2017 v18n2 - SMART SOPHISTICATION

Maribelle M. Alba

Managing Editor

#GIRLBOSS

Être fort pour être utile

@bellealba

@hisnameisren

THERESA ELORIAGA

ART DIRECTOR

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

JAEL MENDOZA

PRESY ALBA

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

MIA CARISSE BARRIENTOS

President & CEO

Sales Manager Account executive

Accounting manager Accounting Staff

PR & MARKETING STAFF

A bibliophile fascinated with tech.

Also a walking fangirl dictionary.

Legal Counsel

ROBBY VAFLOR

STAFF WRITER

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

@naiveroommate

JOSE ALVAREZ

GERRY GAVIOLA

STAFF WRITER

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

Anne Patricia Cardeño

CONTRIBUTOR

INTERN

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

An introvert aesthete who loves cats, seeks God, and is learning to love herself.

@josealvarez

facebook.com/trish.eiri

SEPTEMBER 2017

Alba Law Office

@miaissocoollike

RONEL BAUTISTA

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

Maritess Pascua-Maulion Lorie Bernardo

Paula Candoy

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

Jay Alba

Marisa Consuelo Carol Agabin

Amy Christine Giray Ramil Almojano Clifford Dela Paz

Junior Editor

GRAPHIC Artist

Maribelle Alba

HR & ADMIN MANAGER Administration Staff

GRAPHIC Artist

@jaellaura_m

2

Ren Alcantara

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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

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.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER 2017 | Volume 18 No. 2

05

Parade

24

Gadgets Lab

31

40

46

62

In the market for a new device to spend your money on? Look no further.

Elixir of Life

Gong Yoo and the Asus ZenFone 4 smartphones make for a strikingly handsome pair.

Gadget reviews fresh from our lab.

Mobility

New wheels rolling into town!

Get Smart!

Smart innovations made easy.

YouTube Firearms Channels

YouTube surprisingly holds a lot of information on firearms.

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66

68

Unsheathe your sword!

Must see films from the French New Wave.

Close encounters of the Third Dimension.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Essential Novelle Vague

How to Film in 360 Degrees

SEPTEMBER 2017

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70

Re-Engineering the Viewing Experience

Hacking films through emotion.

72

Engineering health care.

Know more about the eccentric Amsterdam in a little over 800 words.

Siemens Healthineers

Destination: Amsterdam

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76

78

Need new apps on your phone?

Here’s your shopping list.

Reducing clutter fast.

Business, technology, and more.

September App Shopping

DaisyDisk: the Ultimate Mac Cleaner

82

92

Stay in the tech loop.

Remembering the fallen Apple gem.

Bits and Bytes

4

71

SEPTEMBER 2017

Enterprise

Apple Newton

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

PARADE

Instax Mini 9

Instant Camera Take pictures and print copies in an instant with the highlyloved Instax Mini. The 9th iteration of this instant camera sports all the adored features of its previous versions and has been improved to better the photo-taking experience.

Crafted with a curved grip and plastic matte finish, the Mini 9 is easy to hold even when shooting with one hand.

Quality photos are assured thanks to an attached macrolens, allowing you to shoot subjects up to 35 cm close. For selfie lovers, the Mini 9 has a mirror selfie next to the lens for checking the framing of your photo. Ease-of-use is also part of Mini 9’s many characteristics. It has a high-key mode for taking photos with softer impression, and automatically indicates the best brightness for taking a photo via LED lamps flanked by several exposure options—of which you can select through its built-in adjustment dial. The Instax Mini 9 is available in many fun colors including, ice blue, cobalt blue, lime green, flamingo pink, and smoky white.

PHP 3,999

Instax Square SQ10

Hybrid Instant Camera If you’ve handled a regular instant camera, you’ll know the struggles of not being able to see the photo before it gets printed out. Instax combines the fun of printing photos on an instant camera and the satisfaction of being able to edit and process images on a screen in the Square SQ10. This hybrid instant camera ships with internal storage with a 50-photo capacity and expandability via a microSD card, ¼-inch CMOS with primary color filter image sensor, 3.0-inch TFT color LCD screen, micro USB port for charging, can hold up to 10 Fujifilm Instant Films, playback functions, and lots of image processing features.

All these are housed in a well-designed body that’s meant to make handling easy and allow precise control.

PHP 14,999

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

September 2017

5

ZenFone 4 Pro Smartphone

The flagship device of the new ZenFone series is a 5.5-incher, powerful in every respect. It flaunts an intricately crafted body forged with glass and metal. The inside is as beautiful its exterior; processing is taken care of a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 CPU with eight cores along with 6 GBs of RAM. This combination enables fast and fluid processing of tasks, impeccable gameplay, power efficiency, and speedy camera performance, among others. Asus puts the spotlight on this handset’s dual-lens camera system which includes a Sony IMX362 image sensor, an F1.7 aperture lens, and up to 10x zoom capability working in tandem with the brand’s PixelMaster camera technology to satiate your every photography need.

PHP 39,995

ZenFone 4

Smartphone Equally beautiful as its sibling, the ZenFone 4 Pro, the ZenFone 4 tones it down a bit specs-wise but still packs a punch. It sports a dual camera system with a 12 MP main camera equipped with the same Sony IMX362 image sensor with large 1.4 μm pixels and an F1.8 aperture lens, enabling it to capture up to five times clearer photos in low light against other phones within its class. To allow more creative freedom, the photography experience is boosted by a Qualcomm Spectra 160 image signal processor (ISP). This integration results to faster than fast focusing and steady zooming, along with color-accurate outputs. It ships with a 6 GB RAM, 64 GB onboard storage, 3300 mAh battery, either Qualcomm Snapdragon 660/630 chipset, and is available in midnight black and moonlight white.

PHP 28,995 (bundled with JBL Clip 2 and ZenPower Slim)

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ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro Smartphone

Up your selfie game with the ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro’s dual-lens front camera setup. With an F/1.8 Sony IMX362, 24 MP base camera helped along by a 120-degree super wide-angle camera, selfies are vivid and full of detail. Additionally, the base front and rear camera allow you to take 4K UHD videos for quality clips to share on your social media accounts. The Selfie Pro is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, working in tandem with 4 GB of RAM and a 64 GB onboard storage. It is available in colors rogue red, sunlight gold, and deep sea black.

PHP 18,995 (bundled with a limited edition

Gong Yoo A4 poster)

ZenFone 4 Max Smartphone

Running out of juice in the middle of a critical day will no longer be a problem with the ZenFone 4 Max. Touted the “battery king,” this handset is true royalty when it comes to power with its whopping 5000 mAh battery. To sweeten the deal, it doubles as a powerbank and features 2x faster reverse charging, so you can top up your other devices anytime, anywhere. On the processing side of things, the ZenFone 4 Max is powered by a combination of an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor and 3 GB RAM for high performance no matter the task. For capturing photos, it boasts a 13 MP rear camera along with a 120-degree super wide angle shooter. It also has an 8 MP front camera for sharp and bright selfies you can proudly show around.

PHP 9,995

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

September 2017

7

Torque EGO Note 4G Smartphone

Looking for a phone with dependable specs yet is budgetfriendly? Torque’s got you! Introducing one of the phones from the EGO Social Boosters series, the Note 4G. It runs Android 7.0 Nougat, and satisfies visually with its 5.5-inch HD IPS display with a resolution of 720 x 1280. The Note 4G provides you power to do tasks thanks to its 1.3 GHz quadcore processor. Sounds interesting? There’s more. The EGO Note 4G is equipped with a 1 GB RAM and an expandable internal storage from 8 GB to 32 GB, LTE support, and a 3000 mAh battery. It has an 8 MP rear camera (auto-focus) and a 5 MP front camera, allowing you to capture moments in detail. It is available in stone gray-matte finish that will go with any look.

PHP 4,599

Torque EGO Zoom Lite Smartphone

If you’re looking for a smartphone that comes in stylish gold with great specs but at an affordable price, this is is your best bet. Torque’s Zoom Lite features the Android 7.0 Nougat OS, 5.0- inch HD IPS display, and a speedy 1.3 GHz quad-core processor which allows you to watch videos and play games anytime, anywhere. It has LTE capability and a 2000 mAh battery to keep you connected throughout the day. Not only that. The EGO Zoom Lite also has a 1 GB RAM and 8 GB internal storage which you can expand up to 32 GB to store files and apps you need, or photographs you’re going to capture with its 8 MP (auto-focus) rear camera and 5 MP front camera. Gold at an affordable price that doesn’t sacrifice specs, what more can you ask?

PHP 3,999

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SEPTEMBER 2017

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Epson Moverio BT-300 AR Glasses

Want a glimpse of the future? Who doesn’t? The Moverio BT-300 is Epson’s fourth attempt at the VR/AR universe. If you’re after that nextlevel wearable technology experience, then the Moverio is a definite must-try. Powered by an Atom X5 processor, and able to produce an ultra crisp 80-inch virtual display, the Moverio is one step closer to merging of human and technological ability. For now, it’s able to connect to your drone, showcase 3D images, provide a big display, and more. Although still a developing technology, the mere fact that this baby exists is a spectacle in itself.

PHP 43,000

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

September 2017

9

Lowa Zephyr Mid TF Boots

Lowa brings its renowned shoe manufacturing heritage and the latest technology in materials for footwear here in the Philippines, and the Zephyr Mid TF represents this fully. The shoes are designed around the DuraPU midsole with a Monowrap frame, enveloped in split leather. Its open, breathable mesh fabric makes the Zephyr Mid TF an excellent pair of boots for anything related to the outdoors.

It is available in sage and coyote colors.

Olight H2R Nova Flashlight

The H2R Nova is leading flashlight manufacturer Olight’s newest product. With an insane 2,300 lumens-maximum luminosity, the H2R Nova is useful for any occurance from looking for your dropped keys in the dark to making your way through a pitch black environment. It has different beam settings from the 1 lumen “moonlight mode” to full power. The H2R’s angled head allows you to clip the light onto your clothes or to the included headband which frees up your hands to focus on other tasks. The H2R is also IPX8 certified waterproof up to 3 meters and shockproof.

PHP 4,500

Opinel DIY No. 9 Knife

Opinel’s DIY No. 9 is a testament to the company’s 125-year history, mixing classic design with new technology. It sports the same silhouette as its wooden brethren as well as its time-tested, simple yet reliable locking mechanism. The similarity stops there, however; the DIY No. 9’s handle is made of high-tech, fiberglass-reinforced polymide on which, Opinel ingeniously included two of the most used screwdriver bits in the package. Its Sandvik stainless steel blade has anticorrosive properties which makes it ideal as an EDC blade due to its low maintenance requirements. The blade profile also incorporates wire-strippers which allows it to handle some quick electronics work around the house or wherever the need presents itself.

PHP 1,200

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SEPTEMBER 2017

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HTC U Play Smartphone

The HTC U Play is a 5.2-inch phone that is compact and feels solid in your hand. It flaunts a beautifully contoured, liquid-gloss surface that’s designed to reflect you. HTC has developed an entirely new process where colors bond to the glass in multiple layers to reflect light beautifully.

Glass is evenly moulded around the sides and edges to create a seamless blend between metal and glass. Introduced in the U Play is the HTC Sense Companion. This personal companion learns from you, and remembers the things you do every day. It can suggest you what to wear and tell you if you have to leave earlier for work and more. It’s made to evolve and get to know you better over time. As an additional security feature, the HTC U Play comes with voice recognition built-in. It’s able to recognize your voice and respond even when your phone is locked.

Meanwhile, HTCs USonic analyzes your inner ears with a sonic pulse, and then adapts to you. It’s like having a sound engineer in your phone.

For photos and videos, you get Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for twice the shutter time with less blur, PDAF speeds to improve auto focus times, plus Auto HDR which makes back-lit shots extra vivid. The U Play also features a new selfie camera which allows you to easily switch between 16 MP and UltraPixel, whichever fits the occasion.

PHP 18,990

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

September 2017

11

HEOS 7

Wireless Speaker The HEOS 7 is the biggest brother among the HEOS family of speakers, and is quite possibly one of the best wireless speakers out in the market. It sports seven drivers, two passive radiators, two custom tweeters and mid-woofers, and a large subwoofer that’s powered by five dedicated class D amplifiers. With its top of the line specifications, it’s able to offer sounds only possible from premium wireless speakers. Like its other siblings, paring this baby with the HEOS app will allow you to enjoy a plethora of sounds and beats, and will additionally offer you the perks of experiencing high resolution audio support. Making sure that looks aren’t left behind, the HEOS 7 comes built with rich and genuine materials that’s brushed with a metallic apex for an elegant and solid build.

PHP 38,500

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SEPTEMBER 2017

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HEOS 1

Wireless Speaker Built with style and utility, the HEOS 1 speaker is one that represents its HEOS family with utmost confidence. Packed in this speaker’s small form factor are precision engineered components that make all the difference. The HEOS 1 comes equipped with custom dual drivers, a wide range mid-woofer, and a precision dome tweeter. Paring utility with design, it’s also able to sport a sealed yet stylish enclosure for humidity resistance, making it possible for users to enjoy music by the pool, in the washroom, or in any damp environment. Pairing it with the HEOS app will have you enjoying music from the best online music services in no time, be it through Spotify, Pandora, TuneIn, Tidal, and more.

PHP 17,500

HEOS 5

Wireless Speaker As is its name hints, the HEOS 5 sports a five driver system that packs a ton of power to soothe those audiophile ears. Joining the system are two custom designed tweeters and two mid-woofers that are powered by four Class D amp channels, the best in amp classification. Alongside a passive radiator, many will be surprised with the impressive sounds the speaker can produce. Whether it be medium or large rooms, the HEOS 5 will instantly fill your room with rich sounds, and heavy bass. Discreet and stylish, and a beast when switched on, the HEOS 5 comes as a sound powerhouse.

PHP 29,500

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

September 2017

13

Nikon D850

DSLR Camera A jaw-dropping 45.7 megapixels is what Nikon is offering with the Nikon D850. This is all thanks to the company’s very own backside-illuminated (BSI), FX-format, full-frame CMOS image sensor with no optical low-pass filter. It makes use of the new EXPEED 5 image processor, giving lower noise levels, a wider dynamic range, and improved capture of subtle details. It also allows the camera to shoot full-resolution photos up to 7 fps and take 4K UHD video at 30 fps. The D850 has a wide ISO range from 64 to 25,600 which is expandable to a range of ISO 32 to 102,400.

The D850 also uses the precision autofocus system as Nikon’s flagship the D5. It has 153 focus points, 99 cross-type sensors, a dedicated AF processor, and low light capabilities of up to -4 EV.

Razer Wolverine Ultimate Controller

The Razer Wolverine Ultimate is the company’s latest foray into console peripherals. The company ported its Synapse for the Xbox so players can have the same level of customization that PC gamers have. The Wolverine Ultimate is the first Razer console product to have Chroma support, giving players access to 16.8 million colors and a variety of effects. The controller also gets two interchangeable D-Pads, interchangeable thumbsticks with different heights and shapes and six re-mappable triggers and buttons either via Synapse or on the fly.

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SEPTEMBER 2017

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Nokia 8

Smartphone The Nokia 8 is a high–performance, intricately crafted smartphone, designed with content creators in mind. It brings three world-firsts to Android smartphones, including a debut collaboration with ZEISS optics. With performance and pure Android at its heart, as well as the most advanced aluminium unibody design to date, the Nokia 8 represents all the hallmarks of a true flagship Nokia smartphone. Making its debut in this smartphone is the Dual-Sight feature. This simultaneously harnesses both the front and rear cameras in a split screen visual for both photos and videos. With just one touch, this world-first livestream capability gives more immersive experiences for those who love to create and share special memories. Nokia 8 is also the first smartphone to feature Nokia OZO Audio. OZO spatial 360-degree audio brings a fully immersive audio experience to your 4K video. Leading-edge 360-degree audio capture ensures the playback lets you truly relive captured moments so your memories never fade. Thin and lightweight, Nokia 8’s seamless unibody is precision–milled from a single block of 6000 series aluminium and its design has been refined through a 40-stage process of machining, anodizing, and polishing. Select models feature a high-gloss mirror finish that has taken over 20 hours to complete to achieve a flawless look. Notably, the phone also features Qualcomm’s powerful Snapdragon 835 Mobile Platform ensuring an overall outstanding performance.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

September 2017

15

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X and 1920X Processor

AMD has just released their newest Ryzen Threadripper desktop processors. The 1950X is a massive leap forward in the evolution of desktop performance in the high-end market, surpassing the expectations of the most demanding users in the market. The Threadripper processors are built around the new AMD x86 Zen core architecture, and the 1950X leads the charge. With 16 cores, 32 threads, a base clock of 3.4 GHz, which boosts to 4.0 GHz. Meanwhile, the 1920X is a 12-core, 24-thread processor that goes from 3.5 to 4.0 GHz when boosted. Never before seen in desktop processors, it performs like nothing you’ve ever experienced.

PHP 59,700 (Ryzen Threadripper 1950X) PHP 47,500 (Ryzen Threadripper 1920X)

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SEPTEMBER 2017

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Cloudfone Lite Senior Flip Feature phone

For us Filipinos, our grandparents—our lolos and lolas—mean a lot to us and we try our best to keep them as close to us as possible.

However, with increasingly fast-paced lives, we can’t always be there for them when something happens. Cloudfone came out with the Lite Senior Flip phone to help us and our elders feel a little more secure with its one-press S.O.S. function, which allows the user to call or message set contacts in the event of an emergency. The Cloudfone Lite Senior Flip also has a large display and large-print keys for easy readability. The phone also has a VGA camera, a long-lasting 600 mAh battery, 2 GB of built-in memory (expandable up to 16 GB), an FM radio receiver, and a flashlight.

PHP 1,299

Essential Phone Smartphone

The child of Andy Rubin, one of the minds behind the Android Open Source Project, this device promises to be one of the hardcore Android user must-haves. Running the Essential is the Snapdragon 835 chipset with 4 GB of RAM, and a fixed 128 GB of storage. The main camera is a 13-megapixel deal, with an 8-megapixel front camera for selfies. Powering the device is a 3040 mAh battery, which should be enough for the massive 5.71-inch, 1312 x 2560 edge-to-edge display. It’s large, it’s metal, and it’s beautiful. Everything you want in a flagship device.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

September 2017

17

Corsair Void Pro RGB Wireless Gaming headset

Corsair’s new premium gaming headset is a combination of absolute comfort and incredible audio quality. The cans are lined with breathable microfibre mesh fabric over memory foam, which gives a nice cozy fit while reducing heat and moisture build-up. But the highlight of the Void Pro is its custom-tuned 50 mm neodymium speaker drivers for accurate sound reproduction with a wide range, supported by Dolby Headphone 7.1 surround sound.

To go with the incredible audio output, Corsair added a crystal-clear, Discord-certified microphone.

Meizu Pro 6 Smartphone

Meizu continuously outdoes itself, cramming ridiculous amounts of power into such affordable flagships. The Meizu Pro 6 is no exception, running on a 10-core, Helio X25 processor connected to 4 GB LPDDR3 memory. For storage, the Pro 6 comes with either 32 GB or 64 GB of memory. Meizu prides itself with multimedia clarity, and the Pro 6 gets a 5.2-inch, 1080p Super AMOLED display with 10000:1 contrast rating. It also has a Cirrus Logic CS43L36 Hi-Fi chip for quality audio to go with the quality display. Its main shooter is a 21.16-megapixel camera with a six-element lens, f/2.2 aperture, PDAF phase focusing, laser-aided focusing, and circular two-tone flash. The front camera has a resolution of 5 megapixels, with a five-element lens and f/2.0 aperture.

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R

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A

C

H

E

S

1.6 MILLION

STUDENTS ALL OVER THE PHILIPPINES

FIND A COPY AT SCHOOL LIBRARIES EVERY MONTH!

METRO MANILA ABE International Business College • Adamson University • Angelicum College • Arellano University • Asia Pacific College • Ateneo de Manila University • Central Colleges of the Philippines • Centro Escolar University • De La Salle University • Don Bosco Technical College • Emilio Aguinaldo College • Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science • Far Eastern University • FEU Institute of Technology • Jesus Reigns Christian College • Lyceum of the Philippines University • Manila Central University • Manuel L. Quezon University • MAPUA Institute of Technology • Marikina Polytechnic College • Miriam College • National Defense College of the Philippines • National Teachers College • National University (Philippines) • Navotas Polytechnic College • New Era University • Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay • Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina • Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila • Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa • Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela • Perpetual Help College of Manila • Philippine School of Business Administration • Philippine Christian University • Philippine Normal University • Philippine Womens University • Polytechnic University of the Philippines • Rizal Technological University • Siena College Taytay Rizal • San Beda College • San Juan De Letran • San Sebastian College • St. Scholastica’s College • Technological Institute of the Philippines • Technological University of the Philippines • Trinity University of Asia • University of Caloocan • University of the East • University of Makati • University of Manila • University of Perpetual Help System DALTA • University of Rizal System • University of Santo Tomas • University of the East • University of the East Ramon Magsaysay • University of the Philippines Diliman • University of the Philippines Manila

LUZON · NORTHERN Angeles University Foundation • Aurora State College of Technology • Baliwag University • Bataan Peninsula State University • Benguet State University • Bulacan State University • Cagayan State University • Central Luzon State University • Don Honorio Ventura State University • Dr. Yangas College • Holy Angel University • Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State University • La Consolacion University Philippines • Mariano Marcos State University • Nueva Ecija University of Science & Technology • Nueva Viscaya State University • Pampanga State Agricultural University • Pangasinan State University • Ramon Magsaysay Technological University • Saint Louis University • Tarlac Agricultural University • Tarlac State University • University of Assumption • University of Cordilleras • University of Luzon • University of Pangasinan • University of the Northern Philippines • University of the Philippines Baguio

LUZON · SOUTHERN Aquinas University of Legaspi • Ateneo de Naga University • Batangas State University • Bicol University • Cavite State University • De La Salle Lipa • FEU Cavite • Laguna State Polytechnic University • Lyceum of the Philippines University Batangas • Manuel S. Envarga University • Marinduque State College • Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology • Palawan State University • Romblon State University • San Pablo Colleges • Southern Luzon State University • University of Batangas • University of the Philippines Los Banos

VISAYAS Aklan State University • Bohol Island State University • Bukidnon State College • Capiz State University • Carlos Hilado Memorial State College • Cebu Doctors University • Cebu Normal University • Central Philippine University • Eastern Visayas State University • Guimaras State College • John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University • Misamis University • Naval State University • Negros Oriental State University • North West Samar State University • Samar State University • San Carlos University • Siliman University • Siquijor State University • Southern Leyte State University • University of Cebu • University of Negros Occidental Recoletos • University of San Agustin • University of San Jose Recoletos • University of St. La Salle • University of the Philippines Visayas • Visayas State University • West Visayas State University • Xavier University

MINDANAO Atemeo de Davao University • Capitol University • Caraga State University • Central Mindanao University • Davao Del Norte State University • Jose Rizal Memorial State University • Mindanao State University Ilagan • Mindanao University of Science & Technology • St. Michael’s College Ilagan • Surigao Del Sur State University • Surigao State College of Technology • Unibersidad de Zamboanga • University of Mindanao • University of Southeastern Philippines • University of the Philippines Mindanao • Western Mindanao State University • Zamboanga State College of Marine Science & Technology

Rev’it Vigor

Mesh Motorcycle Jacket Safety is the first concern when you get on your bike, but we can’t really blame you for not wanting to wear a full cow suit each time you want to commute to work on your two-wheeler. Rev’it is here to end your woes with the Vigor mesh riding jacket. The Vigor sports 3D air mesh for massive ventilation, and 600D polyester for abrasion resistance on the spots where it matters. Elbows and shoulders even get Knox Flexiform CE-level padding, and a pocket in the back can take a Seesoft CE-level 2 protector you can purchase separately. The jacket cuts a slim profile, so you’re not only safe and comfortable, you’ll also be extremely stylish.

PHP 7,800

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SEPTEMBER 2017

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Canon 6D Mark II DSLR

The new Canon 6D Mark II is the lightest in the Canon EOS full-frame DSLR line. It is equipped with top-of-the-line technology—26.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, DIGIC 7 image processor, dual pixel CMOS AF, among others—that enables it to produce clearer images even under low light conditions and creates an impressive background blur effect for subjects moving at optimum speed. It also comes with an optical viewfinder with 45 all cross-type AF points and a vari-angle touch screen LCD for live view operation.

Canon 200D DSLR

The new Canon 200D is a lightweight, compact, and stylish beginner’s alternative. Although considered an entry-level camera, it comes with hi-tech features such as increased background blur capabilities for shooting moving objects, Bluetooth connectivity to upload and transfer on–the–go, and a Vari-angle touch screen LCD monitor that allows users to shoot at different angles. It ships with a 24.2 MP sensor, 5 fps continuous shooting, and 80 plus lenses available.

www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

September 2017

23

GADGETS LAB

Lenovo Legion Y720 Cube Reviewed by Robby Vaflor

For a lot of people, PC gaming can be quite an intimidating thing to get into; not everyone knows how to build a rig from scratch, and really it’s more convenient to just pick up a console and start playing out of the box. However, pre-built gaming desktops are becoming more and more akin to their personalized counterparts in terms of power and flexibility. Lenovo’s new iteration of the Legion Cube is one such machine.

DESIGN The Y720 Cube is aesthetically identical to its predecessor the Y710, and with this rig, I’m very much okay with it. Why change an already perfect thing, right?

The rig’s outer shell is a cross between the strong lines and angles of an Art Deco train and the badassery of the Black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Tis but a scratch!). Its facade is fierce and assertive, combining inclined panels and accented by a Y-shaped light and two more lights near the base. The front tapers to the back, with exaggerated vents and bevels adding to the handsome exterior. The folks at Lenovo smartly combined matte, glossy, and carbon fiber-textured plastic with metal mesh to give character to the tower.

In terms of practicality, the Y720 Cube is designed to be accommodated by even a small desk in a small flat without taking too much space. It even has a carry handle for easy transportation.

HARDWARE This thing is built for speed, and like the giant chain of malls, it has it all for you. This VR-ready machine runs on a 7th generation i7-7700 quad-core processor with a base frequency of 3.6 GHz and a maximum turbo clock speed of 4.2 GHz. The configuration I was able to use had 16 GB of RAM, a 128 GB SSD and 2 TB secondary HDD with a write speed of 7200 RPM. Lenovo allows for memory options of up to 32 GB RAM and a 256 GB SSD. In terms of graphics, the version I used had an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 with 8 GB of video memory.

The Y720 Cube also has a healthy amount of connecting ports: four USB 3.0 ports in total (two each in the front and the rear), four USB 2.0 ports, one PS/2 port, one HDMI port, one VGA port, one DVI port, a microphone jack and a headphone jack for the front, as well as three audio line-out and a line-in in the rear. It does not, however, have a USB Type-C port.

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The desktop can connect through Wi-Fi or LAN, both powered by Killer drivers, delivering high-speed internet. It also has Bluetooth, Dolby Home Theater 7.1 channel surround sound support, an optional Xbox One Wireless Adapter, and even a powerful 65 W cooling fan. What it doesn’t have is an optical drive. But it’s 2017, man. Get with the program and buy digital.

USER EXPERIENCE I don’t think there’s much to say except that I had a blast having a go at the Y720 Cube.

And like I said before, this thing is fast. Turning on and restarting will take literally just a few seconds depending on how many applications run on startup. Everything else is just as fast: file transfers, downloads (thanks to Killer’s network priority function), and loading up games will take only a short while.

In terms of performance, the Y720 Cube is a beast. Even when playing graphics-intensive games like The Rise of the Tomb Raider, Battlefield 1 or Bethesda’s Prey, the desktop gives smooth frame rates on very high to maximum settings-although for The Rise of the Tomb Raider, which sucks up so much hardware, I had to tweak a setting or two to optimize it, but I won’t chalk it up to the rig, that game is just so needy. It also has to be repeated that this thing is VR-ready, which pretty much tells you how much power you’ve got under the hood.

you still have a lot to spend after that initial dent in your wallet. Having said that, Lenovo makes the case for the Cube, quite literally, with a beautiful exterior and a well-balanced machine that’s been optimized with the right parts that would work well together.

Specifications: Processor: Intel Core i7-7700, quad-core, 3.6 GHz (Turbo at 4.2 GHz) RAM: 16 GB RAM Storage: 128 GB SSD + 2TB HDD at 7200 RPM Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 VRAM: 8 GB dedicated, 8 GB shared Network Connections: Killer Ethernet E2400, Killer Wireless-AC 1535 Wi-Fi Display Ports: 1 x HDMI, 1 x VGA, 1 x DVI Connections: 4 x USB 3.0 (2 in front, 2 in the back), 4 x USB 2.0, 1 x PS/2, 1 x RJ45 Gigabit LAN with Killer LAN, 1 x microphone jack, 1 x headphone jack, 3 x audio line-out, 1 audio line-in What’s Hot: - It’s fast - It’s pretty What’s Not: - It’s a little pricey

Other hardware-pushing tasks like editing and rendering high definition video, or multiple videos for that matter, barely slows the thing down. It really is great for everything.

VALUE And this is where perfection is rendered, well, imperfect. The Legion Y720 Cube is priced at PHP 81,990 for the base model, and if you consider that it’s just the gaming tower, and you still have to buy gaming peripherals such as the monitor, the keyboard, and the mouse,

Bottomline If you’re thinking of adding a bit more sophistication to your gaming inventory beyond the consoles, and you have the moolah to shell out, the Lenovo Legion Y720 Cube is a good place to start.

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Epson Moverio BT-300 Reviewed by Gerry Gaviola

Google Glass failed to take off at the time of its release— the world wasn’t ready just yet for AR. It was raw; consumers didn’t want it, nor did businesses. Now, we find ourselves in the year of successful released AR/VR technologies.

Slowly transitioning to adoptions of such, we take a look at how Epson is pushing for a technology where even Google once failed.

DESIGN The Epson Moverio is no Google Glass; unlike it, the Moverio consists of a headset and a controller that has its corresponding pros and cons. Augmented reality devices are supposed to effectively tweak or enhance the way you view your environment, wherever you may be. And unlike VR technologies that need not be extremely portable due to it merely projecting virtual images, portability is key when it comes to AR. Point is, for an AR device that’s supposed to successfully augment your environment, it needs to be portable. The Moverio does fit the description of portable, but only just.

Case in point, there’s a bulky controller you’d have to carry with you all the time. Although it’s weight, length and width, could be negligible to the user, it is the thickness that puts it off. True AR is supposed to be seamless, wireless, and is supposed to provide you an experience that doesn’t require you to carry an almost inch-thick device just for you to savor the experience.

The wire adds an additional obstacle to a seamless design. Epson, in its commercial, markets the Moverio as a portable device that’s ready for active lifestyle. It is particular hard to imagine riding bikes and running while a wire constantly dangles by your face. And in case you’ve missed it, the headset has no standalone battery. It’s pretty much paperweight without the bulky controller.

Unfortunate? Yes. Very. And if you’d think that you’d be able to adjust it to comfortably fit your head, then you’d be wrong. It sports a one size fits all design folks.

Although the design has its caveats, there’s also some considerable good it brings. First, the glasses themselves are comfortable to wear. It’s light, and its parts that come in contact with your skin doesn’t hurt or cause discomfort, even after long hours.

Since the battery, the processor, and pretty much the whole brain and body of the device is embedded inside the controller, wearing the Moverio feels like wearing any other glasses (that’s if it fits you in the first place). The two component design sets the Moverio apart from its big and funny-looking competitors.

HARDWARE The Moverio packs a quad-core Intel Atom X5 processor, 16 GB of onboard storage and 2 GB of RAM. If the Moverio falls short in its portability, then this is where it makes up for. Often equipped in tablets and in Mini PC desktops, the quad-core Atom X5 processor has proved itself to be decent enough to run games, even on high graphic

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settings. The Moverio can and will run all apps in its contained Moverio Apps Market smoothly, all thanks to its more than decent processor, and the 2 GB of RAM that complements it. There’s no question about that.

and other professionals through way of AR technologies is one step closer to an superbly efficient and futuristic society.

The display is perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Moverio. Putting the glasses on will provide you with a crystal clear 80-inch virtual display that’s perfect for any media consumption. The display, Espon definitely got right. Known for innovative projectors, it was nice to see Epson preserve its legacy of providing superb light-based technologies.

The Moverio BT-300 retails for USD 779 (PHP 39,954.91). As Epson’s website advises, this the device is only ideal for AR enthusiasts and developers. Unless you’re a hardcore fan, or a developer, or one of the aforementioned enterprise uses, then it might not be advisable to purchase a raw piece of technology.

USER EXPERIENCE

With the expensive price tag, and limited use, this will only ever be enjoyed by hardcore AR enthusiasts. Practical consumers might want to wait a little more for stable technologies.

Despite the Moverio BT-300 being the fourth iteration of Epson’s AR technology, there still isn’t much happening with it. Yes, it’s running Android, but it doesn’t come preinstalled with Google Play Store. Manually installing an apk will just cause the application to crash, and the only real way to be able to run it is through rooting, which many consider risky.Navigating can be done through the controller via the cross-key/enter keys, through the trackpad, or by simply gazing at a particular area, if supported.

It might take a little while to get used to, but overall, navigation and control isn’t a hassle.

In lieu of the Play Store, there’s the Moverio Apps Market that packs a few hundred applications.

There’s the DJI app for connecting to your drone, a few games here, and a few video apps there. In all honesty, there really isn’t much there yet for you to have that jaw dropping experience. On the consumer side, there just isn’t much. However, enterprise applications tell another story.

Like with other AR technologies, the Moverio works well for enterprise use, especially in the area of simulation and guided access. The Aero Glass, for instance, is able to provide aircraft pilots a navigation solution that includes a visualization of terrain merged with navigation data. For dentists, there’s iDent technology that allows the viewing real time digital impressions during dental operations. Another of which is Apprentice Field Suite that’s able to provide professionals additional leverage in executing their tasks. By way of the Moverio providing real time tools that display complementary information, and by it being able to provide collaborative telepresence, safety reporting and more, professionals are given a cost effective leverage.

VALUE

Bottomline

Specifications: OS: Android OS, v5.1 Processor: quad-core Intel Atom X5 processor Storage: 16 GB, expandable to 32 GB via dedicated microSD card slot RAM: 2 GB Screen: 80-inch virtual display, Si-OLED (5m viewing distance), 24 bit color (approximately 16,770,000 colors) SIM: N/A Camera:5 MP Comms: IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Miracast® (Source/ Sink) Bluetooth 4.1 Dimensions: Headset - 191mm × 178mm × 25mm (without the shade); Controller - 56mm × 116mm × 23mm (without protruding section) Weight: Headset - 69 g (without cables); Controller 129g (without batteries, 1 battery is approx. 50 g) Battery: 2950 mAh Li-Po non-removable battery

What’s Hot: - Clear and bright display display - Can be connected to a drone - Average build; not bulky What’s Not: - Unadjustable; and “one size fits - No water-proofing or dust proofing

There are plethora of tools for professional use, but just a handful for consumers, which is not at all a bad thing. Empowering engineers, doctors, scientists,

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Blaupunkt BP 2.0 FHD Reviewed by Presy Alba

I’ve wanted to get a dash cam for some time now because there are a variety of possible of traffic situations that can happen, and I felt that having a dash cam that records the whole drive can give me added security. In a traffic dispute, if I can show a video of what really happened, it can settle the issue conclusively.

DESIGN The Blaupunkt BP 2.0 Full HD Digital Video Recorder is a very basic dashcam. The box contained a small nondescript digital camera, USB cable, car charger and a bracket with suction. But I have to say that it is stylish even in its simplicity.

HARDWARE For a basic surveillance camera, the Blaupunkt BP 2.0 FHD is well-made. Depending on user setting, it can record in full HD and the 2-inch monitor may be tiny, but the video display is reasonably clear. The bracket with the accompanying suction is quite sturdy and holds the camera steady even when driving on rough roads.

USER EXPERIENCE Setting it up was easy, but not very intuitive. I had to read the enclosed manual to figure out how the buttons worked. Following the instructions on the manual, I turned the camera on to set the date and time, then set the camera resolution to 1080 FHD, set loop recording to 2 minutes, left exposure setting to the default +0/0, and turned the audio recording on. Everything was all set after I attached the camera to the bracket, mounted it on my windshield just behind the rear-view mirror, and plugged in the USB cord to the car charger.

Once plugged, the Blaupunkt 2.0 FHD Dash Cam, worked like any plug-and-play gadget. It automatically powered up every time I turned on the car, recorded the whole trip without fail, and automatically powered down when I turned off the car.

The quality of the video recording during daytime is really clear and respectably okay at night. The 120-degree wide angle captures a full view of the car’s journey. It is also easy to browse through the video files as they are divided into chunks of 30-second to 2-minute loops, depending on how the recording loop is set, and the 16 GB SD Card provides sufficient storage. The audio quality is acceptable, although if I have the radio on and all the windows are closed, the sound from outside the car is muffled and barely audible on playback.

VALUE At just a little over PHP 3,000, the BP 2.0 FHD does what is expected of a basic dashcam: it records everything while the vehicle is moving. It may not have any bells or whistles, but it does the job reliably without fail.

Specifications: G-Sensor: Built-In Display: 2.0-inch TFT Screen Lens Type: 120 degree ultra wide viewing angle Video resolution: 1080p / 720p / 480p Video format: AVI@MJPG video format Frames: 25fps under 1080p, 30fps under 720p/ 1480p Image resolution: 12M / 10M / 8M / 5M / 3M / 2MHD / VGA / 1.3 M Image format: JPG Loop recording: off / 30s / 1min / 2 min Memory Card (not included): max. 32 GB Connectivity: USB 2.0 output, USB 5V 1000mA power port Battery: 300 mAH Features: built-in microphone and speaker, motion detection Weight: 50 g (DVR) Dimensions: 63 x 30 x 58 mm

What’s Hot: - It comes in a small package - Barely noticeable, not flashy - Works consistently - Affordable What’s Not: - No GPS tracker - No automatic back-up via Wi-Fi or to the cloud

Bottomline Great for an entry-level dashcam.

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A gaming rig is only as strong as its weakest link.

You can have a monster of a video card, heaps of RAM, and a solid mechanical keyboard, but if your display isn’t up to the task, you might as well be playing on the console in the living room.

Acer has been making gaming-centric hardware for a while now, and they know a sub-par display won’t cut it, so they’ve given us the KG1 series of gaming monitors.

FreeSync—How games are meant to be seen With AMD’s FreeSync technology, the KG1 series offers smooth, fluid gameplay, with no tearing, stuttering, or visual artifacts. Nothing takes you away from the gaming experience, especially when the action gets thick. This lets the videocard control the frame rate, allowing both the card and display to eliminate distortion.

Eye-popping visuals With an ultra-fast response time of 1ms, your eyes won’t have enough time to miss a single frame.

Whether you’re covering the rear approach with a twitchy mouse hand, or you’re trying to catch an opponent before they teleport away, the action remains as fluid as if it were happening in real life. Blurring and ghosting will be an unpleasant memory soon forgotten.

Game in comfort Marathon gaming sessions can take a toll on your eyes. Acer Flicker-less technology, and BlueLightShield keep eye strain at a minimum, so you don’t have to quit even as the hours roll by.

Acer’s ComfyView technology keeps reflectivity and glare down to a minimum, adding another layer to keeping eye strain at bay, while Lowdimming drops screen brightness when you play in dark environments. All these enhancements aren’t worth anything if you can’t configure the screen correctly, but with a tilt range of -5 to 15 degrees, that shouldn’t be a problem.

Make the connection With support for VGA, HDMI, and a DisplayPort, this is a monitor that should have wide

compatibility with a huge number of hardware configurations, both old and new.

Options for every gamer, AND MORE Acer Game Mode loads preset for every gaming scenario you need. Whether it’s action, racing, Sport, or a user-configurable custom mode, along with additional modes for movies, graphics, and economy, it’s a monitor that does everything, even beyond just gaming. A quick tap of a hotkey, or the on-screen display is all you need.

Form and function A combination of space-saving and elegance, the three-pronged glossy black stand is as practical as it is beautiful, making for a solid, reliable stand, without giving up desk space.

Its ZeroFrame architecture means you don’t have to worry about bezels getting in the way of multi-

display performance, for everyone who needs a bit more real-estate to get their game on.

A few tricks up its sleeve With Acer Aim Point, you have different crosshairs options overlaid right on the screen, to give you a little edge when you need it. It also gives you a real-time framerate counter, so you stay on top of the action. You even get mode presets, configured for the best image quality, no matter the content.

Gaming is serious business, and you need a serious monitor. Take a look at the Acer KG1 series, and make your gaming rig everything it’s supposed to be.

TCL X3 Reviewed by Ren Alcantara

TVs are still big business. Sure, you can watch on your phone, computer, or tablet, but now that it’s just as easy to fire your streaming service of your choosing up on your TV, the big display in the living room is getting popular again. Today, we take a look at the TCL X3, an Android TV that runs Android, for a complete viewing experience. Here’s what we think of it.

DESIGN The curved display dominates the front of the TV. With a massive 65 inches of real-estate, all eyes are going to be on the screen. Apart from the bottom brushed metal edge, which is home to two sets of three speaker grilles, and the stand, you have virtually no bezels to contend with, giving you a display that doesn’t feel boxed in. The back of the device is impossibly thin, save for the bottom, which contains the hardware necessary to make the display tick, and ports for USB, HDMI, and coax inputs.

The stock remote control is simple and intuitive, and about what one would expect from a modern smart TV. The presence of a dedicated Netflix button though, lets you know exactly what it can do.

HARDWARE Clearly, the star of the spec sheet is the massive quantum dot panel. This renders bright, vivid color, and rich, deep blacks for the best possible viewing experience. The panel also supports HDR which, when paired with HDR content manages color and contrast levels, giving you a precise image regardless of what’s on the screen. Sound is delivered via Harman Kardon-developed speakers for both power and clarity fitting for a display this size. It actually caught us off-guard, giving way more volume than anticipated, and leaving us scrambling for the remote in order to drop the volume to a manageable level.

USER EXPERIENCE I have to admit, I was impressed at the sight of the X3. It’s an imposing curved display that dwarfed the table it was resting on. Thin and bezel-less, it’s quite an eye-catching device. The brushed metal bottom is tastefully done, and the speaker grilles offer a nice contrast to the rest of the facade.

The technicians had taken the liberty of connecting the TV to the network, though setting it up for wireless connectivity is about as easy as any Android phone. Hit the apps button, find the settings, scan, and connect. Wired LAN is even simpler. Plug the device into the router via a LAN cable, and you’re set. Once it had booted, we could test the display’s abilities. 4K resolution videos are absolutely gorgeous. The contrast isn’t thrown off by bright spots in the image, and colors are 28

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rich, and very vibrant, without bleeding over to neighboring areas. We loaded up a 4K car chase, and despite all the fast action, we didn’t experience any blurring or ghosting—a testament to the speed of the screen. The animated series we put on was likewise a pleasure to watch, and even with exaggerated colors of the source, was still easy on the eyes.

Sound was loud. Really loud. Just past a quarter of full volume was too much for the large conference room set up for our viewing that day. Dropped to a reasonable level, everything came out wonderfully, even the bass tones, which I expected to suffer, because of how thin the whole deal is.

The smart functions are implemented well. Being Android at its core, navigation is more or less like a smartphone, but without the touch screen.

Purchasing an optional after-market remote, however, grants you what is basically a mouse pointer you can use for on-screen navigation, making the experience even more intuitive. Also, thanks to its Android heart, you can log into the Google Play Store, and download games, which play just as smoothly on the TV as they would on a capable mobile device. Another optional accessory is a Bluetooth controller, which makes games, particularly racing and platform ones, that much easier to enjoy.

to be significantly more than the PHP 149,995 TCL is asking for. Add to this, the device’s sleek design and image quality, and you have an extremely cost-effective piece of hardware.

Bottomline This is a TV you’re going to want in your living room.

Specifications: Display: 65-inch, curved Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160) Display technology: Quantum Dot Connectivity: A/V, SPDIF, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, LAN, 3.5mm, HDMI x 3, Wi-Fi Audio: Harman/Kardon speakers with Dolby Audio OS: Android 6.0 Marshmallow Processor: A53, quad-core Graphics: Mali T860 RAM: 2.5 GHz Storage: 16 GB What’s Hot: - Great curved display - Great audio - Android integration What’s Not: - No glass protecting the screen

Built-in Netflix compatibility puts tons of movies at the tap of a finger. There’s no need for a Chromecast, as the functionality is built in, and supports everything the Chromecast would, even screen mirroring, as long as the host device and local network support it as well.

VALUE The X3 offers great value for money. A curved screen, Harman speakers, and smart features all point to a television that seems like it’s supposed www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

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LG Q6

Reviewed by Mia Carisse Barrientos

What does a buyer do first when he comes across an interactive phone display? He fires up the screen, that’s what. Though you buy a phone for its specifications, a gorgeous screen increases the chance of bagging that sale. LG has equipped its latest mid-range bet with a splendid FullVision display and some really good specs to give it edge among phones within its class. In this review, we go over the qualities of this smartphone that make it worthy to a land a spot in your gadget arsenal.

DESIGN LG did great by equipping its flagship G6, with a display that flaunts the 18:9 format. Many took delight in this feature, but frowned at its hefty price tag. Now this will no longer be the case with the LG Q6. Featuring LG’s FullVision display, the Q6 sports a refreshing feature for this price range.

This wide screen up front is surrounded by ultrathin bezels and is joined by its front camera along with the receiver. Meanwhile, a subtle LG logo sits nicely on the bottom bezel, almost unnoticeable.

The sides are wrapped in curved aluminum that’s nice to hold and houses the power/lock and volume keys, along with the micro USB slot and pop out trays for the micro SD card and nano SIMs. The back is plastic with a faux-metallic surface. This part of the device is where the main camera with LED flash and speakers are located. LG’s trademark fingerprint sensor is absent in this handphone, but we are not complaining.

HARDWARE For a smartphone that’s tagged as mid-range, the Q6 is a solid 10. For starters, it has a massive amount of screen real estate. An 18:9 screen ratio, which LG touts as FullVision, presents images the way content makers intend them to be seen. It flaunts gorgeous colors and given its size, provides more than enough room for taking notes, and just viewing and doing things on your smartphone in general. Amazing as this feature is, the limited availability of content with this format is a painful drawback. You can scale several apps to adjust to its screen size—an App Scaling feature can be found in the settings—but not all. Also, videos on YouTube and other streaming services aren’t optimized for this format, which takes away from its promised “new dimension of viewing experience.”

But as phone design moves toward an all–screen front, the future looks bright for the Q6.

Inside, the Q6 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 chipset with 8 cores, and runs at 1.4 GHz. This is paired with 3 GB of RAM. This combination equates to processing power able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously without much trouble. Running several apps on this phone was uneventful, save for the times it got warm after hours of continuous use.

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The cameras, 13 MP on the rear and 5 MP on the front, fared alright. Nothing spectacular for both sensors. What I want to highlight is its native camera app. It has a straightforward format so you don’t get lost when setting up the picture quality to your liking. The app also comes with a lot of features that’s real useful and adds to the mobile photo taking experience—among the few are the wide-angle option for selfies and real time brightness adjustment. Additionally, when you take pictures or screenshots, a tiny bubble of social media networks will pop up. This is so you can share these moments on the fly.

USER EXPERIENCE The Q6 runs Android 7.1.1 Nougat but has an LG UI overlay. The added skin isn’t really a bother, since it remains almost vanilla. Plus, some of the native LGnative features are great, some of which are Face Unlock, Instant Social Share—as we’ve mentioned above—Comfort View, automatic adjustment of screen brightness and performance when idle, and snappy response.

Despite the size of its screen, the Q6 is easy to hold and perfect for one-handed operation thanks to its slim build and curved edges. Battery-wise, it can last you a day with moderate use, but with data on while playing games, it drains at a quite alarming rate. You should be fine, though, with a powerpack on your person

VALUE With a sticker price of PHP 12,990, the LG Q6 is a solid option. It comes with a gorgeous FullVision screen that’ll have onlookers ogle, a relatively powerful processor, an ample-sized battery, and cameras that work in tandem with a very efficient camera app. That’s value for money.

Specifications: Dimensions: 142.5 x 69.3 x 8.1 mm Weight: 149 g Display: 5.5-inch full HD, FullVision IPS with 2160 x 1080 resolution, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 RAM: 3 GB ROM: 32 GB, expandable via microSD Processor: octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 Operating System: Android 7.1.1 Nougat Cameras: 13 MP rear with AF and LED flash, 5 MP wide-angle front SIM: Dual Connectivity: 3G/LTE/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/GPS/A-GPS Battery: 3000 mAh What’s Hot: - Gorgeous FullVision display - Handy form factor

What’s Not: - Several apps and videos not optimized for 18:9 ratio of display

Bottomline Do you believe in love at first sight?

With the Q6, you will!

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COVER STORY

GET GET SMA SMART! SMART! Words by Gadgets Team / Art by Ronel Bautista

Smart technology is something we take for granted. Appliances, vehicles, and our phones are now all smart, but what does it take to make all this smartness happen? In this month’s CoverStory, we take a peek behind the curtain, and explain just what makes our devices smart. It takes a lot to take these devices out of the modern age and into the future, and here’s how it works.

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AI

Explaining the ghost behind the machine

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AR/VR

A HACK ON REALITY

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IoT

The Thing about the Internet of Things

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Cloud CLOUD COMPUTING SIMPLIFIED

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PHOTO FEATURE

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As beings tagged with an expiration date, we go certain lengths to live life to the fullest and leave our mark along the way. That drive to make our presence known in this world takes us places. And in these quests, we count on technology to keep the memories of our journey intact.

Photographs are much like the footprints we leave behind, so what better way to capture memories than with a smartphone that’s with you every step of the way? www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

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• 10x total zoom. 8x brighter and clearer photos in low light • Rear Camera: 12-megapixel Sony IMX 362 + 16-megapixel Sony IMX 351 for 2x optical zoom, tri-tech+ auto focus • World’s first smartphone to incorporate three high-end Sony image sensors • 4 Axis Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) + 3 Axis Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) • 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display • Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 • Battery: 3500 mAh with 18 W fast charging • 6 GB RAM with 128 GB ROM • Adreno 540 GPU for incredible gaming experience • Smooth, responsive, and unparalleled mobile photography experience • Colors: Midnight black and Moonlight white • Pre-order bundle (soon): ZenPower Ultra

• Advanced dual-camera system: 5x light sensitivity + 120-Degree wide angle view • Rear Cameras: 12-megapixel Sony IMX 362 + 8-megapixel • Front Cameras: 8-megapixel + 120-Degree wide-angle front camera • 4K UHD at 30 fps video recording • 4-Axis Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) + 3-Axis Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) • Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 • Colors: Midnight black and Moonlight white • 3300 mAh battery capacity, fast-charging up to 15 W • 600-nit Super IPS display adapts to any viewing condition for images that are always accurate in color and fine-detailed • Pre-order bundle: JBL Clip 2 speaker, Tripod, Clear case, ZenPower Slim

• Dual Selfie Cameras: 20-megapixel + 8-megapixel for 120-Degree wide-angle wefies • ASUS SelfieMaster Technology: For smart beautification in selfies, videos and livestreams • Softlight LED • Heart-thumping, immersive audio • 4 GB RAM with 64 GB ROM • 16-megapixel rear camera with phase detection auto-focus • Triple Slots: Dual SIM and MicroSD card • Colors: Deep sea black, Mint Green, Sunlight gold and Rose pink • Bundle: Clear case, limited edition Gong Yoo poster

• Advanced dual-selfie camera technology: 24-megapixel DuoPixel™ with 2x light sensitivity and Sony IMX 362 dual image processor + 120-Degree, best for taking wefies • ASUS SelfieMaster Technology: For smart beautification in selfies, videos and livestreams • Rear camera: 16-megapixel Sony IMX 351 image sensor, with ASUS SuperPixel™ engine image processor • 4K UHD video at 30 fps and 3-Axis EIS for selfie • DTS technology for immersive audio experience • 5.5-inch Full HD AMOLED Display • 4 GB RAM with 64 GB ROM • Battery: 3000 mAh with 10 W fast charging • Adreno 506 GPU • Design: 6.85 mm full-metal unibody using nano metal technology • Color: Rogue red, Sunlight gold and Deep sea black • Bundle: clear case, limited edition Gong Yoo poster

• 5,000 mAh battery life – 46 days 4G on standby.

• ASUS PowerMaster™ Technology: Powerbank mode for 2x faster reverse charging.

• Advanced Dual-Camera System: Dual 13-megapixel + 5-megapixel & 120-Degree Wide Angle View • 2K UHD video at 30 fps and 3-Axis EIS for selfie and rear cameras • Front camera: 8-megapixel F2.2 aperture, 85-degree field of view, and Softlight LED Flash • PixelMaster 4.0 camera models for various modes for photography • 5.5-inch IPS HD Display • Color: Sunlight gold and Deep sea black, and Rose Pink • Bundle: Clear Case, OTG Dongle www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

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“A refined actor and a polished smartphone make for a duo bound to naturally make waves across the world and create new possibilities. �

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Words by Mia Carisse Barrientos

The Korean wave has once again engulfed the world with its electrifying pop music, trendy clothes, distinctive movies, and TV shows with extra-endearing plots and striking leads. This growing acceptance catapulted its homegrown stars onto the global stage. Among them are many brilliant Korean actors; and then there’s Gong Ji Chul, better known as Gong Yoo. Practicing acting chops he picked up from his Theater background at Kyung Hee University, Gong Yoo first started his showbiz journey as a video jock in a local music show. He then, with lightning speed, went from rookie status to rising star after starring in hit romantic comedy TV show Coffee Prince. Currently one of the most sought after leading men in Korea, he relishes in the popularity of his recently concluded drama, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God or more familiarly, Goblin.

Despite his tremendous prominence in Asia and beyond care of Goblin, blockbuster zombie thriller,

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Train to Busan, and his evident masculinity and good looks, Gong Yoo remains grounded. He isn’t on any social media platforms—none that we know of—and enjoys doing things he loves out of the public eye. One known fact about him, though, is his love for adventure. With an eye for creativity, the actor does seem like the type to capture majestic sceneries. And with his partnership with Asus, as the face of the Zenfone 4 line of smartphones in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, we bet his gallery is full of scenic shots as well as goofy selfies with his costars thanks to the dual camera

setup of these sophisticated yet powerful mobile devices.

Gong Yoo is also known to accept projects which advocate certain causes. He hopes to use his influence to inspire people and promote a good kind of change. An ideal which is in line with Asus’ vision to pursue ‘In Search of Incredible’ and perfectly captures what the ZenFone series is all about.

A refined actor and a polished smartphone make for a duo bound to naturally make waves across the world and create new possibilities.

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MOBILITY

2016 Mitsubishi Lancer EX GT-A 2.0 CVT Reviewed by Robby Vaflor and Photos by Adrian Esguerra

This is it: the last Lancer. Mitsubishi confirmed earlier this year that it will discontinue the production of vehicles under the Lancer name except in Taiwan and China.

This means that the 2016 Lancer EX GT-A 2.0 CVT will be the lineage’s swan song—the last descendant of a family of cars that to us Filipinos was almost synonymous with the Mitsubishi brand.

We got to test it out before it fully goes out of production, leaving the Mirage to represent Mistubishi’s sedan range on its own. We take a look at whether the most recent GT-A serves as a fitting farewell to such a beloved and iconic name.

DESIGN

and gleaming on the road as it carves out turns and plunges across the road.

The 2016 Lancer EX GT-A is as handsome as its predecessors, fitting into whichever decade they were made in.

The GT-A also gets a set of 18-inch, two-tone alloy wheels, a large trunk with push-button access and a wide-set moon roof.

On the outside, bold lines bow along the sides, complemented by similarly formed skirts and a molded hood that is blunted by the doublegrille design front. The large spoiler, the angled headlights and the scooped fog lamps add to the imposing look—it’s a design that just screams to be noticed. And the fact that it came in silver just makes it look all the more like a dagger—swift

Inside, the design is minimalist, but in a good way. Everything looks neat, and each knob, button and dial is where they instinctively should be. Silvers and light grays are smartly placed as accents everywhere to break the dark monotony.

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Both driver and passengers have ample leg and head room, adding to the comfort provided by

the cozy-fit seats upholstered with premium fabric.

The dashboard trim is of a high-gloss plastic material that runs across all the way to the doors.

The doors as well as the steering wheel get leather accents for a more premium feel.

HARDWARE Without even considering the EVOs, one of the Lancer’s highlights is the engine that’s more powerful than most in its class, and the 2016 GT-A is no exception.

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It runs on a Euro 4-compliant, two-liter, In-Line Four, DOHC, 16-valve gas engine with MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control system). The engine is mated to Mitsubishi’s INVECS-III continuously variable transmission (CVT) with a six-gear sports mode that can be controlled with the stick or via magnesium alloy paddle shifters.

All of this translates to a top speed of 198 km/h.

Power maxes out at 150 Ps at 6000 rpm, while the torque reaches 197 Nm at 4200 rpm.

A rack and pinion hydraulic-type is used for steering with power steering and cruise control function. The car has a turning radius of 5 m.

In terms of suspension, the front axle gets a MacPherson Strut with coil springs and a stabilizer bar while the rear gets a multi-link suspension with a stabilizer bar. Brakes are a combination of 15-inch ventilated discs for the front and 14-inch drum-in-discs for the rear with both ends supported by 10-inch master vacuum brake boosters.

Advanced safety features include front, side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags, hill start assist, an anti-lock braking system (ABS), brake assist and reverse camera with automatic night mode.

For creature comforts, apart from the strong and highly customizable air-conditioning system, the GT-A gets a six-speaker entertainment system which includes two tweeters. This is controlled by an 8-inch touchscreen LCD with support for

GPS navigation; DVD, mp3, MPEG-4, and WMA playback; and device connection via aux-in, USB or Bluetooth.

USER EXPERIENCE Driving the Lancer EX GT-A was thoroughly enjoyable. Thanks to its engine paired with Mitsubishi’s CVT technology, it was easy to transition between short-distance and longdistance driving.

Going around the city was smooth and comfortable, for both the driver and the passengers. But once you break out from the grip of Manila traffic, that’s when you start to understand why the GT-A is a winner. The car has acceleration down pat, making full use of

the engine’s capabilities. Even on full automatic, the CVT was no slouch with its response, quickly adapting when it senses the driver is letting in more juice. With boosted brakes that includes an assist function, slowing down is just as smooth as speeding up.

The only issue I had (and why it did not get a full five stars) with the ride is the steering which felt stiff. It was still a lot of fun to drive, although I did have to get used to putting the same amount of elbow grease into steering as I would have for a pickup or an SUV. It was an equal experience for the passengers, who would particularly appreciate the comfortable seating, good amount of leg room, and smooth suspension. A cabin full of sleeping passengers would be a common sight.

The entertainment system provides an easyto-use interface as well as solid audio quality, especially for those who prefer bass over the highs and the mids. This could further be customized using the entertainment console’s presets and equalizer bands. Special mention must be included for Mitsubishi’s navigation software which is one of the better programs out there.

VALUE Priced at roughly PHP 1.2 million, it is well within the range of other cars in its class. What Mitsubishi is offering, is a great-driving car that’s well equipped for the everyday as well as the out-oftown adventures.

What’s Hot: - Smooth drive - Good-looking - Strong engine What’s Not: - Steering feels a tad stiff

Bottomline: It’s not the best Lancer ever, but it certainly carries the banner with pride.

This is the kind of consistency that made the lineage a renowned one, and the GT-A reminds us of the things that we will miss from the Lancer family.

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Honda HR-V Mugen Reviewed and Photos by Ren Alcantara

The HR-V got my attention the first time I saw it at its launch some time back. Something about a stylish crossover SUV that leaned more towards the sporty side of the spectrum has its appeal, so when I got word that I’d have the Mugen version to test, I have to admit, I got excited. Here are my thoughts after a week on the road with the car.

DESIGN If you thought the HR-V was a looker, wait until you see the Mugen version. The already sleek lines are made even more so thanks to a more solid front grille and underspoiler that continues on to the sides and rear, a lower wing spoiler, and a ventilated visor. Just so people don’t miss it, it’s emblazoned with the Mugen badge on the rear.

The wheels also get tricked out, though the

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Shiny metallic trim around the control buttons, the shifter and A/C vents all add to the visual impact.

latticework details on them doesn’t quite do it for me. Overall though, Honda manages to dress the HR-V up nicely, without going overboard, or making the vehicle look like a 17-year-old’s toy car.

HARDWARE

Inside, you have an appropriate level of trim to match the outside. Leather seats, leather on the steering wheel, and blue accent lighting on some surfaces all make for a very posh-feeling interior.

The Mugen version of the HR-V has the same heart as the other models. It’s a 1.8-Liter 16-valve affair that’s mated to a CVT with Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology. The powerplant puts out 141

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hp at 6500 rpm, and 172 Nm of torque at 4300 rpm. This is able to propel the crossover to 201 kph, according to the manufacturer.

Since it’s a Honda, safety features abound. From front, side, and curtain airbags, and ABS, you’ve got everything you need to keep you and your passengers safe in case of a collision. As for driver aids and creature comforts, it comes with a convenient engine push-start button, a large 7-inch entertainment system with all the usual inputs, and rear parking camera, so you don’t have to go in blind.

USER EXPERIENCE I had a full schedule the week I had the HR-V. Apart from the daily office commute, there were a number of events at BGC, and a weekend trip to Dau with friends to hunt for supplies at the military surplus store there.

The week started with city driving. The HR-V puts you quite a bit above the road. While it’s not quite the height of a full-on SUV, you get a good view of everything that’s going on around you. The HR-V has a bit of a nose to it, so every little bit of that view is appreciated. While it looks wide in photos, it’s actually quite manageable on our narrow, traffic-riddled streets. Sure, it’s no sub-compact, but it’s not that far removed from the ‘15 Civic I normally drive. The steering is light, but not dead, again as we have come to expect

from the brand. The information display, which has easy-to-reach controls, is quite intuitive, and allows you to scroll through your car’s status through a dedicated screen in the gauge cluster.

Driving in traffic from the office in West Ave., to BGC was comfortable, thanks to the cushy seats and entertainment system. There’s nothing like belting out a few tracks to keep your sanity in traffic. The huge touchscreen makes controlling music easy, a great boon now that you can’t even touch your mobile while you’re on the road.

With the work week behind us, it was off to a quick trip to Dau to do a bit of shopping, and to see how the HR-V behaved on NLEX. I’m very pleased to say it did great. Cruise control is a blessing for the long stretches, and the 1.8-L engine had enough power to overtake cleanly at speed, and the breaking didn’t let us down, even under the wet conditions that met us on the way.

High-speed stability was great. The low-slung chassis, sleek shape, and rock solid steering keeps the driver confident, and suspension was softer than I expected for a vehicle of its type. I was almost sad Dau wasn’t farther away.

The haul fit comfortably into the boot, and even with several boxes, cans, and a huge tarp, none of the passengers had to give up any of their own room. Swap that out with luggage, golf bags, or camping gear—it’ll make no difference. There’s a lot of room back there.

Fuel economy was at about 8 km/L in the city and about 12.3 on the highway, both on Economy mode. Perfectly respectable for a vehicle its size.

VALUE The Mugen Version of the HR-V is priced at PHP 1.416 million. That’s PHP 57,000 more than the non-Mugen EL version, and PHP 167,000 more than the base E model. On its own, it’s a superb car with great features, comfort, and a great driving experience, but whether or not the Mugen version is worth the extra money is really up to personal taste.

What’s Hot: - Looks great - Comfortable - Fun to drive What’s Not: - The price difference from the base model

Bottomline: If you really want the extra bling, go for it, but the base model should perform just as well.

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At the end of July, Honda took members of the press on a drive up North to Baguio City, the summer capital of the Philippines, to experience the updates to some of their more popular vehicles. Up for testing were the Jazz, Mobilio, and City through a mixed course of city, highway, and mountain driving.

We all met at BGC at the crack of dawn for the quick run-down of the new features of the vehicles, and a briefing of the route we would be taking up to Baguio. The participants were then split into their respective cars, and we were off.

Our first ride was the new Mobilio. With updated styling, and the same cloud-like comfort we’ve come to expect from the marque, we were riding through the morning rush in absolute comfort and style. The blacked out grille, dynamic rims, and body-color wing mirrors make for what is probably the most stylish vehicle in its class.

The most remarkable thing about the Mobilio is how little it feels like a seven-seater. Sure you have enough room to host a tea party, plus everyone’s luggage, but when you’re in the driver’s seat, it gives you little indication that it’s meant to seat a whole family. It’s agile in traffic, can climb to a good clip at highway speeds, and has enough zip to handle quick overtaking if you give it a little push.

Because we were with the Ramirez brothers, the whole convoy was moving at about the fastest we could safely go. This posed a bit of a challenge for the 1.5L engine, which was going at full tilt in order to keep up through the steeper parts of the trip. More sedate driving will hardly ever reveal this though, so city and highway performance, along with superb levels of comfort more than make up for it.

Halfway through the climb to Baguio, we swapped cars with one of the other teams, and we found ourselves in the New Jazz RS. The top of the line update to the popular marque adds blacked out rims, updates to the inside such as www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

a leather-wrapped, three-spoke steering wheel with orange stitching, a very cool color-changing engine start button, LED daytime running lights, and a sportier-looking front and rear. The RS also comes in a gorgeous Phoenix Orange Pearl finish that really stands out.

The 1.5-liter gas engine, coupled with a smaller, more agile chassis makes for a hatch that’s a dream to drive. Nimble, quick to turn in, and with enough grunt to catch up to the front of the pack, the Jazz was a blast to drive, and extremely easy on the eyes. While it was most at home when we made it to the city proper, it had little difficulty dealing with the climbs we subjected it to. The 1.5-liter engine did mean we had to carry a little more momentum into the turns, but we had enough power to chase and overtake, except in the steepest parts of the drive. The entertainment system of the Jazz, as in all the cars, was top notch.

A huge display with intuitive controls and touchscreen functionality made navigating through the menus a breeze, and integrated navigation made sure we were on-track all the time.

The next day, after a good night’s rest and a quick breakfast, we split into new teams, and everyone got into the only car they had yet to test, which in our case, was the New City.

The facelift for the City was a welcome one.

Sleeker lines that merge nicely with the LED headlights are the star of the show, giving it a sportier appearance than its sedate first appearance all those years ago. It runs a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine, which is a great balance between performance and fuel economy. I was riding shotgun for the first part of the journey, through

the twisties, with veteran motoring journo Vince Pornelos behind the wheel for the whole technical section. Handling was spot-on for the twisties, and we were right on the tail of the lead car, which was the 1.5-L turbo Civic. I’m sure Vince’s superb driving had a lot to do with it, but I’m also quite certain the City made the job easier as we made our way through Kennon road. Once we got down to the flats, it was a quick lunch at Clark, and then my turn behind the wheel.

Contrary to its name, the City is very comfortable at superhighway speeds. Rock-steady, even through the pouring rain, and always with a little extra should you need to pull an overtake maneuver, or get out of a sticky situation. Paddle shifters, and cruise control were welcome features during that portion of my drive. Before long, open road gave way to the usual congestion of urban traffic, and the City was there with me all the way. Bumper to bumper traffic, tight lane changes, and stop-and-go traffic weren’t a problem for the City. It’s a reasonable middle ground between the smaller Jazz and larger Mobilio, with good traits from both models.

The top-notch entertainment system made the city drive through traffic completely bearable, even enjoyable, thanks to a few choice tracks from Vince, who had assumed the role of riding shotgun. Through the Mindanao interchange, up the flyover, and off at Katipunan, where I relinquished the wheel and split from the drive, tired but richer for the experience of having tried the latest Honda has to offer. It's comforting to know that from the highway, to the mountains, and of course, the city, each of the cars performed superbly.

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LS2 FF325 Strobe Civik Reviewed by Ren Alcantara

I have an unusually big head. This is usually not a problem with my day-to-day life, but once I have to go shopping for a helmet, it becomes something of a problem. There are very few fullface helmets that I can cram my head into, but not having anything covering my chin freaks me out. The solution? Go modular. The Helmet I’ve been stuffing my head in for the past half year has been the LS2 FF325 Strobe Civik, and here’s what I think about it.

DESIGN One of the things I dislike about modular helmets is that they can look, well, a lot like modular helmets. Such isn’t really the case with the LS2 Strobe. A slim chin bar and the graphics break up the profile enough so that even though it’s not smooth all the way around, your eye is tricked into thinking it is. I got the model in white with black accents, which gives it a clean look without being boring. It’s not a super aggressive design that looks like it always wants to be in a full tuck, but it’s not a plain putting about lid either. I think it’s the perfect look for something like a sporttourer—just a little bit of both elements.

Branding is present, but not obnoxious. There are labels on the front, back, and sides, but they’re tastefully done, and don’t really bother me at all.

FEATURES The shell is thermoplastic, with channeled EPS foam on the inside for EVE 22.05-level protection.

It’s a little snug from ear to ear, but roomy front to back, so my circular head just fits into a 2XL. The Strobe comes with provisions for LS2’s Fog Fighter system, and the shield has a convenient, tool-less removal system, which is as secure as it is handy. The comfort liner is both removable and washable, which is an absolute necessity here in the tropics, and fastens easily into place with tabs and button snaps. It’s soft and comes with a neck roll for greater comfort.

Additional bonuses include a side-actuated, dropdown sun shield, built-in breath deflector, and even a handy, removable chin curtain. It doesn’t have all that many vents. Just one at the chin, and another right at the top of the lid. Both can be shut in case of rain. It comes in at 3.95 pounds, which is light for a modular of this material. It’s not going to be as light as a solid lid, but it’s light for what it is.

USER EXPERIENCE The first thing I appreciate is just how easily I can get the helmet on. I usually have to struggle with finding a way to get my head into a full-face, since the size of my face makes it difficult to jam 52

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everything into a helmet that is of the right size once it’s on properly. With the Strobe, i just leave the chin up, get in there, and shut the lid. It’s easy and painless. Once you’re in there, the field of view is adequate, even in a tuck, though I would have appreciated a little more visibility on the sides.

The liner and neck roll are very comfortable and don’t pinch oddly, though the lack of vents apart from the two mentioned earlier do make it a bit stuffy. Either open the visor up a crack, or remove the chin bar, and you should be okay. For such an affordable helmet, the visor is smoother than some of the pricier helmets, and stays shut securely. The little tab at the base of the visor allows you to get a good grip, so opening the visor isn’t all that difficult. Did I mention how smoothly it closes? It shuts like it doesn’t know it costs less than PHP 10,000.

When the sun gets high, you can reach over to the left side of the helmet and move the slide, which drops a large, tinted sun visor down between you and the face shield.

The clear shield shuts reasonably tight, but the seal on the top quite as good as some other helmets out there. Heavy rain will eventually get through and dribble down the inside of the visor right where you can’t reach it. The seal, and the fact that it’s a modular also means quite a bit of noise gets in, so if you’re like me, and have a bike that came with an obnoxiously loud pipe, you might want to plug your ear holes. Despite the less-than-stellar seal, the large neck roll manages to keep enough sound out, so while it’s modular and has a bit of wind noise, it’s acceptably quiet.

Keeping the helmet in place is a solid ratcheting strap that’s easy to manipulate with gloved

hands, thanks to a fabric pull tab on top of the plastic release. You’re not going to be fumbling with the retention mechanism on the Strobe.

Speaking of retention, once you get the chin up past its surprisingly smooth travel, to the top detent, it’s not going to go anywhere unless you want it to. This doesn’t mean you can ride it with the chin bar up, but you can trust it not to drop down onto your face when you don’t expect it.

VALUE The Strobe is a fantastic helmet with a lot of features, but the greatest one is the price. For PHP 4,500, I got a helmet that looks great, is comfortable, modular, and most importantly, safe. If ever a deal this good existed in the past, I haven’t heard it. Sure it takes a little hit because of poor ventilation, but it does so much right, I’m more than willing to overlook that. It’s all win in my book.

What’s Hot: - Great value!

- Solid modular system - Lots of extras What’s Not: - Poor ventilation

Bottomline: I don’t buy gear without good reason, and when I do, It’s gotta be great.

This is great, and I recommend it wholeheartedly.

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Pioneer Enhances Car Safety and Entertainment

Mr. Takao Chiba showcases Pioneer's new line of multimedia recievers.

Pioneer Electronics, a global leader in aftermarket car audio, has recently launched its newest editions of its multimedia receivers last August 16, 2017.

Included in their line-up are the AVH-Z7050BT, the AVH-Z5050BT, the AVH-Z2050BT, and the AVH-Z1050DVD multimedia receivers that boast a convenient one-cable connection, superb audiovideo visual performance, support for top-tier mobile connectivity applications, and more.

Convenient and premium smartphone connectivity for all

Previously, equipping top-tier technologies and premium smartphone connectivity to your vehicle would require an actual purchase of a luxury vehicle, or expensive multimedia equipment.

Pioneer eliminates the need for expensive and unnecessary purchases.

Pioneer’s newest release makes it possible for the masses to enjoy comprehensive smartphone connectivity and entertainment. Equipped with Bluetooth technology that includes support for Bluetooth AVRCP 1.6, the Z-series multimedia receivers enable users to connect up to five devices, and enable them to swiftly transmit and browse their media library on the receiver's screen.

The main highlight of Pioneer’s connectivity solution is its support for Apple CarPlay, Android

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Auto and Pioneer’s proprietary entertainment platform, AppRadio Mode+. Whether it be sending a text, making a call, listening to Spotify, or even asking for directions via Waze, Pioneer’s multimedia receivers make it possible to safely execute tasks with hands-free ease; a feature perfect for use, even when driving.

Plug and play operation

Pioneer recognizes that the best of technologies are those that can be readily accessed with ease.

Simply plugging in your Android or iOS device will trigger automatic recognition and syncing of data. For easy operation and personalization, the receivers allow user interface customization, as well as color and design customization with 112 illumination colors, and selectable themes.

One-of-a-kind in-car video entertainment For those long road trips, or everyday rides, Pioneer offers passengers to enjoy a cinematic experience, even on the road. The all new Z-series multimedia receivers now support the playback of full-HD video files. Joining this are other in-car entertainment features that contribute to receiver's stunning visuals and convenience, including support for NTFSformatted hard drives, support for several file formats, and the capability of the 24-bit true color LCD screens to produce 16,777,216 hues for better color fidelity and richer colors.

Premium sound quality for the audiophiles

Collaborating with its TAD professional audio division, Pioneer has performed under-the-hood enhancements that include newly developed circuit boards that preserve signal integrity while eliminating external interference; top-tier and audiophile-grade audio components; and fine-tuning from Pioneer’s sound engineers.

Beyond this, the receivers also include a 13-band graphic equaliser, an auto equaliser, auto time alignments, an advanced sound retriever, and support for 192kHz/24-bit FLAC file playback.

“The world is more connected than ever.

Together with the proliferation of smartphones and mobile internet across Southeast Asia, local drivers are expecting better seamless connectivity from their in-car infotainment systems,” said Takao Chiba, deputy general manager of Business Planning and Marketing Division, Pioneer Electronics Asia Centre.

“The new Z-Series multimedia receivers were developed to meet consumers’ evolving expectations of easier smartphone connectivity and superior audio/video performance. With that in mind, we have focused on both hardware and software upgrades to offer a complete and improved user experience.”

For more information, kindly visit the Pioneer Car Entertainment Facebook page at www. facebook.com/PioneerCarEntertainment/.

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4S1M-Yamaha Racing Team Returns to Third Eneos Philippine Motorsports Championships The 4S1M-Yamaha Racing Team, equipped with recently upgraded racing parts, returned to the Third Eneos Philippine Motorsports Championships last July 8 to 9, at the Batangas Racing circuit.

Coinciding with the race was the welcoming of Gupita Kresna Wardhana from the Bintang Racing Team Indonesia, as well as the introduction of new products built for more powerful motorbikes.

All was set during the first day of the Motorsports Championships. Fresh from successful finishes during the second leg, key players Djereck Ondillo, Herbert Lopez, and Jeff Teopengco, welcomed Gupita Kresna Wardhana to the team.

On the other end, chief mechanic Joji Sanvictores, together with the whole mechanic crew, ensured that the motorbikes were fit for a win; placed on the top most priority was the refreshing and retuning of engines.

“On this race, we focused more on the parts that are more suitable to the tune setup of their motorbikes,” said Sanvictores. Although met with scorching heat, the team’s collaborative efforts fruited to a powerful qualifying round.

In spite of the team exerting extra effort during preparation, hurdles in the race posed initial challenges. Team manager Ronald Uy shared that Gupita injured himself during the warm-up lap, thus preventing him to continue. Moreover, in an unfortunate and unexpected occasion,

Herbert Lopez’ engine exploded twice. The incident prompted the mechanic crew to perform additional adjustments and last minute tune ups. Despite the setbacks, the team maintained its dedication and drive for success. Remaining hopeful and confident, they predict more wins in the succeeding legs.

In the Pirelli Cup Group B category, Rizaldy Canare, sponsored by 4S1M, was able to bring home second place. With almost two years of racing parts support from Mark Tan of 4S1M, Canare expressed his deepest gratitudes. “I always had a good end whenever I compete using the racing parts provided by 4S1M,” he said.

Coinciding with the leg was also the introduction of the new Replica Pro Racing Pipes, Nissin brakes,

Gazi suspension, and 4S1M center spring. Built for powerful motorbikes, the products boast of quality performance.

The 4S1M Racing Team powered by BRT and Racing Force was also supported by Replica Pro, Marton Batteries, JM Mirasol, RK Racing Chain, Gazi Damper Evolution, MDS, FDR, MP (Moto Power Conversion), Racing Boy, Moto Garage PH, Nissin and Jersey Haven.

For more information on the 4S1M and 4S1M Yamaha Racing Team powered by BRT and Racing Force, kindly visit the showroom located at the Racing Force, 2nd Avenue along Rizal Avenue, Caloocan City; visit http://sumracing.ph/; or like the FB page, http://www.facebook.com/ forcespeed1m/.

Hyundai Recieves Citation for Outstanding After-Sales Service Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai passenger and commercial vehicles in the Philippines, has recently hit another milestone for its one of a kind exemplary customer service.

After receiving recognition from the Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) for its excellent customer service performance in the passenger and commercial vehicle category, HARI also recently ranked second in the 2017 Philippines Customer Service Index (CSI) Study conducted by J.D. Power.

Already on its 17th year, the study was conducted from February to May 2017 and consisted of 1,951 new vehicle owner participants. Participants were those who purchased their vehicles between February 2015 and May 2016, and those who brought them to an authorized service center or dealer for maintenance or repair work between August 2016 to May 2017.

Outperforming nine other mass market brands in the study, HARI was able to achieve an impressive rating in the area of service quality, service initiation, vehicle pick-up service, facility, and service advisor.

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“This recognition that we are doing something right—and that is going to extra mile to deliver service with hear. As always, we gave the honor to our customers, keeping to our ‘Gusto’ promise: kung Gusto mo, kaya naming ibigay,” said HARI president and CEO Fe Perez-Agundo.

The CEO’s message coincides with Hyundai Philippines’ campaign, “Gusto Ko, Kaya Ko, Sama Tayo”. The campaign aims to bring next generation service and technology to its customers by way

of effectively answering to the Filipino customers’ “gusto”—dreams needs and values. “Kasama ninyo ang Hyundai sa biyahe ng buhay. Trust that the culture of service excellence at Hyundai will continue to grow and live on”, added Perez-Agundo.

HARI aims to maintain its first-rate after-sales service throughout the coming years. HARI boasts of a 42-strong dealer network, superior after-sales, dealer and customer relations support, and an enviable roster of best-selling vehicles. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Delo to Showcase Latest Diesel Engine Oil Innovation Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), marketer of Caltex brand of fuels and lubricants, highlighted the latest innovation in diesel engine oil technology with the Caltex Delo 400 MGX, at the Transport and Logistics Philippines 2017 Show, last August 17 to 19, 2017 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

Showcased by Chevron Philippines Inc. is the evolutionary Caltex Delo 400 MGX diesel engine oil that contains a special formulation of Chevron’s ISOSYN Technology that fuses both premiumquality base oils, as well as high-performance additives.

The Caltex Delo 400 MGX is CPI and Caltex’s response to the demand for an innovative diesel engine oil that meets high property standards that ensure efficient diesel engine operation, and maximized engine maintenance, at an affordable cost.

“CPI will feature special products that promote cleaner air for the fleet and transport segment that meets the country’s strict emission standards.

We are also highlighting Delo 400 MGX which is made to protect heavy duty engines from extreme

engine operating conditions, making an efficient [sic] mileage while on the road," said James Patrick Abesamis, marketing programs coordinator of Chevron Philippines Inc. “We will also have an added feature showcase that presents CPI’s broadening range of services for the industry as

we join the Transport and Logistics Philippines Expo.”

This year, Caltex is set to fortify its position as the leading innovative engine diesel and fuel products provider.

CAC Launches the New Kia Picanto The Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), the exclusive distributor of KIA vehicles in the country, recently launched the all-new, third-generation Kia Picanto last August 8, 2017 at KIA’s new showroom in SM Megamall.

First debuted at the 2017 Geneva Motorshow in Switzerland, the introduction in the country brings a fresh new way for Filipinos to explore the country's cities. Kia’s new urban delight is powered by a Kappa 1.2-liter, in-line 4 cylinder, Multi Point Injection Engine with a maximum output of 82 hp at 6,000 rpm and torque of 121 Nm at 4,000 rpm.

Preserving a familiar look, yet enabling the introduction of new elements, the exterior vibrantly flaunts a playful and dynamic character, perfect for the everyday traveller. At the front of the car is Kia’s signature tiger-nose grille that meets its headlights. On its sides are modern and bold body lines that are able fortify a more assertive stance. And for the wheels, we see an increase of 15 mm. Despite sporting a new and modern look, the Picanto is still able to preserve its previous generation’s length, which in turn, maintains a mature and sophisticated subcompact presence.

in the Picanto’s interior space, for increased comfort. Joining the evident overall space increase in the headroom, legroom, and shoulder room department, the vehicle also sports a new horizontal design to further highlight the increase.

Adding to this in an interior design, that bags on a sophisticated and modern look. Inside we see durable and high-quality plastic, a sculpted dashboard, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The increase of the wheelbase, and the preservation of length, resulted to an increase

Additional features of the all-new Picanto include an improved chassis for a more balanced driving

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experience, better motor-driven power steering, a steering wheel-mounted trip computer, LED daytime running lights, and many more.

Providing a fresh driving experience, the performance-oriented 5-seater GT-Line trim brings to the market a fusion of pleasure, stability, and handling.

The Kia Picanto retails for PHP 625,000 for the 1.0L MT SL variant, PHP 685,000 for the 1.2L AT SL, and PHP 787,000 for the 1.2L AT GT. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

MPTC Launches Digital Tollways Program Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the largest tollway concessionaire in the country, launched its digital tollways program.

MPTC hopes to build awareness on the various electronic payment options available for motorists traveling the NLEX, CAVITEX, and SCTEX. Among these payment options are the Easy Trip RFID, Mastercard contactless cards, and beep cards, all of which bring a new level of convenience to consumers.

This initiative is backed by MPTC partners PayMaya Philippines, Easy Trip Services Corp., and AF Payments, Inc. (AFPI). These companies recognize the huge role of innovative technologies in transforming and improving the tollways experience, as well as its part in enabling communities and businesses connected by the expressways.

Along with cash, motorists in possession of Easy Trip RFID, beep cards, and Mastercard contactless debit, prepaid, and credit cards, including the Smart Mastercard powered by PayMaya, can now effortlessly pay and pass through NLEX. Meanwhile, Mastercard acceptance for CAVITEX and SCTEX will commence soon. Motorists will also be able to pay at MPTC expressways with their Visa contactless debit, prepaid, and credit

cards soon.

Enabling the endto-end acceptance of contactless card payments at MPTC tollways is PayMaya Philippines' PayMaya Business.

With this project in full swing, MPTC will be promoting the various payment options to help out motorists new to these payment channels.

L-R: Rodrigo E. Franco, Metro Pacific Tollways President and CEO; Jo-Ann Camacho, Vice President, Mastercard Philippines; Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman of MPTC; Peter Maher, President and CEO, AF Payments, Inc; Orlando B. Vea, President and CEO, PayMaya Philippines and Voyager Innovations; and James Deakin, multimedia motoring journalist.

The Easy Trip RFID is best for motorists who regularly pass by MPTC toll roads such as NLEX and Cavitex while those already with beep cards can also now use them at the tollways, aside from railway transit systems and P2P Premium bus services.

Motorists who prefer to use their existing Mastercard prepaid, debit or credit contactless cards, can now use them also at the tollways.

The Smart Mastercard powered by PayMaya, which is backed by over 15,000 reloading stations

nationwide, is ideal for motorists who shop and pay bills at the same time since it works anywhere Mastercard is accepted, even online and abroad.

The digital infrastructure for MPTC tollways is care of the most extensive combined network of PLDT and Smart Communications. MPTC sees this collaboration among digital enablers as a positive move towards delivering high quality infrastructure, both physical and digital—to more Filipinos via the toll roads network.

Honda Invades Cebu with the All-New XRM125DSX Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI) dared to turn the Queen City of the South into “Honda Country” with its invasion of J Centre Mall in Mandaue City starting with the soft opening last July 27, and a Grand Opening on July 29. The mall-jack ended on August 19; it is the 6th in HPI’s series of mall activities.

The centerpiece of the celebration was the official launch of the redesigned and enhanced version of the beloved underbone, the XRM125DSX. HPI’s President Daiki Mihara opened the celebration with the reveal.

“We are bringing the fun and excitement to your everyday commute. We want you to rediscover the joy of being on the road with a Honda cub motorcycle that elevates your urban riding experience. We dare you to conquer your own road with the XRM125DSX,” Mihara said.

HPI brought together riders and enthusiasts to witness the big reveal of the XRM125DSX at the J Centre Mall. The event also featured Honda’s complete line-up: the Click125i and Click150i in BeAT Orange and Magenta colors; the Wave 110; and the off-road CRF250 and CRF Rally.

A motorcade, some games, a raffle, a dance contest, and other fun-filled activities were held at the festivities to the delight of the crowd. The www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

lovely Cebu-based emcee Nicole Tuazon added to the audience's excitement.

To boot, guests were treated to an upbeat performance from the Knapsack Dancers, and a cheer-inducing appearance from TV hunk Joseph Marco.

HPI also held a test ride at the mall’s parking lot for riders and motorcycle enthusiasts who wanted to try one or all of the motorcycle models featured.

The XRM125DSX has made a big leap in design and performance by taking inspiration from

the off-roading CRF family DNA: it sports colors and stripes adorned with distinctive styling and shielded by tough plastic material for durability.

The underbone has excellent fuel efficiency thanks to its Euro 3-compliant PGM-Fi engine.

It has a fuel efficiency rating of 61 km/L, and a maximum power output of 7.09 kW at 7500 rpm.

The XRM125DSX is available in all Honda flagship stores in Cebu & Davao, as well as Honda 3S shops nationwide. For more information visit www.hondaph.com and facebook.com/ hondaph.

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SEAOIL to Give Away Lifetime Supply of Gas in Raffle Promo SEAOIL, the country's largest independent fuel company, announced the launch of its "Lifetime Free Gas, Oh My Gas!" promo, the first raffle of its kind in the Philippines running from August 14 to November 14, 2017.

For every single or accumulated receipt of PHP 500 worth of SEAOIL Extreme 97, Extreme 95, Extreme U, Extreme Diesel fuels, or lubricants from any SEAOIL petrol station in the country, the customer is entitled one raffle coupon with an Instant Prize peel-off card.

The instant prizes can be anything from PHP 10 to PHP 500 discounts on fuel as well as PHP 100 discounts on lubricants and can be claimed instantly. Over 30,000 instant prizes will be given through the duration of the promo.

All raffle ticket-holders will then get the chance to be one of the four lucky winners of a lifetime supply of SEAOIL fuels, entitling them to PHP 5,000 SEAOIL gift certificates every month for the rest of their lives. There will also be 30 winners of PHP 10,000 worth of SEAOIL gift cards.

SEAOIL team led by president and CEO Glenn Yu (third from the right) poses for a photo with SEAOIL racers.

"We have always stood by the quality and performance of SEAOIL fuels and this is our way of thanking our loyal customers, whom we call SEAOIL Believers, for the trust they have placed in us," said SEAOIL CEO Glenn Yu. The promo is open to customers aged 18 and above with valid driver's licenses. Raffle draws will be held on September 15, October 16 and November 28.

For more information on the promo and SEAOIL products, visit www.facebook.com/SEAOIL

Tata Motors Launches Range of Commercial Vehicles in the Philippines Tata Motors, India's largest commercial vehicle manufacturer and among the top ten globally, launched its range of commercial vehicles for the Philippines to join its passenger offerings last July 25 in Manila.

The company has made headway in the Philippine market through a distribution agreement with Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc. Through the partnership, Tata Motors will supply an array of commercial vehicles that best fit the needs of Filipino businesses led by the Tata Prima range of tractor trailers and tippers.

Other vehicles include the LPT range of light, medium and heavy trucks, the SFC 407, and the Ace and Super Ace ranges of mini trucks. "[The] Philippines is one of our key markets in Southeast Asia and we are delighted to be a part of one of the fastest growing ASEAN nations. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

With years of experience in the commercial vehicle business, Tata Motors has analyzed and understood our customers well and are dedicated to partnership with Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc.,

will be successful in establishing a long-term relationship with our customers," said Tata Motors international business head for Commercial Vehicles Rudrarup Maitra.

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BULLET POINTS

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VISUAL SPACE

Essential Nouvelle Vague

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WELLNESS

Value-based care is a significant factor in the transformation of healthcare. Siemens Healthineers believes in this too. For this reason, Siemens Healthineers introduced their Digital Ecosystem portfolio at the 16th Hospital Management Asia 2017 in Manila, Philippines. With this, the company aims to provide valuebased care through developing a fast, easy, and seamless interaction between providers of data and knowledge.

“We believe that digitalization and the associated networking of healthcare providers is essential for the transformation to value-based healthcare.

With the Siemens Healthineers Digital Ecosystem, we are providing our customers with much deeper insights than previously possible into the key components that create both clinical and operational value,” said Elizabeth Staudinger, president-Asia pacific, Siemens Healthineers.

This Digital Ecosystem relies on a cloud-based network called teamplay, which is known for its way of handling data privacy and is already used in hundreds of customer sites. Also, it brings together a number of platforms such as LifeNet and PEPconnect from Siemens Healthineers.

Teamplay makes it possible to assess the capacity utilization of imaging devices, the various work sequences, and individual examinations in an easy-to-follow manner that meets the requirement. Teamplay’s protocol function makes it simple to combine, process, and analyze protocols. Its operating concept is designed around the user’s instinctive understanding—no training needed to use the platform.

Teamplay’s Usage and Dose offerings help prepare huge volumes of incoming data on a single platform so that analysis takes can be performed at lightning speeds. It keeps record the number of examinations per hour, as well as the time and nature of the examinations, total capacity utilization for the device and the parties providing treatment, and the time it takes to move from one patient to the other. This information helps improve hospital work sequences and employee workloads.

Siemens Healthineers’ Personal Education Plan (PEPconnect) provides up-to-date learning modules for medical imaging. PEPconnect gives medical technology assistants and doctors access to training courses with 7,000 learning activities on Medical Imaging and Therapy, Laboratory Diagnostics, Point of Care, Molecular, and General Healthcare, in up to seven languages namely English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Korean, and Japanese. With all these, PEPconnect grants customers access to education and real-time

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performance support virtually anytime, anywhere on any device. In addition to this, customers can make their own personalized learning experience in accordance to their needs and share it with others.

LifeNet, meanwhile, is a web-based customer portal for managing the fleet of Siemens Healthineers systems at clinical facilities. Its user interface, LifeNet 2.0 eService Portal, has been upgraded for easier operation and understanding.

Optimized for mobile use, the portal displays real-time status for viewing of system availability and of open service tickets being transferred directly to the appropriate Customer Care Center at Siemens Healthineers. Last but not the least, LifeNet’s appointment view shows upcoming maintenance work and upgrades for the systems, so that postponement can be done if necessary. A new feature also allows clients to plan maintenance requirements not only months ahead, but a whole year in advance.

Siemens Healthineers also developed Cinematic VTR that generates photorealistic images by calculating realistic lighting effects. It uses raw data from CT and MRI scans to create hyperrealistic anatomical photos that even ambient occlusion such as the depth of a fracture can be modeled. With Cinematic VTR, medical images become easily discernible with just the playful tricks of light. Its images can be rotated and zoomed as preferred for better view and greater highlight to details.

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TRAVEL

Words and Photos by Presy Alba

Amsterdam is a bit eccentric. Although it is the capital of the Netherlands, it is not the seat of government: the senate, parliament, supreme courts, and even the Dutch royal family are based in The Hague. It is a city where everything seems acceptable and legal—there is a brothel next to a bakery, and a dessert place sells products that contain marijuana. In spite of this, it is also a city whose residents care a lot for the environment: they prefer to use renewable energy as power source and they’d rather ride a bike to get around.

Most visitors to Amsterdam arrive by train.

Whether you fly in to Schiphol Airport or travel from another part of Europe, you’ll most probably take the train to Amsterdam. The first sight that greets you as you exit the Amsterdam Central Station is a sea of bicycles parked right in front of the main exit gates that face Damrak. There’s even a two-story parking building exclusive for bikes next to the station.

16.00 for one day, EUR 21 for two days, and EUR 26 for three days. Another option is to get the I amsterdam City Card which includes free admission to museums (Van Gogh Museum, Hermitage Museum, Stedelijk Museum, Nemo Science Museum, and the Rembrandt House), the Artis Royal Zoo, a free Canal Cruise, in addition to unlimited rides on trams, buses, ferries, and

metros within the city. The I amsterdam City Card costs EUR 57 for the 24-hour pass, EUR 67 for 48 hours, EUR 77 for 72 hours, and EUR 87 for 96 hours.

Where to go If you are an art buff, the collections of the museums are quite good; they’re not as extensive

How to get around There are several ways to explore Amsterdam: by walking, biking, or by tram. Driving around Amsterdam is just impractical as street parking is limited and in some cases, non-existent. If you are staying within the Amsterdam city limits, getting a GVB day ticket will give you unlimited rides on trams, metros, ferries, and buses within Amsterdam and will cost you about EUR 7.50 for one day, EUR 12.50 for two days, EUR 17.00 for three days, or EUR 22.00 for four days. If you are staying in a Schiphol Airport hotel, get a travel card as it includes access to the trains to and from the airport. Travel cards cost EUR

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Ams

as major museums in other cities, but they have some great pieces by the masters, especially those

by Van Gogh and Rembrandt. If you like looking at unusual buildings or if you’re interested in architecture, walking around the Dam area will be an especially fascinating experience. It is quite amazing how local residents have preserved the external structure and facades of the buildings, while obviously modernizing the interiors using the latest technology at high specifications.

must try the made-to-order fancy stroopwafels from Van Wonderen Stroopwafels, which is located along Kalverstraat.

And while you are in Kalverstraat, keep an eye for a “secret” catholic church in the middle of the commercial area. If you’re not careful, you will miss seeing the entrance at #58, tucked in-between commercial spaces just across McDonalds. The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul is nicknamed De Papegaai (The Parrot) because it was originally hidden behind the house of a bird-trader in the 17th century when Catholicism was banned in the Netherlands. It is open daily until 4 pm.

ter

The Anne Frank House is super popular among tourists, and is just a short walk from the Central Station. Entry is limited to small batches, so to guarantee that you can actually go in while in Amsterdam, buy your tickets online—but be ready to still stand in line to wait your turn.

Walking is the best way to explore Damrak, Dam Square, and Kalverstraat. It is quite safe to explore even the redlight district. But your Amsterdam adventure will not be complete if you don’t try the local fare. You must try the Pickled Herring, which is an authentic Amsterdam street food sold on food stalls along the sidewalks. You must also try the Stroopwafel—two layers of thin and crispy waffle with caramel syrup filling in the middle.

You can buy Stroopwafel in bakeries and even in the grocery (Albert Heijns Supermarket), but you

buy cheap souvenirs, and you can actually bring home and grow the seeds and bulbs they sell.

A word of caution—Marijuana and other drugs may be legal and readily available in Amsterdam, but don’t buy any to take outside of the Netherlands—not even the baked goods—you will be penalized for possession if the authorities find any on you or in your luggage.

If you decide to walk back to the Central Station, you should take a short detour and stop—which will be the first of many—at the Metropolitan located at Warmoesstraat in the redlight district.

Their wide selection of dessert cakes, hand-made chocolates, gelatos made on-site, are all amazingly delicious. And their waffle, which is served with either chocolate syrup or salted caramel syrup, are to die for.

If you are a plant or flower aficionado, a visit to Bloemenmarkt, the world’s only floating flower market, is a must. If you take the tram, get down at the Koningsplein stop. It is also a good place to

Dam

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APPS

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Doona (Android, iOS, Free) What do you get when you combine Minecraft and Crossy Road? Doona’s what. In this adventure game, you play as the litttle girl Doona. You explore worlds, collect resources, and craft tools to help you get through each level. The game offers diverse levels, with complex flatlands to explore. In each level, you will be facing off against monsters—from woodland to mutated creatures—and will have to beat obstacles by crafting items from resources collected along the way.

The controls are very simple and the game visuals are very easy to the eyes. Pick this up when you have plenty of time to spare.

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EVERYTHING

APPLE

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ENTERPRISE

Symantec CTO for APAC Matthias Yeo presented the review in Manila last July

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BITS & BYTES

Peace of Mind with Power Mac Center’s Protection Plus Let’s face it, even the most careful of people can get their gadgets damaged. Absolutely no one wants their hearts broken by cracked screens, water damaged devices, or whatnot. In the world of tech, it pays to keep your hard earned gadgets extra safe.

Recognizing the need for additional protection, Power Mac Center is now offering an option to accident-proof your newly bought Apple devices with Protection Plus, an additional insurance protection that goes beyond standard warranty coverage. In partnership with the Insurance Company of North America (a Chubb Company), Power Mac Center is bringing Protection Plus to its customers. The warranty covers: 1. Accidental Damage Benefit for impairment that prevents a device’s correct operation or renders it unusable.

2. Accidental Death Benefit Arising from Theft or Robbery amounting to PHP 100,000 for the customer’s family or beneficiaries in case of loss of life; and 3. Accidental Medical Expense Benefit Arising from Theft or Robbery of up to PHP 5,000 per incident, reimbursed for in or outpatient medical treatment.

“Power Mac Center’s latest offering, Protection Plus, is actually security peace of mind in a nutshell. It’s a reestablishment of our commitment to provide unparalleled service to the Filipino Apple market.

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Now you can be worry-free no matter your lifestyle because of the extra precaution Protect Plus provides,” said Power Mac Center marketing director Joey Alvarez In order to avail of a year of Power Mac Center’s Protection Plus insurance offer, devices must be purchased officialy from Power Mac Center with an accompanying premium of 12 percent of the device’s current retail price. Claims can be filed through calling the Protect Plus hotline or by sending an email within seven calendar days from the incident. Protect Plus will shoulder the diagnostic fee and repair costs for accident

damage claims. On the other hand, approved claims will have a participation fee of 20 percent of the device’s original retail price.

The insurance extends to both the device and its owner in case of accidents, while still maintaining the duration of the standard warranty.

For more information about Protection Plus and other Power Mac products and services, kindly visit Power Mac Center’s branches nationwide, or catch them online at www.powermaccenter.com, or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@powermaccenter).

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New Blood Championships: A Journey to DOTA 2 Glory

The New Blood Championships, the world’s widely anticipated DOTA 2 tournament, is set to launch this 2017. Made a reality by Hong Kong-based organization, Purpose Win Entertainment Limited (PWEL) and leading South East Asian and Malaysian premium e-sports company, Fallout Gaming (FG), the tournament will bring together the next generation of DOTA 2 players.

Last year, the e-sports duo successfully culminated their first partnership project, the Galaxy Battles. The international DOTA 2 tournament then, held at Shenzhen, China encouraged a healthy yet competitive atmosphere for next generation e-sports athletes and aspiring professional gamers, and also provided a total pool prize of USD 150,000. This year, the new Blood Championships competition aims to bring the same class of competitiveness; up for grabs for the gamers is a total pool prize of

USD 40,000, and main event slots to the second season of the Galaxy Battles.

With the constant and exponential adoption of e-sports, PWEL’s Project director Sky Lim, shares that e-sports goes beyond being just a niche.“ The market for South East Asian e-Sports has been growing rapidly, it is the second largest market in the world,” said Sky Lim. “Many players in the region are qualified to compete with the rest of the world. So we are looking forward to creating a ‘Shining Star’ South East Asian team that will have the ability to take part at the world stage of any e-sports tournament.”

The New Blood Championships will serve as an avenue for amateur gamers to earn their spot in the limelight; thus, it’ll be stricly be for amateur players alone. All tier one teams and players are prohibited in competing in the finals. It’ll consist of three stages: the Online Country Qualifiers;

On-ground Country Finals; and the New Blood Championships Main Event. For stage one, the top 16 teams from the qualifiers of the five participating countries (Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, and one additional “Rest of S.E.A” online qualifier that would consist of other countries in the region) will proceed to stage two.

On the other hand, stage two will be a LAN event, to be held in high traffic locations, in order to feature the finalists from each participating country. Lastly, the New Bloods Championships Main Event, to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia, will bring together one (1) qualifying team from each country qualifier, (1) team “Rest of S.E.A” qualifier, and two (2) remaining teams from GamePlan’s DOTA 2 amateur tournament.

The first and second placers of the New Blood Championships will win main event slots to the Galaxy Battles Season Two, to be held in Manila Philippines from January 17th to 21st, 2018. As a means of providing an opportunity for redemption, the third and fourth placers will directly proceed to the Galaxy Battles Open Qualifiers Top 16 for a chance to win an Open Qualifier Slot.

“Building platforms that allow aspiring, competitive athletes to further their careers is the ultimate goal.

We at Fallout Gaming have always believed in the building platforms that allow amateurs to progress further. Forging partnerships with PWEL and High Grounds only helps to accelerate our vision” shared Adrian Gaffor, founder and managing editor of Fallout Gaming.

OLX Bags Top Prize in Google Mobile Hackathon 2017 Online classifieds platform, OLX Philippines, came out victorious in the recently concluded Google Mobile Hackathon 2017.

During the hackathon, top developers and programmers from OLX were recognized for a number of unique innovations they developed to better the online shopping experience. These innovations allow customers to conveniently search and browse products on the OLX website with their mobile phones.

To meet the demands of an increasingly mobile world, hackathon participants were tasked to utilize Google’s Accelerated Mobile Page (AMP) and Progressive Web Apps (PWA) to create faster and more efficient mobile-friendly webpages.

As the only team to go live with a majority of their output on the day of presentation, the group approached the task by setting two goals: increasing returning users and improving buyer and seller experience on OLX. With the help of Google’s AMP, the team successfully reduced the average time to fully loading a page by more than 50-percent, allowing more users to stay on the classifieds webpage for more comprehensive searches. Through Google’s PWA, the team also developed an immersive 84

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app-like experience that can be accessed through a simple click without the presence of a mobile application.

To increase buyer and seller connection, the OLX development team streamlined the sign-in process through the generation and suggestion of safe passwords. The team also demonstrated a friendlier offline web viewing experience through a cache system that allowed images to load first.

This feature, which is still in its development phase, allows potential buyers to view more ad

details even with intermittent internet connection.

The project’s PWA utilization, performance, and use of assistive technology earned top marks across its homepage, listings, and detail components.

Alongside bringing pride to the company, the victory also spells OLX’s commitment in supporting its employees taking their craft to the next level. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Fortinet Launches FortiGuard, the Global Threat Intelligence Service A recent Forrester survey that included the participation of 342 security leaders revealed that the leading cybersecurity challenge is the ability of cybersecurity professionals to adapt and counter rapidly evolving cyber threats.

The study recommended that Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) invest in good threat intelligence services that effectively gather necessary information on attacker methods and indications of a compromise. Furthermore, the report revealed that 78 percent of CISOs that have invested in such haven’t experienced a security breach.

Realizing the need for cybersecurity professionals to stay up to date on the latest threats, Fortinet, a leading global leader in high-performance cybersecurity solutions, has recently launched FortiGuard, its newest Threat Intelligence Service (TIS). The new service enables CISOs and cybersecurity leaders to be armed with a reliable and actionable threat intelligence service for the ever-changing global threat landscape. Likewise, it also enables a more efficient management of security operations, as well as a provide a better way to effectively communicate cybersecurity risks to a company’s combating C-Suite and board.

As a means of combating targeted attacks and rapidly evolving threats, cloud-based threat platform, FortiGuard, arms Cybersecurity professionals with real-time threat metrics and activity trends for a quick yet detailed panoramic view of the global threat landscape. Likewise, the service is able to leverage FortiGuard Labs’ leading

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threat intelligence research that’s headed by more than 200 professional researchers who analyze data from over three million international sensors.

In a statement, John Maddison, senior vice president of products and solutions at Fortinet said that, “Given the maturity and breadth of our sensor network, Fortinet is uniquely positioned to provide accurate threat intelligence telemetry across a diverse and broad range of sources across the globe.

FortiGuard Labs ingests over 50 billion events daily, and now with the FortiGuard Threat Intelligence Service we are able to deliver those same extensive threat insights to our customers and the security community at large.”

FortiGuard is able to: • Provide a clear and concise global threat landscape for CISOs to be able to identify currently pressing cyber threats.

• Take advantage of Kill Chain reporting that provides additional details on current, unique, and specific global threat trends across indus tries.

• Provide easily comprehensible data that can be

communicated across the organization.

• Let security leaders effectively delegate tasks to their security operations teams.

• Enable security leaders see the most active applications, intrusion prevention signatures, malware and botnets on an industry-by-industry basis and easily compare these trends within their industry, by company size, by geographic location and with the overall landscape.

• Provide the ability of CISOs to further drill down to specific threat details to identify its activity trends, prevalence and ranking.

• Provide access on the FortiGuard Encyclopedia that provides enhanced threat descriptions that include details of the origin, behaviors and remediation steps.

• Provide access to individual application vulnerabilities and malware which also feature FortiGuard Labs researchers’ timely insights on campaign-specific or emerging threats.

Fortinet’s FortiGuard Threat Intelligence Service is available as an open beta today.

Please visit https://tis.fortiguard.com/signup to learn more.

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Kaspersky Lab Holds Cybersecurity Summit Kaspersky Lab, together with the Department of Communication and Information Technology (DICT), held its first-ever CyberSecurity summit in the country last August 3, 2017 at the Shangri-La Hotel in Taguig city.

Consisting of a two-part session that included a discussion of the Philippines’ current threat landscape, and individual breakout sessions per industry, the summit aimed to promote better cyber hygiene in the midst of escalating cyberattacks. With the collaboration of the DICT and Kaspersky Labs, both public and private sectors were exposed to necessary cybersecurity measures to combat exponentially growing attacks.

Aptly Due Cybersecurity The Philippines, as reiterated in the talks, is no exception to large-scale and directed cyberattacks. According to Stephan Neumeier, managing director at Kaspersky Lab Asia Pacific, figures from the Kaspersky Cybersecurity Index reveals that 50 percent of all Filipino digital users are still unaware and unequipped for online dangers. He adds that in their Kaspersky Security Network report alone, 16, 000 Internet-borne malware infections, caused by either visiting infected websites or downloading malicious files, were found in the computers of Filipinos with Kaspersky Lab products, from April to June this year. With the country vastly growing its economy, it is only fitting that both private and local sectors share intelligence and technology to stay ahead of cybercriminals. In the summit, Neumer further advised that using software is not enough, and 86

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that it’s also advisable to educate employees to strengthen and put into practice good cyber hygiene.

cybersecurity-related data streams, showed that three out of ten Filipinos with smartphones have been affected by the virus of this category.

“As one of the fastest growing economies in the Asia Pacific region, it is undoubtedly high-time for the Philippines to tackle cybersecurity seriously.

Its impressive economic numbers and its growing active online population make the country a ripe target in the eyes of cybercriminals. As a private company actively working with governments and police officers around the world against online crimes, Kaspersky Lab is more than willing to help the Philippine government spread cybersecurity awareness among Filipinos and thwart cyber crimes by sharing our expertise and understanding about information security,” said Neumeier.

Kamluk shared the four Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) that targeted local facilities and companies. Namely, these were: Diplomatic Duck (September 2016); Naikon Kaba1 (January 2017); Tropic Trooper (March 2017); Spring Dragon (July 2017). Kamluk explained, “Computer breaches and malware outbreaks are happening non-stop now, the effects are being felt and seen to affect human lives. There is no other way but to create a country with people and organizations concerned, aware, and vigilant in protecting themselves and the nation’s cyberspace.”

Likewise, for the time ever, Vitaly Kamluk, director of the Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) at Kaspersky Lab APAC, set foot in the Philippines to share the country’s current threat landscape. The elite security researcher revealed that in 2016, the Philippines ranked eighth in the list of most attacked countries by means of mobile malware.

Furthermore, he shared that data from the Kaspersky Security Network, a complex infrastructure that processes depersonalized

DICT’s Cybersecurty Plans Coinciding with the plenary, the DICT also unveiled its scheme for implementing the National Cybersecurity Plan 2022. This, according to the DICT, will further ensure the protection of government networks, critical infrastructure, and individuals.“ Cybersecurity is a whole of nation approach. We must work together to attain a cyber resilient Philippines,” said Allan Cabanlong, assistant secretary for CyberSecurity and Enabling Technologies of the DICT. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

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Apple Newton

Words by Jose Alvarez Photos from https://en.wikipedia.org

Before the tablet and smartphone, there were a series of personal digital assistants (PDAs) that were largely marketed for business use. These PDAs were largely considered ahead of their time because they were essentially computers that could fit in your hands. They also had touchscreens and used the stylus, much like the Samsung Galaxy Note or Galaxy Tab. Unlike their successors, the screens were largely monochromatic.

The very first PDA was the Psion Organizer, which was released in 1984. However, Apple sought to pivot in the direction of the PDA in the midst of the rise of the personal computer, something Apple succeeded at, with the release of the Apple II and the Macintosh. It was one of the main projects worked on when Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was not at the company, leaving then-CEO John Sculley at the helm of the Apple Newton project. The project started as early as 1987, with Apple themselves saying that it would reinvent the idea of personal computers, taking them out of the office and on the go. Sculley himself later said that the Apple Newton project would cost up to USD 100 million.

The Newton, specifically the MessagePad series, was considered one of the most innovative products upon its debut in 1993. It had a Notes application that is a staple of iOS and Android

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today, as well as a calculator, conversion calculator, time zone maps, and even more. Some later iterations of the Newton were also able to access the Internet. Some third-party apps were also available for the Newton, such as accounting software Quicken. Motorola, Sharp and Siemens also released their own Newton products.

One industry where the Newton found immediate use was in the medical field, but it was plagued by problems such as a high price and issues with one of its most marketed features, handwriting recognition. The release of the wildly successful Palm Pilot also further damaged the Newton project by reducing its market share. It can be said that the failure of the Newton to reinvent the idea of personal computers was one of the contributing factors that prompted Jobs to return to the company in 1997 and kill the project.

The Newton was merely a stepping stone in the idea of reinventing personal computers, so it can be said that it was not necessarily a failure in terms of advancing personal computing into the mobile space. The iPhone and iPad incorporated many of the features of the Newton, especially its multi-touch function, when they were released in 2007 and 2010. The rise of smartphones also led to the downfall of the PDA because it was able to incorporate many of the PDA’s features into a far superior graphical user interface (GUI).

While PDAs are an interesting relic of the past, it had technologies in them that are present in many (if not all) smartphones and tablets today.

The Newton project is still able to be emulated on many present-day smartphones and tablets, and serves as an interesting window into the concept that would eventually evolve to become the smartphone and tablet.

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Wells Fargo EGS Philippines Goes Beyond Traditional Banking Operations Wells Fargo Enterprise Global Services (EGS) Philippines continues to maximize value for its stakeholders through global capabilities.

Outside of traditional banking operations, it has also added multiple processes from Technology, Digital Marketing, Studio Express, and Social Media monitoring and care, which has enabled 24-hour coverage for more functions across the company. Not only has this added significant value to the Bank, but it has provided diverse opportunities and career-pathing for its Philippine team members.

focuses on Business Services, Corporate Services, Technology Services and Knowledge Services. This platform allows for more growth within the company and adds opportunities for job seekers interested in building their careers within the IT-BPM industry. And to augment this expansion, Wells Fargo EGS is currently building its second location in McKinley Hill, targeted to seat more than 7,000 team members, to provide business process, knowledge and risk services, as well as project management and technology support.

With its vision of creating Centers of Excellence across its geographies, the EGS delivery structure

For those interested in joining a fast-growing global company, you may visit any of these

Recruitment Centers: Wells Fargo Center, 1180 Wells Fargo Drive, McKinley Hill, Taguig City or Ground floor, Uptown Cluster 2 Building, 36th Street, Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig City from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, or call 88-Wells (88-93557).