Brother wins “Good Design Award 2018” in 6 categories

Brother wins “Good Design Award 2018” in 6 categories

Wednesday, October 24

Brother Industries, Ltd., the parent company of Brother Philippines and one of the leading global manufacturers of printers, scanners, and related equipment, has won the Japanese “Good Design Award 2018” in six categories.

Since its first win in 1960 for its home sewing machine, Brother has won the same award for a total of 205 different products, including the ones this year. Furthermore, this will be the 26th consecutive year of awards since1993.

According to Brother Philippines President Glenn Hocson: “The Good Design Award evaluates not only the exterior beauty of products, but also the user experience and environmental impact of the design, as well as the products/services’ ability to present new ideas to society. Winning the award recognizes the concerted effort by all Brother employees involved in developing, manufacturing and delivering Brother’s products and services.’’

Based on their motto “At your side”, Brother is committed to always placing the customers first by designing products that suit their needs. Brother is determined to continue to provide superior value through product design.

Good Design Award-Winning Products

Out of the six winning products, two are available in the Philippines. The first is Brother’s HL-L2375DW monochrome laser printer, which allows high-speed printing of up to 36 pages per minute (ppm) for letter size and 34ppm for A4 size, automatic 2-sided printing, and wireless connectivity for productivity and convenience.

Mono Laser Series HL-L2375DW, DCP-L2535D, FAX-L2710DN

The second product is Brother’s direct-to-garment (DTG) inkjet printer called GTX, which combines its seamless design with accelerated print speed, lower maintenance, easy customization, flexible quantities, and other top-notch features that take conventional DTG printing to the next generation.

Garment Printer GTX

To learn more about the Good Design Award, visit http://www.g-mark.org/?locale=en. For more information on Brother’s products and services, log on to Brother Philippines’ website at www.brother.com.ph, like its Facebook page (Facebook.com/BROTHERatyourside), and follow it on Twitter (@BROTHERPhils) and Instagram (@BrotherPhils).

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JG Summit to Upgrade Employee Experience Through Microsoft Office 365 and the Cloud Platform

JG Summit to Upgrade Employee Experience Through Microsoft Office 365 and the Cloud Platform

Tuesday, September 25

With a vision to become the leading digital conglomerate in the Philippines, JG Summit Holdings Inc. aims to achieve this goal through a digital transformation journey that will embed digitalization in its core business strategies to meet the evolving needs and lifestyle not just of its customers, but also of its employees.

“Our vision is to be the leading digital conglomerate in the Philippines. To achieve that goal, multiple groups within the JG Summit Business Units, Subsidiaries, and Affiliates have been working behind the scenes to bring about this transformation,” said JG Summit President and CEO Lance Y. Gokongwei.

Among the initiatives will be to upgrade the employee experience across the entire conglomerate through the use of Microsoft Office 365 and the cloud platform. JG Summit is transitioning from on-premise systems to Microsoft’s cloud services. 

Office 365 is a set of Microsoft applications that allows users belonging to the same network to store files and share information. Compared to earlier versions of Microsoft applications, Office 365 uses the cloud platform, which offers agility, greater efficiency and security benefits.

JG Summit’s move to the cloud platform will further enable its employees to transform their environment into a digital workplace. With this project, the conglomerate envisions a New Culture of Work where employees will be introduced to the Modern Digital Workplace which will empower people across the organization to achieve more by enabling better communication, collaboration, and sharing of information from computers to mobile phones in a single cohesive platform.

The first step is to migrate everyone away from current e-mail platform and put everyone up unto the cloud platform accessible from anywhere in the world and enable collaboration on any device.

Ricky Kapur, General Manager, Enterprise Operating Unit, Microsoft Asia Pacific, reiterated how JG Summit’s initiatives closely aligns with Microsoft’s mission. “At Microsoft, we empower every person and every organization to do more. The fourth industrial revolution is here, and organizations must digitally transform not just to optimize operations, but to enable their people. We’re very excited to work with JG Summit and be part of their digital transformation journey.”

JG Summit is one of the largest and most diversified Filipino conglomerates, engaged primarily in businesses that serve a growing middle class with rising disposable incomes in the Philippines, Southeast Asia, and Australasia. These businesses include branded snack foods and beverages, commodities, agro-industrial businesses, air transportation, banking, real estate, and petrochemicals.

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LG Signature brings a new level of uniqueness, function and style to upgrade the consumer experience

LG Signature brings a new level of uniqueness, function and style to upgrade the consumer experience

Monday, September 24

Design, which is a combination of functionality, innovation, uniqueness and style is the most important process in building great products—and design thinking the best approach. Design thinking applies creative and technical thinking to the development of a product, drawing from the designer’s toolkit to integrate the needs of consumers and the possibilities of technology. 

Paying special attention to patterns of customer behavior is key to the successful development of new products. The most imaginative companies are now engaging in conversations with consumers, tapping into their minds and comportment to co-create products, solutions and user experiences that are truly resonant and relevant to their lifestyles. 

This consumer-oriented approach to design is the principle behind LG Signature, a collection of intuitive home appliances that advocate an authentic lifestyle in which cutting-edge technology, smart functionality, and ergonomic design co-exist harmoniously. This ultra-premium line gives customers a unique living experience in terms of innovation and usability, at the same time allowing the home to evolve into a multi-functional space for living, working and socializing. 

Fusing sophisticated technology with contemporary minimalist style, each LG Signature premium product is thoughtfully designed to be visually captivating, while delivering the most elegantly curated, state-of-the-art experience. There’s the ultra-thin picture-on-glass LG OLED TV W8, which takes the immersive viewing and listening experience to the next level with ThinQ, LG’s artificial intelligence (AI) platform. ThinQ allows users to issue basic function-related, voice-activated commands to the TV, involving volume control, internet access and image settings. This smart TV is also buoyed by the new α (Alpha) 9 processor, which provides the highest picture quality, but with improved color performance and noise reduction. The W8 also supports Dolby VisionTM and Atmos for a more cinematic home entertainment experience.

Also combining function with timeless style is the LG Signature Refrigerator, the LG Signature Washing Machine, and the LG Signature Air Purifier (all three are not available in the Philippines). These beautifully crafted appliances offer impeccable performance and peerless design right down to the smallest detail. The highly stylish LG Signature refrigerator has an InstaView Door-in-Door feature which enables users to rap on a black-mirrored panel and see what is inside the fridge without opening the door, thus helping conserve energy. Stainless steel interiors help maintain cold air, and combined with a textured steel, scratch-resistant finish, provide a stunning design.

The beautifully designed LG Signature Air Purifier is also done in stainless steel, a durable shell that houses advanced features that can harness the power of water to filter out dust, chemicals and contaminants while quickly adjusting humidity levels to maximize comfort.

Even the washing machine, often relegated to the very back of the house or in the laundry room, is given the luxe treatment. A sleek matte enamel coating protects the surface of the washing machine from scratches and corrosion, while a touch-enabled Quick Circle User Interface is embedded on the the glass door for a seamless look. Function-wise the washer has an ingenious TWINWash systems that allows for two loads to be put on simultaneously or smaller loads to be done more frequently.

True design happens when it makes life easier, more convenient and more comfortable. The needs of consumers continue to evolve every day. LG is taking the time to understand what matters most to its consumers, continuing to develop products that are built around the lives people lead — and the lives they want to live.

For more details on how LG products can help improve your family life, visit lg.com/ph, like @LGPhilippines on Facebook, and follow @LGPhilippines on Instagram.

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Brother's New Refill Tank System Inkjet Printer Is a Must-Have

Brother's New Refill Tank System Inkjet Printer Is a Must-Have

Monday, September 3

Brother has recently launched two new Refill Tank System inkjet printers that make positive difference to stay true to its "Customer First" commitment. The newest inkjet printers with A3 print capabilities is perfect for businesses and home-office users with high print volumes.

5 reasons why you should invest in the Inkjet A3 Printer and Multi-function Centre Series

1. Superior Cost Efficiency 

• Lower cost-per-page – Refill Tank System inkjet printers come with ultra-high-yield ink refill bottles that enable you to print up to 6,500 pages in black and 5,000 pages in color 

• Cut costs by 50% – Instantly reduce your paper waste and expenses by half with the automatic 2-sided printing feature 

• Enhanced durability – Features a robust printhead with stainless steel lamination and Piezoelectric ceramic technology for longer machine life and less frequent repairs and servicing 

2. Effortless User Experience 

• Convenient ink tank access – Enjoy quick, mess-free refills with the embedded, front-access tank, and easily monitor individual ink levels through the transparent ink tank cover 

• Comprehensive paper handling – Handle a variety of paper weights and sizes with a 250 sheets standard tray and 100 sheets multi-purpose tray 

• Multi-page scan, copy & fax capabilities – Perform multi-page scan and copy and fax jobs without having to insert the pages individually with the 50 sheets Automatic Document Feeder 

• User-friendly navigation – Easily navigate features and functions with the large 2.7” LCD touchscreen and full-sized keypad 

Enhanced Productivity 

• Fast print speeds – Enjoy print speeds of up to 22/20 ipm (mono/color), and boost your business productivity with Fast Mode speeds of up to 35/27 ppm (mono/color) [ipm: images per minute; ppm: pages per minute] 

• Quick first-page-out times – Spend less time waiting with fast first-page-out times of just 5.5 seconds for mono prints and 6 seconds for colour prints 

• Professional print quality – Print brilliant photos, crisp and clear text with an outstanding resolution of 1,200 x 4,800 dpi 

• Comprehensive print capabilities – Print detailed floor plans, blueprints, site images and other materials in-house on a wide variety of paper types and sizes up to A3 

Extensive Connectivity 

• Multiple connectivity options – Easily share your device among the entire office workgroup using the built-in wireless and network connectivity

• Effortless mobile printing – Print directly from your iPhone, iPad, Android™ or Windows® Mobile device through Brother’s iPrint&Scan, AirPrint, Mopria® and Google Cloud Print

• Print JPEGs directly from USB storage – Print photos from your USB flash drive conveniently via the front-access port with USB Direct Print

• Scan and print via Wi-Fi Direct – Directly print or scan from your mobile device without need for access to your network 

Advanced Device Management 

• Restrict access to your printers –Assign authorized users or groups with access to specific functions such as color printing, setting page limits, scanning features and more with the Secure Function Lock 

• Integrate easily into your IT Security Infrastructure –Manage printer access and login authentication through a central management system with Active Directory and User Authentication 

• Conveniently monitor via fleet management software – BRAdmin Light is an enterprise-level device management solution that allows you to manage a fleet of network-connected machines from one centralized location 

Series Line-up and Availability 

HL-T4000DW
RSP: P29,990.00

• Refill Tank System
• Automatic 2-sided print
• Up to 22/20 ipm print speed3
• Up to 5.5 sec (Mono) / 6 sec (Colour) first print-out time4
• Up to 1,200 x 4,800 dpi print quality
• 2.7" colour LCD touchscreen
• 250 sheets standard paper tray
• 100 sheets multi-purpose paper tray
• Ultra high yield ink bottles of up to 6,500 pages (mono) / 5,000 pages (colour) 
• Wireless and network connectivity
• Brother iPrint&Scan, Apple AirPrint, Mopria, Google Cloud Print
• USB Direct Printing

MFC-T4500DW
RSP: P39,950.00

• Refill Tank System
• Scan, copy, fax and automatic 2-sided print
• Up to 22/20 ipm print speed3
• Up to 5.5 sec (Mono) / 6 sec (Colour) first print-out time4
• Up to 1,200 x 4,800 dpi print quality
• 2.7" colour LCD touchscreen and full keypad
• 250 sheets standard paper tray
• 100 sheets multi-purpose paper tray
• Ultra high yield ink bottles of up to 6,500 pages (mono) / 5,000 pages (colour)
• Wireless and network connectivity
• Brother iPrint&Scan, Apple AirPrint, Mopria, Google Cloud Print
• USB Direct Printing

The HL-T4000DW and MFC-T4500DW are both available in Authorized Retail Stores nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.brother.com.ph/

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Filipinos Can Now Experience 5-minute Charge, 2-hour Talk with the New OPPO F9

Filipinos Can Now Experience 5-minute Charge, 2-hour Talk with the New OPPO F9

Friday, August 31

After the pre-order period of the much anticipated OPPO F9, thousands of customers have taken opportunity to claim their new smartphone in various stores nationwide. This weekend, September 1-2, smartphone users can see what the in-demand F9 is all about during OPPO’s roadshow at SM Mall of Asia.

As a global leader in technology innovation, OPPO presents breakthrough smartphone features in the F9 such as the VOOC Flash Charging, Waterdrop Screen, 6GB RAM, Dual Rear Camera, and beautiful gradient body finish, which redefine the definition of value for money in its price segment. OPPO positions the F9 as among the most competitive and fashionable smartphone in its price range. 

OPPO F9’s foremost unique selling proposition is the VOOC Flash Charging that can give 2 hours of talk time in just 5 minutes of charging. This OPPO-exclusive flash charging technology is 4x faster than regular smartphone charging, saving time for Filipinos and allowing them more time on-the-go and less time tangled on the wall socket, charging. Despite being fast, the VOOC Flash Charging is safe with 5 layers of protection found in the charger and smartphone, delivering powerful performance and quality. 

“We are grateful to all who pre-ordered our new OPPO F9, and we’re confident that our customers will surely love it, especially the VOOC Flash Charging because of its amazing charging speed. The F9 will be a trendsetter for the new standard Filipinos’ mobile lifestyle,” OPPO Philippines’ Vice President of Marketing Jane Wan said. “The OPPO F9 is our latest innovation for our Filipino consumers and will address their needs in battery, performance, camera, and even design.”

OPPO F9’s unique gradient color finishes of Twilight Blue and Sunrise Red are inspired by nature and complemented with an eye-catching flower petal pattern for a striking back design. The front carries the latest Waterdrop Screen, which is an innovative approach to the notch as it significantly reduces the screen notch to a simple waterdrop-like shape for the front camera. The F9’s 6.3” FHD+ 19.5:9 screen display delivers an overall more pleasant and immersive visual experience.

OPPO F9 Roadshow

Check out the OPPO F9 and experience VOOC Flash Charging first-hand at the SM Mall of Asia Main Mall Atrium this September 1-2, 2018. Fun booth and activities await customers as they get to experience the features of the OPPO F9. Plus, catch celebrity and OPPO influencer Gabbi Garcia who will also join the roadshow on September 1 at 5PM. 

Approach any OPPO sales representative to avail the OPPO F9 in Sunrise Red and Twilight Blue for PHP 17,990.00 (6GB RAM) in any OPPO dealer and concept stores nationwide. For more information on OPPO’s exciting products and activities, like OPPO Philippines’ official Facebook page and follow @OPPOPhilippines on Twitter and Instagram. 

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Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia Graced the OPPO F9 Launch

Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia Graced the OPPO F9 Launch

Thursday, August 16

Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia were present last night when the global smartphone innovator OPPO revealed its latest product in the Philippines—the OPPO F9. Unveiled during the grand launch at Shangri-la at the Fort, the OPPO F9 has made breakthroughs in fast charging, dual rear cameras, and design. The event was also graced by influencers Robi Domingo, Glaiza De Castro, Sanya Lopez and Gretchen Ho. 

Breakthrough in charging: Rapid charge with VOOC

The OPPO F9 offers the revolutionary VOOC Flash Charge Technology. This technology is exclusively developed by OPPO and provides a charging speed of up to four times faster than regular charging. This means that a quick 5-minute charge is enough to enable 2 hours of talk time. 

VOOC also boasts an intelligent five-layer protection system from the adaptor to the port and interior of the phone. VOOC replaced the voltage reducing circuit with an MCU, effectively preventing the mobile phone from overheating while charging and making VOOC an ingenious, fast charging technology. You can also use your phone while keeping the speed of fast charging, which high voltage fast charge cannot do. 

Since OPPO launched VOOC in 2014, VOOC has gained over 500 patents and has been used by over 90 million consumers. Equipped with a 3500mAh battery and optimized AI battery management, F9 can guarantee great battery life. 

Breakthrough design: Waterdrop screen with gradient colors 

OPPO F9 offers a unique and attractive design that appeal greatly to the younger generation. It boasts of three stunning gradient color combinations-- Sunrise Red, Twilight Blue and Starry Purple. A special spraying technique is used to achieve the refined gradient partnered with flower petal pattern in the phone’s body. Another notable design upgrade in the F9 is the Waterdrop screen. Inspired by the water droplet, it allows users to have better viewing experience with an extremely high screen-to-body ratio of 90.8%. The OPPO F9 also has an impressive 6.3-inch bezel-less screen that features a resolution of 2340x1080 and an aspect ratio of 19.5:9. 

Breakthrough in photography: From Selfie Expert to Portrait Artist 

OPPO has established itself as the selfie expert with the unprecedented innovation in the F Series. With the F9, OPPO expands its leadership to photography. The OPPO F9 is the first in the F series to be equipped with AI-enhanced dual rear cameras (16MP + 2MP). The two cameras work together to create a depth of field and achieve a great Bokeh effect. Sixteen independent and 800 combined scenes can be recognized by AI Scene Recognition. 

OPPO F9’s 25MP front-facing camera also does not disappoint. The re-invented 'Sensor-HDR' technology dramatically improves backlight selfies and allows users to check high dynamic exposure live effects in real-time. OPPO F9 can now also accurately collect 296 feature points for each subject, referencing them against its massive database of facial images and analyzing features before making enhancements that are customized for each subject. The AI Beauty Technology can provide users with 8 million different beautification effects, personalizing selfies in the most attractive way possible while keeping the natural look of each human subject. In addition, the F9 supports multiple interesting camera features such as AR Stickers, vivid mode and slow-motion video. 

Breakthrough in experience: 6GB RAM + 64GB storage with ColorOS 5.2 AI intuitive system 

OPPO F9 sets the new standard in mid-range smartphones with its 6GB RAM + 64GB storage that promises a superb performance. It also supports two sim cards slots and one 256GB storage card slot. 

Based on Android 8.1, OPPO brings the ColorOS 5.2 Operating System to create a smarter and more intuitive experience for users. ColorOS 5.2 analyzes and aggregates user preferences and interests to enable F9 to be “One Step Ahead”. The F9 is also equipped with the Google Lens that identifies objects and shows relevant search results and information. 

“The launch of the OPPO F9 serves as a major milestone for the company as it debuts world’s first technologies like the VOOC Flash Charge, gradient body, and waterdrop screen design,” OPPO Philippines’ Vice President of Marketing Jane Wan said. “It has also made leaps in its rear and front cameras, hardware, and overall user experience, which we know are very important features for Filipino smartphone users. The F9 represents how our consumers inspire the brand to push boundaries and develop innovations that not only carve out trends in a technology-driven world, but also help these consumers make the most of their digitally savvy lifestyles.” 

OPPO F9 will be initially available in Sunrise Red and Twilight Blue for PHP 17,990 (6GB RAM). Additionally, consumers may avail via Home Credit at 0% interest for 9 months. It is also available with Smart at GigaX Plan 1299. Pre-order starts August 24, 2018 until August 30, 2018 where customers can get freebies worth up to PHP 3,490. 

For more information on OPPO’s exciting products and activities, like OPPO Philippines’ official Facebook page and follow @OPPOPhilippines on Twitter and Instagram. 

*Photos courtesy of Jan Limuel Candia 

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Educational Landscape in the Philippines is Transforming with Technology

Educational Landscape in the Philippines is Transforming with Technology

Technology has radically changed the way Filipinos live. Across the country, work, play, and communication are now heavily influenced by digital technologies. This influence transfers to learning as well. As more modern workplaces now demand digital skills, it becomes paramount for educators to prepare its students for a digital workplace.

Clarissa Segismundo, Education Programs Lead of Microsoft Philippines, explained the importance of digital tools in learning. “Engaging students remains one of the core pillars in the digital transformation of education. How they use technology is crucial in promoting collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills” said Segismundo.

But technology alone cannot develop the 21st-century skills students require. Technology is an accelerator and an equalizer, but it needs guidance and knowledge on proper utilization to truly have an impact on student development. 

Through the Microsoft Education Ambassadors Program, Microsoft and UnionBank are working together to transform the educational landscape in the Philippines by equipping our educators and students with the right skills. The program aims to empower schools, educators and students with 21st century skills through the proper use of technology for teaching and learning. To date, there are over 1,000 Microsoft Education Ambassadors advocating teaching with technology in various parts of the country.

“It is UnionBank’s mission and vision to stay grounded on its purpose of ‘Making a Difference’. And we hope to truly make a difference with Microsoft. It’s an exciting time as UnionBank employees open new doors of opportunities for the youth through technology,” said Henry Aguda, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Transformation officer of UnionBank.

With extensive experience in the industry, UnionBank’s education ambassadors can share valuable insight on the demands and requirements of the modern workplace. It is the desire to impart knowledge and expertise to the country’s future workforce, that led Michaela Rubio, SVP and HR Director of UnionBank, to develop this program with Microsoft. “As Microsoft education ambassadors, UnionBank employees will serve as inspiration and valued resource persons for students and teachers. They possess the necessary expertise and skills to meet industry standards and can pass these on to the next generation,” she said.

As ambassadors of education and technology, UnionBank’s MEAs will be training teachers on Microsoft tools and technologies to help improve productivity, classroom engagement, and learning outcomes. 

“At Microsoft, we recognize the value of our country’s young minds in shaping our future. By equipping them with work-ready skills with the support of our industry partners like UnionBank, we are paving the way towards employability and economic progress” added Segismundo.

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PLDT Home Launches Prepaid Broadband Service

PLDT Home Launches Prepaid Broadband Service

Friday, August 10

PLDT has launched its first ever PLDT Home Prepaid WiFi, an affordable service that makes it easier than ever for more families to enjoy their online activities in the comfort of their home.

The PLDT Home Prepaid WiFi is a plug and play device that instantly connects you to the Internet. Once plugged into a power source, it can simultaneously connect up to 5 WiFi-ready devices, such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, to high-speed Internet.

Unlike the regular Pocket WiFi which is meant for users on the go, the PLDT Home Prepaid WiFi is specially designed for home use as it utilizes the LTE 700MHZ band, a low frequency that easily penetrates houses and buildings. This way, the PLDT Home Prepaid WiFi is able to deliver high-speed Internet indoors – whether in the living room, kitchen, or bedroom.

PLDT’s pinakasulit Home Internet 

Aside from being affordable, PLDT Home Prepaid WiFi also lets you enjoy PLDT Home’s pinakasulit Internet with the Home Boost 15, which comes with 1GB valid for 1 day for only Php15. You can enjoy Home Boost 15 as an add-on to promos like Home Boost 50 or up, for greater savings.

With the PLDT Prepaid Home Wifi, families can learn together and research for school; bond by streaming videos and music; stay active on their favorite apps; or catch up with loved ones and friends on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter – all in the comfort of their homes.

And because it is prepaid, there’s no need to worry about monthly bill payments, lock-in period, or uncontrolled data usage because customers simply have to load it up and register to promos that suit their family’s needs.

Powered by the Philippines’ fastest mobile Internet 

The PLDT Home Prepaid WiFi is powered Smart’s LTE network, the Philippines’s fastest mobile Internet, according to the latest Speedtest® report of Ookla, the global leader in Internet testing and analysis.

In its analysis of over 2 million user-generated tests on LTE devices in the Philippines from Q1 to Q2 of 2018, Ookla said Smart provided the country’s fastest LTE connection with average download speeds of 17.25 Mbps, and average upload speeds of 7.65 Mbps.

On the other hand, UK-based mobile analytics firm OpenSignal also recognized Smart for having the country’s fastest LTE network, bestowing the company four citations in its March 2018 report: best in 4G LTE download speed; best in overall download speed; best 4G latency performance; and best 3G latency performance.

High-speed Smart LTE now covers major urban areas including Metro Manila, Rizal, Cebu, and Davao, and top sites in Bacolod, Baguio, Baler, Batanes, Bohol, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Laguna, Leyte, Palawan, Sagada, Sarangani, and Zamboanga, among others. 

Get the PLDT Home Prepaid WiFi with FREE 10GB for only P1,995

The PLDT Home Prepaid WiFi is now available at all PLDT Stores and retailers nationwide and comes with FREE 10GB, valid for 7 days, for a one-time payment of only Php1,995. 

FINTQ’s online lending platform Lendr also makes it easier for customers to get hold of the PLDT Home Prepaid WiFi via affordable installment payments. 

With Lendr, customers can buy the device for an initial low cash-out of Php495, followed by six weekly payments of Php370, which can be paid through any Smart Padala center, Bayad Center, ECPay, and 7-Eleven outlets. They simply need to visit https://pldthomewifi.lendr.com.ph to create an account, complete the application form and apply for a loan to purchase the device. FINTQ is the financial technology arm of Voyager Innovations--the digital innovations arm of PLDT and Smart.

What are you waiting for? Get your own PLDT Home Prepaid WiFi now! To know more, visit www.pldthome.com and follow PLDT’s official accounts on Facebook (www.facebook.com/PLDTHome) and Twitter (@PLDTHome).

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OPPO to launch power-packed F9 in the Philippines

OPPO to launch power-packed F9 in the Philippines

Wednesday, August 8

Here's something to look forward on the 15th. OPPO announced its latest model F9, which is set to launch in the country on August 15. OPPO F9 is the brand-new breakthrough F series smartphone that will ship with VOOC Flash charge, gradient colors, and a unique Waterdrop Screen design.

A favorite among OPPO fans, VOOC Flash Charge applies a low voltage fast charging mechanism to deliver lightning-quick charging. With its standardized configuration 5V/4A, it can achieve a charging speed 4 times faster than conventional 5V/1A charging technology. While guaranteeing fast charging performance, VOOC also ensures a safe charging process. Specifically, OPPO VOOC has five layers of protection from the charging adapter to smartphone, including low temperature and voltage, which ensures a fast and safe charge.

OPPO F9 uses a gorgeous gradient color design, again a first in the F series. OPPO created this design as a result of technological advances in color processes, while gradient colors in the market are already popular among young people. Previously, smartphone design using flat color profiles could be considered dull or static while with gradient color, now young users can show of their personality and attitude.

The three colors on offer are Sunrise Red, Twilight Blue and Starry Purple, with inspiration coming from nature—sunrise, twilight, and starry skies. OPPO wanted to infuse these feelings into the design of the product to provide consumers with vitality rooted in nature. Moreover, to achieve a unified design, F9 for the first time applies a gradient design on the side frame, making the sides and the back a naturally connected whole.

In addition to the unique gradient color options, the device will also feature OPPO’s first FHD+ Waterdrop Screen with a high screen-to-body ratio up to 90.8%. This provides a vivid, visual enjoyment without increasing the size of the phone while the high-resolution screen offers a more immersive experience to consumers.

For more information on OPPO’s exciting products and activities, like OPPO Philippines’ official Facebook page and follow @OPPOPhilippines on Twitter and Instagram.

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Inspire 2018: Opening Doors for Partner Innovation, Growth and Differentiation

Inspire 2018: Opening Doors for Partner Innovation, Growth and Differentiation

Wednesday, July 25

Organizations around the world are undergoing transformation fueled by cloud, artificial intelligence, mixed reality and the Internet of Things. These technologies are helping businesses and society reach new heights – retail is becoming more personal, banking is becoming more seamless, and healthcare is becoming more predictive and preventive.

At the heart of these incredible stories of transformation – and more – are Microsoft partners. The Microsoft partner ecosystem is a group of hundreds of thousands of organizations driving positive, global impact. Building everything from line-of-business apps to industry-specific solutions on Dynamics 365 to gaming experiences, these companies are a natural extension of the team at Microsoft, delivering cutting-edge technology to millions of customers.

Microsoft sees its partner’s success as its own and is squarely focused on delivering a true, two-way partnership with its partner network. In this year’s Inspire 2018, Microsoft announced new programs, tools and resources to help partners innovate, grow and differentiate their businesses.

Delivering innovation through apps and services 

Whether they’re building apps or services, Microsoft partners need access to the latest technology from Microsoft and guidance on how to extend that technology to build tailor-made solutions.

Microsoft recently announced exciting new innovations in Microsoft 365, including a free version of Teams, new intelligent events capabilities, the Workplace Analytics teamwork solution and more. The tech company also announced new cloud, apps and data technologies including Azure Data Box Disk, Azure Virtual WAN, Azure Firewall and more. 

Microsoft partners will be able to leverage these new offerings to help customers embrace and innovate in the modern workplace and continue to help customers in their journey to the cloud.

In addition to new technologies, Microsoft released new Digital Transformation eBooks, and practice-building playbooks, expanding on the popular resources already leveraged by tens of thousands of partners looking to build and enhance their practices.

Enabling greater customer reach 

In Microsoft’s third quarter, Azure revenue grew by 93 percent, with partners driving a considerable portion of that growth. To build on this great momentum, Microsoft is doing two new things to fuel partner growth – leaning on its marketplaces and enhancing AppSource as the entry point for selling with Microsoft, as well as improving go-to-market benefits for partners to help them grow their businesses.

The new marketplace capabilities include integrated partner-to-partner solutions, private offers, and expanded consulting services. Each of these new capabilities provides partners new ways to get solutions in front of a bigger base of customers and to provide them with a better buying experience. It is Microsoft’s focus to connect partners with customers.

Microsoft is also providing greater flexibility and more opportunities to unlock new benefits that help partners go to market. Starting later this year, partners with competencies will have a choice of benefits packages based on their business focus. Microsoft is expanding core benefits to include access to services that support generating leads, improving lead velocity and increasing close rates for app or service offerings.

Showcasing partner specialization 

For Microsoft partners, specialization is key to growth. Microsoft seeks to do more to help customers find the right partners with the right solutions. At Inspire 2018, the tech company announced new ways for partners to demonstrate their proven expertise to customers with the introduction of new advanced specializations and the new Microsoft Azure Expert MSP initiative. Partners can now demonstrate that they have the right capabilities to help with specific customer business challenges.

At last year’s Inspire, Microsoft initiated a new journey with its partners, with a commitment to their success. In the world of Digital Transformation, everyone needs an ecosystem, and a partnership with Microsoft is a partnership with its ecosystem. Together, Microsoft and its partners are in a position to take advantage of the unprecedented $4.5 trillion opportunity and unleash the power of true partnership to unlock incredible growth and success – for each other, and for their customers.

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LG Gives National Museum of the Philippines the World's Number One OLED TV

LG Gives National Museum of the Philippines the World's Number One OLED TV

Friday, July 20

LG Philippines, on its 30th anniversary, salutes the National Museum of the Philippines and its new National Museum of Natural History, and celebrates one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems. 

To further its CSR thrust of promoting education, LG Philippines, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, has made a large donation in-kind to the National Museum of the Philippines, both in acknowledgement of its valuable work and to celebrate its newly opened National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) in Rizal Park. LG is hoping to promote a more holistic and interactive experience for visitors by donating one 65-inch OLED TV (E8), one 55-inch OLED TV (C8) and one 55-inch UHD TV to the premier public museum institution in the country. 

As part of the donation, LG also commissioned underwater conservationist director/photographer Noel Guevara to create a short video that showcases the richness and beauty of underwater life in the Philippines, said to be the epicenter of marine biodiversity on earth. The video, shot off Balicasag Island in Panglao, Bohol, features colorful reefs, tropical fish of all sizes and turtle residents. 

“As an underwater photographer and in this case, videographer, I am one of the many visual ambassadors of the sea, whose job is to bring the ocean closer to people’s hearts,” says Guevara. “Balicasag is a beautiful, bountiful dive spot. Showcasing its vibrant marine life in glorious, colorful 4K allows a viewer to take in these sights in more detail and with better appreciation, where the only thing better left to do is to actually dive there.” 

Guevara’s video was premiered to media and special friends at the NMNH on the 77-inch LG OLED W8 TV, LG’s newest and most stunning display to date, which showed off the underwater sights of the Bohol Sea to the best advantage. Marrying best-in-class picture quality with a mind-blowing “wallpaper” design (the display measures a paper-thin 0.23 inches), the W8 represents the height of TV technology, flaunting true-to-life picture quality and cinema-quality Dolby Atmos sound. This newly launched model is also equipped with LG’s new Alpha α9 intelligent processor, which has the ability to create the clearest and most detailed pictures with realistic color and ultra-fast response times. 

Jeremy Barns, director of the National Museum of the Philippines, expressed his profound gratitude for the TVs and commissioned video, “We are very thankful to LG for their generous donation to the National Museum and for their enthusiastic support of our new National Museum of Natural History, which has broken new ground in facilitating far wider public appreciation of the natural wonders of the Philippine archipelago. These cutting-edge, beautifully designed TVs, combined with the work of this institution, will immerse our viewers and provide them with special experiences of the heritage and patrimony of the Filipino people. This video will convey more effectively than ever before the amazing marine experience that Bohol, one of so many extraordinary places in the Philippines, has to offer—short of diving Balicasag Island’s hidden depths themselves.” Barns also added that the video is a very timely complement to the opening later this year of the new National Museum in Bohol, housed at Tagbilaran’s restored and converted former provincial capitol building which was damaged in the 2013 earthquake. The museum director believes that the video should also be prominently featured in the Bohol museum in addition to the NMNH. He went on to say that the video will also feature in all the appropriate public platforms of the National Museum and be recommended to relevant key partner government agencies, including the Department of Education, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Tourism, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. 

"LG’s goal is to harness the power of beautiful images and modern, innovative technology to fuel and inspire the next generation,” says LG Philippines managing director Mr. Inkwun Heo. “The TVs we are donating to the National Museum can be used both as educational vessels and design inspiration. The LG OLED TVs can integrate perfectly into the interiors of the National Museum in Manila and the other educational centers in their growing network of museums within the country, while the video will give museum visitors moving glimpses of the Philippines’ natural inheritance. We at LG Philippines are very proud to be associated with this great public institution and center of education, science and culture, and all of the work that they carry out for the benefit of the Filipino people and their innumerable friends throughout the world.”

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Sony Xperia XZ2

Sony Xperia XZ2

Wednesday, June 27

I'm a Sony Xperia user but I haven't upgraded yet. I'm still stuck with my ever reliable Sony Xperia Z1. It has been my partner in every food reviews, product launches, travel, and events. I know I have to buy a new phone soon and I have started looking for one. Should I buy a different brand or should I stay with Sony? 

At the recently concluded Camerahaus Photo Fest, my co-Sony Xperia Photography Philippines member @freemanhappybattle was given a review unit of the new Sony Xperia XZ2. Here's what he has to say.

Key Features: 

The 153x72x1.1 mm phone features a 5.7-inch 1,080×2,160-pixel (18:9) TRILUMINOS display and a stereo speaker with S-Force Front Surround sound. The videos already look and sound good but Sony has now added what it calls a dynamic vibration system to heighten the experience. 

The XZ2 design is way different than its predecessor. While the XZ1 and XZ2 each have an aluminum body with rounded edges, the latter is slightly larger and is encased on both sides with Gorilla Glass and has a curved back, making it easy for you to hold and the fingerprint sensor at the back make it easier for you to unlock the device while holding it. 

Running on Android 8.0 (Oreo), the water-resistant XZ2 uses the octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset, which has a clockspeed of up to 2.7 GHz. It comes 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage and can take of memory card of up to 400 GB. That is  faster and bigger in terms of speed and storage. 

The phone's main camera has 19 megapixels Motion Eye does a solid job. You can shoot in an auto or manual mode, which lets you adjust a variety of features.

On auto, the colour balance is good and the images are crisp. Even low-light photos look great.

Xperience the New Sony Xperia XZ2 for a better gaming experience and awesome images when taking photos. Do not forget the Suuuppeeerrr Slooooowww Motion Feature and 3D image creator that comes with it.

The Sony XZ2 is currently priced at Php43,999.

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BTS Picks LG G7 ThinQ

BTS Picks LG G7 ThinQ

Friday, June 15

LG collaborated with Korean boy group BTS, also known as Bangtan Boys as the perfect ambassadors of its newest flagship phone, the LG G7 ThinQ. The phone was officially launched in the Philippines last June 14, 2018 at Yes Please in BGC. 

LG G7 ThinQ Specifications:

Qualcomm Snapdragon 845

Octa-Core Processor (2.8GHz)

6.1" QHD+ FullVision Display (3120 x 1440)

16MP F1.6 + 16MP F1.9 Crystal Clear Lens Rear Camera

8MP F1.9 Front Camera

4GB RAM / 64GB ROM

3000 mAh Battery

Listen to your favorite BTS songs like they are singing live with the LG G7 ThinQ Boombox Speaker that delivers premium, loud, and room-filling realistic audio experience. The built-in 32-bit QUAD DAC also gives crisp sound and you don't need to buy expensive headphones to enjoy great sound. The DTS X 3D 7.1 Channel Surround Sound delivers cinematic audio on the go.

Do you love taking photos? Capture the perfect shot with the AI Cam that is so clever it can detect exactly what you are shooting and automatically suggest the best filter and angle. The Super Bright Camera is great at taking photos on low light condition.

Super Far Field Voice Recognition

The LG G7 ThinQ is is AI-Assisted and you can get help even if your phone is far from you. The AI Assistant will respond with real-time support from anywhere in the room.

Built for the unexpected

Enjoy life's greatest adventure and capture unforgettable moments without worrying about your phone. LG G7 ThinQ passed 14 military-standard 810G tests and was designed to endure even the toughest condition. It also has an IP68 rating and sealed against dust and water resistant up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes.

The LG G7 ThinQ is priced at P42,000 and comes in two colors: New Aurora Black and New Moroccan Blue.

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LG Global Clean-up Initiative To Celebrate World Environment Day 2018

LG Global Clean-up Initiative To Celebrate World Environment Day 2018

Tuesday, June 12

The World Environment Day is celebrated every 5th of June. Hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), it aims to promotes positive eco-action, and creates ideal opportunities for individuals and communities to understand the importance of world heritage and environmental protection. This year’s theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution,” highlights the importance of plastic-free eco-systems, and urges consumers to reduce their reliance on single-use or disposable plastics.

In line with this year’s theme, UNEP is encouraging individuals and communities to take action by focusing on the plastics that go into our natural waterways. Plastic is one of the biggest pollutants in our oceans today. Every year, the world uses 500 billion plastic bags; every year, at least eight million tons of plastic end up in the world’s oceans—the equivalent of a full garbage truck every minute—damaging marine life and threatening human health. The amount of garbage that end up our waters is growing, and experts predict that the annual amount of plastic trash tumbling out to our seas, oceans and rivers will more than double in the next 10 years.

LG Electronics, which is always at the forefront of responsible social and environmental contribution, supports UNEP and World Environment Day by rallying nearly 40,000 employees across all its offices around the world to take action and become agents of positive social change. This is the ninth consecutive year that LG employees worldwide have come together to contribute to the rehabilitation of the community and the environment. 

This year, LG Electronics heeded UNEP’s call for citizens and companies to organize and participate in coastal and riverbank clean-ups, and arranged a 24-hour “relay” event where its offices across the globe engaged in a clean-up activity benefiting the local community. The event occurred on May 24 with the team from LG Electronics Philippines kicking off the relay. 

According to a study, the Philippines is the third biggest source of plastic ocean pollution in the world. To help offset this reputation, LG Philippines provided assistance to the Pasig community, where its office and warehouse is located, by helping in the weekly clean-up and rehabilitation of one of the more polluted areas along the Pasig River.

Forty-five employees, including LG Philippines Managing Director Inkwun Heo, rolled up their sleeves and tirelessly gathered waste such as plastic bottles and caps, plastic packaging, cans and even old toilet seats. The LG employees were joined by 30 volunteers from the Solid Waste Management group of the Pasig City government. More than 50 large bags of garbage and waste materials were collected from the site. After the activity, the cleaning materials purchased and used by LG’s employees, such as gloves and rakes, were donated to the Solid Waste Management group of Pasig City.

“We are proud to see so many LG Philippines employees embracing sustainability consciousness, and volunteering their time and effort into helping the environment and the Pasig community,” says LG Philippines managing director Mr. Inkwun Heo. “This program will raise our employees’ awareness on the importance of contributing back to the society while leaving behind a long-lasting impact.”

LG is also committed to promoting a sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle by offering a range of innovative home appliances designed to counteract a number of environmental threats. LG’s eco-friendly initiatives are at the forefront of the ongoing revolution in renewable power, increased energy efficiency and environmentally friendly production. 

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