The tech giant announced several global and local feats at the recently held Huawei Developer Day 2021 Philippines, with updates on the Huawei Ecosystem, HarmonyOS, and Petal Nearby also taking center stage

HUAWEI has reaffirmed its commitment to enabling Filipinos to enjoy a seamless AI life supported by an intelligently connected ecosystem at the recently held Huawei Development Day Philippines 2021. The tech leader also shared its aggressive roadmap in forging strategic partnerships with key industry players, which led to the availability of 96 percent of top local apps in HUAWEI’s very own AppGallery. 

HUAWEI’s roster of partners covers essential industries from banking and e-commerce to lifestyle and entertainment. Some of the key partners represented at the HDD are mobile e-wallet GCash, telehealth platform KonsultaMD and online radio and entertainment channel WishFM. 

“We are grateful for the trust and confidence our partners vest upon us. As Huawei aggressively expands its mobile services and product portfolio, it is fitting that we partner with top brands and companies here in the Philippines. Through these strategic partnerships, we get to hyperlocalize our efforts in catering to the needs of our local customers. We are also glad that through our partnership, Filipino enterprises get to reach their intended audience and customers better in the highly digital new normal. We, together with our partners, are building and championing a more intelligent and interconnected world that makes seamless AI life possible,” shares George Li, country manager of Huawei Philippines - Consumer Business Group.

The Department of Information and Communications (DICT) also reaffirmed its strong relationship with HUAWEI at the event, noting the latter’s support in ensuring the continuous development of the Department’s programs and projects. Huawei and DICT have collaborated on several projects since 2018 which include the Philippine Startup Challenge (PSC) -- a national startup competition that challenges participants to come up with ICT solutions to real-life problems. 

HUAWEI also shared its funding programs for app development across the world. The tech giant has recently invested USD 1M in an honor awards program that recognizes app innovation in five regions: APAC, Europe, LA, Middle East, and China. Innovative apps present in AppGallery get to bag prizes in multiple categories such as gaming, fintech, and social impact. This venture is geared at propelling innovation in the app industry in service of the evolving needs of highly digital consumers. 

The Huawei Developer Day 2021 Philippines also featured key updates for HarmonyOS and Petal Nearby. 

HarmonyOS 2: Next-Gen Operating System

Huawei has unfolded a new chapter for its HarmonyOS 2 in the latter part of the first half of 2021. Launched with the tagline “One as All, All as One”, HarmonyOS is an integral component to the ecosystem roadmap of Huawei wherein more products running the operating system will be given the capability to seamlessly connect with each other.

At the HDD event, Huawei announced four main breakthroughs for HarmonyOS 2: DecoupledOS and hardware, sharing capabilities between devices, smooth and low latency operation, and the DevEco Studio. Through its decoupled and modularized technology in distributed OS architecture, HarmonyOS can be flexibly deployed to various devices with distinct form factors and storage capabilities. The same technology enables formerly isolated capabilities such as display, camera, speaker, microphone, communications, sensor and computing to be synergized seamlessly across multiple devices. 

HarmonyOS also addresses underperformance challenges with a Deterministic Latency Engine, which enables the system to have precise resource scheduling and real-time app prioritizing. This brings down response latency by 25.7 percent and latency fluctuation by 55.6 percent. 

Huawei also showcased its DevEco Studio which allows ICT professionals to develop tagged widgets and adaptive UI layouts. This rids the need for developers to redesign and rework structures as HarmonyOS makes their singular output compatible with different peripherals. 

Petal Nearby: Adventures Made Easier, Brought Closer

Petal Search has been a hallmark of the Huawei ecosystem since its launch at the Huawei Developer Conference 2020. It is now present in several types of devices, being used across 170 countries with 50-language iterations and 20 vertical categories. 

Huawei has observed a rapid change in user behavior in terms of search trends in recent years. From mere search queries, online users now clamor for more interactive options that satisfy the need for immediate information. To address this, Huawei has updated Petal Search to optimize it as a hub that connects all local services. This resulted in Petal Nearby.

Petal Nearby is a high-traffic portal that gives users access to all local services. Nearby portal brings together a wide selection of local businesses and services such as hotels, entertainment, attractions, education, food and drink, automotive and other local services, providing search efficiency and convenience. 

This update to Petal Search is also aimed at helping local businesses connect better with their immediate market in terms of proximity, which is crucial today as people lessen travel to areas outside of their cities. 

Filipino Huawei fans and tech enthusiasts may stream the Huawei Developer Day 2021 on the official Facebook page of AppGallery for more information on the HarmonyOS, Huawei Mobile Services and Ecosystem, Petal Nearby, and local and global business updates.

XTREME Appliances has tapped actress and fashion icon Heart Evangelista to become its newest face. 

With her 24 years of experience in the entertainment scene and one of this generation’s most prized stars, Heart has done it all. She has starred in multiple TV series and movies, attended the biggest international fashion weeks, graced international and local magazines, won various awards, and created a huge impact on social media. This year, she is ready to be the ambassadress of a local appliance brand that has been providing affordable yet high-quality products for every Filipino household. She joins current XTREME Appliances ambassadors Senator Manny Pacquiao and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso.

“I am so excited about my endorsement with XTREME Appliances. It is such a good collaboration,” Heart said during her endorsement shoot.

As XTREME Appliances gears up to maintain its standing as the leading one-stop shop appliance brand — a milestone achieved in just three years — Heart becomes the ambassadress who will promote the brand’s mission: to provide quality yet affordable appliances for every Filipino and to leverage the Filipino lifestyle through technology and innovation.

Just like any of us, Heart considers two factors before purchasing an appliance or any product — quality and affordability. As a brand that prioritizes quality and affordability, Heart is confident that she is endorsing the right brand.

“Quality and affordability make XTREME Appliances the perfect choice for every Filipino. You know, at the end of the day, you need quality and you also want to make sure that it doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg. So it is pasok sa budget and at the same time, it is classy, it is lux, and it is beautiful. I just love XTREME Appliances products so much,” Heart explained.

In the past year, the global pandemic has changed so many things in our lives including our purchase behavior. As a matter of fact, this time of uncertainty has been a time of frugality for many Filipino, that’s why brands like XTREME Appliances has been really helpful in providing quality products at a very affordable price. 

She added, “Aside from wanting to live a really good lifestyle, we also want to be smart about our money. We deserve quality and I am glad that there are companies that give us quality products — that is so important, you know, we are all hardworking, we all have to pay our bills. I am just so for being smart about your purchases and really making sure that everything is quality.”

Since 2016, XTREME Appliances has grown into a household brand that caters to the ever-changing demands of the Filipino market. This year, XTREME Appliances is now ready to elevate its brand by introducing a new ambassadress who truly embodies a modern Filipino lifestyle.

“Heart Evangelista-Escudero is an icon and we believe in her star quality and impact on Filipinos. As we continue to grow as a brand, we want to solidify our name to be a brand fit for a modern Filipino lifestyle. Times are changing and things are constantly evolving and we are glad to have Heart as the brand’s newest face. We are just so excited to continue our mission in bringing comfort, convenience, and efficiency to every Filipino household with our new brand ambassadress,” says Stephen Cheng, VP for Marketing, XTREME Appliances.

XTREME Appliances’ first-ever TVC featuring Heart is set to be released in the last quarter of 2021, showcasing the modern Filipino lifestyle through innovation, quality, and affordability. With the introduction of their new brand ambassadress, XTREME Appliances is ready to take their game to the next level by introducing new products, nationwide campaigns and concept stores opening, and stronger marketing efforts.

To keep updated on the latest news and happenings of XTREME Appliances, like and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok accounts and join their official online community on Facebook, XTREME Fam. For the full list of products and exclusive discounts, please visit XTREME on Website, Lazada, and Shopee e-commerce

Coins.ph is re-enabling cash-in transactions through any of 7-Eleven’s 3,000+ branches in the Philippines. This move aims to provide a widely accessible and convenient option for customers who prefer an over-the-counter instant cash-in option that is within their vicinity.

With this collaboration, over 15 million Coins.ph customers can add funds to their wallet in real time via 7-Eleven in three ways. The first is via the Coins.ph Wallet app, wherein customers can generate a 7-Connect barcode that they will present to the cashier to scan and make a payment.

The customers can also use the CLiQQ kiosk in-store to generate a barcode to present to the cashier and make a payment. This option works best for customers who do not have mobile data or are not bringing their phone to the store. Meanwhile, customers who have the CLiQQ mobile app can utilize its “Add e-Money” option and present the generated barcode to any 7-Eleven cashier for payment.

“In the same way that 7-Eleven fulfills people’s everyday needs through goods sold and services rendered in our branches, Coins.ph also offers financial services for everyday transactions such as buying load, paying bills, and more. Bringing back this cash-in partnership is a joint effort at continuously finding ways to provide the best service to our customers,” said Jose Victor Paterno, President and CEO of Philippine Seven Corporation.

This partnership is aligned with Coins.ph’s mission to increase financial inclusion across Southeast Asia and supports the company’s ongoing efforts in making the wallet services more accessible for both the banked and unbanked.

“There’s always a 7-Eleven store just around the corner. With its far-reaching network nationwide, it helps customers in having an accessible way to fund their Coins.ph account. Coins.ph’s goal is to provide financial access and inclusion to communities across the country. We are continuously adding new services within Coins.ph to help Filipinos complete their transactions conveniently using their phone as their wallet,” said Nauman Mustafa, CEO of Coins.ph.

Regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Coins.ph provides customers with direct and secure access to digital financial services, including prepaid loading for Philippine and international mobile numbers, bill payments, local and international remittances, game credits purchase, online shopping, and even buying and selling virtual assets anytime, anywhere. It is free to sign up for an account via the Coins.ph website or by downloading the app on Google Play or the App Store.

Apart from the ease of completing everyday transactions in a few taps on their phones, Coins.ph verified customers can enjoy rewards and other perks. The company is also planning to launch more partnerships in the coming months to provide better services for consumers.

All cash-in transactions via 7-Eleven are subject to a minimal partner fee equal to 2% of the transaction amount for service maintenance. Coins.ph is reminding customers to be mindful of their area’s quarantine restrictions to ensure their safety amid the pandemic.

Interested partners may also find more information about Coins.ph at the website.

Xiaomi and POCO are dropping fantastic deals on their local and global stores for the upcoming 9.9 sale!

Xiaomi Philippines is offering amazing deals on Lazada for their dynamic mid-range Redmi Note 10 series. The Redmi Note 10S, which is great for taking photos and for gaming, is now available for a discounted price of PHP 10,990 during the 9.9 sale. When it comes to performance, it is powered by a MediaTek Helio G95 processor with a GPU of ARM Mali-G76 MC4 and a 6.43” AMOLED DotDisplay ideal for gamers. Its quad-camera features a 64MP wide-angle camera, 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera, 2MP macro camera, and 2MP macro camera that will help you capture moments through vividly detailed images. 

The Redmi Note 5G will also be on sale, with its 4+128 GB variant available for only PHP 9,690 and its 8+128 GB variant at a discounted price of PHP 11,290. As for their Redmi Note 10, the 4+64 GB variant will be selling now for only PHP 7,990, while its 6+128 GB variant will be on sale at PHP 8,990.

If you’re looking for to improve your home on a budget, Xiaomi Philippines also has Lazada 9.9 deals for their smart home devices. Get their Mi Vacuum Cleaner G10 this 9.9 for only PHP 9,189, from its original price of PHP 11,490. Or get the chance to score their Mi Smart Kettle for a discounted rate of PHP 1,349 and their Mi Air Purifier 3H for PHP 6,999.

But that’s not all! For their Lazada and Shopee global store deals, Xiaomi fans can also get their hands on the Mi Band 5 now selling at the discounted price of PHP 899 until September 11, while their Mi Watch Lite will be selling for only PHP 1,890. Also, go ahead and add to your cart this 9.9 sale their Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 for only PHP 499 and their Mi Compact Bluetooth Speaker 2 for only PHP 369. 

Meanwhile, if you are looking for a phone that delivers both speed and performance, then the POCO X3 GT is a perfect choice. With a discounted price of PHP 14,990 for the 8+128 GB variant, you will also get a FREE powerbank when you purchase the product at the official Xiaomi Flagship Store in Lazada on 9.9.

POCO X3 GT packs extreme processing power with MediaTek Dimensity 1100 chip with Dual 5G SIM. This is the first POCO phone equipped with a 6nm chipset and powered by four super performance Arm Cortex-A78 cores, which balances between performance and energy consumption. It also comes with a 120Hz DynamicSwitch DotDisplay, a high-resolution 64MP triple camera, and a 67W Turbo Charging technology built in Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus suitable for everyday use.

You can also get the POCO M3 Pro 4+64 GB variant on Lazada for only PHP 7,490 and its 6+128 GB variant for PHP 9,490. The POCO X3 Pro 6+128 GB variant will also be available for PHP 10,490 only, while its 8+256 GB variant will be selling at a discounted price of PHP 12,990. Lastly, the POCO F3 6+128 GB variant will also be on sale for only PHP 15,490, while its 8+256 variant will be available at PHP 17,990!

Excited about these offers? Check out the table below for the complete list of Xiaomi and POCO 9.9. deals!

Xiaomi Philippines Deals – Lazada Flagship Store

Xiaomi Philippines Smart Devices Deals – Lazada Flagship Store 

Xiaomi Smart Devices Deals – Shopee and Lazada Official Global Store

POCO Philippines Deals – Lazada Flagship Store 

Shop now for Xiaomi and POCO devices this 9.9. sale! Check out these amazing deals by visiting the Xiaomi official store in Lazada and POCO’s official store in Shopee and Lazada. More exclusive deals also await for Xiaomi Home devices in their Lazada and Shopee Global stores. You can also follow the office Facebook pages of Xiaomi and POCO for other updates.

Cong, Alodia Gosiengfiao, and TNC Predator are among the Predator Masters who will discuss Vlogging, Streaming, Casting, DOTA 2, and Valorant on this year’s Predacast Masterclass that will kick off on September 6, 2021.

As the digital age comes to full blast, Predator, as the industry pioneer, aims to strengthen esports and gaming in the years to come by assembling its elite group of ambassadors and industry experts to share valuable experiences and knowledge so that the next generation may live on.

“Gaming flows in Predator’s bloodstream; it is in our hands to build this community for the generations to come and no global crisis will falter this goal. That is the very reason why we are bringing Predacast Masterclass for the second time—to provide tools and avenues for future esports stars to sharpen their skill and learn from the best of the best,” says Predator Philippines General Manager, Sue Ong-Lim.

Predacast Masterclass is a series of online workshops with 14 episodes that will tackle the ever growing industry of Vlogging, Streaming, and Casting. There are also episodes focusing on today’s hottest esports games, DOTA 2 and Valorant.

With five disciplines of discussion, the masterclass for Vlogging will headline YouTube sensations Cong, Boss Keng, and Yow. The trio will give tips on how to find your vlogging niche, basic gears for vloggers, shooting techniques, basic editing, vlog promotions, the hustle and the stance of being a content creator, as well as how they handle constructive criticism.

One of the most progressive industries you can find online is streaming. Who better to hear from than today’s most sought after streamers, Alodia Gosiengfiao and Een Mercado? They will tackle topics such as setting up streaming equipment and software, building your own brand, increasing your followers, and strategies on how to interact with your fans in-stream.

Onto the profession of casting, KuyaNic, Kuya D, Lon, and Alo will have two episodes about kickstarting your career as a caster, setting up your casting equipment, identifying what type of caster you are, and how to improve your craft.

Fresh from their APAC Predator League 2020/21 win, TNC Predator will have five special episodes about DOTA 2 with tips and secrets on how you can play like a pro during the early, mid, and late stages of your game. They have a lot in store for their workshops including map control and vision, pushing a tower, when to smoke, proper team fights, and late game itemizations!

Another popular game today is Valorant. Professional players, Burg and Papichulo, will lead a masterclass about efficient ways to boost your gameplay. Discussions include entry fragging, effective site re-take, tips on one-way shots, map callouts, team composition, and game strategies.

And as a treat for the loyal fans, Predator is giving away a FREE Predator Gaming Chair for every purchase of participating Predator laptop available on Acer PH Online Store, Predator Concept Stores, and authorized resellers.

And it doesn’t stop there! One lucky winner per masterclass will also get a chance to have a one-on-one workshop with the Predacast masters. Just share the episode stream on your Facebook page and tag Predator Gaming with the official hashtags. Make sure your account is public. Create a 15-30 second video of yourself sharing your takeaways from your chosen masterclass and post it on your profile with the hashtags and tag Predator Gaming. Winners will also get Predator merch or even a Predator laptop!

Tune in to this year’s Predacast Masterclasses starting on September 6, 2021 at the Predator Gaming FB Page and enable your notifications to get first dibs on the latest updates for Predacast.