The biggest Samsung-related news of today has nothing to do with the company’s Galaxy line of devices, or the homegrown Exynos chipsets that power some of them. Rather, it has everything to do with the chief executive behind them: Samsung co-CEO JK Shin is stepping down from his leadership role in the handset business to focus on new growth areas and long-term strategy.
Cherry Mobile Flare X Android Lollipop update out now
It’s Christmas in November for some folks: Cherry Mobile Flare X owners can now download the official Android Lollipop update for their beloved, bang-for-the-money smartphone. And while the update may have taken some time to develop, it’s finally here, and just in time to give users more reasons to cheer as the year draws to a close.
Meizu M2 coming to Lazada PH on December 4
Remember the Meizu M2 Note? In my review, I pointed out that, despite the system-wide overhaul Meizu gave to Android, the 5.5-inch phone “delivers on many levels without breaking the bank.” In other words, it’s a pretty good purchase even by those who are on the market for a quality handset today.
Nexus 6P now available for preorder in PH
Good news, Android fans: The Huawei-made Nexus 6P, Google’s most premium phone yet (the “P” actually stands for “premium”), is now available for preorder on Lazada’s Philippine website and mobile app. It comes in dark gray and is listed at P29,990, which is about what you’d expect to pay for a smartphone worthy of flagship status. Preorders will ship beginning December 11.
BlackBerry’s first Android effort gets a PH launch date
The last time I heard about the BlackBerry Priv, it was being handed to the Kardashians before anyone else, serving as a sort of reminder that not everyone in Hollywood has an iPhone in their pocket or clutch bag.
Deal alert: JRPGs, other games on sale on Google Play store
Black Friday and Cyber Monday may not mean much in the local tech community, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of some of the best deals of the year. Take, for example, Google, which has slashed price across several AAA games in the Play store, including classic Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest titles (for all you JRPG fans out there).
Dual-screen LG V10 unveiled in PH, will retail for P37,990
As earlier reported, LG has made the LG V10 official in the Philippines. For the uninitiated, the V10 is the Korean electronics maker most premium phone yet, with a P37,990 price tag to show for it. It succeeds the G4 as LG’s flagship smartphone and has all the bells and whistles you’d expect in a top-tier offering, plus a couple of attractions that make it stand out from the competition.
Megabits, not megabytes: 5 things you should know about PLDT Home Fibr
As you’ve probably heard, PLDT’s fiber-to-the-home connections are now more affordable and available than ever. And while so much has been said and written about the telecom company’s fiber offerings, I feel that the subject remains in urgent need of clarification. Case in point: Some people in the local tech community, judging by their Facebook posts, have confused megabits with megabytes.
What’s on HOOQ: sci-fi films you may not have heard of but should see
The Martian. Ex Machina. Mad Max: Fury Road. There have been many great works of science-fiction so far this year, and the best may yet be on the horizon. I haven’t met anyone who isn’t excited about Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It’s a pity we can’t hitch a ride on the DeLorean to see if what’s about to come is all it’s cracked up to be.
Globe outs P150 GCash Mastercard w/tap-to-pay support in LRT, MRT
Earlier today, Globe Telecom announced an improved GCash Mastercard prepaid credit card that can be used to pay for train fares. It’s among the first payment solutions in the country that supports tap-to-pay payment terminals found in MRT and LRT stations. Up until now, the issue of considerable queuing in stations had not dealt with. So, as credit cards in usa go this is a pretty impressive development, as there has been huge demand for changes to be made to this system.
LG’s dual-screen, dual-selfie phone to launch on Nov. 25 in PH
While most phone makers have already announced their full lineup of handsets at this stage of the year, LG Philippines has apparently saved its best for last. The company is getting ready to reveal the LG V10, a top-shelf Android phone that succeeds the G4 as LG’s current flagship, at a press event scheduled for November 25.
PH’s top phone brand is now in the telco business… sort of
Cherry Mobile has announced a partnership with Globe Telecom that will see the Philippines’ top phone brand foray into the cutthroat telecom business with the new Cherry Prepaid mobile service.
Up close with Starmobile’s new dual-camera Android smartphone
When Starmobile began brainstorming about its new brand identity and the product that will carry it forward, one of the questions raised was how can the company make the digital lives of consumers come to life. The answer apparently lies in mobile photography.
Cubix Cube 2 hands-on: big in value and size, small in price
Cherry Mobile has always been at the fore of introducing mobile devices for all pockets, and the slew of recent additions to the popular Flare line of smartphones is more proof of this. What the company has in store for online shoppers, however, may be one of its most beloved yet. The Cubix Cube 2, which is the second device to come out of Cherry Mobile’s Cubix sub-brand, will be available online at Lazada Philippines starting today at noon for a low, low price of P4,999.
How to update your Cherry Mobile One G1 to Android 6.0 Marshmallow
(UPDATE, November 5: Added ADB method, which requires more work.)
Local tech company Cherry Mobile recently confirmed to me that the Android 6.0 Marshmallow OTA update for its second-gen Android One release, the Cherry Mobile One G1, will roll out starting this week.
Lazada Philippines to hold biggest sale of the year on 11/11
It’s that time of year again: Lazada Philippines will hold a massive sale called the “Lazada Online Revolution Sale” starting November 11 (11/11) until the 12th of December (12/12).
SkyCable rolls out up to 300Mbps broadband service in Metro Manila
You may have heard that local Internet service providers PLDT and Globe Telecom are now offering ultra-fast fiber broadband service to residents in select upscale condominiums and communities in Metro Manila.
What may have escaped your notice, however, is that SkyCable has also updated its broadband offerings to lure higher-paying customers who want faster Internet speeds sans the constraints of a monthly data cap.
OPPO Neo 7 with 5-inch screen, Android Lollipop now on sale in PH
Following the launch and subsequent release of the OPPO Mirror 5 and R7 Series, OPPO has officially made the Neo 7, the successor to its Neo line of budget handsets available in the Philippines. The global smartphone maker is obviously aware that sub-P10,000 devices are making a killing on the local market these days, hence the announcement of another value-for-money contender.