place has a pleasant ambiance with its milky white walls and minimalist art decor. The hero of its menu is Korean shaved-ice topped with different choices of fruit, nuts, and sweet treats. Among its most sought after variants is the Seoul Strawberry Special, which is an overflowing bowl of milky shaved-ice, garnished with strawberry syrup, strawberries, blueberries, and cheesecake cubes. The Gumi Chocolate, which is another must try, consists of chocolate-flavored shaved-ice with brownie slices, chocolate flakes, and ice cream brimming on the surface. The Korean dessert can be had regular- or double-sized.
Banana Nutella Crepe (PHP 99)
Gumi Chocolate (regular - PHP 199 double - PHP 299)
88
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
Seoul Strawberry Special (regular - PHP 199 double - PHP 299
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
YOSHI MEAT SU
The Ultimate #Yeahkiniku Place in the North
Grilled pork intestines are also offered at the restaurant
A wide selection of meats and side dishes await the guests
Words by Jewel Sta. Ana Photos by Theresa Eloriaga
Japanese culture is inextricably part of our own now. From its actionpacked anime, stirring animated films, avant-garde fashion, and diverse cuisine. Specialty restaurants for ramen and tonkatsu, as well as sushi stands, are sprouting like mushrooms around the metro. However, Yakiniku or Japanese grilled meat restaurants haven’t really gained the kind of traction other grill places have. This gives Yoshimeatsu a competitive edge, bringing a fine fusion of Japanese and Korean cuisine to their guests. 90
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
Their grilled meats are best paired with melted cheese
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
utensils, tables, and even the ducts, gleam gold. Stepping into the resto, you will be welcomed with a warm greeting from the waiters, the enticing smell of freshly cooked meat, and K-Pop plus J-Pop tunes. A wooden staircase leads to a second floor for larger groups, or corporate meetings, and small, exclusive events of 30 persons. There’s also a glass display of assorted Japanese snacks and knick-knacks such as dolls and swords installed on its wall near the stairs.
Customers can also marvel with Yoshimeatsu’s automated ordering system
It was a visit to the Land of the Rising Sun that led Yoshimeatsu’s owners to the flourishing food venture. “That trip was where my business partners got the idea of putting up a Japanese grill. Later on, we decided to infuse it with Korean cuisine for wider menu options and to gain an edge against samgyupsal places around the area,” the 29-yearold restaurateur shared. Choi also said that her squad wants to change the impression of Yakiniku restaurants as fancy and expensive places, offering an affordable, unlimited grilling experience that appeals to the Filipino palate while also offering authentic food items from Japan and South Korea.
The sumptuous Spicy Tuna Maki
Visitors may cook eggs, meat, and melt cheese fresh from the grill
The flavorful Herbed Pork
Another thing that makes Yoshimeatsu unique is its digital ordering system that increases the restaurant’s efficiency, and speeds up its serving time. Each table has a touchscreen panel on which customers can place their orders. Once they are placed, it will only take the crew 30 seconds to prepare and serve the meals. Choi’s team is constantly improving this sophisticated feature, adding the remaining items on their digital menu. For an introductory promo price of PHP 549, foodies may enjoy their unlimited Yakiniku offerings, which also come with a free round of soft-serve ice cream. Customers may choose from a huge selection of meat. There’s the usual selection of beef, pork, chicken, and processed meats, along with 16 side dishes that are all carefully selected to complete your meal. Their side dishes are divided into four main categories namely tempura (fish, shellfish, or vegetables fried in batter), salad, maki (seafood, raw vegetables and rice rolled in seaweed), and staples (standard appetizers). Among their best-sellers are the perfectly fried Ebi Tempura, the refreshing Kani Salad, a combination mangoes and crab sticks on a bed of fresh lettuce topped with japanese mayo; their signature shrimp sushi Yoshi Ebi Maki, the mouth-watering Spicy Tuna Maki, and the Filipino favorite mango-and-crab roll California Maki. Their staples include a variety of Japanese and Korean appetizers, from miso soup, tazukuri (candied baby sardines), buta dumpling (steamed pork dumplings), kimchi, and pamuchim (scallions).
The Spicy Sliced Pork Bouquet topped with ssamjang sauce
Situated along one of the the busiest food districts in the metro, Yoshimeatsu can be found at the corner of Scout Fernandez and Tomas Morato Avenue. Its name, apart from bearing a clever wordplay between the restaurant’s staple dish and a Japanese term for “good luck,” has a deeper, more historic origin. According to Ella Choi, one of the owners of the Japanese-Korean restaurant, it is derived from a Japanese shogun named Ashikaga
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
Yoshimitsu who ruled during the Muromachi period. His great penchant for culture and arts led him to build The Golden Pavilion, an intricately designed three-story building which served as his own retirement villa, and now as the inspiration for the interiors of the restaurant. Everything is coated in gold, reflecting the third Ashikaga shogun’s royalty. Plates, grilling pans,
For meat lovers, they have Sliced Beef that’s best when dipped in ssamjang, sesame oil, or melted cheese, then wrapped in lettuce; and the grilled Chicken Yakitori that’s tender and sweet from first bite to last. Processed meats such as the wiener sausages, sakana tofu (fish tofu), and seafood cheese balls are a great way to mix things up. Should you crave for more, you can order premium, authentic wagyu beef starting at PHP 3280, which goes great when paired with either a bottle of Japanese sake or Korean soju. The popular chuhai Strong Zero, can also be found at the restaurant’s bar. Currently, Choi and her friends are planning to expand the Yoshimeatsu brand by opening new branches and accepting franchise applications. DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
91
FEATURE
As far geo as I c an g re con raphy of a is mem tr ctiv the larg ibute amon ber fr e te to om g e ch my hub st con a reg the e E s ion s an tine ’s g sentia conom n d t cre r l i l o o m n ics fac w c o th atin a t g smst of w l busi e wor h. Asia tors t 101, ha n l ,b d, e arte hich are ss incu has a eing t r pr odu lo fo b cts cuse ators, t d f o o r way n e of l very ife.
TEC
The
S HNO MAR LOG T IES Hong Kong There is, however, a scarcity of platforms that can give both SMEs and international brands the opportunity to connect with thousands of business partners globally. Motivated by the desire to make connections, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council started to organize an annual showcase of innovations that is now in its 38th year of existence. This month, we’re bringing you more of the revolutionary
Bre
ak t
hro
ugh
products that we came across at the recently concluded autumn edition of Hong Kong Electronics Fair.
SwellPro Technologies
and china
Drones are usually tools for filming weddings, debuts, and other events, but for this Chinese startup, these flying cameras are being used for so much more, such as rescue operations, fishery, and marine research. SwellPro is a pioneer in producing professional, waterproof, and aquatic drones and action cameras for enterprise use. Its flagship product, the SplashDrone 3+, is partnered with the 4K gimbal camera GC3, captures still images and stabilized footage up to 30 FPS and can even withstand the most intense weather. The remote-controlled, payload release mechanism PL3 can drop fishing bait and rescue equipment, with a maximum weight of 1 kilogram with great flying range. There’s also the Spry, a waterproof sports drone built for action filming.
Revsmart Wearable Technologies
Given its convenience and affordable price tag, the motorcycle has become the fastest-growing means of transportation in the Asian region. However, these two-wheelers are more prone to accidents than cars. In a bid to make each rider’s experience safer, Revsmart Asia CEO Sunder Jagannathan developed a smart communication device that can be attached to a rider’s helmet. Called as Headsup, the multifunctional module integrates vibro-sound technology that provides high quality audio for hands-free calls, music, and navigation. Among its key features are long-lasting battery life of up to 8 hours, built-in personal assistant that allows users to get real time traffic updates from their phone, group chat mode that connects riders to each other, and rear lighting for late night travel. 92
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
Dongguan Doyo Electronics Technology Co. Ltd.
Bringing back the nostalgia of video arcades, the Shenzhen-based electronics enterprise has brought an Android simulator for arcade games. Pre-installed with over 100 games, this mini arcade console has a 10.1-inch display matched with a classic joystick and control buttons similar to the ones you see at family entertainment centers. According to Dongguan Doyo sales manager Michelle Wang, the plug-and-play simulator is compatible with 32 bit games, has 5 to 6 hours of battery life, and has a USB and SD card slot. It comes in two versions, one for personal use and the other intended for business, with an integrated coin slot.
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
South Korea Phi Networks
Golf is a sport that usually requires membership to an exclusive golf course. Players need to purchase or rent equipment and wear proper attire before they can set foot on the grounds. PhiGolf, an intelligent golf simulator, removes these restrictions. It comes with a sophisticated motion sensor which can be connected to various mobile devices and smart TVs through a dedicated app. To start the game, you need to pair the sensor with your selected device, then place it into the grip end of a swing stick or a golf club to effectively analyze club facing and attack angles, swing paths, putting strokes, distance, and other essential golf statistics. Users can then play a round of golf with various game modes and 3D courses--all within the comfort of your home.
Hyunsung Autotech Co. Ltd
Aside from rice, noodles are a staple food in Asia and it’s easy to see why. It’s simple to prepare, and cooks quickly, making it the perfect go-to meal for busy office workers. Revolutionizing the way people savor their instant noodles, the Oh Chef Smart Cooker uses a fully automated system that portions water in the proper amount and at the proper temperature to cook noodles. Users need only to scan the barcode on the pack of noodles. It keeps a catalogue of barcodes for instant noodles available in the market, making it a reliable machine for convenience stores. They also carry their own, independent products which showcase traditional Korean dishes such as ramyun, dupbab (bowl toppings), and tteok bokki (spicy rice cake).
in th
GLo e
BAL Wor ds
and
Pho to
s by
SCEN
Jew el St
a An
a
E TAIWAN
Springteq Electronics Corp.
Last but definitely not the least in our list is this wireless head-up displays (HUDs) made for driving. Ideally placed on dashboards, these HUDs are built with flexible silicon bases for stability even when the vehicle is in motion. Great for road navigation, it includes gesture functions powered by motion sensors for changing modes, adjusting display brightness, and switching the device on and off. It uses phone mirroring technology via a Wi-Fi connection, ensuring the safety of its users and helping them to focus on their driving. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
93
X
C O C
94
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
CXO Innovation Summit
Digital Transformation is the way Words by Mia Carisse Barrientos
The first CXO Innovation Summit, organized by leading IT distributor MCI-ECS, gathered company CXOs-including CEOs, COOs, CFOs, CIOs, and managers--across industries with the goal of helping them in their digital transformation journey. MSI-ECS invited experts and leaders in IT and cybersecurity to share the latest updates and insights on topics crucial for businesses to thrive in the evolving economy. From smart cities, IoT, cloud, data analytics, AI, to blockchain, delegates were equipped with knowhow as well as offered comprehensive solutions that will put them ahead of the digital transformation curve. We were at the queen city of the south, Cebu, for the event and here are our key takeaways from the sessions. Embracing digital transformation is key to success Digital transformation is a long, tedious process that involves changes from the inside out. For businesses in this digital transformation era, it’s either you disrupt or you get disrupted. A Dell EMC study revealed that 81 percent of IT decision makers agree that if they do not embrace digital transformation, they’re going to lose competitive edge. While it might seem daunting, it also presents rich opportunities. Organizations are now investing in technologies that will help in the transformation of their business, which in turn will empower those within the organization, improve productivity, as well as provide competitive advantage to create products that will better serve customers. Technology is going to be more complex On the technical side of things, technology is bound to be more complex. A lot more intricate mechanisms are going to be integrated in these innovations, and there will be more processes involved in creating software. And what’s going to be at the core of all these, according to Huawei, is artificial intelligence (A.I.). Despite its prevalence
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
today, experts share that we have barely begun scratching the surface. The technology has a lot of untapped potential that innovators have yet to explore and find uses for. But the good thing is, no matter how sophisticated these systems are going to be, for consumers, operation will require no more than just pushing a few buttons and hooking wires. Innovations will still have one main purpose: connect people and the physical world.
and becoming more advanced that even with training, spotting attacks would prove to be impossible. Trend Micro reveals that the average cost of a data breach is USD 4,000,000, significantly more than the cost of investing in a cybersecurity service. With this, organizations need security solutions with features that can protect, detect, and prevent attacks on their networks.
Blockchain will transform industries In the tech space, ‘blockchain’ is one of the biggest buzzwords. IBM defines blockchain as a shared, replicated, permissioned ledger with consensus, provenance, immutability, and finality. It basically allows clients to make transactions and create a permanent record of those transactions--a proof that a set of transactions occurred between participants. Blockchain allows the concept of a distributed database to be deployed across an untrusted network, which isn’t possible with a traditional database. One of its best uses for businesses is provenance. Through it, industries such as food and jewelry where tracing origins is vital, could clear material real-time, thus optimizing operational efficiency. It is today’s most disruptive technology.
We are not yet ready Despite the abundance of advanced technologies, tech experts admit that the world is still not fully primed for digital transformation. It is expected that by 2025, the global datasphere will increase significantly to 20 zettabytes or 20 trillion gigabytes--a figure that’s beyond comprehension and as the experts put it, something they’re still not certain they can handle. There’s an assurance, however, that technology will continue to improve to a level that will be able to manage such growth. Meanwhile, innovators and companies will have to deal with challenges such as government and network restrictions first. We still have a long way to go, but we’re getting there.
Organizations need to prioritize cybersecurity An analogy used in the summit for cybersecurity goes “many still don’t bother about security despite the everyday use of mobile devices.” We are becoming more and more accustomed to technology but several studies reveal that many of us, including huge companies, still dismiss cyberthreats. It is imperative to have comprehensive cybersecurity systems placed within organizations as threats are ever increasing
With the success of the event and MSI-ECS’ commitment in helping businesses be fully digitally transformed, the company aims to make CXO Innovation Summit an annual event. Brands present in the three-day summit held at Shangri-La Mactan are Cisco, Dell EMC, Huawei, IBM, Juniper Networks, Trend Micro, Fortinet, Oracle, Schneider Electric, Aruba, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Hitachi, Hortonworks, HP, Lenovo Data Center Group, Microfocus, Microsoft, Pivotal, and VMWare.
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
95
Words by Marlet D. Salazar
This holiday season, book lovers out there are likely praying that they get either the book they have long been looking for, or gift certificates they can spend at any bookstore. While many book lovers feel that nothing compares to reading a physical book, there are many bibliophiles out there who prefer to avoid the clutter of keeping already-read books and choose to go digital through a really good e-book reader. The printed and digital books have their own benefits, so let’s not pit the two against each other. Aside from getting rid of the clutter of old books, one other advantage of having an e-book reader is the “instant delivery.” Often, you have to wait for
1. Kindle
Kindle has evolved from just one basic e-reader introduced in 2007 into a series of e-readers classified according to the type of “paper” or screen resolution or the size of the screen. Today, the device does more than ebooks, with support for magazines and newspapers as well. In October, Amazon introduced a waterproof Kindle that is also lighter and thinner compared to its predecessors. The new 2018 Kindle Paperwhite follows the lead of the more expensive Kindle Oasis from last year. There is a long list of the different Kindles available in the market today. There’s a Kindle with Wi-Fi and supports 4G and there’s a Kindle that has Bluetooth. The price differs and if the giver is feeling generous, Oasis costs about USD 300, which is the most premium offering from Amazon at the moment.
2. NOOK
If you are a fan of American publisher and book retailer Barnes and Noble (B&N), then you’ve got to have the NOOK, which is designed around Google’s Android platform. It started as a basic electronic reading device with basic touchscreen functions. Today, some of its variations have colored LCDs. The B&N GlowLight series allows users to read with a 96
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
weeks, even months, for the book ordered online (then there’s the Customs issues). With e-readers, once you’ve paid for the title, you’ll have the book within minutes. Some readers love to highlight passages in a book. E-readers allow highlighting and it is so easy to find the page where an inspiring quote was highlighted. There are many e-readers right now but we’ll list the three most popular ones. white light on during the daytime, and a special Night Mode, which provides “a warmer tone for perfect bedtime reading.” The B&N GlowLight Plus is also waterproof and boasts of an 8.5GB storage, which can store thousands of books. NOOK readers sell from around USD140 to USD260.
3. Kobo
Toronto-based Kobo has a noble idea of providing ebooks at a much lower price compared to first two. Kobo, from the word “book” evolved from just a reading service by bookstore Indigo Books and Music to an e-reading device. Japanese company Rakuten acquired Kobo in 2016. There is now a line of Kobo readers that feature e-paper screens. Its most basic product is Kobo Touch, and then there’s the smaller size, which is good for traveling called Kobo Mini. The Kobo Glo has an illuminated screen good for nighttime reading. The pricier ones include Kobo Aura; the Kobo Aura HD and Kobo Aura H2O, which is waterproof. Kobo is locally available and sells for around PHP 10,000. Ultimately, e-readers are book-lovers’ perfect companion when traveling. It’s light and compact even if you are reading “War and Peace” or the unabridged version of “Les Miserables.” The only downside, perhaps, is just like any electronic devices, it needs to be charged every so often. Book hoarders not worry about the clutter because these e-readers can keep their books even if they number to thousands. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
BITS & BYTES
Cashalo Launches the Philippines’ First Ever Digital Basket Consumer Finance Solution Cashalo, the Filipino fintech company committed to accelerating financial inclusion for all, has recently launched the country’s first ever offline to online (O2O) basket financing solution. Through the Cashalo app, Filipinos can now access digital credit at 0 percent interest for all their specific shopping needs across 250 retail partners. Giving the consumers freedom to purchase multiple products that they need, from appliances to electronics and school supplies, the new feature makes a paperless, collateral-free retail shopping. To register, applicants must visit a Cashalo partner store and look out for a Cashalo representative who will help them complete a digital application. Bring a valid ID and fill up the basic personal information to process your application. A customer can then choose a loan amount and payment terms of their choice. You mayavail a minimum digital credit of PHP 2,000 up to PHP 19,999 at 0 percent interest. Upon approval, a customer can shop for their basket of goods up to a value of the digital credit they have been approved for. “We know that millions of consumers still appreciate the physical retail experience but want greater flexibility in how they pay,” says Hamilton Angluben, general manager of
Cashalo. “With Cashacart, we’re able to give hardworking Filipinos unrivalled financial freedom and flexibility, serving them wherever they are, both offline and online.”
Consumers can access the Cashacart financing solution by installing the Cashalo app. It is now available for download on App Store and Google Play.
MAPFRE Insurance Goes Digital After more than eight decades of providing general insurance for optimum financial protection and risk management, the non-life insurance giant MAPFRE Insular gears up for new and innovative methods to serve its Filipino customers. Among its groundbreaking initiatives are the integration of QR codes, which allows faster verification and reliable safekeeping for all of their policies. Making it easier to retrieve when needed, policy holders can now have instant access to their documents through the company’s dedicated app. The generated QR codes also have an added layer of security which fully protects the customers from counterfeit insurance policies. The company also made some advances with their insurance application process by recently launching the MAPFRE Insular Virtual Office (MIVO). Especially tailored for MAPFRE agents, the digital portal revolutionizes the way they meet with their clients. Agents can now provide quotes, issue policies via email, and collect payments online in real time. For customers,
98
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
there’s the mobile app called UpDocs which enables them to submit requirements online and process First Notification of Loss (FNOL) anytime. MAPPRE Insular’s 24/7 hotline will later process the application as soon as they received the application. Meanwhile, roadside assistance and location tracking of the service in real time can be done via the MAiassist app.
MAFPRE Insular president and CEO Tirso C. Abad believes that the company’s digital transformation can motivate other Filipinos to invest on non-life insurance services. “With this, we’re confident that we will live up to our reputation of being the most trusted insurance brand,” Abad shared. He also announced MAFPRE’s plan of expansion, adding 7 more offices in Luzon by 2019.
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
Gateway Cineplex and Snaxx Now Accepts Cashless Transactions GCash and Uniprom Inc.—the operators of Gateway Cineplex, Ali Mall Cineplex, and Snaxx—announced its strategic partnership to provide moviegoers and snack lovers a much more convenient way of going to the movies. The said establishments now accept GCash QR as a payment method. GCash is a mobile phone app available for Android and iPhone users that lets customers pay with their smartphones by just scanning a GCash QR code on their partner retail outlets. To celebrate this partnership, GCash treated moviegoers to a block screening premier of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is the second of five new adventure in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World. The story picks off at the end of the first film–the powerful dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald has escaped from the MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America) and is set out to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings. “Aside from using your GCash App to book your movie tickets, you can now use the GCash scanto-pay feature to buy your tickets and snacks in both Gateway and Ali Mall, letting you experience the advantage of a seamless, cashless transaction,”
said Anthony Thomas, president and CEO of Mynt, the operating company of GCash. The Gateway and Ali Mall Cineplex are a state-ofthe-art cinema complex, boasting 2,300 seats, and was designed by international cinema consultant Ian Riches. The complex also boasts the latest in cinema technology, a dedicated Dolby Atmos auditorium, that creates a unique 3D sound, giving moviegoers an immersive experience with the movie.
Users from all networks can download the GCash App for free from the App Store or from Google Play and sign up for an account. To fund a GCash account, account holders may visit over 16,000 GCash Partner Outlets nationwide, including 7-Eleven, SM Business Centers, Robinsons Business Centers, Puregold branches, and Villarica Pawnshop branches, and tell the cashier to cash-in to their GCash account.
‘PayMaya Pa More’ Gives Users A Chance to Win up to PHP 10-Million With every cashless transaction through PayMaya, users get raffle entries for a chance to win PHP 10,000 in the daily draw or as much as PHP 10 million in the grand raffle draw. Users can earn raffle entries through the following: -Upgrade your PayMaya account (10 raffle entries) -Send money of at least PHP 10 to friends or family (1 raffle entry per day) -Shop online or in-store using your PayMaya virtual or physical card (1 raffle entry per PHP 250 spend) -Purchase telco load, gaming pins, or prepaid cable TV credits via the in-app shop (1 raffle entry per purchase) -Pay your bills in the PayMaya app (5 raffle entries per biller) -Pay using PayMaya QR at partner merchants (1 raffle entry per PHP 100 send) ‘PayMaya Pa More!’ is the digital payments solutions provider, PayMaya’s, month-long holiday campaign that will reward users and give them a chance to win up to PHP 10-million.
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
Until December 31, PayMaya users get the best discounts, treats, and a chance to win PayMaya credits just by transacting through the PayMaya app, PayMaya in Messenger, or using PayMaya physical cards wherever possible.
To make it even more exciting, users who complete four out of the six within the month will get an additional 100 entries in the raffle. Users also get twice the raffle entries for every transaction made from December 1 onwards.
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
99
PLDT and Smart Announces New Wave of Promos and Services
Leading digital services provider PLDT Inc., together with its mobile arm Smart Communications, has recently launched a new wave of innovative deals and services that aim to unlock amazing experiences for Filipinos whether they are in the comfort of their home, or on the go. PLDT introduced the new PLDT Home Fibr Google Wifi Plans, which feature a whole home wifi network system that puts an end to dead spots and ensures a strong and Fibr-fast connection in every corner of your home. New PLDT Home customers can subscribe to Google Wifi Plan 3799 that comes with an unlimited 50Mbps connection, three Google Wifi points, and free service assistance from the Home Geek Squad. Existing PLDT Home Fibr subscribers, on the other hand, can simply avail a set of three Google Wifi units for only PHP 799 per month. The company has also unlocked a new entertainment experience at home with the new PLDT Home TVolution Lite powered by Roku. The new service features a plug-and-play device that allows customers to easily and effortlessly watch trending videos on YouTube; their favorite HD
100
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
channels from Cignal; top Hollywood, Asian and local movies and TV series from iflix; criticallyacclaimed Netflix originals and films, and hundreds of free streaming channels on their TV. PLDT and Smart also affirmed their commitment to deliver the best gaming experience for Filipino gamers powered by PLDT Home Fibr, the fastest Fibr connection for lag-free gaming at home, and Smart LTE, the fastest LTE network for gaming on-the-go. Smart has also unlocked total entertainment with its new promo called Video Every Day. It comes with all of Smart’s GigaSurf data packages, providing customers with up to 1 hour of Video access daily for YouTube, iflix, iWant TV, Cignal Play and NBA League Pass - for as long as their GigaSurf subscription is valid. Smart customers can now register to GigaSurf with Video Every Day by simply dialing *121# or via the mySmart app. To encourage more Filipinos to avail LTE-capable handsets offered at an affordable prices, Smart partnered with leading smartphone brands Oppo, Samsung, and Starmobile. Among these are the OPPO A71 Smart LTE phone kit (PHP
5,998); the Samsung J2 Core Smart LTE Phone Kit (PHP 4,990); and Starmobile Play Click TNT LTE phone kit (PHP 2,998). It also continues to strengthen its portfolio of the latest flagship devices with the data-packed GigaX Plans this includes the newly launched Huawei Mate 20 at PHP 2,199 per month; the Huawei Mate 20 Pro at PHP 2,599 per month; the iPhone XS at PHP 3,299 per month; and the iPhone XS Max at PHP 3,599 per month. Samsung’s Galaxy Note 9 is also available through the Smart GigaX Plans. Finally, in celebration of its 25th anniversary, Smart announced the biggest anniversary e-raffle promo in the company’s history, which gives customers a chance to win data packages, MVP Rewards points, and LTE smartphones every month, leading up to the grand raffle on February 25, 2019 in which one lucky subscriber could win a cash price of PHP 25 million To join, subscribers need only to register in selected data promos and add-ons to join. With the theme “Unlock the Future”, the event was graced by executives leaded by PLDT and Smart chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, endorsers, celebrities, and partners.
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
R.O.X. Partners with i.L.O.V.E. Foundation for “LakoLokal” Recreational Outdoor eXchange (R.O.X.) teamed up with the iLOVE (Investments in Loving Organizations for Village Economies) Foundation for “Lako Lokal. The program, which was held on 17 November, turned the spotlight on the potential of local village economies to flourish through ecotourism. Lako Lokal is a play on the Filipino words lako which means “to promote” or “to peddle” as well as lokal which translates directly to local. Through this, R.O.X. is helping foster the growth of local and smallscale village economies as well as environmental preservation through a series of meaningful activities. During the event, environmental advocate and founder of the iLOVE Foundation, Gina Lopez, also gave an insightful talk about staying healthy in the Philippine setting. A volunteer booth was also set up to give guests the opportunity to know more and sign-up for future initiatives with the iLOVE Foundation. Among the beneficiaries of the partnership are 100 Badjao fisher folks and households from Barangay Maruwa, Tonggosong, and Mongkay in Tawi Tawi as well as the Mindanao State University College of Technology and Oceanography; approximately 200 members of AGAP or the Aggrupation of Advocates for Environmental Protection from Bulusan, Sorsogan; 500 students from the University of the Cordilleras; 85 T’boli members of the LASIWWAI or the Lake Sebu Indigenous Women Weavers Association, Inc.; 80 families from the
HAKILAWA or Hagdan Kinatarcan Langub Workers Association as well as the Southern Partners Fair Trade Corporation; 47 members of SINAGAN or the Samahang Iisang Layuning Nabuklod Bilang Agapay Sa Pangangalaga ng Ganda ng Kalikasan in Lobo, Batangas; 145 members of the NLUWWTAFA or the New La Union White Water Tubing Adventure and Farmer’s Association; and 30 members of the G2 Traverse Porters and Guides Association from Sibuyan Island in Romblon. The beneficiaries will receive products that will not only enhance their daily transactions but also improve their quality of life. The donations include PHP 1.6 million worth of R.O.X. merchandise from brands such as Poler, Herschel, Black Diamond, Fox Racing, Hi-Tec, Montbell, Coghlan’s, Roxy, Eureka, Keen, 360 Degrees, and Mountain
Safety Research. Over 150 bags from Herschel were also donated alongside assorted backpacks from customers who donated through R.O.X. stores nationwide. Meanwhile, three bikes were turned over to the foundation. Two of which are brand new courtesy of R.O.X., while one came from a customer from R.O.X. Centrio in Cagayan de Oro. R.O.X. also unveiled the all-new local section of R.O.X., which draws inspiration from the sari-sari store. This new in-store section features Filipino brands such as G Stuff, Gouache, and Siklo to name a few. R.O.X. is committed to championing the well-being of the environment and the Filipino people. Through its newly-forged partnership with iLOVE Foundation, R.O.X. seeks to inspire more individuals to make the world a better place.
Red Hat Opens New Subsidiary Office in the Philippines The world’s leading provider of open source solutions for large enterprise, Red Hat, currently expands its footprint in the ASEAN region by opening an office in Manila. The multinational software company also empowers local companies to innovate with open hybrid cloud solutions through its Innovation Fest, gathering developers and innovators to discuss open source trends and experience digital platform demos. According to Red Hat Asian Growth & Emerging Markets (GEMS) vice president and general manager Damien Wong, Red Hat has strategically chosen the Philippines as the location of its fifth ASEAN headquarters due to its highly educated talent pool, robust infrastructure, and committed ecosystem of customers and partners. He also shares that their presence in the country will help them catalyze awareness of various Philippine business entities to open source technologies. Wong also said that they are currently working closely with Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) to build a community of Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) on operating systems, virtualization, middleware, storage, and cloud computing, as well as develop apps and platforms for government agencies. 102
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
Red Hat’s vice president and general manager for Asia Pacific Dirk-Peter van Leeuwen said: “Our new office in Manila is a testament to Red Hat’s strong customer and partner ecosystem support in the ASEAN region. Organizations in the Philippines recognize that open source technology can help them to be more competitive and innovative. We look forward to providing open source solutions that can also advance in their digital transformation
strategies and deliver any app in any environment.” Red Hat’s open source computing solutions aid businesses in going digital and improving their services. Its current clients in the country include big players in the private sector namely UCPB, RCBC, Philippine Stock Exchange, and Philippine Airlines. It has also partnered with IBM to accelerate the adoption of hybrid cloud. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
UAE’S First-Ever
World Tolerance Summit a Huge Success
The first-ever World Tolerance Summit has added a milestone in the history of United Arab Emirates as it attracted an impressive turnout of delegates and participants from around the world to discuss the creation and promotion of a culture of dialogue, peace, and tolerance in all tiers of society. The summit was held in Dubai on November 15-16, 2018 in conjunction with UNESCO’s International Day for Tolerance.
Day one of WTS 2018 was graced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE vice president and prime minister, and the ruler of Dubai. In his presence, His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan, UAE minister of Tolerance and the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International Institute for Tolerance, made a commitment on behalf of the ministry to solidify UAE’s stance on tolerance. MoT Action Plan includes the creation of a Global Network for Tolerance, International Expert Program on Tolerance, Challenge of Tolerance, and Youth Forum for tolerance, happiness and the future. The opening ceremony was followed by panel discussions on spreading tolerance among the youth and women, promotion of the cause in all educational institutions, ensuring practice of tolerance in private organizations and workplace, and the role of the governments in creating a happy, tolerant society. A simultaneous series of workshops were held on the second day of the summit. Tolerance Majlis-Room A discussed “Tolerance Through
the Aesthetic Arts” conducted by Dr. Noura S. Al Mazrouei, assistant professor at the Emirates Diplomatic Academy (UAE). A workshop on “The Youth of Today, The Leaders of Tomorrow” followed led by Pr. Dr. Malek Yamani, general manager of YAMCONI. He expounded on how investing in people, especially on the youth, and believing in their abilities can build a vibrant, happy, and responsible society. Abdulla Mahmood Al Zarooni, head of Personal Status Settlement Section, Dubai Courts, led the workshop on “A Tolerant Country, A Happy Society” where the essence of true tolerance as the key to genuine happiness and as a strong foundation of civilization was discussed. Tolerance Majlis-Room B started with Zayed Values led by Dr. Omar Habtoor Aldarei, executive director of Islamic Affairs, General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments (UAE) and Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed Mohamed, member of the Emirates Association for Human Rights (UAE). They emphasized the values of tolerance inculcated by UAE founding father, the
late H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. This was followed by a workshop on women empowerment & gender equality. H.E. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, member of the Board of Directors, Center for Strategic Development, Ministry of Economy and Planning, (KSA) and H.E. Ms. Hoda Al-Helaissi, member of Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council and former Vice Chairperson of King Saud University (KSA). The workshop discussed equity and equality, and the advancement of the role of women in consideration of traditions and customs. The promotion of values of citizenship and tolerance in education was discussed during the workshop on promoting tolerance in education conducted by Dr. Shebi Badran, dean of the Faculty Education, Alexandria University (Egypt) and Dr. Khaled Salah Hanafi Mahmoud, assistant professor of Pedagogy, Alexandria University (Egypt). At the closing ceremony, UAE’s declaration on tolerance was presented by Ambassador Mussie Hailu, global envoy of United Religions Initiative at the United Nations in Africa and Geneva. It was affirmed that the nation will continue to promote and inculcate the values on tolerance among the youth through education and knowledge-sharing, as they are the future leaders. It was also declared that the use of social media platform must ease social tension and must be utilized to spread positivity and promote the culture of dialogue. The declaration also emphasized the significant role of international governments in securing an enabling environment so that their citizens, with emphasis on the youth, become an ideal member of a global society championing progress and prosperity through tolerance in diversity, peace and harmony.
RELIC
104
DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019
www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
