After coming up with GrabBike, a GrabCar for motorcycles, if you may, GrabTaxi has introduced a new service for Metro Manila residents, this time in the form of a 15-minute helicopter tour of Makati, Bonifacio Global City, and Pasay.
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.
Smart unveils iPhone 6s, 6s Plus pricing details
Globe Telecom has earlier announced its P1,799 data plan for the 4.7-inch iPhone 6s and 5.5-inch iPhone 6s Plus, leaving existing and would-be Smart subscribers to wonder what this year’s iPhone upgrade holds. Well, they can wonder no more: Smart has now made official its postpaid pricing for the latest iPhones, which will be available beginning November 6.
Globe announces P1,799 data plan for iPhone 6s, 6s Plus
I previously wrote about the Apple iPhone 6s and 6s Plus finally getting a release date in the Philippines, courtesy of local operators Globe Telecom and Smart Communications. To reiterate, the date to remember is November 6, 2015, which is exactly a week away.
Acer PH draws flak for controversial ad campaign
(UPDATE, November 1, 2015: Acer Philippines’ PR agency on Sunday issued an apology, and the company has updated the #LikeABoss campaign to address the issues raised in this article. You can read the full apology below. I’m told Acer Philippines will also send out a statement “ASAP.”)
Smart prepaid, postpaid users get free P2,500 Airbnb voucher
For a limited time, local telecom Smart Communications is giving its customers another reason to book their accommodations on Airbnb, the wildly popular short-term rental platform, which currently has over 2 million listings in 34,000 cities and 190 countries. Think Uber, but for accommodations in the Philippines and abroad.
Harsher penalties, not competition, is key to improving PH Internet speed
Slow Internet? I hear you. If you’ve lived in the Philippines long enough, you may have come to the realization that local broadband speeds could conjure images of a turtle slow-walking on a swath of peanut butter, something you wouldn’t find distractingly cute or hilarious if you were in the position of the guy waiting — for weeks — for a game he had bought from Steam to finish downloading. Having the same issues? You could look for faster internet by searching broadband deals site like usave.co.uk.
NTC: PH Internet service providers fall short of speed claims
You may have heard in the news earlier this year that the NTC [National Telecommunications Commission] is looking to crack down on the telecom industry and bring Internet service providers to task if they fail to hit the NTC-set minimum downstream of 256Kbps or don’t deliver on their advertised broadband speeds.
NBA treats PH fans to free League Pass access until November 3
Another NBA season is scheduled to tip off tomorrow (October 28 if you live in the Philippines), and as has been the case the past couple of years, the NBA is treating its fans to an appetizer of sorts by granting free and full access to League Pass, the league’s official video-streaming service that features live and on-demand games, for a very limited time. The offer runs until November 3, though I’m not sure which time zone the deadline refers to.
OPPO announces Neo 7 with modest specs, mirror finish
Global smartphone brand OPPO has announced a refresh model under the Neo line, following the naming scheme of other creations in the company’s stable. Say hello to the OPPO Neo 7 (OPPO, unsurprisingly, chose to skip the Neo 6 entirely), an Android Lollipop-based phone with modest specs and a design that features a metallic trim and a glossy, mirror-like finish on the back.