Shopee has marked the country’s holiday shopping season with an extraordinary 50x increase in orders on Shopee Live during its 12.12 Mega Pamasko Sale. As the gifting season started, the initial two minutes of the highly anticipated sale recorded an impressive 12 million items sold on Shopee Live across markets.
In the Filipino tradition of ‘monito-monita’ or the exchange of surprise gifts, which extends over several days, shoppers are turning to live-stream shopping on Shopee Live to fulfill their gifting needs amidst the holiday rush. This surge resulted in 46x more new buyers locally, collectively saving a substantial Php509 million, facilitated by extensive collaborations with brands and sellers.
As the year-end approaches, Filipinos also eagerly anticipate year-end bonuses, translating into opportunities for significant purchases, gifts for loved ones, or self-rewards after a year of hard work. Home & Living items emerged as the top best-selling category, followed by Women’s Apparel and Mobile Accessories.
The festive season also serves as a reason for some retail therapy, prompting Filipinos to refresh their wardrobes, prep for holiday parties, or kickstart skincare resolutions. This sentiment is reflected in a 5x uplift in orders for both the Fashion and Health & Beauty categories. Top-performing brands with the highest number of orders across the platform include Uni-Care, Maybelline, and Issy & Co., while o.two.o.ph, Uni-Care, and Lovito.ph garnered the highest number of orders on Shopee Live.
Despite the shopping spree, Filipinos exhibit financial prudence by stocking up on top-selling essentials such as face masks, organic baby wipes, and 3-in-1 twin coffee packs.
Moreover, the 12.12 Mega Pamasko Sale has been extended until December 15, 2023. Shoppers can still enjoy free shipping with a minimum spend of P0, exclusive 70% off on Pamasko Deals from a wide range of brands and sellers, and Shopee Mall Outlet deals offering discounts of up to 90% off.
Don’t miss out on the extended festivities and exciting offers!
Lenovo has made one of the biggest innovations this year when they unveiled the latest generation of the Yoga Book 9i. Unlike most laptop manufacturers that have a folding display, the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i comes with a more practical dual display that you can use for different functionalities.
Design and construction
The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i features rounded corners with a thin and lightweight aluminum chassis. It feels premium and solid without being too hefty. It has a sleek design even with the mechanism for the two displays which are connected by a hinge to make use in different modes possible.
The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i that we got comes in Tidal Teal color and for the ports, it has three Thunderbolt 4 ports and all of them can be used for charging. I recommend bringing a dongle with you if you’re a power user.
The device also has a switch to turn off the camera as an added privacy feature, Its5MP Webcam at the top of the display is great for video calls on Zoom and Teams since the quality is actually superb compared to most options in the market.
This powerhouse also supports Windows Hello so users can unlock their device with facial ID technology.
Despite being a 2-in-1 device, the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i has a solid hinge with no creak or flexing. Since the device has rounded edges, it’s way easier to hold whenever I’m using it. The sound ispowered by Bowers and Wilkins and sound quality was average and just enough for my usage.
Different modes
Users can convert this device into multiple modes but the most useful and common would bethe laptop mode in which you can use the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i’s lower display as your virtual keyboard and touchpad by just tapping eight fingers on the display.
Typing on a screen doesn’t have the same feel of a normal keyboard but thankfully, there is a detachable magnetic keyboard you can use if you prefer. Whenever you place the keyboard on the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i, the device automatically detects it and a virtual touchpad appears. If you slide down the keyboard, you can add more space for your windows and apps.
My personal favorite way to use the Yoga Book 9i is in Scroll mode where I have two displays in landscape mode in use. I can use the folio stand to have a better orientation for the notebook and then I can magnetically attach the keyboard to the folio stand. This makes multitasking easier and more productive.
For programmers and for those who love to read ebooks, the book mode of the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i will be a much appreciated feature. In this mode, you can use the laptop’s dual display in portrait mode giving them a more screen estate for texts which is excellent for programmers.
You can also use the Yoga Book 9i in Tent Mode which is great for showing presentations and with the pen, users can annotate and add written notes on files. The tablet mode on the other hand, is perfect if you want to use the notebook for drawing and tablet-optimized apps.
Keyboard
There’s a bluetooth keyboard included that you can magnetically attach to the folio of the device or you can place it on top of the lower display. It’s pretty much what we can expect from a bluetooth keyboard but the typing experience on the keyboard was great. Despite the thin profile of the keyboard, it was responsive and pretty comfortable to type with.
Crisp and vivid displays
The dual display of the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is the main highlight of the laptop. In terms of the technical specs, it offers a dual 2800×1800 resolution with a 60Hz refresh rate and 400 nits brightness. This isn’t the first laptop to have a dual-display but Lenovo’s implementation on this device was very good. I like that I can open two apps in full size at the same time which makes it perfect for productivity.
The display quality, was bright, vivid, and the contrast was really good. It’s bright enough to be used outside so I enjoyed using it on Scroll mode even while sitting outside in a coffee shop.
Software and performance
On the inside the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Home and it does come with proprietary software applications to help optimize the dual display of the notebook. Some of these apps include the Lenovo Vantage app and also the Yoga Book User Center which are both useful in optimizing the dual display and performance of the Yoga Book 9i
For the processing power, the unit is powered by an Intel Core i7-1355U processor along with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. There’s the latest 13th Generation Intel Core i7 processor inside which will do just fine for basic school, office, and presentation needs.If you’re planning on playing games on this notebook, you’ll be able to play some of the latest ones but you’ll have to tone down the graphics settings.
In our benchmarks, it’s pretty much what we expected:
Screenshot
In CrystalDiskMark, it’s pretty much what we expected from the device
In Cinebench R23, it was proven that the notebook’s CPU has a powerful single core performance. However in multi-core, it performed just fine for its power.
Screenshot
In PCMark10 and 3DMark, it’s basically the scores that we expected from its processor and with Intel XE graphics. Basically, the benchmark scores tells us that it will do perfectly fine for office and productivity use however, it wouldn’t have a stellar performance in gaming
Gamers should be able to play Valorant just fine at an average of 95 fps at 2800×1800. For me, I was even able to play Horizon Zero Dawn at 29 fps at 720p at low settings. While not recommended, the second display of the device can be used for other apps while playing games. Basically, this dual-display device is made for productivity first and not focused on gaming.
Battery life
The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i has an 80Whr of battery inside and it comes with a 65W USB-C Charger. Surprisingly, I was getting great battery life on this device despite having two displays. In our normal usage of the notebook such as writing articles, programming and listening to Spotify, I was getting around 7-8 hours of battery life on the notebook.
Lenovo Premium Care
One of the best things about owning a Lenovo device is the Lenovo Premium Care service, where you can get a three year warranty that includes easy data migration and 24/7 support. Lenovo technicians can provide on-site support and remote troubleshooting.
Lenovo also offers Accidental Damage Protection, where they provide protection against unexpected damages. This includes in-person assistance for repairs and if the PC can’t be repaired, they’ll replace it at no extra cost
Verdict
The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is a device that is definitely made for productivity. The dual display of the device is something that I appreciate over a foldable display because of its flexibility of opening two apps at different displays and I can do more with its dual display rather than a single foldable display.
The scroll mode of the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is nicely done too along with its sturdy keyboard folio and bluetooth keyboard. The Intel Core i7-1355U processor might not be the most powerful chip in the market but it brings a balance of power and performance on the notebook as I was able to get a long battery life out of this despite having a dual display. This makes the Lenovo YogaBook 9i perfect for office workers, students, and for those people who are using their laptop for productivity.
Pricing
The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is now available in the Philippines and it’s priced at Php 149,995. This also includes a three year warranty with Lenovo Premium Care service and Accidental Damage Protection. If you want to know more about the product, head over to their website.
JBL has recently introduced its latest lineup of audio devices just in time for the holiday season. Alongside these product launches, the brand has kicked off its Christmas promo, JBL Barkada Travel Tunes, offering customers the chance to own JBL products and win an exciting barkada travel package.
Latest Audio Offerings
In November, JBL also released its reimagined Authentics Speaker range, featuring the JBL Authentics 200, JBL Authentics 300, and JBL Authentics 500, alongside their inaugural Bluetooth turntable, the JBL Spinner BT. This release breathes new life into the iconic JBL L100 speaker from the 1970s and introduces the JBL Spinner BT, a Bluetooth turntable merging retro designs with modern technologies.
Expanding its portfolio, JBL introduced the new Live and Soundgear series. The Live 670NC and Live 770NC wireless on-ear headphones, equipped with True Adaptive Noise Cancelling and Smart Ambient technology, promise an immersive sound experience. Additionally, the JBL Soundgear Sense, the brand’s first true wireless open-ear earbuds, incorporates OpenSound Technology with air conduction, providing a balanced audio experience in sync with the surroundings.
Among the new releases is the JBL Partybox Ultimate speaker, designed for those who love entertaining. This speaker boasts original JBL Pro Sound and Dolby Atmos sound technology, delivering sound that can fill large spaces with immersive 3D spatial effects. With dual tweeters and subwoofers, the Partybox Ultimate produces powerful bass, complemented by a captivating sensory experience featuring starry night effects, light trails, strobes, and surface projection lights.
Holiday Promo: JBL Barkada Travel Tunes and Sound Fest 2023
In the spirit of the season, JBL presents the Barkada Travel Tunes Raffle Promo, offering participants a chance to win a travel package for four to Tokyo, Seoul, El Nido, and Siargao. To join, customers can purchase any JBL products worth Php3,000 SRP per raffle entry until December 31, 2023, at participating JBL Concept Stores, Kiosks, Authorized Dealers, and online stores.
Furthermore, JBL enthusiasts can gear up for Sound Fest 2023, the brand’s annual music festival scheduled for December 15, 2023, at SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. The event will feature OPM band icons such as Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Adie and Al James, and special guest ambassadors from JBL Australia, H3rizon, and Tigerlily.
Participants in the Barkada Travel Tunes promo can enjoy a complimentary concert pass to the Sound Fest, making it an exciting treat for JBL fans.
For more details about the promo mechanics, raffle draw dates, and Sound Fest updates, participants can register and upload proof of purchase at www.jblchristmaspromo.com.
Infinix Zero 30 5G is one of the most competitive mid-range smartphones out there. It boasts a lot of things including 4K selfie video at 60fps and also a 144Hz display that is way ahead in its price range.
The Infinix Zero 30 5G also features a premium design with a metal-like camera module at the back with some screws that adds to a metal feel on the smartphone. And then there’s the MediaTek Dimensity 8020 processor as well which can run most apps and games that we need on the smartphone.
Another selling point of the smartphone is its 144Hz 3D Curved AMOLED display along with its 5000mAh battery and its faster 68W Super Charge.
If you want to know more about the smartphone, head over to our video review below:
When we visited OPPO’s HQ last month, one of their main highlights is their efforts in XR or Extended Reality. Just like their imaging lab and their data center, they’re using AI and robotics to maximize their and optimized their developments.
In their XR Lab, we saw and tested OPPO’s MR Glass. They’ve also demoed the power of their OPPO Find X6 Pro for XR as we were able to map the room of the XR Lab and also place objects and interact with it.
In their lab, they also used the robotic arm to mimic the movements of a human head, and with the MR headset, it enables the team to adjust the device’s display and cameras according to the images captured and displayed. This is controlled which is why it makes the adjustments more accurate.
This innovative approach to XR device calibration emphasizes OPPO’s commitment to pushing the development of the AR, MR, and XR technology and delivering better user experiences. As the field of XR evolves, OPPO’s XR Lab is expected to play a crucial role in the future especially with extended reality growing more popular in the market.
realme has just announced their newest flagship smartphone in the market and it’s one of the newest smartphones to pack a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor inside, the realme GT5 Pro. This smartphone is currently the most powerful one thanks to its chipset but it’s actually more than that.
The realme GT5 Pro also features a 50MP main camera, a 50MP telephoto lens and also an 8MP ultrawide sensor. The best part about it is that the smartphone boasts a Sony LYT-808 sensor, one of the best one for smartphones today.
For the display, the smartphone uses a 6.78-inch Full HD+ display with 4500 nits brightness. It also has a 144Hz refresh rate which is why it’s smooth. The smartphone also comes with a 5400mAh battery inside and also a 100W charging speeds.
realme GT5 Pro Specs
6.78-inch AMOLED, 1264 x 2780 pixels, 144Hz refresh rate
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
12/16GB RAM
256GB, 512GB, 1TB Internal Storage, UFS 4.0
50MP Main Camera with Sony LYT-808 sensor + 50MP telephoto + 8MP ultrawide lens
32MP Selfie Camera
100W Wired Charging, 50W Wireless Charging
5G, LTE
Under display fingerprint scanner
Android 14 based on realme UI 5.0
5400mAh battery
The realme GT5 Pro starts at 430 euros (Php25,685~) for the base 12GB/256GB variant and goes up to 550 euros (Php 32,868~)
Infinix has launched the HOT 40 series. The HOT 40 series is designed for the people who are on the budget. The HOT 40 Pro comes with Helio G99 processor and also a 120Hz FHD+ Display that gamers would love.
The Infinix HOT 40 Pro also features an up to 16GB of RAM along with 256GB of internal storage. It also features NFC inside which is a plus. While for the camera, there’s the 108MP main camera along with 32MP selfie camera.
The display of the smartphone features a 120Hz refresh rate. For the charging speeds, they’re promising 20% to 75% in 35 minutes.
The Infinix HOT 40 Series is expected to grow soon and they’re priced at $200 and below.
We recently visited OPPO’s large-scale data center, the OPPO AndesBrain (Binhaiwan Bay) IDC. They’ve created a large data center in response to the growing demand for data storage, AI, and high-performance computing.
The data center began construction in January 2020. It was designed to facilitate large-scale data processing and support OPPO’s hardware and software engineering. With hundreds of millions of ColorOS monthly active users worldwide, the data center provides the necessary computing power and bandwidth. Some of the processes that were done here helps in their cloud and also in their app store.
The data center also performs AI tasks and develops AI solutions which is getting more essential these days in where is growing day by day. This provides strong computing power, enabling OPPO to develop and create more innovative products.
The OPPO AndesBrain (Binhaiwan Bay) IDC showcases the company’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions by integrating infrastructure and business innovations. The data center uses a rainwater harvesting system for cooling circulation and has adopted immersion cooling instead of air cooling for high-performance GPU server clusters.
We’ve also had a close look at their server rooms and we were amaze to see their air-cooled servers and also their more efficient water-cooled servers. They were able to optimized the hot air that is being pushed from the powerful servers to have a more efficient and greener energy in their data center.
Golfing Brothers Inc. proudly unveiled VIP Golf, a state-of-the-art, all-in-one golfing destination catering to families, friends, colleagues, and golf enthusiasts in Pasay City.
VIP Golf offers a comprehensive golfing experience suitable for all ages and skill levels. The venue features an open bay area and luxurious VIP rooms, creating the stage for an extraordinary golfing encounter in the heart of Pasay City.
Simon Tan, Director of VIP Golf, emphasized, “This is not your ordinary facility, nor an ordinary experience, but your journey to a high-tech and high-end golf simulation with a 99% accuracy rate.”
Grand Opening Highlights
The grand opening event showcased VIP Golf’s commitment to providing an unparalleled golfing experience for both seasoned enthusiasts and beginners. Attendees explored cutting-edge technology, facilities, and amenities, gaining insight into the brand’s mission to redefine the golfing landscape and experience in the country.
In-house coaches were on hand throughout the event, engaging with attendees and providing instruction on the basics of golf. This approach underscored the brand’s dedication to creating an inclusive environment for individuals at all skill levels.
Inside VIP Golf: What to Expect
Open Bay: Equipped with the latest golfing technology, the open bay area allows golfers to refine their skills while enjoying a vibrant view outside MET Live Pasay City for Php1,200 per hour.
VIP Rooms: Designed for comfort and luxury, VIP rooms offer an exclusive space for golf enthusiasts to play, entertain, and unwind in style for Php2,400 per hour.
Bar & Restaurant: VIP Golf’s bar and restaurant provide a relaxing space for patrons to enjoy finely crafted food and drinks. Operating from 6:00 AM to 3:00 AM, Mondays through Sundays.
Free Parking: VIP Golf patrons enjoy the convenience of complimentary parking, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
Caddies: VIP Golf’s caddies provide a touch of tradition, offering assistance to enhance the golfing experience.
Coaches: In-house professional coaches elevate golf skills, ensuring everyone can learn and enjoy the game fully.
Pro Shops: Well-stocked VIP Golf Pro Shops offer a convenient spot for all golfing needs, making it easy for enthusiasts to indulge their passion.
Maya took center stage at the recently concluded Cashless Expo 2023 to underscore the surging demand among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for advanced digital banking services.
As a co-presenter of Cashless Expo 2023, organized by GoDigital Pilipinas in collaboration with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of Agriculture (DA), Maya showcased its commitment to lead the charge in digital banking for both consumers and enterprises.
Meanwhile, Richard Labitag, Maya’s Head of Acceptance and SME, emphasized the eagerness of SMEs for comprehensive digital banking solutions. Labitag stated, “With consumers increasingly adopting digital banking, it’s now time for our SMEs to follow suit. By facilitating digital payment transactions and offering tools like business deposits, we’re simplifying their transition to the digital economy and opening doors to essential financial services like credit.”
From Payments to Digital Banking
Maya has played a pivotal role in the shift towards digital payments, with 42 percent of payment transactions in the Philippines transitioning to digital or e-payments by the end of 2022, according to the 2022 Status of Digital Payments Report by the BSP. Building on this momentum, Maya is also expanding its services to offer integrated digital banking solutions, including payment acceptance, disbursement, business deposits, credit, and money management tools.
Maya Business: A Comprehensive Growth Platform
Maya’s enterprise-focused arm, Maya Business, stands as the country’s premier digital payment processor and acquirer. Offering an all-in-one growth platform for businesses, Maya Business integrates a full spectrum of digital financial services into a single, user-friendly platform. In addition, Maya Business 1-2-3 Grow Bundle further streamlines the onboarding process, provides discounted payment options, offers an attractive 2.5% p.a. business deposit interest rate, and extends accessible credit up to Php2 million.
Maya equipped participating merchants during the expo with QR PH, fostering seamless, secure, and convenient person-to-merchant transactions. Maya’s commitment to the SME community is also further evident in its strategic partnership with PLDT, which powered the event’s high-speed connectivity as a platinum sponsor.
For more information, visit maya.ph and mayabank.ph. Stay connected with Maya on social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok at @mayaiseverything, and Twitter @mayaofficialph.
![[KV ] JBL Partybox Ultimate](https://jamonline.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/KV-2-JBL-Partybox-Ultimate.jpg "[KV ] JBL Partybox Ultimate")
![[KV ] JBL Barkada Travel Tunes](https://jamonline.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/KV-4-JBL-Barkada-Travel-Tunes.jpg "[KV ] JBL Barkada Travel Tunes")
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