HOOQ just got a lot better. The subscription video-on-demand service has just pushed an update to its mobile app, adding what it earlier promised, and what many users have been waiting for: Chromecast support. The update means you can now stream any of the 30,000-plus videos on the HOOQ platform to an HDMI-compliant TV or monitor fitted with a Chromecast dongle, which is sold separately. HOOQ now works with the Chromecast dongle, allowing you to stream any of the 30,000-plus videos on the platform to a TV with an HDMI input. Globe Telecom is currently bundling the first-generation Chromecast with broadband deals starting …
Deal alert: Select games on Google Play go on sale for just P5
If you own an Android device, and you’ve been hoping to score a killer deal on quality games, then stop what you’re doing and fire up the Play Store app now. You’ll find that several titles from Electronic Arts and its subsidiary, Chillingo, can be bought from the Google app store for just P5. No, that’s not a typo. Normally, these games would cost you around P200, but for a limited time you can get them for almost nothing. If you must pick only one, at least pick Need for Speed: Most Wanted or Dead Space; from experience, they’re worth …
Samsung Galaxy S7 may launch sooner than we think
If reports are accurate, we might see a new Samsung flagship immediately after the holidays. In January at the earliest. A recent post by South Korea’s Electronic Times claims: “Samsung Electronics have confirmed that it will announce its next strategic smartphone ‘Galaxy S7’ in January of next year.” The article, citing “people in [smartphone] parts industries” as its source, adds that Samsung finalized the Galaxy S7’s design in September of this year, and that the Korean company is currently sourcing components for the device. It’s obvious why Samsung would choose to launch the Galaxy S7 so early: The company wants …
Uber offers free ambulance service in PH in case of accident
Image via jamesdeakin.ph Taking an Uber in the Philippines could mean fewer worries now that the app-based ride service has entered into a yearlong partnership with Lifeline Rescue, a private ambulance service. The deal allows an Uber passenger to summon a Lifeline Rescue ambulance (by calling 16-911) free of charge in the event of a serious accident involving an Uber, and the driver of the vehicle or the passenger “has to be taken to the hospital.” Uber didn’t go into detail as to what should be considered as grounds for seeking hospital treatment, but that’s probably to your advantage. It’s …
Altec Lansing reintroduces itself to PH, rugged speakers in tow
Earlier today, Altec Lansing announced its comeback to the Philippine market with a fresh batch of compact, rugged Bluetooth speakers, which the company describes as “everything-proof.” This includes the Life Jacket, Mini Life Jacket, Jacket H20, and Mini H20, which combine long battery life (up to 16 hours of playback for the Life Jacket) with rich sound quality that would make bass-heavy tracks come to life. There’s also speakerphone functionality for taking calls, as well as an auxiliary input for those who don’t have a Bluetooth device. Altec Lansing announced its comeback to the local market with a slew of ‘everything-proof’ speakers …
IDC: Cherry Mobile is PH’s top phone brand in 1st half of 2015
Buying local, as is the case last year, is more attractive to smartphone buyers in the Philippines, according to recent data emailed to Revü Philippines by market-research firm IDC. Cherry Mobile, not Samsung, remains the country’s market leader, accounting for 17 percent market share of the total smartphones shipped in the first half of 2015. Samsung holds the second spot with 14 percent market share, followed by MyPhone, CloudFone, and Lenovo at 6 percent, 5.2 percent, and 5.1 percent, respectively. The gap between Cherry Mobile and Samsung is closing, though: In 2014, Cherry Mobile owned a hefty 21.9 percent share of …
How to get a refund on an Android app or game
pps: They effectively turn a smartphone into a powerful tool for human connection; they’re what make owning a smartphone so compelling and inevitable for many; they’re what make a smartphone, well, smart. Without apps, there’s little reason to buy an Apple iPhone 6s, or a Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+, or an OPPO R7 Plus, or what have you. But what do you do when an app you recently purchased from the Google Play store crashes, freezes, or won’t run on any Android device you own?
NBA 2K16 for Android, iOS out now
If you’re among the millions of hoops fans who have been waiting to get some NBA action on their Android or iOS phone or tablet, I’m pleased to tell you that your long wait is over: NBA 2K16 is now available on Google Play and the App Store. To be clear, I’m talking about the mobile version of the popular basketball sim that was earlier released on PC and video-game consoles, not the boring virtual card game from 2K Games. NBA 2K16 for Android and iOS is out now on Google Play and the App Store. As for the game itself, NBA 2K16 …
10 tricks you may not know about Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Previously, I wrote a guide on how to manually update your first-gen Android One phone to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Then I followed it up with a how-to on moving apps to your SD card, which is perhaps the best reason to upgrade to the newest Android version, assuming your device allows it. Today, I’ve put together a cheat sheet containing 10 tricks you probably didn’t know about. Here they are: 1. Optimize battery use for each app: Go to Settings, then select Battery. Click on the 3 dots on the upper right-hand corner. Tap Battery optimization and then tap the downward-pointing arrow. …
LG G4 owners to get Android 6.0 Marshmallow next week
LG G4 owners are in for a marshmallowy treat soon, as the Korean manufacturer announced today that it will start pushing the Android 6.0 Marshmallow to its flagship smartphone next week, with users in Poland getting first dibs on the latest Android software. It seems LG likes the Poland market, for reasons beyond my understanding. LG has also published a list of upcoming features customers can expect from the OTA update, such as a Do Not Disturb mode, a battery-saving feature in Doze, as well as access to app permissions to allay privacy concerns. LG announced today that it will start …
What’s on HOOQ: 10 good PH films you may not know exist
If you’ve seen Jerrold Tarog’s historical drama Heneral Luna, you may be wondering: Which local film should I see next? Good question. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of amazing options on HOOQ, a subscription video-on-demand service that lets users watch local and Hollywood movies and TV shows on their phones or tablets for as little as P149 a month, or the equivalent of a tall Starbucks drink. Today’s list includes 10 local releases you may not have heard of, but really should watch. So happy viewing and don’t forget to sound off in the comments with your thoughts on the items …
Police nabs man after swindling P2M worth of phones from Globe
A 47-year-old resident of Quezon City was arrested by local police on criminal charges of estafa and falsification of documents leading to the acquisition of 63 high-end smartphones from Globe stores and a projected fraud loss of P2.4 million, Globe Telecom said in a press statement. John Michael Cruz was nabbed by authorities in an entrapment operation after submitting additional requirements for cellular plans that would have netted him 3 units of iPhone 6 Plus. Cruz has used various aliases in previous applications and has declared himself the owner and marketing manager of CJMD Trading, LMDJ Garments Manufacturing, DMJJ Manufacturing …
Why your MediaTek-based phone is among the cheapest on the market
Image via allthingsd.com A couple of days ago, I sat down with Cedric Chang, a MediaTek account manager assigned to the Philippines, to shed light on a few burning questions that consumers may want answered about the Taiwan-based company’s main business of selling chipsets. Chipsets that, mind you, power a good majority of Android devices on offer not only in the Philippines but in other parts of Asia, including China and India. The company rep explained why MediaTek-based phones are generally more affordable than the competition; and it’s not because MediaTek makes the cheapest silicon out there — though they are priced lower …
Android 6.0 Marshmallow: How to move apps to your SD card
One of the best reasons — and believe me, there are many — for upgrading your first-gen Android One phone to Android 6.0 Marshmallow today is simply to gain the ability to migrate your apps and files, such as your photos and videos, to a microSD card.
About time: upscale Cherry Mobile Flare phones announced
Amid a busy quarter of phone launches, Cherry Mobile took the wraps off 3 new additions to its Flare series, baring what I had earlier suspected: an upscale take on the company’s most popular line of Android devices. And about time, too! The Flare 4, S4, and S4 Plus are now official, and they look nothing like their predecessors — and I mean that in the most flattering way. They’re quite a looker, I guess, is what I’m trying to say. Which is great, because Cherry Mobile’s Flare handsets have never been known for their looks and design quirks. Until …
Cherry Mobile: Flare X, S3 Lite, S3 Octa, S3 Power to get Android Lollipop by Nov
In addition to revealing 3 new phones under the Flare line, Chery Mobile announced its software-update plans for 4 existing Flare handsets, namely the Flare X, S3 Lite, S3 Octa, and S3 Power. The said devices will be upgraded to Android Lollipop by November, the local tech company revealed.
Globe blames Smart for PH’s poor LTE speed in OpenSignal report
If you read OpenSignal’s previous State of LTE report, you know pretty well that the Philippines once again appears to be lagging behind other Asian countries and regions like India, Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan both in terms of LTE speed and coverage. What may have escaped your attention, however, is that the country could’ve fared better had Smart Communications posted better results in the testing conducted by OpenSignal, something Smart’s rival, Globe Telecom, pointed out in a recent press release.
How to manually upgrade your Android One phone to Marshmallow
(UPDATE, November 5: The Android 6.0 Marshmallow OTA update for the Cherry Mobile One G1 is now available for download. You can use this guide to manually update your One G1 — that is, if you haven’t already.)
Cherry Mobile to announce ‘premium’ Flare phone on October 9
Cherry Mobile will announce a new Flare smartphone on October 9, according to an event invite sent by the local tech company today. Not much is known about the upcoming handset, but based on the invite, expect a gold color option with a silver metallic trim, suggesting that we may be looking at the most premium-looking Flare design so far. The black borders surrounding the display may give the phone a borderless appearance when the the screen is turned off. The one metric the Flare series falls short of is design, but that could change soon if what we’ve seen so …
Microsoft unveils Windows 10-based Lumia 950, 950 XL phones
Earlier today, Microsoft announced several Windows 10 devices to showcase Windows 10’s new capabilities and its full potential as a productivity platform. (A quick aside: Microsoft claims there are already more than 110 million devices running Windows 10. Yes, 110 million installations in 8 weeks.) Among those Windows 10 devices are the Lumia 950 and the larger and more powerful (and more expensive) Lumia 950 XL, which as Microsoft puts it, are all about “putting Windows 10 in your pocket” and being “the most productive phones you’ve picked up.” And those are very accurate ways of describing phones that function like a PC …