2017 v18n1 - RETROSPECT

Maribelle M. Alba

Ren Alcantara

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Managing Editor

#GIRLBOSS

Être fort pour être utile

@bellealba

@hisnameisren

PRESY ALBA

THERESA ELORIAGA

ART DIRECTOR

A sad soul and a happy personality trapped in one body. @theresaeloriaga

EDITOR-AT-LARGE I don’t travel light, I lug too many gadgets, I can walk for miles exploring a new city or shopping and I never say no to the local fare. @presy1121

JAEL MENDOZA

MIA CARISSE BARRIENTOS

GRAPHIC Artist

Junior Editor

But He knows the way I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold -Job 23:10

A bibliophile fascinated with tech.

Also a walking fangirl dictionary. @miaissocoollike

@jaellaura_m

ROBBY VAFLOR

RONEL BAUTISTA

President & CEO

Sales Manager Account executive

Accounting manager Accounting Staff

Maribelle Alba Marisa Consuelo Carol Agabin Maritess Pascua-Maulion Lorie Bernardo

HR & ADMIN MANAGER Administration Staff

Amy Christine Giray Ramil Almojano Clifford Dela Paz

PR & MARKETING STAFF

Paula Candoy

Legal Counsel

Alba Law Office

STAFF WRITER

GRAPHIC Artist

I’m a fountain of blood in the shape of a girl.

Unable to start program:’C:\brain\ emotions.exe’ The system cannot find the file specified.

@sailorapollo11

@afterhourscritic

Kate Aquino

GERRY GAVIOLA

Intern

STAFF WRITER

Coloring life with the chaos of trouble.

GADGETS Magazine is published monthly by Great Minds Media Inc. Address all correspondence to Unit 801-802, The One Executive Office Bldg., #5 West Ave., 1104 Quezon City.

Our telephone number is: 288-8588 Our website is: www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Cineaste. Audiophile. Gadget addict. facebook.com/gerry.gaviola.3

@kateyaquino

JOSE ALVAREZ

Alexa Ubaldo

CONTRIBUTOR

Shikata ga nai: It cannot be helped

Jose loves football, video games, computers, and history, but not necessarily in any order.

Intern

@rafaellaalexa

@josealvarez

All unsolicited manuscripts, illustrations and photos submitted must be accompanied by a stamped self-addressed envelope if they are to be returned.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Every care is taken to ensure that the content of Gadgets is fully accurate; however, the publisher and printer assume no responsibility for the effects arising therefrom. Gadgets Magazine is a registered trademark of Great Minds Media Inc.

Jay Alba

CONTRIBUTOR Jay Alba is a fresh college graduate based in California. Had she not pursued writing, she would’ve been a perfectly functional nurse. @naiveroommate

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CONTENTS

AUGUST 2017 | Volume 18 No. 1

06

Parade

The hottest devices and accessories at a glance.

40

Looking Back The past 17 years in tech, revisited.

72

Gaming

These titles will give quite the unique experience.

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34

54

70

78

80

Gadgets Lab

Our reviews are backed up by 17 years of experience.

Mobility

Test drives, and the freshest motoring news.

JP Pining: The Modern Day Artist

We shine the spotlight on a Gadgets Magazine Alumnus.

Progress Made Manifest The stunning new Sony Bravia A1.

The Right Knife for the Job Choose your tool wisely.

Love Your Nerves

Heed advice regarding nerve health.

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82

iPhone 8 Rumour Roundup

We are honestly excited.

88

Welcome to Japan A free traveller’s SIM, eh?

91

Enterprise

Keep a bead on the latest happenings in business-related tech.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

84

New Apps for Your Phone Some fun stuff for your smartphone.

86

Destination: Omaha, Nebraska

You gotta love the American Midwest.

89

Android Device Certification

70

Improve your Android experience.

Services to help you design the next big innovation.

94

104

Bits & Bytes

Tech and lifestyle news fresh from the source.

Accenture Liquid Studios

Sega Dreamcast

Sega’s last piece of hardware.

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5

PARADE

Sony A1E OLED TV

TVs are still the center of the home entertainment system, and for good reason: nothing is quite like being transported to a whole different world, right from the comfort of your couch. Sony once again elevates the home entertainment experience with the A1E series OLED TVs. The display, thanks to the 8 million self-illuminating pixels, produces deep blacks, and lifelike colors. Sony’s 4K X1 Extreme HDR Processor gives unmatched visuals as it is able to control every pixel on the self-emitting OLED panel. To match the visuals, Sony spent a lot of time and effort making a beautiful-looking TV. The panel is impossibly thin, with speakers hidden away behind the screen, for smooth, uninterrupted lines. Android provides more functionality than your average TV, so streaming services, browsing the Internet, and even games are all fair game for this gorgeous telly.

PHP 188,899 (55-inch)

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Pioneer DJ Interface 2 Audio Interface

The Interface 2 is a 2-channel audio interface that lets you use rekordbox dvs to scratch and control the digital music on your computer using any DJ setup. Wherever you choose to perform using Pioneer DJ products or other hardware, you can connect the Interface 2 quickly and simply to your equipment. It features LED lights to indicate signal flow and warn you about signal problems, and delivers club-standard sound quality thanks to its high-performance components. Licence keys for rekordbox dj and rekordbox dvs as well as two timecoded vinyl records are bundled with the Interface 2 so you can start scratching your digital tracks as soon as you unbox it. Sound-wise, it offers crystal-clear sound, supporting audio up to 96 kHz, it features a high-quality D/A converter, and the S/N ratio exceeds 110 dB, so it’s well suited for use in clubs.

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Acer Hello Kitty Limited Edition Laptop Notebook

Acer’s limited edition laptop themed after everyone’s favorite Sanrio property, Hello Kitty, is a super fan’s dream come true. From opening the box to powering the unit on, the limited edition laptop is a trip to Hello Kitty wonderland in itself. It comes in a pastel pink box adorned with Kitty White’s character, and cute floral and lace elements. The laptop comes in a pink and white body that pays homage to the character’s signature colors. The lid is clad with polkadots, with Hello Kitty sitting at the center, making sure to put anyone in a good mood before they get to work or play. It has a bright pink keyboard and Hello Kitty trackpad which is also decorated with the famous Sanrio character’s face. To cap off the Kitty wonderland experience, the adorable character also awaits to greet its users as soon as the notebook is powered on and once the laptop finishes the start-up. Though adorable-looking, the Hello Kitty Limited Edition notebook is highly capable and packs a mean punch too. It comes with up to eight hours of battery life to make sure users are covered for a full day out, Dolby audio-experience cinematic surround sound for working on that next big project or watching the latest TV series, the latest generation Intel Core processors and Iris graphics to make sure performance is at its best, up to 16 GB system memory, Precision Touchpad, and Acer BluelightShield which functions to reduce bluelight radiation from the screen.

PHP 45,999

Elecom M-IR07DRS

Wireless Infrared Mouse Among the ways known to man for increasing focus and productivity is heading to an unobtrusive location for getting some serious work down. This is why most of your nearby cafés are almost always packed with students filing in between classes.

When in an environment that requires silence, Elecom’s M-IR07DRS wireless infrared mouse is the device you’ll want at your disposal.

Perfect for use in places requiring minimal noise, this mouse comes with a built-in silent switch. But it boasts more than just silence. It also ships with a built-in power switch and infrared LED, allowing it to last as long as 2.5 years without needing to top up.

The M-IR07DRS also features a small and easily storable USB micro receiver for charging and connecting to mobile devices.

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Elecom M-DT1URBK DEFT Trackball Mouse

Gaming isn’t just about skills, you need to have the right gear to beat those in-game foes. For long hours of gaming, you will find no better companion than Elecom’s M-DT1URBK DEFT wired trackball mouse. Featuring built-in function buttons, including left, right forward and back buttons and a tilt wheel, this mouse promises seamless gameplay. On top of those, it also ships with a switch for adjusting pointer movement speed, a power switch for preventing battery drain, and a built-in indicator lamp that shows remaining battery life. It also has an index finger operation type wired trackball that delivers smooth performance. If you want to further your gaming experience, you can even change the button function assignment through the “Elecom Mouse Assistant,” which can be downloaded for free. Additionally, the M-DT1URBK DEFT’s ergonomic design prevents muscular and skeletal problems, comes with an excellent pointer response, and a gaming-grade highperformance optical sensor that detects trackball movement.

Elecom M-EG30 Egg Bluetooth Mouse

Elecom’s commemorative “egg mouse,’’ is incredibly lightweight and sports an attention-grabbing, egg-like design anyone with an eye for detail would appreciate.

Whether it be for playing games, crafting work presentations, finishing reports, or gallivanting across the Internet, you can easily stash this mouse in your bag along with your productivity machine and work on the go. Tipping the scales at just 30 g—its batteries included, the M-EG30 Egg Lightweight Bluetooth mouse is travelfriendly while still having the durability and performance of a regular mouse. Thanks to its fatigue-resistant and comfortable-in-hand design, users of the M-EG30 can work for longer hours too. Additionally, its battery can last for about two months on a single charge with its infrared LED for low-powered consumption and a built-in power switch that prevents battery drain.

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Polymax-10 Power bank

When it comes to power banks, it’s always better to have a little extra for your gadget, or for that next emergency. A high capacity one would be a wise choice.

The Polymax-10 offers 10,000 mAh of power and more.

As a Power Bank specially built for smartphones and tablets, it features an advanced smart technology that provides safe and voltage–regulated ultra-fast charging.

Portability is also prioritized with this model, with its slim profile complements joins its ultra-light 250g weight. For on-the-go people who are looking for extra power without too much bulk, the Polymax-10 is be a great choice.

Additionally, Polymax-10’s enhanced circuit design will never let you, nor your gadgets, down.

Promate Technologies ProVolta-21 Power bank

There are power banks that just do the job, and there are beasts that do a little extra. Promate Technologies’ ProVolta-21 is one of those beasts. Packing a 20,800 mAh lithium Ion Battery, the ProVolta-21 is able to store a massive amount of power.

To ensure that you get to maximize every drop of that juice, it features three ultra-fast USB ports for simultaneous three–device charging. With the amount of power packed in it, you’d think that it’d be heavy; fortunately, that isn’t the case. The power bank sports a lightweight and portable design to make sure it’s easy to carry around. Also safe and reliable, the ProVolta-21 features a fireproof ABS body, as well as short-circuit and over-charging protection.

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Epson WF-C20590 Multi-function printer

Inkjet printers have been with us for a long time, and for good reason. Compared to their laser counterparts, inkjets consume less power, emit less heat, and are far more durable. Laser printers trumped that with their speed, sure, but that has changed. Meet the WF-C20590. With Epson’s industry-leading inkjet technology, you get precise, sharp, durable prints at a rate of 100 pages per minute. The secret here is Epson’s linehead technology—a fixed print head with over 30,000 nozzles under which the paper travels.

This gives superb speed without compromising image quality and erasing whatever advantage laser had over inkjet. Power savings of up to 75 percent over laser, as well as fewer moving parts, keeping running and maintenance costs low.

Epson Workforce Pro wf-c869r Multi-function printer

A printer with no ink is a liability. Keep your business from the hassle of dry printers with the WF-C869R MFC. With the C869R, Epson gives you a printer that can go an amazing 86,000 pages in black, and 84,000 pages in full color between charges. Apart from the incredible ink capacity on this device, you get Epson’s legendary print quality, and fast output speeds of 35ppm at 4,800 x 1,200 dpi. With no warm-up time, fewer moving parts, and epic endurance, the printers guarantee lower costs, less waste, and more productivity. Couple this with such features as sending scanned images straight to email, or to the cloud for storage, and compatibility with different media, and you have a winner all around.

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JBL LSR305

Studio Monitor If you’re looking for a legendary 5-inch, two-way powered studio monitor, then look no further. JBL’s LSR305 is packed with all the features you’ll need. For the first time ever, the Image Control Waveguide originally built for the flagship M2 Master Reference Monitor is in now made available in the JBL’s compact reference monitor. Studio monitors just aren’t the same without JBL’s legendary transducers as they provide among the most impressive deep bass sounds and among the smoothest high frequency responses out in the market. Big power and big sound is what the studio monitor offers. If you’re looking for professional reliability, then you need think twice when considering the JBL LSR305.

Infinix Note 4 and Note 4 Pro Smartphone

Banking on cutting-edge technology and stylish design, the Note 4 series is set to disrupt the local smartphone market with its premium features and aggressive price tag. Infinix is top billing the phones’ “5-minute charge, 250 minutes talk” feature made possible through the company’s very own Xcharge 4.0 technology. With this integration, you can top up their respective 4300 mAh and 4500 mAh batteries in a jiff through low voltage and high efficiency.

On top of the 5-minute charge feature, the Infinix Note 4 and Note 4 Pro are also packed with features perfect for professionals and those in need of a capable daily driver. The phones run the latest Android 7.0 Nougat operating system layered with the Infinix UI XOS 2.3 for an upgraded user experience. The phones also parade a massive 5.7-inch Full HD display, 13 MP AF back with dual color LED Flash and 8 MP front shooters, octa-core 1.3GHz 64-bit processor, fingerprint sensor, 32 GB of onboard storage expandable up to 128 GB via micro SD slot, and 3 GBs of RAM. The Note 4 and Note 4 Pro come with virtually the same specs save for the battery capacity and the latter’s Xpen stylus. The Note 4 Pro’s Xpen enables users to take down notes, create shortcuts, and also sketch easily on the Xnote with precision.

PHP 8,999 (Infinix Note 4) (Infinix Note 4 Pro Price TBA)

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Moto C Plus Smartphone

Moto has something special for everyone who needs a simple, but capable phone that can last longer than a whole day out of the office.

The Moto C Plus packs a 4,000 mAh battery that lasts an astounding 30 hours between charging, keeping you from having to worry about where to find the nearest wall outlet. The Moto C Plus comes with a 5-inch HD display so you see photos and images in their full glory, and an 8 MP rear camera so you don’t leave any details out of your next snapshot. It runs a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor, 2 GB, and has 16 GB of internal storage—more than enough for use as a daily driver.

PHP 6,299

Moto Z2 Play Smartphone

One of the most interesting devices of recent memory was the Moto Z and its suite of modular accessories. Those who loved that device can now rejoice. The Z2 Play has arrived. The Z2 comes with a precision-crafted metal unibody that combines killer looks with toughness, a 5.5-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display that makes images, videos, and games jump right at you, and with all-day battery life, bolstered with quick charging that keeps it alive for 7 hours after a 15-minute charge, you can leave your battery anxiety at home with your powerbanks. Laser autofocus makes sure your shots are all on-point, and a wide-angle front lens makes sure everyone gets in on the selfie. All the previous Moto Mods are compatible with the new Z2, and more are on the horizon, so whether you want more battery life, better audio, a projector, or a powerful main snapper, the Z2 Play is just the ticket.

PHP 24,999

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Live it.

Love it.

Print it.

HP Inc. Philippines Introduces the Sprocket, its Newest and Smallest Photo Printer yet A brand known for producing some of the best devices in the market, HP Inc. is now introducing its newest, smallest, and hippest lifestyle printer yet: the Sprocket.

The Sprocket is a portable and pocket-sized printer that users can bring wherever, whenever. No matter what the occasion is, anyone can instantly snap and print by simply connecting the Sprocket to any smartphone via Bluetooth and its accompanying app.

At only 0.17 kg and 4.53 x 2.95 inches, the Sprocket is as compact as a typical smartphone, and is one of HP’s most lightweight devices. It goes hand-inhand with other tech essentials such as powerbanks and portable flash drives.

The Sprocket’s paper tray can carry 10 pieces of photo paper at one go and is rechargeable through a micro-USB that requires 90 minutes to fill up its battery. Charge and status light indicators are also visible at the left side portion of the device, alongside the reset and power button.

Aside from printing photos, this device also lets the users tweak photos through the HP Sprocket app. It is compatible with

both Android (v4.4 and later) and iOS (iOS v8.0 and later) smartphones, and is downloadable through the Google and App stores. It also supports a variety of formats including BMP, GIF, and JPEG, as well as TIFF for iOS devices which means any photo can be printed out with ease, whether grabbed online or taken straight from a phone camera.

In just 40 seconds, users can print quality colorful photos with the use of the HP ZINK® technology 2 x 3” photo papers that are smudge-proof and water and tear-resistant1. The ZINK® Technology feature uses zero ink and has crystals stored on each paper which can produce colors once heated. The photo papers also come with a peel-andstick back, perfect for crafting personalized items, gifts, or souvenirs.

“We at HP aim to encourage our users to reinvent the way they capture their experiences. Millennials today belong to a snap happy generation, where they can document their entire lives in just a click of a button. Through the Sprocket, we want them to hold onto those memories in the most convenient, mobile, and personal way,” says Pallasena Viswanath, HP Inc. Philippines Managing Director.

The Sprocket, which comes in black and white, is now available in the Philippines through Lazada and may be purchased directly at www.lazada. com.ph/hp-sprocket-official-store .

LS2 FF399 Valiant Motorcycle helmet

Safety should never take a backseat to comfort, but we can’t blame you if you hate how your current full-face leaves you gasping for breath in the humid tropical heat. If you want the safety of a full-face, but the comfort of a three-quarters helmet, there aren’t a lot of solutions. Sure, you could get a regular modular, but the giant chin bar really doesn’t lend itself to being ridden in the open configuration. LS2 has the answer though, and it’s gorgeous. The FF-399 is a polymer-shelled helmet that gives you the security of a full-face, and the comfort of a threequarters lid. It achieves this by creating a chin bar that swivels all the way around to the back of the helmet, while remaining safe and totally rideable. With a breathable, anti-bacterial inside liner, a drop-down sun visor, and color options including a matte gray, white, and black.

PHP 10,950

LG Q6

Smartphone Looking for a mid-range smartphone with flagship looks? LG has you covered with the Q6. This smartphone takes some of the best things from the G6 flagship and brings them down to the midrange market. the large 5.5-inch, FHD+ FullVision display with impossibly narrow bezels makes the Q6 the splitting image of its flagship G6 big brother. Its beauty isn’t just skin-deep though. With a 13MP main camera, octa-core processor, and 3GB of RAM, it’s more than capable of taking down daily tasks and then some. If you need a gorgeous device, but don’t want to live on ramen for the next year, here’s your answer.

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Cloudfone Excite Prime 2 Smartphone

The Excite Prime 2, sequel to Cloudfone’s “beast under 4k,” is competitively priced yet doesn’t dare sacrifice specs for its affordability. For starters, it features Android Nougat 7.0, 32GB of ROM, 3GB of RAM, LTE capability, and a 3,000mAH battery.

Surprised? It gets even better. Equipped with front and back 13MP and 8MP cameras that sport Sony’s IMX135 sensor, the Excite Prime 2 clearly doesn’t disappoint in the area of photo and video capture. Adding to the neat set of features are front and rear LED flash, a portrait mode featuring a bokeh effect, a Super Pixel Mode, and Face Beauty. Good Specs. Great Price. Great Value. What more can you ask for?

PHP 5,999

Dell Precision 7720 Laptop

Leading Dell’s newest additions to the Precision line of mobile workstations is the 7720, a 17-inch monster which is the company’s first VR-ready portable devices. It sports a 17.3-inch UltraSharp FHD IPS AG LED back-lit screen and an internal, dual pointing, back-lit keyboard. The 7720 runs on the latest Intel 7th generation processors, upgradeable to a 3.10 GHz, quad-core Xeon E3-1535M v6. Boosting its performance capabilities is a monstrous helping of RAM, up to 64 GB, working in tandem with a maximum of 16 GB VRAM via Nvidia’s Quadro video cards optimized for VR operation. The 7720 is offered with flexible storage options of up to a 1 TB SATA drive at 7200 rpm or a 512 GB SSD. Customers can avail up to three separate hard drives for the computer with RAID configurations.

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Wacom Bamboo Folio Smart Pad

Some of the best ideas start as scribbles on paper, but if you’ve ever spilled your coffee on your work of table napkin art, you’ll know the benefits of going pure digital. Get the best of both worlds with the Bamboo Folio Smartpad. The Folio combines the comfort and familiarity of scribbling on paper with the convenience of digital. Just whip the pad out, start your artwork with the included pen, and the accompanying app syncs your masterpiece with your mobile device for additional digital work later. Easy, painless, and natural. You can choose the paper you use, so you get just the right feel, and if your mobile isn’t handy, the Folio can store up to a hundred pages right on the device.

Wacom Mobile Studio Pro 16 Graphics Tablet

The arts demand tools fit for an artist, and of today’s digital art tools, no name is quite as well-known as Wacom. The brand, which makes some of the finest graphics tablets known to the industry has now come up with the Mobile Studio Pro, a full-on Windows-powered tablet that has Wacom’s legendary hardware. The Mobile Studio Pro 16 has a 15.6-inch screen with 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, tilt, and multi-touch capability, so you get an experience that’s as close to pen and paper as you can have. A sixth generation Intel processor, 8 or 16GB of RAM, and anywhere from an NVIDIA Quadro M600M graphics and 2GB GDDR5 to an NVIDIA Quadro M1000M with 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM. The Studio Pro come with either a 256GB or 512GB SSD for fast, reliable storage.

Starts at PHP 133,900

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Starmobile Evo1 VoLTE Phone

Mobile connectivity surges ever forward, and while we do enjoy improved mobile data services, voice calls are still more or less the same as they have been for years. Things have changed. With the Starmobile Evo1 and Smart, consumers now have access to Voice over LTE. The service allows better use of the LTE network to make and receive calls much faster and clearer than traditional cellular, and even data-based VoIP calls. Users can enjoy VoLTE once the caller and receiver both have VoLTE-enabled devices, and that’s where the EVO 1 comes in. Riding on 2G, 3G, and VoLTE, the device lets you reap the benefits of Smart’s VoLTE infrastructure for better mobile calls each time.

Doogee Mix Smartphone

It was only a matter of time. It didn’t seem to take too long for more manufacturers to knock the bezels off their devices. One of the latest smartphones to offer a device of this nature is Doogee and their gorgeous Mix. The star of this parade is a large 5.5-inch 1280 x 720, bezel-less display. In addition to this, Doogee has created the Mix with an aluminum alloy body, for durability and a distinctly premium feel, as well as a large 3,380 mAh battery. The heart of the device is a Mediatek Helio MT6757T shipset, and a quad-core ARM processor that ticks along at 850 MHz. Paired with 4 GB of RAM, you get a phone that’s as zippy as it is gorgeous. A 16 MP snapper and 5 MP selfie camera round off the spec sheet, but what might be the most astounding feature is the price.

PHP 11,995

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AKG K141 MKII Headphones

From design right down to the actual sound quality, the Harman AKG K141 MKII Professional semi-open studio headphones offer an even more advanced version to its iconic predecessor, the K141. All thanks to the the patented 30mm XXL transducers with Varimotion technology, the K141 MKII is able to fulfill every audiophile’s dream: higher sensitivity, a wide dynamic range, and excellent SPL. For comfort, the headphones feature gimbal–suspended leatherette, velvet ear cups, and a self-adjusting headband. Other features include a frequency bandwidth of 18 to 24000 Hz; Impedance of 55 Ohms; and a sensitivity of 114 dB.

Huawei Y5

Smartphone Going entry-level doesn’t mean you have to give up quality.

Huawei presents the 2017 iteration of the Y5. This dualsim smartphone has a 5-inch IPS display with a sharp pixel density of 294 PPI, Huawei’s Emotion UI 4.0 over Android 6.0 Marshmallow, 2 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of storage for all your daily needs. An 8 MP Main camera with auto-focus and dual-LED flash makes short work of snapshots, and LTE connectivity make sure you’re never out of reach.

PHP 5,895

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Torque Ego Surf i Smartphone

The affordable and compact Ego Surf i features Dual SIM and 3G support so you can always stay connected with your family and friends wherever you go. It boasts a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor with 1 GB of RAM to efficiently power up its every function and let you run multiple apps at the same time. It also includes 8 GB of internal storage, with support for 32 GB of extra storage via a microSD card. For shutterbugs, it carries a 5 MP rear- and 2 MP selfie-snappers. Additionally, the Ego Surf i has a 1300 mAh battery, and is available in black and gold.

PHP 2,499

ASUS Zenbook Flip S Laptop

The Computex 2017 d&i Award-winning ASUS Zenbook Flip S is the thinnest convertible laptop in the market today. At just 10.9 mm and weighing in at a hair over a kilo, the ultra-portable Flip S still manages to pack in a lot of computing power thanks to state-of-the-art components like the 0.3 mm-thin, liquid crystal polymer fan impeller cooling system. It runs on Windows 10 powered by the latest 7th generation Intel Core i7-7500 processor with 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB PCIe SSD storage. The Flip S features an innovative 360-degree ErgoLift hinge with a dual-action mechanism that lifts and tilts the keyboard to the user’s optimal typing position. The laptop can be upgraded to a 4K UHD multitouch NanoEdge display with active stylus support to allow users to achieve high productivity and interactivity. To make the laptop even more secure, the Flip S sports one of the smallest laptop fingerprint sensors, measuring just 16 mm by 3.6 mm, for instant onetouch sign-in via Windows Hello.

PHP 84,995 (13.3-inch FHD IPS, 512 GB SSD variant)

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GADGETS LAB

TCL C2 Reviewed by Mia Carisse Barrientos

In recent years, there has been a significant decline in TV consumption what with streaming services like Netflix becoming accessible to many through smartphones and high-speed internet connections. Though, at the end of the day, people would still find the idea of sitting back with their feet on the coffee table while enjoying some good ol’ TV viewing extra relaxing. Mix this familiar feeling with smart technologies so impeccably integrated into the television, you won’t ever want to leave home.

DESIGN

USER EXPERIENCE

VALUE

The TCL C2’s design is very straightforward; no gimmicks, just a neat, flat panel that looks good.

While a TV adorned with bells and whistles might gain market traction, many still go after visually uncluttered devices. Simple design means more time to appreciate the TV for what it truly is, which I can get behind. Even experts in the field agree that the C2 is an exemplary piece of tech. It’s a Red Dot Award winner for product design, need we say more?

Truth be told, why would you bother with anything else when you have virtually everything you need on your smartphone? With smart capabilities so seamlessly integrated into your TV, however, you’ll know why smart TVs are so popular.

The C2 as part of TCLs Cityline series caters to the medium-price segment. With its almost faultless picture quality, smart integration, immersive sound, and great design, the future is looking good with this one. Tagged with an SRP that won’t break the bank, you’ve got quite a deal with the C2.

This 4K UHD TV has a thin, aluminum bezel, making for generous screen real estate. A Harman Kardon speaker strip is beautifully melded below the screen to keep the design seamless. From the side, the C2 offers a slim profile with a slight protrusion towards the bottom to give room for various hardware. There’s not much to behold when you turn the device’s back to face you, save for ports concealed through a removable flap for an uncluttered look.

HARDWARE Moving away from its external features, the C2 has an even more attractive spec sheet. It flaunts an Ultra High Definition panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, and is boosted by HDR pro and Micro Dimming technologies for fine-detailed images and optimized, rich picture quality. To improve color reproduction, TCL infused the C2 with a Wide Color Gamut allowing it to deliver lifelike colors and just the right luminance to keep you comfortable even when on a nonstop binge session.

At its core is a quad-core processor and Android M making sure things run nicely. Being powered

by Android also means access to a wide range of Google services and functions including the Play Store, Music, Games, and more. Additionally, the set also comes with Chromecast built-in, meaning you can stream content from your phone to the TV anytime you please.

Connectivity-wise, the device is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled and comes with ports for HDMI, Aux, SPDIF, and USB. 26

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Getting my hands on the C2, I knew right off the bat that I would want this superior appliance in my living room. At start up, my eyes were immediately met by overwhelming clarity and punchy colors that had me convinced testing this TV would be loads fun. I wasn’t mistaken.

For this review, we mainly used its add–on Bluetooth remote with voice recognition to control the device, though it does come with a free remote. This element of the C2 is well thought out, even. Its buttons are nicely laid out and has a nice feel to them when pressed.

What stands out are its dedicated Netflix button that redirects you the app in a jiff and a ‘mouse’ button for navigating as you would on a PC. Its voice recognition accurately captures commands and can even identify Filipino. You would prefer using this if you find typing with its virtual keyboard tedious.

Pictures are well optimized, even HDR content, on the C2. I streamed Netflix original Cooked, which by the way has awesome cinematography, and music videos over Youtube and I found myself expressing out loud how colors come out so beautiful. The C2, through its various hardware, accurately renders pictures how content makers want them to appear: real and compelling. Rounding out the viewing experience, its Harman Kardon speaker strip naturally belted out immersive sound even with volume on the low. I’d confidently say there’s no need for further amplification.

If I had to nitpick, I had issues with viewing 360-degree content and Spotify took longer to load than expected. For the latter, it might have just been a problem with internet connection and not reading the manual for the former.

Specifications: Operating System: Android M Processor: quad-core Panel Type: Ultra High Definition (UHD), 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution Decoding: MPEG2/MPEG 4 Contrast Ratio: 4000:1 Functions: Netflix, GoLive, Chromcast Built-in, Google Play Store, Wi-Fi, USB PVR, Voice Search (via add on remote) Connectivity: HDMI/A/V IN/ Headphone Out/ SPDIF Out/USB/Bluetooth Audio: Harman Kardon Available in 49-, 55-, 60-inches What’s Hot: - Nice picture quality - Neat design - Great sound What’s Not: - You might have trouble loading content with slow internet connection

Bottomline C2? More like C U in my living room. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

LG K10 2017 Reviewed by Mia Carisse Barrientos

There’s a common trend in smartphones today: a unibody design. But to achieve this, manufacturers have let go of this one feature that makes smartphones appear bulky, which is removable batteries. This feature, however, is favored by many as you can just swap out a dead battery instead of buying a new handset.

Meanwhile, LG found a way to make their newest batch of K smartphones appear slim without removing this essential feature.

DESIGN At first glance, the LG K10 2017 looks like a smartphone with a unibody design. You’ll be genuinely surprised when you find a groove for popping the rear cover open right on the side.

Removing the plastic rear reveals the 2800 mAh battery, two slots for Nano SIM, and a slot for a microSD card. It also has rounded edges for a softer, sophisticated look

space. If otherwise, your phone will surely die on you.

Storage-wise, you have 16 GB—minus the roughly 6 GB for system data and more, so around 7 GB in reality—to fill out of the box.

But everyone enjoys great content as much as the next person does, so you’ll take delight in the K10’s storage expandability up to 64 GB via microSD card.

I’m very pleased with how this edition of the K10 looks and feels. Despite the removable battery feature and all-plastic body, LG managed to make this handset slim and premium-looking. The unit we got was black with thin copper lines on the sides and a bit more girth at the bottom. Ports and controls are all in their usual position except for its power/home button which is, in true LG fashion, located at the back just below the rear camera and LED flash.

It has a 13–MP, autofocus rear camera and a 5 MP up front for selfies. The rear camera does take decent photos in well-lit conditions, but picture quality suffers in areas with the lack of light. Its 5–MP front facing camera, meanwhile, renders photos with a lot of grain to them. You would take delight in its wide angle feature for groupies nonetheless.

The K10 2017’s 5.3–inch display is a beaut. It seamlessly blends with the black bezels that spills over the sides that flow smoothly into its 2.5D curved glass when the phone’s turned off. Equally, it looks great in use; not the sharpest display its class, responsive and bright nonetheless.

The phone ships with the latest Android 7.0 Nougat OS running it, and is overlaid with LGs own skin. I’m not a fan of how it looks and there is some bloatware in the package as well. Honestly the phone can do without the skin and a few preinstalled apps, but these features may be others.

Navigation is smooth and things are simply laid out so you’ll easily find what you’re looking for where you are supposed to find them.

HARDWARE Powering this version of the K10 is an octa-core Mediatek processor that clocks in at 1.5 GHz paired with 2 GBs of RAM. I wasn’t really expecting much from this processing combination but I still installed the quite graphics-intensive Last Day on Earth: Survival on the phone. To really test its power, I set the graphics to highest and opened other apps to run in the background while playing. It remarkably didn’t crack, and I was able to play without running into any problems.

This might have something to do with the phone being new and basically empty. It was truly quite impressive, though. Should you want to fill it with games and other apps which use up a lot of memory, make sure to leave enough breathing

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USER EXPERIENCE

Meanwhile, its 2800 mAh battery was able to endure just under half a day of playing games, browsing the net, scrolling through your Facebook feed, among other tasks. Do know that it has a battery saver feature that will allow you to get more life out of it in case you’re caught in a critical moment with an almost dead batt.

Bottomline A head-turning smartphone able to deliver impressive performance does not have to cost an arm and a leg.

Specifications: Dimensions: 148.7 x 75.3 x 7.9 mm Weight: 144 g Processor: 1.5 GHz octa-core Mediatek Display: 5.3-inch, HD RAM: 2 GB Storage: 16 GB, expandable Cameras: 13 MP main- and 5 MP front-camera Battery: 2800 mAh What’s Hot: - Ergonomic design - Removable battery

What’s Not: - Cameras can be better

VALUE For its sub PHP 10k SRP—PHP 8,990 to be exact— you get a great–looking phone that is LTE-enabled, has good processing power, Android 7.0 Nougat-run, and carries the trusted LG marquee.

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sensitive information because their files are hosted on their own storage center. Other applications are media management apps with tagging and librarybuilding functions that allow better organization of files, and a download center that supports active download queues even when all users are away.

Thanks to the DS1517+’s super-fast file transfers, it’s much easier to share files between co-workers.

Couple that with a smartly designed, browser-based UI and you have yourself a winner.

VALUE

Synology DiskStation DS1517+ Reviewed by Robby Vaflor

It’s pretty hard to get someone excited over a box (unlike what Action Jack Barker from Silicon Valley will have you think); but Synology managed to do so with the DS1517+.

DESIGN Like I said, it’s a box; but it’s a really nice box. It’s made with a mix of brushed metal and matte, hard plastic all coated in a nice black. The front has two large bevels that taper to the sides, and each of the five bays are easily accessible. The light indicators are actually bigger than usual (which I appreciate) and are easy to understand. All the ports are easy to find at the back. What the issue is with a lot of NAS devices out there is that they’re so intimidating to use, and the folks at Synology remedy that by giving people a straightforward product that can be used by anyone from freelance photographers to medium business owners and startups. Everything you need is there, purposely marked for your convenience. And the fact that it allows modular extensions like extra racks (up to 10 more bays) and a PCIe slot for M.2 SSD cache support just speaks highly of this product’s minimalism in design and utility in function.

HARDWARE The keyword for the DS1517+ is speed. It carries an Intel Atom C2538, 64-bit processor with four cores clocking 2.4 GHz and is supported by an AES-NI hardware encryption engine. It has two memory slots which comes pre-installed with either 2 GB or 8 GB DDR3 of RAM which can be upgraded to 16 GB total. This translates to really fast performance, providing a sequential throughput of 1,165 mbps read speed and 527 mbps write speed with a

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RAID 5 configuration and 10 Gigabit Ethernet linkaggregation enabled.

The DS1517+ has five drive bays with support for 3.5- and 2.5-inch SATA HDDs, as well as 2.5” SATA SSDs with a maximum internal raw capacity of 10 TB. This gives users the ability to have a maximum of 50 TB of storage with various RAID configurations. With two, five-bay expansion units, this capacity is tripled to 150 TB. However, the DS1517+ allows a maximum single volume size of 108 TB. It has support for a wide range of drives from different manufacturers. In terms of connectivity, it has four RJ-45 1 GbE LAN ports with link aggregation and failover support, four USB 3.0 ports and two eSATA ports.

Now, the only hiccup in the DS1517+’s perfection is that that perfection comes with a higher price tag than the average in its class, but only slightly higher. It also has to be noted that since Synology does not create their own hard drives, there are no package deals that would include even one disk drive. That being said, at PHP 46,500, you’re getting great value with quality parts that form a quality product with quality add-ons.

Bottomline The only difficult thing I had to do when I reviewed the DS1517+ was to part with it. There’s a cube-shaped hole in my heart now.

Specifications: Processor: Intel Atom C2538, 64-bit Quad-core 2.4 GHz AES-NI Hardware Encryption Engine Encryption RAM: 2 or 8 GB DDR3 RAM, expandable up to 16 GB Drives: 5 drive bays, support for expansion units up to 10 extra bays Storage: 50 TB maximum internal raw capacity 150 TB maximum raw capacity with internal units Connectivity: 108 TB maximum single volume size 4 RJ-45 GbE LAN ports 4 USB 3.0 ports 2 eSATA ports Gen2 x8 PCIe expansion slot with M2D17 SSD adapter card What’s Hot: - Great accompanying software - Highly expandable - Fast data transmission

USER EXPERIENCE I’m not sure what else there is to say, except for that I loved using the DS1517+. This is primarily because of Synology’s packaged disk management software.

The company went above and beyond by providing their customers a better user experience and value for money by including downloadable, browserbased apps that turns the UI into a one-stop collaboration and file management tool.

What’s Not: - Not applicable. It’s frigging awesome.

Some of Synology’s available applications include an office application that gives multiple users live collaboration capabilities for their spreadsheets, and word documents. Compared to cloud-based ones, this is much better for workplaces that deal with

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Sony Xperia XA1 Reviewed by Robby Vaflor

The XA1 brings back the “ol’ reliable” feel reminiscent of its Walkman phones of old, with a solid build, a better-than-most camera and great audio.

DESIGN And when I say reminiscent, I really mean it. The XA1 possesses modern-day smartphone sleekness and unites that with decades of Sony phone heritage, creating a great-looking, standout that looks like it could take a beating if it had to. It’s mostly made of semi-glossy plastic with metal accents including a round power button. And in a world dominated by long, elliptical or rectangular buttons, a metal circle breaking the monotony of flatness is just so refreshing. Before I get too carried away over a button, the phone is available in white, black, gold, and pink: all equally pretty, but I prefer the white.

The phone is 8 mm thin and 145 mm tall. Sony’s legendary design is evident in this phone with the seals between separate parts smartly placed to add definition, and the beveled screen put in the center of two strips of white. Considering what you have to pay for the phone and other phones in its class, the XA1 certainly looks more youthful, and more clearly thought out than a lot of its competitors.

HARDWARE The XA1 runs on a MediaTek Helio P20, 64-bit processor with eight cores—four clocking 2.3 GHz and four clocking 1.6 GHz—running on Android Nougat. Storage-wise, it has 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB eMMC internal storage which can be expanded with 256 GB more via a microSDXC card. It supports two SIM cards with one Nano SIM slot. Its display is a little less optimal with a 5-inch 720p screen, but makes use of Sony’s Image Enhance Technology. Having said that, a 720p screen paired with a 2300 mAh battery will stretch usage for the long haul—and it does.

The XA1’s main shooter is a 23-megapixel 1/2.3inch Exmor RS mobile image sensor with hybrid autofocus and a low-light maximum ISO setting of 6400. The sensor is attached to a 24 mm wide-angle f/2.0 lens with 5x clear image zoom and Sony SteadyShot. The front camera is an 8-megapixel 1/4-inch Exmor R mobile image sensor with a maximum ISO setting of 3200. The sensor is fitted to 23 mm wide-angle f/2.0 lens with Sony SteadyShot as well.

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In terms of sound, the phone makes use of Sony technologies like xLOUD and Clear Audio+ which greatly enhance audio quality even when you’re just streaming content online. It supports Stereo Recording and Bluetooth 4.2 with aptX and A2DP audio codecs. In terms of connectivity, the phone’s main port is USB Type-C, and can also connect to devices via Google Cast or NFC.

USER EXPERIENCE For what it is, the XA1 is a great mid-range phone that’s perfect for commuters like myself who love taking snaps of everything. The long battery life and sturdy build are perfect for the long days of a Metro Manila commuter. The main camera, which you would usually see in higher priced phones, captures well even in low-light environments. The front camera does the job well too.

In terms of the display, a lot of people may take offense that a phone at this price range would still have a 720p screen, but I don’t mind it that much.

It’s quite a clear display thanks to Sony-quality hardware and software, and considering how awful internet connectivity is in the Philippines, 720p is pretty much the max resolution I can continuously view a video without letting it buffer.

For the most part, the XA1 performs well, and coupled with Sony’s well-designed UI with great built-in apps (including the super fun AR camera), the phone was a joy to use. However, it may require users to constantly close multiple apps as it does slow down a bit under heavy use..

VALUE

Specifications: Display: 5.0-inch IPS LCD, 720 x 1280, Corning Gorilla Glass OS: Android 7.0 Chipset: MediaTek MT6757 Helio P20 Processor: Octa-core 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53, 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 Storage: 32 GB, microSD up to 256 GB RAM: 3 GB RAM Main Camera: 23 MP f/2.0 24mm rear Front Camera: 8 MP f/2.0 23mm Connector: USB 2.0, Type-C 1.0 Battery: 2300 mAh battery with Qnovo Adaptive Charging What’s Hot: - Excellent rear camera - Great packaged apps - Good battery life What’s Not: - Tends to slow down a bit

For PHP 15,990, you’re getting a phone that bears the Sony name with pride. While it has its flaws, you are getting a lot of phone for your money.

Bottomline The Sony Xperia XA1 is a great traveller’s phone with an excellent main camera and great audio quality.

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Transcend Drivepro Body 20 Reviewed by Ren Alcantara

If a picture paints a thousand words, then Full HD video at 30 FPS should paint 1,800,000 words per minute. In a world where criminal elements come in all shapes, forms, and attire, it wouldn’t hurt to have some video evidence to back your story up. Meant primarily for security and police personnel, the Transcend Drivepro Body 20 is a body camera that’s meant to be kept on your person, recording at all times, just in case.

DESIGN The Body 20 is a reasonably small device that measures in at roughly 3.5 x 2 x .75 inches. Tipping the scales at 88 grams, it’s also light enough to be worn unobtrusively on your uniform, jacket, or vest with no problem. The design is simple, as it should be. There are two buttons, one to power the unit on and start recording, and another to take a snapshot while the device rolls. The only other features of note on the outside of the device are the large camera lens, a microphone, the indicator light, and the 3.5mm charging/data port at the bottom. It’s perfect in its simplicity, and should take minimal training to use.

HARDWARE Apart from the f/2.8 160-degree camera, the Body 20 has 32GB of internal, non-expandable storage, a large 1530mAh li-ion battery, and Wi-Fi direct connectivity to pair with a smartphone. The shell is IPX4 rated for water ingress and shock, so no special cases are necessary for adverse weather conditions. In the box, along with the device itself, are a charging cable, wall charger, and a holder to clip the camera to yourself—everything you need to document a shift.

USER EXPERIENCE Easy to use is an understatement with this device.

Pick it up, clip it on, and press the big center button, and you’re good for 3.5 hours of full HD video recording at 30 FPS. The 160-degree wide angle lens allows the camera to easily capture a wide field in front of it, so you don’t miss any of the action as long as you are facing it, even just roughly. We expected sharp HD video, and we did get it, but we were also pleasantly surprised with the quality of the audio it captured. Conversations and ambient sounds came through clearly in the

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footage, so you’re assured not only of images, but clarity in the accompanying sound as well.

Should you need a little more functionality, or a way to see just what the device is recording, you can download the companion app on your phone, which lets you stream footage from the camera to your mobile device. There is a bit of lag, but the latency is more than good enough to aim the camera or possibly moitor what’s going on in front of the camera from a remote location. The same DrivePro app lets you review recorded videos on your phone without having to transfer files to a laptop or desktop, in case you need access to the footage immediately. It’s quite straightforward, and should be simple enough to use for even the least tech-oriented out there.

During testing, we did manage to get around the 3.5 hours of recording promised, all in glorious full HD, though without OIS, we weren’t going to be shooting feature-length films with it quite yet. Still, it’s plenty for use as evidence, and the additional functionality of being able to take a snapshot while recording footage came in handy in more than one pretend scenario of chasing down a perp.

Specifications: Dimensions: 88.4mm × 52.2mm × 19.4mm (3.48” x 2.06” x 0.76”) Weight: 88 g (3.1 oz) Lens: F/2.8, 160° wide angle Microphone: Built-in Resolution/Frame Rate: Full HD (1920x1080) / 30fps Video Format: H.264 (MOV: up to 1920x1080 30fps) Storage Capacit :32GB internal memory Connection Interface: USB 2.0 Battery Type: Li-Polymer 1530mAh Output: DC 5V 2A IP Rating: IPX4

What’s Hot: - Easy to use - Great battery life - Clear video and audio

What’s Not: - Strange charging setup

Another thing we appreciated was the inclusion of the mounting accessries in the box. A device that’s meant to be worn has body fit issues to deal with, and whie basic, the kit was more than enough to make the unit work with varied clothing setups.

VALUE At a converted price of about PHP 9,500, the DrivePro Body 20 is quite an investment. Still, it’s a worthy one.

With more power than a regular action camera, a simple interface, and a tough shell, it’s a purpose-built device that should serve well under the conditions for which it was meant. It’s hard to put a price on security, but if you could, this is more than reasonable.

Bottomline If you’re serious about using footage as evidence, this is the way to do it.

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PHOTO FEATURE

SONY BRAVIA A1 OLED

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COVER STORY

Words by Gadgets Team Art by Jael Mendoza

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MOBILE DEVICES Words by Ren Alcantara

Come on. Be honest. You can recall a time when all the clothing was drab, had pockets, and the cool boys were sporting frosted tips. It’s okay, we were there too. It was a wonderful time to be alive, and technology was right alongside us. The 2000s saw a boom in a lot of things, among them the widespread use of SMS, new wireless technologies, and mobile data. Let’s take a look back at 17 years of what might not be the best, but are certainly the most interesting mobile devices of the past 17 years.

2000

Around the time we hadn’t begun to regret jamming to Creed’s “Higher,” Nokia was, without a doubt, king of the mobile phone hill. This was also the year Nokia’s legendary 3310 hit the market, setting the stage for tales of durability until now unheard of. A handy 133-gram candybar phone with a five-line monochrome display, the 3310, arguably the perfection of the basic phone, also had removable shells to suit your style needs.

It has recently been resurrected and updated, absolute proof that it’s indestructible.

2001

Around the time people were still scouring Napster for music downloads, Siemens released the SL45, a mobile phone that was capable in its own right, but had an impressive trick up its sleeve. The SL45 was the first commercially available phone that could play music. Sure, you had to use the included headphones, thanks to a proprietary connector, and yeah, 32 MB isn’t a lot of storage, but at a time when the options were either a discman or mini-disc player, being able to listen to music on a device you always had anyway was a huge boon, foreshadowing things to come.

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2002

Sometime between 2001 and 2002, something big happened in the world of mobile phones.

Screens, which previously were LCD panels, started to give way to full-color. The phone to have was Nokia’s 7650, which is part of its fashion line of devices. Along with a slick, sliding formfactor, 4096-color display, and .3 MP main camera, the 7650 had 4 MB of RAM, and 16 MB of storage.

It was interesting, capable, and gorgeous. Even now, you can expect to pay a pretty penny to get yourself a working specimen.

2003

Along with broader availability of mobile data, we could much better work outside the office. As such, certain brands rose to fill the void created by the increased business mobility. While Blackberry didn’t quite have the same impact here as it did overseas, we had Palm. In 2003, they released what might have been their best device, the Treo 600. This Palm’s OS was the logical combination of Personal Digital Assistant (still a thing back then) and mobile phone. It kept your schedule, let you browse the Internet, send email, and open documents, all on top of mobile phone capabilities. If you think it sounds a lot like a current-generation mobile device, you wouldn’t be wrong.

The Palm Treo even had a stylus for handwriting input and precise screen

taps on the resistive touchscreen. With 32 MB of RAM and 24 MB of expandable storage, this was a clear precursor to the smartphone of today.

2004

The year Casey Kasem gave up American Top 40 hosting duties to Ryan Seacrest, and Return of the King was on, we got what was the most coveted mobile phone of its era, the Motorola RAZR V3. Correctly pronounced “razor,” it lived up to its name. In a world where mobile phones were mostly thick candybars, the RAZR was an impossibly thin, exceedingly gorgeous phone, with a beautiful metal keypad and useful secondary screen. It was so beautiful that despite a few shortcomings with the interface (Nokia was still the king here), it sold enough units to become the best selling clamshell phone in history. I’ll be honest. If I had one now, I might actually still use it. It still cuts quite a profile to this day.

2005

In 2005, just as Craig Ferguson was taking over duties on the Late Late Show, Sony Eriscsson released the K750. The main gimmick of this particular SE mobile phone was that it had a back panel meant to look like a digital camera. The rear of the phone had a sliding panel behind which was the

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2 MP main camera and a small selfie mirror. It also used the Memory Stick PRO standard for storing media, and could serve as a music player along as a backup snapper. It was not a bad phone, and for its time, not a bad camera as well, leading it to sell millions of units globally, and keeping Sony Ericsson up near the top of the mobile phone market.

2006

At this point in time, Nokia was still more or less leading the mobile phone industry, consistently selling millions upon millions of devices to consumers all over the globe. 2006, however, saw another player start to fight its way into the game.

Samsung, large in other industries, but nowhere near the goliath Nokia or Sony Ericsson was, released the SGH-900.

This diminutive little basic slider had 60 MB of storage, with the option for a microSD, a 3.15 MP main camera, and little else wasn’t much at the time, but a convenient size, quad-band connectivity, and a hands-free function, along with MP3 ringtones, made it reasonably popular. It’s eerie looking back at the company and seeing them rise to where they are now. This might be the start of that trend.

2007

Nokia started a new line of devices this year, and the N95 was one of the stars of that show.

Running the Symbian OS, the phone gave a huge screen up front that slid upwards to reveal a keypad underneath, similar to the 7650 we saw earlier. A 332 MHz Texas Instruments OMAP processor, 160 MB of system memory, and microSD expandability made this phone look a lot more like the phones we have today, though a little larger and clunkier than the smartphone you have now. It was beautiful in its utility, powerful, and gave multimedia capabilities that weren’t widespread at the time—all ingredients for a winning device.

A phone you might have expected to see here is the original iPhone, which completely changed the game. We do, however, have a whole Apple CoverStory this month, so head on over there to see it!

2008

The arrival of the iPhone and the change it brought to the phone industry was starting to ripple through the world. Quietly, in the background, there was another player gaining www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

ground. HTC, not far into the past a mere OEM, had started to venture into their own devices.

The HTC Touch Diamond was one of their devices, and at the time, one of the best Windows Mobile devices available. It had the popular slider design, which worked with a very satisfying snap, a beautiful body, and features that were in-line with the best devices the market had at the time. A 538 MHz ARM processor, 192 MB of RAM and 4 GB of storage gave it a lot of power.

This was one of the phones I really truly loved, and to this day, I remember it fondly.

2009

Smartphones as we know them now were more and more becoming the norm. Feature phones always had a place in the market, but the smartphone was to be king, and everyone knew it. Released late in 2008-early 2009 depending on where you were, HTC’s Dream brought to the world what would be a giant in the mobile space: Android. The device, which had a 528 MHz processor, 192 MB of RAM (does that sound familiar?), and up to 16 GB of removable storage was the first commercially available device to run the Android OS. The playing field was set, and it wasn’t long before it was a two-pony race with Android and iOS.

2010

As House M.D. and Grey’s Anatomy were winning awards, Samsung, once a quiet player content with making a name for itself with common slide phones, or other more unique designs, launched the first in what would be a wildly successful line of mobile devices, the Galaxy S. More or less the Android iPhone, the Galaxy S was the flagship that Samsung bet on. With solid specs, loads of connectivity, and a large screen, it was the start of the “Samsung Boom” that would carry over more or less at the top of Android devices from the S2 to today’s S8. This was seven years ago now. Take a moment to drink that in.

for their very competitively priced mobile devices, and setting the stage for others such as OnePlus, Vivo, and Oppo to follow suit. Smartphones were the norm. Android, iOS, Windows Mobile, and Blackberry were all still around, though the power was clearly skewed to the first two. Blackberry in particular was starting to have some problems, and while it was still popular in the US thanks to the messenger service, and deep compatibility with business infrastructure, it didn’t have quite that same presence elsewhere.

2013-present

We could go on yearly, but we’re willing to bet technology from these years is still quite fresh in your minds, so here’s a quick rundown to get us all caught up. Things have changed a lot, and not at all. Nokia has come and gone, and is set to come back again. Windows Mobile has all but flatlined, and the race is really only between Apple and Google. Google’s own mobiles have made waves, though more with “hardcore” users than the common consumer, while Samsung continues to take the smartphone market, even with the issue of exploding Galaxy Note devices. Phablets were a thing for a short while, until every smartphone became a phablet, and tablets have been relegated to niche spaces. While edge-to-edge displays and bezel-less phones are all hot right now, we’re still all waiting for the next big thing to flip the smartphone world on its head. Some say wireless charging, others say dual cameras, yet others say VR. At this point, it seems like we’re caught up with the best technology has to offer, but we wait with bated breath to see what we have lined up next.

Seventeen years might be a long time, but we have so much more to go.

2011

Android was in full swing come 2011. Samsung continued its dominance of the Android market with the S2, with other budget android models following suit. Other brands had fallen away, or allied themselves with Google, and while Nokia was still around, volumes were down significantly on their Symbian devices, owing to user expectations from a mobile phone, and the Windows Mobile gambit was still one they were waiting on.

2012

New players started to make their impact. Xiaomi, with a massive following in China, started to break out into the rest of the world, getting attention AUGUST 2017

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A LOOK AT APPLE'S PIVOTAL MOMENTS Words by Gerry Gaviola

The story behind the tech behemoth isn’t all unicorns and rainbows. Like every success story is a history of struggles and conflicts that dared derail Apple from their path to success. Facing initial defeat, a plethora of failures, and a series of sales flops, the success of Apple seemed very unlikely. But by sheer will and persistence, the fact that we see Apple’s logo in all corners of the globe, tells it all. Here, we take a look at pivotal moments in Apple’s Timeline. connected them to the Pope. Despite their playful behavior, the two were brilliantly gifted. Wayne, on the other hand, acted out as the company’s arbiter. He was tasked to create the company’s first logo, and handle the business side of the trio’s first partnership agreement with The Byte Shop, which initially placed 50 orders. Feeling shadowed by intellectual savants, and at the same time fearing financial loss, Wayne later withdrew his share of 10 percent just 12 days after the company was founded. In today’s economy, his share would amount to billions.

Beating the odds: a humble yet rocky beginning

The beginnings of Apple would sound like a joke to many, and for some, a tech fairytale. The year was 1976, the day, April fool’s. Two college dropouts in their 20s, seemingly ahead of themselves, alongside 40-year-old Ron Wayne, tested the first Apple I computer in the garage of Steve’s childhood home, thus sparking the creation of the Apple computer company.

The two youngsters, Jobs and Wozniak, were notorious for orchestrating pranks and tech hacks, one of which allowed them to make long distance calls for free, with one that almost

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Nearing the year’s end, Mike Markkula, a chip industry veteran, collaborated with Jobs in writing a business plan. Makkula predicted a sales of 500-million USD in the next 10 years.

In the year 1977, Jan Mike Markkula became Apple’s chairman, while Michael Scott, Markkula’s former co-worker from National Semiconductor, was invited to sit as Apple’s CEO. With Scott as the CEO, Apple was able to hit a decent ground with a solid corporate infrastructure. Apple’s USD 666 Apple I successor, the new Apple II was then launched, the first personal computer in a plastic enclosure that featured colored graphics. Made for the mass market, the Apple II had huge appeal, mainly due to its all-in-one package that included

a power supply, colored features, and a standard keyboard.

Ups and downs: a roller coaster ride In the year 1980, the company’s employee count grew to about 1000. Going public, Apple became the largest IPO company, surpassing Ford’s top IPO records.

With a valuation of around 1.8 billion USD, more than 30 of Apple’s employees become instant millionaires.

However, stocks don’t say it all. In the same year, Apple’s supposed flagship computer, the Apple III, flops due to serious reliability issues.

Competition was always there, but was never as strong as the threat IBM posed. In the year 1881, IBM introduced the PC, while Apple’s supposed next generation computer, Lisa, faced shipping delays. Although IBM’s PC sported less than impressive specs, the product faced good www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

audience reception. Within two year, IBM’s market share eclipsed that of Apple’s.

LaserWriter Plus to render documents for a lower cost, when compared to traditional equipment.

And if you thought Apple’s lows stopped from there, then you’d be wrong. Apple fired 40 employees during that year’s “Black Wednesday.”

Heading to another direction

Banking on the success of the iMac, Apple launched a similarly designed iBook. Featuring diferent colors and a translucent design, the iBook looked and felt like a smaller and portable

Ever wonder how Apple’s first handheld device did? Surprisingly, it was a miss for the Cupertinobased company. In 1993, Apple’s first handheld device debuts, the Newton Message Pad. It fails miserably due to its lousy handwriting recognition. Sculley ends his tenure the same year.

iMac. Following the booming Wi-Fi craze the iBook also featured an optional AirPort Card.

The year 1983 came, and what seemed like a promising computer, left many disappointed. A heavy USD 9,995 pricetag, slow performance, and troublesome compatibility issues caused the launch of Lisa to flop, with only 100,000 units sold.

With flop after flop, and business that seemed to be going downhill, Steve sought leadership from outside the company. “Do you want to sell sugar water for the rest of your life, or do you want to come with me and change the world?” Steve Jobs lured John Sculley, then president of Pepsi-Cola, to lead Apple as the president and CEO. Convinced with Job’s proposal, John Sculley joined in.

A fixed focus on consumers and professionals

In 1984, Apple launched its personal computer, with it, was a dark commerical based on George Orwell’s ‘1984’ novel. Some interpreted the commercial as Apple’s way of discouraging the market to conform to the “Big Brother” (speculated as IBM). The year after, of what many consider an unfortunate occasion, Steve Jobs resigns from Apple due to a power struggle with Sculley and the company’s board of directors.

Apple moves on.

Directed towards professionals, 1986 proved to be year for desktop publishing. Graphic artists, publishers, and printers were given the option to use Aldus PageMaker, the Mac Plus, and

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In the years ahead, Apple controlled its aggression and looked in the direction of partnerships. The saying “don’t build walls, build bridges” applied to Apple’s philosophy in the next steps it took. In 1991, IBM agrees on a partnership with Apple to create computers that utilized Motorola’s RISC-based processor, the PowerPC. In the same year, Apple introduced the Powerbook 100, its first hit portable computer.

In 1994, the first Power Macs are shipped. With just a decade of the 8 MHz Mac 128k, Apple launched new PowerPC based 60 MHz models that were also able to sustain backwards compatibility. In the same year, in an event similar to Apple easing up to IBM, the first Mac License was granted, allowing Apple to boost its market share by permitting third party vendors to create Macs aka clones.

1998 was the year the iMac resuscitated Apple from its ill fate. Designed by Jony Ive, and the first consumer product since Steve Job’s return to the company as interim CEO, the translucent iMac brought color and financial stability to the previously troubled company.

The king returns

In 2000, the king of Apple finally returned. Steve Jobs once again became the CEO of Apple. From there on, almost every major release made a global mark. From there on, Jobs disrupted the market with the products we know oh so well today. There’s 2001s first iPod, with 5 GB of hard drive storage that held 1,000 MP3. 2007 iPhone that changed the world. The Macbook Air, the App Store, iTunes, the iPad—all of these came with the return of Jobs.

In 2011, Jobs passed away. Although we attribute much of Apple’s success to his brilliant mind, his legacy continues with Apple’s creations.

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FITNESS AND TECHNOLOGY THROUGH THE YEARS Words by Mia Carisse Barrientos

The father of aerobics, Doctor Kenneth Cooper, once said “we do not stop exercising because we grow old—we grow old because we stop exercising.” Regular exercise is the single most important way to improve our quality of life; it is one of the secrets to living a long, healthy life and we couldn’t agree more. The benefits of exercising go beyond just achieving a fit body. In more ways than one, it reduces the risks of you acquiring various diseases, boosts your mood, improves your memory, increases your body’s strength and flexibility, just to name a few. Given this context, we have gone leaps and bounds to make exercising accessible and as well integrated in our everyday lives.

The truth is, however, most people would shun the idea of exercising. Because, why would you go out of your way to bust moves when you can just use that time to binge shows on Netflix, read a book, or better yet, sleep? But the good news is, thanks to the brilliant minds and the advancement of technology, fitness is now just within arm’s reach—literally.

Working out in the living room

Visiting gym chains in the 80s and 90s was the easiest choice when wanting to engage in some

on weekends. But for people wary of leaving the comforts of home, fitness TV shows and video cassette tapes were godsend. These allowed people to follow along sweat-breaking moves at their own pace and without having to shell out for costly gym membership fees.

toning leg curl machines and pulley machines for the arms, to resistance tools for strengthening your body. These might have done wonders for some, but were stowed away in the attic after first use for a few.

Fitness icons were also on the rise this period.

Tae Bo (taekwondo and boxing) and Jazzercise, anyone? Who would dare not emulate these people when you get pumped just by looking at them?

motivated workout. You get to spot and burn fat alongside gym rats clad in the most fabulous neon, skin-tight unitard-over-pants combination, legwarmers, and forehead embracing band.

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The fitness craze wouldn’t be complete without the many compact exercise equipment that took over home shopping networks. If you see anything you like, you just have to phone in and choose whatever payment option is most practical. These multi-use trainers for the home go from ab-sculpting machines like ab crunchers and ab ‘butterfly’ electro muscle stimulators, limbwww.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

laid out in the pad according to the arrows that roll out from the screen. Speed of the flashing arrows depend on the music chosen by the player.

The game will also calculate your rank based on arrows caught and missed—if you fail to stomp on the right arrows consecutively, you will be booted from the round. Nintendo also made use of an add-on apparatus for the Wii Fit Exercise Games, which is an aptly-sized plastic slab named Balance Board. Through the game and its peripheral, you can do physical exercises such as yoga, strength training, aerobics, and more, plus calculate your body mass index (BMI). These two pioneered video games that encourage fitness, and development in this space saw more types of exercises adapted into games in recent years.

Come the current decade, the accessibility of the internet along with the proliferation of smartphones was a cue for fitness shows and workout DVDs to take a bow. New channels in which fitness personalities and enthusiasts can share their passion have sprung up like mushrooms, making it easy for anyone with an internet-connected device to get into shape without the need to pay subscription fees.

Marriage of technology and exercise

People like to have fun, and technology was able to amplify this through video games. Combine this with exercise and you have a combination that’s bound for success. This was exactly the case for the PlayStation version of Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) and Nintendo’s Wii Fit Exercise games of the early 2000s. More than the new experience, what made these games extra appealing is the fact that you get to lose unnecessary pounds while letting loose. DDR for its PlayStation version allowed players to play via controller or a dedicated dance pad. This tested the stamina and foot-eye coordination of many as the gameplay requires its players to stomp arrows

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YouTube is one of the many known platforms you can search for easy-to-follow exercise videos, while there are fitness-centric apps you can download for free via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. These apps can usually register the steps you take, keep track of your sets and reps, count calories, and feature exercise demos with intensity increasing as you progress by the day.

For those who need to be in a group to be motivated to move, buffet-style fitness subscription apps like GuavaPass and KFit are the answer. These apps, that came about just recently, will charge you for a month of unlimited booking of classes with its many partner fitness establishments that offer physical activities

such as yoga, pilates, kickboxing, crossfit, circuit training, dance, boxing, among others. What’s more is you could actually still use your account when you go out of the country—as long as the apps are supported where you are travelling to.

Fitness trackers: optimizing even the most basic forms of exercises

The most basic form of exercise is walking. No frills involved, just you and your feet going places. Let’s face it, not everyone’s keen to go out of their way and do strenuous physical activity. To encourage humankind to get on their feet and start walking, fitness trackers were born. This tech you wear on your wrist—and sometimes integrated into fitness wear such as shoes—help optimize your daily exercise routine by analyzing, recording, and giving you access to the steps you’ve taken.

Having this information conveniently stored and updated as you move on your paired smartphone succeeds in motivating you to beat your previous record. There’s something about seeing you’ve successfully taken more than 10,000 steps in a day.

This type of feedback gave a sense of fulfilment and motivates its user to push further.

Wearable tech didn’t just pop up yesterday, it’s the result of continuous development in tech and the fusion of one device with another. Pedometers existed way way back, but consumer grade movement tracking devices only came into light in the 2000s and made popular with Fitbit in 2009.

Fitness trackers don’t solely record your steps, they are also integrated with technology able to monitor your sleeping habits, heart rate, brain activity, and whatnot. Currently, smart watches also double as fitness trackers.

As we move forward, these devices wouldn’t just serve the purpose of simply collecting data. In time they’ll be able to provide valuable insights that will allow you to take action and improve your quality of life further.

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THE EVOLUTION OF TEXTING IN CINEMA AND TV Words by Jay Alba

There has never been a better age for the technology of cinema. Considering the leaps and bounds being made in CGI and SFX, actors may find themselves out of work, as we’ll soon replace them with computer-generated renditions that can do their job better. Additionally, advances in camera technology has made filmmaking an accessible artistic medium; anyone can make a movie nowadays, and sometimes all you need is a smartphone.

Films and television shows can take us to infinite versions of futuristic, dystopian worlds, but now we face a new conundrum: how can we make compelling stories that portray ordinary, modern life? The classic “hiccups” that kickstart some of our favorite 90s movies are easily fixed by a number of available apps today. Searching for your best friend in the middle of Las Vegas?

Pin-drop his location. Lost the phone number of a beautiful stranger who may be your soulmate? As long as you know their full name, a quick Google search will bring up their Facebook profile. Or better yet, nowadays people simply enter their numbers directly into your phone, eliminating the possibility of losing it in the first place.

In short, this is not a piece about the incredible advances in cinematic technology, but rather an analysis on how the convenience of technology in our everyday life presents a unique challenge to our generation’s filmmakers. And the problem of how to portray text messaging on screen may be the greatest unsolved puzzle so far.

In a video essay titled A Brief Look at Texting and the Internet in Film, creator and narrator Tony Zhou pinpoints good and bad examples of how to cinematically portray texting. For most of the early 2000s, the standard practice was to simply insert a brief shot of the physical phone screen, but this was painfully boring to watch. Some movies had characters read messages aloud or avoided using phones altogether, but now we live in an era where digital communication is an integral and

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inescapable part of daily life, so cinema and TV must adapt.

On-screen text bubbles

In recent years, film and television has adopted a new technique: the on-screen text. This method first emerged in East Asian films like Take Care of My Cat (2001) and All About Lily Chou-Chou (2001), and the occasional American teen movie during the 2000s, but didn’t reach international popularity until BBC’s Sherlock premiered in 2011.

On a practical level, this approach saves time and money: the text is easier for viewers to read and all you need is a basic knowledge of Adobe After Effects to create it. However, it’s not always the most visually appealing option.

“The bubble is the first thing that becomes outdated,” says Zhou. Considering how often Apple changes its interface, crafting text bubbles to imitate a certain model can trap a show or movie in a specific time period. In addition,

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gigantic colored text blocks are distracting, and come off as campy and unrefined.

Zhou stresses three key pieces of advice, “cheap, efficient, elegant,” and highlights the minimalist approach of having thin, white text superimposed on a plain stretch of space—a blank wall for instance. Directors have also taken to showing the process of a character typing, deleting, and editing messages, revealing bits of his or her personality at the same time. This gentle aesthetic can, at times, add a little more movement to a shot without distracting the viewer. When done well, the text-on-screen approach allows a scene to play uninterrupted, and introduces information more efficiently. However, it’s not a universally accepted solution.

The problem with realism

As a sci-fi anthology series, Black Mirror, which first aired in the UK in 2011 but has since moved to Netflix, is the best example of a show that could— but doesn’t—utilize the text-on-screen aesthetic as often as you would expect. Each episode of Black Mirror depicts a different version of the notso-distant future, where a specific technological advance has drastically changed everyday life. At times, this calls for some help from the graphics department, but only in cases where the episode involves some type of implanted-brain-melding device that affects how people see the world (for example, “Nosedive” from season three).

Otherwise, if characters within the episode’s universe can’t see suspended texts in the air in front of them, neither can the audience.

Embracing the virtual world

Filmmakers today are in a beautiful age of experimentation, because the challenge of creating a cinematic representation of our digital communication is one that cannot be solved with money. Anyone can answer the mystery of cinematic texting—it doesn’t have to be a major production studio. Already, new visual styles have emerged, such as the “desktop film,” where the action takes place solely on a computer screen.

When done well, especially in short form, it shows the potential to possibly become the next evolutionary step of the found-footage genre. In 2014, Unfriended became the first feature-length film to take place entirely through video-chat on a computer screen. To be fair, it wasn’t a great movie, but then again, found-footage films aren’t exactly considered Academy-worthy gold either.

Still, this is the first of many milestones. As online communication becomes an embedded part of our everyday life, our entertainment must adapt with the times. No more static phone-screens. No more ugly blocks of floating text. A fresh generation of filmmakers has to imagine a new way to visualize the digitally attuned world we live in.

And once they figure it out, no doubt there will be new, life-changing pieces of technology that will pose more creative challenges for them to solve.

Part of the reason why on-screen text works so well in Sherlock is because the show already utilizes a surreal visual style of cinematography.

With its use of rapid-fire cuts, slow-motion pans, and warped perspective shots already in play, adding on-screen text doesn’t feel like a stretch of the imagination. But for shows with less dynamic cinematography and editing, the appearance of a floating text bubble is a jarring reminder that the viewer is watching a work of fiction. Because of this, there are current shows that prefer the shot-reverse-shot approach, because while it’s less dynamic, the technique keeps the audience grounded in reality.

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COMPU TATIONS Words by Robby Vaflor

It’s fascinating to see—considering the lengthy collective history of human invention—the pace at which computing has evolved in the last 17 years. Through our existence as a magazine, we’ve documented in part the transition of computers from the clunky, whirring, beige-white, plastic, literal “desk-tops” to the sleek, shiny, aluminum pieces of modern art we have today. Below I chronicle the highlights of this span of time.

Fresh from the Y2K bug scare that saw businesses small and large as well as consumer software developers conduct widespread (and much needed) updates to their architecture and security. While not necessarily related to the apparently unwarranted fear of the new millennium, the 2000s saw a refinement to the user experience which coincided with the improvement of hardware capabilities.

Empire strikes back

Notwithstanding the mistakes that Microsoft made with its Windows operating systems, and there are many—*cough* ME *cough* 2000 *hacks lung* Vista—the company managed to influence how graphical interfaces should and would look like with its greatest triumph the XP. Launched in 2001, it was one of the company’s most popular operating systems, second only to Windows 10 and currently has the longest lifespan, with the last full release dating back to 2008 and support ending just three years ago.

Windows XP was a far cry from the buggy and frighteningly open-ended Windows 98 and gave inexperienced would-be users a visually pleasing, feature-packed yet easy-to-use, and fully customizable operating system. XP solidified Microsoft’s foothold on the world of computing for the first half of the decade, but soon after would be challenged by its rival Apple.

This success was followed by the largely underwhelming Vista, and the polarizing Windows 8. However, the Windows 8, to its credit, took the

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experience of mobile computing to the more powerful computer. While the original Windows 8 was riddled with bugs, Microsoft was quick to update it with a much better 8+ and the current Windows 10 which toned it down a bit with the tiles and improved ease of use, and intuitiveness.

I however, have nothing to say about Vista (cue sad violin).

Black is the new beige

“Rig: Pentium III, 40 GB HDD, 128 MB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 2 GTS with 32 MB VRAM and 56K internet connection. I’m a gamer, sweaty, a rebel. Deal with it.”

The above statement would have been as seldom heard then as it would be now. This is because those specs were top of the line in the early 2000s and would have cost anything upwards of USD 2000 with Clinton-era valuation. They were that expensive.

Today, even the cheapest 2016-2017 smartphone could out-compute the most expensive PCs in those days, in keeping with Moore’s Law. This

goes for every aspect of the computer including the processor, storage, memory, and GPU. And as these parts become more and more powerful, getting a good performing PC is also a less expensive affair.

In terms of accessories and peripherals, the past 17 years have also seen a massive amount of improvement with keyboards and mice becoming more and more accurate and agile.

The cathode ray tube monitors later become LCD screens and presently LEDs can now display a once unimaginable amount of pixels, giving us super clear images akin to any contemporary entertainment system. Flash drives were introduced in 2000 and started out in megabyte increments; and while the size of flash drives have barely changed since then, their capacities have certainly improved with flagship models being available in the terabytes. With the evolution of CPUs and GPUs, developers were able to create new and exciting peripherals that expanded the user experience into virtual reality, mixed reality and augmented reality.

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Software, the Internet and the Cloud Remember when MS Paint and Solitaire were enough to make us happy with owning a PC? Pretending to be Picassos, randomly creating triangles and coloring them in, and losing productivity just to watch that deck of cards cascade across your 800 x 600 resolution screen.

Those were the days.

Now, the tools of creativity, distraction, and everything in between have so greatly improved that most people would not be able to remember how they spent their pre-Facebook days on the Internet.

As hardware became stronger and internet connections became faster, program functionality and interface quality progressed drastically. Take MS Paint for example, from the flat canvass it was before, better processors allowed the program to have realistic textured brushes which can mimic how paint would flow on paper, and eventually leading to its 2017 expansion Paint 3D, turning the square canvass into a cube.

Video games made full use of computer processing and graphics processing capabilities with video game graphics and physics engines becoming more realistic, gameplay mechanics more complex, and worlds and plots more expansive. No more of those polygonal whatsits we used to describe as “life-like.”

Since the introduction of peer-to-peer sharing software like BitTorrent, LimeWire, and Napster, and the development of public and private cloud infrastructure, users became less reliant on physical containers of files, saying goodbye to floppies and laser discs. This led developers to incorporate internet and cloud connectivity to their software, giving birth to fully browser-based programs, and traditional installed programs with cloud-sync such as Adobe CC. Social networking used to rely on clients like mIRC, AOL, and Yahoo! Messenger, but with Flash, Java, and HTML constantly improving, these means of communication became overshadowed by websites like Friendster, Bebo, MySpace, and Multiply, and eventually Facebook and Twitter.

Uncle Ben was right

“With great power comes great responsibility.”

As cliché as it is, with our increasing reliance on the power of computers, a lot of new problems as well as evolved old ones are ever-present which deserve our utmost concern. Cybersecurity is the main issue today, with cyber-attacks that were once birthed from dark bedrooms of IT nerds now becoming a multi-billion dollar vulnerability aimed at the omnishambles that is the structure of the World Wide Web. The last 17 years for computing were certainly interesting, and the next 17 are set to be even better—and we’re excited to witness them.

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FEATURE

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MOBILITY

REV’IT Vigor Mesh Jacket Reviewed by Ren Alcantara

Riding in the tropics midday in an unventilated cow suit is, put simply, suicidal.

Then again, so is riding in a bare t-shirt.

Fortunately for the two-wheelers among us, there’s a miraculous middle-ground that gives the safety of a riding jacket with the comfort of wearing a bare shirt, and we have an exemplary example of the same today: the Rev’it Vigor mesh jacket.

DESIGN The Rev’it Vigor cuts quite a sharp profile when worn. It’s slim, and slightly cinched, making it fit more like a fashionable piece of clothing than safety gear. A zippered chest pocket right up front, a velcro inner pocket for more important items, and two zippered pockets outside give you enough space for the things you might not want to keep in your pants pockets as you ride, and a really cool black colorway with the slightest, most low-key accents make you feel more like the cool motorcyclist you want to be, and not a billboard for the brand. You’re not going to want to put a lot in the pockets though, as it would ruin the beautiful line Rev’it worked so hard to build. A snap-button stand collar up top completes the look, just above where the main zipper terminates. From afar, it really look like an awesome leather jacket, but it literally has more up its sleeves.

HARDWARE The zippers on the Vigor are of exceptional quality. It’s not chintzy or light, and interlocks with a firm popping feel. In my experience, these are the first thing to fail, and I’m thankful for solid ones on the Vigor. Plus points for that. The button snaps closed quietly but hold fast, and have the Rev’it logo embossed discreetly on them in the same black as the rest of the button. Classy is understated, and this does that superbly. This goes for the button fasteners at the adjustment straps at the biceps as well, though you’re not likely to have to snap those at the smallest position, since this jacket has a nice, snug fit.

Adjustment straps at the cuff and waist are fine velcro, and stick hard, so there’s little chance of it coming off on a ride, and you even get snap-on belt loops at the back to keep the jacket down when you tuck, and on you should you go down.

The shoulders and elbows have CE-level Knox Flexiform protection that are bendy enough not to notice with your normal range of motion. I 54

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often forget they’re there. They come out for replacement or cleaning via pockets on the inside. What Rev’it did leave out was a back protector, though there is space for a Seesoft CElevel 2 protector you can buy separately. I would have given this a solid 4 in this category had they included this in the bag.

The rest of the jacket is done in 600D polyester where abrasion protection is necessary, and 3D air mesh practically everywhere else. Unlike cheaper mesh jackets, the Vigor holds its form nicely, but without sacrificing too much airflow.

When stopped, it does get a little toasty, but the slightest breeze or smallest movement really makes its way through the jacket, straight to your skin, cooling you off very nicely.

A nice little accent is the red Rev’it patch up by the top of the zipper, which serves to keep the zip from scraping your chest, and as a nice little flash of color when the jacket isn’t fully closed. You also get a few patches of reflectivity on the back, for additional safety.

VALUE The Rev’it Vigor comes in at about PHP 7,800, which is a great price for the jacket you get. It’s got armor where it counts, flows a ton of air, and looks amazing. It’s a shame you have to get a back protector separately, but hey, for that price, there’s not a lot to complain about.

What’s Hot: - Gorgeous design - Very breezy - Did I already say it’s gorgeous? That bears repeating.

What’s Not: - No included back protector - Filling pockets ruin the lines of the jacket

Bottomline: It’s good-looking and gives great value for money. That’s a double win for me.

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Mazda3 Speed HB Reviewed and Photos by Maribelle Alba

With the third generation Mazda3 now in the middle of its model life cycle, the 2017 offering has received some enhancements for a fresh look as well as additional convenience features. Here is our zoom-zoom experience with its top-of-the-line Mazda3 Speed hatchback.

DESIGN Retaining the strong character lines of Mazda’s Kodo – Soul of Motion design language, the refreshed Mazda3 Speed features a new grille and bezel design which are complemented by cat-like LED headlights and distinctive fog lights. The flowing yet muscular silhouette exudes a sportier look with red-painted brake calipers peeking out between the spokes of 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels. This play of red on black is echoed in the body kit, with the side skirt, front lip and rear skirt painted in brilliant black, but with the front and rear kits sporting dramatic red accents.

When you open the doors, a brushed aluminum scuff plate embossed with the Mazda3 logo adds another layer of distinction. The interior trim

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level is satisfyingly upscale, with black leather upholstery for the seats, door trim, steering wheel, and shift knob. Storage compartments are well-positioned to keep knick-knacks and other personal items neatly organized inside the cabin.

153 ps at 6,000 rpm and up to 200 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The suspension system consists of front McPherson struts and rear multi-link beams, while brakes are ventilated discs for the front and solid discs for the rear.

HARDWARE The secret behind Mazda’s recent automotive successes is its vaunted Skyactiv technology, integrating advances in engine, transmission, body and chassis, as well as vehicle dynamics, to deliver improvements in fuel efficiency, car control, safety and overall driving pleasure.

Inside, the infotainment system is the hub for most of the convenience features, giving access to music, communication, navigation, as well as some vehicle settings. Access may be through the 7-inch LCD touch screen, or the multifunction commander control. For the tech junkie, connectivity is assured via Bluetooth, an aux-in jack, two USB ports, and a 12V power supply.

The Mazda3 Speed is powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that produces maximum output of

Safety equipment include the expected alphabet soup, but leveled up to inspire more confidence.

For instance, in addition to the standard driver

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and passenger airbags, it also has curtain as well as side airbags. It also has antilock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, dynamic stability control, parking sensors, a rear view camera, blind spot detection, high mount stop lamp, keyless entry, immobilizer, and child seatready ISOFIX anchors.

USER EXPERIENCE I like the convenience of smart keyless entry and automatic push/start ignition as it saves me the trouble of having to dive into my purse to search for my car keys. However, I have also been known to leave the engine idling after having forgotten to switch it off. Thankfully, the Mazda3 Speed has a walk-away shut-off function to address precisely this problem.

Although not the most powerful car in its class in terms of engine output, the Mazda3 Speed is no laggard in the performance department either.

Acceleration is smooth and, I swear, you can actually hear the engine purr at certain rpms.

Mazda claims improved fuel efficiency with a combination of its i-Stop idling system that turns off the engine when you brake, and its i-Eloop regenerative braking system that stores energy lost during deceleration then efficiently reuses this stored electricity when needed. Personally, though, because of the frequent and prolonged

braking necessary to navigate Metro Manila’s normally heavy traffic, I usually just disable the i-Stop function so that I can quickly maneuver to get ahead when I see a lane opening.

Getting caught in traffic is not such an ordeal inside the Mazda3 Speed, thanks to a six-way power adjustable driver seat with lumbar support to keep fatigue at bay, and the nine-speaker Bose audio system that gives you an immersive listening experience. Occasionally, though, I like the peace and quiet of driving with just my thoughts for company—apparently, there is no way to turn off the infotainment system, and the only work around is to mute the audio and turn off the display.

The audio controls, paddle shifters, and cruise control buttons are integrated into the steering wheel, so you literally have everything at your fingertips. I also particularly like the way the instrument panel is configured, with just the analog display tachometer in the center, and the heads-up display providing a digital speed readout, as well as occasional blind spot warnings. The rearview camera with guidelines is a great help for maneuvering in tight spaces, as are the front and rear parking sensors.

I was eager to try out the built-in navigation system in view of the anti-distracted driving law limiting the use of mobile devices. Sadly, it didn’t live up to my expectations. First, it takes a while to acquire a GPS signal. Second, while the map appears to have been localized, inputting the address is a chore as spelling out the letters using the command dial is slow, while the touchscreen is unresponsive. Both ways are frustrating and prone to error. Moreover, if you’re lucky enough to have completed the process and are able to get the route directions, the system does not provide traffic information.

VALUE With the sticker price set at PHP 1,398,000 for the top-of-the-line variant plus a premium of PHP 16,800 for the soul red color, the Mazda3 Speed does not come cheap. However, you can always justify shelling out the extra bucks by enumerating all the extra features and amenities loaded in this car. Mazda’s unique three-year total care package is also a great selling point.

It includes free periodic maintenance service including parts, oil, and labor (or 60,000 km); warranty (or 100,000 km); as well as roadside assistance and concierge service.

What’s Hot: - Loaded with lots of comfort features and amenities - Nine-speaker BOSE audio system - Blind spot warning What’s Not: - You can’t turn off the infotainment system - Navi feature isn’t responsive and not very useful

Bottomline: Good-looking on the outside, featurerich on the inside, and fun to drive. You can easily fall in love with this car.

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Baic M20 Luxury 1.5 M/T Reviewed and Photos by Ren Alcantara

Baic, a brand that continues to surprise us with their superb value for money rides has done it again. Hot on the heels of their showroom’s opening, we got to test the Baic M20 in the Luxury configuration. We’ve got high expectations for this vehicle, and here’s what we thought.

DESIGN

ceiling does a lot to keep occupants from feeling cramped.

The M20 has proportions that I can only describe as Japanese. It’s slightly narrow and long at the front. This is not to say it’s an unflattering face, in fact, it does cut a sharp line, though it’s certainly more practical than sporty. This is partly because of the height of the roof, and how the hood drops sharply down to the nose of the MPV. The advantage of this layout though, is that it gives quite a bit of room for passengers, and the high

Our review model came in a fetching shade of red, with tasteful silver accents on the front, along with a honeycomb grille and the distinct BAIC logo on its red background. Body color wing mirrors and sweeping accent lines round the doors keep the M20 from looking overly plain, and 14-inch alloy rims are both tasteful and practical. Overall, it’s a no-nonsense package that

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I appreciate for its simplicity.

HARDWARE The M20 Luxury is powered by a naturallyaspirated 1.5L Euro 5 compliant gasoline engine that’s capable of 115 HP and 150 Nm of torque, mated to a five-speed manual transmission. This Luxury model also comes equipped with ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution—a nice extra for the family-mover that it is. Front disc, and rear drum brakes provide the stopping power.

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Inside, you get 2-2-3 seating with fabric-covered captain seats for the middle row, making that quite a comfortable place to seat yourself. Dual air-conditioning means everyone get a bit of cool air, and front airbags make sure the driver and front passenger have maximum protection in case of a crash.

In the dash is a generous LCD touch panel that allows you to control the entertainment features of the vehicle. From Bluetooth connectivity and music controls, to the radio, and accessing external storage, everything is a few taps away.

The left side of the dash has controls for adjusting the beam on the projector headlamps, so you get great visibility for night driving.

USER EXPERIENCE The M20 Luxury is an interesting vehicle. It has quite a few features you’d expect to find on higher-end vehicles, but it doesn’t really cut too many corners to achieve its price point. Keyless entry is present, though you do have to slot the key into the ignition to start the engine. The 1.5L powerplant comes to life without complaint each time, and stays on with a smooth purr—not a clink or clank to be heard. Adjusting the seat to the appropriate distance, you’ll find you have a pleasantly high view of the road, with a generous windshield to look through. The view is marred slightly by wide A pillars, but it’s nothing a quick glance can’t overcome. Mirrors are on the small

side, though are perfectly usable, and are a breeze to adjust.

Getting the M20 into gear had a slight learning curve though.

I’m not sure if it was because this is a test unit with higher than usual miles on the clock, but it took a little finesse and coaxing to get the transmission to pop into first gear. Once there though, shifting through the gears was predictable, with the slightest bit of resistance every now and again. It’s not rough per se, but I’ve certainly driven smoother.

Once it gets going, you can push this large sevenseater to a surprising clip. While it’s not going to break any speed records, pleasantly zippy, usable acceleration is there, which is surprising for a vehicle of its size.

The ride was comfortable overall. I’ll be honest, i expected a much bumpier experience, and while it is a little hard at times, loaded up with people,

it’s really quite smooth—an experience made even moreso thanks to comfortable seating for both the driver and passenger.

Even with its capacity, the M20 is quite agile, and very comfortable to drive through the metro’s tangled roads. It’s very easy to know the boundaries of the MPV, so getting into tight spots isn’t an issue.

Other features were likewise greatly appreciated.

The entertainment system in particular, while not as refined as others out there, is perfectly usable, quite intuitive, and reliable. I do appreciate being able to access and control entertainment features on the single screen, and found myself using the feature frequently throughout my time with it.

Fuel economy through traffic was pleasantly surprising at about 8 Km/L though that’s more of an educated estimate rather than asking the vehicle itself, as it doesn’t display its fuel consumption.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised at the comfort, ease of driving, and roomy interior the vehicle gave, and I enjoyed the test far more than I expected to. I would have given the M20 a solid four stars, had it not been for the slight transmission woes I felt.

VALUE Here’s where the M20 Luxury really shines. It has features one would expect on much higher-level vehicles, a comfortable set of seats, and lots of practicality. It should cost significantly more than the PHP 598,000 price tag asks for, and for me, that’s a solid win.

What’s Hot: - Great price - Comfortable What’s Not: - Transmission could be smoother

Bottomline: This vehicle should be more expensive than it is, and that's great for the buyer.

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ACC Launches the All-New BMW 5 Series The Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official importer and distributor and importer of BMW in the country, recently launched the all-new BMW 5 Series last July 4, 2017 at the BGC Arts Center in Taguig.

Part of the BMW Series are three new cars that are now available in the Philippine market.

For unlimited driving pleasure, the 2.0 L BMW TwinPower Turbo diesel engine with 190 hp and 400 will be powering both variants of the BMW 520d, the Luxury trim and the M Sport package.

For the top-of-the-line BMW 530d there’s the 3.0 L BMW TwinPower Turbo diesel engine that produces 265 hp, 2000-2500 RPM and an impressive torque of 620 Nm. Driving dynamics are taken to the next level with BMW’s new and powerful engines. The 5 Series run on BMW’s TwinTurbo engines that come with the benefit of lower fuel consumption when compared to the previous generation. Likewise, the eightspeed automatic transmission with Steptronic function provides highly advanced technologies that ensure a consistently pleasant and seamless shifting driving experience.

Built for the businessman for tomorrow, the BMW 5 Series feature an elegantly sporty and sophisticated exterior design. Even at first glance, the design intention of the new BMW 5 series cars is clear; precision, luxury and dynamism are put at a priority. For a broader look, the cars’ bonnet

extends to the Active Air Stream Kidney Grille where it meets the Adaptive LED Headlights seamlessly. Bold lines, on the other hand, adds to the cars’ strong and masculine presence. As with all the other BMW cars, the 5 Series also feature BMW’s signature design, the Hofmeister Kink.

Comfort meets elegance best describes the 5 Series cutting edge interior. For the BMW 520d variants, there’s the Leather Dakota upholstery, and Leather Nappa for the BMW 530d. Space improvements include an expanded knee room for back passengers, a wider middle seat, and a narrow transmission tunnel. For setting the

right mood, the cars are lit with customizable LED lights. Adding to this is BMW’s Ambient Air Package that offers a variety of fragrances.

Other features of the 5 Series include a 12.3” full digital instrument display, BMW’s iDrive System, and a display key that’s able to provide fuel information. The key is likewise capable of providing parking assistance, and air-conditioner control.

The BMW 520d Luxury retails for PHP 4,590,000; the BMW 520d M Sport for PHP 4,990,000; and the BMW 530d Luxury for PHP 6,390,000.

CTEK Brings Outdoors Lifestyle Convenience Growing in the Philippine market is the love for 4X4 off-road, trailer camping and other forms of outdoor activities. With the increase in popularity, CTEK, a globally acclaimed battery maintenance and power charging provider, aims to bring more convenient and hassle-free charging with its new line of smart battery chargers.

CTEK’s new D250S Dual Charger lives up to the company’s legacy as the leading innovator of advance battery management and smart charging systems. Designed with precise engineering methods, the D250S is able to charge modern vehicle batteries and electronics with ease.

Recently released cars, such as the Toyota 200 series Land Cruiser, and the Nissan Navara D40 are equipped with advance smart alternators that lessen fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.

These technologically advanced smart alternators are able to achieve such by lowering the load on the engine through adjusting the output voltage of the alternator. After providing a quick boost of voltage to start the vehicle, the voltage output drops to a lower level. With CTEK’s new offering, when the voltage drops, the D250S dual charger automatically switches on, and at an even lower

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voltage level than other DC-to-DC chargers. For as long the engine is running, the input range that varies from 12V to 22V, allows the system to still be operational even after the output voltage from the smart alternator drops.

automatic, five stage charger that’s capable of supplying 20A to 12V batteries of 40-300 Ah. The D250S Dual not only charges batteries quickly, but also manages to extend battery life and performance.

There is an abundance of benefits that come with the all new D250s. The versatile system allows a connection from a solar source when the ignition is off, making sure your batteries are efficiently charged by the sun. Adding to the list of battery health benefits is the D250 Dual that’s a fully

CTEK’s new line of smart battery chargers ensure that you get enough power for that next exploration. To learn more about the D250S and other CTEK smart battery chargers, visit the official CTEK Facebook page www.facebook.com/CTEK. Ph or contact 0917-5754812.

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BAIC Philippines Inagurates Flagship Showroom Bayan Automotive Industries Corporation, the exclusive distributor of BAIC passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles, opened its flagship showroom in Makati, Philippines last July 14, 2017.

The presence of Dr. Haiyang Dong, president and CEO of BAIC international, together with George Chua, president and CEO of BAIC Philippines, made the opening even more significant as they graced the inauguration and blessing of the showroom. The event also included the attendance of notable visitors from BAIC International, acquaintances from the media and auto industry, customers, and BAIC’s industry partners and dealers.

“Philippines is a key market and a potential hub to service the ASEAN market” said Dr. Haiyang Dong.

In the spirit of celebration, guests were treated to a day of entertainment with a firsthand experience to BAIC’s line-up of vehicles that include the MZ40, MZ45 transporter, M20, X424, V8.

The two-story flagship showroom that features BAIC’s neat set of cars was built on 12,000 sqm of land and sits in the central business district of Manila. The showroom is reflective of BAIC’s desire

to provide world-class service and customer satisfaction to both its existing and potential clients. To be at par with international showrooms, BAIC’s latest flagship location will feature a space specially built to showcase 12 vehicles. Along with it are stylishly built customer lounges, business ready sales offices and a reception area. Strategically placed in the same building to

oversee the showroom’s day to day operations is the Executive office.

The showroom‘s doors are open to all Filipinos looking for high-quality standard and affordable vehicles. Already open for visits, everyone is welcome to view the flagship showroom located at 2232 Don Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City.

Ford Philippines' 10th Year of Driving Skills for Life Program Ford Philippines recently held its 10th year of the Ford Driving Skills for Life (DSLF) program last July 6, 2017 at the Megatent Events Venue in Quezon City.

As a global training initiative duly recognized by the United Nations, the program seeks to train and educate divers on smart, safe, and fuelefficient driving.

Coinciding with the day of implementation of the Department of Transportation’s RA 10913 or Transportation’s Anti-Distracted Driving Law, the seminar couldn't have been more of a significant occasion. To further guide and remind the country’s drivers of their role in keeping journeys safe, Ford sought the help of its long-time partner, the Tuason Racing school, to conduct this year’s DSFL’s seminar and a hands-on simulation of learned skills and lessons.

With Ford’s focus on public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers for this year, they’ve also partnered with Uber Systems Inc. to make the streets of Manila an even safer one. “We share Ford Philippines’ advocacy for road safety and are happy to take part in this endeavor. We believe this compliments our own efforts to promote road safety with the use of technology,” said Uber GM Laurence Cua.

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Uber drivers well as media guests were invited to learn practical driving lessons every driver should know. Key topics discussed by JP Tuason, founder and CEO of Tuason Racing school were: smart driving, protecting lives, and saving fuel.

Also included in the seminar were tips on car maintenance, road safety measures, fuel efficient driving skills.

Ford’s DSFL Program doesn’t end with its recently held event. Scheduled to be held at various Ford dealerships nationwide as well as in select

college and universities are more seminars for Ford Employees, student drivers, and automotive enthusiasts. Future DSFL events are expected to be held in in Rizal, Pampanga, Baguio, Batangas, Laguna, Cebu, and Davao.

“We’re proud to be celebrating the 10th of DSFL in the Philippines, and to continue helping raise awareness about driver and road safety, as well as the dangers of distracted driving,” said EJ Francisco, AVP for communications, Ford Philippines.

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Forland Trucks to Aid Philippine Infrastructure Developments Forland, a leading truck manufacturer at the core of the Foton group, in partnership with Solid Machinery and Diesel Parts (SMDPI), has recently launched its first-ever showroom in the country last June 15, 2017 along North EDSA in Quezon City.

Consequently, the two also held a ceremony the day after, for its first knocked-down (KD) factory located in Meycauayan, Bulacan. Joining Forland general manager Wang Tao, SMDPI chairman Henry Chua Sr. and SMDPI director Henry Chua II, were distinguished trucking industry personalities, and media guests.

In its ceremony, Forland assured the country of efficient and reliable trucks for its present and future infrastructure projects. As there are far distances and heavy load requirements expected, Forland’s trucks would be able to aid in the implementation of projects and plans that include transportation, water resource management, sanitation, flood mitigation, maritime ports and harbors, social infrastructure, energy collection and generation, communications technology and more.

“At present, the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ proposed

by China corresponds exactly to the ‘2017-2022 Development Plan’ presented by the Philippines, so the cooperation space is huge for China and the Philippines. Forland, as a professional truck manufacturer, is honored to participate in the

cooperation [and] pledges support to provide premium and cost-effective products for the Philippine market,” said Tao in his keynote speech.

The figure has consistently made Forland the number one commercial vehicle brand of the Foton Group for 19 years.

Forland is no stranger to the commercial vehicle market. With a presence in over 70 countries, 400 sales networks, and eight overseas KD factories, the competitive China truck manufacturer is commonly known for building “touch trucks for the tough jobs.”

Pushing for continuous innovation, Forland plans to further adapt and implement its strategic planning for the South Asian and Philippine Market.

More than 4.51 million units in sales are the result of of the company’s advancements on R&D, purchasing, manufacturing, and market resources.

Following the launch of its first showroom in the Philippines, Forland is said to expedite the establishment of its distribution networks in the country.

Isuzu Philippines Gives Back With JZGMAT Partnership For years, Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) has made it a priority to give back to community.

Further strengthening their vocation, the car manufacturer has partnered with Jacobo Z. Gonzales School of Design and Trades, a Tesda accredited training center. The contract signing ceremony was held in Biñan, Laguna last July 3.

The partnership is said to benefit the school’s automotive students as sponsored training sessions will be part of the curriculum. After the training, certificates will be given to the students by the IPC technical team.

The training started in July and will continuously run on a cycled scheme; as long as automotive courses are offered in the school, continued support is expected. Also part of the partnership is IPC’s donation of three diesel engines for the training program.

Jacobo School has been around for almost 57 years and has been proudly offering vocational courses throughout the years. The school’s vocational administrator, Benito Reyes said that the school always seeks after quality training. As much as it can, Reyes said, the school would like to deepen its partnerships with companies like 66

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Isuzu to allow its students to be exposed to the latest practices as well as relevant and deeper technologies in the market. Reyes further said that they are very thankful that Isuzu chose JZGMAT to be their beneficiary.

Included in the partnership is the training of school personnel of Bacobo. Prior to the contract signing, trainers who finished their classroom and

practical training at the Isuzu Plant, also located in Biñan,were given respective certificates as well as small tokens . After which, a short school tour was conducted for the Isuzu executives.

Hajime Koso, IPC president said: “Our company has a stand that without progress in society, no business will grow. It is then our interest to contribute for the betterment of society“ www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Hino Volunteers in Markina Watershed Restoration Hino Motors Philippines (HMP), the exclusive distributor of Hino trucks and buses in the Philippines, strengthened its environmental efforts through its tree-planting activity with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) foundation. Held last July 15, HMP’s volunteeremployees planted several seedlings in order to help restore the Marikina Watershed.

Damaged by typhoon Ondoy back in 2014, the Markina Watershed was in need of utter rehabilitation. To reaffirm its environmental advocacies and to further empower local communities, HMP, through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity, was able to plant a total of 1,250 agroforestry tree seedlings at the Marikina Watershed in Antipolo city.

The simple planting of trees was the company’s way of aiding households and industries in and outside of Metro Manila to benefit from the Marikina Watershed as a major source of groundwater reserves. With the community of Barangay Calawis benefiting from the project, the soon-to-sprout seedlings will serve as one way to battle against future typhoons.

“Planting of tree seedlings is one of the best ways to prevent immense flooding brought about by strong typhoons. Our commitment to this project is aligned with our corporate mission to make the world a better place to live in by helping people and goods get where they need to go safely, economically, and with environmental

sustainability,” said HMP HR manager, Adelia Grimatt.

HMP continues to grow and strengthen its CSR program. The tree planting activity is among HMP’s other projects that include medical missions, Brigada Eskwela and bloodletting.

Celebrate Hyundai’s Back-to-Back Milestones with “Thrivin’ and Drivin at 16’”!

Owning a car is one of life’s biggest milestones.

Not only does it give you the power to go wherever and whenever your heart desires, it also signifies that you are thriving in life; you are truly ready for something bigger. Simply put, owning a car means kaya mo na. You can now desire to get the most out of life!

Fortunately, reaching that milestone has become both easy and exciting. With Hyundai’s “Thrivin’ and Drivin’ at 16” promo, car buyers can enjoy big discounts, big savings, and easy monthly payment schemes for the Eon, Accent, Elantra, Sonata, Veloster, Tucson, Santa Fe and Grand Starex models. This is Hyundai’s way of showing gratitude for its phenomenal 16 years as the preferred mobility partner of Filipinos.

“Thrivin’ and Drivin’ at 16” as a financing promo gives car buyers the freedom to save as much as PHP100,000 which may be used as cash discount or subsidies for lower downpayments or monthly amortization. But more than these affordable schemes, the offering gives them the chance to win raffle prizes like the iPhone 7 Plus and Macbook Pro, roundtrip tickets to New York, London and Japan and a brand new Veloster Turbo are at stake!

The winning streak of Hyundai Philippines in the past 16 years was made even sweeter when it won the coveted Distributor of the Year Award given

by Hyundai Motor Company (South Korea). With www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

the “Thrivin’ and Drivin’ at 16” promo, Hyundai celebrates its back-to-back milestones by giving back to those who made their successes possible: YOU. The promo is made possible by Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai passenger and commercial vehicles in the Philippines and its bank partners: BPI, Chinabank Savings, Eastwest Bank, Maybank, RCBC, and Security Bank.

The promo runs from July 3 to August 21, 2017, so rush to your nearest Hyundai dealership now or visit hyundai.ph or facebook.com/hyundaiph for details.

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Yamaha Rev of a Decade Captivates Cebu

To celebrate a decade of revving a nation, Yamaha held a string of events in Cebu to commemorate ten years of sharing world-class products with the Philippines.

The Yamaha Club set off their biggest ever touring ride across the archipelago which consisted of 1,000 riders. It included riding to different ports to make it to Visayas where they joined fellow riders from the region, together making their way to Cebu.

In Cebu, Yamaha held the second leg of the Yamaha Grand Prix 8, the premiere venue for Filipino Motorcycle racers to hone their skills and reach the next level of their riding abilities.

On racing day, attendees were treated to a display of the Mio Aerox 155, Yamaha’s latest AT product featuring the iconic Blue Core engine.

Its arrival was accompanied by Yamaha’s newest ambassador Matteo Guidicelli.

The event was also the culmination of the Be More With Blue Core Challenge which pitted rivals Mickey Mazo and Romer Corbe, fresh from their eight-hour endurance race in Carmona Racing Circuit. The race let the riders use the Mio Aerox 155 on the track, and was won by Corbe.

After the race, the 1000 Yamaha Club Riders rode from Cebu City to Danasan Eco Park to celebrate their historic feat. The celebration included a raffle and a bike customization contest. The riders camped out under the stars and enjoyed performances from Bangs Garcia, the Disco Remix Dancers, DJ Veronica Chiongbian, and Cebu’s very own DJ Inan.

All in one day, Yamaha has conquered an interisland trip to Cebu, raising the level of raising talent in the Yamaha Grand Prix, showcasing a brand new product, empowering through a state-of-the-art engine, culminating a rivalry, and igniting riding passion. Building on the last 10 years, Yamaha continues to develop an outstanding relationship with the Filipino community and will exhilarate lives for many years to come.

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BULLET POINTS

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WELLNESS

YOUR NERVES NERVES LOVE YOUR LOVE MERCK NEUROPATHY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN Words by Mia Carisse Barrientos

Numbness, tingling, pins and needles: these are sensations we often sweep under the rug as A: they quickly come and go and B: you are still able to work through the pain caused by these sensations. However trivial, all these might be your body signalling you that something is wrong.

The aforementioned are telltale signs of nerve damage. There’s no need to be alarmed, though, as it is a known fact that nerves have the capacity to regenerate when damaged. If you get these sensations on repeat, however, you might want to get yourself checked for the possibility of having neuropathy. Learning the difference is vital, so here’s a quick read to help you know what’s what.

WHAT IS NEUROPATHY? Neuropathy is a disorder affecting the nerves which are responsible for bringing messages from our brain to the many parts of our body. Despite this condition being felt by many, it’s something people don’t actually openly talk about, and often ignore.

Among the symptoms that your nerve health might be leaning towards the higher end of the damage spectrum are numbness, muscle weakness, and a prickling sensation. Though

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these can be attributed to mundane factors such as sleeping position, fatigue, sudden exertion of force, among others, if it becomes repetitive and occurs even when you’re at rest, what you’re feeling might be Neuropathy.

According to internist Dr. Roy Cuison, other symptoms of Neuropathy also include increased sensitivity to touch, sharp pains, a burning feeling, reduced or increased sensitivity to pain, changes in temperature perception, reduced sense

of touch, and a stabbing pain in the foot. If all these don’t go away, it’s about time you seek medical advice. There are also various conditions in which nerve damage appears to be a secondary complication, people who are at risk include: those with chronic diseases like diabetes, exposure to environmental toxins such as smoking, alcoholism, nutritional deficiencies including B vitamin deficiency, and those on certain medications.

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NEUROPATHY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

Merck Inc., a trusted name in the pharmaceutical industry and maker of Neurobion, has just launched a campaign that seeks to stir awareness on neuropathy, to make known its dangers, and to help the fight against nerve damage.

Merck, in line with its WE100 corporate vision of helping humankind live longer, fuller lives of quality, and good health, came up with the Neuropathy Awareness Campaign to educate Filipinos on Neuropathy.

Understanding how serious and difficult nerve health issues can be, this campaign is especially directed towards the workforce who is subjected to the hassles of commuting on a daily basis.

This, on top of workload and whatnot, puts pressure on the hands and feet, and on the nerves.

With this campaign, Merck, through its B-vitamins supplement, Neurobion, hopes to spread awareness on the causes; common symptoms, and ways to prevent neuropathy from happening.

Taking daily maintenance for nerve nourishment, such as Neurobion, may help put a halt to nerve damage.

NEUROBION NERVE THERAPY TRIP To jumpstart the campaign, Merck has introduced the Neurobion Nerve Therapy Trip which aims to reward the everyday heroes through an upgraded bus ride. Taking away the hassles of daily commute, this will keep passengers relaxed as they head to and from work.

Passengers will also learn how to care and keep their nerves healthy through the Neuro Motion

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video, a collection of simple exercises and easy to follow exercises that will be displayed during the bus ride. Some of the simple steps can even be done within the confines of your office desk or bus seat. · Calf raises · Toe taps · Wrist curls, akin to holding onto hand rails · Hand grips, like holding onto a rail

· · · ·

Rocking of feet back and forth Seated knee raises Hip flexing Curling shoulders in and out

To experience the Nerve Therapy Trip for yourself, look for the Neurobion buses plying the Alabang-Navotas route and vice versa for 25 days beginning August 7.

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EVERYTHING

APPLE

iPhone

8

Rumor Roundup Words by Gerry Gaviola

Last year, we saw the iPhone 7. And although many were looking forward to a new design and impressive new features, Apple released a phone with a nearly identical two-year-old design, an OS that still looked the same, and airpods in lieu of the 3.5mm headphone jack.

It seemed like a minor “S” upgrade; many were disappointed, while some brand loyalists, rejoiced. This year, we’re looking at the release of Apple’s 10th anniversary iPhone. With just months of the expected release, there’s plenty to speculate about, and a lot to actually look forward to. Here, we have a rumor roundup.

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A Radical Design

Year after year, numerous designs are leaked prior to the actual release. Many hints come from leaked cases that give a clue on how the new phone might look. Some come from supposedly leaked schematics straight from Apple, while others come from supposed supply chain leaks.

However, it’s important to note that Apple tests numerous prototype models before the actual release, and after the scandalous leak of the lost

An Improved and Alternative Security System Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, and TSMC has reported that, along with a redesign, is a new and improved security system.

All predict a better screen-to-body ratio, although their reports differ in speculations on home button alternatives. Here are two of their most discussed predictions:

Embedded Fingerprint Scanner

The design decision of ditching the top and bottom bezels in the iPhone’s front will have implications that are bound to affect the user experience. According to TSMC, one of Apple’s chip manufacturers, in place of the home button will be an embedded fingerprint scanner beneath the screen. The implementation will be a step towards a more seamless experience with one less button to click. If you’re wondering if this would be a first, then the answer is no. Chinese cellphone manufacturer, Vivo, has beat Apple in this game; they’ve managed to equip Qualcomm’s ultrasonic fingerprint sensor beneath its phone. Still, it’s nice to see Apple going in this direction. If Vivo did it, why can’t Apple?

iPhone 4 prototype back in 2010, Apple has taken extra steps in ensuring that these type of leaks are avoided. With this, it’s best to take all rumors with a grain of salt.

similar to Sharp’s flagship FS8016 and FS8010 phones. At the back is a rumored dual camera with a similar look to the iPhone 7 Plus, except that it’d be placed vertically.

Dubbed the “iPhone 8”, the phone is rumored to have a radical design with an impressive screento-body ratio. Following the 2017 tech trend of “more screen, less phone”, Apple is rumored to join in, with an edge-to-edge display up front,

An all new mirror-like finish is also rumored to be released. In terms of the size, the 8’s is said to be in between the current iPhone’s 7 Plus and 7’s size. So yes, we might see a fourth addition to the current iPhone size offering.

Amoled Display

This is almost certain. Supply chain leaks dictate so. For this year, we might finally see an iPhone equipped with an AMOLED display. Without a doubt more superior to IPS screens, the new display is definitely one of the best things to look forward to. With added benefits of more balanced contrasts, clearer and more vibrant colors, and individually lit pixels that translate to better battery life, it’s nice to see that Apple is finally catching up with its long due upgrade.

Water and Dust Proofing.

Last year’s release only featured iPhones with an IP67 rating. This year, we hope to finally see actual water and dust proofing for emergencies, and for added protection. Large in number, and to be used by many, the new generation iPhones equipped with this feature may finally enable future users to access their phone even in the most harshest of conditions.

Wireless Charging

The flaw with wireless charging is that it hasn’t been yet put into full potential. Yes, placing your phone on a charging platform is one less step from plugging the lightning cable in, yet the difference seem like insignificant seconds. Apple is rumored to support wireless charging for its 10th anniversary iPhone, as well as for the iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus models. Although we hope that Apple would be the key game changer in wireless charging technology, they’re rumored to stick with the platform setup, which, Kuo also says, will be sold separately.

Facial Recognition

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, however, shared that the fingerprint scanner may not materialize, and instead insists on a facial recognition solution. With the absence of the the physical home button and the demand for better security solutions, Kuo says that Apple will include a facial recognition feature to provide an option of a quick yet secure unlock.

Mark Gurnam, reiterates the same, but doesn’t provide explicit hints on the absence of the embedded fingerprint scanner. According to his report, Apple’s new security system will feature a new 3-D sensor and iris scanning in order in order fortify its security solutions offering. He adds that this technology will not be used solely for mere iPhone unlocks alone, but will also be used to authenticate payments, as well provide additional individual app security. There are many videos lurking on the net of how easy it is to bypass facial scanning, yet we hope that Apple, as secure as its past products are, maintains its security legacy.

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TRAVEL

Words and Photos by Presy Alba

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FEATURE

To know more about Android Device certification, you can visit https://www.android.com/intl/fil_ph/certified/

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