2021 v21n7 - HEALTH + TECH by Gadgets Magazine

Volume XXI Issue VII • MARCH 2021

ISSN 0118-0142

HEALTH + TECH Wear Your Health

Gadgets Lab REALME TV OPPO RENO5 4G

FITBIT SENSE ACER NITRO 5

LENOVO THINKPAD T14 GEN 1 LENOVO THINKVISION M14T

Mobility

ALL-NEW YAMAHA MIO AEROX BE ONE WITH THE SPEED

Apps

ZENYA HEALTH

WELLNESS ON-DEMAND Lifestyle

BTS: NEW SMART 5G TVC

HYUN BIN, SON YE JIN AND BEN&BEN

Send Money to Your Bank Account Through M Lhuillier Kwarta Padala As part of its commitment to be the Tulay ng PaMLyang Pilipino, M Lhuillier continues to innovate and introduce new financial services to make life easier for every Filipino. With ML Kwarta Padala, you can do more than just send and receive money to your loved ones anywhere in the Philippines. Now, you can also send money directly to your bank account through the ML Kwarta Padala to Account service! Skip the long lines and prolonged waiting times. Just visit any of M Lhuillier’s more than 2,600 branches nationwide and finish your transactions in a jiffy. ML Kwarta Padala to Account, or KP2A, is currently available for Metrobank, Chinabank, and BPI accounts yet, but other banks will soon follow. While you’re at it, you can also avail of M Lhuillier’s wide range of financial services including Domestic and International Kwarta Padala, Quick Cash Loans, Bills Payment, Jewelry, and Foreign Exchange. Watch out for updates by following M Lhuillier Financial Services, Inc. on Facebook. For more information, you may visit www.mlhuillier.com or contact Customer Care through their toll-free number 1-800-1-0572-3252.

emittance Partners wide! w deposit into a BPI,

and Metrobank account

e 2,600 M Lhuillier ationwide.

da Ii, Maaasa ha n.

abot ang paMLya.

Contents

gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

MARCH 2021

VOLUME XXI • Issue VII

GADGETS LAB

28 Acer Nitro 5 32 Oppo Reno5 4G 34 Lenovo ThinkVision M14T 36 Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen1 40 Fitbit Sense 44 realme Smart TV

PARADE 08 Orient Star Skeleton 09 vivo Y31 10 Epson EpiqVision Mini 12 Garmin Instinct Esports Edition 13 Oppo Reno5 14 Sharp LED TV 15 Sharp GX-BP1 Bike Speaker Sharp PS-930 Party Speaker 16 Poly Sync Series 18 MSI GP Leopard Series 19 MSI Stealth 15M 20 MSI GE76 and GE66 Raider 21 MSI GS66 Stealth 22 Mi TV Q1 75-inch 23 Mi 11 24 Aller Plasma Orion Series 26 LG Tone Free FN7 27 LG Puricare Mask & Charging Case

MOBILITY 58 Isuzu D-Max 62 Honda X-ADV 66 Ford Ranger 70 Yamaha Mio Aerox 74 Maxus D60 78 Nissan EVs 80 GAC GN6 82 Toyota Innova 86 Toyota Fleet 88 Pacific Global One Aviation

COVERSTORY 46 Wearing our health 50 AR and VR in Medicine 54 Smart Pills and Printed Organs 4

90 Phasmophobia 92 Valheim

MARCH 2021

FOOD

The Bigg Move

GAMING

118

VOLUME XXI • Issue VII

EDUCATION 118 Training Future E-Commerce Leaders

120 Building An Inclusive, Future-Skills Ready Workforce

HOME Dyson Digital Slim Fluffy

122 #SaferInternet4Filipinos

102

WELLNESS

APPS Zenya Health: Wellness on demand

10,950 Finger Pricks Later

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106

Contents

116

VISUAL SPACE

ENTERPRISE 3 E-commerce Market Predictions By Shopee

110 The Apprentice 112 The New Smart 5G TVC

124

FINTECH

128

124 Are You Destined To Be Rich? 126 Contactless Technology for a Quantum World

MARCH 2021

VOLUME XXI • Issue VII

110

CYBER SECURITY

Securing The Interrnet of Medical Things

134 130

FEATURE

GREEN The World’s Most Sustainable Corporation

130 Digitalized Healthcare

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132 How Telemedicine Brings Care That Comforts Every Filipino

136

141

The latest in the world of tech

Iron lung

NEWSBYTES

RELIC

PARADE

Orient Star Skeleton Mechanical Watch

USD2,900

WITH ITS 70th Anniversary Edition RE-AZ0001S/RE-AZ0002S, Orient Star announces a new generation of its most emblematic model, the Skeleton, from its iconic Classic Collection. Featuring a new hand-wound movement with 70 hours of power reserve, this innovative new model combines classic design elements with the latest technologies to create a bold commemoration of the brand’s 70 years of watchmaking.

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The Skeleton model shows detailed workings of the whole watch. Achieved by leaving just the base plate structure, bridges, and components of the movement, its exceptional design is distinctive of mechanical watches, and popular among watch enthusiasts all over the world. The skeleton movement consists of more than a hundred precision parts, hand-assembled by dedicated and skilled watchmakers in Akita, Japan. The latest in-house 46-F8 series movements (F8B62 and F8B63), feature longer power reserves of 70 hours, thanks to the new silicon escape wheel which is lighter and processed with higher accuracy, improving the energy transfer efficiency of the escapement. Semiconductor technology is used to control the film thickness at the nanometer level to adjust the light reflection of the escape wheel, resulting in an eye-catching vivid blue and a unique spiral shape to evoke the Milky Way Galaxy, symbolizing the universe-inspired design theme of Orient Star’s 70th anniversary. The model is available in two color combinations: a champagne dial with a gold color movement and a white dial with a silver color movement. Both models use high-quality SUS316L stainless steel for the case and come with a hand-stitched genuine crocodile leather strap. March 2021

vivo Y31 Smartphone

PHP12,999

THE NEWEST ADDITION to the global smartphone brand’s Y-series has an exciting list of updates to make this latest release a definite step-up from its predecessor—with a faster processor, longer battery life, and flagship-level camera features—making it an unrivaled choice at an affordable price.

advanced night mode feature. It also sports two more rear cameras, including a 2-megapixel bokeh camera and another 2-megapixel macro camera. Simultaneously, the front 8-megapixel camera of the Y31 was created to deliver finer captures in both photo and video mode.

Designed for efficiency and versatility, the Y31 runs on the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 octa-core processor, a performance-defining processor that operates on Android 11 for an enhanced entertainment experience. It also has a significantly longer-lasting run time with its 5000mAh battery, conveniently supported by an 18W fast charger, for uninterrupted use.

The Y31 also showcases a stunning display, making it a desirable entertainment and gaming device. Colors pop on its 6.58-inch full HD screen with the gamechanging Halo FullView Display that makes browsing photos and videos easier, supports a better chatting experience, makes texts more visible for hassle-free reading, and provides a more immersive viewing experience with edge-to-edge display. The Y31 also boasts an 8GB and 128GB RAM/ROM storage package in a sleek 8.36mm slim and light body that’s easy to hold.

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Also staying true to its aim of matching its youthful users’ taste and dynamism, the vivo Y31 is equipped with a 48-megapixel main camera to allow for clear shots, all day, from morning until night with its

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March 2021

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EpiqVision Min1 EF-12

Epson EpiqVision Mini EF-12/ EF-11 Mini Laser Projection TV Mini EF-11 PHP40,000

March 2021

Mini EF-12 PHP54,990

COMPACT AND LIGHTWEIGHT, these easy-to-use laser projectors allow users to bring the cinema experience at home at an affordable price without sacrificing image and sound quality. Powered by Epson’s advanced 3LCD Technology, the 1000-lumen EpiqVision Mini EF-12 and EF-11 offer Full HD resolution. With laser as its light source, these models have a longer life cycle of up to 20,000 hours maintenance-free. They can project up to 150 inches of display size, three times larger than a 50-inch TV.

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The EpiqVision Mini EF-12 laser projection TV supports 4k signal input and features a 5W x 2 Yamaha speaker that can also operate as a stand-alone smart speaker. Additionally, it has Android TV and Chromecast built-in, offering a smart solution for a connected home. Its auto-installation feature adjusts focus as well as vertical/horizontal keystones automatically. It also comes with the Epson Online Meetings powered by Zoom app that enables users to make Zoom virtual calls without the need for a separate personal computer. The Mini EF-11, meanwhile, is streaming-ready, simply by connecting a streaming device to the HDMI port. The new laser projectors’ compact design makes them ultraportable and small enough to fit even in tight home spaces.

EpiqVision Min1 EF-11

March 2021

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GPS Smartwatch

PHP16,995

Garmin Instinct Esports Edition THE INSTINCT ESPORTS EDITION is a rugged GPS smartwatch uniquely designed for esports athletes and enthusiasts to take their gaming performance to the next level. Using Garmin’s proven health and fitness tracking technologies, it uses a dedicated esports activity function to track and analyze heart rate and stress during play, as well as offer long-term trend analysis. Garmin’s new STR3AMUP! PC streaming tool also provides Instinct users the ability to livestream biometric data to audiences for a new streaming experience.

lightweight design provides a distraction-free gaming experience. It provides up to 80 hours of battery life in esports mode and up to 14 days in smartwatch mode for less time charging and more time gaming. Instinct’s bold black and red colors,

Designed with an emphasis on elite-tier competition, the Instinct Esports Edition provides valuable body metric analytics features, so users can analyze and fine-tune how their body reacts to competitive play. These include wrist-based heart rate, advanced sleep monitoring, stress tracking, body battery energy monitor, and 30+ sports apps and activity tracking.

The Instinct Esports Edition is purpose-built to military standards (MIL-STD 810), yet its exceedingly March 2021

high-contrast display, and rugged design bring to life a non-traditional smartwatch. When paired with a compatible smartphone, Instinct also provides smart notifications such as email, texts, and alerts to a user’s wrist so they can stay connected both during and outside of gameplay.

Smartphone Oppo Reno5 5G PHP23,999 Oppo Reno5 4G PHP18,999

Oppo Reno5

The OPPO Reno5 Series introduces an all-new camera system featuring a 64MP rear quadcam matrix and a 44MP ultra-clear front camera for Reno5 4G and a 32MP ultra-clear front camera for Reno5 5G. These are further enhanced by OPPO’s latest camera system innovation — the OPPO Full Dimension Fusion (FDF) Portrait Video System, an imaging system designed for superior portrait video effects promising creativity and quality combined.

Another industryfirst video feature, Reno5 4G’s AI Mixed Portrait brings the double exposure video effect to a smartphone, enabling an all-new artistic effect. With its two different artistic modes, users can customize how the portrait video blends into the background video, leading to fun and imaginative results. Reno5 5G, on the other hand, exclusively offers the Portrait Beautification Video feature which allows your phone to identify your ethnicity, sex, and age and personalizes the beautification process for you, including whitening, smoothening, retouching, and reshaping of your face. Taking into consideration your sex and age, the Reno5 camera can help you look at your best in your videos.

Apart from the outstanding camera features of the latest Reno5 series, OPPO equipped its Reno5 4G with

the 50W Flash Charge and Reno5 5G with 65W SuperVOOC 2.0 flash charge technology. Reno5 Series comes with the latest android-based operating system, ColorOS 11.1, highlighting the beloved stock Android 11 features while also providing rich UI customization, greater efficiency, unparalleled smoothness, and strengthened privacy. March 2021

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Likewise, the Reno5 series comes with the new Dual-View Video that enables videos to be captured from the front and rear cameras simultaneously. This double-perspective recording function effortlessly stitches you and the object you are shooting in the same video frame at once.

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OPPO’S NEW RENO5 SERIES lets you picture life together! The Oppo Reno5 4G runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G, while Reno5 5G runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G. Additionally, Reno5 4G and Reno5 5G are built with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

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Sharp LED TV Smart TV

2T-C45CG1X I 2T-C50CG1X

4T-C50CK1X I 4T-C60CK1X I 4T-C60CK2X

THESE 2K ANDROID TVS have Sharp’s exclusive AQUOS technology that delivers great viewing quality. One of its best features is the ability to control your TV, whether you’re tucking into your favorite Netflix series or watching a film, you rented through Google Play. Of course, you can also download and install applications such as VODs, Games, and News.

THE SHARP 4K Android TV series—consisting of the 4T-C50CK1X, 4T-C60CK1X, and 4T-C60CK2X— features Google Assistant to let you play your favorite shows songs, and movies and discover new ones. You can also turn up the volume, pause, and turn off the TV – just with your voice. These models are equipped with Sharp’s proprietary X4 Master Engine that delivers an Ultra HD cinematic viewing experience.

These 2K Android TVs also have Google Assistant built-in. The voice assistant feature gives you the power to adjust settings and give commands just by pressing the Assistant button on your remote.

They have a dual-band Wi-Fi receiver for 2.4GHz and 5GHz wi-fi frequencies. The built-in 5G receiver has a better and stable connection when watching your favorite movie via Netflix, online gaming, or even downloading.

Available in 45-inch and 50-inch models.

Available in 50-inch and 60-inch models.

March 2021

SHARP GX-BP1 Bike Speaker Wireless Audio Speaker

SHARP’S GX-BP1(BK) is the perfect rechargeable Bluetooth speaker choice for bikers, giving excellent music streaming while biking — whether you’re biking on the streets or long trails, you can take along a little sound of music with you. It is water- and mudproof, making it the best companion in your adventures. gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

SHARP PS-930 Party Speaker Wireless Audio Speaker

WHILE STAYING AT HOME, you can still enjoy party music with Sharp’s Bluetooth Party Speaker (PS-930). This Bluetooth speaker delivers loud, pounding, rhythmic music for a better listening experience. This is portable enough to move easily from place to place, and it has a flashing LED light on the speaker and a strobe light at the front and bottom.

March 2021

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You can also choose among the five EQ presets: flat, jazz, classic, pop, and rock. Wirelessly connect your smart device to stream audio content directly through the party speaker or use the two USB inputs for music playback. Of course, you can also show off your karaoke skills with its two-microphone inputs.

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Poly Sync Series Speakerphones

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THE POLY SYNC speakerphone series is designed to enable today’s need to work from anywhere —whether that’s a remote work location at home or a conference room in the office. Poly Sync speakerphone’s USB and Bluetooth® connectivity options offer flexibility, while its intelligent microphones can easily detect voices throughout the room to enable crisp audio quality for both work and entertainment. For seamless voice integration, connect Poly Sync speakerphones to your Siri or Google voice assistant and check even more off your to-do list without lifting a finger.

Poly Sync 20 & Poly Sync 20+

With best-in-class audio and a three-microphone array, Poly Sync 20 and Poly Sync 20+ speakerphones are ideal portable solutions for hybrid work environments. A remarkable sounding three-in-one device, it’s a personal speakerphone, a portable music speaker, and a smartphone charger all in one. Its compact, sleek design and carrying case make it perfect for users on the go. Advanced digital signal processing algorithms ensure both sides of the call can be heard clearly, simultaneously, and a programmable button allows users to personalize their Poly Sync 20 with their favorite functions like music pause/play or voice assistant — all with a single touch. The Poly Sync 20+ includes a BT600 USB adapter for seamless Bluetooth connectivity options. March 2021

Poly Sync 60

The Poly Sync 60, the largest speakerphone in the Poly Sync Family, incorporates all of the series’ spectacular features and is designed for larger meeting spaces and conference rooms. With a sixmicrophone array and intelligent LED features, the device can automatically track voices within the meeting room and adapt to make sure the other end of the call has a great audio experience. With its two large built-in speakers, the Poly Sync 60 easily fills the room with rich, crystal clear audio. Connect a USB video camera to the device for complete AV connectivity.

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Poly Sync 40

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The Poly Sync 40 speakerphone features bigger sound with microphones that allow for a greater pickup range. It also has convenient smartphone charging capabilities. To adapt and expand the reach within varied conference room sizes, two units can be wirelessly daisy-chained. It has a long-lasting battery with up to 20 hours of talk time. An automatic Bluetooth unpairing option allows users to quickly disconnect Bluetooth devices after a meeting. March 2021

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MSI GP Leopard series Laptop

THE ALL-NEW MSI GP LEOPARD series, consisting of the GP66 and GP76, is built for everyday work and the applicationheavy requirements of engineers, architects, and creatives. Its new chassis showcases a sophisticated, mature, and futuristic design with stronger than ever performance. It is equipped with up to GeForce RTX 3080 graphics, and the latest Intel Core i7 processors to reveal true computing and rendering power. The newly arranged comprehensive I/O ports support all given data transmission and display outputs. It also supports up to 8k display for the finest visual details, making it more than capable of complex engineering and design projects.

March 2021

INTRODUCING THE MSI Stealth 15M—an ultraportable laptop that is stealthy and inspired by the urban style. Dubbed as the world’s slimmest 15-inch gaming laptop, it weighs only 1.7kg and has is 16.15mm thin. This sleek machine manages to show off its powerful computational ability. It’s the world’s first gaming laptop powered by 11th Gen Intel H series processors up to 5GHz with GeForce RTX 30 series graphics. Stealth 15M allows gamers and young professionals to speed through games and daily tasks with efficiency.

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MSI Stealth 15M Laptop

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March 2021

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MSI GE76 and GE 66 Raider Laptop

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THE MSI GE76 RAIDER is a 17-inch addition to the legendary series. The GE lineup not only has a flashy design with Maystic light and RGB gaming keyboard, it also has the best performance you can obtain from a gaming laptop. It is equipped with the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics and Intel Core i7 processors. To assure gamers of non-stop gaming, the GE series is also outfitted with MSI Cooler Boost 5, consisting of 6 heat pipes with 2 fans, driving more airflow to quickly cool the laptop down. The GE Raider series can masterfully handle all triple-A games.

March 2021

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MSI GS66 Stealth Laptop

WITH ITS UNIQUE low-profile design, the MSI GS66 Stealth, which weighs 2.1kg, is the perfect camouflage for business professionals who want to conceal their inner gamer. Its Sharper in Core Black premium look has won design awards, including the IF Design Award and Red Dot in 2020. It has the latest GeForce RTX 30 series GPU. NVDIA’s DLSS AI rendering technology enables gamers to play at a stunning 4K resolution, ray tracing, and a boost of over 60fps for immersive gaming. The GS66 is also powered by the latest Intel Core i7 for better performance.

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In addition, GS66 Stealth comes with a Cooler Boost Trinity+ system, the world’s thinnest 0.1mm sharp-edged blades, an extremely smooth 300Hz IPS-level display, and a 99.9Whr battery capacity. GS66 also supports True Color 3.0 and has the best surround viewing mode with its 1+2 Matrix Display.

March 2021

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Mi TV Q1 75-inch QLED 4K TV

THE MI TV Q1 75-inch is the brand’s most premium QLED 4K TV offering to date.

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Sporting an elegant and minimalistic design with a sleek supporting blade, Mi TV Q1 75-inch offers a true-to-life cinematic experience with its 4K UHD resolution display and quantum dot technology. Its massive 75-inch edgeto-edge display comes with a premium metal finish and an epic 178° viewing angle, enabling truly bezel-less viewing from anywhere in the room. When it comes to picture quality, its 4K QLED display panel accommodates a 100% NTSC color range with 1.07 billion color variations and 1,024 different color shades. Equipped with 192 zones of full array

March 2021

dynamic local dimming, Mi TV Q1 75-inch achieves a stellar contrast ratio of 10,000:1. With support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+, it offers an expanded dynamic range and vibrant colors for the utmost viewing experience. Mi TV Q1 75-inch also touts an impressively high 120Hz refresh rate. Coupled with HDMI 2.1 ports and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), it is ideal for gamers and streamers alike. Cinematic sound from a 30W stereo speaker system that utilizes six speakers — two tweeters and four woofers — delivers crystal clear sound. It also supports Dolby Audio and DTS-HD for best-in-class audio enhancement.

Built on the latest Android TV 10, users have access to more than 700,000 movies and TV shows and over 5,000 apps in the Google Play Store. Popular apps including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube come pre-installed. Dedicated buttons for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video on the remote make it easier for users to access their favorite content.

Mi 11 Smartphone

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THE MI 11, is the latest flagship in Xiaomi’s popular Mi smartphone lineup. A truly premium device, Mi 11 debuted with some groundbreaking improvements including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset, 108MP triple rear camera, cinematic audio, and 50W wireless charging. The Mi 11 is faster, more powerful, and more efficient than its predecessor. The device not only supports 2K/120fps/HDR gaming, but also sports an octa-core design, and ultralarge core Arm Cortex-X1 which ramps up performance dramatically. This Xiaomi flagship also offers one of the best screens on the market, featuring a premium 120Hz 6.81inch AMOLED DotDisplay with its WQHD+ ultra-high-resolution, and 10-bit color technology for breathtaking clarity and smooth color transitions. Low-resolution videos are upgraded to WQHD+ quality without the worry of increased data consumption.

The ultimate pocket-sized movie studio, the Mi 11 packs the world’s highest resolution 108MP wide-angle camera sensor for its primary shooter and captures crystal-clear images

Touting Harmon Kardon professionally tuned dual speakers, the Mi 11 delivers supreme cinematic audio. Its Corning Gorilla Glass Victus safeguards against costly damage from falls and drops.

55W wired + 50W wireless turbo charging

Equipped with the latest LiquidCool heat dissipation system, the device effortlessly deals with extreme gaming and other high-capacity operations while staying cool. Its 4600mAh battery, the staggering triple combination of 55W wired, 50W wireless, and 10W reverse charging, and the compact but powerful 55W charger included in the box, ensure that Mi 11 stays powered up for any adventure life throws your way. Mi 11 comes in two storage variants: 8GB+128GB or 8GB+256GB with enhanced LPDDR5 3200MHz RAM + UFS 3.1 storage. March 2021

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Boasting a 480Hz touch sampling rate and in-screen fingerprint sensor, the Mi 11 allows users to smoothly and swiftly unlock their device. It offers a comfortable swiping experience and inhand feel with its quad-curved smooth edges and rear glass finishing.

with dazzling detail comparable to professional-grade DSLR or mirrorless cameras. A 13MP ultra-wide-angle camera and 5MP tele-macro lens round out the rear camera setup. On the front is a 20MP punch-hole front camera.

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Treats areas up to 150sqm

Orion Defend

PHP79,800

THE ORION SERIES BY ALLER PLASMA is a range of air and surface sterilizers that use the latest cold plasma technology. The sterilizers are filter-free and have specially designed conversion ion tubes to produce cold plasma. The ion tubes convert air into positive and negative ions that proactively eliminate microscopic pollutants that traditional filters cannot trap. By replicating nature’s own cleaning process, these sterilizers are not just the most advanced and cost-efficient option but also the most environmentally safe. The Orion Series Sterilizers also help to remove dust in the breathing area, which leads to fewer allergies,

while also eliminating unpleasant odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These sterilizers are best to use while there are people in an occupied space because they are safe for humans, pets, and plants. They are unobtrusive due to their ultra-quiet operation. Being plug and play, they are also easy to maintain. There are five Orion Series models to choose from: Shield 30, Shield 50, Shield 100, XPro, and Defend. All the models work effectively in different indoor area spaces, depending on the specific area requirement. One model, the Shield 30, is specifically designed for elevator use —a high-touch area where viruses and bacteria are commonly present.

Plasma Sterilizers

Aller Plasma Orion Series March 2021

Orion Shield 30

PHP23,000

Treats areas up to 30sqm

Orion Shield 100

Orion Shield 50

PHP29,800

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Treats areas up to 50sqm

PHP48,000 Treats areas up to 100sqm

Orion XPro

PHP63,800

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Treats areas up to 100sqm

March 2021

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STUDIES SHOW that earphones have 2,700x more bacteria than a kitchen cutting board. It’s very hard to clean properly given that it’s delicate and has a lot of nooks and crannies. LG TONE Free FN7 wireless earbuds solves this and gives you peace of mind thanks to its UVnano charging case. Utilizing built-in ultraviolet light, the slim charging case keeps listeners’ ears cleaner by eliminating 99.9% of bacteria from the non-toxic, hypoallergenic silicone ear gel and inner mesh. The compact charging case provides up to an hour of listening time after only a five-minute charge. LG TONE Free FN7 ear gels have a new spiral design that maximizes comfort and delivers active noise cancellation at its best with three microphones on each earbud for monitoring and toning out sounds. Their vortex ribs provide even distribution of pressure, allowing them to adapt to all ear shapes and reduce any extra noise effectively for a more immersive listening experience.

LG Tone Free FN7 Wireless Earbuds

March 2021

Wearable Air Purifier

LG Puricare Mask & Charging Case THE LG PURICARE MASK, is a wearable air purifier that uses HEPA filters to filter out 99% of harmful particles so you can breathe only clean, fresh air.

The LG Puricase Mask charging case utilizes UVnano technology. This case is designed to clean and protect the wearable air purifier while charging. It uses UV light to eliminate 99.99% of germs in just 30 minutes and remove bacteria from filters up to 99% using dry mode (4 hrs). It can fully charge the Puricare Mask in 2 hours for up to 8 hours of use.

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Made with medical-grade silicone, it is made of the same materials applied to oxygen respirators at hospitals. The design also makes it possible to wear the unit comfortably for hours on end. It fits and seals to your face to minimize air leakage around the nose and chin, comfortable for everyday wear while minimizing air leakage. A Respiratory Sensor detects the cycle and volume of

the wearer’s breath, whereas dual inverter fans have three speed settings that adjust accordingly. The Puricare mask comes with a washable face pad and disposable filters.

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March 2021

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GADGETS LAB

REVIEWED BY JEWEL STA. ANA

ACER NITRO 5 (AN51741) GAMING LAPTOP

Unlike before, consumers now have diverse options when searching for a mainstream gaming laptop. However, only select brands offer powerful hardware on these powerful devices. One of these workhorses is the Acer Nitro 5, which is now made bolder, faster, better, and stronger. What are the changes that casual gamers should look forward to in this year’s latest iteration of the Acer Nitro 5? Read more to find out. March 2021

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DESIGN At first look, the Acer Nitro 5 has a plastic-y body with a brushed finish in black. Compared to its predecessors, the latest iteration has several red-accented parts. This includes the red-backlit keyboard and the rear exhaust of the laptop. It has a glossy and embossed Acer logo on the laptop’s lid and signature lines on each side. Lifting the lid reveals a thick hinge with two LED indicators for battery and power. At the middle top of the hinge lies the NITRO branding in red letters. On the left side, it has a Kensington lock, an rJ45 port for a wired internet connection, two USB-A ports, and an audio combo jack. On the opposite side, there’s the USB-C port, another USB-A port, and an HDMI port that can be used to expand the display on another external device. There

are vents on each side and at the back of the laptop. Unlike other traditional gaming laptops, the wired charger’s power input is located at the middle rear part.

HARDWARE In terms of hardware, the latest version of the Acer Nitro 5 is now powered with AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors and up to NVIDIA RTX 3000 series of graphics cards. The model we got comes with an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor mated with an integrated Radeon and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 dedicated graphics card. It has up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM, two M.2 PCIe SSDs, and an HDD slot for expanding storage. The model we had our hands on has a 16 GB LPDDR4 RAM, 1 TB PCIe NVMe SSD, and a 1TB HDD, which is pretty decent for multitasking, gaming, and even rendering

videos and processed images on creative software. Upfront, it is equipped with a 144Hz FHD IPS display in 17.3-inch. It runs under Windows 10 Pro and has a 55Whr battery. To prevent it from overheating, it is equipped with the brand’s proprietary cooling system, Acer CoolBoost technology, and the dedicated NitroSense software for monitoring CPU and GPU temperatures. Through the software, users can adjust the fan control and power plan settings.

March 2021

GADGETS LAB

Acer Nitro 5 (AN51741)

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USER EXPERIENCE The Acer Nitro 5 might be an entry-level gaming laptop, but its hardware can do so much more. Apart from casual gaming, I used the device for recording my gameplays in Valorant. I was able to edit clips from my recording, switch to multiple tabs on my web browser, and video conference for hours, thanks to its 1TB SSD and 16GB RAM. The laptop’s temperature does not increase too much, keeping its backlit keyboard manageable to touch during multitasking. Its rear and side ventilation also helps in the heat dissipation of the laptop. Since it has a solid and larger build, there’s a heft to it whenever you carry it, just like most gaming laptops in the market. And since it has a large display, it offers a more immersive gaming and viewing experience. It’s bright, sharp, and clear. We also give some plus points to the significant downsizing of the bezels compared to previous Nitro 5 versions. Its dedicated graphics card, together with its screen, helps the laptop run butterysmooth PC games with high frame rates up to 144Hz and response rate up to 3ms, which are ideal for fast-paced FPS games such as Valorant. I experienced occasional lags during gameplay, but our network server was to blame. I was skeptical about playing online games wirelessly since I might experience connectivity issues in-game. However, the laptop supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard with Intel’s AX200 module for internet speeds up to 2.4Gbps. It is also matched with a Killer E2600 gigabit ethernet controller driver to improve network and latency performance by up to 25% and prioritize games and other software that require a bigger network bandwidth. This is further optimized when used with the Acer Network Optimizer.

March 2021

In terms of multimedia and connectivity, the laptop offers decent connectivity options. It has enough ports for my gaming peripherals—a definite plus for casual gamers out there. The input from my wireless mechanical keyboard was quite fast and responsive, thanks to Bluetooth 5.0. Powered by DTS:X Ultra speakers, gamers can choose various audio profiles on the Acer Nitro 5. The bottom-firing speakers located at the left and right sides of the device are loud. The laptop offers a surround-sound experience, but audio is way better when you have a headset or earphones

SPECIFICATIONS

WHAT'S HOT  Big and good display with a smooth refresh rate  Immersive audio for headsets  Solid build  Acer Nitrosense for customizable cooling system  Impressive hardware performance plugged in. Its front-facing HD camera also delivers clear video, good enough for online meetings. Do note that you’ll need to buy a separate privacy cover for its camera. The only caveat that I experienced here is the battery life. Using it with the display brightness at 100%, volume at 50%, and Wi-Fi connection running only gave me 6 hours of use. This is still good considering that I am stuck at home, attending my online classes. I also loved the idea of plugging the charger at the back of the device for neater cable management.

WHAT'S NOT

VALUE The latest Acer Nitro 5 is definitely a good option for all types of casual gamers. The latest processor, larger memory, and bigger hybrid storage are dealbreakers for those who are looking for an all-around daily driver for their home. However, you should consider the constant need for an outlet plug, its weight, and an external memory card reader when you take it out. For online classes, casual gaming, entertainment, and content creation, this is a good investment.

 No webcam shutter  Absence of memory card readers  Battery life

BOTTOMLINE An alternative workhorse for all kinds of casual gamers March 2021

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3-inch FHD IPS display, 144Hz refresh rate, 3ms response rate AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor with integrated Radeon graphics card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card 1TB HDD + 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD 16GB LPDDR4 RAM Acer CoolBoost technology Acer NitroSense Quad exhaust port design Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 Killer E2600 Bluetooth 5.0 Backlit keyboard (red) 3 x USB-A 1 x USB-C 1 x HDMI 1 x RJ45 port 1 x Kensington lock DTS:X Ultra speaker system Acer Network Optimizer Bluetooth 5.0 Windows 10 Pro 55Whr battery

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GADGETS LAB

DESIGN Straight out of the box, what you’ll immediately note about the Oppo Reno5 even before you turn it on is its lovely shimmery finish that’s almost a shame to cover up with the included clear case. However, because it is ultra-light at 171g and ultra-slim at 7.7mm, it does deserve some added protection.

OPPO RENO5 4G SMARTPHONE

REVIEWED BY MARIBELLE ALBA

Oppo has been generating a lot of buzz lately with their newest smartphone, the Reno5. We received a loaner unit of the base 4G model some weeks before the official launch, and we had a chance to find out why #PictureLifeTogether is a fitting tagline for this smartphone camera powerhouse. March 2021

It has a 6.4” AMOLED screen with a 20:9 aspect ratio, stretching edge-to-edge for an almost bezel-less display. The single punch hole for the front camera on the screen’s upper left corner is very discreetly positioned and relatively unobtrusive. Lined up at the back, on the upper left quadrant, are the rear cameras, along with the LED flash. On the right edge is the power button, while on the left is the volume rocker as well as the tray for two nano-SIMS and a microSD memory card. On the top edge is the microphone, and on the bottom edge are the headphone jack, USB-C jack, and speakers.

HARDWARE The Oppo Reno5 4G is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G processor with 8GB RAM and 128GB ROM.

SPECIFICATIONS With 50W flash charge capability, its 4310mAh battery can be quickly charged to 100% in less than an hour. Five minutes of quick charging can give you 3 hours of video playback. It also has charging protection and a multi-cooling system, so the phone does not heat up even during gameplay while charging. The quad-cam setup on the rear consists of a 65MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-widecamera, a 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP mono camera. In front is the superb 44MP selfie camera. It runs on the latest ColorOS 11 based on Android 11.

USER EXPERIENCE

First is the truly immersive HD viewing experience on the AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. I’m not a huge gamer, but I understand that this high refresh rate definitely makes gameplay smoother and snappier. I have subscriptions to YouTube Premium, Netflix, and Prime Video, and I must confess to spending a lot of time binge-watching. The Oppo Reno5 has HD certifications from both Netflix and Amazon, so watching HD-quality

ColorOS 11.1 based on Android 11 Display

6.5’ AMOLED 20:9, FHD+ 2400x1080, single punch-hole display, 90Hz refresh rate Biometrics

videos is really gratifying with all the sharp contrasts and vivid colors. An added bonus is Dolby Atmos audio for excellent sound quality. Even with the volume set to max, there is no crackling or hissing, just clear, crisp, and well-balanced sound. Moving on, I think the raison d’etre of the Oppo Reno5 is its outstanding camera setup. There is just so much packed into this smartphone, it will take a while for a user to fully master and appreciate the possibilities. Let me just give a quick run-down. On top of the already great camera specs, Oppo packed some AI-powered imaging capabilities into the Reno5 to unleash the creative potential in everyone. For example, dual-view video lets you shoot simultaneously with your selfie and rear cameras, so you’re not left out of the action as it’s happening. With AI mixed portrait, you can shoot a video background and then superimpose yourself over it for artistic effect. There’s also a host of functions for shooting in low-light conditions for consistently clear and vibrant photos/ videos. And to make it easy for aspiring creators, there’s the Soloop app with built-in templates, filters, etc., to help you quickly edit and produce vlog-worthy content. As a postscript, one small detail that I really love is the hidden fingerprint unlock feature, especially during these face-mask-wearing times when face unlock is not usable. All you have to do is press a previously configured finger on the designated “hidden” area on the screen to quickly unlock the Oppo Reno5—so cool!

VALUE

Hidden fingerprint unlock, facial recognition Platform

Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G, Octa-core CPU up to 2.3GHz Memory

8GB RAM +128GB ROM, up to 256GB MicroSD Battery

4310mAh, 50W flash charge Cameras

Rear - 64MP main, 8MP ultra-wide angle, 2MP macro, 2MP mono; Front 44MP selfie Video

Rear camera - up to 4K@30fps; Front camera - 1080P@30fps Connectivity

WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, USB Type-C, 3.5mm headphone jack Sensors

Geomagnetic, optical proximity, ambient light. accelerometer, gravity, gyroscope, pedometer Dimensions 159.1x73.3x7.7mm Weight 171g

WHAT'S HOT  SoLoop!  Great camera setup  AMOLED screen  Hidden fingerprint sensor

WHAT'S NOT  Not the 5G version

Priced at PHP 18,999, the Oppo Reno5 is not an entry-level phone. But, considering its specifications and performance, I’d say that’s a very reasonable price point. With all the features and capabilities packed into this smartphone, users will most certainly be getting value for money.

BOTTOMLINE The Oppo Reno5 definitely lives up to the hype! March 2021

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Of all the great features packed into the Oppo Reno5, there are two areas I’d like to rave about.

Operating System

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GADGETS LAB

LENOVO THINKVISION M14T MOBILE MONITOR

REVIEWED BY GABRIEL PE

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, I was skeptical about portable monitors. But everything changed when I got a chance to hook my laptop onto a monitor. Ever since then, I found myself to be much more productive when having two or more screens in front of me. This has become a dilemma, what could my setup be when I have to work outside? Enter the Lenovo ThinkVision M14t, Lenovo’s new portable monitor. DESIGN The Lenovo ThinkVision M14t has a sleek design that makes it fit in any office or conference room. Aside from its great looks, the ThinkVision M14t is super portable, weighing a mere 0.7kg. The included carrying case also gives you peace of mind against unnecessary bumps and knocks when you take it outside the office. Unlike other devices, the Lenovo

March 2021

ThinkBook M14t also is powered by your main device rather than needing its own power brick, which is a plus in portability.

HARDWARE The Lenovo ThinkVision M14t features a 14-inch IPS FHD touchscreen display. It’s powered via either of the two USB Type-C ports on its base. These USB ports can also daisy chain, meaning you

can charge your phone while the monitor is connected to your laptop, or insert an OTG for your phone while it’s connected to the monitor. The touchscreen display has a 10-point touch which means it can recognize all ten fingers if you’re placing them onscreen. Aside from the 10-point touch, the M14t also has an included stylus on the box that performed great, almost as if I was using a tablet instead of a portable monitor.

USER EXPERIENCE I had the opportunity to test out the M14t with the Lenovo ThinkBook T14 and to be honest, it was quite the experience.

monitor, they could include different display inputs such as HDMI/ miniHDMI or mini-Display ports. While I had the Lenovo ThinkBook T14 to use the monitor, my older daily driver could be displayed due to its lack of Type-C.

Setup was a breeze. All I needed to was connect the included USB Type-C to my device and the display would automatically turn on. Adjusting the display is also easy, thanks to the digital menu. The 300-nits bright screen on the portable monitor was a blessing when I tried working outdoors. It was brighter compared to the laptop’s own display when outside. The extra USB Type-C on the Monitor was also great for leaving space for me to charge my other devices without taking much-needed USB port space from the laptop.

If there is one thing that Lenovo could improve upon in their next portable

The Lenovo ThinkVision M14t will set you back PHP 19,995 a little on the expensive side. But for professionals who are always on the road and need a secondary monitor on the road, the ThinkVision M14t will not be disappointed. Its features is more than enough for most people and the different modes turn it into something more than just a secondary monitor.

WHAT'S HOT  Slim and portable  Different modes  Stylus support

Display

14-inch IPS panel Resolution

1920 x 1080 Refresh rate

60 Hz

WHAT'S NOT

Response time

6ms (extreme mode), 8ms (normal mode) Color Gamut

 Only Type-C output

72% NTSC Connectivity

BOTTOMLINE

2x USB-Type C Features

Touchscreen, Stylus support Dimension

14.0 x 214.3 x 323.4 mm Weight

0.698 kg

The Lenovo ThinkVision M14t is the perfect work companion for people on the go

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The ThinkVision M14t filled the much need productivity itch I needed on laptops. The touchscreen made scrolling through webpages faster and easier. As a student, the ThinkVision M14t’s stylus and touchscreen saved me a couple of times during recitations and note-taking. Having a second screen also gave me the luxury of watching live streams on the ThinkVision M14t while writing on the main device.

SPECIFICATIONS

VALUE

GADGETS LAB REVIEWED BY GABRIEL PE

LENOVO THINKPAD T14 GEN 1

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BUSINESS LAPTOP

March 2021

When we think of the Lenovo ThinkBook or ThinkPad, we immediately think of business laptops with their iconic design and, of course, the red TrackPoint in the middle of the keyboard. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 1 has the look and feel of the usual ThinkBook, but this one offers more than the normal office laptop.

DESIGN

Moving on, the ThinkPad T14 has a 14inch IPS display with FHD resolution. While the screen does look good, it is a bit dim for my taste, even at max brightness. What really made me fall in love with the ThinkPad T14 was its keyboard, and I will have more to say on this in the user experience section. The trackpad is also great, and I found myself using it more often than the cheap Bluetooth mouse that I would normally use. Beside the trackpad is the fingerprint reader. The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 has an average amount of I/O ports. On the left is a USB Type-C which doubles as the Laptop’s charging port. Then, there’s another USB

HARDWARE The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 1 is powered by the new AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650U, which also has integrated AMD Radeon Vega graphics. Our review unit had 8GB of RAM and 256GB of NVMe SSD storage. In terms of the hardware specs, the ThinkPad T14 with its AMD Ryzen 5 PRO surprised me. I ran a couple of benchmarks, and the results came out great for the laptop. It scored 1151 points in Single-Core performance and 5760 points in multi-core for Cinebench R23. Geekbench 5 has it at 1062 points for single-core and 3767 points for multi-core performance. Lastly, PCMark 10 scored it at 4372 points overall. Long story short, the ThinkPad T14 is a capable machine. It may not be the fastest out there, but it won’t let you down either.

March 2021

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The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 uses the same old ThinkPad/ ThinkBook design, sporting a matte black design with the red accents on the logo and trackpad buttons. This laptop wouldn’t look out of place in a conference room nor a café. For me, this a great case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” as honestly, I am a fan of the ThinkBook/ ThinkPad design.

Type-C beside the proprietary ThinkPad Port, a USB Type-A port, HDMI, AUX port, and a MicroSD reader. On the right are a Kensington Lock hole, Ethernet port (RJ45), and another USB Type-A port.

GADGETS LAB

Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 1

USER EXPERIENCE Using the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 was a blast. Like I said, typing on this laptop was extremely satisfying. Usually, I would have trouble adjusting to new laptops because of the key spaces, but with the ThinkPad T14, it felt natural to type on. If there’s one thing I had a problem with, it was the positioning of the Fn and left Ctrl keys.

As a ThinkPad, Lenovo has fitted the T14 with some security features such as fingerprint log-in, the ThinkShutter privacy cover, a microphone mute Fn key shortcut, and a security chip. Adding to these is protection offered by the AMD Ryzen PRO processor with features such the AMD Memory Guard encryption. The laptop also performs great in the graphics department. Since the laptop already has integrated graphics, it can handle

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Another great feature of the ThinkPad T14 is its speakers. The speakers are loud for their size and could easily fill a room. The sound quality is good, thanks to Dolby Audio certification. In addition to the

audio, another surprise standout for me is the webcam. Lenovo has fitted the ThinkPad T14 with a 720p IR webcam that, despite its specs, captured good selfies and saved my skin in classes where the professor wanted open cameras.

March 2021

some light photo editing. I also tried a bit of gaming, just for the fun of it. CS: GO ran at a max of 27fps on High settings and 35fps on medium settings. Not the greatest for running newer titles, but the classics will definitely run on this with no problem. Using the laptop for both class and work, I found that the battery lasted about five to six hours with heavy usage (work, max brightness, and an additional secondary monitor). Thankfully, charging time is extremely fast. The laptop can go from 4% juice to 50% in just 30 minutes, and a full charge in about two hours. You can also bring the 65W charger anywhere since it has a small form factor.

VALUE

SPECIFICATIONS Display

14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Processor

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650U Graphics

AMD Radeon Vega Storage

up to 1TB NVMe SSD Memory

up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM Connectivity

WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 Ports

2x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 2x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x RJ45, 1x audio port, 1x MicroSD card reader, 1x ThinkPad Port Features

Fingerprint reader, ThinkShutter privacy, Backlight Keyboard, TrackPoint Battery

50 Wh with 65W charger Dimension

329 x 227 x 17.9 mm Weight

1.46kg

WHAT'S HOT  The AMD Processor amazing  Great audio  Fast charging  Portable

WHAT'S NOT  No webcam shutter  Absence of memory card readers  Underwhelming battery life

BOTTOMLINE The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is definitely a must-have for a young professional March 2021

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At around PHP 52,000, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 is one of the cheaper Think-series laptops. With the lineup’s storied history, reliability, and functionality, the ThinkPad T14 is a good choice for everyone who wants a fully functional laptop.

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GADGETS LAB

REVIEWED BY MARIBELLE ALBA

FITBIT SENSE SMART WATCH

The Fitbit Sense is a new health smartwatch, billed as being the first to have an electrodermal activity sensor. It replaces the Ionic, which is no longer listed on the Fitbit website. With all the new features packed into Fitbit’s most advanced health smartwatch yet, does the Sense live up to its promise?

March 2021

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DESIGN

EQUIPMENT

USER EXPERIENCE

True to the Fitbit aesthetic, the Sense is almost identical to the more affordable Versa 3. The dimensions are the same square with rounded corners measuring 40.48x40.48x12.35mm. Both are made with the same aluminum case, and the soft silicone straps and other watch bands are actually interchangeable. The only discernable difference is the tiny break on both sides of the Fitbit Sense screen for the electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor.

For all its minimalistic looks, the Fitbit Sense is packed with a lot of sophisticated technologies. First, there are the usual 3-axis accelerometer, gyroscope, altimeter, and GPS for motion and location tracking. Then, there are the health sensors consisting of a multi-path optical heart rate sensor, multi-purpose electrical sensors compatible with the ECG app and EDA app, red and infrared sensors for oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring, and a skin temperature sensor.

There are so many good things packed into the Fitbit Sense and the accompanying Health Metrics in the Fitbit app, I don’t know where to start. The Health Metrics dashboard pretty much contains everything that I like about using the Sense, and I’ve added the details as a separate sidebar to this review.

The display is a 1.58-inch AMOLED color touchscreen with laser-bonded Corning Gorilla Glass 3 surrounded by a polished stainless steel ring. At the back is the biosensor core, a powerful water-resistant hub that enables skin temperature sensing, heart rate tracking, and battery charging. The Fitbit Sense is available in carbon/ graphite and lunar white/soft gold.

Additional components include a speaker, microphone, and vibration motor, while connectivity is through Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi, and NFC. The lithium polymer battery lasts up to 6+ days depending on use and settings, and a 12min fast charge is enough for a fullday’s use.

One new addition to the Fitbit Sense is oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring, seen as an important indicator for COVID-19 screening. Working with the SpO2 clock face, you get your daily reading once you sync your Sense with the Fitbit app when you wake up in the morning. Another enhancement that I was really excited about was ECG monitoring, as March 2021

GADGETS LAB

Fitbit Sense

I take medication for premature atrial fibrillation. Sadly, though, the Philippines is not among the 40 countries where it is offered—so disappointing! Some other features offered on the Fitbit Sense but not available here are Voice Assistant that lets you speak to either Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant on your wrist, and Fitbit Pay that allows you to use your Sense to tap to pay on the go. A feature I like is the “Find My Phone” function as I do tend to forget where I last left my phone. Press the button and it causes your phone to emit a rather earpiercing tone.

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SPECIFICATIONS Display

1.58” AMOLED full-color touchscreen display Sensors

Multi-path optical heart rate sensor, multipurpose electrical sensors compatible with ECG app & EDA app, red and infrared sensors for SpO2 monitoring, gyroscope, altimeter, 3-axis accelerometer, skin temperature sensor, ambient light sensor, built-in GPS + GLONASS,

One last note: the silicone strap is now softer, lighter, and more pliable, making it more comfortable to wear almost 24/7. Despite the snug fit, sweat does not build up under the strap and there’s no rubbing or irritation.

VALUE

Components

Vibration motor, speaker, microphone, Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi, NFC Battery

Lithium-polymer; up to 6+ days battery life depending on use, settings, etc.; fast-charge 1 day of battery life in 12min, 10-80% charge in approx 40min Memory

Stores heart rate data at 1-sec intervals during exercise, 5-sec intervals at other times; 7-days of detailed minute-by-minute motion data; 30 days of daily totals Water resistance

Up to 50 meters, swim-proof Dimensions

40.48x40.48x12.35mm Materials

Flexible material, aluminum watch case and buckle

March 2021

The Fitbit Sense retails for PHP 19,490 — the most expensive in the entire lineup. While still cheaper than the Apple Watch, some critics might point out that this is as it should be since the Sense has more limited features. For me, it’s not a fair comparison. While the Apple Watch has more bells and whistles, in my opinion, it is the very simplicity of the Fitbit Sense that is its best recommendation as, with the Fitbit Health Metrics dashboard, you get a focused snapshot of key wellness indicators to help you live a healthier life.

WHAT'S HOT  Comfortable to use almost 24/7  All those sensors!  Health Metrics! 42

BOTTOMLINE Using the Fitbit Sense really does make sense during these challenging times when we all need to be more mindful of our health.

WHAT'S NOT  Looks the same as previous and lower-grade models  ECG and FitPay not yet available in the Philippines

THE FITBIT HEALTH METRICS DASHBOARD Heart rate variability (HRV) (variation of time between each heartbeat): A significant decrease in HRV can help you understand if your body is showing potential signs of stress, illness, or fatigue.

Where is it? All Sense, Versa 3, Versa 2, Inspire 2, and Charge 4 users in eligible countries will be able to see Health Metrics as a new tile on the Today dashboard in their Fitbit app.

Oxygen saturation (SpO2) (level of oxygen in your blood): Keep an eye on your SpO2 to notice your trends and how they may connect to your other habits as multiple factors can contribute to changes (including altitude, caffeine, respiratory issues, weight lifting, running).

What does each metric mean? Breathing rate (average breaths per minute): Significant changes in your trends can help you understand your wellness. A lower breathing rate can be linked to good cardiovascular health, while short-term increases may indicate your body is under stress.

Skin temperature variation: See how your skin temperature varies to help you uncover changes to your wellbeing. Factors that may cause skin temperature to vary nightly include changes in room temperature, bedding, circadian rhythm, menstrual cycle, or the onset of a fever or illness. If you notice

significant variations, you may want to consider taking and logging your core temperature. Resting heart rate (RHR) (an important indicator of cardiovascular health, fitness level, sleep quality, and recovery): Increases in your RHR could be due to stress, illness, fatigue, or the consumption of alcohol or caffeine. Exercise, meditation, and changes in diet can lower your resting heart rate. Why are these metrics important? Tracking each of these metrics together and over time can help you better understand how it’s all connected to your long-term health and wellness journey, and serve as a potential early warning system for signals of illness. How can these metrics help in the fight against COVID-19? Findings from Fitbit’s COVID-19 study show that breathing rate, resting heart rate, and heart rate variability (HRV) are all useful metrics for indicating the onset of illness, making wearables a vital tool in the fight against COVID-19, as it’s clear that our bodies may signal impact from the disease before more noticeable symptoms appear.

March 2021

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What is it? The Health Metrics dashboard is a new tool in the Fitbit app that helps you keep a closer eye on your health and wellbeing. The dashboard provides access to track metrics like heart rate variability, breathing rate, oxygen saturation (SpO2), and skin temperature variation.

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GADGETS LAB

REVIEWED BY MARIBELLE ALBA

REALME SMART TV DESIGN The new realme Smart TV is part of the brand’s foray into the local smart home scene. Moving beyond just being a mobile phone brand, realme is embracing the tech-lifestyle space with new products that elevate the smart home and interconnected tech experience. How well does the realme Smart TV live up to the promise?

March 2021

The realme Smart TV comes in two sizes, a 43-inch model which is our review unit, and a smaller 32-incher. Overall, it looks well-made, with super-thin bezels for a more premium effect. The feet are two V-shaped stands that you screw into the base. It can also be wall-mounted and is compatible with standard VESA brackets. Weighing only 6.8kg, the TV is relatively light and quite easy to lift and move.

HARDWARE realme did not hold back in the hardware department for their Smart TV debut, packing it with powerful ARM Cortex A53 quadcore and Mali-470 MP3 processors. The LED display on our 43-inch review unit is Full HD, with a 1920x1080 resolution. The audio system is an impressive Dolby-certified solution supporting 24W quad stereo speakers located at the bottom of the TV. Each side has one full-range speaker and one tweeter symmetrically balanced for precise sound reproduction. Connectivity options include WiFi, Bluetooth, and infrared. Ports include 3 HDMI, 2 USB, 1 AV, 1 tuner, 1 LAN, and 1 audio-out jack.

VALUE

USER EXPERIENCE Out of the box, the realme Smart TV was virtually plug and play. You just need to turn it on, link it to your home internet, and it’s good to go with builtin apps. In fact, the remote control very conveniently incorporates quick buttons for YouTube, Netflix, and Prime Video, so you can quickly access your favorite video services. You can also just press the Google Assistant button to control the TV with your voice. realme’s extensive experience in smartphone screens and cameras has been put to good use with the application of Chroma Boost technology in their Smart TV. For its category, the picture quality is outstanding in terms of brightness, color contrast, clarity, and brightness. The investment in ensuring outstanding audio is also apparent in the Dolby audio

The 43-inch realme Smart TV carries a PHP 18,990 suggested retail price, while the price tag on the 32-inch model is PHP 11,990. While not the cheapest of the smart TVs proliferating in the market, the price points are very affordable. Considering the specifications as well as the picture and sound quality, I think you’re getting great value for money. The only caveat I have at the moment is that being a new entrant in this product category, we do not have user feedback

WHAT'S HOT  Responsive  Good picture quality  Good sound quality

WHAT'S NOT  Nothing major

BOTTOMLINE A reasonable option for those looking to upgrade to a Smart TV 45

about its long-term durability. If it’s any reassurance, the realme Smart TV has passed ISTA international testing standards and carries a one-year product warranty plus an additional one-year screen warranty.

SPECIFICATIONS Display

LED, 16.7M colors, 16:9 screen ratio, 178-degree viewing angle Processor

ARM Cortex A53 quad-core CPU, Mali-470 MP3 GPU Picture Technology

Chroma Boost Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi, NFC Operating system

Android TV

Built-in apps

Netflix, Youtube, Prime Video, Google Assistant, etc. Connectivity

WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, infrared Ports

3 HDMI, 1 AV, 2 USB, 1 LAN, 1 audio out Audio

24W speakers x 4, Dolby audio Dimensions (43”)

967.5x605x233mm (with stand) / 967.5x560x87mm (without stand) Weight

6.8kg (with stand) / 6.7kg (without stand)

March 2021

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setup, which delivers natural-sounding, full stereo sound with good separation. Even at higher volumes, the sound quality remains consistent, although with a bit too much treble for my taste.

MOBILITY

March 2021

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ALL-NEW ISUZU D-MAX INTO NEW HEIGHTS arrying with it 6 years of research and 4 million kilometers of testing, the All-New Isuzu D-MAX is the most innovative and feature-laden iteration of the iconic pick-up truck that has long set its reputation for its outstanding durability and reliability.

Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) president Hajime Koso said, “We are very excited to introduce this model to the Philippine market—a market that has been particularly special for us since there are a lot of scenic routes and challenging terrains all over the country that a pick-up and 4x4 enthusiast would love to traverse, especially on the weekends. Because of that, we’ve made sure that the AllNew D-MAX will have a wide range of choices to cater to every consumer’s needs.” The All-New Isuzu D-MAX is well received in the international scene, especially in Thailand, and has been redesigned to keep in harmonious step with the modern-day Filipino’s ever-changing needs, and is more than capable of meeting the unpredictable daily demands of both work and lifestyle, while still achieving that remarkable balance between toughness and style.

March 2021

MOBILITY

water wading depth capability, newly designed steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment, redesigned gear lever for better gear selection and control (for both MT and AT), terrain command select dial, and electronic differential lock—ensure that the D-MAX can overcome virtually all types of terrain.

DESIGNED BEYOND THE PICK-UP TRUCK Built from the ground up, the All-New Isuzu D-MAX breaks the barrier between trucks and passenger cars, brought about by its BOLD, EMOTIONAL, and SMART design concept. The exterior styling utilizes the bold but emotional concept, giving the new D-MAX a powerful and robust appearance. At the same time, the movement of lines now reflects the uniqueness of D-MAX’s sporty and futuristic design. The D-MAX’s interior cabin, on the other hand, is designed with Isuzu’s bold but smart concept, which emphasizes the sharp horizontal layers design theme, wherein most of the features has been redesigned under Isuzu’s universal design concept to minimize vibration, reduce cabin noise – ultimately giving (the) driver and passenger a more comfortable drive. EXCEPTIONAL POWER Under the hood, the All-New Isuzu D-MAX is now powered by the new 4JJ3TCX, which uses a highly advanced Isuzu common rail system that can deliver March 2021

responsive power and top performance, producing 190PS of power and 450 Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the RZ4E-TC engine also boasts improved engine performance that promises faster acceleration and better overtaking performance from 150PS of maximum power and 350Nm of torque. OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE Where the road ends, the All-New Isuzu D-MAX truly excels. Design and engineering innovations—such as the one-piece aluminum tail shaft, 800mm

Despite possessing new levels of comfort and convenience, this pickup can withstand the harshest conditions, thanks to its engineering innovations such as the new front suspension geometry, chassis design featuring larger side rails and 8 cross member for torsional rigidity, new rear leaf spring design, ultra-high tensile steel-reinforced cabin structure, and a semi mid-ship engine design. INNOVATION The All-New Isuzu D-MAX has been redesigned to keep its driver and passenger entertained. Its new 10.1inch Infotainment system has Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice control. It comes with a full touch screen display with an improved navigation system, all paired with a dynamic surround sound system. gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

The new D-MAX also comes with a welcome light system that automatically illuminates the cabin room as the driver approaches the vehicle. The D-MAX also has a new auto-lock system, follow me home light function, new turn indicator function, and a remote start engine functionality. TOPNOTCH SAFETY FEATURES No matter how rough and tough the going gets, the All-New Isuzu D-MAX keeps all its occupants protected with its wide array of active safety features, which include the anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) with brake assist (BA), electronic stability control (ESC) with traction control system (TCS), hill start assist (HSA) and hill descent control (HDC), and the brake override system (BOS).

Safety goes a notch higher with the D-MAX 3.0 LS-E variant, with its new Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS) that employs state-of-the-art sensors and a first-in-class SMART DUO CAM that enables the D-MAX to constantly monitor the surrounding environment, thus offering the driver the following active and passive safety features: forward collision warning (FCW), autonomous emergency brake (AEB); turn assist, pedal misapplication mitigation, adaptive cruise control (ACC), manual speed limiter (MSL), lane departure warning (LDW), blind-spot monitoring (BSM), rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA), parking aid, and multi-collision brake (MCB). On top of these, the new D-MAX comes with 7 SRS airbags and has been given a 5-star safety rating by the ASEAN New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

PRICING AND VARIANTS The All-New Isuzu D-MAX caters to a vast spectrum of pick-up buyers. It is available in different cabin types and drivetrains. As a special treat to pick-up lovers nationwide, the special introductory prices are as follows; D-MAX RZ4E 4X2 Single Cab MT PHP 857,000; D-MAX RZ4E 4X2 LT MT PHP 987,000; D-MAX 3.0L 4X4 LT MT PHP 1,288,000; D-MAX RZ4E 4X2 LS MT PHP 1,219,000; D-MAX RZ4E 4X2 LS AT PHP 1,309,000; D-MAX 3.0L 4X2 LS MT PHP 1,320,000; D-MAX 3.0L 4X2 LS-A AT PHP 1,390,000; D-MAX 3.0L 4X4 LS MT PHP 1,630,000; and the D-MAX 3.0L 4x4 LS-E AT PHP 1,825,000. In addition, the first 200 customers who will reserve and purchase the All-New D-MAX in any dealership will receive a special-edition Isuzu D-MAX Miniature toy car. Also, 50 Limited Edition D-MAX G-Shock watches will be raffled off to all qualified D-MAX customers nationwide. For more information about the All-New Isuzu D-MAX, log on to www.isuzuphil. com, or get in touch with your nearest Isuzu dealership.

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MOBILITY

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THE ALL-NEW HONDA X-ADV Ride into the future With The All-New X-ADV, Honda Philippines Inc. (HPI), the No.1 motorcycle manufacturer in the country, makes it possible for riders and bike enthusiasts to start riding into the future, as people turn to the latest, most innovative, and most convenient technology to help them make their lives easier.

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MOBILITY

s the big bike market grows in the country, HPI recently announced The All-New X-ADV for riders looking for a unique high-performance motorcycle packed with the latest technology, ensuring great rides either on urban thoroughfares or on off-road terrain.

BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY The All-New X-ADV is equipped with a 5-inch TFT full-LCD digital meter with a Honda Smartphone Voice Control system (HSVCS), a special feature that allows riders to access smartphone features through voice command.

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The HSVCS lets the user connect their smartphone via Bluetooth using the Honda Road Sync application and an intercom with Bluetooth capability. It allows users to access navigation systems, create texts or messages, listen to music, and check the weather via voice command, so riders can use their phones without taking them out. POWER AND FUEL EFFICIENCY The All-New X-ADV embodies the essence of modern adventure, the perfect fusion of technology

and design. It is built with a 745cc parallel-twin, SOHC 8-valve, liquid-cooled, Euro 5 compliant engine mated to a 6-speed DualClutch Transmission (DCT). It is capable of producing 42.7kW of power at 6,750rpm and a 68.7Nm of torque at 4,750rpm while delivering 28.3km/L of fuel efficiency. PREMIUM FEATURES The innovative motorcycle also includes other premium features like an improved exterior design and headlights with daytime running lights (DRL). Enhanced

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safety features include improved front and rear disk brakes, improved upside-down front fork, smart key with electronic steering lock (ESL), anti-lock brake system (ABS), throttle by wire, and emergency stop signal (ESS). These features allow riders to have a safe and convenient journey on the road. PRICE AND AVAILABILITY The All-New X-ADV allows its riders to stand out on the road with its stylish color variants such as graphite black, matte beta

HPI has dedicated its services to create a wide array of motorcycles for every Filipino. This is in line with the company's "ONE DREAM" campaign. silver metallic, and grand prix red. It is available at all Honda Big Bike dealerships with a suggested retail price of PHP 830,000.

Explore more from Honda and its wide array of motorcycles. For more details about Honda products and promos, visit www.hondaph.com.

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MOBILITY

LIVE THE RANGER LIFE F

ORD UNVEILS NEW RANGER WITH BOLDER DESIGN AND EXTERIOR ENHANCEMENTS

Ford Philippines recently launched the refreshed Ranger lineup, which boasts of new design and exterior enhancements across its Ranger XLS, XLT, and Wildtrak variants to offer customers a new look more attuned to today’s needs and lifestyles. “Our new Ford Ranger lineup will allow us to continue building on our leadership in the pickup segment in the country,” says PK Umashankar, president and managing director, Ford Philippines. “The new Ranger is set to deliver on its promise of functionality March 2021

and capability while enabling the diverse needs and lifestyles of our customers.” NEW LOOK AND DESIGN The new Ranger sports a bolder look and new design elements, giving it a stronger impression and tougher stance on the road. The new Ranger Wildtrak variants feature a new eye-catching trapezoidal shape grille with Saber accents, reflecting the Ranger’s brand of unmatched design. Complementing this bolder look are painted gloss black wheels and gloss black accents

on its front grille, lower bumper, rear bumper, fog lamp bezel, exterior mirrors, fender grille, sports bar with Saber insert, roof rail, and tailgate handle, as well as new ‘Wildtrak’ decals on the side door and a 3D ‘Wildtrak’ decal on the tailgate. Exclusive on the 4x4 Wildtrak as an optional offer for customers is the power roller shutter, a load compartment accessory that is an original equipment from Ford. It is fully automatic with three power buttons located in the dashboard, remote key, and pick-up bed for easy access and comes with a power tailgate lock. gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Meanwhile, the Ranger XLT variant comes with a new front grille with chrome accents and exterior gloss black accents on the front grille, exterior mirrors, door handles, and fog lamp bezel. Ranger XLS variants, on the other hand, come with a new front grille. AVAILABILITY AND PRICING The new Ranger XLS, XLT, and Wildtrak variants are available in all Ford dealerships nationwide with the prices ranging from PHP 1,062,000 for the entry-level variant 2.2L XLS 4x2 MT to PHP 1,998,000 for the top-ofthe-line 2.0L Bi Turbo Raptor 4x4 AT.

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MOBILITY

LIVE THE RANGER LIFE

Bringing the Ranger’s values and persona to life, Ford also unveiled the new philosophy, aiming to highlight and celebrate the many ways that the renowned strength and engineering capabilities of the Ranger reflect and support its customers’ personal goals and drive in life, centered around five guiding values: • Up and Over — There’s no challenge we don’t tackle head-on. When we see a mountain range we want to go over, not around. This is true of our truck, users, Ford, and partners. • Can’t Help But Help — We are doers. We pitch in. When people need help or assistance we’re always there. On the building site, helping friends or loved ones, or our dealers within their local communities. • Where There Isn’t a Path, Carve One — We are the truck that redefined the category. We don’t wait for others to lead. We have a vision and objective and we’re fearless in what we need to do to achieve our goals. • Bring Others Along the Journey — It’s great to work hard and achieve recognition, but even better to share it with those who mean the most our family and friends. • We Make Our Own Fun — There’s no such thing as all work and no play. And when it’s time to play, we know how to make the most of those opportunities. Our truck is awesome and fun to drive. March 2021

“Live the Ranger Life will allow us to connect with our customers in a deeper and more emotional way by showcasing how the Ranger enables their passions and goals. Understanding our customers allows us to deliver the right vehicles that truly meet their needs today and in the future. Beyond their functionality and versatility, pickup trucks have 68

become symbols of success for our customers, and the new Ranger’s refreshed look and design will allow them to fully express their identity and individuality,” added Umashankar. To know more about the new Ford Ranger, visit www.ford.com.ph/ trucks/ranger or a Ford dealership nearest you. gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Ford Ranger FX4

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MOBILITY

THE NEW

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MIO AEROX BE ONE WITH THE SPEED

amaha Motor Philippines, Inc. recently introduced the new MIO Aerox and new MIO Aerox S. Having gone through different editions through the years, the Aerox brand maintains its super sport impression, and is now powered by Y-Connect.

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MOBILITY

The #1 Sports AT comes with the newest motorcycle technology Known to be the fastest AT, the new MIO Aerox combines sports style dynamics derived from the iconic “X” motif and advancement of functionality, allowing you to ride with a refined super sport impression. It was engineered to perform at its top speed with optimized aerodynamics providing unequaled power complemented by sharp design. The new MIO Aerox and MIO Areox S are now powered by the Y-Connect app that links directly to your smartphone. Y-Connect lets you track your fuel consumption, stay updated with important data, get maintenance recommendations, be notified of any malfunctions, access to your recent parking location, and more.

Redesigned features and top tier functions The new MIO Aerox is equipped with the advanced liquid-cooled, 4-stroke SOHC, single-cylinder, 4-valve, 155cc fuel-injected engine with CVT and VVA. The engine has been upgraded with a new cylinder head and a compact combustion chamber to achieve a higher compression ratio. The intake valve is wider, ensuring strong intake efficiency. For superb handling characteristics, changes in dimension were applied to make you feel the finest comfort

Redesigned Seat Design

Redesigned Footboard Refined 155cc Blue Core Engine

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Underseat Storage

Enhanced Digital Instrument Panel

with a sleeker design. The engine mounting angle and suspension link length were finetuned and optimized while the trail was made longer to bring excellent straight-line stability.

LED Headlight and Position Lights

Superwide Tubeless Tires

The LED headlight and position lights were improved for better light projection while at the same time amplifying the aggressive styling inspired by a supersport concept. The leading-edge tail light has an intensified design consisting 12 compact and densely situated LEDs for a three-dimensional appearance. Ride at ease with the digital instrument panel adjusted for your reading convenience. RPM bars on both sides enhance the sporty vibe. It also displays notifications from your phone because of Y-Connect. The switch on the handlebar lets you view the fuel gauge, voltmeter, oil trip meter, and others. The Smart Motor Generator System doubles as a starter motor, thus eliminating the need for a separate conventional starter, bringing quiet engine starts and re-starts in a lighter and more compact package. Riding convenience and striking style on the road Bearing in mind the comfort of the rider and passenger, the redefined seat design stems from a careful selection of the materials used and manufacturing methods. The footboards

were designed to make the rider comfortable when in a forward-leaning riding position. This lets you relish the feel of motorcycle riding while implementing the overall sporty look combined with the super-wide tubeless tires measuring 110/80-14 (front tire) and 140/70-14 (rear tire). The increased capacity of the 5.5L fuel tank complements the fuel-efficient engine for proficient riding. The under-seat storage offers 24.5 liters of capacity fitting one XL size fullface helmet along with your other belongings. You can charge your digital devices with the electric power socket located on the left-hand pocket. The fusion of inventive connectivity and unmatched speed All these advancements in design and technology provide improved power, reliability, and smooth acceleration for a more competent ride. The new MIO Aerox, priced at PHP 112,900 is available in Race Blu, Red, Dark Gray, and Black Raven. The new MIO Aerox S has an SRP of PHP 132,900 ad comes in the the Black Raven color. The new MIO Aerox and MIO Aerox S are available at YZONE, the Yamaha Flagship Shop, and at Yamaha Rev Zones and 3S Shops nationwide. For more details, visit Yamahamotor.com.ph

Electric Power Socket

Smart Key System

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Photos courtesy of Maxus Philippines

MAXUS D60 COMPACT SUV Solid to the Max!

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MOBILITY

axus Philippines has unveiled its entry into the competitive SUV market with the trendy D60 compact SUV.

The Maxus D60 comes in two variants, the 1.5T Pro and the 1.5T Elite. Both are powered by a 4-cylinder inline 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine coupled with a 7-speed dualclutch automatic transmission generating a maximum power output of 169ps and 250Nm of torque configured for performance and fuel efficiency. The D60 offers a bevy of active and passive safety systems, namely ESP (electronic stabilization program), EPB (electronic parking brake) with auto hold, cruise control, front dual and side airbags, reverse camera, a

March 2021

tire pressure monitoring system, rear park distance control (PDC), and an additional front PDC for the Elite variant. Additionally, with the D60’s Double Layer Welding Technology, the overall strength and quality of its exterior structure are sure to give its customers peace of mind behind the wheel. The D60 exterior takes after the stylish Maxus Tarantula Concept, which perfectly reflects the bold, active, and dynamic urban lifestyle of young professionals and growing families. The design is complemented by the distinctively Maxus octagonal front grille, accentuated by the Elite variant’s cobweb grille pattern and

matrix-style full LED headlights and streamer tail lights. Then, there are the eye-catching 18” alloy wheels. The D60 comes in two seating capacity options: 5-seater for the 1.5T Pro and 7-seater for the 1.5T Elite, with both offering the perfect fit for

Double Layer Welding Technology

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a growing, active family’s everyday transport needs. Both variants have rear air condition vents and an 8-inch infotainment system, while the Elite offers the additional comfort and convenience of keyless entry and push start, leather seats, and power-folding side mirrors. What’s more, the D60 offers solid valuefor-money. The suggested retail price of this compact SUV has been pegged at subcompact levels. The D60 1.5T Pro is offered for just PHP 1,148,000 while the D60 1.5T Elite is priced at PHP1,258,000. Coupled with the Maxus brand assurance of low maintenance costs and top-notch aftersales service,

the D60 offers guaranteed savings, even as you get features not commonly found in compact and subcompact SUVs. The new Maxus D60 comes in six vibrant colors: Competitive Orange and Polar Ash (exclusive to the Elite), Metal Black and Wace Red (exclusive to the Pro), and Warm Argent and Warm White (available for both variants). Under Maxus PH’s 5-point VehiCare Program, ownership of the D60 is more convenient and affordable with the 5-year warranty or 100,000-km program, 5-year free Emergency Roadside Assistance (ERA), Parts Management System that makes parts stocks availability up to 5 months,

Enhanced Service Quality for onsite and virtual product support and home service or pick-up and delivery, and low cost of maintenance. Log on to www.maxus.com.ph to book a test drive with your nearest Maxus dealer, as follows: Sheridan in Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City at (02) 8558-5823; Quezon Avenue in Quezon City at (02) 8558-5818; Pedro Cayetano Boulevard in Taguig South at (02) 7219-9240; Madrigal Business Park in Alabang, Muntinlupa City at (02) 8558-5828; North Reclamation Area in Cebu City at (032) 517-8226; Mandurriao in Iloilo City at (033) 331-2622; Araneta St. in Bacolod City at (034) 435-7575; and Pueblo in Cagayan de Oro City at (0995) 355-9400.

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MOBILITY

ARE FILIPINOS READY FOR EVS? new study shows that Filipinos and their Southeast Asian neighbors continue to be highly enthusiastic about owning an electrified vehicle. The enthusiasm is largely driven by a growing need to create a more sustainable future.

Vietnam, and Singapore reveals that nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of respondents across Southeast Asia say they are more willing to consider an electrified vehicle than they were five years ago. 66 percent of consumers across the region believe they will inevitably adopt electrified mobility as part of their lives in the near future.

The second edition of the Nissancommissioned study by Frost & Sullivan, titled The Future of Electrified Vehicles in Southeast Asia was released last February 4, during “Nissan FUTURES – Electrification and Beyond,” a virtual gathering of industry leaders, government officials, and media.

According to the study, 45 percent of Filipino car drivers state they would certainly consider an electrified vehicle as their next car purchase within the next three years. The positive impact on the environment is the most motivating factor for Filipinos to buy an electrified vehicle, as 46 percent of respondents — the highest in the region — feel strongly about the environment and climate change.

Consumer research in Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia,

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CONTRIBUTION TO A GREENER FUTURE The study also unveils growing environmental awareness across Southeast Asia, with respondents believing that their adoption of an electrified vehicle would undoubtedly contribute to environmental protection. In 2020, 38 percent of regional respondents can be classified as environmentalists, compared to 34 percent in a similar research in 2018. This group of consumers is driven by strong environmental awareness and climate change concerns. They view electrified vehicle use as a way to do their bit for the environment. 81 percent of study respondents across the region mentioned that their choice would be significantly influenced by different power

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sources. This care for the environment was found to be most important to consumers in the Philippines and Thailand. BARRIERS FOR ADOPTION REDUCED The fear of running out of power before arriving at the charging station (48 percent) continues to be the most

significant barrier in the adoption of an electrified vehicle across the region. While barriers remain, consumers are more enthusiastic about the adoption of electrified vehicles. In line with the 2018 findings, over three-quarters of the recent study respondents (77 percent) indicate that tax benefits and installation of charging stations at apartment buildings

(75 percent) are the top-2 incentives for them to switch to an electrified vehicle. For Filipinos to make that switch to EVs, survey respondents identify tax incentives (80 percent), charging infrastructure in residential areas (77 percent), and priority lanes for EVs (52 percent) as top incentives for that move. This demonstrates the ongoing need for car manufacturers, policymakers, and private parties to collaborate to spur the adoption of electrified mobility.

March 2021

MOBILITY

GAC GN6 7-seater MPV

egado Motors, Inc., the official distributor of GAC Motor in the Philippines, is pleased to officially launch its all-new multi-purpose vehicle in the country, the GAC GN6. Initially released in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this 7-seater MPV is the newest model on the local roster.

EXTERIOR The all-new GN6 boasts a sharp and elegant exterior, contributed by the allnew flying dynamics front-end design, which also highlights the GAC Motor emblem. The design is accentuated by the wing-shaped daytime running lamps that give the GN6 a more appealing look. This new MPV comes in three colors: pearl white, elegant

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black, and peacock blue. At the back, a pair of LED taillights is complemented by an LED braking light strip, similar to the GN8 minivan. To give the GN6 a better stance and ride, it is equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels. INTERIOR With dimensions of 4,780mm long, 1,860mm wide, and 1730mm tall, the GN6 provides a comfortable and spacious ride for seven adult passengers. Its 190mm ultra-wide second-row corridor lets passengers enter and exit the vehicle with ease, allowing easier access to third-row seats. For a more comfortable ride, the second-row has captain seats with armrests that can be lifted or lowered. This also makes it more convenient to place a child booster seat. The seats

can be adjusted frontward or backward to maximize legroom. To complete the cozy and relaxed driving and riding experience, the GN6 also features 360-degree Quiet Car technology that cancels the ambient noise in your environment. The GN6 also has a 324-liter trunk space, expandable to 1,100 liters by folding down the third-row seats and creating a space that is enough to fit fourteen pieces of 20-inch luggage. The GN6 also comes with a 7-inch instrument panel and an 8-inch LCD infotainment display, both housed in a single panel for a clean and elegant look. It is also equipped with Bluetooth connectivity and a 6-speaker system, so you can listen to your favorite playlist while on the road. Plus, its center console is equipped with cockpit controls for ease of access and undistracted driving.

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ENGINE Powering the all-new GN6 is a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four Euro 5-compliant engine capable of producing 170-horsepower output and 265Nm of torque. The engine is from Aisin Seiki, the largest producer of automatic transmission engines in the world. The engine is also equipped with Bosch 200bar in-cylinder fuel injection technology, making the GN6 a powerful, yet fuel-efficient MPV. It registers a fuel consumption of 14km/L and has a tank capacity of 52 liters. SAFETY FEATURES When it comes to safety, the GN6 is equipped with front dual airbags, front side airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce

distribution (EBD), traction control system (TCS), hill-ascend and descend controls, a rearview camera, parking sensors, electronic parking brake, threepoint seatbelts with alarm, ISOFIX child seat anchors, brake hold assist, and engine immobilizer with anti-theft alarm. It also comes with a remote keyless system that includes a remote keyless ignition system, as well as a remote window and sunroof controller. Its sensor lock feature activates when the driver or key holder is at least 3 meters away from the car, while the unlock sensor activates when the driver is at least 1-meter away from the vehicle. The GN6 is built on a high-strength steel safe chassis that does a great job in eliminating vehicle vibration and protecting the vehicle occupants from an intense collision impact. For better stability at high speeds, the GN6 is

equipped with Bosch’s latest ESP 9.3 that corrects oversteering at sudden cornering and sudden lane change. It also has a 14-in1 active safety system that provides uphill and downhill assistance. It is equipped with an L-type Mcpherson front suspension that effectively suppresses high-frequency vibration, resulting in better handling, a more stable ride, and better driving comfort. PRICING The all-new GAC GN6 is available for PHP 1,480,000. It comes with a 5-year warranty or 150,000km, whichever comes first. Visit your nearest GAC Motor PH dealership to know more about the all-new GN6, or visit https://gacmotorph.com to get the full information about this MPV, and to check for new updates.

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MOBILITY

2021 TOYOTA INNOVA SAFER, SPORTIER, MORE CAPABLE

March 2021

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eading mobility company Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is once again empowering Filipinos to create new memories and share stories with the 2021 update of its best-selling Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), the Toyota Innova.

As one of TMP’s locally manufactured vehicles, the Innova itself has a rich heritage and meaningful story with the Filipino people, having been the preferred car of generations of Filipino

families for being a dependable, spacious, and comfortable road companion.

providing power, comfort, luxury, and style. The new Innova has all that and more.”

“The introduction of the 2021 Innova could not have been timelier as the current situation has allowed us to appreciate moments shared with our families and loved ones,” said TMP first vice president for marketing Sherwin Chualim. “As we slowly go back to the roads to rediscover the happiness of traveling together, it is important to have a car that can keep us safe, while

Proudly assembled in TMP’s manufacturing plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, the 2021 Innova has come a long way compared with its practical and well-loved predecessors — the Tamaraw FX and Revo. The MPV now boasts notable improvements in design and innovation that have continuously evolved since its debut in the Philippine market in 2005.

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Reaching up to 240,000 proud Innova owners to date and catering to a wide range of needs and preferences of Filipino families and drivers, the Innova indeed raises the flag, and symbolizes excellence in the local manufacturing industry.

“Reaching up to 240,000 proud Innova owners to date and catering to a wide range of needs and preferences of Filipino families and drivers, the Innova indeed raises the flag, and symbolizes excellence in the local manufacturing industry,” added Chualim. Starting at just PHP 1.18M for the J MT variant, Filipinos are assured of Toyota’s signature quality, durability, and reliability, as well as great value in every Innova unit. The updated features of the 2021 upgrade make the well-loved MPV safer, sportier, and even more capable to take on daily mobility needs, whether for practical use or for family leisure. March 2021

The 2021 Toyota Innova is available in 6 diesel engine variants: V AT, G AT, G MT, E DSL AT, E DSL MT, and J MT. A MORE STYLISH AND SPORTIER DRIVE The 2021 Innova comes with a new front grille which upgrades every journey with a sportier, dynamic look. The robust design of the front grille and bumper is accented by LED headlamps and LED front fog lamps (for V grade), as well as redesigned side turn signal lamps made to look more aggressive and eye-catching. Daytime running lights on the V variant further accent the dynamic look and visibility, and completes the

stronger front of the Innova. For a more defined and functional look, the rear combination lights also get a black outline redesign for V and G grades. V grades get 17” alloy wheels while G and E grades get newly-designed 16” alloy wheels. With the ever-reliable 2.8L diesel engine and available drive modes (Eco and Power), the 2021 Innova efficiently accomplishes any task and is always up for weekend family trips, weekday rides to work and school, or errands and hobbies in between. MORE EXCITING STORIES ON THE ROAD Each journey is made enjoyable and done in comfort and style with the gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

convenient features that come with the Innova. Enjoy easy ingress with Push Start and Smart Entry (for V variant) and ease of access for your smartphone applications with Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility (for V, G, and E variants). V and G grades get a classier interior look with the new two-tone noble brown + black color. The V variant gets second-row captain seats for a more relaxed ride, and all variants enjoy efficient luggage space for essentials, groceries, or luggage. The foldable seat back table with cup holder (for V and G grades) gives passengers a convenient place to put on-the-road snacks or gadgets and other items. MEMORIES MADE SAFER All variants come with SRS airbags (7 for the V variant), 3-pt. ELR seatbelts, anti-lock brake system with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution, vehicle stability control, and hill-start assist control. V and G variants also now come with a reverse camera to allow drivers to see the rearview better when moving backward. These variants’ clearance and back sonars will also guide its users with an audible warning to make every movement safer for all the vehicles’ occupants. GREAT LEGACY, EVEN GREATER VALUE The 2021 Innova is available in all of TMP’s dealerships across the country starting February 20, 2021. Customers may also view the interior and exterior in 360-degree views, calculate payments, and submit inquiries direct to any preferred dealer via https:// toyota.com.ph/innova. Prices are as follows: V AT PHP1,739,000; G AT - PHP1,592,000; G MT - PHP1,522,000; E AT PHP1,355,000; E MT - PHP1,285,000; and J MT - PHP1,186,000. G

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TOYOTA FLEET CONNECTED SERVICE Photos courtesy of Toyota Motor Philippines

arket leader Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) continues to make great strides toward the future of mobility as the first automotive company to introduce an innovative solution in fleet management.

Toyota’s Fleet Connected Service is the first automotive GPS system designed specifically for Toyota vehicles. It aims to assist business owners and operators in managing vehicle assets and optimizing manpower productivity. With a connected device that tracks real-time data of fleet vehicles, companies are able to maximize efficiency and ultimately aid in improving business profitability. This service provides the most recent vehicle information such as current location, trip monitoring, vehicle mileage, and even March 2021

recognizes unusual driver behavior. It also records each time when a vehicle enters and exits a virtual boundary through the geofencing function; and reports device disconnection and tampering through its unplug detection feature. All these data are instantly transmitted from the device to Toyota’s G-Fleet System, allowing businesses to have a full view of their fleet, anytime, anywhere. This new offering is compatible with Toyota’s best-selling fleet vehicles, such as the Vios, Innova, Hiace, Hilux, Fortuner, Avanza, Corolla Altis, Rush, and Wigo models 2016

to present. TMP is developing the Connected Device to be available in all other models soon. In accordance with the Toyota Sure Advantage, the device is installed by authorized Toyota technicians for your safety and assurance. Start the journey toward full fleet mobility and connect with the Toyota dealership nearest you or visit the Toyota Fleet Solutions page at https://toyota.com.ph/fleet/ connected-service. gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

MOBILITY

PG1: PACIFIC GLOBAL ONE AVIATION The Gold Standard in Private Air Transport t starts with the logo: a modern look with bold colors, solid lines, and aviation elements that speak of the company’s legacy and ambitions. The colors blue, gold, and white speak of the characters that PG1 embodies — trustworthiness, sophistication, and safety. The striking text leaves a strong impression, something customers will experience after flying with the company. Transitioning from a classic design, the updated badge signals a new era as the company heads into the horizon with the mission of becoming the gold standard in private air transport leading the industry in operational safety, service excellence, and customer satisfaction.

telecommunications company, Pacific Global One Aviation (PG1) expects the global air charter business to take off in the next three years as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic plateaus. As it charts its course into the next normal for air transport, it is guided by three values — safety, efficiency, and reliability. PG1 is the only aircraft charter company in the Philippines that utilizes full-time two-pilot operations. On all flights, two aviators share the workload in the cockpit. This protects them from fatigue, allowing them to focus more on the mission, thus ensuring passengers’ safety.

Efficiency means having three aircraft ready to service companies and individuals looking for a safer and more secure way of traveling that’s comfortable and tailored to their unique needs. The aircraft layouts can be configured according to the clients’ requirements. PG1 only flies twin-engine aircraft. In case of mechanical emergencies, they can fly safely with a single working engine. The air assets routinely undergo maintenance and checks by experienced mechanics who have been certified and rated to service the fleet. This guarantees aircraft reliability, ready to be deployed as needed. The Pacific Global One Aviation hangar in Pasay City houses two helicopters and one airplane. The Bell 429 can seat five

The aviation arm of PLDT, the Philippines’ largest integrated

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passengers and can fly from Manila to as far as Laoag up north or Cebu down south. The AgustaWestland AW139 is a medium-sized helicopter that can carry eight passengers. It can reach most destinations in Luzon and the Visayas from Metro Manila. The model is also popular among governments and private charter operators around the world. PG1 also operates a twin-engine turboprop, the King Air 350. The aircraft can accommodate eight passengers comfortably and can fly to all domestic points with airfields of at least a kilometer long. The plane can also ferry passengers to nearby Asian destinations such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan. When COVID-19 hampered commercial air travel and forced carriers to scale back operations, ground entire fleets, and explore uncharted territories, PG1 used its assets to fly special missions, transporting essential personnel and cargo to critical areas. In November, one of the company’s choppers ferried Smart engineers and equipment to Catanduanes after the island province was cut off from

the rest of the country in the wake of Super Typhoon Rolly. The flight mission was crucial in helping Smart quickly repair downed sites, becoming the first network to restore mobile services in the province within a week. The company also flew healthcare personnel and medical supplies across the hospital network of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. all over the country to augment the workforce and replenish stocks in critical locations. Pacific Global One Aviation is expanding its menu offerings. Aside from ferrying corporate clients and individuals with ultra-high-networth, the company can also fly cargo, perform medical evacuations, and lease out space at its hangar for clients who wish to park their own aircraft. “Pacific Global One Aviation is sending a clear message that the company is constantly evolving, striving for perfection, and positioning itself ahead of the competition. We will be working on mutually beneficial partnerships and collaborations with companies whose target market also aligns with PG1,” said general manager Arnold E. Picar.

“We have been getting a lot of inquiries, especially from corporations, on our air transport services. Companies are looking for a safer way to travel as the government gradually eases restrictions and opens up the economy,” said Leo A. Gonzales, PG1 OICpresident. This is validated by a Business Wire report, citing the impact analysis by global technology and market research firm Technavio. The report states that the global air charter services market will grow by more than USD 7-billion through 2024. The biggest driver will be the passenger segment but there’s a growing demand for cargo services as well. The report further says that, in a worst-case scenario, the impact of the pandemic is expected to normalize in the first quarter of 2022. The global health crisis crippled air travel, hitting carriers and air taxi operators all over the world in 2020. March 2021

Gaming Words by Gabriel Pe

DEVELOPERS

Kinetic Games

PUBLISHER

Kinetic Games

PLATFORM

alloween may be over, but ghouls and ghosts don’t stay dead forever. At least they don’t in Phasmophobia, the horror survival game from Kinectic Games.

Phasmophobia was all the rage when it was released on Steam last September 2020. This new take on the horror survival genre has earned it the best debut game from the Game Awards back in December, and a nomination as VR Game of the Year in the 2020 Steam Awards. The game has also garnered an overwhelmingly positive review on Steam.

Ghost-busting extraordinaire You play as paranormal investigators, exploring different maps for paranormal entities. You use different equipment to help you determine what type of ghost is haunting the location. You earn ingame cash for every evidence you get or objectives you finish. The cash you get can be used to buy new equipment or upgrade existing ones. The main goal is to find out what type of phantom is haunting the map. Currently there 12 types of ghosts in the game. Each ghost has three distinct pieces of evidence which you find using the equipment given to you. You need to be vigilant as well, as the ghosts share two types of evidence that make the game much more exciting and challenging.

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Night of living dead What makes Phasmophobia great is that it keeps players on their toes. Maps range from a small townhouse to a massive insane asylum. Adding to that are the different attitudes of the different ghosts. Depending on their type, the ghost can be aggressive— showing themselves immediately to kill players, or they could be passive— haunting only late in the game.

Never go to the dark alone Phasmophobia is still in its early release, and the developers are still constantly pushing out new updates in the form of new maps and ghost models. Currently, the game has no single-player campaign, but you can still tackle it alone. However, the game is more fun and exciting when played with friends.

Players also need to be wary of their sanity. Each time they are in the dark, alone, or see a haunting, their sanity is depleted. Players whose sanity reaches 0% will most likely be the next person to be haunted to death by the ghost in-game. The game recognizes your microphone input and uses that as part of its mechanics. Equipment such as the Spirit Box, the Ouija board, and the notebook allow players to interact with the ghost by calling out to them in-game. The ghost can also hear the players through their mics even when they are running away or hiding from it, so try your best not to scream when the ghost is chasing you.

Playing with friends lets you do more in a game, such as assigning roles to make investigations faster. Players also carry over their own in-game cash and equipment when joining another player’s lobby, so they can share resources for the investigation. Lastly, the game is just hilarious when you hear the deafening squeals and shrieks of your friends when the ghost suddenly appears.

Sound is also the key when playing Phasmophobia. The developers have done a great job utilizing sounds to give an immersive environment. There is a creepy silence when players first step foot in a map, and subtle knocks and bumps of the ghost make it even more terrifying especially when played in the dark.

Phasmophobia is a great new game to try out for your next virtual gettogether. It is sure to give you the creeps and definitely the laughs when you and your friends live out your ghost-busting dreams.

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Gaming Words by Jose Alvarez DEVELOPER(S)

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Iron Gate AB

PUBLISHER(S)

Coffee Stain Studios, Coffee Stain Publishing

PLATFORM

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

urvival games require teamwork and effort, next to only MMORPGs. Playing that scenario has its appeal—what if you actually had to survive in the real world? While this genre of games is very, very crowded, with games such as Ark and Rust mainly being popular among fans of this genre, Valheim has emerged as the latest hot survival game to open 2021.

Upon opening the game, you are dropped into a wild forest with rune-covered stones and pillars in the afterlife of Norse mythology. The Meadows is the starting biome, and as you defeat bosses you open up additional biomes such as the Black Forest, the Swamp, the Mountain, and the Plains. Another biome, the Ocean, is also available. There are other biomes that are still in development as of this writing. Much like a certain popular MMORPG, you start out by killing random wildlife to survive. There is an issue with this that might be tweaked (since the game is in Early Access, after all) because the wildlife simply outpaces your generic starting character. Much like Minecraft, you have to start punching trees in order to get the crafting system going. Gathering raw materials like wood, stone, and ore is a mindless task in many survival games or strategy games, but Valheim makes them interesting through using one of Odin’s ravens to instruct you to gather resources for item creation. In the beginning of the game, falling trees seem to be more dangerous, but once you build your camp, you can start crafting weapons, armor, items, and ships. One of the best places to put your camp is on the coast (this is a Vikingthemed game, after all). This is a game that requires you and your friends to sustain the world—you can also create your own servers and invite people to play on them, although the servers are only limited to 10 people. One of the reasons Valheim is extremely popular is that it doesn’t have the realism of survival games such as spoiling food or spiraling repair costs. Combat is very intuitive and is more player versus environment (PvE) than player versus player (PvP). Hopefully, Iron Gate AB will allow for largescale PvP in the future where you and your friends can take on another group of Vikings, which is what the Vikings did best. PvP is consensual, which removes an element of surprise from the game. Combat isn’t particularly groundbreaking, but boss fights can be very fun and engaging assuming you have lots of people to call on to defeat them. The graphics more resemble late 2000s than anything made today, which is both a blessing and a curse. Lately, we’ve learned that you don’t need great graphics to create a fun and engaging gaming experience (just look at Among Us). You can play with either keyboard and mouse or controller; I personally prefer the latter.

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Food

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Words by Ryen Paul Sumayao I Photos courtesy of BIGGS

THE

BIGG MOVE How a 38-year old Bicol-born restaurant pivoted from dine-in to digital here’s a familiar plotline among stories of brands moving into the digital space: the need to scale up, expand its demographics, or make up for a cool portfolio. For 38-year-old Bicol-born restaurant chain BIGGS, it was simply to let its customers continue the dining experience at home.

2020, of course, played the key role: quarantine regulations kept everyone at home. This meant restaurants trying to thrive through a business model built around social interaction and the togetherness that ‘dining in’ actually is. With no clear timelines as to when customers would come back, restaurants scrambled to cut costs on all corners, grow their delivery segment, and even diversify their products.

But instead of simply looking for means to survive, BIGGS found a way to thrive. To do this, they didn’t look very far: it’s a picture of a BIGGS customer who’s alone in the kitchen. He’s looking through his fridge for an easy-prep, delicious, filling, comfort food that he can make with the help of a pan, an oven, or a grill. Along comes the bestselling Biggs Ready-To-Cook Ribs. Half a year later, with over ten products and twelve more in the pipeline, the brand straddles the future by reigning in both the digital (with a vibrant e-commerce page) and retail spaces (being in over 50 stores in Metro Manila and Bicol). While the product was already there—the Ribs being one of its flagship products for years—

launching it in a platform so new and in a year so challenging was another story. Here are five of the key steps in BIGGS’ successful pivot to e-commerce: TALK TO YOUR CUSTOMERS For BIGGS, it’s not only looking at past sales performances to determine which product to develop but to have its customers be product cocreators. Through surveys, focus group discussions, and interviews—all done online—BIGGS asked its customers how frequently they cook in a week, the food preparation methods they are looking for, even the flavor profiles they prefer.

INVEST IN CREATIVES The e-commerce space is peppered with compelling visuals and rich content. The competition for attention is stiff. By having in-house teamwork with creative suppliers, BIGGS is able to come up with fresh content every time through its many social media platforms.

BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH AN ENABLER Besides being a landscape for creatives, the e-commerce space requires efficiencies in logistics, inventory, web development, and operations. An enabler company builds these synergies within the team or outside to bridge these gaps.

AFTER BUILDING AN INCREDIBLE WEBSITE, INVEST IN PAID ADS In many cases, the website will be very much like a physical store. It requires careful construction, March 2021

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regular upkeep, and constant improvements. Driving customers to it is another story. Driving traffic through organic content works to some extent, but with tight competition coupled with continuous changes in social media algorithms, it’s going to be a slow burn. Paid ads ensure the visibility of your products to your target audiences and guarantee optimal sales conversion.

STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN WHAT YOU HAVE (BOTH PRODUCT AND DATA) AND WHAT YOUR CUSTOMERS LIKE Fortunately, BIGGS already had a hero product in mind—the BIGGS Ribs. What needed to happen is to reformat this restaurant hit into something customers can prepare at home with limited tools. Data-driven decisions— supported by rich data found in its e-commerce systems—helped the brand make changes quickly. If there’s one learning that stood out in this movement from dine-in to digital, it was the importance of agility. Biggs Ready To Cook is the restaurant chain’s retail arm and is a line of easy, ready-to-cook frozen versions of the brand’s bestsellers. It is owned and managed by BIGGS Inc and is present in over 50 supermarkets. In Manila, its digital distribution partner is Phenomenon Group Inc. Check out BIGGS Ready To Cook on www. biggs.ph. Here’s a video on how to cook the famous BIGGS ribs.

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Home

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DYSON DIGITAL SLIM FLUFFY

™

A smaller, lighter cord-free vacuum engineered for Asian homes 99

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Home

Its whole machine filtration captures 99.99% of microscopic particles as small as 0.3 microns, expelling clean air.

ngineered with Asian owners in mind, home trials were conducted to better understand cleaning habits and the ergonomics behind cord-free vacuuming. Dyson engineers discovered cleaning is more frequent in Asian homes and that the prevalence of hard floors demands superior fine dust pick up. In developing the Dyson Digital Slim vacuum, Dyson engineers focused on making a lighter machine more suited to frequent cleaning habits, with a shorter wand to complement those with a smaller physique, and with powerful suction to give a barefoot clean.

“To make a strong-performing vacuum, it must effectively capture fine dust and small debris and maintain constant powerful suction. In our latest machine, we set about going even further, seeking to condense our proprietary cleaning technologies, making our lightest machine to date while refusing to sacrifice cleaning performance. Starting at the floor, we’ve completely re-engineered our soft Fluffy cleaner head, introducing a new light and robust brush bar, giving a March 2021

compact and lower profile cleaner head for tight spaces and improved edge pick up. The machine is then powered by our lightweight Dyson Hyperdymium motor and 11 precisely engineered cyclones which ensure no loss of suction. The Dyson Digital Slim vacuum is both 20% smaller and 30% lighter, with no loss of suction,” said James Dyson, founder and chief engineer. TECHNOLOGY CONDENSED The Dyson Digital Slim vacuum has the high performing technology features of a Dyson V11 cord-free vacuum, yet it’s 20% smaller and 30% lighter. It features a 40% lighter soft roller cleaner head, a specifically designed Dyson Hyperdymium motor that produces powerful airflow; 11 scrolled cyclones, unique to this machine with greater separation efficiency for less energy whilst ensuring the capture of fine dust. The Dyson Digital Slim vacuum also achieves 99.99% filtration of particles as small as 0.3 microns while maintaining no loss of suction. Dyson engineers stitched the carbon fiber filament and felt on the cleaner head

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together, rather than using adhesive, which enabled significant weight-loss. The airflow path through the cleaner head was also re-engineered to create a more direct path. Smoothing out sharp corners and creating a more direct and even route for the airflow from the floor into the neck of the cleaner head, which means better edge cleaning performance. While the Dyson V11 cord-free vacuum cleaner’s main body is made of two pieces, the Dyson Digital Slim cord-free vacuum cleaner is one piece, with seals, rivets, and the thickness of walls all pared down to achieve weight reduction. Its wand is 15% shorter and 6.3 mm thinner than the Dyson V11 series. OTHER ENGINEERING FEATURES The motor spins up to 120,000rpm, creating powerful suction. Its ceramic shaft is cured at 1,600°C to make it three times harder than steel, yet with half the density. gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

The 11 scrolled cyclones have been redesigned to fit the machine and ensure they remove more dust and dirt from the airflow. At the entry point, a wider radius reduces energy losses, scrolling air in at a less tangential angle to reduce air resistance. As the cyclones narrow, air is accelerated to create the centrifugal forces that capture fine particles. Properly functioning cyclones are key to no loss of suction as it means less fine dust is pushed to the pre/post motor filters. Efficient cyclones topped with a powerful Dyson Hyperdymium motor generates one continuous airflow from the cleaner head pick up through the cyclones and filter out to the exhaust. It cleans floors, mattresses, and hard-toreach areas with different attachments. Its whole machine filtration captures 99.99% of microscopic particles as small as 0.3 microns, expelling clean air. With an airtight gasket around the cyclone assembly and a pressurized rubber seal around the advanced filter, the whole system is fully sealed, thus preventing dust from leaking back into the air.

SPECIFICATIONS PRODUCT NAME

DYSON DIGITAL SLIM FLUFFY COLOR

NICKEL/IRON CHARGING TIME

APPROX. 3.5HRS SIZE (WXDXH)

1100 X 250 X 250 MM WEIGHT:

1.9 KG

MAIN TOOLS

SOFT ROLLER CLEANER HEAD, COMBINATION TOOL ACCESSORIES

MINI MOTORHEAD, LIGHT PIPE CREVICE TOOL, UP TOP ADAPTOR, EXTENSION HOSE, REACH UNDER TOOL, MATTRESS TOOL, WAND CLIP

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It is intelligent, with an LCD screen that shows the cleaning mode and remaining run time and offers filter maintenance reminders and blockage reports. It has a better grip. The handle’s circumference has been made smaller,, allowing for an easier and more comfortable grip for people with smaller hands. The shape of the trigger has also been contoured for greater comfort for a finger. Maintenance is easier as the machine has been engineered for smoother, easier dirt ejection. The brush bar, clear bin, combined pre/post motor filter, and light-up crevice tool are all washable. The removable, fade-free, energy-dense battery is made up of five nickel-cobalt-aluminum battery cells that run for up to 40 minutes in eco mode on hard floors, and up to 5 minutes in boost mode. The battery is also swappable, providing up to 80 minutes run-time in eco mode. The Dyson Digital Slim Fluffy is priced at PHP29,900, and is available online at www. dyson.ph as well as the Dyson Demo Stores at Greenbelt 5, The Podium, SM Aura Premier, SM Mall of Asia, and major electrical department stores. G March 2021

Wellness

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10,950 Words by Rossana L. Unson

FINGER PRICKS LATER ’ve been an insulindependent diabetic for over three decades now. I say this with a hint of pride because the path that’s taken me to where I am today has been far from easy. The pandemic and subsequent quarantine have been difficult for everyone, but more so for us high-risk people with chronic diseases. The paralysis from doing anything that may jeopardize our already precarious health condition is real. I don’t particularly enjoy being dependent on anyone for my care, especially since I am of the view that no one else is responsible for my condition but myself. However, there have been days when I’ve felt a colossal disappointment in what seems like snail’s pace developments in Diabetes Care.

To manage my diabetes, I have to check my glucose before each meal. I follow a scale provided by my doctor of how much insulin to inject based on my glucose levels. That’s 3 finger-prick tests a day. Plus the insulin injections. 1,095 finger pricks a year or 10,950 times in the past ten years. I haven’t even counted the insulin shots yet. That’s A LOT OF PAIN, and pain is something you never get used to. When I was first diagnosed, I scoured newspapers and magazines almost daily, wishing and hoping for new

developments in Diabetes Care. Each time I find something, I’d excitedly show it to my endocrinologist, and she’d just calmly nod her head and say, “In ten years. In ten years, that will be approved.“ Ironically, it was only last year, precisely in the middle of a pandemic, that I finally got some sense of progress being made in the management of this disease. I read in the news that there was a device available that promised a pain-free and quick way to check glucose levels. I was skeptical since I’d read of various devices that had eventually fallen by the wayside. Yet, the more I read about this new device, the more I was interested in trying it. Fast forward to a few months after and, by this time of day, I’ve checked my glucose levels ten times since I woke this morning. This would have meant 10 glucose monitoring strips, 10 finger pricks, and 20 minutes of my day attending to diabetes-related activity. These finger pricks are no longer something I have to endure on a daily basis. In fact, I don’t feel any pain or discomfort when checking my glucose now. I have a sensor attached to the back of my upper left arm. It comes with an applicator that makes it super quick and easy to apply. I bathe, exercise, and sleep

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with the sensor attached to my arm without any discomfort. Sometimes I actually forget I’m wearing it. This sensor comes with a reader—quite similar to your regular glucose monitoring devices—that “scans” the sensor to provide me with my glucose levels in real-time. To be able to check my glucose without having to take time with cotton, lancets, and the whole ceremony I need to go through when testing my glucose the old way can literally help me address hypoglycemia almost as it happens and without the added risk of contamination since I don’t need to set anything down on a table to take a test. Hypoglycemia is the sudden dip in glucose levels that cause people with diabetes to sweat, feel dizzy, have palpitations, and even go into a coma. Sometimes, these episodes come without warning and are accompanied by, what to me, are shameful seizures that make me feel weak and sick for hours after. Being able to check my glucose levels right away helps address this condition quickly. Hypoglycemia can be life-threatening and can cause serious irreparable damage to organs, not to mention what seizures do to our brain. Now I just quickly scan to check if everything is alright. It doesn’t matter if I want to check once or one hundred times. It’s quick and painless. The result also includes arrows that tell me where my glucose is heading. Depending on where the

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arrow is pointing, it alerts me to the range of my next reading. Up, down, or straight, the arrow lets me know where my glucose is headed. This is something an ordinary finger-pricking device can’t do. The log on reader provides my doctor a “map” so she can give me an accurate adjustment of my insulin dose after she reviews my results. In the past, exercise has always been difficult as, naturally, I have this fear of having hypoglycemia during a workout. Exercise helps diabetics absorb insulin and, even if you do not have diabetes, exercise is still highly recommended to keep healthy. Now I exercise more and, this year, my resolution is to exercise regularly. I’m doing a lot of walking now, which helps control my blood sugar, and my reader comes right along with me. Knowing my levels in real-time helps me address whatever dips and rises occur in my blood sugar while I’m exercising. In the long run, whatever I spend on Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System, I will surely “save” with added years to my life and better

health. The convenience and the simplicity of scanning the sensor without all the accompanying drama that checking my glucose used to entail whenever I needed to do it is priceless. You don’t know how many people I’d come across who would thoughtlessly remark how scary it was or how they didn’t want to look, or how some would even cringe. Definitely not one of the more enjoyable aspects of diabetes. Now people come up to me asking me what the sensor is. Sometimes, I’m tempted

to tell them it’s my barcode, but most of the time, I’m excited to explain what it actually is. There is no doubt that because of this flash glucose monitoring system, the race to search for new and better ways to manage Diabetes will be faster. Because of this huge step in Diabetes Management, and now that the number of my daily finger pricks is down to zero, I’m feeling so much more positive about my future as a diabetic—finally!

ABBOTT FREESTYLE LIBRE FLASH GLUCOSE MONITORING SYSTEM

The Abbott FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System is a continuous glucose monitoring system consisting of a handheld reader and a sensor. The FreeStyle Libre Sensor is a small coin-sized device that can be easily attached to the back of the upper arm. It uses a thin, flexible filament inserted just under the skin to measure glucose every minute. It stores glucose readings every 15-minutes and has an 8-hour memory capacity. Weighing about 5g, it is powered by a silver oxide battery. It is water-resistant and can be worn continuously for up to 14-days. The FreeStyle Libre Reader scans the sensor and displays the current glucose reading, the last 7 hours of glucose data, and a trend arrow to show where glucose levels are heading. It stores 90-days worth of data, which can be used to help in diabetes management. The FreeStyle Libre Reader and the FreeStyle Sensor are priced at PHP 3,500 each. These are available online through Lazada, Shopee, Watsons Online, and at selected leading Mercury drugstores nationwide.

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Apps

ZENNYA HEALTH WELLNESS ON-DEMAND Zennya Health, an on-demand health and wellness services mobile app that started with a wide range of wellness services, has expanded its platform into a fully-integrated mobile medical app, including wellness providers, nurses and doctors, and electronic medical records.

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ennya sets itself apart from the competition with a deep technology focus on providing last-mile medical logistics to enable the delivery of hospital and wellnesscenter quality services in the home or office. They achieve this with an “Uber” like platform that trains and mobilizes hundreds of wellness and medical providers as well as motorcycles and cars and manages every aspect of the medical supply chain to provide an in-home experience that rivals the quality of hospitals.

“Zennya seeks to provide a convenient, hospital-grade experience for individuals who prefer to receive medical services at the comfort of their homes without having to visit conventional healthcare facilities. This is made possible with our advanced digital mobile health platform that delivers quality services to one’s home or office at the touch of a button,” says Zennya founder and CEO David Foote.

Aside from new year lifestyle motivations, the demand for accessible, on-demand medical and wellness services comes from the need to reduce exposure as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise. Zennya looks to address significant quality challenges in the current medical landscape. According to Foote, “Up to 30% of lab tests in the Philippines are erroneous due to paper-driven processes. The Philippines has thousands of blood laboratories with inconsistent quality. 1 out of 3 medications found in the current health system are counterfeit, and electronic medical records are either non-existent in most hospitals and clinics or ‘locked in a walled garden’ limiting patient access and portability to those records.” Zennya has addressed these problems by creating a completely digital integrated platform

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connecting patients to top laboratories eliminating all paper processes, sourcing authentic medication directly from manufacturers and top suppliers using their own in-house hub and spoke logistics facilities, and creating a first-of-its-kind patientcentric and family capable app-based electronic medical records system with bi-directional data sharing with Zennya’s medical, lab, clinic, hospital, and insurance partners. The Zennya app provides quality, convenience, and safety with fully integrated healthcare and wellness services that include— full blood laboratory tests, vaccinations, video virtual telehealth consults with in-house doctors, medicallyfocused massage therapy, and COVID-19 (Antigen, Antibody, and RT-PCR tests. These services are at standard medical prices but with premium hospital-grade experience while staying at home. March 2021

Apps

THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE IS PATIENT-FOCUSED AND INTEGRATED “We believe that medical care will be completely transformed by technology enabling significantly higher levels of quality, access, and patient empowerment than the traditional health system. Nearly 70% of the specialists doctors reside in Manila, leaving much of the country with limited access to care. We are working on technology that has the power to change that dynamic, improving service quality at scale and democratizing access to quality healthcare.” shares Foote. Already operating in the future of healthcare, Zennya integrates advanced mobile technology for last-mile and cold-chain logistics to monitor temperature-sensitive medications such as vaccines and insulin at every step of the process. Zennya nurses use mobile applications

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with expert systems that guide them in every step of their processes, ensuring service consistency and adherence to best practice medical standards for each service. They can also perform full patient registration, medical intake, and consent through their mobile devices. Services are delivered using custom-designed medical kits with all components barcoded and tracked by the system to minimize errors and increase end-to-end accountability. Zennya is currently partnered with leading HMOs, diagnostic centers, clinics, pharmacies, and hospitals and continues to move forward and beyond by continuously enhancing its range of services and expanding its partner portfolio and service area. Download the app on Apple Store or Google Play for free, or visit www. zennya.com for more information. G

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Visual Space

THE APPRENTICE: ONE CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION

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The toughest ‘Apprentice’ in history debuts across Asia in March 2021, followed by a global launch in June 2021 ne of the biggest non-scripted reality television programs in history, The Apprentice judges the business skills of candidates who are competing for a job offer under a high-profile CEO. It has aired in more than 120 countries. With its own unique take on this global hit reality TV show, the largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship (ONE), has announced The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition.

The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition invites 16 candidates handpicked from around the world to compete in a high-stakes competition involving business and physical challenges. The winner will receive a USD 250,000 job offer to work directly under ONE chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong for a year as his protege in Singapore. The international cast of candidates comes from 11 nations across the globe and represents Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and New Zealand. Candidates: Lara Pearl Alvarez, Philippines Alvin Ang, Singapore Irina Chadsey, Russia Eugene Chung, United States Teirra Kamolvattanavith, Thailand Joy Koh, Singapore Monica Millington, United States Paulina Purnomowati, Indonesia Jessica Ramella, Venezuela Niraj Puran Rao, India Nazee Sajedi, United States Louie Sangalang, Philippines Sho Takei, Japan Clinton Tudor, New Zealand Roman Wilson, United States Kexin Ye, Germany

Champion Angela Lee, ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Champion Demetrious Johnson, Indian Wrestling Champion Ritu Phogat, Karate World Champion Sage Northcutt, and ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion Xiong Jing Nan. Refinery Media served as the company’s production partner. The production was helmed by executive producer and Refinery Media founder Karen Seah. With support from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition was filmed entirely in Singapore in accordance with prevailing health and safety protocols. The series features iconic locations and brings forth passion made possible stories that mirror the country’s never-settling spirit of enterprise. The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition premieres across Asia on Thursday, 18 March, on AXN, the show’s official Asian broadcast partner, with markets to include Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

Special guest CEOs confirmed to join the show include Zoom CEO Eric Yuan, Grab CEO Anthony Tan, Zilingo CEO Ankiti Bose, Catcha Group CEO Patrick Grove, Twilio CEO Jeff Lawson, and Everise CEO Sudhir Agarwal, and many more. Athletes confirmed to make appearances include martial arts legends Georges St-Pierre and Renzo Gracie, former ONE Welterweight World Champion Ben Askren, ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon Vera, ONE Women’s Atomweight World

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The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition is also available on other platforms and TV networks across Asia, including MediaCorp (Singapore), Abema (Japan), KompasTV (Indonesia), Amarin TV (Thailand), LINE TV (Thailand), TV5 Network (Philippines), and HTV (Vietnam). In China, ONE has entered into a broadcast agreement with ByteDance to stream The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition on their Douyin, Xigua, and Toutiao platforms beginning on Saturday, 20 March. The Asian debut in March will be followed by a global launch in June 2021. The first season of The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition will consist of 13 episodes. March 2021

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BEHIND THE SCENES:

THE NEW SMART 5G TVC WITH HYUN BIN, SON YE JIN, AND MUSIC BY BEN&BEN

ast February 14, Smart delivered a video surprise that sent fans of power couple Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin into a total K-lig frenzy. Like a climax to a trilogy that started with Hyun Bin’s Simple Smart Ako TVC last June to Son Ye Jin’s Smart Signature turn, the new Smart 5G campaign just made what seemed impossible, possible.

Subscribers and fans who did not give up on the social media hashtag #InSmartWeTrust finally got what they’ve been yearning for—a joint campaign topbilled Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin.

campaign last Valentine’s Day,” said Jane J. Basas, Smart SVP and head of consumer wireless business.

“Here at Smart, we always have the best interest of our customers at heart. So you can just imagine how we felt when fans of Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin flooded our Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram with requests, begging for a joint material featuring the pair. It may have taken a while but we felt it was worth the wait as the stars aligned for us to finally launch our new

She added, “We owe this TVC to our subscribers and Crash Landing On You (CLOY) fans who rallied behind the hashtag #InSmartWeTrust, hoping that we would bring them together. Trust is not easily earned, so we value it so much. We knew that this has turned into something bigger and the trust of our customers propelled us to fulfill their wish.”

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Hyun Bin, Son Ye Jin send heartfelt wishes to Filipinos From The Captain Has Landed to landing into each other’s arms, Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin took chemistry to a whole new level in the Smart 5G TVC as they chase each other on the road and through different dimensions only to meet again just as Bin asks, “Do you believe it’s possible?” To which Ye Jin replies, “I do!” In a Smart-exclusive video, the two shared their experience working on the project. Hyun Bin revealed that they had to shoot in the middle of a snowstorm in January. “I remember it snowed a lot on the day of the shoot. Thanks to that, the shooting was fun despite the cold weather.” Son Ye Jin recalled how unique the experience was working with the Smart team anew. “I am so happy to be with Smart for the second time. It’s a lot easier because we worked with the same team.”

settle now with the warmth of virtual love by being with local fans online. Addressing Filipinos everywhere, Hyun Bin said, “Hello. This is Hyun Bin. I have been given another chance to meet you all through Smart’s new campaign video. I hope that you’ll continue to support Smart and me. I wish you a Happy New Year. Please keep yourselves healthy and warm this year.” Son Ye Jin echoed her partner’s message by saying, “I may not be able to meet you all in person but I’m very happy that I can greet you through this video. Last year was a difficult year for everyone. I sincerely hope

you become happier this year. I hope to see you soon. Stay healthy until then.” Ben&Ben joins the inevitable While it was important for Smart to grant the wishes of its subscribers when it comes to bringing consumers closer to their foreign idols, the TVC also presented an opportunity to put a local band behind the video’s soundtrack and musical scoring. Here’s where Ben&Ben comes in, providing Inevitable, the song that is heard in the background while Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin pursue each other in this romantic-sci-fi TVC.

Having said that, she disclosed that she’s looking forward to more campaigns from Smart. “And I am so excited to see more wonderful advertisements.” The pair also revealed that they wanted to visit the Philippines to be with their supporters physically but would have to March 2021

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We owe this TVC to our subscribers and Crash Landing On You (CLOY) fans who rallied behind the hashtag #InSmartWeTrust, hoping that we would bring them together. Trust is not easily earned, so we value it so much. We knew that this has turned into something bigger and the trust of our customers propelled us to fulfill their wish.

With lyrics inspired by real-life events, Ben&Ben members simply happen to be CLOY fans as well. In a collaboration set to motion by the band, Smart, and Sony Music Phils, things started falling into place when it came to lending the soundtrack and musical score for the TVC. In an official statement released by Sony Music Phils, lead singer Paolo Benjamin said, “Inevitable is a song that tries to describe the nature of fate, and how all our actions somehow lead us to some better place that is destined for us. It’s also a song about being real with someone, and that no matter how scary that may seem at times, there is freedom in baring your truest nature with someone dear to you, even if that someone is yourself.” Miguel Benjamin added, “The songwriting in itself presents a concept of the state that is both a surreal mystery and a peaceful certainty, so we wanted to create an aural representation of what these lyrics felt like. Our process started with a mix of acoustic guitars, which I tweaked with sitar effects as the main intro riff; kind of like a representation of the two contrasting feelings working together.” G

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Enterprise

he ongoing pandemic has brought about a broad, profound, and irreversible shift to online for businesses and consumers, a trend that will continue in the new normal. Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, outlines three key predictions for the Philippine e-commerce market in the areas of payments, logistics, and digitalization.

3 E-COMMERCE T MARKET PREDICTIONS BY SHOPEE

Increased adoption of digital payments Digital payments are the preferred mode of transaction for e-commerce. As more people become accustomed to e-commerce, it will also drive the cashless movement offline.

There will be increased adoption of digital payments, growth in the logistics industry, and innovative retail strategies from brands and sellers March 2021

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Shopee continues to offer a wide range of digital payment options to cater to evolving needs, including gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

its mobile wallet, ShopeePay. In fact, Shopee saw a 4X uplift in the total number of orders completed by its mobile wallets across the region. The greatest increase recorded in most markets was for users above 50 years of age. This is a testament to ShopeePay’s ease of use, given that users in this age group typically find it harder to adapt to digital payments. In a region where most consumers do cash transactions, the pandemic has greatly accelerated the need to move towards a cashless society. In line with movement restrictions and continued social distancing efforts, consumers and businesses have increasingly embraced digital payments for greater convenience and security.

increase specifically in food-related items shipped from the Shopee Warehouse. Brands and sellers need to make effective use of technology to ensure that parcels are delivered in a timely and cost-effective manner. One way to achieve this is to tap into the extensive and integrated networks of e-commerce platforms. Shopee enables brands to scale efficiently and focus on growth by taking care of the entire process, including the continuous strengthening of its logistics network and warehouse capabilities. In 2020, Shopee Express, Shopee’s express delivery service, expanded its geographical coverage to reach even more users, including those in rural areas. Shopee also saw more brands tapping on its efficient logistics infrastructure with a three times increase in brand items shipped from its warehouses in 2020. Brands and sellers will implement innovative retail strategies The pandemic pushed all businesses to quickly implement digital strategies in order to continue reaching customers amidst the lockdown. As online selling becomes a bigger revenue channel for brands and sellers, e-commerce platforms need to implement innovative retail strategies. This will help them engage customers in a differentiated manner and grow their online presence.

Logistics will come to the forefront Logistics will become even more important as consumers continue to rely on e-commerce platforms and develop greater expectations for efficient deliveries. The increase in demand is particularly significant for daily necessities and household essentials. In the Philippines, Shopee saw an 8.5X

Today, there are more than 20,000 leading global and local brands on Shopee Mall, offering shoppers a wide selection of authentic products. Shopee works closely with these

brands to constantly push the boundaries and create new, exciting, and unique shopping experiences. For example, Shopee worked with POND’s to integrate its AI-powered beauty tech solution, Skin Advisor Live, into the online shopping experience. This allowed shoppers to enjoy a free personalized skincare analysis, helping them make more informed purchase decisions. POND’s was also able to tap into Shopee’s engagement tools, such as live streaming, to interact with their target audience. Shopee Philippines director Martin Yu said, “2020 was an especially transformative year for e-commerce. As consumers adhered to social distancing measures and stayed home, they turned to online platforms for their daily needs and entertainment and interaction. It led to online shopping evolving from a purely transactional experience to a more social experience, with e-commerce platforms integrating more interactive elements such as games and live streaming to engage users. With advancements in technology, increasing internet penetration, and a fast-growing population of young, tech-savvy youths and middle-income families, we expect e-commerce to play an integral role in the way we live, connect, and do business.”

Yu closed, “At Shopee, we are committed to improving the lives of people in the region using technology. I truly believe that our region has the potential to chart a new path forward in influencing the way businesses and consumers connect. We will continue to innovate to stay ahead of these evolving trends, and to drive the growth of e-commerce in 2021 and beyond.” 117

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Education Education

TRAINING FUTURE E-COMMERCE LEADERS Reports show that e-commerce in the Philippines is estimated to reach USD12-billion by 2025. To scale their businesses and seize opportunities in the growing e-commerce landscape, companies are constantly looking to hire and retain talents to ensure their product offerings and solutions can meet the consumers’ needs.

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hopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, continues to power the next generation of e-commerce leaders in the country through in-depth training and apprentice programs. To help Filipinos prepare for and adapt to the new normal, Shopee offers three initiatives that aim to shape and improve Filipinos’ tech skills in various fields of e-commerce. These include the Global Leaders Program, the Shopee Apprentice Program, and the Shopee Code League.

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GLOBAL LEADERS PROGRAM

SHOPEE APPRENTICE PROGRAM

The Global Leaders Program, launched in 2018, is a 2-year graduate program consisting of four 6-month local and overseas rotations, designed for highly enthusiastic and ambitious young Filipino talents. Participants will help drive Shopee’s campaigns and new initiatives by working with local and overseas teams. Not only will they gain eye-opening experiences and regional exposure, but they will also contribute to the expansion of Shopee across the region.

The Shopee Apprentice Program is a newly-launched internship program in the Philippines, specially designed to build high-performing talents through high-impact projects, specialized learning & development training, and mentorships by Shopee leaders. The program provides interns with tools and programs to launch integral initiatives and enables them to start making a difference in the e-commerce and tech industry.

Throughout the program, participants will receive dedicated mentorship from Shopee leaders and a structured learning and development program. Participants will graduate from the program with significant professional and personal growth, which will enable them to excel in their careers in the e-commerce industry.

Accepted participants for the 2021 Shopee Apprentice program will also receive mentorship from Shopee’s leaders, hold key roles in projects that will enhance business operations, and get a real taste of what Life at Shopee is all about. During the Shopee Apprentice Program, outstanding performers can fast-track their paths to the Shopee Global Leaders Program’s selection round.

As the leading e-commerce company in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, Shopee continues to build a trusted platform that provides consumers with their everyday needs through an engaging online shopping experience, entertaining in-app features, and a secure and convenient payment option through its mobile wallet, ShopeePay. Shopee also believes in the need for executional excellence, which is made possible by finding and shaping local talents to push these innovations forward.

The Shopee Code League initiative, launched last year, is an online coding competition that offers training workshops to students and professionals across the region. Shopee’s tech teams specially designed the challenges, ranging from data analytics to data science. Participants must analyze the data set, draw insightful conclusions, and solve the problems in a specified amount of time.

Martin Yu, director at Shopee Philippines, said, “As an e-commerce industry leader, it is not just as a responsibility, but a privilege to support the next generation of Filipino talents. Shopee believes in the potential of every Filipino aspiring to work in e-commerce, and we want to strengthen their skills to help drive economic growth. We don’t stop with these programs; the learning culture that each Shopee employee enjoys is a big part of how we mold our leaders. We are excited to have even more young talents benefit from these programs and initiatives.”

The competition is open to pre-tertiary, undergraduates, postgraduates, and professionals from all fields keen to show off their coding skills. Interested coders can now apply for this year’s competition.

To ensure that high-potential Filipino talents have direct access to these programs, Shopee has reinforced its search for future e-commerce leaders with its career website and dedicated Facebook page.

To know more about Shopee’s training programs, visit the following links: Shopee Careers Page: https://careers.shopee.ph/ • Shopee Careers Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/shopeecareers.ph • Global Leaders’ Program: https://careers. shopee.ph/GLP • Shopee Code League: https://careers.shopee.ph/codeleague/.

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Education

BM Philippines announced partnerships with Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Department of Education-National Capital Region (DepEd-NCR), Analytics Association of the Philippines (AAP), and Project Inclusion Network (PIN) to further IBM’s global education efforts to help close the digital skills gap and enhance socioeconomic development.

Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) is partnering with IBM to create at least two P-TECH schools and expand Open P-TECH this year. P-TECH is a publiceducation model that provides high school students from underserved backgrounds with the academic, technical, and professional skills, as well as credentials needed for STEM jobs, which may require more than a high school diploma but not necessarily a university degree. Taguig City University hosts the first P-TECH school in the country, which opened in 2019. “These initiatives — being the first of its kind in the Philippines — are very timely as the education sector continues to reinvent teaching and learning in the current pandemic. Moreover, the internship and workplace learning opportunities offered by industry partners can further help students to gain the right skills they will need for the professional world,” said Rey Laguda, PBSP executive director. DepEd-NCR will be deploying Open P-TECH, a free digital education platform accessible via desktop and mobile, focused on teaching learners emerging technologies and professional skills. Selected Open P-TECH modules, such as the introduction to AI, communications, and design thinking, will be embedded into the basic education curriculum for Grade 8 to 12. Over 400 DepEd-NCR educators have been oriented on this project, which will roll-out in 101 NCR public schools and is estimated to benefit around 55,000 learners. The Open P-TECH program has been designed to democratize technology by curating and simplifying content for more than 223,000 learners and

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BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE, FUTURESKILLS READY WORKFORCE IBM Philippines forges private-public collaboration to expand the reach of P-TECH, Open P-TECH, and SkillsBuild to create more pathways for learners to gain essential digital era skills 120

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immediately,” Sherwin M. Pelayo, cochair of the Policy, Research & Insights Council of the Analytics Association of the Philippines (AAP). Project Inclusion Network (PIN) will be a deployment partner for Open P-TECH and hub partner for SkillsBuild. IBM SkillsBuild is a free digital learning platform for adult learners that offers them a curated path of job-focused learning, supported by organizations that address their specific needs. As a hub partner, PIN will support other nonprofits from the disability sector. teachers in more than 137 countries. It follows a non-curriculum format to enable fundamental learning and foster STEM careers.

“It is undeniable that forging a better tomorrow for our country starts with our learners. Providing them relevant and quality education is their right and the only path towards nationbuilding. So, we must relentlessly bring them a learning platform that adapts to present challenges and molds them to become life-long learners,” Malcolm S. Garma, Director IV-DepEd NCR, said.

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2020 highlighted analytical thinking and innovation as the most sought-after skills over the next five years. This is important for those seeking data science and analytics job roles. To address this need, AAP will create a skills map for entry-level analytics roles and formulate learning/skills requirements into the Senior High School (SHS) and Associate Degree in Computer Technology (ACT) curriculum supported by Open P-TECH content. “IBM has redefined the education model with P-TECH and Open P-TECH. Through our partnership with IBM, we can help create a focused analytics strand in Senior High School that will lead to an Associate Degree in Data Engineering, Data Science, or AI. While AAP is advocating that certain analytics jobs require the rigors of higher education, there is a high demand for entry-level jobs that can be filled

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According to Jim Nemeño, PIN operations lead, “These learning platforms can help to bridge the current skill gaps for persons with disabilities by providing them access to the right skills and knowledge to help them prepare for a better tomorrow. We are delighted to partner with IBM, and we hope other companies will facilitate similar opportunities for underserved communities.” “IBM’s collaboration with partners across sectors is key in ensuring we are able to cast a wider net in providing learners, both students, and professionals, with equal access to quality education on the emerging technologies and professional skills relevant to the digital era and marketplace. We look forward to more like-minded organizations joining us in making a difference with IBM’s social impact programs,” Aileen JudanJiao, president and country general manager of IBM Philippines, said. G March 2021

Education

#SAFERINTERN Google launches poetry and animation to teach digital responsibility

oogle launches a collection of spoken word poetry and animated videos on its local YouTube channel to teach digital responsibility and help Filipinos be better netizens and stewards of the internet. The content was developed by the youth volunteers of Teach Peace Build Peace Movement (TPBPM), an NGO that aims to build peace online and in vulnerable communities nationwide.

The themes of the YouTube videos are kindness; the value of strong passwords and online security; critical thinking, oversharing prevention, and courage online. With YouTube’s reach to over 40 million Filipinos, digital responsibility can be effectively taught to more people online using videos of creative expression. The spoken word poetry was written and produced by TiTik Poetry, a youth group from Cavite that strives to use words and art to make a social impact. “Poetry is powerful and we can use it as a tool to make the internet a safer place. Each of us has a unique talent or skill and if we use it for an important cause like digital responsibility, we can make a positive impact in the community,” said Verlin Santos, founder of Titik Poetry. The animated videos were illustrated and animated by Christwin Felix, a volunteer, who has been teaching multimedia arts for more than 10 years. The stories were written by Grace Bufi, a housewife and a passionate storyteller. Grace, along with her husband Rey Bufi, established the Basa Bookstore and The Storytelling Project, a non-profit organization that aims to spark hope, inspiration, and imagination through storytelling. Dingdong Dantes provided the voice-over for all the five animated videos, playing the role of the “Badge Giver” — a character who explains the moral of the story. Meanwhile,

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NET4FILIPINOS YouTube creator Janina Vela introduced, narrated, and concluded each of the stories to highlight the lessons. Believing in the purpose of the campaign, Dingdong shared, “Sa panahon ngayon, napakahalaga ng responsableng paggamit ng internet. Gamit ang aming boses bilang mga miyembro ng entertainment industry, sana’y makatulong kami upang maitaas ang kaalaman ng lahat tungkol sa proper internet etiquette at online safety, lalung lalo na sa mga kabataan.” Janina Vela underscored the important role of creators: “YouTube creators play an important role in teaching digital responsibility. We can use our voice and platform to raise awareness on how we can all be better stewards of the internet. I hope that beyond Safer Internet Day, we can always practice healthy digital habits online and offline.” Bernadette Nacario, country director of Google Philippines said, “At Google, we believe in enabling partners, communities, and volunteers so we can all build a safer internet. The campaign is a shared effort of individuals from different walks of life to demonstrate that everyone can make a valuable contribution and be a better netizen. Everyone can use their passion, talents, or skills to promote digital responsibility in their own way.” On Safer Internet Day of 2019, Google and TPBPM launched a campaign called Cyberpeace to teach at least 10,000 high school students about digital responsibility. Amid the pandemic, with the help of several volunteers, the campaign reached more than 416,000 netizens nationwide through digital means such as social media and webinars. Check out the spoken word poetry and animated videos on Google Philippines YouTube Channel. You can also join the conversation online using the hashtag #SaferInternet4Filipinos.

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FinTech

ARE YOU DESTINED TO BE RICH? Breakthrough: The Financial Choices We Make is a board game played through an app that allows players to test their skills in personal finance and show how financial choices affect their daily lives.

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oing against AI opponents, players roll the dice to travel around the digital board. They will encounter common life events at every turn, and make “adulting” decisions that could affect their score. Should they save? Go on a vacation? Invest in stocks? Get insurance? Throughout the game, players will either amass or lose wealth depending on the path they decide to take.

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The player has to make smart and practical decisions to gain the most assets, investments, and FinEd coins, and whoever ends with the highest net worth wins the game. Aside from the actual board game, the app also includes a Financial Wellness Journal, quizzes, and tips for a more immersive learning experience. Developed by BPI Foundation, the social responsibility arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), this firstof-its-kind mobile app aims to educate more Filipinos about personal finance in an entertaining and informative manner. BPI Foundation executive director Owen Cammayo said the game will sharpen one’s financial awareness, understanding, and judgment by introducing basic to complex financial concepts such as saving, budgeting, retirement planning, insurance, debt management, and investment. “Proper financial understanding helps us make informed decisions. It helps us manage our money in good times and especially in bad times, just like this ongoing pandemic,” said Cammayo, adding, “Aligned with our commitment to empower and enable our fellow Filipinos with financial knowledge, the intention is to make learning about personal financial concepts more accessible, enjoyable, and effective. We hope to engage and help shape the proper mindset and behavior of the general Filipino public when it comes to financial decision-making.” Cammayo said the development of the app is also the Foundation’s response to the World Bank’s study recommending the use of edutainment as a form of teaching financial concepts to the public. The app will be used in future runs of financial education webinars and activities of BPI Foundation. Breakthrough is now available on Google Play and the Apple app store.

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March 2021

Cyber Security

SECURING THE INTERNET OF MEDICAL THINGS alo Alto Networks recently announced the most comprehensive Internet of Things (IoT) security solution for healthcare that simplifies the challenge of securing the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) through ML-powered visibility, prevention, and enforcement, while offering deep insights on healthcare-specific devices and vulnerabilities. This helps improve data security and patient safety while meeting the needs of both IT teams and biomedical engineering teams.

Solution uses machine learning, crowdsourced telemetry, and MDS2 data to quickly and accurately profile devices and stop threats March 2021

While IoT has opened the door for innovative new services across industries, it also presents new cybersecurity risks. This is particularly true in healthcare. According to a recent report from Unit 42, 83% of medical imaging devices are running on unsupported operating systems, making them potential avenues for attackers.

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prevention to block exploits; sandboxing to detect and prevent IoT malware; and URL and DNS security to stop IoT attacks via the web. The new healthcare and IoMT security features include: MDS2 Document Ingestion: Manufacturer Disclosure Statement for Medical Device Security documents allow medical device manufacturers to disclose the security-related features of their devices, allowing for deeper vulnerability analysis, tuned anomaly detection, and specific recommended policies. Operational Insights: These insights give biomedical and clinical engineering teams visibility into how, when, and where medical devices on their network are being used, allowing teams to optimize resource allocation, improve patient care, make capital planning decisions and reduce maintenance costs. Expanded IoMT Discovery: With the addition of many other medicalspecific protocols App-ID™ now enables expanded discovery and security for unique IoMT devices and healthcare applications.

Attacks on medical devices like these can potentially disrupt the quality of care and allow attackers to steal patient data.

“The Internet of Medical Things has the potential to improve healthcare, save lives, and bring massive savings. But if not properly secured, these same devices can pose huge risks,” said Anand Oswal, senior vice president and general manager, Firewall as a Platform, Palo Alto Networks. “Our vision is to give healthcare organizations complete

visibility, in-depth risk analysis, and built-in prevention so they can get the maximum benefits from this transformative technology while reducing risks to patients and their data.” “Initially, Valley Health System’s primary objective was to better understand and enable vulnerability management of medical devices that connect to our network. As the initial step, we needed to identify those devices and understand how and where they connect within our infrastructure. As we looked at and explored various products, we saw great potential and benefits to identify not only biomed but all network-connected devices and systems. After several months of comparing various systems, we landed on IoT Security by Palo Alto Networks. IoT Security is simple, cloud-delivered, and can be deployed quickly,” said Miroslav Belote, chief information security officer, Valley Health System. “The installation, configuration, and initial device discovery were straightforward. Within hours of turning on the system, we began seeing results – inventory, classifications, device and device risk profiles on thousands of devices. With Palo Alto Networks’ IoT Security, we gained complete visibility to over 4,000 non-traditional IT devices, about 30% more devices than what we had prior. We now plan to extend our inventory, vulnerability detection, and prevention process and practice as an integral part of our ongoing efforts to protect our IT and IoT assets,” Belote concluded.

Palo Alto Networks IoT Security

Palo Alto Networks IoT Security is designed to ensure Healthcare Delivery Organizations (HDOs) can realize the benefits of IoT for patient care — without sacrificing security. It is the industry’s only solution to use machine learning and crowd-sourced telemetry to quickly and accurately profile all devices on the network — even those never seen before. IoT Security also offers MLpowered policy recommendations to reduce manual effort; intrusion

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FEATURE

DIGITALIZED HEALTHCARE

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HOW THE MVP GROUP RAMPED UP TELECONSULT AND MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVES AMID A PANDEMIC mid the challenges of the global pandemic, the healthcare sector turned to technology and shifted to digitalized healthcare systems and services to provide a more convenient and efficient platform to Filipinos nationwide.

This shift is also evident in Manny V. Pangilinan-led hospitals, including the Makati Medical Center (MMC), and the Asian Hospital and Medical Center, which have gone digital and have provided patients with digitalized and centralized consultation and payment platforms. Both the MMC and the Asian

Hospital and Medical Center have also mobilized online programs called TeleMD and eConsults, respectively, where patients can set up appointments with their doctors and access hospital services online. Patients can also do cashless transactions through digital payment platforms. The MMC likewise developed an online program called the “eLOA program” to help their Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) patients secure Letters of Authority (LOA) to be able to secure consultations with their doctor(s) or avail of a procedure. Meanwhile, the Asian Hospital and Medical Center also created its own online platform

called Online Appointments Version 2.0, where patients can book their face-to-face interaction appointments before arriving at the hospital. “The importance of teleconferencing and telemedicine was never more emphasized than during the onset and onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic — when physicians and all other stakeholders, more importantly, the patients, needed to be interconnected with one another to ensure continuity of healthcare services. Digital and electronic modalities carried us through these unprecedented and challenging times,” said Makati Medical Center medical director Dr. Bong Javier.

PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS ONLINE The extended lockdown due to COVID-19 has also seen the rise of depression and anxiety cases among Filipinos, prompting the healthcare sector to actively provide online mental health services to Filipinos nationwide. The MMC’s Section of Psychiatry now provides their services through teleconsultations. Free mental health consultations have also been offered to all frontliners. MMC’s wellbeing clinic has also been offering these free mental health services in partnership and referral to and from its Section of Psychiatry. Individual and Group Psychological Processing services are also offered by MMC’s Section of Psychiatry. These include

psychotherapy sessions, mindfulnessbased cognitive therapy, and stress reduction as well as stress management and supportive psychotherapy. Meanwhile, PLDT, Inc. and its wireless unit, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) also promote mental health and wellness campaigns for its employees through its Mind Your Health series, a weekly online mental health talk with clinical experts and mental health advocates. PLDT and Smart, through the Better Today advocacy, also held a mental wellness campaign called Better Today Conversations, which featured key opinion leaders who shared their stories of hope and kindness as they promote a more empathetic culture.

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FEATURE

Words by Stavros Athanasiou

HOW TELEMEDICINE BRINGS CARE THAT COMFORTS EVERY FILIPINO n the Philippines, the rapid shift to digitalization has become the norm for many industries — and healthcare is no exception. From the adoption of 5G to the use of artificial intelligence, Philippine healthcare systems employ new and innovative ways to deliver health solutions even to Filipinos in remote areas.

Currently, equal access to quality healthcare remains a critical issue in the country. As home to over 100 million Filipinos, geography is only one of many barriers that have obstructed the distribution of healthcare resources for decades. While significant strides have been made in addressing unequal access to healthcare, optimizing solutions is still an ongoing process. When it comes to ensuring access to quality healthcare, technology can level the playing field for providers and patients alike. As local internet infrastructure improves, healthcare

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facilities can easily adapt to state-ofthe-art technology to provide care that comforts communities. With the move towards digitalization happening worldwide, it is unsurprising that many hospitals and healthcare organizations have adopted telemedicine to address patient concerns and needs. Although Telemedicine is not yet top of mind for the majority of Filipinos, who still prefer in-person consultations and treatment, telemedicine has established itself as a platform for convenient and high-quality medical care, regardless of distance. To truly understand the benefits of telemedicine, we must look at the picture of community health not only from the perspective of treatment and maintenance but also from the aspect of prevention. By interfacing with a patient over the internet and understanding their home and living situation, medical professionals can arrive at personalized recommendations and lifestyle changes geared towards improving patient

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satisfaction. Far from impersonal, telemedicine builds on mutual understanding and trust — two things at the core of every doctor-patient relationship. At Medgate, we believe in the importance of technological innovation in delivering reliable healthcare solutions through telemedicine. In our drive to create a seamless, user-friendly experience for all Filipinos, we are launching both a new mobile application and an improved website, which will make it even easier for patients to connect with specialist doctors whenever they find themselves in need. While we believe in the benefits of telemedicine in ensuring access to quality healthcare for all, hospital care will always have a place in any healthcare system. Telemedicine helps hospitals and clinics by lightening the load on healthcare professionals and facilities through the delivery of care solutions regardless of distance. Telemedicine is a committed partner in keeping Filipinos healthy, wherever in the country they may be.

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Stavros Athanasiou is the president of Medgate Philippines, a telemedicine company that aims to provide accessible healthcare to millions of Filipinos. He is also concurrently the chief financial officer and corporate secretary for TMIP Holdings Pty Limited, a holding company for telemedicine operations located in Asia. He earned his Master of Accounting at the University of Technology Sydney and a Master of Taxation from the University of New South Wales. He is currently undertaking a Master of Public Health from Monash University.

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Green

THE WORLD'S MOST SUSTAINABLE CORPORATION Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has doubled down on its long-standing strategy to embed environmental, social, and governance considerations into every facet of its activities — and to assist its customers and business partners in achieving their own sustainability objectives.

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his coincides with the news that Corporate Knights, a Canadian media and research company producing rankings and financial product ratings based on corporate sustainability performance, has for the first time recognized Schneider Electric as number one on its annual index of the Global 100 most sustainable corporations in the world. A jump from 29th position the previous year, the top ranking for 2021 represents an important external recognition of Schneider Electric’s early and sustained commitment to ESG issues. It also highlights the company’s transformation into a leading provider of digital solutions that facilitate energy efficiency and sustainability.

“The core of our strategy is to build a sustainable business and company. Customers, employees, partners, and investors have never been more focused on ESG considerations than they are now. Schneider has long embraced those issues, and we keep raising the bar for ourselves, and for our customers and partners,” says Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Schneider Electric’s chairman and chief executive officer. “When we introduced our first sustainability barometer in 2005, we were an early adopter of ESG matters. But ESG commitments cannot just be a one-off, and we have reinforced

ours every three years. All of us — companies, governments, individuals — can contribute to make the world greener and more inclusive. Our new commitments define the next steps of our contribution.” The new Schneider Sustainability Impact (SSI) program will span 20212025 and amounts to a significant acceleration of previous targets. It is built on six long-term commitments, which are set to deliver on each of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. These commitments are to act for a climatepositive world, to be efficient with resources, to live up to its principles of trust, to create equal opportunities, to harness the power of all generations, and to empower local communities. “The ability and willingness to make the world greener and more equitable is not just a moral responsibility — it makes good business sense too,” said Olivier Blum, Schneider Electric’s chief strategy and sustainability officer. “The year 2020, marked by COVID-19, a string of climate-linked disasters, and the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement on climate change, reinforced the urgency for action. It

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has also intensified the appetite from our customers to accelerate their own transitions towards a lower-carbon world. Our solutions can help them achieve their goals, too.” Eleven concrete targets, deliverable by 2025, underpin these commitments. And, for the first time, leaders of the more than 100 markets in which Schneider operates will set local targets to address grassroots-level needs in their communities. Repeatedly recognized in key rankings for its sustainability achievements, Schneider will continue to report on its extra-financial performance on a quarterly basis, as it has done since launching the world’s first corporate sustainability barometer in 2005. In just the past year, Schneider already stepped up on its own decarbonization roadmap and became a signatory of the Climate Pledge; was the first company to issue an ESG-linked convertible bond; was also ranked Corporate Disclosure Project (CDP) A-List for environmental transparency and action for the 10th year in a row; and was included in the Financial Times’ Top 50 Diversity Leaders ranking. G

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MEDGATE PH NAMED ONE OF THE TOP TELEHEALTH PROVIDERS IN APAC Medgate Philippines was recently hailed as one of the top 10 companies at the forefront of telehealth solutions in the Asia Pacific for their contribution and impact on the healthcare industry. The recognition was given by Healthcare Tech Outlook, an international publication that highlights key healthcare technologies committed to shining a spotlight on how healthcare can be brought to new heights through technology and innovation. Healthcare Tech Outlook singled out Medgate as an important player in the industry. “Accessible and empathetic healthcare has always been a top priority at Medgate. It is part of our mission to provide both compelling and personalized medical care to patients across the country and our other markets,” says Stavros Athanasiou, president of Medgate Philippines. “We are honored to be recognized as a leading provider of telemedicine solutions in the region, especially now that so many Filipinos are in need of more convenient healthcare options amid the pandemic,” he adds. Since its launch in 2016, Medgate Philippines has served over 1.5 million patients, with a roster of doctors in

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internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, and OB Gynecology, among other specialties — allowing for patients to get a holistic form of care. Medgate Philippines is also one of the official telemedicine partners of the Department of Health (DOH). The partnership was forged during enhanced community quarantine, and Medgate handled nearly 70,000 calls from patients all over the nation at no cost to either the caller or the DOH. With this latest award under its belt, Medgate is empowered to expand its operations and reach even more Filipinos. “We are excited to further grow telehealth services in the country,” Athanasiou notes. “We’ve seen the power that telemedicine has to greatly improve the healthcare experience, so the next step is to make an impact on more lives through our strong brand of care that comforts.” Recently, Medgate Philippines was also recognized by Healthcare Insights and Capital Finance International as the “The Most Trusted Remote Medical Service Provider in the Philippines” and “The Best Global Telemedicine Provider of 2020,” respectively.

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TIKTOK PARTNERS WITH THE MANILA IN #VACCINEALAMIN INFO CAMPAIGN The COVID-19 vaccine is gradually becoming available around the world, and in the Philippines, preparations are underway for a vaccination program roll-out in the coming months. Vaccination plays a key role in ending the COVID-19 pandemic by preparing a person’s immune system to fight the virus, should you be exposed. This potentially helps to reduce its spread within entire communities.

Mayor Isko identified fear and misinformation as two of the biggest barriers that need to be broken down. He said, “Kaya nagkaroon ng doubt ang ating mga kababayan, dahil dun sa nangyaring isang bakuna na medyo nagkaroon ng masamang impresyon ang mga mamamayan. Pangalawa, ‘yung mga misinformation about existing vaccines all over the world.” The mayor also stressed the importance of communication, adding that the most effective strategy is to engage people and make sure that they have access to factual information. Manila City Health Officer, Dr. Arnold Pangan, explained some important things that people need to know about the

vaccine. Dr. Pangan clarified that while the vaccine protects you from suffering from a serious form of COVID-19, it is still possible to get the disease after being vaccinated against it. This is why it is important to still take precautions such as physical distancing and mask-wearing. Members of the TikTok community can show their support for the #VaccineAlamin Campaign by using the hashtag and sharing creative content filled with factual information about the virus and the vaccine to boost awareness. Whether it is a skit, a song, or a dance video, as long as it helps spread #VaccineAlamin’s message, it is sure to make a difference. Mayor Isko himself issued a challenge to TikTok creators to join the hashtag challenge in order to amplify the campaign. He said, “Create a video that will help inform others about the #VaccineAlamin Campaign, I will copy it and tag you!” TikTok values the safety of the entire community, and the #VaccineAlamin campaign is a great example of how the platform can be used to do good. Through its dynamic features like TikTok Live and hashtags, information dissemination becomes easy, enjoyable, and relatable, while still being meaningful and impactful.

(L-R): CNN Philippines news anchor James Deakin, Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno, and Manila City health officer Dr. Arnold Pangan.

Learn more about #VaccineAlamin on TikTok, and help spread the word about the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Download the app on your iOS and Android devices today to get started.

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At present, the majority of Filipinos are still unwilling to receive the vaccine due to concerns over its safety, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey. This poses a challenge to the implementation plans of both local and national government units. To address this, the City Government of Manila has partnered with TikTok for #VaccineAlamin, a COVID-19 vaccine education campaign. #VaccineAlamin aims to boost awareness of the health benefits of immunization, and spread accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccine to the public.

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T.I.P. DEVELOPS INTEGRATED TEMPERATURE-ATTENDANCE MONITORING SYSTEM AGAINST COVID-19

The T.I.P. team and representatives from the Applied Machining Corporation with the duoSENSE device.

The Technological Institute of the Philippines (T.I.P.) and Applied Machining Corporation (AMC) are in the final phase of producing a Filipino-designed temperature scanner that can be integrated with a company’s attendance monitoring system. Called the duoSENSE, the T.I.P.developed device shall enable more efficient health monitoring and COVID-19 contact tracing efforts initially in AMC’s headquarters in Biñan, Laguna. The engineering school’s duoSENSE device is a contactless elevated skin temperature scanner that uses two infrared sensors. Unlike conventional scanners, which lack calibration features, duoSENSE can be calibrated based on certification standards, allowing it to take highly accurate body thermal readings despite varying environmental temperatures. This allows it to be reliable in the long run without becoming less and less accurate over time, as is the risk with conventional infrared thermometers. Moreover, duoSENSE was developed to work with AMC’s existing attendance monitoring system, a feature absent on traditionally standalone temperature scanners. The data from T.I.P.’s device can automatically be recorded, gathered, transported, and integrated with a company’s existing systems and databases. “The T.I.P. duoSENSE solves the inefficiency and accuracy issues of common infrared thermometers, ensuring that companies can keep their workforces safe in our continuing battle against COVID-19,” commented T.I.P. senior vice president Angelo Lahoz. March 2021

“On top of integrating traditionally separate health monitoring and attendance systems, duoSENSE also enables employees to report into work much quicker without being hindered by manual logging processes. Companies also save valuable resources and can facilitate better contact tracing because they do not have to manually consolidate attendance and temperature records. We thank AMC for trusting T.I.P. with this significant endeavor,” Lahoz further explained. The T.I.P. duoSENSE project was designed and developed over the course of seven months by T.I.P.’s team of expert engineers in close cooperation with AMC. This timeline involved circuit design, device prototyping, performance evaluation, and product iterations to ensure that duoSENSE is reliable, accurate, can be certifiably calibrated, and seamlessly integrated with AMC’s attendance system. This project between T.I.P. and AMC is made possible by T.I.P. TechnoCoRe, T.I.P.’s institutional direction towards Industry-Academe Collaborative Applied Research. This thrust enables T.I.P., its researchers, and its faculty members to help Philippine organizations address their pain points through innovative, solution-generating efforts. T.I.P. TechnoCoRe also provides industry partners with an innovative and inquisitive workforce for key projects beyond the scope of their organizational capabilities. For more information on T.I.P. and T.I.P. TechnoCoRe, visit technocore.tip.edu.ph or email technocore@tip.edu.ph.

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DEPED, RCBC TEAM UP TO PROMOTE DIGITAL SAVINGS The Department of Education (DepEd) partnered with the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) for its digital savings campaign, promoting this important habit among young learners, parents, and teachers.

L. Suficiencia of the Center for Learning and Inclusion Advocacy, adding: “Account owners had also been found to have a higher rate of savings, access to digital financial services, and less debt.”

DepEd’s collaboration on RCBC’s Ipon Galing initiative, massive digital financial education awareness campaign will be done nationwide. To further encourage the over 27.5 million learners, teachers, and parents, RCBC has launched an incentives promotion for those who will begin their savings journey using the DiskarTech, RCBC’s Taglish finance super app.

“With the shift to blended learning modality, there had been challenges faced not just by our learners, but most especially by our teachers and parents. This collaboration aims to address some of those pain points while empowering and enabling all our stakeholders in the education sector through this digital platform. We made digital savings fun and exciting,” said Lito Villanueva, RCBC executive vice president and chief innovation and inclusion officer.

“We pledge to put our hearts, minds, and energy to make sure this project is an unqualified success. Let us work together to encourage more Filipinos to save, especially the young ones,” said RCBC president and chief executive officer Eugene S. Acevedo. “In this time of pandemic, having a transaction account has proved crucial to social protection and financial resilience,” said Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Director Ellen Joyce

Based on the 2019 Financial Inclusion Survey of the BSP, 53% of adult Filipinos are savers, but 51% of them save at home. The survey showed that while account ownership has improved in the last two years, more than two-thirds of Filipinos still lack access to a formal account. RCBC is one of the leading universal banks accelerating digital transformation in the Philippines. It was judged in 2020 as the Philippines’ best digital bank by the Asiamoney Best Bank Awards and the Alpha Southeast Asia Best Financial Institutions Awards, among other global and regional recognitions. DiskarTech was also recognized as 2020’s breakout finance app in the Philippines by App Annie, a global data analytics provider. Its digital products include RCBC mobile and online banking, handheld ATM Go mobile POS terminals, and DiskarTech.

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“As DepEd also integrated financial literacy in our K-12 curriculum, partnership programs like DiskarTech of RCBC will allow our teachers and learners to experience how technology works for us while we are securing our finances and save for the most important and unanticipated events such as the COVID-19 pandemic,” said DepEd Undersecretary for Finance, Annalyn M. Sevilla who represented DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones.

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CONVERGE OFFERS BETTER BUSINESS CONNECTIVITY WITH NEW ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS The opportunities and challenges from living in a pandemic-laden world took the world by surprise last year and are seen to continue for the rest of the year. While many have successfully adapted to a digital lifestyle, there is no denying that businesses and enterprises must also continually shift and adapt to the new normal. With the many requirements businesses and employees have to fulfill every day, it is essential that they have the proper resources that will enable them to maximize their time and perform better in the workplace. “Because of the new normal, many business and enterprise owners have learned to shift their work into the digital space. Converge understands that business requirements are unique, thus we have created new products in our Enterprise segment to address specific connectivity needs. Our goal is to support fellow Filipino businesses and enterprises as they transition into the digital front and ensure that they have the best resources for productivity in order to thrive in this pandemicladen economy,” said Converge ICT chief operating officer Jesus Romero. Converge’s four newest products under their Enterprise lineup promises higher connectivity for subscribers while still ensuring affordability. With Converge FASTER, enterprises will have the option to send and receive files securely through their own network.

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Using a Layer 3 networking service that can convert a business’s main office into a fully digital branch, Converge Faster offers private WAN connectivity between a company’s headquarters, branches, satellite offices, or remote sites through a pure fiber GPON Network. For Converge customers that are already subscribed to the Direct Internet Access service, Converge Time of Day is perfect for businesses and enterprises who mainly operate during a certain period each day. By setting their preferred schedule to either Day or Night, Time of Day subscribers can expect to double their subscribed bandwidth based on their chosen preset period, allowing them to maximize their budget. Another Direct Internet Access service product, Converge Upload is made for businesses that rely heavily on sending intensive outbound requirements. Converge Upload focuses on boosting upload speeds to supplement services such as web hosting, game development, animation, and cloud storage. Finally, Converge Connect is a premium service that uses Converge’s state-of-the-art MPLS backbone to deliver a high-capacity network-to-network interface that can be used for specific data service requirements. With Converge Connect, subscribers can customize and combine products and resources in one circuit to address vast and multiple connectivity needs for their businesses.

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Relic

IRON LUNG Words by Jose Alvarez

uring the COVID-19 pandemic, technology has had to advance at rates never seen before. One of the first big leaps in technology followed the flu pandemic a century earlier, which forced great leaps in technology in sanitation and healthcare. The iron lung, which is surprisingly making a comeback in modern medicine during the current COVID-19 pandemic, was one of the first giant leaps in technology when it came to another disease that humans had to face not too long ago: polio. Most famously, United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt suffered from polio. The iron lung as we know it had its roots in England. John Mayow, a scientist living in 17th-century England, came up with the idea of external negative pressure ventilation in 1670. Mammals such as humans already breathe through negative pressure breathing in which the rib cage expands and the diaphragm contracts to expand the chest cavity. Mayow built a model consisting of bellows and a bladder to pull in and expel air. The first negative pressure ventilator was described over a century and a half later, in 1832, by John Dalziel who put in place the concept of the modern iron lung. Other March 2021

developments were being made in Europe and South Africa, such as Dr. Woillez’s Spirophore in 1876, and a wooden version of the iron lung specifically designed to treat polio by Dr. Stueart of South Africa in 1918. The iron lung itself as we know it was developed by Philip Drinker and Louis Agassiz Shaw, Jr., two professors at the Harvard School of Public Health, in 1928. The iron lung was known as the “Drinker respirator” and was clinically used for the first time at the Boston Children’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, the same year. The machine was powered using an electric motor with air pumps from two vacuum cleaners, changing the pressure inside of a rectangular, airtight metal box that pulled air in and out of the lungs. The patient was an eight-year-old girl who almost died of respiratory failure due to polio, and she recovered within less than a minute of using the iron lung. Warren E. Collins began producing the iron lung in 1928 for use in hospitals, originally for those poisoned by coal gas. It became popularly used for respiratory failure caused by polio. Others began to make variations of the iron lung, such as Danish physiologist August Krogh, who even used a

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water-powered motor using water from the city’s pipelines. Krogh also made an infant respirator version of the iron lung. By 1931, John Haven Emerson made important upgrades to the iron lung: a removable bed and portal windows that allowed attendants to reach in and adjust limbs, sheets, or hot packs. Drinker and Harvard University sued Emerson for his improvements to the device; Emerson said that such lifesaving technology should be available to all. Emerson also pointed out that Drinker’s patents were already published or used by others previously. Emerson won the case, and Drinker’s patents were then declared invalid, making the iron lung more accessible to others. The technology spread to Europe and Australia and inventors in both regions made improvements to the device. By the 1950s, polio had been virtually eradicated by the polio vaccine, thus drastically reducing the need for the iron lung. Between 1988 to 2001, new polio cases were reduced by 99.9%. Currently, polio only spreads in the wild between Afghanistan and Pakistan. By the turn of the century, less than 100 individuals still used an iron lung in the United States. This number is reportedly in the single digits as of 2017. G gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Volume XXI Issue VI

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MEET THE TEAM EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief MARIBELLE ALBA Editors-at-Large PRESY ALBA REN ALCANTARA Mobility Consultant ARNEL DORIA Junior Editor GABRIEL PE Writers JOSE ALVAREZ GERRY GAVIOLA JEWEL STA. ANA

You want more? We recommend you check out our other issues

CREATIVES Creative Consultant RAYMUND RAVANERA Creative Lead JERICO LUTRANIA Creative Staff CHINI YU SORIANO CARMELA BIRAO ADVERTISING Sales and Advertising Manager MARISA CONSUELO Account Executive CAROL AGABIN ADMINSTRATION President & CEO MARIBELLE ALBA Accounting Manager MARITESS MAULION HR & Administration Manager AMY CHRISTINE GIRAY Circulation Officer LORIE BERNARDO Administration Staff RAMIL ALMOJANO Legal Counsel ALBA LAW OFFICE

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