2020 v20n6 - THE EDUCATION ISSUE by Gadgets Magazine

I NSI DE

S u bar uF o r e s t e rGTE di t i o nan dE B o x e rL au n c h Wh yT e s l asar et h eS af e s tCar s T h eAl l Ne wHo n daAi r bl ade150 CE S2020 Gami n g: S t arWar sJ e di : T h eF al l e nOr de r Apps : Cu r i o s i t yS t r e am Ne wAr t i s t sP e r f o r mi n gatCo ac h e l l a T r av e l : E u r o pei nDe c e mbe r

THE EDUCATI ON I SSUE

T r av el i ngt ol ear n

LENOVOY740S Mobi l ey e tmi ght y

PHP150

R E V I EWE D L en ov oI deapadL 340Gami n gE ps onE c ot an kM3170 L en ov oI deaCen t r eA540 Kon z er tKX400+3. 1CHSpeak er

Sys t em Vi v oS1Pr o HPDes k j etI n kAdv an t age3776 Bos c hGOCor dl es sS c r e wdr i v er S u ba r uL e v o r g2 . 0GT SCVTE yes i gh t

F EBRUARY2020 VOL UME20 NUMBER6

There’s no easy way to say it, but we’ve had a really rough start to the year. As the month of February rolls in, we join you in the hope that things will get better. To usher in the beginning of the magazine calendar for 2020, we’re going back to basics, and looking at education. From a peek into one of the country’s finest educational institutions, to a few articles on how things work, we’re doing our best to get to the bottom of today’s tech, to hopefully leave you with a better understanding of the broad, complicated world we live in today. For those of you with a little Christmas money left to burn, we have the parade and labs, so you can check those out as well. Thanks for continuing to be with us. This year is going to be great!

Ren Alcantara Editor-at-Large

MARIBELLE M. ALBA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

PRESY ALBA

#GIRLBOSS

EDITOR-AT-LARGE

@bellealba

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.

REN ALCANTARA

@presy1121

EDITOR-AT-LARGE

Question EVERYTHING. @hisnameisren

JEWEL STA. ANA

GABRIEL JOHN PE STAFF WRITER

ACCOUNTING MANAGER ACCOUNTING STAFF

Maritess Pascua-Maulion Lorie Bernardo

HR & ADMIN MANAGER ADMINISTRATION STAFF

Amy Christine Giray Ramil Almojano

CONTRIBUTOR

Jose loves football, video games, computers, and history, but not necessarily in any order.

PR & MARKETING STAFF DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER

LEGAL COUNSEL

Marketing guru. Automotive industry veteran. Road safety advocate.

JOSE ALVAREZ

DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER

Carol Agabin

Paula Candoy Jerico Lutrania Alba Law Office

@josealvarez

GERRY GAVIOLA CONTRIBUTOR

JERICO LUTRANIA

Maribelle Alba Marisa Consuelo

MOBILITY CONSULTANT

Let the scarlet moon guide you. @pe_gab

PRESIDENT & CEO SALES AND ADVERTISING MANAGER ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

ARNEL DORIA

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

People say you can’t live without love, I think oxygen is more important. @monsterjewfloat

Cineaste. Audiophile. Gadget addict. @gerry.g626

GADGETS Magazine is published monthly by Great Minds Media Inc. Address all correspondence to Unit 802, The One Executive Office Bldg., #5 West Ave., 1104 Quezon City. Our telephone number is: 8288-8588 Our website is: www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

“Ceeeeeeeeeeeb!” @_easyo

PAULA CANDOY CONTRIBUTOR

CHINI YU SORIANO GRAPHIC ARTIST

I love dogs.

“You do note.” @polacandoy

@chinisoriano

JEFF DANIEL RINGON

ZEIL ROMERO GRAPHIC ARTIST

Let it be. @zeil_heyo

FEBRUARY 2020

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.

CONTRIBUTOR

Self-proclaimed marketer. Pop culture fan. Sleeper, er, sleeping agent. @hefedanyel

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEBRUARY 2020 | Volume 20 No. 6

27. Cover Story

Parade Gadgets and gizmos a plenty

Gadgets Lab

Cover Story:

Caution: Experiments ongoing

Tech 101

Ever wondered about some of the current hows of tech?

FEBRUARY 2020

FEU Tech

TIP

Photofeature:

Driven by Innovation

Creating the future today

Molding the brilliant minds of the future Our model takes education very seriously

Mobility

Apps

Feature:

All eyes on the road

Stay curious with these apps

CES Round Up We look at tech geek heaven

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

76. Music Corner

68 72 74 6

Gaming Slash and shoot your way through this

Travel:

Europe in December Take a look at a real winter wonderland

Visual Space:

New Movies coming to Netflix See what Netflix has in store for the year

FEBRUARY 2020

Wellness

Music Corner

Enterprise

Who knew your fitness tracker could do this

New Artists in Coachella: Asian flare takes on the desert

Everything about the Big B (business)

Cybersecurity

Bits and Bytes

Relic

Solutions for cyberspace

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up in the tech world

This certainly takes us back

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

PARADE

Legion Y25-25 Gaming Monitor

Spearheading the segment for Legion’s gaming monitor is the Legion Y25-25, a 24.5-inch Full HD IPS display with up to 400 nits of brightness, and thin side bezels. It reduces eye strain through its anti-glare panel that’s TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort certified, cranks refresh rates all the way up to 240 Hz, and has an ergonomic stand that enables players to tilt, lift, pivot, and swivel the display. There’s also a VESA mount available if you want the display on your wall.

Legion K300

Gaming Keyboard The Legion K300 RGB gaming keyboard has a minimalist design: a curved body, customizable, five-zone RGB illumination, and lighting effects. It has anti-ghosting and a programmable 24-key rollover membrane that allows simultaneous commands, 20 million keypress durability, and drain holes for spill-resistant protection. It’s a tactile, quiet keyboard that every gamer should have.

FEBRUARY 2020

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Legion Y740S Gaming Laptop

Lenovo recently announced its battle-ready Legion lineup that balances work and play. First on the list is the Legion Y740S, the thinnest and lightest Windows 10 gaming laptop, which boasts eight hours of stamina. It is powered by up to a 10th Gen Intel Core i9 processor that can reach a clock speed of over 5 GHz, mated with up to 32 GB of DDR4 RAM and 1 TB PCIe SSD2 of storage. Apart from its 15.6-inch high-quality and brightness display with 4K UHD display and Dolby Vision, the Legion Y740S features three modes—performance, balance, and quiet—for optimizing your computer experience, along with Lenovo Vantage for gaming. It also has more responsive switches and an anti-oil, abrasion-resistant coating for durability.

Legion BoostStation External GPU

For those who want to go beyond limits, there’s the Legion BoostStation, the brand’s first-ever eGPU. Coming in with an aluminum body with a cool, transparent side panel, it supports either an NVIDIA GeForce RTX2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT GPU. It delivers graphics and performance to your workstation or gamestation. Supporting super-fast charging, as well as virtual and augmented reality for software and games, the external GPU is 100 percent tool-free. This device is ideal for both hardcore gamers and content creators.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEBRUARY 2020

Pioneer Smart Unit Receiver Car Smart Receiver Pioneer has created the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first smart receiver for your car. This device has an 8-inch, Android-powered IPS display. Aside from being the main head unit for your car, it can also function as an Android tablet with a push of a button, downloading and running apps from the Play Store. This system can also connect to existing sensors in your car such as parking sensors and the rear-view camera. Made for the digital lifestyle, even passengers can enjoy the unit with video streaming capabilities from Youtube and Netflix.

D-Link EXO AC2600 Wi-Fi Router

The D-Link EXO AC2600 brings explosively fast AC2600 Wi-Fi for any home. It has combined Wi-Fi speeds of up to 800 Mbps (2.4 GHz) and 1732 Mbps (5 GHz). It also guards your safety with its built-in McAfee protection. The EXO AC2600 is perfect for smart home integration with its voice assistant support. You can also check how your ISP fares with its integrated Internet test. The EXO AC2600 can handle anything thrown at it, thanks to its 880 MHz dual-core processor.

FEBRUARY 2020

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

ViewSonic ELITE XG270QC Gaming Monitor The Viewsonic ELITE XG270QC is the newest member of the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s XG270 line. The 27-inch gaming monitor is designed to provide life-like visuals and an immersive gaming experience thanks to its 1500R curvature and QHD (2560x1440) resolution. The ELITE XG270QC has a 165 Hz refresh rate with a 3 ms (GtG) or 1 ms (MPRT) response time. It is also AMD FreeSync supported which ensures a seamless gaming experience. The XG270QC also has a 550 cd/m2 luminance and a wide DCI-P3 >90 percent color coverage.

ViewSonic ELITE XG550 Gaming Monitor

The Viewsonic ELITE XG550 is the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest 55-inch gaming monitor. It has a 55-inch, 120 Hz OLED panel which delivers a highly responsive and an immersive gaming experience. The display has UHD (3840x2160) resolution and a .5 ms (GtG) response time. The XG550 is perfect for incoming next-gen consoles and AAA-title gameplay thanks to its OLED contrast and 99 percent DCI-P3 color support. The ELITE XG550 also has a narrow-bezel design and ELITE RGB accent lighting which makes it a perfect fit in any gaming setup.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEBRUARY 2020

Xtreme XACST15

Split-Type Air Conditioner

Summer is almost upon us and, and it’s going to be as hot as ever. Xtreme offers cooling solutions to help you beat the heat. The Xtreme XACST15 is a split-type, non-inverter air conditioner made for the Filipino family. At 1.5 HP, it’s more than capable of keeping you and your family comfortable even on hot and humid days.

PHP 22,800

Xtreme XCOOL-DD256NF Two-Door Refrigerator

Food businesses are some of the riskiest ones to venture into. Xtreme is making it easier for Filipinos to start their dream business through to its affordable appliances. The Xtreme XCOOL-DD256NF is a two-door refrigerator for your dream restaurant. It has a storage volume of 252 liters split into 198 liters for the refrigerator and 54 liters for the freezer. It has a slide chiller compartment with humidity control. Maintenance is also easy thanks to its total no-frost freezer. Best of all, it’s simple and energy-saving.

PHP 22,900

FEBRUARY 2020

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Samsung Q950TS 8K QLED TV

Announced at CES 2020, the Samsung Q950TS practically eliminates bezels around the display. The latest in Samsungâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 8K TV line, the Q950TS boasts a nearly 99-percent screen-to-body ratio, currently the best in the market. The Q950TS is also just 15 millimeters thin across the entire display. It has next-gen Quantum 8K Processor which improves AI upscaling capabilities to create pristine 8K pictures despite sub-8K sources. The Q950TS will also be the first QLED TV to have Samsung Health built-in, to help users track their fitness goals.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEBRUARY 2020

Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 Laptop

The Asus ROG Zephyrus is the latest thin yet powerful gaming laptop from the brand. Coming in at only 17.9 mm thin and weighing about 1.6 kg, the Zephyrus G14 is ultra-portable. The Zephyrus G14 has a 14-inch display and has either FHD or WQH resolution. As an ROG laptop, the Zephyrus G14 also runs on AMD’s 4th gen Ryzen mobile processor paired with Nvidia’s RTX 2060 GPU. What makes the Zephyrus G14 unique is the AniMe Matrix display on the cover of the laptop which adds a layer of personalization. The LED display is made of 1215 mini LEDs which can be programmed to display almost anything the user wants.

Asus ROG Swift 360Hz Monitor

Monitors have gotten faster in the past couple of years, from the standard 60 Hz to the now eSports-grade 240 Hz. Now, Asus and Nvidia are further pushing the limits of monitor speeds with the Asus ROG Swift 360 Hz. Dubbed as the world’s first monitor with a refresh rate of 360 Hz, this 24.5-inch FHD monitor can put out 50 percent more frames per second than 240 Hz monitors. The monitor also uses Nvidia’s G-Sync adaptive sync technology to eliminate screen tearing.

FEBRUARY 2020

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Fujifilm X-T200 Mirrorless Camera

Fujifilm recently announced its latest compact mirrorless camera created for content creators of all levels. Now equipped with a new sensor, processor, and larger screen, the X-T200 provides professional-level features in one package. Lighter than its predecessor by 80 g, the X-T200 only weighs 370 g. It is now equipped with a 3.5-inch vari-angle touchscreen display for more intuitive controls and high-speed APS-C 24.2 MP CMOS sensor for better performance. It can process images 3.5 faster than the X-T100 and improves its autofocus through the use of phase detection. It has 20 advanced filters, together with the standard 11 Film Simulation modes, giving more creative freedom to users. Updated Face and Eye AF detection capture clearer images even with a large group of subjects. Other highlights include main subject recognition, burst mode up to 8 fps, 4K and Full HD video recording, electronic stabilization mode for recording stable and smooth videos, and HDR Video mode for easier video recording in high contrast environments.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEBRUARY 2020

Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel Convertible Laptop

The Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel is the newest member of the brand’s creator grade laptops. The new laptop lets creators design and create with its color-accurate UHD touchscreen that swivels and rotates into five different usage modes, perfect for utmost flexibility and convenience. The ConceptD 7 Ezel is ideal for those who need power for their work. It features 10th Gen Intel Core series H processors, Nvidia RTX GPUs, and up to 32 GB of DDR4 memory. The ConceptD 7 Ezel’s screen also offers a natural writing experience, thanks to the included Wacom EMR Pen.

Acer Spin 5

Convertible Laptop The Acer Spin 5 is a convertible laptop made for individuals who want a portable yet powerful machine. It has a 360-degree hinge which allows for four different modes: laptop, tablet, display, and tent. The new Acer Spin 5 is more powerful, running Intel’s latest 10th gen Core i7 processors. It is also much more eye-catching, thanks to its 13.5-inch 2K display with an 80 percent screen-to-body ratio. With Intel’s Iris integrated graphics, the Acer Spin 5 can take on video editing, casual gaming, and entertainment binging. It also supports Acer’s Active Stylus support using Wacom AES technology, giving the stylus and screen a pen and paper feel.

FEBRUARY 2020

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Realme 5i Smartphone

The Realme 5i is the latest budget smartphone from Realme. Don’t let the term budget turn you away as the Realme 5i packs a punch in terms of specs. It carries a Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 AIE processor with a clock speed of 2.0 GHz perfect for gaming. Storage is also plenty with 3GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage expandable via MicroSD. The Realme 5i is also perfect for photography with its quad-camera setup. It has a 12-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel 119-degree ultra-wide-angle lens, a 2-megapixel portrait lens, and a 2-megapixel ultra-macro lens. It has 4K resolution support for video and a 240 fps slow motion, and stabilization capabilities. The Realme 5i will also last you throughout the day with its 5000 mAh battery.

PHP 6,990

Realme Buds Air TWS Earpods

The Realme Buds Air is the brand’s first True Wireless Stereo earphones. These buds are powered by the brand’s R1 chip with Bluetooth 5.0 that allows for an instant and stable connection. The Realme Buds Air has an easy connection setup thanks to Google’s Fair Pair. Enjoy up to three hours of music playback out on the buds themselves while the case can last up to 17 hours. The Realme Buds Air also has fast charging via USB-C and is capable of 10 W wireless charging. An optical sensor on the earpiece detects when they are worn, allowing instant music playback when placed on your ears. These buds have a dedicated gaming mode for an immersive gaming experience and touch control for easy music playback and answering calls.

PHP 3,990

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEBRUARY 2020

Razer Tomahawk Gaming Desktop Desktop Computer

Razer has partnered with Intel to create the world’s first truly modular desktop system. The Razer Tomahawk desktop uses Razer’s ultra-compact Tomahawk N1 chassis equipped with an all-aluminium body and tempered glass on both sides to highlight the vertical mounted GPU. The rear of the Tomahawk N1 features a lock-and-slide sled mechanism to easily access the parts. The whole Tomahawk gaming rig features Intel’s NUC 9 Extreme compute element and has a 9th generation Intel Core i9 processor. Other features include 64 GB of DDR4 RAM and support for Nvidia RTX 2080 GPU.

Razer Kishi

Portable controller for Android and iOS With cloud gaming on the horizon and mobile gaming rising, Razer has introduced the Razer Kishi controller for both Android and iOS devices. The Razer Kishi is a universal mobile gaming controller that supports low latency gameplay on either Android or iOS devices. It builds on the compact and ergonomic form of the Razer Junglecat controller for the Razer 2 phone. The Razer Kishi connects to your phone either via the USB-C or Apple Lightning port. It has a pass-through charging port to allow device charging even when in use. The Razer Kishi features a clickable analog controller and thumbstick on both sides. It has a universal fit so you won’t have to worry about finding the right one for your device.

FEBRUARY 2020

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Bosch GO

Cordless Screwdriver Home DIY jobs have never been easier with the second generation of the Bosch GO cordless screwdriver. The Bosch GO now has five levels of torque selection plus a maximum performance mode that tops out at 5 Nm. It has a constant load gear that spins at 360 rpm, plenty for home DIY work. Its 3.6 V battery uses a micro-USB cord to charge. It has 33 screw head/ accessories included right out of the box.

HP ENVY 32 All-in-One PC

The HP ENVY 32 is the newest all-in-one computer from HP. It is made for creators with its 31.5-inch screen sporting HDR-600 and a DCI-P3 98 percent rating. The screen also features an edge-to-edge design leaving it with minimal bezels. The HP ENVY 32 is powered by a 9th Generation Intel Core i7 processor and Nvidia RTX 2080 Max-Q graphics. The ENVY 32 is also the first HP AiO to join Nvidiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RTX Studio program purpose-built for creators. In additional to the powerful processors, HP can also fit the ENVY 32 with up to 32 GB of DDR4 RAM and up to 1TB of SSD storage. The ENVY 32 features next-generation speakers from Bang & Olufsen which can connect to other devices, even when the PC is turned off.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEBRUARY 2020

Bosch GO Cordless Screwdriver Reviewed by Maribelle M. Alba

I like to tinker with stuff and don’t mind getting my hands dirty doing minor repairs, assembling knockdown furniture, or just tightening screws, so when the Bosch GO review unit arrived at the office, I was game for it.

DESIGN The Bosch GO comes in a neat blue plastic case with the Bosch logo boldly embossed on the lid, signaling that this isn’t a tool you will be taking for granted. Inside, the cordless screwdriver is ensconced in a black tray precisely molded to its shape. Beside it is another small case for the accompanying bit set. Lift up the tray and you’ll find the micro-USB charging cable and documentation. The Bosch GO itself is compact, only slightly bigger than an electric toothbrush, but definitely heftier at 310 grams, likely due to the combination of metal, plastic and rubber components, as well as its battery.

HARDWARE At the heart of the Bosch GO is a powerful 360 rpm motor that delivers up to a maximum torque of 5 Nm. To choose the precise torque for a particular task, a manual clutch on the bit holder lets you choose from five torque settings plus the maximum performance mode. On the rubber-insulated handle is the Start button that you press when you want to manually control the screwdriver. Just below that is a toggle switch for Forward/Manual/ Reverse modes when you’re using the automatic start/stop function. There is also an LED battery indicator. It takes about an hour and a half to fully charge the 1.5 Ah lithium-ion battery. I love the accompanying 32-piece bit set which includes flat, Phillips, square, torx, and hex bits of various sizes. There’s also an extender in case you need some additional inches to get to those hard-to-reach screw joints.

USER EXPERIENCE After having tested the Bosch GO, I can safely say that if there was one power tool I absolutely must

FEBRUARY 2020

have, this is it. It’s perfect for those weekend DIY projects like tightening drawer handles, assembling knock-down furniture, etc. Depending on the nature of the task (and just going by the size of the screw), you can manually turn the manual clutch to choose the appropriate gear setting. Put in the appropriate bit on the bit holder, push the toggle switch forward, press down on the screw, and the Bosch GO automatically turns on. To pull out a screw, you push the switch to reverse, press down, and it goes into action. It senses when the bit head and screw are misaligned, stopping automatically. Similarly, as soon as you release pressure on the tool, an electronic brake stops it instantly, for user safety. For more delicate tasks requiring precise control, you set the toggle to the center for Manual mode and press the start button to use the screwdriver. Its size and heft make it fit nicely in the hand, while its ergonomic design and rubber insulation offer a good grip from various positions.

SPECIFICATIONS: • Voltage: 3.6 V • Torque: 5 Nm (hard joint), 2.5 Nm (soft joint) • Speed: 360 rpm • Tool holder: ¼” inter HEX • Maximum screw diamter: 5 mm • Features: electronic brake, smart stop, push start & press button • Mechanical clutch settings: 5 + maximum performance mode • Battery: 1.5 Ah lithium-ion • Charging time: 1.5 hr • Charging port: micro-USB • Dimensions (H x W): 190 mm x 40 mm • Weight: 310 g

What’s Hot: • The entire kit comes in a handy plastic case • Comes with 32 bits in various shapes and sizes

VALUE The Bosch GO is being offered at an introductory price of PHP 1,800 at the official Bosch Store on Lazada, which also lists the regular price at PHP 3,200. If you catch the introductory offer, then you’re in luck as this is definitely one power tool you will appreciate having in your tool box. If you’re too late for the deal, I think shelling out the full price is still worth it, considering the convenience and efficiency the Bosch GO offers.

What’s Not: • None that I can think of

BOTTOMLINE For weekend DIYers, this is a must-have addition to your toolbox.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Lenovo IdeaPad L340 Gaming Reviewed by Gabriel Pe

The market for heavy-hitting budget gaming laptops has risen these past few years. The recent release of Nvidia’s mobile GTX 1600s series GPUs makes sure that these types of laptops can run some of the latest games with ease. The Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming is one of the first laptops from the brand to integrate these new GPUs. Does it live up to its promises?

DESIGN The Lenovo IdeaPad L340 Gaming shares the aesthetics of Lenovo’s other Ideapad laptops, with a sleek metallic finish on the cover and durable plastic in the interior. This laptop isn’t exactly slim, yet is not heavy despite its bulk. Opening the laptop, you’ll be greeted by the 15.6-inch FHD IPS display. You’ll immediately notice the webcam with Lenovo’s webcam cover, a nice touch in my opinion. You’ll also see the backlit keyboard. I like how Lenovo used blue LEDs instead of white, or RGB. It is easy on the eyes but bright enough to be able to work in the dark. If you’re the type of gamer who prioritizes peripherals, you might be disappointed with this laptop. I/O ports are extremely limited. There are two USB 3.1 Type-As, a USB Type-C, the power dock, the RJ45, an audio port, and the HDMI 2.0 port on the left side of the laptop. A lone Kensington lock is found on the right side.

HARDWARE The Lenovo IdeaPad L340 is powered by an Intel Core i5-9300H CPU paired with an Nvidia GTX 1650 with 4 GB of VRAM. The processor duo is perfect for someone who wants to game but can’t commit to heavy gaming. The GTX 1650 can handle any current triple-A title albeit not at max resolution. If, like me, you’re not a picky gamer, then you’ll want this laptop. Our demo unit had 8 GB of DDR4 RAM—not the most in a laptop, but will get you by in most games. Storage-wise, it has 1 TB of HDD which is plenty of space for all the games you’ll want to run on it. If you find memory lacking, the laptop has an extra RAM slot and an M.2 bay for your SSD.

USER EXPERIENCE Right off the bat, the number one thing I liked most about this laptop was the keyboard. It was hands-

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

down one of the best keyboards I’ve used in my life. I was reviewing the laptop during magazine crunch time, yet I still breezed through all my deadlines with ease, not needing any time to get accustomed to it. Thanks to the 2.2 kg weight, I found the laptop portable despite its slightly bulky build. Unlike dedicated gaming laptops, you won’t need to torture yourself with huge power bricks since the 45 Wh battery lasted me half a day of continuous use. This laptop shines particularly in gaming. The duo of the 9th gen Intel Core i5 and Nvidia GTX 1650 gives this machine enough power to run some difficult triple-A titles; though not at the highest resolution. It only managed to average 38 FPS in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey with high resolutions and 31-37 FPS in Witcher 3 with max settings. Other games such as NBA 2K and PlayersUnknown Battleground, meanwhile, had a blast churning out 60 FPS during testing. The best way to experience this laptop is using headphones since the built-in 1.5 W speakers are a bit lacking. You might also need to invest in a USB extender as the L340 only has two USB Type-As. It does have a USB Type-C port in case you want to add Type-C storage.

SPECIFICATIONS: • • • • • • • • • •

Processor: Intel Core i5-9300H @ 2.40 GHz OS: Windows 10 Home Premium Edition Graphics: Nvidia GTX 1650 (4 GB DDR5) RAM: 8 GB DDR4 Internal Storage: 1 TB HDD Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Panel Audio: 2x1.5 W speakers with Dolby Audio Weight: 2.2 kg Dimension: 14.3” x 10.0” x 0.9” Ports: DC Power dock, RJ45, HDMI 2.0, 2x USB 3.1 (Gen 1), Audio port, USB Type-C, Kensington lock

What’s Hot: • Great keyboard • Great battery life • Good graphics • Portable What’s Not: • Bad thermals • Lackluster audio • Few ports

One thing I didn’t like about the L340 was its thermals. The laptop gets noticeably hot during long gaming sessions. If you’re using the laptop in a cool environment such as a freezing office, you won’t notice any performance drop. However, using it in my scorching bedroom gave me FPS drops and thermal throttles like no other.

VALUE Coming in at around PHP 50,000, the Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming is perfect for individuals looking for a versatile all-around laptop that could game.

BOTTOMLINE This laptop is perfect for students who want gaming power yet is versatile enough for other tasks.

FEBRUARY 2020

HP Deskjet Ink Advantage 3776 All-In-One Printer Reviewed by Maribelle M. Alba

I reviewed this exact same model when it was first introduced in 2016. Then, it was billed as the perfect homework aid for young scholars. Over three years later, we’re taking a second look and, this time, assessing its use as a portable multi-function device for on-site needs. DESIGN The HP Deskjet Ink Advantage 3776 is billed as the smallest inkjet all-in-one-printer. Weighing only 2.33 kg, and with its compact form factor, you can actually pop this into your carry on case along with your laptop and other gadgets. Its white plastic body is livened up by a cool mint green accent color on the top surface and the HP livery. A band that runs across the top contains the power button on the left side and the LCD control panel and function buttons on the right. Underneath the band is the paper path with the scanner roller. Two ports are found at the back—one for the power connection, the other a USB port for which you will likely have no use due to the printer’s wireless capability. Also at the back is the vertical paper input tray with a guide and extender. The front panel opens to provide access to the cartridge tray with takes one black and one tricolor (CMY) ink cartridge. Below this is the paper output tray, also with an extender and paper catch.

HARDWARE The most noteworthy technology for the HP Deskjet 3776 is its wireless connectivity. Built-in WiFi 802.11 b/g/n makes it accessible to mobile devices, allowing a direct connection without need to log in to a shared network. Another innovation is the use of a document feeder system for scanning and copying, utilizing a roller to pass the document over a stationary scanner, instead of the bulky flatbed scanner plate and moving scan head mechanism found in most multifunction devices.

it was to set up. I did not even need to connect it physically to a computer, as I just used the HP Allin-One Remote Printer app on my iPad. Following the instructions on the app, configuring the Deskjet 3776 was a breeze. Once you’ve set up the machine, it’s easy to send printing jobs from your mobile devices wirelessly. First page out is a decent 15-seconds for black and 18-seconds for a color print. Considering that this is pretty much an entry level device, print speeds are respectable at 19 ppm for black and 15 ppm for color pages in draft mode, and 8 ppm for black and 5.5 ppm for color prints in laser-comparable mode. Print quality is, as expected, at the HP standard of vivid colors, saturated blacks, and well-defined image edges. Do not expect high-quality scanning or copying from the Deskjet 3776, as maximum optical scan resolution is only 600 dpi, while copy resolution for both black and color are 300 x 300 dpi. Further, the roller technology employed to pass the single page to be scanned/copied means that you can’t lay the page exactly flat on the scan bed. As the page moves through the paper path, there is a tendency to skew along one edge, so it’s hard to get an exact replica of the original document. Also, the document feeder cannot take thick materials like credit cards. For difficult to scan materials, such as pages in a book, or PVC plastic cards, your best option would be to use your smartphone camera to take a photo or use a scanner app, then send the image wirelessly to the Deskjet 3776 for printing.

USER EXPERIENCE For me, one of the best things about the HP Deskjet 3776, in addition to its small footprint, is how easy

But then again, the value of the HP Deskjet 3776 is not in its high print yield, but in its portability. When

FEBRUARY 2020

SPECIFICATIONS: • Printer Type: Thermal Inkjet • Functions: Print, copy, scan • Print Speed (Draft/ISO laser comparable): Black up to 19 ppm / 8 ppm; Color up to 15 ppm / 5.5 ppm • First Page Out: Black 15 sec; Color 18 sec • Duty Cycle: Up to 1,000 pages monthly • Scanner: Single page document feeder • Control Panel: 7 segment + icon LCD • Connectivity: USB 2.0; WiFi 802.11 b/g/n • Paper Tray: 60-sheet input tray; 25-sheet output tray • Ink Cartridges: 1 black + 1 tri-color • Dimensions: 403 x 177 x 141 mm (min) • Weight: 2.33 kg What’s Hot: • Compact • Prints from mobile devices wirelessly What’s Not: • Can only scan/copy single page documents

VALUE The HP Deskjet 3776 is listed with an SRP of PHP 4,875 which, with offers from online sellers, can go down to as low as PHP 4,300 — a very reasonable price point for an all-in-one. An Ink Advantage cartridge costs around PHP 490 each, with a print yield of about 480 pages for the black cartridge and about 150 pages for the tricolor cartridge. When compared to the higher print yields and lower cost of ink tank printers, the per page print cost of the HP Deskjet 3776 is definitely more expensive.

On the printing front, the hardware is pretty basic, utilizing HP’s thermal inkjet technology with two print heads—black and tricolor. The paper feed process is a single, direct pass system from the vertical-oriented 60-sheet input tray at the back, to the horizontal 25-sheet output tray in front.

you’re traveling to a meeting and need to reproduce meeting notes, for example, having your own printer on hand will definitely be cheaper than getting print-outs at the hotel business center.

BOTTOMLINE Need to do instant on-site printing/ copying/scanning at meeting venues or project locations? Pack an HP Deskjet Deskjet 3776! www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Vivo S1 Pro Reviewed by Jewel Sta. Ana

As we welcome a new decade, the hype for quad cameras continues to grow. Vivo has been at the forefront of innovating smartphone features, beginning the craze for in-display fingerprint scanners and picture-perfect front cameras. Gearing up its mid-range smartphones, the brand does an upgrade to the S-series, beefing up its hardware.

DESIGN Compared to its predecessor, the Vivo S1 Pro certainly looks more eye-catching. Its back panel, inspired by fine jewelry, is made from glass and features a diamond-shaped quad camera. It is available in two colors: knight black and fancy sky, with the former as our review unit. There’s a reflective silver Vivo logo, as well as the words camera and music, underneath its camera module. It is matched with a matte metal side frame where the power button, volume rocker, and the hybrid sim tray are located. Up front, the Vivo S1 Pro showcases a display with a waterdrop notch which houses its front camera. The microphone and the 3.5 mm audio jack can be found at the top of the smartphone while the main microphone, USB-C port, and single downward-firing speakers are conveniently placed at the bottom.

HARDWARE One of the highlights of the Vivo S1 Pro is the 6.38-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display which is also present in the Vivo S1. It has a 32-megapixel front camera that captures natural-looking selfies. On its diamond-shaped rear camera module are three lenses: an 8 MP primary, an 8 MP ultrawide, 2 MP depth sensor, and a 2 MP macro. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chipset, it runs on Vivo’s Funtouch OS 9.2, the brand’s own dedicated software based on Android 9 out of the box. Among the upgrades that the S1 Pro offers are its internal storage and RAM, at 128 GB and 8 GB respectively. It now also boasts a USB-C port that supports 18 W Dual Engine Fast Charging technology, filling its 4500 mAh battery within just an hour.

USER EXPERIENCE Marketed as a mid-ranger equipped with rear quad cameras, the Vivo S1 Pro produces decent photos and boasts video shooting capabilities up to 1080p at 30 fps. Subjects appear to be clearer when the 48 MP AI mode is used properly. However, colors seem to be a bit darker

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

compared to its night mode. The smartphone also has an ultra-wide mode that broadens landscapes up to 120-degrees, macro mode for capturing extremely-close subjects, and portrait mode for taking more-enhanced selfies. There are natural and fresh filters under the portrait mode to highlight your best facial features. Even with sub-par scene lighting, the Vivo S1 Pro still manages to shoot good images without compromising color and details. It has several things to improve on the video department though, particularly in stabilization and color reproduction. It has a less obtrusive chin and displays extra punchy graphics and visuals. With up to 430 nits of brightness, using the phone outdoors under bright sunlight is not troublesome. As for performance, the phone can handle multitasking. You’ll have to tweak the settings for average games, though, to play smoothly. Vivo still integrates its iconic in-display fingerprint scanner and its FunTouch OS, the brand’s own UI, based on Android 9. It still bears other productivity features out of the box such as the motorbike mode, Jovi assistant, USB reverse charging, and two-way call recording. Expect solid battery life, thanks to its 4500 mAh battery equipped with 18 W Dual Engine Fast Charging technology. This means that the Vivo S1 Pro now has a USB-C port for data transfer and charging. Seamless gaming is made possible by its fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor mated with 8 GB RAM. To top it off, the phone also gets an upgrade on its internal memory with 128 GB onboard, expandable up to 256 GB via microSD slot.

SPECIFICATIONS: • Display: 6.38-inch FHD+ (2340 x 1080) Super AMOLED display • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 • RAM: 8 GB • Internal storage: 128 GB (expandable up to 256 GB via microSD) • Cameras: 48 MP F1.8 (main) + 8 MP F2.2 (ultrawide) + 2 MP F2.4 macro + 2 MP F2.4 quad-rear cameras, 32 MP F2.0 front camera • Operating system: Funtouch OS 9.2 (based on Android 9) • Other features: 4,500 mAh battery with 18 W Dual Engine Fast Charging, Bluetooth 5.0, in-display fingerprint scanner, Jovi Assistant, IPx2 rating What’s Hot: • Good performance • Solid and elegant design • Impressive camera and battery life What’s Not: • No Corning Gorilla Glass protection • Does not support NFC technology • Not splash-proof

VALUE As the latest addition to the S-series, the Vivo S1 Pro is a value-for-money device that appeals to both millennials and gamers. It combines a Super AMOLED display, larger internal storage, an impressive set of cameras, and efficient battery in one package. If you’re on the lookout for a new smartphone that has flagship-like features, then this one’s a gem.

BOTTOMLINE Charming and dynamic, the Vivo S1 Pro will let you shine bright like a diamond.

FEBRUARY 2020

Konzert KX-400+ Reviewed by Ren Alcantara

Music is as important at home as it is anywhere else you might care to listen to it. Konzert is a solid name in the field of home entertainment, with a long list of products, not the least of which is the KX-400+, a device that takes the mini-component system and updates it for current-generation devices. Does it have enough features to keep up, or does it get left behind?

DESIGN The audio system doesn’t take too many risks in the design department. The main unit is done in a simple black, with a massive port for the subwoofer up front. To spice things up slightly, the front panel is illuminated, and can be set to flash with the music, if that’s your kind of thing. The left, right, and center speakers are tall and narrow, which, when turned sideways, allows them to fit easily in shelving. Controls are available right on the front panel, giving you easy access to commonly used features, including a massive volume wheel for turning the jams up without fumbling. Overall, it’s not a bad-looking system, and would fit nicely in a spot in the living room.

HARDWARE There is more to this device than just a 3.1-channel audio system. The Konzert KX-400+ also has Bluetooth connectivity, for wireless audio convenience, and playback from USB drives and SD cards. These are, of course, on top of wired connectivity, and an FM radio. Bluetooth in particular is a great addition, allowing you to use your phone and a streaming service to provide the tunes. If you’re looking for numbers, the system has an 8-inch subwoofer and three, 3-inch satellite speakers. The system also comes with a remote control that gives the user access to more features, including selecting the input source, sound mode, and picking the radio station. The back has auxiliary inputs for external audio sources, and since the unit is quite light, accessing the rear isn’t an issue, even when the system has ben set in place.

USER EXPERIENCE The Konzert KX-400+ isn’t a bad little audio system. It’s styled more or less like the minicomponent systems of the ‘90s, but with a decidedly more modern look, and just like the

FEBRUARY 2020

older systems of the past, setting it up couldn’t have been easier. Once everything was freed from their individual plastic wrap, it was three cables, power, and that was it. With the satellites and the main unit in place, I plugged it into the wall, flipped the master switch on the back, and everything was live. As expected, there was plenty of volume available from all the satellites, and lots of low-end boom from the large subwoofer. This audio system does have a little more low end than I personally like, which drowns out the more delicate mids in vocal performances. If you’re all about the bass though, you’ll be very pleased. Next we tried connecting a phone via Bluetooth. This was entirely painless, taking all of half a minute. Once pairing was successful, we were immediately able to stream music from our test phone with no problems at all. It wasn’t plagued with the skipping and stuttering that can sometimes be a problem with devices connected via Bluetooth, though there was a bit of a delay between audio and video when we attempted to stream a few TV shows. A thing we noticed, though, was when selecting different modes, the voice prompt indicating the selected mode was significantly louder than the music volume. This can be a little startling when cycling through sources since you aren’t really expecting quite such a loud voice to come on.

does the job solidly, and at a price that can’t be beat.

SPECIFICATIONS: • • • • • • • •

Peak power: 4000 W Connectivity: USB/SD, FM, AM, Bluetooth 8-inch subwoofer 3-inch satellite speakers Max Power: 4000 W PMPO Power Rating: AC220V~60Hz Power Consumption: 80 W 3 channel amplifier

What’s Hot: • 3.1-channel system • Bluetooth connectivity • Simple to use

What’s Not: • Fairly basic feature set • Over-enthusiastic bass

Aside from that small concern, there wasn’t really anything to complain about. Is it going to be a replacement for a high-end audio system? No, of course not, but that’s not what it’s meant to be.

VALUE There are a few things going for the KX-400+, not the least of which is the price. At a mere PHP 3,999, you get an exceedingly capable little audio system with broad compatibility thanks to Bluetooth, with greater output than any single battery-powered wireless speaker. It might not have the bells and whistles of more expensive systems from other brands, but it

BOTTOMLINE If you don’t need anything fancy, drop down the cash for this, and you’ll have all you need, and money to spare.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

EPSON M3170 4-in-1 Multi-Function Printer Reviewed by Gabriel Pe

I’m going to be honest here. I dread printers. These machines are a hassle setting up, and based on my previous experiences, printer setups usually mean ink spills and a lot of software installations on my laptop. WIth its non-spill ink refills and Ecotank system, the EPSON ET-M3170 is a 4-in-1 Multi-Function Printer (MFP) capable of printing, copying, scanning, and fax with an automatic document feeder. But does it fix my printer issues? DESIGN The Epson M3170 is pretty straightforward in terms of design. It has two levels. The top houses the flatbed scanner, LCD controls, and the autodocument feeder. The bottom has the main printer, cassette/paper tray, and the ink system. At the rear are the power input, the USB input, and the ethernet port. Despite having so many functions and features, the Epson M3170 is surprisingly compact. It has dimensions of 375 mm x 347 mm x 346 mm (or 14.8-inch x 13.7-inch x 13.6-inch if you’re wondering), just slightly bigger than your average microwave oven, and compact enough to be placed on an office desk. If your office is somehow always moving stuff around, the M3170 won’t be a problem. It only weighs about 7.3 kg, light enough for most adults to carry.

HARDWARE The Epson M3170 has EPSON’s PrecisionCore technology which allows ultrafast printing of up to 20 images per minute, or up to 39 pages per minute. The technology also allows for clear and crisp prints (1200 x 2400 dpi) almost as if you were printing on a laser printer. In addition, this MFP has the brand’s Ecotank system which allows an easy and no-spill ink refill.

successfully set it up to my laptop via USB. Thanks to plug-and-play technology, there was no need to download additional software or drivers to make the printer work. The 2.4-inch LCD control was heaven, displaying the setup steps one-by-one. Now for the fun part, using the printer was extremely satisfying, especially the copy function. Copying documents was easy. Just set the printer to copy and press the start button, and within a couple of seconds, you got a print-out. Printing, on the other hand, was pretty straight forward. Select the document you want to print and press the print button on your computer. If you’re wondering about print quality, I can attest that the M3170 is superb. As advertised, the M3170 produces laser-printer quality print. There was no smudging even if the print was immediately taken out of the printer. The same can be said about the copy results, even when copying images. Epson also includes a high capacity bottle of Epson Ink for each printer. These bottles are rated for 6000 pages. After printing about a hundred documents (the calibration included), we didn’t even halve the tank. I am also happy to note that during our testing there were no instances of paper jamming and other print errors. But if you encounter one, jams can easily be accessed via the second opening above the paper tray.

The flatbed scanner on top can produce a scanned image with a maximum optical resolution of 1200 x 2400 dpi and scales that down to 600 x 600 dpi when copying documents. Copying speed is at 17 ipm for ISO A4. Scanning takes about 12 seconds for monochrome and 27 seconds for colored images.

What disappointed me though was the need for the Epson app to scan and fax documents. I know that this is nitpicking, but the standard scan app from Windows should have been sufficient.

The M3170 has a maximum paper size of 215.9 x 1200 mm or 8.5-inch x 47.24-inch, enough for most office use. The paper tray on the base of the printer has a capacity of 250 sheets for A4 at 80 g/m2. The ADF on top has a maximum capacity of 35 A4 size sheets.

The price is where the M3170 has a bit of a concern. Currently, the printer is priced above PHP 16,000, which is asking a lot. But if you have the budget, I’m sure that this printer is worth every peso.

USER EXPERIENCE The Epson M3170 might be the cure for my printer problems. Even without the manual, I was able to

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

VALUE

SPECIFICATIONS: • Functions: Print, Scan, Copy, Fax with ADF • Print Speed: draft text up to 39 ppm, ISO up to 20 ipm, duplex up to 9 ipm • Ink colors: Monochrome • Print Technology: Epson PrecisionCore Printhead • Print Resolution: 1200 x 2400 dpi • Copy Speed: ISO up to 17 ipm • Copy Resolution: Max 600 x 600 dpi • Copy Size: Max A4, Letter; Legal (ADF) • Scan Resolution: up to 1200 x 2400 dpi (optical) • Scan Speed (at 200 dpi): Monochrome 7 ipm/ 12 sec., Color 7 ipm/ 27 sec. • Scan Size: 216 mm x 297 mm (max) • ADF Supported Paper Thickness: 64 to 95 g/m2 • ADF Paper Capacity: Up to 35 sheets (A4) • Paper handling input: Cassette 1: 250 sheets A4/ Letter 80 g/m2; 10 sheets envelope; Rear slot: 1 Sheet A4 paper • Paper handling output: Up to 100 sheets • Maximum Paper size: 215.9 x 1200 mm (8.5 x 47.24”) • Control Panel: 2.4-inch LCD Touchscreen • Connectivity: WiFi, USB 2.0, Ethernet, WiFi Direct, Epson Connect, Apple Airplay, Google Cloud Print, Morpria Print Service • Dimension: 375 mm x 347 mm x 346 mm • Weight: 7.3 kg What’s Hot: • Compact • Wi-Fi capable • User-friendly

• Easy setup • Easy refill

What’s Not: • Pricey • Need Epson Connect to scan and fax via USB connection • Prints only in monochrome

BOTTOMLINE The Epson M3170 is a perfect multifunction printer for an office that needs a heavy-duty yet compact printer. FEBRUARY 2020

Lenovo IdeaCentre A540 Reviewed by Jewel Sta. Ana

Due to their portability, laptops have become the preferred device for consumers and office workers. You can toss it easily in your bag to wherever your duty calls you. However, content creators need a device with a bigger screen display, powerful processor, and capable video card for rendering digital artworks and videos seamlessly. Our friends from Lenovo sent us one of their latest all-in-one PCs designed for the workforce and creatives. Does it meet our expectations? Let’s find out.

DESIGN With a minimalist design, the Lenovo IdeaCentre A540 comes in an elegant, matte black body with a tasteful rose gold accents. Its 23.8-inch monitor has narrow side bezels, making this all-in-one PC more distinctive than its older siblings. Its asymmetrical design allows more room for its bundled peripherals, making it an eye-catching piece that could blend well with the monochromatic interiors of your home or office. Lenovo’s iconic logo in rose gold can be seen on its base beside the speaker grille. Ports for the two USB 2.0, an audio jack, and a three-in-one memory card reader are all lined up on the left side while three USB 3.1, HDMI input and output, and RJ45 ports are strategically placed at the back.

HARDWARE In terms of hardware, the Lenovo IdeaCentre A540 does not disappoint. The AiO PC has the 9th generation Intel Core i7 processor under its premium-looking outer shell. It is mated with an 8 GB RAM and a 1 TB M.2 PCle SSD as its internal storage, making its boot up much faster. It runs on Windows 10 Home, gets AMD Radeon RX 540X as its discrete GPU, and a slide-up camera that supports facial unlock via Windows Hello. To make it more immersive, it is equipped with a 23.8-inch FHD display that has1920 x 1080 resolution. Below are its front-firing JBL speakers powered by Dolby Audio. The power DC port is placed behind the base where the wireless charging pad is located. It also comes with a wireless keyboard and mouse, both in elegant black.

USER EXPERIENCE When it comes to screen size, the Lenovo IdeaCentre A540 is a stunner. Its 23.8-inch FHD

FEBRUARY 2020

display has skinny bezels which bump the screen-to-body ratio up to 93 percent, hence the sliding camera. Should you want to adjust the viewing angle, you may tilt the monitor up and down to almost 180-degrees. The monitor delivers punchy colors, although the resolution might change when streaming digital content. And since it bears JBL speakers accompanied by Dolby Audio, sound quality is loud yet crisp. The audio is solid even at maximum volume. Through Windows Hello, you can unlock the AiO PC with facial unlock. It doesn’t run out of ports for peripherals and storage devices since it has two hubs for USB 3.1 and USB 2.0, respectively. The built-in charging pad also adds convenience for users who have mobile devices that support fast, wireless charging. Ideal for office use, the latest IdeaCentre is capable of running basic creative software like Photoshop, without lag, and is good for multi-tasking. This is courtesy of its 8 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD that provides more space to store important files. The bundled mouse fits comfortably in your hand, granting users more control. Its tactile keyboard eliminates noise and improves accuracy when typing.

SPECIFICATIONS: • • • • • • •

Processor: Intel Core i7-9700T Operating System: Windows 10 Home GPU: AMD Radeon RX 540X Display: 23.8-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS panel RAM: 8 GB RAM Internal storage: 1 TB M.2 PCle SSD Ports: 2 x USB 2.0, 2 x USB 3.1 (Type A and Gen 1), 3-in-1 card reader (SD, SDHC, SDXC), 1x HDMI (input and output), 1 x RJ45, 1 x headphone and mic combo, 1 x Power DC • Features: JBL by Harman speakers (powered with Dolby Audio), slide-up camera (supports facial unlock via Windows Hello), Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, and built-in wireless charging pad What’s Hot: • Fast-charging wireless pad • Neat hardware • Superb audio speakers What’s Not: • Underwhelming webcam quality

VALUE Priced at PHP 74,995, the latest iteration of IdeaCentre from Lenovo is a capable workstation for freelancers and corporate people. It is more compact than the gigantic CPUs while providing the same power and flexibility. It’s a sleek and stylish PC that does not compromise on hardware. Sure, it might not be the best in certain aspects, but it’s a good option for those who want to upgrade their everyday workhorse.

BOTTOMLINE An eye-catching workstation that motivates productivity.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

COVER STORY

TECH 101

Given the pace at which technology progresses, coming across things that might need a little extra work to comprehend is ok. In this month’s CoverStory, we take a look at some of the newest tech to hit the scene, and try to explain just how it is they work. From gaming, to cars, and video streaming, we’re breaking things down so you have a better idea of what’s going on. Get ready to take some notes, class is now in session.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEBRUARY 2020

The Lowdown On Hybrids

Words by Ren Alcanatara

Climate change is well and truly upon us. More than just freak mood swings of our home planet, this is a real and actual problem that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all called on to try and address. As individuals, there are a lot of things we can do to stem the spiral into planetary destructionâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;small everyday things that will cumulatively have a positive impact on how our planet fares. We can waste less food, have fewer children, fly less, and use less fuel. The last one is something that hits hard, particularly here in a country where terrible traffic leads to insane fuel consumption and fuel costs. One of the ways we can achieve this last goal, is to use better, less wasteful automobiles. This is where hybrids come in. Before you make the jump into hybrids, it would be good to educate yourself as to what they are, how they work, and what they mean for you, the everyday driver or passenger.

FEBRUARY 2020

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

What’s a Hybrid? While most of the vehicles on the road right now solely use internal combustion to generate the energy required to get itself and its passengers from point A to point B, hybrid cars have two (or more) means of getting moving. Today, this is typically electric motors, and batteries to store the energy necessary to power said motors. While similar, electric vehicles, such as those by Tesla, Nissan, and other manufacturers, don’t qualify as hybrids, as they rely solely on electricity stored in batteries to get going. The world of hybrid vehicles is quite broad, but for the purposes of this explanation, we’ll go into electric hybrids, which are currently available in the local market. There are two types of electric hybrids available to consumers today. The first is the full hybrid, which can run solely using its electric motors, or solely on internal combustion. These vehicles are notable for having electric motors of sufficient power to move the vehicle, and large enough battery banks to sustain electric propulsion for a practical range. The second is the mild hybrid. These don’t quite have the power to run without burning fuel, though the electric system does provide a boost, easing the load on the engine, and storing energy that would otherwise be lost. These might not deliver the same savings as full hybrids, but still have theoretically better fuel numbers than an equivalent non-hybrid counterpart.

essentially a wall socket. Not all hybrid vehicles offer this as an option, but it does exist. These tend to have greater all-electric range than other hybrids, and offer a lot of the advantages of pure electric, without the dependence on charging stations. A second source of power for charging the batteries, is the internal combustion engine itself. Vehicles can have a secondary generator to charge the batteries, or use spare engine power to top the batteries up. The most elegant and clever way hybrid batteries get a boost is through regenerative braking. This takes the electric motor (or motors, as the case may be) and turns them into generators when braking, taking the energy of the moving car, and turning it into energy. Basically, the motors turn into dynamos, charging the batteries while slowing the vehicle down. Hybrids typically use some combination of those systems to keep batteries running, and since you have a fully-functional IC engine under the hood, you don’t really have to worry about running out of power anyway. What are the disadvantages? It’s not all rainbows and unicorns when it comes to hybrids. There are a few concerns that have to

be considered, not the least of which is a more complicated vehicle on the whole. There are a lot of systems that have to work in concert to get the thing moving. Greater complexity means an increased chance of something going wrong, though a good brand with good service should mitigate that somewhat. Another thing that goes hand-in-hand with complexity is cost. Even with the fuel savings delivered by a hybrid vehicle, the math still puts it as more expensive than a pure IC model of the same, or similar vehicle. If absolute savings are what you’re after, the numbers aren’t quite there for the hybrid yet. Still, climate change, so. There’s also the matter of overall environmental impact. Batteries have a lifespan, and need to be replaced. The impact of improperly disposing of these cells can be as bad, if not worse, as burning fuel. Part of the responsibility of owning a hybrid has to be proper reuse, recycling, and disposal of spent cells. Most manufacturers have systems in place to make sure that is taken care of properly, and it is up to the consumer to make sure they follow those processes. In any case, with better and better hybrids coming out, the benefits are quickly overtaking the shortcomings. Manufacturers are making strong cases for the hybrid, and it’s certainly something that we, the consumers, should strongly consider.

Both mild and full hybrids are in production now, with more and more manufacturers releasing models every year. How do they work? In a nutshell, hybrids take an electric motor (or motors), a battery bank, and a conventional gas or diesel engine, and bring them together to give better mileage on your drive. Full hybrids have the option to run solely on battery power depending on driving conditions, and in doing so dropping fuel consumption down to zero. Both mild and full hybrids also use power stored in the battery banks to assist the internal combustion (IC) engine during hard acceleration, and to decrease fuel consumption in regular driving. Both allow secondary systems to run on electric power when the engine isn’t running, and they can use electric power when coasting or stopped. The astute among you might be wondering where the power to charge the batteries comes from. That’s a totally valid question. There are a few ways hybrids recharge their batteries. The first, and simplest to understand is a method employed by plug-in hybrids. As the name implies, these kinds of vehicles have batteries that can be recharged by power from the electric grid—

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEBRUARY 2020

GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM

Words by Jewel Sta.Ana

Subscribing to video streaming platforms is just one of the numerous ways to de-stress in this fast-paced world. Giving people instant access to various genres online, these digital media platforms give access to massive amounts of content globally. With just one tap, you can travel from one amazing world to another, even if outside the comfort of your home. And with its growing traction, video streaming has certainly revolutionized the local media landscape. Despite its massive popularity and many subscribers, even tech-native millennials, do not know the technology behind these popular video streaming apps.

FEBRUARY 2020

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

From analog to digital The roots of media streaming can be traced back as far as 1991, with Starlight Networks and RealNetworks being pioneers for video and audio streaming. The term itself was used to describe video-on-demand and later, live video simulcast on IP networks. Specifically used for broadcasting, the concept aimed to break geographical limitations by news and sports events over the Internet. Further developments in video and audio streaming make it more accessible to consumers, paving the way for discovery of cable television, which used analog signals for broadcasting exclusive and pay-per-view shows to its subscribers. As the world went digital, the media industry needed to keep up with advancements. Television networks in the United States began the big transition from analog to digital broadcasting seven years ago, a system also adapted by other countries including the Philippines, in accordance with the mandate of the National Telecommunications Commission. This meant a drastic change in media consumption, leading to the creation of the platforms that we’re currently familiar with.

predict the media consumption of their users. This explains the algorithm behind the suggested videos that might appear on the user’s dashboard. Netflix, an American media service provider, has the most diverse lineup of content internationally, including the ones they have produced, co-produced, and distributed exclusively. Partnering with top TV networks, it has the greatest audience globally, enabling its subscribers to connect multiple devices to one account. For Marvel and Star Wars fans, there’s Disney+ which is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company. It’s also home to all Disney and Pixar movies, as well as shows from National Geographic. Apple TV and Amazon Prime, while subsidiaries of tech companies, play a mix of original content and licensed acquisitions from various TV networks and production houses. For a quick fix of Korean and Japanese dramas, there’s Viu. To keep up with

the changing times, giant cable networks such as HBO, NBC, and Fox have ventured into streaming by launching their respective mobile platforms and adding exclusive features that fans can enjoy. The Philippines’ ABS-CBN followed this structure with IWant, allowing users to watch live video streaming and on-demand content from the network. To earn millions in revenue and produce their own content, most of the platforms accept advertising placements. The case is different for networkowned platforms who have more control over their shows. Most generate their earnings from charging their subscribers, and through royalties from distributing a limited number of programs and films to other competitors. Making their platforms more interactive, these digital media providers allow their subscribers the freedom to voice out their requested titles.

How it works In a nutshell, video streaming is defined as the continuous transmission of digital content from a big server, to the client through an Internetconnected device. From the moment you tap the play button to watch content on your smartphone, that’s already called streaming. In the case of Netflix, it sends and stores catalogs of TV programs and films through a Content Delivery Network (CDN), a large and geographically distributed network of proxy servers. With a massive amount of data, these servers break down the files into tiny data packets interpreted as high-quality videos when transmitted to supported devices. Enjoying digital content relies on the speed and stability of the WiFi connection, as well as device compatibility. Some streaming media players take time to load a few seconds at a time, called buffering. This process ensures a seamless and continuous play of videos. However, if a network has to deal with a great deal of latency, or has a slow connection, it can take a long time to buffer. Current media landscape Cheaper than cable television, these online streaming services grant cinephiles more mobility and options. Platforms differ in the library of content they offer, unique features such as offline viewing, as well as subscription plans. The availability of shows and movies is mainly anchored on the demand of the audience in a specific region. Some also integrate machine learning into their mobile app to learn and

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEBRUARY 2020

Cloud Gaming: Gaming without borders

Words by Gabriel Pe

The fast-paced world of gaming is often criticized as having a very steep barrier to entry. As games get better and better, the hardware necessary to make them run well must likewise increase in capability, and as a consequence, cost. This means spending more and, more money to upgrade your computer to run games competitively. But what if there was a solution where gamers donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need high-powered rigs? That solution might be here in the form of cloud gaming.

FEBRUARY 2020

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

What is Cloud Gaming Cloud gaming has gained mainstream traction over the last few years, with Google, Microsoft, and Nvidia each announcing their own cloud gaming platforms. But first, what exactly is cloud gaming? Cloud, or remote gaming, is basically streaming games over the Internet. It’s something like Netflix or Spotify but for video games. The technology has been around for a while with demos performed on since the beginning of the century. There have been a lot of small start-up companies that have experimented with the concept. These experiments were conducted via Wi-Fi and were a successful proof of concept that you could play games without any wired connection to the Internet. Further tweaks showed that you could, in fact, play whole games saved on different a device with a connection to the network. It’s not just streaming the files so the game can be executed on your local device. It’s running the game on a remote device, and having the user play on a separate device in an entirely different location. Google Stadia, Microsoft xCloud, Nvidia GeForce Now, Playstation Now, and Steam Link Despite its long unnoticed history, cloud gaming only gained traction in mainstream consciousness recently because of new players being involved in its development. Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, Sony, and Steam have all announced their plans for their own Cloud Gaming platforms. Sony’s Playstation Now platform has been active since 2014. The cloud gaming platform was made for the PS4 so users can play previous generation games available in Sony’s vast online library.

receiving device. These inputs are received by the server, a corresponding response is given based on that input, and the user sees those inputs make things happen on their end. Current games take the load off their servers by locally storing some of the game information such as maps and base character models. That is why when you have a bad internet connection your game character sometimes loses all their cosmetics. Cloud Gaming takes this to the next level by storing all the information in the cloud server. This means that there is no local data saved in your device, which frees up resources. The downside is that you’ll need a particularly robust Internet connection to run the game at maximum settings. How it will impact the gaming industry Cloud gaming hasn’t reached its full potential. Critics and tech journalists have pointed out the grim fate of Google Stadia which failed to deliver on its promise, at least in the US trial launch. Initial reviews showed that even with a great Internet connection, latency to the server is still a major issue. But the Stadia is also a proof of concept that there can be a massive server that could run games. Right now the gaming world is holding its breath in anticipation of Microsoft’s xCloud and how it would fare in a real-life scenario. Cloud Gaming is still in its infancy stage, but the future is bright. And with the imminent arrival of 5G, with a promise of hundred-gigabit connection, speed and latency issues might soon become a thing of the past.

Valve has been working on remote playing for the last couple of years. Back in 2017, Valve enabled remote gaming on Steam, allowing users to stream games over their home network. Nvidia, on the other hand, launched their own remote gaming software GeForce Now in 2015 to allow players access to games across different rigs. It was the announcement of Google Stadia and Microsoft’s Project xCloud during last year’s E3, that the race to perfect Cloud Gaming really started to heat up. Google came first with the limited launch of Stadia last November 2019 with Microsoft yet to officially launch its platform. How does Cloud Gaming work? Cloud gaming generally works like other streaming services. Your machine takes encoded data from a server via the Internet and decodes it locally on your computer or device. Regular streaming is a one-way process wherein your device only asks for data from the provider’s servers, and upon receipt, their client decodes it for you. But games involve interactions which means that there’s also input coming from the

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEBRUARY 2020

Words by Gabriel Pe and Jewel Sta. Ana | Photos by Jezeil Romero

he University Belt, an area in Manila where clusters of academic institutions stand, is home to many storied names in Philippine education such as Far Eastern University (FEU). An Asia Pacific Heritage Awardee for Cultural Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Morayta-based university is not only famous for its historical art deco buildings and patriotic emblems, but also recognized as among the best schools in the country.

The green and gold university Founded by Dr. Nicanor Reyes, Sr. with the help of a group of educators in 1928, Far Eastern University began life as the Institute of Accountancy that offered a three-year program designed to meet the minimum requirements for the certified public accountant examination. It later became FEU with the merger of the Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance (IABF) with Far Eastern College. It initially offered courses in liberal arts and business, such as accountancy, economics, banking and finance, and business management. To accommodate the growing number of students and to keep up with changing times, the university undertook a massive expansion, and broadened the lineup of undergraduate programs to fine arts and architecture, education, tourism, hotel management, and medicine. Elevating the level of academic excellence, it also established graduate programs for working professionals. From its main campus located in Nicanor Reyes Street (formerly known as Morayta), the school has now grown into a conglomerate with various affiliates in the field of education. The FEU Group of Schools is composed of FEU Manila, FEU Diliman, FEU Cavite, FEU Makati, FEU Alabang, FEU High School, FEU Roosevelt, and FEU Institute of Technology.

The Innovation Center is located at the Engenering Building of FEU Manila

STEM-centered university FEU Institute of Technology (FEU Tech) serves as the center for engineering and information technology programs of the FEU Group of Schools. Established to address the growing demand for talent in the IT industry, the technology education powerhouse has been identified as a Center of Development in Information Technology. Among its courses are computer science, entertainment and multimedia computing, information technology, animation and game development, web and mobile application development, digital arts, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, electronics engineering, and manufacturing engineering.

FEBRUARY 2020

Discussion and conference rooms can be found at the Innovation Center

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEU Tech nurtures the holistic growth of students through co-curricular programs

Students participating in the Design Thinking activity

The Innovation Center and FEU’s push to the future As technology continues to develop, so does the university’s desire to keep up and harness it for its students. This year, the school plans to launch several technopreneurial programs for computer sciences and engineering students, as well as graduate programs for individuals who want to pursue further studies in the complex tech industry. “By March, we’ll be launching an incubation program specifically for students. We are also incorporating technopreneurship into the curriculum,” said Rolan Marco Garcia, FEU Tech Director for Innovations and Entrepreneurship. Part of achieving that goal is the establishment of FEU Tech’s Innovation Center. This 1200-square meter facility is located on the fifth floor of FEU

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Manila’s Engineering Building which caters to students from both FEU Tech and FEU Manila. The Innovation Center will be home to different labs and discussion rooms which can be used by students, faculty, and alumni as their base of operations as they build their tech startups. “This will be their office space which will be sponsored by the school. And we’re also launching a program that will attract industry members, people who are successful in business, to be part of our ecosystem, in this center. The students will be able to access grants, engage with venture capitalists and angel investors, and seek the guidance of mentors from the industry,” said Garcia. Still, the ultimate goal for Garcia and the rest of FEU in handling the Innovation Center is to create

the next big thing in the tech industry—to propel a tech start-up that would not only survive but also turn the university into a technology hub and center in the country. “Our focus will be on how to teach the students to become real innovators. We personally think that those are vanity metrics. Those are things that we’ve been practicing for the last 10 years, but we’re really aiming to innovate the education landscape.” “Imagine if you can produce another Facebook, Grab, or Uber from the University. Don’t you think that would be a very good solution for a developing country? I think it is. FEU students can expect to be part of that wave of creating the next technology startups, which will be the biggest, possibly in ASEAN first and then globally,” he adds.

FEBRUARY 2020

he Technological Institute of the Philippines (T.I.P.), one of the country’s leading engineering and technology higher education institutions, has progressively embarked on a new thrust over the past few years—one geared towards Student Technopreneurship and Industry-Academe Collaborative Applied Research. Collectively called T.I.P. TechnoCoRe, this institutional direction is T.I.P.’s commitment towards nation-building. On top of conducting academic research, TechnoCoRe engages T.I.P. students, faculty, and researchers in experiential applied research endeavors conducted in partnership with Philippine Industries.

The aim? Create solutions for the day-to-day problems of Philippine society and industries.

The T.I.P. High-Performance Computing Server is for data analytics, 3D rendering, and deep learning purposes.

The T.I.P. TechnoCoRe Digital Printing and Fabrication Workshop for 3D printing, 3D scanning, digital laser material processing, large format printing, and vinyl cutting/plotting purposes.

The T.I.P. TechnoCoRe Metalworking and Fabrication Workshop for CNC precision machining, metal parts fabrication, metal prototyping, welding and fabrication, and advanced CAD/ CAM purposes.

The T.I.P. TechnoCoRe PCB Rapid Prototyping Workshop is ESD-protected for PCB fabrication, assembly, and testing purposes.

“With every problem that we work on with stakeholders such as communities, local governments, civic organizations, and companies, we are able to chip away at the things that hinder this country from moving forward,” explains T.I.P. senior vice president and TechnoCoRe founder Angelo Q. Lahoz. Technopreneurship for Students Technopreneurship is defined as possessing entrepreneurial skills exercised and developed in a technology-intensive environment. It is an industry-desired quality, which may be attained by training students in four core skills: Problem-Opportunity Identification, Ideation, Market Validation, and Execution. These technopreneurial core skills are essential for disruptive innovation that can help companies solve problems, create new markets, and overtake existing markets. T.I.P.’s partners are able to provide more affordable and useful products and services in a highly globalized and competitive world. When effectively learned through experience, these skills enable T.I.P. engineering and technology graduates to be technopreneurs, as well as to be highly valuable contributors to any industry. Collaborative Applied Research for Faculty Members Hand in hand with T.I.P. Student Technopreneurship is the integration of Collaborative Applied Research by T.I.P. faculty members and researchers. T.I.P. actively partners with industry companies, civic organizations, and government units to help them address their business problems or augment their innovation endeavors. This provides a concrete environment wherein T.I.P. faculty members can master the core technopreneurship skills, work on real-life industry problems by utilizing their expertise, and come up with realistic solutions through research. Although T.I.P. Collaborative Applied Research is primarily for faculty members, select students are involved in projects as well. They are given the opportunity to work on real-life industry problems and contextualize and understand theoretical 36

FEBRUARY 2020

learnings beyond the confines of classrooms and traditional laboratories. In this experiential learning environment, they are transformed into highly competent engineering and technology graduates truly ready for industry employment.

this, industry partners are able to identify key hires who are already familiar with the company’s work culture and R&D thrusts.

A Winning Proposition to Industry

T.I.P.’s commitment to TechnoCoRe includes the whole institution’s participation and support, ensuring long-term, sustainable value creation for all stakeholders involved.

A unique opportunity awaits companies that actively engage T.I.P. in partnerships, as they are provided an eager ally from the academe working with them towards their strategic business growth. By engaging T.I.P., companies are able to undertake high-quality research and innovation endeavors without diverting their existing manpower, equipment, and resources. Company representatives who serve as their liaison to T.I.P also gain valuable R&D experience. Their critical thinking, design thinking, and problem-solving skills are enhanced becauseof the systematic approach applied in research and other collaborative projects. Better yet, T.I.P. TechnoCoRe provides a months-long application process for potential employees. Unlike conventional job interviews, companies are able to work closely with the best, handpicked T.I.P. students who are naturally inquisitive and have the time and desire to solve real-life industry problems. Through

What sets T.I.P. TechnoCoRe apart from the others

As further testament to T.I.P.’s commitment to TechnoCoRe, the institution has recently opened the TechnoCoRe building, a seven-floor innovation hub housing its state of the art engineering and computing fabrication workshops, incubator spaces, as well as new engineering laboratories and computer classrooms. From the old model where individuals from industry interface only with individuals in the academe, the new T.I.P. TechnoCoRe model allows individuals and whole departments and whole companies to tap into the integrated expertise and resources of the whole T.I.P. Community. This institutional thrust along technopreneurship and collaborative applied research is what sets T.I.P. TechnoCoRe apart from the others. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

PHOTO FEATURE

MOLDING THE BRILLIANT MINDS OF THE FUTURE Living in an era of great discoveries can be overwhelming. Seeing people who have been chasing their dreams smoothly may put others, who are still finding their way to greatness, under massive pressure. But as captains of our own ships, we should always remember that we have different paths and timelines to follow. Perseverance and passion should always be sprinkled with knowledge and competent skills to be minted as bright creators of the future. But as the famous Ted Mosby said, we know that some things, including education, have endings. However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy the ride.

Branches: SM Megamall, SM Makati. SM City Cebu, SM City North EDSA, SM Mall of Asia, SM Lanang Premier, SM Aura Premier, SM City Fairview, SM City Clark, SM Southmall, SM Seaside City Cebu, SM City Iloilo, SM City Bacolod, Robinson’s Magnolia, and SM CDO Downtown Premier

FEBRUARY 2020

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

ART DIRECTION BY Jezeil Romero PHOTOGRAPHY BY Raphael Yu HAIR AND MAKE-UP BY Ayra Salvador STYLING BY Paula Candoy ASSISTED BY Chini Yu Soriano

Jerico Lutrania Jewel Sta. Ana Gabriel Pe

MODEL Carolina Thomas

of Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Folio Management

COVER CREDITS

Knit Top by FOREVER21

French Terry Tour Graphic Pullover and Woven Pants by FOREVER21

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEBRUARY 2020

Button-Down Knit Shirt and Houndstooth Mini Skirt by FOREVER21

LENOVO YOGA SLIM 7 Smarter than ever

REALME BUDS AIR True wireless earphones that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t break a bank

FEBRUARY 2020

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

SAMSUNG Q950TS The best 8K QLED TV yet

VIVO NEX 3

Charcoal Sweater by FOREVER21

See the future beyond edges

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEBRUARY 2020

CAROLINA THOMAS:

LEARNING WHILE TRAVELING Interviewed by Gabriel Pe Carolina Thomas is not your average model. At 25 years old, Carolina still continues to learn even as she pursues her passion for modeling. This bubbly Brazilian model may have it all, yet she doesn’t plan to stop there. Her two years of modeling have brought her to different places around the world. She has been to Turkey, Lebanon, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, before finding herself on Philippine soil. Prior to modeling, Carolina was a university student studying International Relations. She put aside her studies to pursue an opportunity to be a model. As fate would have it, her course would help her traverse the complicated path of international modeling. “Traveling helped me a lot with that because you know my course is about cultures and negotiations and you deal with different kinds of people,” she said. Even though still unfinished in her course, Carolina sees education as one of the most important things in life. “Education is everything you can have in your life. You know if you don’t search for information, for knowledge, you’re nothing. Everything you learn can change and make who you are. So learn stuff.”

Basic White Top, Shawl Collar Open-Front Blazer and Striped Pants by FOREVER 21

Traveling for almost two years now, Carolina notes that her travels have taught has more about life than the time she spent in class. “You learn to understand people, different cultures, how they think, and how they deal, and how they manage things. That way, you get more wisdom,” she said excitedly.

Even in her free time, Carolina tries to continue learning. She spends most of her free time trying to learn new hobbies, and the culture and language of the place she’s visiting. As for the future, Carolina says that she plans to finish her degree this year. She hopes to return home in July and August to finish her last requirements. While she’s still not sure whether to pursue a career related to her course, she wants to finish her degree. “It depends, because I love my course, and I love what I studied, but I don’t know if I’m gonna work with that. And sometimes when you’re too young, you start university and you don’t know what you like. So for me, traveling changed me a lot and I will finish because it is almost done, and I will use that, wherever I go, whatever job I will take,” she said.

FEBRUARY 2020

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

MOBILITY

Subaru Levorg 2.0 GT-S CVT EyeSight Reviewed and photos by Ren Alcantara There comes a time in every gearhead’s life where small three-door hatches, wings, tow eyes, and excessive carbon fiber give way to practicality. Maybe it’s marriage, a second child, or a promotion that makes all that seem irrelevant, maybe even ridiculous. The truth of the matter though, is that once you get that feeling in your brain, there’s very little you can do to escape it, at least not completely. This seems to be the takeoff point for Subaru’s Levorg. It’s a practical station wagon, with room for a modestly sized family, their luggage, and maybe the family pet. There’s more to it than that though. Under the hood is the heart of something wilder, a heart that might be more appropriate for something with fewer doors, and more carbon fiber, and tow eyelets. The Levorg is a strange beast, and we got to review it for a week, and up a trip to Tagaytay. Here’s how we enjoyed it. DESIGN TThe Levorg is one of those cars that looks better the longer you stare at it. At first glance, it’s not particularly exciting—it is a station wagon after all. As your gaze wanders around the car, you’ll start to notice an aggressiveness to it, with an angular face pushing lines up the hood, to the large scoop, and past the windshield, and up the roof. The sharp grille, with the unmistakable Subaru stars, slanted headlights, and low stance

FEBRUARY 2020

all come together, making for a vehicle that’s worth a second, even third look. Yes, it’s a station wagon, but it’s more than just that, and the Subaru designers were very successfully able to translate that into how the vehicle looks. There’s a slight disconnect between action at the front, and the more sedate rear, but it’s not a major flaw, and overall, it’s still quite a looker. Inside is just as good. Lots of leather, a sporty look, and an incredibly convenient (if busy) set of

steering wheel controls, plus a highly informative MID at the top center of the dash give you a feeling that this is more performance machine than family car—something that more than a few of us appreciate, I’m sure. HARDWARE This is where it gets interesting. If you look at it, it’s actually a reasonably practical vehicle. There’s room for seating four and a driver as long as the

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

middle rear passenger hasn’t had too much to eat that day, a massive 522 liters of storage space, and superb comfort inside the cabin. You even get EyeSight which, if you’ve read any of our Subaru reviews recently, you’ll know is something I can’t stop praising. Where the Levorg really got our attention though, was under the hood. Those who know, and those who don’t, just need to look at the scoop to figure out what’s up. In the engine bay is the same 2.0-liter turbo intercooler boxer engine as in the 2018 WRX. Let that sink in for a minute. This monster of a power plant is mated to a CVT which the driver can take command over thanks to paddle shifters, and maximize thanks to SI-Drive. Did I mention it has the 2018 WRX engine in it? That’s important. USER EXPERIENCE En route to a Tagaytay wedding, I was under the flawed impression that leaving for Tagaytay at 5:30 AM would be early enough to avoid the SLEX traffic. An hour later, still on the same stretch of superhighway, I was already thanking the engineers at Subaru for developing EyeSight. It proved invaluable in the slow crawl we were slogging through, along with the decreased focus of an early-morning drive. As with other

models we tried, the system performed flawlessly, bringing us to a gentle stop, and maintaining the proper distance from the car in front with no effort on my part. Once the roads finally opened up, there was enough space for the Levorg to stretch its legs. In Sport mode, a slight tap on the accelerator quickly brings the 2.0 boxer engine rumbling to life, and a split-second later, you’re rocketing down the road with the acceleration that feels much more appropriate for a track toy than a family car. It’s a great engine, and while I might not have considered it for a car like the Levorg, I am eternally thankful that Subaru’s designers are much more intelligent people than I. It handled the extra weight well, and didn’t leave me hanging when I needed power, even with a reasonably heavy load. Through the empty twisting roads on the ascent to our destination, the Levorg didn’t miss a beat. Sure-footed and impeccably stable with its low-slung frame, I could tell that it would take much more than my driving and the Tagaytay highway to push it even close to its limits.The paddle shifters responded with no discernable lag, allowing me to drop down a gear, give it some gas, and overtake without fear of having the window close on me. Our rear passengers slept soundly throughout the entire ordeal, a

testament not to my own driving, but the levels of comfort, control, and safety the Levorg offers. As a passenger car, it has more than enough, even if you fancy yourself a car guy or car gal. There’s no such thing as a free lunch and this becomes particularly evident when you spend the better part of a trip flooring it on a car with rally genes. The fuel consumption total came out to about 6.5 km/L for the trip, though to be fair, there was a lot of gnarly traffic, and the parts that weren’t clogged were extremely tempting. Brakes on the Levorg were solid, and never paused to give me second thought, even with significantly more weight than the WRX with which it shares a heart. On the whole, this is another one of those cars that I absolutely did not want to return. VALUE Are there sportier cars? Yes, many. Are there more practical cars? Even more than sporty ones. But are there vehicles that manage to bring equal parts of both, for a ride that will just as happily take your family on a roadtrip, and get your heart going on a quick run up a mountain? I’m not quite so sure. This alone justifies the PHP 1.998 million price tag. Now, i’m finding a way to get my wife to agree to buying one.

What’s Hot: - Actually reasonably practical - 0-100 in under 7 seconds - So many features

What’s Not: - Really drinks up fuel - Looks aren’t for everyone

Bottomline: “Wolf in sheep’s clothing” doesn’t do it justice. This thing is a tiger.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEBRUARY 2020

Subaru Singapore Motorshow S

ubaru made a splash at the opening of the 2020 Singapore Motorshow with the official launch of the Forester e-Boxer, and the Forester GT Edition. Both vehicles, which were first seen at last year’s Motorshow, are now finally available to buyers in Singapore, with a rollout to the rest of the region this year.

“We are proud to introduce three new Subaru models to Singapore – the Forester e-BOXER, Forester GT Edition, and Impreza. Thanks to e-BOXER technology, the award-winning Forester now offers even smoother acceleration and better fuel efficiency. At the same time, those who feel that the Forester over the years has become a little sedate and mainstream will appreciate the GT Edition. With its sharpened design all around, we are positive the sporty and stylish Forester GT Edition will stand out wherever it goes,” said Mr Glenn Tan, deputy chairman and managing director of Tan Chong International Ltd. Tan Chong International Ltd owns the Motor Image Group of companies. “With its styling upgrades, the new Impreza is even better looking than before. The addition of Sport and Intelligent driving modes also means it offers an improved driving experience,” added Tan. The e-Boxer is the mild hybrid take on Subaru’s wildly popular SUV, combining electric motor assistance with two of Subaru’s core technologies: the Boxer Engine, and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. This delivers even better acceleration then the petrol-only version, with smoother power delivery, without compromising the vehicle’s renowned ability to take on rough terrain. The self-charging electric system also increases the e-Boxer’s efficiency, making it a great choice for congested city streets, the likes of which we have at home. For those who still want a petrol-only vehicle, there’s the Forester GT Edition—a Forester with significant upgrades, including a front bumper lip extension, side skirts, a roof spoiler, and a rear bumper lip extension, all coming together to give the vehicle a more rugged, sporty look. Rounding everything off are a set of bespoked, 18-inch alloy wheels.

FEBRUARY 2020

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

The Forester e-BOXER and Forester GT Edition are equipped with the new 8-inch Display Audio System with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a 360-degree Around View Monitor (AVM) system, which enables drivers to park and maneuver with ease. Motor Image also unveiled the 2020 Impreza at the Motorshow, which boasts both aesthetic and performance updates for the new year. New LED headlamps, a new front grille, bumper and fog lamps, and 17-inch wheels, and a magnetite grey body rounds off the new look. The interior also gets an update, with gloss black around the air-conditioning panel, and detail stitching around the hood of the multi-function display. Additional creature comforts accompany the 2020 Impreza. A front view monitor, speed-sensing door locks, a rear-seat reminder so you don’t leave anyone when you leave, and tilting side mirrors that activate when you reverse round off the creature comforts of the Impreza.

The Subaru Forester e-BOXER

SI-Drive gives the new Impreza an improved drive, and along with suspension tweaks, makes the car much more potent performance on the asphalt. The Impreza still maintains the previous enhancements based on the brand’s four core technologies—symmetrical all-wheel drive, a boxer engine, the Subaru global platform, and EyeSight Driver Assist, along with class-leading safety features that deliver a car that’s as safe as it is fun to drive. Both the Forester GT Edition and Forester e-Boxer are set to arrive on Philippine soil in the second half of 2020.

The Subaru Forester Ultimate

The Subaru Forester GT edition

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEBRUARY 2020

New Ranger FX4 is latest addition to Ford PH pickup truck lineup

ith the launch of its new Ford Ranger FX4, Ford Philippines boosts its bestselling Ranger portfolio, making it the automotive company with the widest lineup of pickup trucks in the country with 13 available variants. The new Ford Ranger FX4 boasts of a bold design inside out and features that will help widen the appeal of the Ranger among customers seeking for a versatile and capable pickup truck. “The new Ranger FX4 is a strong addition to our Ranger lineup as we continue to offer a variety of our ‘Built Ford Tough’ pickup trucks to customers with different needs, budget, and lifestyle, clearly signifying that there is indeed a Ford Ranger for everyone,” said PK Umashankar, managing director, Ford Philippines. Bolder look and design Instantly recognizable is the Ranger FX4’s eye-catching design that distinguishes itself across the entire Ranger lineup. Unique 18-inch black alloy wheels, new mesh grille, extended steel sports bar, and ebony black accents on side mirror caps, door handles, front and rear bumpers and fender features give the Ranger FX4 a distinctive look and style. The standout decals along the lower doors and a 3D badge on its tailgate complement its attractive design. On the inside, the Ranger FX4 retains its refined look with FX4-embossed leather seats, FX4-branded floor mats, and sporty dark environment highlighted by race red stitching acents on the soft top instrument panel, center console, gear shifter, and door trims. Comfort and convenience The Ranger FX4 is also equipped with a selection of features that enhance the driving experience for both drivers and passengers. It offers entertainment through an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, including a new 8-inch full color touchscreen. The Ranger FX4 is packed with driver-assistance technologies (DAT) that include cruise control, anti-lock braking system

FEBRUARY 2020

The Ford executives pose beside the different Ford Ranger variants.

(ABS) and electronic brake force distribution (EBD), rear parking sensors, rain sensing wipers, power folding mirrors, and electronic power assist steering (EPAS), collectively bringing in comfort, safety, and convenience in every drive.

retail price of PHP 1,256,000 for the 4x2 manual variant and PHP 1,316,000 for the 4x2 automatic variant. It comes in five colors: absolute black, aluminum metallic, arctic white, meteor grey, and true red.

Proven performance

“The Ranger FX4 takes toughness to a whole new level with a new look, sleek design, and relevant features customized to fit the needs of a new breed of pickup truck customers with both work and play needs,” added Ryan Lorenzo, marketing director, Ford Philippines.

Powering the Ranger FX4 is Ford’s proven 2.2 L Duratorq diesel engine mated with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, delivering an impressive 160 PS and 385 Nm of torque. Availability and pricing The new Ranger FX4 is available in Ford dealerships nationwide starting January 23, 2020 with a starting

A Ranger for Everyone Aside from the new Ranger FX4, Ford Philippines is also introducing a series of enhancements and upgrades to its entire Ranger lineup.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Ranger XLS and Ranger XLT variants now come with a new 8-inch LCD touchscreen radio with Apple Carplay and Android Auto capability. A new Ranger XLS Sport 4x2 A/T variant is added to the Ranger XLS products available to customers. Meanwhile, Ranger Wildtrak 4x2 variants now have a new wheel design and LED headlamps. The Wildtrak 4x4 also gets an upgrade on wheel design, LED headlamps, camera-based autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and high-mount USB feature to support various dashcam models. Lastly, the Ranger Raptor also comes with a camera-based autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, high-mount USB plug, and LED headlamps.

(L-R): Jonathan Legaspi, sales director; Ryan Lorenzo, marketing director; PK Umashankar, managing director; and Yukontorn “Vickie” Wisadkosin, president, ASEAN market

“We have gone further in our pickup truck lineup by bringing more value to our customers with enhanced technology and content in all our Ranger products while retaining current pricing —more value at the same price. With the widest range, widest price brand and higher value for our pickup trucks, there is indeed a Ranger for everyone in the Philippines,” added Umashankar. Ford Island Conquest kicks off The launch of the Ranger FX4 also officially marks the kick-off of the Ford Island Conquest event this year. The first leg of the experiential test drive happened last January 24-26, 2020 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds in Pasay City. During the three-day event, customers had the chance to test drive the Ranger FX4 and other Ford vehicles on a specialized driving course that showcased the vehicles’ best-in-class features and capabilities. Customers were able to avail of exclusive offers and deals when purchasing a Ford vehicle. This included a PHP 10,000 outright cash discount and pick-a-prize cash discount of up to PHP 100,000 on top of existing promotions for the month. Over PHP 1.3 million worth of cash discounts and prizes were up for grabs during the Ford Island Conquest kick-off. To know more about the new Ford Ranger FX4, visit the www.ford.com.ph or any Ford dealership nationwide.

(Featured from left to right) Ford Ranger Raptor, Ford Ranger XLS, Ford Ranger FX4, Ford Ranger XLT, and Ford Ranger Wildtrak.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEBRUARY 2020

Why Teslas are Among the Safest Cars in the Planet Words by Gerry Gaviola

From being one of the most ridiculed automotive companies, Tesla has battled its infamy and now sits as a global leader in manufacturing safe and sustainable electric vehicles. Things are changing, and it’s for the better. In the past two decades, notable products, such as the iPhone, caused so much disruption that they became catalysts for technological innovation whilst setting new standards. Electric vehicles are bound to be the next big thing.

For years, automotive companies have built vehicles around the idea of safety. Apart from stylish looks, great speed, and utility, a car isn’t just the same if can’t be driven without full peace of mind. And before a car actually gets released to the public, safety is one of the key factors rigorously tested by regulating bodies. Out of the 900 cars that the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tested, the Model 3 was determined to be the safest. And what’s interesting is that the next two cars with the lowest probability of injuries in an accident are also Teslas—the Model S, and the Model X. So what’s the big fuss? Tesla is relatively new in the game. Despite being established only in 2003, it’s surpassed those that have been in the game for over a century. For a company that’s received so much criticism and one that was on the brink of bankruptcy, that’s a big deal.

The Tesla Model 3

FEBRUARY 2020

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

4 Reasons Why Teslas are the Safest: The Model 3 isn’t just an electric vehicle, it’s a smart vehicle too Top tier or luxury vehicles have a full suite of safety features. So does Tesla, except it’s backed up by crowd-sourced data. To the surprise of many, a 2014 free upgrade revealed that every single Tesla ever sold was designed with the potential of eventually being self-driving. By the time that was made public, the company had already gathered tons of anonymous data from its sensors, thus trumping over many of its rivals in the data-gathering department. Research firm Mckinsey and Co. has estimated that the company’s vehicle-collected data would be worth 750 billion USD by the year 2030. So what kind of data continues to be collected by Tesla vehicles’ internal and external sensors? Several! To date, every Tesla vehicle sends data directly to the cloud. External sensors typically include data on how fast or how slow vehicles are, what roads are likely to be accident prone based on road design, and which roads are typically congested or free of traffic. Internal sensors would collect driver habits such as hand placement on the steering wheel, and the driver’s interaction with the vehicle’s other instruments.

It’s built like an EV, from the very start A car that runs on batteries is safer than one that runs on gas because of drivetrain design. Because it has no gas tank at the back, and no engine in the front, Teslas have large front and rear crumple zones. This means that in case it were to collide with a rather deadly object such as a tree, or an electric pole, the vehicle’s exterior would simply bend and wrap itself towards the said object thus absorbing the force of impact. Contrary to popular belief, the Model 3’s glass roof is actually safer than the legacy cars’ metal roof. According to Tech of Tech’s host, Cameron, a typical vehicle’s metal roof actually is among the thinnest and least sturdy components of the entire vehicle. If a car were to rollover, it would offer little to no protection at all. Tesla’s glass roof is not as fragile

as you may think. It’s made like a windshield— thermoplastic wraps around 2 layers of toughened glass. In reality, it’s much more rigid than a thin sheet of metal. In an impact test, it showed that although the glass would break as it normally does, the laminate would hold the pieces together thus preventing scattered shards from causing any harm. It’s battery technology is among the safest When a battery becomes damaged upon impact or by aging, overheating in one cell would usually spread to others hence creating a thermal runaway. Tesla simply prevents this through its smart cell connection design which makes it nearly impossible for thermal runway to occur. Additionally, since each cell is equipped with enough cooling vents, gases are allowedto escape before pressure build up turns into an explosion.

With the combination of machine learning and gathered data, Tesla’s whole fleet becomes educated. Its cars with the Autopilot Feature are able to decide the safest possible way to steer and control the vehicle. And as an additional precaution, safety is further refined when nearby Teslas mesh together to form a network that share roadside insights. It‘s a car that never stops learning and improving You heard that right. Even after buying the vehicle, no additional purchase is needed for it to constantly diagnose and improve itself. In 2014, data collected by Tesla revealed some thermal issues on certain components of its motor. In the same year, a software patch was rolled out which fixed the said issue. For years, stability and traction controls, AWD systems, as well as anti-lock braking systems (ABS) have existed. What Tesla brings is its autopilot system backed up by its data, traction control, and all wheel drive features. Early in 2019, Eric Laperriere was traversing Canadian roads when his Tesla drove over black ice. The vehicle initially lost control, veered two lanes from his initial position, but was later able to promptly regain stability. According to Laperriere, he made no effort to even touch the steering wheel but instead left his Model 3’s autopilot and AWD to do the job of returning his vehicle to the center lane. Computational autopilot driving may have just done a better job than any human could in that given situation.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

The Tesla EVs are equipped with an autopilot system that updates regularly

FEBRUARY 2020

Honda Philippines launches the all-new Airblade 150

onda Philippines, Inc. has launched the newest addition to their AT bike line-up, the all-new Airblade 150, a sporty AT bike. The Airblade 150 was created with the tag-line “The Cutting Edge,” and aims to bring a new level of riding experience to new and young riders with its cutting-edge sporty look.

“In Honda Philippines, we believe that the joy and freedom of mobility is best experienced with friends. That is why we conceptualized the all-new Airblade 150 with shared riding in mind,” said Susumu Mitsuishi, president, Honda Philippines, Inc. “The comfort of the passenger is another top consideration in the minds of today’s millennial customers, and the all-new Airblade 150 is the bike that we believe will fulfill that need.” The all-new Airblade 150 boasts a compact but powerful 150 cc liquid-cooled SOHC engine that’s perfect for stop-and-go situations in the city. Additionally, Honda claims that the engine is also fuel-efficient with the 4.4-liter fuel tank capable of going up to 47 km/l consumption.

FEBRUARY 2020

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

(From left to right) Jomel Jerezo, general manager of the motorcycle business planning department of HPI; Susumu Mitsuishi, president of HPI; Coco Martin and Yassi Fressman, Honda Philippines Inc. celebrity brand ambassadors; Hiroyuki Yasunaga, EVP, manufacturing division of HPI; Beth S. Alejandro, AVP for finance of HPI.

The All-New Airblade 150 has a sporty look made for newer riders.

The Airblade 150 has some advanced features such as smart key, a power socket, front wheel ABS, and twin rear suspensions. It also features a 22.7â&#x20AC;&#x201C;liter utility box that could fit a full-faced helmet and still accommodate the riderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal belongings. As part of the launch, Honda brought along brand endorsers actors Coco Martin and Yassi Pressman. Both actors also took the Airblade 150 for a ride around the test track in Market! Market!. The all-new Airblade 150 will be available at all Honda dealers nationwide at PHP 104,000 this March 2020 and will come in three unique colors: matte galaxy black metallic, candy caribbean blue sea, and candy ross red.

HPI president Susumu Mitsuishi with brand ambassadors Coco Martin and Yassi Pressman.

Brand ambassadors Coco Martin and Yassi Pressman during their test drive.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEBRUARY 2020

SONAX Car A/C Cleaner Breathe healthy air while driving

ecent events have made us all aware of the need to make sure the air we breathe is clean and healthy, what with the ash fall from the Taal Volcano eruption and the threat of the Novel Coronavirus now detected in the Philippines. N95 masks are much in demand, and some people have taken to having one ready, just in case. Many of us spend a significant portion of our day commuting through Metro Manila traffic. I spend at least 3-4 hours traveling to work each day inside my car, breathing air that’s recirculated from the air-conditioning system. Some mornings, when I first turn on the A/C, I get hit by a musty odor and some other strange smells. Apparently, the car A/C system is a perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew, fungi, bacteria, and other micro-organisms that thrive in damp, dark places such as the evaporator behind the car’s dash panel. These not only produce the bad odors in your car but can also trigger allergic reactions. But how do you clean the car A/C without dismantling the dash assembly? German car care brand SONAX has a product that quickly and easily disinfects car ventilation systems and evaporators—the SONAX Car A/C Cleaner. It comes in a 100 ml canister that’s quick and easy to use. When you step into the car after the A/C treatment, you’ll be getting into a fresh-smelling vehicle and the assurance that 99.9% of bacteria, molds, and germs have been eliminated. Now, you can be sure that you’re breathing clean, healthy air during your daily commute.

FEBRUARY 2020

And, yes, the SONAX A/C Cleaner can also be used in other airconditioned spaces such as rooms in your home or office. One 100 ml canister is good for 14 sqm of space—use more canisters for larger rooms. Similar to how it is used in a car, the can has to be positioned near the airconditioning unit with the fan turned up to high and the temperature switch to the coolest setting. After activating the canister, leave the room with the door closed for 15 minutes, and come back to a freshly sanitized space.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Suzuki Philippines joins Guanzon Festival 2020

Event organizer with actress Maja Salvador

Customers test ride Suzuki’s motorcycle lineup

Contestants of Suzuki Got Talent

Suzuki Philippines recently joined the annual anniversary celebration of the Guanzon Group of Companies held at Robinsons Calasiao in Pangasinan.

In the end, it was Alternative Dance Crew who emerged as the champions. Following them was Human Beatbox at first runner up and CPU Duo at second runner-up.

Last but not the least, Suzuki brought actress Maja Salvador to cap the festival with a performance and joined the awarding ceremony of Suzuki Got Talent winners.

The Guanzon group celebrated their 75th anniversary at the province where it all started. As a motorcycle dealer, the Guanzons’ first brand of choice was Suzuki. 2020 marks Guanzon’s 75th anniversary, Suzuki centennial year, and the fifth year that the annual three-day festivities were held.

Suzuki Philippines also sponsored a brand new Skydrive Sport for the Bingo Motorsiklo game. Eugenio Prado Biason from Dagupan City was the lucky man to take home the new motorcycle.

Presents at the event were Guanzon Group of Companies executives spearheaded by, Jojo Lo, CEO, Guanzon Group of Companies; Guanson Lo, president, Guanzon Group of Companies; and Ronald Guillen, general manager for motorcycle division. Joining them from Suzuki Philippines were Jun Bulot, general manager for motorcycle sales and marketing; Mitsunori Shiraishi, national sales manager; Erick Fernandez, assistant national sales manager; and Roland Raymundo, regional sales manager for North Luzon.

Suzuki sponsored one of the main activities, the Suzuki Got Talent, where Pangasinenses had the chance to show off their different talents.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

The motorcycle brand also prepared an entertaining product presentation including its signature free test ride and free service. Suzuki gave special deals throughout the three-day event.

FEBRUARY 2020

Petron dealers join hands to help Mindanao quake victims

Members of Petron Dealers Association in Southwest Mindanao

Petron dealers nationwide raised a total of PHP1-M for their “Tabang Mindanao” campaign to help earthquake victims

With thousands of Filipino families in Mindanao affected by the recent series of earthquakes that rocked the region, Petron Corporation’s network of service station dealers joined in the efforts to fuel hope during the Yuletide season. Organized by the Petron Dealers Association or PETDA, the group unanimously and quickly raised funds to provide relief assistance to families severely impacted by the quake. “We were all set to have a different CSR project for Christmas before the earthquakes occurred. Realizing the extent of the damage, we agreed to just channel our resources to help our kababayans in Mindanao and support their urgent needs instead. This also makes for a most meaningful culmination of PETDA’s 60th anniversary this year,” said PETDA president Victor T. Rebosura. Responding to this call, Petron dealers nationwide pitched in to raise a total of PHP 1million for their Tabang Mindanao campaign. With dealers from Southwest and Southeast Mindanao leading the way, they organized the distribution of relief packs on two separate occasions. 56

FEBRUARY 2020

Relief Operations in Kidapawan, North Cotabato

On November 8, 25 Petron dealers led by PETDA Southwest and Southeast Mindanao chapter president Nonito Legas and members of Petron’s National Sales Division traveled to North Cotabato to personally hand out the relief packs to 300 families in Barangay New Baguio, Municipality of Makilala. Each family received relief packs containing rice, bread, powdered milk, canned goods, and soap. They were joined by Municipality of Makilala vice mayor Atty. Ryan Tabanay and local Petron dealer Hilda Sandique in the distribution. On November 28, Southwest Mindanao dealers with PETDA president Victor Rebosura again taking the lead, together with a contingent from National Sales, headed by Petron regional manager for Mindanao retail sales Bentley Elgincolin trooped to Tent City and Base Camp in Barangay Ilomavis in Kidapawan City to bring more relief items donated by both PETDA and Petron Corporation. PETDA member and Madame Honeylet Avanceña also brought additional items (tarpaulins and bottler water) to help the 850 families relocated in these areas.

Believing that ‘charity begins at home’, PETDA also allocated funds to give to employees of Petron service stations in Kidapawan who were adversely affected when these stations temporarily stopped operating due to severe earthquake damages. PETDA president Rebosura and VP Yahyah Licup led the distribution of financial assistance to displaced personnel. PETDA is continuing to raise funds among its nationwide network. Metro Manila dealers pitched in nearly half a million pesos, which was turned over to the Tzu Chi Foundation on December 13 to benefit more families still needing assistance to recover from the quake. “We salute our Petron dealers for making a simple but lasting impact on the affected communities in Mindanao. We laud their efforts to turn their 60th anniversary celebration into a noteworthy advocacy. Tabang Mindanao showcases the power of partnership and the spirit of volunteerism in helping build—and rebuild—our nation,” said Petron president and CEO Ramon S. Ang. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Honda opens 600th 3S shop in Tarlac City Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI) recently opened its 600th 3S (Sales, Service, and Spare Parts) Shop in San Sebastian, Tarlac City. The 3S shop was made in partnership with Honda dealer Powercycle Inc. Heading the grand opening were HPI president Susumu Mitsuishi, HPI assistant vice president Kensuke Masuda, as well as Powercycle Inc. president Atty. Juanita Sy, and Powercycle Inc. managing director Nonoy Siycha. “At Honda, we have always been committed to providing the best of what we can offer. Our 600th 3S shop is a testament to our continued commitment for excellence, as well as the loyalty entrusted to us by our Filipino customers. With this new shop, more motorists can now access Honda’s best products and services, close at hand,” said Mitsuishi.

Heading th grand opening was HPI president Susumu Mitsuishi

The highlight of the opening ceremony was the awarding of the 600th branch recognition plaque and turnover of wall marker. In addition, Honda conducted other fun activities such as games and raffles, test ride, and gave away freebies and discounts.

The opening of the latest Honda 3S shop is in line with the brand’s ONE DREAM campaign which aims to make Honda Motorcycles serve as tools in achieving one’s dream, and to unite all Filipinos through meaningful projects and activities.

Nissan appoints new vice president for communications in Asia and Oceania Nissan announced the appointment of Blanca Garcia as vice president for communications in Asia and Oceania. Garcia is assumed the office effective January 15 and is based in Bangkok, reporting directly to Yutaka Sanada, MC chairman and head of Nissan in Asia and Oceania. Garcia will be responsible for strengthening the reputation of the company and its brands through maximizing Nissan’s presence across Asia and Oceania. Additionally, she is tasked with driving internal communication strategies across the region to support employee engagement. Blanca will replace Lavanya Wadgaonkar who was previously announced as general manager and head of global corporate communications for Nissan. Garcia has 25 years of experience in leading communications teams across multiple continents. Her most recent role was being in charge of Nissan’s communications in Latin America. Garcia joined Nissan in 2014 to lead internal communications at Nissan Europe, as well as external communication at the RenaultNissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. She has also led the communications team for Nissan in Mexico, a strategic market and important location in the company’s global manufacturing operations. Originally from Mexico City, Garcia has degrees in marketing from the University of Nicosia and in journalism from the London School of Journalism. Prior to joining Nissan, she was a managing director for market research company, managed a PR network that serves a leading airline in 42 countries, and was a communications consultant for the European Union.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEBRUARY 2020

Hyundai turns over additional 50 buses to Victory Liner Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. recently strengthened its ties with one of the largest provincial bus companies in the country, Victory Liner, Inc. As part of the bus company’s upgrading program, the Korean automotive company delivered 50 brand-new units of the Hyundai Universe. In 2017, Hyundai initially supplied 50 Hyundai Universe buses to the same bus company. The upgrade is in compliance with the government’s thrust to modernize the country’s public transport system. A heavy-duty bus that’s manufactured through automatic welding utilizing robot and cathodic electrodeposition systems, the Hyundai Universe combines dynamic performance and luxurious style. It is powered by a 12.3-liter, Euro 4-compliant electronic diesel engine with 380 ps of maximum power for better fuel efficiency and cleaner emissions. It has 50 highly-rigid monocoque seats that ensure passenger comfort on-long rides. “It has been our great pleasure and privilege to be Victory Liner’s key transportation partner. We are grateful for their continued trust and support in Hyundai since we first forged our partnership. Our tried-and-tested buses such as the Hyundai Universe provide a safer, faster, and more comfortable mode of mass transport for Filipinos,” Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. president & CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said during the turn-over ceremony.

thousands of Filipinos daily. Supported by a 3-year, 200,000-kilometer mileage warranty, Victory Liner’s Hyundai buses offer reliability, maintenance, and after-sales service. Hyundai’s business partners also benefit from its exclusive programs such as the Call for Service Inspection (CSI) which brings in highly-trained technicians to repair Hyundai truck & bus fleets right at their doorsteps.

Hyundai buses make-up almost a third of Victory Liner’s 1,100 bus fleet that moves

The Hyundai H-100 Modern Jeepney Class 1 and Hyundai HD50S Modern Jeepney Class 2 were

recently awarded Certificates of Compliance (COC) by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), signifying that the models are ready to serve the public. Hyundai’s commercial vehicle segment continues to drive the company’s business growth locally. In the first 11 months of 2019, the business grew by nearly 80% and is expected to significantly increase with the introduction and deployment of the brand’s modern jeepneys.

NLEX Caloocan Interchange now taking shape The multi-level NLEX Caloocan Interchange along C3 Road, which will serve as strategic converging point of NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10, its C3-R10 Section, and the NLEX Connector, will soon be completed with a massive steel girder launching undertaken recently. This interchange is aimed at providing efficient journeys for motorists traversing the said expressway network from NLEX to Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Manila and vice versa. “The installation of these girders is crucial in our construction process as we target to open the Malabon Exit by February 2020 and the entire C3R10 Section by March 2020,” said NLEX Corporation president and general manager J. Luigi L. Bautista. So far, the tollway company has completed most of the bored pile foundations for the C3-R10 Section while column, crosshead erection works, beam launching, and deck concreting are rapidly in progress. With the project’s current status and utmost productivity at the site, the tollway company is confident to deliver the project as scheduled. “Our team is working double-time to make the 58

FEBRUARY 2020

C3-R10 Section accessible and provide travel convenience to our motorists,” Bautista affirmed.

Highly Anticipated

Opened in February 2019, NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 is the 5.65-kilometer, 6-lane elevated expressway that originates in Karuhatan, Valenzuela City over Governor Pascual Avenue in Malabon City and Caloocan Interchange. It is extending 2.6 kilometers from Caloocan to R10, Navotas City.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, whose agency is in-charge of the project, said the new interchange is essential to the completion of the NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 C3-R10 Section—a highly anticipated expressway project that will benefit around 30,000 vehicles daily.

NLEX Connector, on the other hand, is also under construction. The 8-kilometer expressway is being built along the Philippine National Railways (PNR) tracks from the end of Segment 10 on C3/5th Avenue to PUP Sta. Mesa, Manila.

The C3-R10 Section will improve to port traffic thus significantly speeding up the transport of goods from Central and North Luzon to Port of Manila. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Volvo’s XC90 T8 Twin Engine flagship SUV is DrivingElectric’s best seven-seater winner Volvo’s flagship electric SUV, the XC90 T8 Twin Engine, won the Best Electrified Seven-Seater award at the recently held DrivingElectric Awards. It Is the first honor for the plug-in hybrid version of the large SUV since it benefited from a series of performance, technology, and styling upgrades. “This award is greatly appreciated because it recognizes how we are committed to giving customers the performance and efficiency benefits of electrified powertrains with no compromise in the qualities they expect of a Volvo—beautiful design, genuine desirability, exceptional safety provisions and supreme quality and practicality, said Kristian Elvefors, managing director, Volvo Car UK. DrivingElectric associate editor Vicky Parrott notes that the hybrid powertrain adds extra appeal to a model that’s already established in the market. “The Volvo XC90 has long been the king of the large family SUVs, and in T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid form it makes transporting seven people in comfort very cost-effective indeed. Recent updates have freshened up its looks and improved its electric technology, ensuring it stays at the front of the class,” she said. For the 2020 model, the XC90’s T8 Twin Engine high-voltage lithium-ion battery will be increased from 10.4 to 11.6 kWh. This will increase the car’s pure-electric driving range more than 30 percent or from 35 to a maximum of 46 km. This will make the XC90 complete typical commuting journeys with no exhaust and gas consumption. The XC90 Twin Engine also has exceptional efficiency in the large SUV segment. It offers only 52 g/km of CO2 emissions with combined cycle fuel economy of up to 40 km/l, giving you low running costs and less money spent filling up.

The technology deployed in the T8 Twin Engine versions of the XC90 in no way compromises the car’s style or practicality. The cool, contemporary Scandinavian design has been further refined recently, with new treatments for the grille and front bumper, and new alloy wheel designs and paint color options. The interior remains an object lesson in combining luxury, comfort and everyday practicality with space intelligently used to accommodate up to seven adults with ease. Features dedicated to the T8 Twin Engine models include four-zone electronic climate control with

a cooled glovebox, air-conditioning for the third row of seats, a 4.5-meter charging cable and a dedicated cable storage bag. The T8 Twin Engine powertrain comes with a wealth of standard equipment features. These include all-wheel drive (via a rear-axle electric motor), power-operated tailgate, rear parking camera, LED headlights, leather upholstery, heated front seats with power adjustment, Sensus Connect connectivity system with nine-inch touchscreen, satellite navigation, voice-activated control, along with Volvo’s City Safety comprehensive package of active safety systems.

Isuzu donates D-MAX to Philippine Red Cross for Taal relief operations Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) donated an Isuzu D-MAX 4x4 LS MT to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Laguna Chapter as part of the Taal volcano eruption relief efforts mobilization. The donation was made at the Isuzu Philippines plant in Binan, Laguna. Isuzu also donated additional supplies such as bottled water, toiletries, clothes, and other essentials to alleviate the condition of evacuees and affected individuals. The donation is earmarked to support the Philippine Red Cross’s mission to provide life-saving services that protect the life of Filipinos in vulnerable situations. IPC is delighted to be able to bridge volunteers like PRC, and the people affected by the eruption. “Isuzu D-MAX 4x4, being a utilitarian pick-up is surely essential in bringing relief goods and www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

The Isuzu Philippines Corporation team together with the Philippine Red Cross Laguna Chapter

aiding victims of Taal Volcano eruption,” said IPC executive vice president Shojiro Sakoda.

toughest terrain to the slickest street all in style and comfort.”

“Isuzu D-MAX is a combination of power and performance and is equipped with Blue Power technology that can withstand any roads, from the

The company also encouraged everyone to support humanitarian organizations and to do initiatives in helping the victims of the recent eruption. FEBRUARY 2020

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation signs MOU to roll out next-generation showrooms Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with its five dealers: Union Motor Corporation, Fast Autoworld Philippines Corporation, Motorplaza Inc., SFM Sales Corporation, and Mindanao Integrated Corporation Enterprises Inc., as witnessed by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC). The partnership aims to roll out the brand’s next-gen showrooms called the Dendo Drive Station in the Philippines.

From left to right (seated): Eusebio Dy, president, SFM sales corporation; Benizon Tan, president, Motorplaza Inc.; Julia Menchavez, president, Fast Autoworld Philippines Corporation; Mutsuhiro Oshikiri, president, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation; Yoichiro Yatabe, corporate senior vice president, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation; Nereo Regollo Jr., executive vice president, Mindanao Integrated Commercial Enterprises, and Gilbert Dee Jr., president, Union Motor Corp. From left to right (standing): Alvin Dalida, first vice president for sales and marketing, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation; Shohei Kubo, assistant division general manager, ASEAN Division B, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and Cecil Capacete, first vice president for sales and marketing, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.

The Dendo Drive Stations will feature a solar-powered system and vehicle to home equipment. This new system allows charging electric vehicles (EVs) and Plug-in Hybrid EVs (PHEVs) back to the showrooms. MMC opened the first Dendo Drive Station in Tokyo in 2016 and has since opened 79 showrooms throughout Japan. With MMC’s support, MMPC aims to open Dendo Drive Stations in 5 regions in the country and introduce the Outlander PHEV, the brand’s flagship PHEV SUV, to the Philippines by the end of 2020. It also aims to promote a better understanding of EVs and PHEVs in the country to support the development of the automotive industry and the local economy.

“Similar to Japan, the Philippines is a country that often experiences many natural disasters,” said Osamu Masuko, MMC’s chairman of the board. “ I believe with the technology of the Dendo Drive Station, communities will be

provided with a dependable self-sustaining power source that does not only generate efficient energy supply but also serves as a reliable electrical source during emergency power shortage.”

SEAOIL partners with new online delivery platform Mr. Speedy SEAOIL Philippines, Inc. (SEAOIL), one of the country’s independent fuel players, has signed an exclusive partnership with online delivery platform Mr. Speedy. The exclusive SEAOIL Boosted VIP card will be given to Mr. Speedy drivers. “As part of its plans to continue giving more perks and benefits to its consumers, we are happy to announce SEAOIL’s new partnership with Mr. Speedy. We want to give Mr. Speedy’s couriers more incentives to enjoy while using SEAOIL fuels,” said Jayvee Dela Fuente, SEAOIL Philippines VP for corporate and consumer marketing. Mr. Speedy is an online delivery platform that caters to small and medium businesses. Users can schedule deliveries either on its website or mobile app. The Boosted VIP cards issued to Mr. Speedy users will have the highest level in the VIP card tier or Auto-Gold status. The cards grant an exclusive point conversion wherein PHP 100 is equivalent to three points for gasoline, or a PHP 3.00 rebate. The exclusive point conversion is available at participating SEAOIL outlets. Earned points can be used to purchase fuel and lubricants, and may be redeemed as cash. 60

FEBRUARY 2020

From left to right: Lemuel Co, SEAOIL business development supervisor; Jayvee Dela Fuente, SEAOIL VP for corporate & consumer marketing; Gene Fener, Mr. Speedy head of businesss operations; and Beatrive Puyot, Mr. Speedy social manager

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Kia Philippines posts 124 percent sales growth in 2019

The Kia Soluto

The Kia Grand Carnival

A year after its brand relaunch under new distributor AC Industrials, Kia Philippines shares a record-breaking 124 percent year-onyear sales growth in the Philippine market. According to Kia it sold a total of 5,019 vehicle in 2019, a 124 percent jump from the 2,238 vehicles sold the year prior. Kia pointed to the Soluto sub-compact sedan, the K2500 light-duty truck, the Grand Carnival minivan, and the newly-launched Seltos sub-compact crossover as the driving force behind the growth. The Soluto led the increase garnering 51 percent of sales volume for the year. It’s followed by the K2500 with 21 percent, the Grand Carnival with 13 percent, and the Seltos with 7 percent of the sales. The Soluto with its 1.4-liter motor with Dual CVVT technology producing 95 ps and 132 Nm of torque, spacious interior, 7-inch touchscreen audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, rearview camera, and steering wheel controls as standard provide a value-for-money proposition for its class. The higher-spec EX variant adds leatherette seats, alloy wheels and rear park distance sensors.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

The Kia Seltos

The K2500, meanwhile, is a light-duty truck that’s heavy on features and flexible according to your needs. It is equipped with a 2.5-liter turbocharged diesel engine that produces 130 ps and 255 Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. It is available in the following configurations: karga, kargo, closed van, and dropside. The Grand Carnival has been Kia’s people carrier since its introduction two decades ago. The latest-generation is powered by a 2.2-liter CRDI diesel engine delivering 200 ps and 441 Nm, paired with an 8-speed automatic. Boasting luxury car features, the Grand Carnival in its EX 7–seater variant is equipped with window sunshades, dual moonroof, power sliding doors and tail gate, full auto air-conditioning with three-zone capability, an 8-inch touchscreen audio with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, and a versatile cabin with various seating configurations. The Seltos, Kia’s latest model launched in November 2019, packs a 2.0-liter Dual CVVT engine with 149 ps and 179 Nm. This powerplant is mated to a new Intelligent

Variable Transmission (IVT) with Drive Mode Select that allows the driver to switch between different modes to suit one’s driving preference. Its standard features include 8-inch touchscreen audio system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, rear view camera, and full fold rear seats. The top-of-theline SX offers full LED head and tail lights, LED daytime running lamps and signature position lamps, automatic climate control, smart entry with push button and remote start, electronic stability control, and 6 airbags. “We are pleased with the strong performance of Kia Philippines in 2019,” said Manny Aligada, president, Kia Philippines. “As we enter 2020, Kia Philippines looks forward to surpassing its record with new vehicle introductions, the opening of new dealerships, and better aftersales services.” The Kia Stinger, Sorento, Sportage, Forte, Rio, and Picanto complete Kia’s current line-up of vehicles available in the country. For more information on Kia Philippines, log on to www.kia.com/ph or visit any of its 33 dealerships nationwide.

FEBRUARY 2020

APPS

Discounted Apps for Students Words by Jewel Sta. Ana

For students, university life can be a bit stressful. There is the never-ending list of requirements to submit, nerve-wracking examinations to ace, and miscellaneous fees to pay. But compared to previous generations, college students of today have more options to be productive and excel in their academics. Thanks to technology, these mobile apps aid in molding the holistic growth of the future workforce while letting them save more.

Grab Available in iOS and Android

Angkas Available in iOS and Android

The green and white ride-hailing app has truly come a long way. From providing transport and carpooling services, the Singapore-based company expanded its business to food delivery, courier services, and payment solutions. And with late-night classes on their schedule, students face the daily woes of other commuters. It’s a good thing that booking a safe and secure ride is now within reach.

Veteran commuters know that traffic in the metro can be scaled from bearable to painful. The white and blue Angkas riders now serve as the modern unsung heroes of the students who are running late for their classes. Thanks to the rise of motorcycle taxis, getting from point A to point B is much easier. Just remember to follow the safety precautions mandated by the Angkas management to arrive at your destination.

How to avail of the discount:

In the app, open your profile and tap the Help Centre button. Go to Account and you’ll find the instructions about the application for the student discount. The app requires you to submit a clear photo of your valid school ID and the current school registration form for the present academic year. After submitting all the requirements, a representative will send an exclusive promo code in your email after two to three working days.

Reach the Angkas team through support@angkas.com and submit a copy of your valid student ID and registration form. Wait two to three business days, go to your app, and go to the promo codes page.

YouTube Premium Available in iOS and Android

Spotify Available in iOS and Android When you’re out, and stuck in the middle of a carmageddon, there’s nothing else to do but hope that things will get better soon, plug in your earphones, and press play on your smartphone. Music streaming app Spotify offers a special plan for students that gives them the freedom to play unlimited music and podcasts even when offline without ads. This grants students from accredited colleges and universities a 50 percent discount on the Spotify Premium plan with a monthly subscription of PHP 75.

According to scientific studies, visual learning is the most effective way of transmitting new knowledge, with approximately 65 percent of the population identified as visual learners. YouTube Premium, a paid streaming subscription service, offers the best of both worlds by offering ad-free and offline music and video playback. Unlike the standard YouTube app, the premium version allows music and videos to play in the background even if the smartphone screen is in sleep mode for only PHP 95 a month. How to avail of the discount: Go to the YouTube app and tap your icon. Select Get YouTube Premium and provide the needed information.

How to avail of the discount: Open your Spotify account on the desktop app and click Account on the Settings. Select the ‘Available plans’ tab and choose the Premium for Students option. Make sure to verify your personal information via SheerID.

FEBRUARY 2020

Note that the discounts do not apply to students in graduate programs.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Words by Gabriel Pe

Long holidays are the perfect time to catch up on your watchlist or just add another series into your bingeplaylist. But if you’re like me and not a big fan of TV shows or movies, then I’ve got a solution for you: CuriosityStream.

As a child, I was very heavily into documentaries. Even then, I preferred watching the National Geographic Channel, History Channel, and Discovery Channel over Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon. CuriosityStream was created by John Hendricks—the same man who created

FEBRUARY 2020

the Discovery Channel and its affiliate channels. So if you’re a fan of some of their shows, you’ll love CuriosityStream’s content. This documentary streaming service has more than a thousand documentaries, or geekumentaries as they like to call it. They cover a variety of topics ranging from history, biology, crime and even sports. If you’re curious

about any topic, chances are there is a documentary about it. As a documentary fanboy, I found myself gushing over the countless documentaries on offer. Like most video streaming services, CuriosityStream lets users download their library onto their mobile devices. Unfortunately, the site doesn’t have its own

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Home

Browse

Collections

desktop app so you’ll still need your browser open when watching.

change your mind, there is a cancel anytime policy.

There are currently two types of subscriptions available: a regular USD 2.99 (about PHP 153) subscription and a premium USD 9.99 (about PHP 511) for the 4K resolution. The only difference is really just the resolution so you won’t miss any content if you choose the basic option. If you are hesitant about committing to a monthly fee, they offer a seven-day free trial period for you to see what they have in store.

I’ve been on CuriosityStream for almost half a year now, and I still haven’t gone through all their shows, as they constantly add new content. They even have original content you won’t find anywhere else.

If you really like the service, CuriosityStream also has an annual subscription option starting at USD 19.99 (about PHP 1,022) for the base subscription and USD 69.99 (about PHP 3,575) for 4K streaming. In case you

The web version is pretty straight forward. You can scroll down to see the available categories, or browse for a specific topic via the search function. CuriosityStream has its own curated sets of shows for individuals who may want to learn about a specific topic, or from a specific person such as Sir David Attenborough. The app is similarly easy to navigate. There is a programs tab or the home screen—trending,

Profile

new, and recommended series will be displayed here. There is a browse tab where you can find specific titles based on topics. The collections tab contains the curated series. Lastly, the my stuff tab is where your watchlist, saved videos, and viewing history can be found. Just like Netflix and other streaming sites, CuriosityStream has seamless integration between its website and app, so you can continue watching even when switching devices. The major downside of CuriosityStream is that there is only a single user account for every subscription. You could share that account with your friends and loved ones, but don’t expect simultaneous streaming.

CuriosityStream can be accessed on their website, curiousitystream.com or via their app which is available on smart TVs, Android, Amazon, and iOS devices.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEBRUARY 2020

FEATURE

Words by Gabriel Pe

It’s that time of the year again when tech fans get a glimpse of what’s in store for the year, thanks to the Consumer Electronics Expo or CES. As every tech enthusiast knows, CES is the place where tech manufacturers showcase the products they have been working on. Products from the event usually foretell what’s going to hit store shelves in the coming months.

From folding laptops to rotating TVs, here are some of the biggest trends in CES 2020.

folding phones AND LAPTOPS When Samsung showcased the Galaxy Fold in last year’s event, phone manufacturers began to scramble to produce their own foldable devices. One year after that momentous announcement, it seems that foldable screens are now hitting laptops. Teased as a prototype in mid-2019, the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Fold is officially the world’s first folding screen laptop. The whole device is just a monitor/ screen which can be folded in half. The top half functions as a touchscreen display while the lower half houses the touchscreen keyboard. When you unfold the laptop, it can function as a 17-inch tablet.

FEBRUARY 2020

Laptop manufacturers are not the only ones on the folding bandwagon. Processor maker Intel presented their own take on a foldable tablet with the brand’s Horseshoe Bend tablet prototype. The device has a 17.3-inch screen which, like the Lenovo X1 Fold, can be folded in half for a laptoplike structure. The device runs on Intel’s 11th gen mobile processors code-named Tiger Lake. A surprise entry to the folding screen genre is TV manufacturer TCL with its TCL Fold, expected to be the cheapest folding smartphone when it is released later this year. The current prototype has a 7.2-inch screen which can be folded in the middle. Unlike other foldable phones, the TCL model does not have a secondary screen when folded so you might not be able to use it as a phone when closed.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

NEXT-GENERATION PROCESSING CES has always been the place where processor makers showcase their latest products. This year’s edition is no different with both AMD and Intel trying to oneup each other by launching their latest products. AMD clearly came prepared for CES 2020 announcing a plethora of new products including their fourth-gen Ryzen mobile processors like the Ryzen 4000 APU, the

Ryzen Threadripper 3990x, and their latest graphic processor, the Radeon 5600 XT. Intel announced their new line of mobile processors code-named Tiger Lake, the brand’s 11th-gen processor. This new processor is better than ever, thanks to the improved AI capabilities Intel created it with. Tiger Lake mobile CPUs are also the first to feature Xe graphic Architecture, Intel’s first discrete graphics processors. Based on the demo, the Xe graphics look promising.

pORTABLE GAMING CES 2020 hints that the future of gaming might be in small form factors, with manufacturers such as Dell and Razer placing their bets on smaller, more portable machines. Razer launched its Razer Kishi mobile controllers for Android and iOS devices. The controllers look like Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons can be connected to selected mobile devices to transform to a portable

gaming console. Apart from the Kishi the brand also previewed the Razer Tomahawk, a mini gaming rig using Intel’s NUC 9 Extreme platform. Intel showcased their own mini gaming powerhouse with the Intel NUC Ghost Canyon, an Intel NUC 9 Extreme rig smaller than your console, yet packing a punch as it is capable of running an Intel Core i9-9980HK mated to an Nvidia RTX 2070 GPU.

FASTER MONITORS, CLEARER TVS In 2019, we saw high refresh rate monitors hitting market shelves. For CES 2020, Asus decided to continue the trend with the world’s first 360 Hz refresh rate monitor, the Asus ROG Swift 360 zHz. Not only does it have the fastest refresh rate in the market it is also G-Sync capable so games appear silky smooth.

Samsung is also redefining wireless display integration as they unveiled the Samsung Sero. The Sero is the world’s first rotating display which emulates the orientation of the connected smartphone. As more and more users watch content via the internet, the Sero seems like a great idea as the portrait mode allows users to see much more content.

If you think that 4K is the ultimate stop when it comes to display technology, then you are mistaken as 8K TVs and displays took over CES 2020. Television manufacturers Samsung and LG each showcased 8K TVs that are expected to retail within the year.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEBRUARY 2020

GAMING

Words by Ren Alcantara Developer(s): 10 Chambers Collective | Publishers: 10 Chambers Collective | Platform: PC

If you’re a fan of games like WWZ, L4D, Zombie Army Trilogy, or R6 Siege, you’re going to want to keep reading. Maybe. And that last one wasn’t a typo. GTFO is a game that’s currently in early access on Steam, and it offers unforgiving, squad-based, tactical-lite, horror-shooter gameplay for you and up to three other friends. It sounds complicated, because it sort of is. Think a squad-based Alien: Isolation with individual roles, and you’ll be in the ballpark. My friends saw this during the Steam Christmas sale, and once we saw “squad-based horror-survival,” we had no choice.

There isn’t a lot of detail available as to the story behind the game, just that scientists (it’s always scientists) launch a subterranean expedition into the Chicxulub Crater—the same one created by the asteroid that drove the dinosaurs to extinction—unleashing a nightmare into the world. You play one of up to four dudes sent down there to retrieve items, and find a way out of what is essentially The Hive from Resident Evil, populated by… horrible creature… things? Look, it’s early access, and the details don’t really matter. Your four-man squad has to go in, get stuff and get the fork out. With multiple levels, a few different loadout, grotesque, vaguely human-like monsters, and more dark corridors than I would like to remember, GTFO is like playing through a tactical demon nightmare world, and it’s quite impressive. Darkness, fog, and dim, red lights in a world that feels exactly like one would imagine a

FEBRUARY 2020

deserted underground research facility set the mood perfectly. To go with the darkness, your foes are all blind, save for then they scan their immediate surroundings, glowing red to the beating of what is presumably their hearts. They also trigger when you shine your light on them, or touch them in any way. The enemies are limited in type for the moment, ranging from melee baddies, to larger archers that hit you with spheres of damaging energy, as well as giant versions of both types. Also terrifying is the scout, with long tendrils that reach out and trigger an area-wide alarm that brings everyone to your position. When things go south, it’s usually a write-off that’ll require a restart. To make your way through the map to your objective, you can take some gear with you, though they’re quite generic. There are two handguns, an SMG, an automatic rifle, LMG, and sniper rifle, as well as two shotguns. Ammo is extremely scarce though, so it’s

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

much safer to try and sneak up to them for a stealthy melee kill. You also have a suite of accessories that further determine player roles. From fortifying doors, to laying mines or turrets, you need the right combined loadout to have even a chance of completing the mission. If you’re smart though, at least one of you will have the almighty scanner, which allows you to determine the location of all hostiles in a certain area. With this, you might, if you’re extremely lucky and careful, avoid conflict, and get through the level. Maybe. Health and ammo packs do exist in chests, but they’re few and far between. To help you on your mission, there are also terminals—one of the most clever additions,

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

and what elevates GTFO from plain Jane survival horror, to something much more interesting. Through the terminal and actual in-game terminal commands that you have to type with the correct syntax, you can find the location of important items, doors, and consumables. It’s a small touch, but it really does add a lot of texture to the game, really grounding you in the world.

There are a few problems though. Being in early access, it can be buggy, with games failing to launch properly, dropping players, and games failing to end. There’s also no voice chat, so you’ll have to use a third-party comms app. To go in without comms is utterly pointless, as teamwork is the only way you’re getting through.

Firefights are terrifying and frantic. Enemies come in swarms, and there’s usually a position that has to be held while a door unlocks at some point in the map. There’s a lot of screaming, shooting, and swearing, as each fight, even if you survive, takes such a toll, that future ones have increasingly bleak outcome. It isn’t horror in the traditional sense, but the foreboding mood, excellent level design really gives the experience weight.

There are multiple levels, with similar objectives, but different maps. This means you’re constantly on your feet, watching your squad’s back while you stumble through the darkness. We haven’t gotten very far, partly because we aren’t super good, and also because it’s honestly quite a very mentally taxing game, but extremely rewarding, if only to hear your friends scream. Early access does mean there are a few problems, but even then, I do think it’s worth it.

FEBRUARY 2020

Words by Jose Alvarez Developer(s): Respawn Entertainment | Publishers: Electronic Arts | Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

The recent conclusion of the Star Wars film sequel trilogy has fans split: did Disney improve Star Wars or did they ruin it? The same could be said of the video game franchise after Electronic Arts (EA) took over the franchise in 2013. The last installment, Star Wars Battlefront II, caused major controversy over loot boxes. When people took to Reddit to discuss the controversy, an EA representative had the dubious distinction of getting the single most downvoted comment in Redditâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, which forced EA to retreat and rethink their next Star Wars game, which became Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.

FEBRUARY 2020

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order takes place five years after the events of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Jedi Padawan Cal Kestis is being hunted down by the Second Sister and Ninth Sister, two members of Darth Vader’s Imperial Inquisitors, as well as other members of the Galactic Empire. Old worlds familiar to Star Wars fans such as Kashyyyk and Dathomir appear in the game, as well as new places and characters to fill in the vast Star Wars extended universe. Given that it takes place between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, the game is dark in tone and those who enjoy hack-andslash single-player adventure games may find this installation interesting. Among my favorite aspects of this game are the large worlds which you revisit time and time again to unlock various areas. Respawn Entertainment also took the time to pay attention to detail and thoroughly studied

the source material, which may satisfy hardcore Star Wars fans. While Cal Kestis is a Jedi, our hero is unfortunately limited to Force abilities and a lightsaber; even Jedi used other weapons such as blasters in the films and video games. However, the combat system is challenging enough without being frustrating: you have to carefully block, parry, and dodge attacks. Higher difficulties, such as Jedi Master and Jedi Grand Master difficulty, will punish inexperienced players significantly. Enemies become more aggressive and are harder to kill, and deal more damage. Since the majority of deaths occur in combat (I rarely died from falling off of cliffs), you’ll have to play through the game at least once if you want to tackle Jedi Master or Jedi Grand Master difficulties. Puzzle solving is also fun and entertaining, especially with Force powers. You’re never doing the same thing twice.

You’ll also get a talent tree consisting of Force, Lightsaber, and Survival skills. It is strongly advised to get Grasping Pull as soon as possible as it allows you to one-shot most human-sized enemies, as well as Dash Strike to chase down enemies and interrupt attacks. Howling Push is especially useful for the later stages in the game when Cal Kestis has to fight overwhelming amounts of enemies (and even more useful at higher difficulties when these enemies are all lethal). After those skills, you might want to pick up Lightsaber Mastery to hit harder. Your style of play also influences what skills you might want to get first. For example, if you play conservatively and defensively, Superior Blocking is something you might grab to make the early parts of the game much easier (especially if you’re playing on Grand Jedi Master), while those who love to run in and fight should pursue Grasping Pull and Dash Strike.

Overall, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order makes up for the missteps that EA has taken since 2013. Those who have questioned the company after Battlefront II and all the controversies that came afterward may feel much better knowing EA has learned from its mistakes and has grown since then to bring back the quality single-player action that Star Wars games should have. While Star Wars games will always be a point of debate just like the movies, this one is a solid addition to any action-adventure gamer’s library.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FEBRUARY 2020

TRAVEL

Europe in December Words and photos by Ren Alcantara

f you want to level up your Christmas experience, few things can compare to the holiday experience in Europe. From Christmas markets, to wonderful new cuisine, seasonal drinks, and shopping, it’s unlike anything here at home.

First things first though. If you intend to spend winter in Europe, you have to prepare for the cold. While it’s not life-threatening, the cold can be formidable depending on where you head. Our recent trip took us from a chilly 8 degrees and sunny in Paris, to an absolutely miserable 0 degrees and snowy in Germany, and a mildly frightening -13 degrees (with 50 kph winds) at the Swiss Alps. Setting aside space in your luggage for actual cold-weather wear will allow you to see the sights and experience the attractions in comfort rather than misery. There’s also no reason to throw fashion out the window when picking your wardrobe. Buying off-season is probably the best way to get what you need, from places you want, and saving yourself more than enough money to spend at Christmas markets. For everything else, such as thermal under-layers, there’s always the nearest Uniqlo that will have clothes rated for different temperature ranges. Just pick the most appropriate, get several, and some layers to put over it, and you should be set. To cut down on layers and because it’s totally what a tech guy such as myself would do, I had something of a secret weapon. I ordered a USB-powered heating vest online, and after extensive testing, deemed it to be travel-worthy. It saved me a few layers, and even on its own, without power, was significantly warm. Another thing to be prepared for is the damp. While it might not rain, slush is just as wet, and much more miserable. While you can probably get away with something even moderately water resistant for your overcoat, you’re going to want something

FEBRUARY 2020

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

to keep your feet dry. I went with a lightweight pair of ankle-high leather shoes in which I have traveled extensively. While my companions languished in thin trainers and canvas shoes, I was warm, dry, and more comfortable than I wanted to admit. With apparel out of the way, something you absolutely need is some way to get data. There is a whole host of devices that offer data worldwide, with reasonable fees, and a stand-alone device that can be purchased or rented. As for myself, I am a fan of a more straightforward approach: an EU sim off of any of the trusted online retailers. For our trip, I got a sim that came with 10GB of data, no voice calls (though there’s always Viber and FB Messenger), and a month-long, reloadable subscription. It cost less than PHP 2000, and served us perfectly across France, Germany, and Switzerland. From quick, real-time conversions, translation, booking train tickets, and navigation, I would feel totally lost without connectivity overseas. The convenience of just carrying one device in the same manner as back home just can’t be overstated. Being able to run a hotspot and share my connection with my wife was the cherry on top. While generally, the holiday cheer abounds all over the continent, it’s most apparent in the Christmas markets that dot the map all over Germany. Hitting as many Christmas markets as we could was the goal of the trip, and by many accounts, the best ones were in smaller cities, so we hit Nuremburg, Bamberg, Esslingen, and Stuttgart. Each city had something unique about it, such as Nuremberg’s sausages, Esslingen’s medieval mart, Bamber’s beer, and Stuttgart’s area dedicated to Norway, so you will always have something new to find regardless of where it is you choose to go. Wherever in Germany it is though, you’ll find plenty of mulled wine, and all sorts of food, from giant meat skewers, cheeses, and even vegan and vegetarian fare, so there’s something for every interest. That being said, always have cash handy. While lots of places do accept credit cards, the majority of them, particularly the smaller stalls, will only accept cash. ATMs are also not the easiest things to find, so preparing Euro beforehand will keep you from starving, and allow you to snag some good deals on all sorts of Christmas swag. These markets are all outdoors, so be prepared to be a little chilly, particularly if you find a market near a river, or if the wind starts to pick up, and finally, be aware that the places close early by Manila standards. We noticed that merchants started packing up as early as (1900H) 7PM, and the last ones were done by (2100H) 9PM, so head over early. The public transport system in this part of Europe is quite robust, though it does work slightly differently from here. Certain countries also give passes to tourists, so before you drop all your change at the station, make sure to ask if such options are available to you. Checking online yields mixed results, so it’s still best to speak to a warm body when you arrive. Christmas overseas is great, and with a little preparation, some research, and a lot of walking, it’s an experience you’ll be remembering fondly for years.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

From wonderful wintery scenes, the smells of spiced Christmas drinks, and all the different kinds of food, the holiday markets all around Europe are worth putting on your bucket list.

FEBRUARY 2020

VISUAL APPS SPACE

With all the school work and mundane tasks that every student and yuppie needs to accomplish daily, staying at home seems to be an ideal way to spend the weekend. Nothing beats an airconditioned room, a comfy couch filled with soft pillows, and a cup of hot cocoa while browsing digital content on your smart TV. 2020 is definitely an exciting year for Netflix as the digital media provider has a lot in store for its subscribers, particularly in the film department. From chick flicks to drama, Netflix has every homebody covered.

Movies to explore this 2020

Words by Jewel Sta. Ana

Spenser Confidential Based on Ace Atkin’s crime fiction novel, the upcoming American mystery-thriller film stars Mark Wahlberg as Detective Spenser, an ex-felon and former police detective who returns to Boston’s underworld to investigate a twisted murder case. The movie reunites director Peter Berg and Mark Wahlberg for the fifth time, and features Hollywood’s famous celebrities including Winston Duke and Post Malone.

To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You This February, Lana Condor and Noah Centineo will once again sweep the hearts of single ladies. A sequel to Netflix-distributed teen romance flick based on Jenny Han’s To All The Boys series, the film revolves around the life of smart and stylish Lara Jean and school heartthrob Peter Kavinsky as a real couple. Everything was perfect until John Ambrose, one of the recipients of Lara Jean’s old love letters, reconnected with her. Now, she’s left to answer a hard question: will she choose her present or will she go back to her past?

Horse Girl Genuinely strange and surreal, the drama film co-written and directed by Jeff Baena follows Sarah, a woman who has a penchant for arts and crafts, horses, and supernatural crime shows, who finds her lucid dreams come into her waking life. The quirky indie movie starring co-writer and Bojack Horseman’s Alison Brie had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.

FEBRUARY 2020

All The Bright Places The much-awaited film adaptation of Jennifer Niven’s eponymous YA novel is finally coming! Maleficent’s Elle Fanning and Detective Pikachu’s Justice Smith come together to give life on the vibrant Violet Markey and the eloquent Theodore Finch, among the most memorable fictional characters in the YA genre. Compelling, refreshing, and raw, the movie takes on the experience of mental illness, its impact on relationships, as well as the beauty and lasting impact of young love.

The Last Thing He Wanted Netflix has acquired the rights to the titular book by Joan Didion, making its way to your smartphone’s screen this year. The British-American political thriller movie has a star-studded cast, presenting Anne Hathaway as Elena McMahon, a veteran journalist who abandons her coverage in the 1984 US presidential elections to care for her ill-stricken father after her mother’s death. She then became an unwitting subject in the very story she’s trying to break. Hathaway is joined by Ben Affleck Rosie Perez, Edi Gathegi, Mel Rodriguez, Toby Jones, and Willem Dafoe.

Miss Americana Swifties, rejoice! You’ll get to see Miss Americana herself, singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, as she shares her life over the course of her career through this documentary. Debuted at the opening night of this year’s 2020 Sundance Film Festival and directed by Lana Wilson, the docu-film shows the transformation of this American sweetheart both as a pop superstar and a woman of substance.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

WELLNESS

Words by Gabriel Pe

It’s February, the season when the temperature is at its wonkiest, typically staying between 20 to 23 degrees Celsius in the morning and evening while reaching a sky-high 30 degrees Celsius at noon time. The Department of Health (DOH) has declared January to February as the peak of flu season. With the health scares that haunt us every year, doctors are now trying to find ways on how technology can put them one step ahead of a possible outbreak. While you may think that these devices would cost a fortune, you may be wrong as one study in the US found out. A study published on The Lancet Digital Health Journal, found that your wearable devices, specifically health trackers, can actually prevent flu outbreaks thanks to its constant stream of health data. The study conducted by Dr. Jennifer Radin and her team from the Scripps Research Translational Institute used data collected from 200,000 Fitbit users in five key US states, and observed activity, heart rate, and sleep for at least 60 days during the experiment period. To determine whether the subject was about to contract the flu, the researchers first calculated the average resting heart rate and sleep duration of each subject. The data from each subject would be collected each week and subjects who exhibited abnormal readings were then classified. This data was compared to weekly estimates for influenza-like illness rates reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). “Responding more quickly to influenza outbreaks can prevent further spread and infection, and we were curious to see if sensor data could improve real-time surveillance at the state level. We demonstrate the potential for metrics from wearable devices to enhance flu surveillance and consequently improve public health responses. In the future as these devices improve, and with

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

access to 24/7 real-time data, it may be possible to identify rate of influenza on a daily instead of weekly basis,” Radin said. The study found that by incorporating data from the Fitbit trackers, influenza predictions at the state level were improved. In all five states there was an improvement in real-time surveillance, and the closest alignment with CDC data was found when abnormal resting heart rate was defined as half a standard deviation above normal and sleep more than half a standard deviation below.

“Clinical researchers are using wearables to pioneer new ways around how we understand, prevent and treat disease and identify better approaches to keep people healthy and deliver more meaningful health outcomes. Our research relationship with The Scripps Institute, which was announced in early 2019, is one example of that. We’re excited by the potential wearables can play in helping to better predict the flu and the positive impact that can have on both those with the flu and the healthcare system” Fitbit said in a statement to CNN.

FEBRUARY 2020

MUSIC CORNER

Words by Daniel Ringon | Art by Chini Soriano

Taking inspiration from a 1993 Pearl Jam concert, Goldenvoice co-presidents Paul Tollet and Rick Van Santen pitched the idea of a music festival bringing together small artists, each with their own following. Fast forward to the 2010s, their brainchild has now joined the ranks of Lollapalooza, Glastonbury, Burning Man, and Woodstock as a mainstay of western music culture, and is continuing its trend of highlighting artists, both mainstream and ones on the rise. This year’s festival gives its audiences a delightful surprise with the release of their mostly Asian lineup. Not to be that guy, but Filipino pride is present this year lineup following No Rome’s inclusion in 2019, but more on that later. With more than a hundred artists flooding the festival, it will be difficult keeping track of all of them. So here’s a starting guide for the small-font acts to watch out for in Coachella, or for those who are stuck at home like I am, in the airwaves.

beadbadoobee

The Hu

FEBRUARY 2020

Again, not to be that guy, but Pinoy Pride! Iloilo-born beabadoobee is only 19 years old. No, that’s not a knock against her, it’s definitely a compliment. Producing a sound reminiscent of the 90s in the form of dreamy vocals, otherworldly textures, and a general bedroom pop feel, beabadoobee’s music is a breath of fresh air. It’s neither too busy, nor mundane. Since starting her music career, she has garnered attention as Matt Healy, Khalid, and Jaden Smith revealed themselves to be fans of this London-based artist. 2020 might be the year for the budding indie-darling as not only is she playing Coachella, she’s also

the supporting act for The 1975 in the UK leg of their Music for Cars tour.

Apparently, we’ve been missing out. The Hu (from Hunnu meaning human) has been gaining fans around the world with their blend of Mongolian traditional throat singing and heavy metal. Their music has had such an impact in a short time that rockstars from the western world are chomping at the bit to play with the band! Danny Case of From Ashes to New, and Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach each recorded a version of a The Hu song just in 2019. Counting the inclusion of their song Black Thunder in Star Wars Jedi: The Fallen Order, the closing of the 2010s went great for The Hu.

Know Them Better Through: The Gereg (2019)

Know Her Better Through: Loveworm - Bedroom Sessions (2019) Her latest EP gives its name justice. What starts as a loveworm ends with an earworm, then back to a loveworm. That may be one worm too many, but the sound beabadoobee delivers is more than just an angstsy, stripped back approach to 90s rock. It also plays like an enigmatic map of teenage romance. Discussing various degrees of romantic love, from finding it in Apple Cider to an abrupt end we are all too familiar with in the first track Disappear.

As the world got to know The Hu, the band introduced Mongolian culture through to its conclusion in heavy metal. Taking its name from the diplomatic passport used in Gengis Khan’s time, the album stands as a passport of sorts into Mongolian culture. The album talks about a myriad of topics such as a mother’s love, the importance of Gengis Khan, and respect for the elders and nature. Shireg Shireg in particular is a farewell song for warriors from their parents as was done in ancient times. Blending the sound of horses in the music, it recounts the bittersweet feelings of fighting for the people.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Sampa the Great

Born in Zambia and raised in Botswana, Sampa the Great brings a new flavor to Australian hip-hop. The young artist known as Sampa the Great exudes the attitude and confidence associated with classic NWA-era hip hop, as well as the sensibilities that millennial music is known for. Fusing hiphop, jazz, and traditional African sounds make for a rewarding experience with Sampa at the helm. With an EP, an album and two mixtapes on her record, Sampa is a poet of varying themes. Home, history, and displacement are among her most recent themes, blasting hard-truth lyrics

with gentleness and the occasional roughness when neeeded. Know Her Better Through: Birds and the BEE9 (2017) Featuring carefully mixed tracks, the mixtape Birds and the BEE9 incorporates reggae, jazz, and African sounds to hip-hop, resulting in a peculiar amalgam. Peculiar in the sense that it can fit in a chillhop (Black Girl Magik) playlist and still get real (Rhymes to the East). With 13 head-bopping, rap-along worthy tracks, this will get people primed and ready for Sampa the Great in Coachella.

Honorable Mentions:

Beach Goons The only constant member, vocalist and lead guitarist Pablo Cervantez leads the band from playing libraries, to touring around the US, to sold-out gigs. Selfstyled as an un-surf surf band (their Spotify page says “we hate the beach”), Beach Goons radiates surfer bro vibes— something you would jam to as you sit down at the beach, start a bonfire, and drink with newfound friends. Know Them Better Through: hoodratscumbags (2018) Delivering on the premise of a good time, hoodratscumbags serves surf punk with Mexican music roots. Expect lots of guitars, fuzzed up music, and a whole lot of atmospheric music. With English and Spanish songs, there’s a lot of lyrical variety that will leave you wanting more. Artificial Flowers and Chunti in particular sound like something that will be played at a low-key beach party.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Hatsune Miku Following in the footsteps of Gorillaz, Japanese moe anthropomorph Hatsune Miku makes it to Coachella this year. Having had her origins as a singing voice synthesizer software, Hatsune Miku has had several collaborations with big name artists over the years including Pharell Williams, Big Boi of Outkast, Japanese bands Supercell, and Livetune among others. Hatsune Miku’s J-popstar status is about to go worldwide with her debut in Coachella 2020! Know Her Better Through: Rainbow Palace (2018) Does the fact that she’s a machine need more hype? In case you say yes, Jonathan Parecki’s collaboration with Hatsune Miku features 12 tracks that might as well be used for anime intros. Vampire Kiss for example, sounds as if it’s made for an RPG anime, with guitar riffs and rising tonations. Upbeat and brimming with personality, you’ll be forgiven if you forget that she isn’t even a real person.

Conan Gray Japanese-Irish singer songwriter Conan Gray took his time and is finally about to launch his debut album this March. Gray started vlogging at the age of nine, during which he made art and recorded his works, garnering more than 25 million views by 2017. Now, as a rising name in the niche genre of sad boy pop (yes, it’s a thing), watch out for Conan Gray in Coachella this March! Know Him Better Through: Sunset Season EP (2018) The prince of sad Gen-Z internet dwellers sings about the life of sad Gen-Z internet dwellers in this five-track EP. The title Generation Why might sound borderline pretentious, but Gray knows what’s what. Coming from a place of enough grit and realness, lyrics that might seem a tad overblown become relateable with the low-keyness of introverts while still waving the flag of the rebellious teen spirit.

FEBRUARY 2020

ENTERPRISE

Robocash study shows older Filipinos are catching up with Fin-tech services

With the growing penetration of online services in the country, a recent study conducted by the Robocash Group, an international finance company that provides microlending, shows the growing demand of Filipino Gen X and Baby Boomers on fin-tech companies. According to the research, which was compared against the similar trends identified in Southeast and South Asia, the Philippines took the top spot with the highest users on online lending services. The demographics of the users are reported to be part of the Gen X generation aging from 41 to 60 years old. It significantly increased from May 2018 (14.67 percent), up to 15.86 percent by December 2019 with a 1.2 percent increase of new users monthly. It also delivered the same results for its 51- to 60-year-old users which shows a rapid 5.6 percent growth monthly. By December 2019, it had hit 4 percent compared to 1.15 percent in May 2018. Robocash Group analysts said that the main driver

FEBRUARY 2020

for this switch is territorial fragmentation, as well as the youthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s influence on trying alternative fin-tech options. Indonesia took second place, reaching a total of 15.39 percent Gen X users by December 2019. This shows a greater average growth compared to the Philippines with 1.8 percent in this age group. Meanwhile, the share of 51- to 60-year-olds still lags significantly with 2.27 percent despite its monthly increase of 5 percent. Vietnam and India shared similar trends but had higher dynamics. Thus, the share of older Indians taking online lending services grew on average by 8.3 percent per month. Vietnam, on the other hand, outpaced it with a monthly rate of 26 percent. Robocash noted that the popularity of fin-tech services in Vietnam will keep increasing. However, older generations are still hesitant users with 4.63 percent in Vietnam (2.71 percent in January

2019) for 41-50-year-old clients by December 2019. It also meant the same for India with 9.33 percent (4.44 percent in January 2019). Moreover, the share of customers aged 51-60 years in Vietnam in January 2019 was only 0.08 percent, while India recorded 0.44 percent. Over the year, these countries grew to 0.82 percent and 0.99 percent, respectively. Factors such as the maturity of the population in Vietnam (30.9 years) and the insufficient penetration of banking services (30.8 percent) affected the results, which were the lowest among the mentioned countries. This denotes that despite the steadily growing use of fin-tech platforms by Asian Gen X and Baby Boomers, the gap remains uncovered. Further development of financial technologies in Asian countries can significantly enhance economic activity, driving inclusive growth across the region.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

FPG Insurance names Gigi Pio de Roda as new President and CEO FPG Insurance Co., Inc., a major player in the non-life insurance industry and leader in motor insurance coverage, welcomes Gigi Pio de Roda as its new President and CEO effective January 6, 2020. In this role, Gigi takes the reins of the company’s flagship motor insurance, as well as the emerging portfolios for travel and residential insurances. Gigi joins FPG Insurance from her recent role as Philam Life/AIA’s Chief Operations Officer (COO). Known in the industry for her transformation of business operations through complex executions and efficiency, Gigi is responsible for Philam Life/AIA’s digital revolution since 2017, where customer service and experience are at the core of its design. “We gladly welcome Gigi to the FPG Insurance family and are very excited for the changes

that she will be bringing into the company. FPG Insurance is looking forward to how she will charter the course for our Philippine business direction,” said Stephen Blasina, FPG Insurance regional managing director. Gigi is bringing in over 30 years of proven financial services expertise, having previously also served HSBC Philippines in various executive positions such as chief operations officer, senior vice president and head of retail banking and wealth management, and chief risk officer. She has a degree in Management of Financial Institutions from the De La Salle University, is a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICDPh), and also serves as a professional executive coach.

Epson achieves EcoVadis Gold for corporate social responsibility Epson has been awarded a Gold rating for CSR by independent assessors EcoVadis for the third year in succession. The top rating, which reflects Epson’s commitment to achieving the highest possible international CSR standards, also acknowledges Epson as being “Outstanding” in Sustainable Procurement and highlights its “Excellent” achievement in Labour & Human Rights and for its actions to preserve the Environment. The overall results show a 5 percent increase on the previous year with a significant score increase in Labour & Human Rights, placing Epson in the top 2 percent for CSR in its industry. Minoru Usui, global president of Epson says: “Corporate Social Responsibility is at the heart of everything we do at Epson and this excellent achievement in CSR is as important and valuable to our business as financial success.” “Epson’s aim is to be an indispensable company, which means we must create unique, long term value by producing excellent products that exceed our customers’ expectations, address societal needs and, importantly, sustain our environment. As a business we have aligned all our activities to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations and we are committed, above all else, to creating a better and more sustainable future.”

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

EcoVadis — an independent, trusted and collaborative platform— assesses companies’ policies and actions as well as their published reporting related to the environment, labour & human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. EcoVadis’ unique CSR assessment

method covers more than 198 procurement categories, 155 countries and 21 CSR indicators. More than 55,000 companies work with EcoVadis to reduce risk, stimulate innovation and build transparency and trust between trading partners.

FEBRUARY 2020

Nearly all your employees are distracted: study reveals realities of today’s open office

A global study commissioned by Poly (formerly Plantronics and Polycom), a global communications company that powers meaningful human connection and collaboration, and done by HR advisory and research firm, Future Workplace, revealed that 99 percent of employees are distracted some of the time in the office. About 5,151 workers in 10 countries were surveyed to discover both the realities and causes of workplace distraction, and what companies and employees can do to curb it. It also identified the current trends in office landscape today, and how technology is integral in keeping the environment conducive for work. Open offices appeal to young workers, but can be distracting The study revealed that more modern workspaces attract Gen Z and Millennials. 55 percent of Gen Z and 56 percent of Millennials prefer open office spaces as compared to the older generations who still predominantly choose traditional office setup, as open offices appeal to the younger generation due to the vibe and aesthetics. However, today’s open offices also come with functional problems that frustrate workers. Most employees feel that noise disrupts their productivity. Most common distractions that they encounter are loud talking co-workers over the phone, office celebrations, co-workers talking nearby, table and video games, phone rings and alerts, and bringing pets in the office.

FEBRUARY 2020

Workplace distractions also come with a cost, with nearly 1 in 3 employees losing one or more hours of productivity, while 48 percent of participants admitted to lacking in focus to get things done. Despite the challenges experienced, the employees surveyed still regarded open office spaces as preferable. To combat these challenges and remain productive, employers and employees have found several strategies, including the opportunity to tap on collaboration solutions, in order to bridge the gap and stay productive. 34 percent said that they look for a quieter spot at the office, while some utilize technologies such as wearing music headphones (27 percent) or noise cancelling headphones (19 percent) to stay productive despite being in a shared space. Organizations also established quiet spaces or zones to reduce office distractions. Revamping the office layout and setting guidelines on appropriate noise levels were done to improve employees’ peace of mind at work. Noise reduction and other tech solutions improve productivity The survey also found that 53 percent of employees went to their direct manager, and that 1 in 7 went to IT to resolve issues with office distractions. This is surprising given that one of the most effective ways to reduce noise in the workplace is by reaching out to the IT department, who usually have access to

technologies and tools that could significantly reduce noise-based distractions. This can include noise-cancelling headphones, or huddle rooms and phone booths equipped with audio-video and content sharing platforms. Overall, the study demonstrated that noise reduction is indeed vital in a productive workplace and that investing in technology solutions such as noise-canceling technology is crucial. To address problems and enable maximum productivity, Poly recently introduced nextgeneration Savi 8200 Office Series, the first DECT headsets with active noise cancelling in the Philippines. “More employees in the Philippines are now adopting work-from-anywhere arrangements, thanks to the recently-signed Telecommuting Act. With this, employees need the right tools and technologies to help them stay productive, even when working remotely” said Samir Sayed, managing director, ASEAN and Korea, Poly. “Poly’s innovations are designed to help everyone perform at their best, whatever their workplace environment. The new Savi 8200 Office Series has a unique close conversation limiting feature and easy call merging with support for desk phones, mobile devices, and PCs to overcome the distractions, make communications clearer, and improve overall employee satisfaction. With technologies like these, we hope that distraction in the office will be a thing of the past for Philippines businesses,” he added.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

CYBER SECURITY

Mystery Shopper: your shopping app may be compromised Kaspersky researchers detected a Trojan application that terrorizes users with unsolicited ads and boosts installations of online shopping applications — fooling both users and advertisers. This malicious app visits smartphone app stores, downloads and launches applications and leaves fake reviews on behalf of the user, all while hiding itself from the device owner. As new year sales are hitting the stores, both users and brands need to be wary. When choosing shops, users rely heavily on reviews, while retailers increase their promotion and advertising budgets. As it turns out, neither can fully trust what they see online, as a new Trojan application is boosting popular shopping app ratings and installations, and spreading numerous ads that may annoy users. The Trojan, dubbed ‘Shopper’, first drew the attention of researchers following its extensive obfuscation and use of the Google Accessibility Service. The service enables users to set a voice to read out app content and automate interaction with the user interface—designed to help people with disabilities. However, in the hands of attackers this feature presents a serious threat to the device owner. Once it has the permission to use the service, the malware can gain almost unlimited opportunities to interact with the system interface and applications. It can capture data featured on the screen, press buttons and even emulate user gestures. It is not known yet how the malicious application is being spread. Kaspersky researchers assume that it may be downloaded by device owners from fraudulent ads or third-party app stores while trying to get a legitimate application. The app masks itself as a system application and uses a system icon named ConfigAPKs in order to hide itself from the user. After the screen is unlocked, the app launches, gathers information about the victim’s device and sends it to the attacker’s servers. The server returns the commands for the application to execute. Depending on the commands, the app can: • Use a device owner’s Google or Facebook account to register on popular shopping and entertainment apps, including AliExpress, Lazada, Zalora, Shein, Joom, Likee and Alibaba; • Leave application reviews in Google Play on behalf of the device owner;

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

• Check the rights to use the Accessibility Service. If permission is not granted, it sends a phishing request for them; • Turn off Google Play Protect, a feature that runs a safety check on apps from the Google Play Store before they are downloaded; • Open links received from the remote server in an invisible window and hide itself from the app menu after a number of screens are unblocked; • Show ads when unblocking the device’s screen and create labels to advertised ads in the app menu; • Download applications from the Apkpure[.] com ‘market’ and install them; • Open and download advertised applications in Google Play; • Replace labels of installed apps with labels of advertised pages The highest share of users infected by TrojanDropper.AndroidOS.Shopper.a from October to November 2019 was in Russia, with a staggering 28.46 percent of all users affected by the shopaholic app located in the country. Almost a fifth (18.70 percent) of infections were in Brazil and 14.23 percent in India. “Despite the fact that, at the moment, the real danger stemming from this malicious app is limited to unsolicited ads, fake reviews and ratings issued in the name of the victim, no one can guarantee that the creators of this malware

will not change their payload to something else. For now, the focus of this malicious app is on retail, but its capabilities enable attackers to spread fake information via users’ social media accounts and other platforms. For example, it could automatically share videos containing whatever the operators behind Shopper would want on personal pages of users’ accounts and just flood the internet with unreliable information,” says Igor Golovin, Kaspersky malware analyst. To reduce the risk of infection by malware threats such as this one, users are advised to follow the recommendations below: • Beware of apps that require the use of the Accessibility Service, if the application isn’t meant to be used with this function • Always check application permissions to see what your installed apps are allowed to do • Do not install applications from untrusted sources, even if they are actively advertised, and block the installation of programs from unknown sources in your smartphone’s settings • Use a reliable mobile security solution, such as Kaspersky Internet Security for Android, that can help identify potentially dangerous or questionable requests made by the downloaded application, and explain the risks associated with different types of common permissions

FEBRUARY 2020

Palo Alto Networks shares cybersecurity outlook for 2020 Global cybersecurity solutions provider Palo Alto Networks shared its cybersecurity outlook for the year in a press briefing last January 23. Palo Alto Networks highlighted five key topics in their prediction: 5G, talent shortage, Internet of Things (IoT), data privacy, and cloud solutions. Today’s 4G problems are setting the scene for 5G Palo Alto Networks chief feild security officer for Asia Pacific, Kevin O’Leary shares that the company believes that 4G will still reign supreme in the coming year. Even with brands rapidly pushing for 5G infrastructure, 4G will still be the predominant method of communication for many APAC countries. “We think the 5G is not really going to develop at the same pace that 4G did and we will see 5G networks, but not until 2025 and beyond,” said O’ Leary. “The issue from a cyber security perspective of that, of course, is that as we use the 4G backbone, all the issues that we’ve seen developed within that network will be continued and will be spread across into 5G.” Talent shortage isn’t what you think it is According to the (ISC) 2 2918 Cybersecurity Workforce study, there are approximately 2.14 million cybersecurity jobs needing to be filled. Palo Alto Networks sees that this shortage will continue in 2020 unless companies start looking for talent at the right places. “I think this is the issue alone, the roles that are open today are looking for security veterans that simply don’t exist. So if I look at the type of roles being advertised for security operation centers, they’re looking for people with 10 years experience who have worked in cybersecurity, etc, etc, etc. Now, the problem with that is, they simply don’t exist as an industry,” said O’ Leary He also pointed out solutions companies could try. One would automate the process and leave threat detection and busting to AI and Machine-Learning. The second solution is to look in the right place. For him, this means finding curious minds who are also problem solvers. “If we’re looking at technical roles, somebody working in a security operations center, if they’re going into operating security tools, then they don’t have to be security veterans, because technology is just technology and take it from me. I’ve worked in the industry for a

FEBRUARY 2020

Palo Alto Networks Field Chief Security for Asia-Pacific Kevin O’Leary

long time. Being a database administrator isn’t that much different from being an administrator for an antivirus network or managing intrusion detection, all of these things are just technical functions that people can be trained into,” he said. Navigating IoT will become a minefield for everyone With IoT devices flooding the market, Palo Alto Networks sees these as the next big cybersecurity flaw in our home system. “This explosion of IoT devices is one thing because we’re going to depend on them more and more. But as we continue to depend on them, we’re also exposing ourselves more and more.” But there is no need to worry as Palo Alto Networks is already working with the industry to secure your data and devices from any potential attack. Data privacy lines get blurrier Relating to the IoT, Palo Alto Networks notes that as more and more devices gather data, the more people need to know where it goes. “Data could be used for different activities such as marketing, etc. And, you know, once people realize how effective it can be to manipulate data and to use that in a negative way, thinking of Cambridge Analytica and the issues that happen on Facebook. There’s a real concern out there,” said O’Leary. O’ Leary believes that 2020 will be the year when the public realizes the importance of data privacy. “So we think that this year is going to be the year of public outrage. Maybe the best way to put it

in terms of how data has been collected, who is managing it, and what is happening to it. So as we see during the year, there are more and more breaches that happen worldwide for publicly held and publicly managed data repositories for in government, and that is going to be an everincreasing issue.” The Cloud gets more complex as companies adopt multiple services For Palo Alto Networks 2019 was the year when companies started migrating their data and products on to the cloud. For 2020, O’ Leary notes that companies and enterprise will embrace a more complex cloud system as they adopt a multicloud system and use multiple providers such as Microsoft Azure and AWS. “The point is that if you decide that you’re going to go for the security provided by those cloud companies, then you’re going to have to manage 345 different security organizations, five different sets of infrastructure at its worst and that complexity is an issue in itself.” As for what business can do to protect themselves, O’Leary emphasized the need for a well thought out cybersecurity plan. “I would sum it up and say, when it comes to cybersecurity in general, the most important thing is to have a strategy that’s right for your company that that is very clearly focused in the needs of the business, not just box-ticking exercises, but really are related to your understanding of your business and your IT infrastructure. So have that strategy, understand your own infrastructure, and follow through on that, and then go back again. So it should be a complete reiteration,” he said.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Sophos Introduces Intercept X for Mobile

Global cybersecurity leader Sophos has introduced a new mobile security app named Sophos Intercept X for Mobile, with new security capabilities for Chrome OS devices and improved threat defence for Android and iOS devices. Sophos also published research regarding the persistence of Fleeceware apps on the Play Store. The research details new findings on fleeceware applications that overcharge unsuspecting consumers for functionality widely available in other free or low-cost apps. Fleeceware were first discovered by SophosLabs on Google Play in September 2019. Fleeceware remains a problem with more than 20 newly discovered applications totalling nearly 600 million alleged installations as reported by Google. “Fleeceware and other unscrupulous app developers are walking a fine line to avoid breaking hard and fast app store rules. This sneaky behaviour is unethical, but not illegal,” said Dan Schiappa, chief product officer at Sophos. “Possibly more worrisome are the stealthy cyber criminals who increasingly target mobile devices to carry out attacks for financial gain or as an ‘easy in’ to connected corporate networks. No mobile device is immune, and attackers are counting on unprotected devices and unpatched flaws to carry out their attacks. Intercept X for Mobile protects users from risky applications and malicious content, and keeps business data on mobile devices secure.” Like the Intercept X for Windows, macOS, and server, the Intercept X for Mobile has the same deep learning anti-malware technology that protects the user, their devices and data from known and never before seen mobile threats.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Sophos has also adjusted Intercept X for Mobile with a redesigned interface that simplifies security management and aids in accessibility for users with disabilities: • Device Security: Intercept X for Mobile continuously monitors for and alerts users and IT administrators to signs of potential compromise so they can rapidly and automatically remediate issues and revoke access to corporate resources. Compliance checks detect jailbreaking, rooting, operating system versions and more, informing users and IT administrators of violations and taking automatic action • Network Security: Intercept X for Mobile monitors network connections for suspicious activity in real time, warning users and IT administrators of potential Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks. Web filtering and URL checking also stop access to known bad sites, protecting users from unsuitable content, and SMS phishing detection spots malicious URLs • Application Security: Intercept X for Mobile detects malicious and suspicious applications installed on devices, protecting against malware, ransomware and potentially unwanted apps like fleeceware. Integration with Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solutions like Sophos Mobile and Microsoft Intune enable administrators to build conditional access policies, restricting access to applications, data and corporate resources when threats are detected • Chromebook Security: The new Chromebook Security extension protects Chrome OS users from unsuitable and malicious web content, provides app white and block-listing, and lets IT

administrators report on device status and configuration “There’s a false sense of understanding that organizations don’t have the right to secure employee-owned devices, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. No device is off limits to an attacker, and left unsecured, mobile devices introduce significant risk,” said Scott Larson, owner of Technology By Design. “Intercept X for Mobile provides the best-inclass protection needed to secure personal and company-issued devices in today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape. It’s a musthave, non-intrusive solution that strengthens any organization’s defenses, and it enables leading service providers like Technology By Design to protect customers from the most sophisticated and advanced threats.” Intercept X for Mobile is also easily manageable being part of the cloud-based Sophos Central platform alongside Sophos’ next generation of cybersecurity solutions. Sophos’ unique Synchronized Security approach empowers these solutions to work together for real-time information sharing and threat response. Sophos Intercept X for Mobile is available now as a stand-alone license or bundled with the new Sophos Mobile 9.5 UEM for additional endpoint management capabilities, providing a complete and secure UEM platform with an integrated mobile threat defense solution. For individual and unmanaged use, Intercept X for Mobile is available for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

FEBRUARY 2020

BITS & BYTES

Schneider Electric opens 10th Go Green Competition

Schneider Electric (SE), the global leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, is on the lookout for the next bold ideas to solve some of the most critical issues within the sustainable energy sector for the 2020 edition of Go Green, its annual competition for students.

• In line with SE’s Diversity & Inclusion philosophy, at least one team member must be female.

Now on its 10th run this year, Go Green is SE’s global platform to empower students to come up with solutions that will shape the future of the energy industry.

To enter, teams must register at https:// gogreen.se.com/ and upload a 10-slide PowerPoint presentation stating their objectives and original ideas related to any of the SE’s four business case challenges: (1) Sustainability & Access to Energy, (2) Buildings of the Future, (3) Plants of the Future, or (4) Grids of the Future. Entries must be submitted by February 16, 2020.

Go Green 2020 is open to students pursuing their Master’s degrees or at least on their sophomore year of their Bachelor’s degrees. Interested applicants are required to form a pair to join, and must meet the following criteria: • Only students of Engineering, Business, Computer Science, Mathematics and Sciences are eligible.

FEBRUARY 2020

• Teams must be proficient in English, as the Grand Finale pitch will be presented in English.

The winning team will be announced on March 13, 2020 and will represent the country in the regional finals. Delegates will also receive mentorship from Schneider Electric experts to polish their proposals. Selected teams will be invited to a fully sponsored trip to the Schneider

Electric Innovation Summit in Las Vegas to pitch for the Grand Prize. The Philippines has in the past placed strongly in Go Green. In 2013, Ateneo De Manila University students Lorenz Ray Payonga and Alyssa Tricia Vintola were crowned World Champions. Their entry, Oscillohump, an alternative energy solution to harvest energy from road humps addressing road safety, energy efficiency and cost efficiency, bested 25 other teams from around the world. The pair was also the first Go Green Champion from Asia. In 2015, a team from Polytechnic University of the Philippines won third place in the Global Finals in Paris, France, while in 2019, another team from Ateneo de Manila University reached the Global Finals in Barcelona, Spain. To know more about Go Green 2020, check out https://gogreen.se.com/ or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ SchneiderGoGreen/

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

PropertyAccess rolls out officially in the Philippines Asian real estate digital company PropertyAccess recently launched its website in the Philippines. The said platform aims to connect top real estate developers, agents, landlords, and tenants across Southeast Asia. Founded in 2018 by Japanese and Filipino real estate moguls, CEO Hiroki Kazato and chief revenue and partnership officer Shiela Baylon, PropertyAccess gathers real estate professionals, as well as proprietors, in one platform to find customer leads for their listings by optimizing the process of buying, selling, and leasing real estate properties. Apart from getting 100 percent commission from their sales, real estate professionals and private proprietors can also post an unlimited number of listings by subscribing to the platform monthly for only PHP 999. Modeled after innovative websites from two leading markets in the region and with two years of improving its user interface, the website now boasts a better user experience. Targeted for young professionals who are looking for a long-time investment, the online platform shows

The PropertyAccess Philippines Team with CEO Hiroki Kazato (fifth from left).

property listings according to location, price, size, type of property, and amenities. PropertyAccess also allows customers to get in touch with agents and brokers through the website for more secure inquiries and transactions.

and accessibility to wider markets. To maximize the platform, real estate agents and brokers can expect more exposure to the Japanese market through the scheduled events that the company has in store for 2020.

PropertyAccessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; future plans include continuous improvement of the website for transparency

To know more, log-on to https:// propertyaccess.ph/

Oppo opens biggest Super Experience Store in the country Oppo has opened its largest and grandest Oppo Super Experience Store in the country at Ayala Malls Manila Bay. The store has an area of about 286 square meters. The wide space of the Oppo Super Experience Store was strategically designed to commit towards the development of the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own line of Internet of Things (IoT) products, as well as to provide quality customer service. The newest Oppo store is also inspired by the aesthetics of the Oppo super flagship stores found in China, Singapore, and Thailand. Its interior features an expansive mirror ceiling that enhances the lighting effect and overall feel of the store. Another highlight of the store is the Oppo Service Center 3.0 that features a minimalist yet a sophisticated ambience with an improved service experience for repairs, consultations, and centralized customer care services. The new store also offers a more transparent repair service program where customers can observe while well-trained customer care representatives repair their smartphones. The new store also has a lounge area that is fully equipped with VOOC Flash Charging outlets

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

From L-R: OPPO Philippines vice president for national sales Zen Han; OPPO Philippines retail director Jenny Chen; OPPO Philippines CEO Damon Huang; Silicon Valley chairman Tommy Tia; OPPO Ambassador and content creator Mimiyuuuh; OPPO Philippines vice president for business development Jane Wan; OPPO Philippines aftersales director Kent Zhang; and Silicon Valley president Joel Pe.

where Oppo customers can lounge around and stay connected while checking the latest product or while waiting for their turn at the customer service.

The new Oppo Super Experience Store is located at the 4th floor of Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

FEBRUARY 2020

UPMG elects a new set of officers United Print Media Group, a progressive organization of print media and publication companies in the Philippines, recently held its election for the years 2020-2022. The organization works vigorously towards the standardization of print media policies and regulations, as well as values and ethical practices. It now boasts of more than 31 active memberpublications with over 100 titles. The full list of UPMG’s Board of Directors includes veteran professionals who work at major dailies, broadsheets, magazines and tabloids circulated in the Philippines and overseas. Barbie Atienza of Manila Bulletin was hailed president with Jay Sarmiento of PhilStar Media Group as his vice president. Janette Dominguez of BusinessWorld was elected secretary, followed by Vivienne Motomal of Journal Group, Annie Grefal of Manila Standard, and Jong Arcano of Philippine Daily Inquirer who got the position of treasurer, auditor, and public relations officer, respectively. Completing the board of directors are Narvin

UPMG Phils. Board of Directors 2020-2022: Barbie Atienza of Manila Bulletin was hailed president with Jay Sarmiento of PhilStar Media Group as his vice president. Janette Dominguez of BusinessWorld was elected secretary, followed by Vivienne Motomal of Journal Group, Annie Grefal of Manila Standard, and Jong Arcano of Philippine Daily Inquirer who got the position of treasurer, auditor, and public relations officer, respectively. Completing the board of directors are Narvin Nisperos Estigoy of BusinessMirror, Marisa Consuelo of Gadgets Magazine, and Sherly Ojo Baula of Chinese Commercial News.

Nisperos Estigoy of BusinessMirror, Marisa Consuelo of Gadgets Magazine, and Sherly Ojo Baula of Chinese Commercial News. The election was facilitated by the committee chair Jacinto Jr. Aluad, together with committee members Noel Godinez and Ken Lerona.

Letran alumni Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta, and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea III were also present at the event. They received the Manuel L. Quezon Trophy given by the Colegio de San Juan de Letran for their outstanding accomplishments and exemplary leadership in government service.

Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi roll out a cross-brand, file-sharing software Leading Android smartphone brands Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi have joined forces to kickstart their file-sharing software that allows media file transfer across their devices. Dubbed as the Peerto-Peer Transmission Alliance, the partnership promotes seamless connectivity by sending files from one device to another through WiFi Direct. As preparation for the arrival of the 5G connection, consumers are expecting faster and even more stable connections. However, file sharing between different smartphone models and brands has always presented an obstacle to greater connectivity. The cross-brand file-sharing software shows that Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi are open for collaboration. According to vice president of Oppo Andy Wu, the software is designed to be more user-centric. “This is a significant first step for OPPO, Vivo, and Xiaomi to better serve their users collectively, and we also welcome other Android smartphone brands to get involved and provide a more open, effortless, and interactive experience for users,” Wu, who is also the Oppo’s president for the software engineering business division, said. The software scans nearby devices using Bluetooth Low Energy, a new technology that boasts a broader range and lower power consumption, then sends files using Wi-Fi P2P (Peer-to-Peer) technology. It has an average transfer speed of 20 MB/s.

FEBRUARY 2020

Now available on Oppo smartphones with ColorOS 7, users can send and receive their files in just one tap. Just swipe down the screen to open the drop-down menu and find the “OPPO Share” icon. Tap it longer to send or receive files. To activate the software on Vivo and Xiaomi phones, the same procedures should be followed. This allows multiple files to be sent at the same time.

OPPO Share is compatible with Oppo models running on ColorOS 7 (Android 10) and onwards. Oppo currently rolls out the beta version for the ColorOS 7 on Reno 2, Reno 10X Zoom, F11 Pro, F11 Pro Marvel’s Avengers Limited Edition, and F11. The Find Series, Reno Series, R Series, F Series, A Series, and K3 devices will get the ColorOS 7 update in the coming months.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Globe At Home app hits 1 million registered users Globe Telecom’s mobile app for its internet plans recently reached the 1,000,000 mark of registered users as of December 2019. With 1,000,620 confirmed total registered customers, the Globe At Home has a lot of features that help users to manage their postpaid broadband accounts as well as prepaid home WiFi plans. The numbers are projected to continuously increase in the succeeding quarters, with more useful features scheduled to be deployed monthly. Among the app’s features are tracking of data usage, redeeming of promos and add-ons, viewing and paying bills, scoring exclusive freebies, performing self-troubleshooting for basic connectivity issues and even tracking a repairman or requesting for a transfer of location. Users can also activate and cancel content services connected to their Globe At Home Postpaid subscription through the app’s dashboard. For Prepaid customers, the Globe At Home app allows activation of home internet service in three easy

steps, tracks data usage, load promos in seconds, and grants various rewards to maximize quality.

experience in the near future,” shared Globe SVP and head of Broadband Business Martha Sazon.

“We are continuously updating the app with more features such as real-time serviceability check and auto-debit option for payment. With these in the pipeline, customers can be assured that we will be working on further improving their home Internet

Aside from the app, Globe also offers fast and easy applications via Facebook Messenger, offering a more convenient way to get connected without having to leave the comfort of your home.

Transportify aims to change the light commercial van delivery market in 2020 Transportify, one of the country’s leading logistics and trucking platform, shares its recent study about the changing mix of vehicles enrolled in its app and the several external factors that affected such. As one of the staple workhorses in the Philippines for decades, the Mitsubishi L300FB has been used both for cargo deliveries and passenger transport. Even if the company has a much wider assortment of larger delivery trucks operating on its platform, Transportify customers recognize and prefer the green-stickered L300 fleet over other models. However, this trend is continuously changing. According to the study that Transportify conducted, the driver preference of delivery vans in the market has been evolving over the last few years. Although the Mitsubishi L300 is still the most popular choice among the company’s driver-partners, it has significantly decreased from 58% in 2016 to 30% in 2019. Delivery vans with a conventional body, such as Toyota Hiace, Nissan Urvan, and Foton Transvan, shows a material representation compared to other vehicles. Meanwhile, the Hyundai H100 presents an important growth, with an increase of 18% between 2017 and 2019 capturing the share primarily from the Mitsubishi L300. Transportify also notes that the implementation of the Euro4 requirement of the Clean Air Act also affected the mix, especially for the Mitsubishi

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

L300. There are comments from driver-partners about not being able to purchase or delaying purchase decisions to wait for the new Euro4 version of delivery vans. Chinese manufacturers are also starting to gain some traction in the commercial van space, with Foton showing the fastest growth. Other Chinese automotive brands include JAC and BAIC. With the new Euro4 Mitsubishi L300 and the Isuzu Travis, Transportify is excited to announce new developments on its platform for 2020. Customers can look forward to seeing more of the said models, as well as other Chinese delivery vans such as the BAIC H5 and Dongfeng Captain T on the road. Smaller vehicle options will also be available in the form of Foton Gratour and Suzuki Carry.

Within Metro Manila, Transportify rates for one trip in a day could be between PHP 1,500 to PHP 3,000. For full-time delivery vans such as the L300, earnings can go from PHP 80,000 to PHP 170,000 in gross monthly bookings with a monthly average of PHP 110,000. Apart from the previously mentioned models, Transportify also accepts the following vehicles on its platform: • • • •

Kia 2700/2500 Tata Superace Dongfeng Captain-T Other light trucks like NHR, QKR, Tornado, etc.

FEBRUARY 2020

Dermcare celebrates 30th anniversary Dermcare recently celebrated its 30th anniversary in the beauty, wellness, and rejuvenation industry. As part of its celebration, the brand hosted a gala dinner for clients, friends, patrons, and staff at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel. Guests were personally welcomed by Dermcare CEO and president Zenaida Palisoc, managing director Antonio De Venecia, vice president Miriam Solano, sales and marketing director Yayi Buenviaje, and medical director Dra. Earl Caroline Pasco-Orate, as well as Face Matter Corp. logistics manager Joseph Palisoc and PR consultant Migs De La Rosa. Greeting guests was a luminescent installation featuring models who showed off Dermcare’s latest product innovation, the Crystal White Radiant Skin System from Japan.

The main event showcased Dermcare’s “Men and Women of Distinction,” who paraded in a fashion show directed by renowned fashion and event director Raymond Villanueva. Notable models were businessman Bong Prada Lim, Mrs. Universe 2017 Marilou Tolico Villanueva, Tagaytay tourism council member Medy Ramsay, Mplify founding manager and PR consultant Migs De La Rosa. Ralph Wunsch of Metrodeal, Mariz Ventures’ Lynette Zotomayor, Ms. Earth Air 2017 and Face of Dermcare Nina Robertson, Manila Hotel president Atty. Joey Lina, and Dermcare officers Miriam Solano, Antonio de Venecia, and Zenaida Palisoc serving as the grand finale. Palisoc also took the opportunity to acknowledge her staff’s loyalty, dedication, and understanding throughout the years.

As part of the grand celebration, Dermcare conducted a program hosted by 2013 Ms. Philippines Earth Angelee Delos Reyes who also bemused guests with her 9 outfit changes throughout. The program itself was fashionforward yet nostalgic and emotional. Manila Hotel president Atty. Joey Lina also serenaded the crowd as dinner was served.

Aside from the fashion show, the event also featured the grand reveal of Dermcare’s Crystal White Radiant Skin System. To highlight the new product, another fashion show featured custommade clothes by legendary designer Toni Galang, who came out of semi-retirement to show his support. Capping the Crystal White fashion show was Supermodel and actress Marina Benipayo.

Dermcare executives after the grand fashion show.

The final curtain call had Dermcare CEO and president Zenaida Palisoc, Crystal White sales and marketing manager Nicole Narvato, and Ms. Lorna Nagashima from Japan bestowing bouquets of flowers to Toni Galang and to event director Raymond Villanueva. Capping the night was the Dermcare Employee Service Awards recognizing the men and women who had celebrated 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years with the company. Hosting the Dermcare Employee Service award was Manila Bulletin external affairs chief Barbie Atienza.

La Consolacion College wins Math and Science Quiz Bee La Consolacion College Caloocan (LCC-C) grabbed the top spot in the recently concluded 12th Annual Interschool Math and Science Quiz Bee hosted by its sister school, La Consolacion College Valenzuela. The quiz bee was participated in by students from 9 catholic schools. The Caloocan-based team was composed of Grade 9 students Elijah Duanan, Jazmin Martinez, and Ma. Sophia Sapio. Duanan served as the team captain. They were accompanied by their coaches Rea Tongco, Grace Pedregrosa, and Rowinner Bautista. “This winning is a very timely gift to our Alma Mater as it celebrates its 80th Founding Year this 2020,” claimed by Rowinner Bautista, one of the LCC-C coaches. “As we envision our school, La Consolacion College Caloocan, to be the topof-mind, and one of the best schools in the field of Mathematics and Science in CAMANAVA area in the next 3 years, we recently formed the Elite Math Circle, a special training ground for students who are the cream of the crop in every grade level to become competent academic athletes,” he added. Behind the champions was St. Joseph School of Lawang Bato, followed by Montessori Academy

FEBRUARY 2020

La Consolacion College-Caloocan representatives Elijah Duanan, Jazmin Martinez, and Ma. Sophia Sapio receive their medals along with their coaches.

of Valenzuela. Other schools that participated in the said quiz bee were Children of Mary Immaculate College, Our Lady of Fatima

University, San Diego Parochial School, La Consolacion College Novaliches, La Consolacion College Manila, and Colegio Del Buenconsejo.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

PLDT boosts Baguio, tourism with Smart WiFi expansion Residents and tourists traveling to Baguio City can look forward to more areas with fast, free and reliable connectivity as PLDT and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) expand its Smart WiFi coverage in the city. PLDT and Smart recently signed an agreement with Baguio City mayor Benjamin Magalong to roll-out fiber-powered, carrier-grade Smart WiFi to cover more sites across Baguio City including Mines View Park, Burnham Park Reservation, Baguio City Public Market, Malcolm Square, Wright Park, Baguio Convention Center, Baguio General Hospital and additional sites on Session Road. Smart WiFi is already up in heavy foot-traffic areas in the city including the City Hall of Baguio, The Camp, the National Bureau of Investigation Regional Office in Upper Session Road, Partas Bus Terminal and Saint Louis University. This rollout of Smart WiFi in Baguio City complements the ongoing expansion of Smart’s LTE network and PLDT’s fiber-to-the-home services in the city and the rest of the country. Signing the contract with Mayor Magalong were Smart WiFi head Regina Pineda and PLDT Enterprise CRM head Dennis Magbatoc. Smart also turned over Smart Infocast, a web-based text message broadcast solution, during the signing

Baguio mayor Benjamin Magalong with Smart WiFi head Regina Pineda and PLDT Enterprise CRM Head Dennis Magbatoc during the contract signing.

ceremony. Smart Infocast enables Baguio City’s LGU to send out news broadcasts and other critical information to its employees via text message. The platform will also allow Baguio citizens to send feedback to mayor Magalong. “This year, Baguio City will be undergoing transformation and rehabilitation, and connectivity infrastructure would be a vital component of it,” said Mayor Magalong. “We are happy to have PLDT and Smart as Baguio City’s partners in this endeavor to uplift the quality of life in the city.” Around 1.8 million tourists visit the Summer Capital of the Philippines every year, according to the City Planning and Development Office. The majority of them are local travelers who troop to Baguio to enjoy the city’s famed cool temperature and tourist sites.

Baguio City is also home to over 345,000 residents, many of whom are young, and for whom access to fast connectivity, whether via Wi-Fi or LTE, is crucial. “By improving connectivity and expanding the footprint of our fiber-powered Smart WiFi service in Baguio City, we are boosting the tourism industry, as well as local businesses operating in one of the country’s premier tourist destinations,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, PLDT chief revenue officer and smart president and CEO. “Better connectivity means Baguio City residents and visitors can stay connected with family and friends while shopping on Session Road, share their photos and videos while sightseeing in Mines View and Burnham Park, or stay updated while transacting at the City Hall, NBI or Baguio General Hospital,” Panlilio added.

Smart, Sarangani LGU collaborate for Blaan literacy mobile app Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and the local government of Sarangani have teamed up to develop Gnarè Blaan, an interactive literacy app that utilizes technology to teach young learners about basic literacy, culture, and folklore of the Blaan tribe. The mother tongue-based mobile innovation was recently launched on Google Play, making it the 10th app to be developed under the #LearnSmart education program of PLDT’s wireless services subsidiary. Gnarè Blaan includes interactive alphabet and number exercises, educational games, and tribal dances, songs, and prayers. DepEd Sarangani’s IP Education Division (IPED), Sarangani Province’s Sulong Tribu Program, Provincial Tourism Council (PTC), University of Southeastern Philippines, and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) helped with content development. ACLC College of General Santos, Skeptron Business Solutions, and the Brigada Group of Companies helped improve and create the actual digital assets for the application, while Blaan IP teachers, tribal council members, and other experts validated the contents. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Blaan students holding the tablets with Gnarè Blaan installed. Among them are Smart executives and elders of the Blaan tribe.

Jenelyn Callaga, a teacher of Indigenous People (IP) from Calay IP School in Malapatan, performed a demo-teaching of the mobile innovation during a ceremonial launch held in time for the Munato Indigenous Peoples Day and 17th Munato Festival. She discovered that students are more curious and willing to learn when using the interactive app.

The Gnarè Blaan app is part of Smart’s initiative with local communities nationwide to support the implementation of mother tongue-based multilingual education. “Our goal is to utilize technology in aiding the education of young Filipino learners,” said Stephanie Orlino, AVP for public affairs at Smart.

“IP learners were amused with how Gnarè Blaan communicates in a language that they are able to understand,” Callaga said, adding that the animated tribal stories were a big hit with the kids.

For more information about Smart’s mother tongue-based literacy apps, simply type LearnSmart on Google Play or send an email to LearnSmart@smart.com.ph. FEBRUARY 2020

Online mortgage broker Nook rolls out in the Philippines Nook, an online mortgage broker platform, has officially launched in the Philippines. Revolutionizing the finance sector, the said platform aims to streamline the process of housing loan application in three easy steps. The platform, which comes in the form of a mobile app and website, provides users various loan options according to their target properties. It features entire property search, compares housing loans being offered by its partner banks, and processes loan applications online. With Nook acting as an intermediary between borrowers and banks, this allows potential borrowers to find the right housing loan and assist them throughout the application process. Users need to complete a pre-qualification form in the app to see which banks fit their requirements. Once the form is submitted, it will show all the information regarding the available housing loans from Nook’s partner banks. This includes the amount of monthly repayments, fees, and other requirements from each bank. Clients may then pass their housing loan applications online once they get pre-qualified in just a few minutes. They will receive a notification from their chosen bank before

proceeding with the submission of all the required documents and interviews with the bank’s home loan officer. Nook will then work with the bank to get the qualified applicants’ loan approved and inform them right away through their competent home loan consultants for free.

“What Nook offers is direct access to bank partners for your home loans with the easiest application process you can get. It is time that the Philippines recognizes how technology can transform the home loan process from application to closing,” said Chris Elder, founder and CEO, Nook.

Among the company’s partners are local top banking institutions AUB, BDO, BPI Family Savings Bank, Bank of Commerce, CTBC, Chinabank, RCBC, and Security Bank.

To promote its platform and alleviate people’s intimidation on housing loan applications, Nook is set to roll out 102 kiosks nationwide with actual consultants.

Waze activates Crisis Response features for Taal operations Amidst the eruption of Taal Volcano, Waze continues to bring communities together on and off the road through its Crisis Response features. The community-driven navigation platform is working closely with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), CNN Philippines, and DZMM (630 AM) Radyo Patrol on the relief efforts for the afflicted communities. Last January 12, the phreatic explosion of Taal Volcano was observed generating up to a 15-kilometer ash column. This affected the regions of CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Metro Manila and parts of Southern Luzon. Motorists were advised to practice extra precaution while driving in these regions, due to poor visibility and slippery roads. Playing its part in bringing communities together, Waze’s Crisis Response team is assisting a total of 308 different segments of road closures, 102 emergency shelters, and donation centers. Local Waze users affected by the crisis received both push notifications on the day of the eruption and during the relief operations. Users are being updated on the map should there be an increase in the number of new road closures due to Taal’s’ volcanic activity.

FEBRUARY 2020

The 14-km radius from the Taal Volcano was declared by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) as a danger zone. To reflect the news, Waze’s Crisis Response team also set up the area as an evacuation zone in the map, with an evacuation zone notification warning showing up in the Waze app whenever a user navigates to a destination within the evacuation zone. This feature will be activated when Waze’s Crisis Response team has verification of an evacuation zone and donation drop off centers from an official source. Aside from notifications, the Waze app allows users to search for donation drop off centers

nearest to them. Wazers will just have to type in “Donate” in the destination search bar, and the nearest donation drop off center will appear. Wazers can also choose among the other drop off centers on the list found in the search results. Waze’s Crisis Response team has been extending their support for various efforts such as the evacuation zones for the fires in California (Cave Fire, Kincade Wildfire, Getty Wildfire, Simi Valley Wildfire, Maria Wildfire) and the bushfires in Australia. Waze encourages users to continuously report real-time accidents, hazards, blocked roads, weather conditions and more that will help fellow Wazers get to their destinations safely.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Mobile Legends unveils new arcade mode game Opening a new world for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang fans and auto-chess enthusiasts, Moonton recently rolls out the Magic Chess. Magic Chess is more casual and relaxed compared to the high-intensity of ranked games but despite the more leisurely play style, players need to be sharp and use their wits in order to win. Beloved heroes from ML:BB are transformed into chess pieces and placed on a battlefield where they are matched up against the chosen heroes of another player. Eight players in the match purchase heroes from a random hero pool for each round and form a unique line up of heroes. Players can combine those heroes to make stronger versions of the same units. Certain types of units get synergy bonuses for being on the field at the same time. Gamers deploy these units, and they fight each other automatically, with no player input involved whatsoever. Units’ stats and special abilities and the way those abilities counter opponents’ units determine who wins and who loses with the winning army dealing damage to the loser’s central health pool. If a player loses all their health, they’re out.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang continues to reign supreme when it comes to offering new and exciting game modes that keep fans coming back for more. With Magic Chess, players don’t need to go through stressful ranked games, tedious hero training or paying for stats to win; all they need is a good strategy and a little bit of luck to claim final victory and rise in the ranks.

The game has proven to already be popular during its early release with top local streamers. With this, Moonton, the game’s developer, has prepared a special ISR event for Chess TD where fans and viewers alike can get in-game rewards by just tuning into their stream. For more info on the Mobile Legend: Bang Bang’s Magic Chess, follow its official Facebook page.

Spotify’s Disney Hub Now Available in SEA, HK & TW Disney lovers will always have a friend in Spotify. From 21 January 2020, Spotify listeners in the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Vietnam will get to experience the magic of Disney on the dedicated Disney Hub. The hub will include playlists, soundtracks, and podcasts for Disney fans of all ages, including: • Disney Hits Philippines: All the favorite Disney hits including Asian artist versions. • Disney Hits: Stream Disney Hits to hear the top songs from the biggest Disney and Pixar films globally. • Disney Favorites: Like Disney Hits, Disney Favorites will have everyone’s favorite current tunes, plus the ones you loved when you were a child. • Disney Classics: Kick back with Disney Classics, a nostalgic playlist that includes songs from the Disney Parks, live-action and animated classic soundtracks, and songs from Disney Channel originals. • Disney Sing-Alongs: From the shower to the car, Disney songs that you can’t help but sing along to. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

• Disney Princess: From Belle to Cinderella to Ariel to Moana, Disney Princess has the love ballads as well as the coming-of-age breakaways. • Marvel Music: All the best songs and scores from all your favorite Marvel films and shows. • Best of Star Wars: Enter, Darth Vader. To find the Disney Hub, Spotify users in the Philippines can search “Disney” on Spotify and

stream all the music behind some of their favorite Disney movies, television shows and more. Everything from chart-topping Marvel movie soundtracks and full scores from Disney classics will be available on the designated hub. In addition to the international playlists, Spotify has curated a localized Disney playlist made for the Philippines featuring Asian artist versions like “A Whole New World” by Darren Espanto and Morissette (from “Aladdin”), “How Far I’ll Go” by Janella Salvador (from “Moana”) and more. FEBRUARY 2020

RELIC

Words by Jose Alvarez

The year is 1990, and the video game industry has recovered quite well from the video game crash of 1983. Nintendo and Sega are about to enter the “console wars” era of gaming. Shin Nihon Kikaku (New Japan Project) had just become the SNK Corporation in 1986, and was consistently releasing games for the arcade in both Japan and North America. In fact, SNK had developed games for for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, the NEC’s PC Engine and the TurboGrafx-16 in the late 1980s. However, they wanted to also enter the console market, and thus introduced the Neo Geo in 1990 in Japan and North America. But unlike Sega and Nintendo, SNK had primarily focused on arcades.

SNK had dabbled with creating a modular cabinet for arcades as early as 1988. Previously, arcade cabinets held only one game; to completely switch or replace the game, the internals of the existing cabinet or exchange the whole cabinet for another game. This became very costly, so SNK developed the Neo-Geo MVS (MultiVideo System), or the Neo Geo. For arcade cabinets, one could place one, two, four, or six games in a single cabinet. All the arcade operator had to do was swap out cartridges just like consoles. This halved the cost for arcade units to only USD 500 at the time. SNK wanted to bring arcade-quality games to home consoles without sacrificing CPU or memory performance. One major reason for the video game crash of 1983 was the porting of Pac-Man to the Atari 2600 in 1982, which highlighted the issue of quality control and assurance in the video game industry. SNK brought the Neo Geo to home markets for USD 649.99 (USD 1,279.13 in 2020 dollars). While the

FEBRUARY 2020

high price point turned off many consumers, especially in North America, it did come bundled with Magician Lord and Fatal Fury. The system benefited from using multiple specialist processors for visual, audio, and gameplay, making it truly more advanced than any other console available at the time as a 24-bit system, compared to the Nintendo Entertainment System’s 8-bit and Sega Genesis’s 16-bit systems. The cartridges were also enormous, measuring 19 cm by 13.6 cm (7.5 inches by 5.4 inches). The Neo Geo is also the first system to have a swappable memory card system. Players could save the game and return at a later time; this predated other consoles with swappable memory cards such as the Sega Saturn and Sony PlayStation, predating both by around five years. Many amazing yet unheralded franchises also came from SNK and the Neo Geo system. The aforementioned Fatal Fury was one of these franchises, and later on Samurai Shodown, Metal Slug, and The King of Fighters became well-known in the arcades but greatly unappreciated on home consoles, although later consoles would also release these games as well. As 3D graphics

became the norm on other consoles, the Neo Geo would be unable to keep up yet retained profitability throughout the 1990s. SNK would continue to support the original Neo Geo all the way until 2004, while stopping maintenance and repairs in 2007. The Neo Geo had a lifespan of 14 years, only second to the Famicom’s run in Japan, which lasted from 1983 to 2003. SNK franchises continue to be popular to this very day. The company recently confirmed The King of Fighters XV for a 2020 release along with a reboot of Samurai Shodown porting to the Nintendo Switch and PC in 2020 as well. The Neo Geo was more well-known in arcades but appreciated by few due to the futuristic specifications at the time, as well as its focus on mainly fighting games. The Neo Geo did create innovation in the arcade industry even though it did not translate well to home console audiences, yet it outlasted its competition into the new millennium.

2020 v20n6 - THE EDUCATION ISSUE

Articles inside

Relic: NEO-GEO

GadgetsLab: LENOVO IDEACENTRE A540

GadgetsLab: EPSON M3170 4-in-1 Multi-Function Printer

GadgetsLab: KONZERT KX-400+

GadgetsLab: VIVO S1 PRO

GadgetsLab: HP DESKJET INK ADVANTAGE 3776 ALL-IN-ONE PRINTER

GadgetsLab: LENOVO IDEAPAD L340 GAMING

GadgetsLab: BOSCH GO CORDLESS SCREWDRIVER

TECH 101