Nothing, has announced the launch of its latest smartphone, the Phone (2a). Building upon the success of its previous models, the Phone (2a) aims to provide an optimal performance and also showcasing Nothing’s design and engineering expertise.
The Nothing Phone (2a) features the iconic sound patterns and Glyphs at the back with an updated design and it’s also fewer than the Nothing Phone (2). While for the hardware, the smartphone features a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro chip inside.
Rear Camera: Dual 50MP main camera + ultrawide camera
Front-facing camera: 32MP front facing camera.
5G, LTE, Dual SIM
Glyphs: Reimagined Glyph Interface with a unique trio-light configuration on the back.
Charging Speed: 45W Fast Charging
Battery: 5,000mAh battery
OS: Nothing OS 2.5 based on Android 14, with three years of software updates and four years of security updates promised.
The Nothing Phone (2a) starts at Php 18,990 for the 8GB/128GB variant and Php 20,990 for the 12GB/256GB variant. You can also pre-order the smartphone this March 10-11. You can pre-order the smartphone at NOthing retail and online partners.
It will be available this March 12 at the following:
You can also have a special opportunity to be among the first in the world to pre-order Phone (2a) at a special event. Here are the details:
Location: Digital Walker Mall of Asia, 2/F North Wing SM Mall of Asia, 2153 JW Diokno Blvd., Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City Start Time: 10:00 AM Date: Saturday, March 9th
Exclusive perks and offers will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the pre-order event.
The new M3 chip delivers impressive speeds and capabilities. With an 8-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU, the M3 delivers a considerable performance boost over the M2 for demanding tasks however, the M2 is still a competitive chip for 2024 and it can still trump other notebooks in the market.
Battery life has also seen an improvement, with the MacBook Air M3 rated for up to 18 hours of video playback on a single charge. The laptop’s Liquid Retina display now features a brighter 500 nits of peak brightness and supports 1 billion colors for vibrant, true-to-life visuals.
Despite the improvements on the new chip, Apple hasn’t forgotten about making its previous model more accessible to the masses. The MacBook Air M2 has received a substantial Php10,000 price drop, now available for only Php 59,999 for the 256GB variant while the 512GB variant is priced at Php 71,999.
The M2 chip may not be the newest silicon, but it still packs a serious punch. It delivers pretty good performance and also a long battery life While the first M-Series notebook, The Macbook Air M1, has been discontinued.
Apple has unveiled the new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air with M3 chip inside. The new chip delivers faster CPU and GPU performance, improved battery life, better AI performance and support for up to two external displays.
The M3 chip is the follow up to the M2 chip. It features a leap in CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine compared to the M1 chip. This translates to improved performance for everyday tasks, creative workflows, and gaming.
The new MacBook Air also boasts a longer battery life, lasting up to 17 hours of wireless web browsing and up to 20 hours of video playback on a single charge. This makes it ideal for users who are always on the go.
The new MacBook Air comes in two sizes, 13-inch and 15-inch, and four colors: silver, space gray, starlight, and midnight. The design will still be the same and there will still be two thunderbolt ports along with Magsafe charging port.
realme Philippines has announced summer deals and discounts for its 3.3 birthday sale events on Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop. The promotions will run from March 3-7 on Lazada and March 3-6 on Shopee.
The smartphone brand is highlighting up to 67% off on select devices during the sale. Flagship deals include the realme C67 with 108MP camera discounted to PHP 7,799 (PHP 2,200 off) on Lazada and PHP 7,699 (PHP 2,300 off) on Shopee.
realme’s tablets are also seeing major price cuts, with the realme Pad 4G LTE model going for PHP 6,990 (PHP 7,000 off) on Lazada and PHP 6,440 (PHP 7,559 off) on Shopee. Bluetooth earbuds like the realme Buds T300 are priced from PHP 1,104 on Lazada and PHP 1,089 on Shopee.
Lazada 3.3 Sale (March 3-7):
realme C67 (8GB+128GB): P9,999 down to P7,799 (22% off)
realme C67 (8GB+256GB): P10,999 down to P8,699 (21% off)
realme Pad (4GB+64GB) LTE: P14,990 down to P6,990 (53% off)
realme Buds T300: P1,599 down to P1,104 (31% off)
Shopee 3.3 Sale (March 3-6):
realme C67 (8GB+128GB): P9,999 down to P7,699 (23% off)
realme C67 (8GB+256GB): P10,999 down to P8,699 (21% off)
realme Pad (4GB+64GB) LTE: P13,999 down to P6,440 (54% off)
HUAWEI Philippines has recently launched their newest wearable device in the country, the HUAWEI WATCH 4. This device is the follow up to the wearable that I personally liked, the HUAWEI WATCH 3 but this time, we’re getting more features and a slight design change.
HUAWEI Watch 4 Review: Design
The HUAWEI Watch 4’s design is one of its biggest selling points. It has one of the best designs on a smartwatch. First, there’s the stainless steel case on the watch that feels really solid and makes the smartwatch more premium and then there’s the 3D Curved Glass which is more curvier and the dome glass is more noticeable compared to the previous generation.
There’s the rotatable crown as well with the etched HUAWEI WATCH in it which is a nice touch. This is no normal rotatable crown as it has a linear motor that responds whenever you rotate it making it feel more like a mechanical watch. It’s responsive and has a crisp feel as well. You can use its rotating crown for its watch faces and also for other applications.
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Below the crown is the button that you can use for shortcuts but just like before, you can still customize it to apps that you always use on your HUAWEI Watch 4.
The review unit that we got comes with a Fluoroelastomer strap and it’s very similar to our experience with the HUAWEI Watch 3. It has a rubbery like texture and feel and for me, it wasn’t really a problem and it does have a balance feel of sporty and premium to me.
As for the build, the HUAWEI Watch 4 comes with a stainless steel body along with a IP6X water resistance so you can use the Watch 4 anywhere you want.
HUAWEI Watch 4 Review: eSIM
One of its selling points is the eSIM support on the watch and unlike the HUAWEI Watch 3, the Watch 4 supports both one sim, two device and also an independent eSIM on the Watch 4 itself. However, as of this posting, the one sim, two device is only supported on selected devices.
As for the eSIM, I was surprised on how seamless the setup is on the HUAWEI Health app and you have the choice to have the Watch 4’s eSIM deactivated whenever the Watch 4 is connected to the smartphone.This saves the battery on the smartphone however, if you’re using a separate eSIM for your Watch 4, this also means that you won’t receive calls and texts on the Watch.
Now you might ask me, why do you need an eSIM on a wearable device like this? It’s simple. With this, you can leave your smartphone when you workout outside or you can have a consistent connection with your watch even when you forgot to bring your smartphone.
You can also have a separate eSIM for the Watch 4 and you can even send SMS and answer calls on the Watch 4 directly.
HUAWEI Watch 4 Review: Display
The Watch 3 and the Watch 4 does look similar from afar but the WATCH 4 has a more curvier glass with its 3D Curved Glass. Not only that, it also has thinner bezels which makes the watch faces bigger a lot better to look at.
There’s the 1.5” LTPO OLED display as well with AOD and what I love about it is that the Watch 4’s 3D Curved glass blends perfectly with the watchfaces on the smartwatch. The AOD is a lot better too as they have more content to show unlike before which makes it better to look at even when at AOD mode.
It’s also really bright which makes the smartwatch’s display really visible under direct sunlight.
HUAWEI Watch 4 Review: Battery life
The HUAWEI Watch 4 comes with 530mAh battery inside and when it comes to charging, it supports Wireless SuperCharge which is now faster to charge compared to the previous generations. HUAWEI has promised an up to 14 days of battery life on the smartphone with ultra-long battery mode and also a 4 days of battery on standard mode.
In my case, I was using a separate eSIM on the Watch 4 and I turned off the auto-disable to network when connected to the smartphone so it takes a lot of juice from the battery. I’ve also turned AOD along with max brightness but surprisingly, it can get a day and a half of battery. However, I was expecting that I can get more from the Watch 4.
It doesn’t have the same battery life of the GT series of smartwatch from HUAWEI as the Watch number series are smarter and also faster. And again, the HUAWEI Watch 4 does come with eSIM support. This was enough to be used for a day but I wished that it had a longer battery life.
But of course, optimizing the brightness, the mobile data usage, and other things, the HUAWEI Watch 4 can last for days depending on your usage.
HUAWEI Watch 4 Review: Software and experience
The HUAWEI Watch 4 runs on HarmonyOS 4.0 and the UI is very user-friendly and for those who have used HUAWEI Watch or Watch GT series, the UI is very similar to it.
It comes with features such as raising the wrist to wake the screen and everything was smooth including navigation along apps and even opening apps. The faster opening of apps is noticeable on the Watch 4. There are also apps that are available for download on the HUAWEI AppGallery and thankfully GCash is about to arrive on the Watch 4 really soon so you can pay via QR with your HUAWEI Watch 4 only.
I believe that HUAWEI can still improve their app availability on the HUAWEI Watch 4 but the GCash app on the HUAWEI Watch 4 is a good sign that we may see more 3rd party apps that we can use for our everyday routine.
Just like before, there are new watchfaces for the HUAWEI Watch 4 and the newest default one shows you your location and also the globe which is a nice touch and rotating the crown also gives you an animation. Of course there are apps like Petal maps, music player and many more included with the watch
The widgets are really helpful as well which gives you a quick look and shortcuts to your health trackers and again, the button on the side gives you a shortcut to customizable quick bar.
Unlike Wear OS devices, the HUAWEI Watch 4 is compatible to both iOS and Android as well aside from HUAWEI devices. But of course, you get to have more features on HUAWEI devices. But the most basic ones including health tracking and also having an eSIM will be supported on all operating system.
HUAWEI Watch 4 Review: Health tracking and sensors
The biggest and unique features of the HUAWEI Watch 4 is the health tracking as the smartwatch packs a lot of health tracking features and sensors inside.
Health at a glance
This is a feature on the watch that gives you the overview of your health using different indicators. During the test, you can know your heart rate, oxygen level, respiratory overview, cardiovascular health and more. This gives you the whole analysis of your health in one single go. I think this is a small feature that should be in all smartwatches so you can really monitor your health.
New health tracking and sensors
One of the things that I like with HUAWEI Watches is that trackers and sensors are accurate or close to accurate. Again, the smartwatch is not a merical tool or software for treating conditions but it’s a good tool on whether you should have yourself checked at a hospital or clinic.
One of the newest features that we have here is ECG. The HUAWEI Watch 4 now supports ECG that can check on your heart by just touching the side button for 30 seconds. It can detect if your cardiac rhythm is normal and give you outputs as well. It’s
The HUAWEI Watch 4 also features arterial stiffness detection, a first that I’ve seen on a smartwatch and from HUAWEI. The best thing about it is that it’s not invasive and detection of arterial stiffness can definitely save your life someday. Again, it’s not a medical tool but the HUAWEI Watch 4 might be a device that can help you detect some abnormalities that you might not know.
During this time of post-COVID and flu season, it’s great to have a respiratory overview if you’re feeling healthy or not. One of the cool and unique features of the HUAWEI Watch 4 so you can watch out if you’re having respiratory problems by just coughing on your watch on a silent room.
Verdict
The HUAWEI Watch 4 might have an almost similar design to the HUAWEI Watch 3 but the Watch 4 has a lot of drastic changes inside. First, there’s the eSIM compatibility that can receive SMS and calls, more sensors that includes ECG, arterial stiffness, and respiratory checks, and a lot more. There’s a 3D curved glass on the outside as well which is a beauty along with the thinner bezels.
It might not have the same battery as the Watch GT Series or even the previous generation but the features that we have inside it is jampacked and the smartwatch can still last a day even at mobile data on all the time.
Its health features might not be a big deal for some but there’s a chance that it can save your life thanks to its health tracking sensors. The HUAWEI Watch 4 is a little bit on the expensive side though at Php 22,999.
HONOR Philippines has announced major discounts and freebie giveaways for its 3.3 birthday sale promotions on e-commerce platforms Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop. The deals will run from March 3-15 on Shopee, March 3-7 on Lazada, and March 1-3 on TikTok Shop.
HONOR will be giving up to 50% off its smartphone devices during the sale period. Specific highlighted promotions include the HONOR Magic5 Pro 5G flagship being offered for PHP 49,990 (PHP 10,000 off) with a free JBL Flip 5 speaker on Lazada.
Shopee listings show the HONOR 70 5G, the brand’s selfie and vlogging focused smartphone, discounted by PHP 9,000 with a free JBL Go 3 speaker. There is also up to PHP 3,000 off the HONOR X9a and X8a models.
On TikTok Shop, the HONOR 90 5G with 200MP camera sees PHP 1,000 off along with a free JBL Go 3 speaker gift. Shoppers can also find the HONOR Magic5 Pro 5G PHP 10,000 cheaper than usual.
Across all three e-commerce platforms, HONOR Philippines is bringing back its viral free gift box promo which includes X5 wireless earbuds (worth PHP 4,000) for purchases of the HONOR X9b 5G.
The budget to flagship device sales aim to entice consumers doing their online shopping for Lazada and Shopee’s major 3.3 anniversary sales going on.
Cherry has announced that it will be joining Lazada’s annual 3.3 birthday sale event from March 3-7. Cherry will be offering discounts and free gift promotions on some of its most popular products.
Featured deals highlighted in the announcement include up to 50% off Cherry’s Instant Pot pressure cookers, Avita laptops discounted to PHP 9,999, a buy-one-get-one offer on Cherry Karaoke Duet Medley machines, and buy-one-get-one free deals on Cherry’s anti-bacterial UV humidifiers.
Cherry joins other major brands looking to leverage Lazada’s platform and annual sale event to reach consumers. Consumers will need to check Lazada starting March 3 to find the promo prices for models like the Instant Pot and Avita laptop lineups.
At the forefront of Lenovo’s showcase is the unveiling of groundbreaking proof-of-concept devices, exemplified by the Lenovo ThinkBook Transparent Display Laptop Concept. This innovative concept reimagines traditional form factors, boasting a remarkable 17.3-inch Micro-LED transparent display that seamlessly integrates virtual and physical environments. Through Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC), users can interact with physical objects while overlaying digital information, unlocking new levels of creativity and collaboration.
Next-Generation Business PCs
Lenovo also unveiled its latest generation of business laptops, including the ThinkPad T14 i Gen 5, ThinkPad T14s Gen 5, ThinkPad T16 Gen 3, ThinkPad X12 Detachable Gen 2, and ThinkBook 14 2-in-1 Gen 4. These devices are powered by Intel Core Ultra processors with Intel vPro on select models and Windows 11, offering an optimal ecosystem of AI hardware and software solutions. With dedicated AI acceleration support, users can expect enhanced levels of security, power efficiency, and immersive experiences.
ThinkBook 14 2-in-1
Scaling AI at the Edge
In line with the telecom industry’s evolution towards 5G and AI-powered solutions, Lenovo showcased a powerful lineup of Integrated Edge AI Solutions for Telco. These innovations, part of Lenovo’s hybrid AI solutions, aim to simplify the path to intelligent transformation for industries by enabling real-time data analysis at the edge for more efficient operations and services.
Sustainability at the Forefront
Lenovo’s commitment to sustainability is also evident in its efforts to extend the lifecycle of devices and reduce environmental waste. Through initiatives like Lenovo Certified Refurbished and partnerships with iFixit, Lenovo empowers customers to adopt more sustainable IT practices while minimizing downtime and electronic waste. The company’s TruScale services further enable customers to deploy IT solutions on a pay-as-you-go basis, promoting resource efficiency and cost savings.
Driving Towards a Sustainable Future
Additionally, Lenovo’s focus on sustainability extends beyond product design to collaborative actions with channel partners through the Lenovo 360 Circle community. By embracing circular practices and fostering repairability, Lenovo aims to build a more sustainable future while delivering innovative AI solutions that empower organizations across industries.
Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has been recognized by independent analytics firm Opensignal for delivering the best 5G Coverage and 5G Availability in the Philippines.
According to Opensignal’s latest Mobile Network Experience Report, covering July to September 2023, Smart excelled in five key categories: 5G Availability, 5G Coverage, 5G Download Speed, 5G Upload Speed, and Overall Download Speed.
Alex O. Caeg, Head of Smart Consumer Wireless Business, expressed pride in the recognition, emphasizing Smart’s dedication to providing Filipinos with the best mobile experience possible.
Meanwhile, Kristine A. Go, SVP for Consumer Wireless Business at Smart, highlighted the network’s readiness to leverage the transformative benefits of 5G as its adoption grows among Filipinos.
Widest 5G Coverage
Smart’s extensive 5G Coverage and Availability also empower customers to enjoy seamless connectivity for various activities, including sharing travel experiences, attending events, gaming, and conducting online businesses.
Supporting Connectivity Everywhere
Meanwhile, Eric S. Santiago, FVP for Network at PLDT and Smart, highlighted Smart’s achievement in securing the 5G Coverage Experience award. This reflects the network’s reach across residential, commercial, and travel destinations.
Enabling Connectivity for All
Smart’s network prowess is backed by the PLDT Group’s integrated fixed and wireless infrastructure, covering 97% of the population. This network synergy supports national digitalization efforts and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc. has announced the appointment of Mr. Jian Liu as the new Director for Consumer Information and Imaging (CII).
With nearly two decades of experience within the Canon Group, Liu brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role, most recently serving in China—one of the world’s top three consumer markets.
Having predominantly worked in sales, Liu also possesses a deep understanding of the consumer goods market.
Meanwhile, during his tenure in Canon China, he led his department to consistently achieve top and bottom-line results, surpassing competitors and establishing Canon as the leading brand in the country’s interchangeable lens camera market.
Strategic Leadership
In his new role with Canon Marketing Philippines, Liu’s expertise and commitment to fostering long-term strategic partnerships align with Canon’s core philosophy of “Kyosei.” He aims to leverage innovation and collaboration to further strengthen Canon’s presence in the market.
Jian Liu also expressed his enthusiasm for the appointment, stating, “I’m excited to join Canon Marketing Philippines’ dynamic team. Together, we aim to empower consumers to capture life’s moments with unparalleled clarity and creativity.”
