New GCash feature GGives allows Filipinos to shop and pay on installment

With its clear vision of achieving financial inclusion for all, GCash, the country’s leading mobile wallet, now offers another way to help Filipinos manage their finances better and upgrade their lifestyle through its newest feature, GGives. With the launch of the installment payment feature, users can shop from their favorite brands and pay for them through easy and flexible installments for up to 12 months with no downpayment and processing fees.

GGives also allows qualified users to pay for big-ticket items as much as PHP 25,000 on installments for as long as 12 months. The new app feature also offers flexibility, allowing select subscribers to choose to pay up to 24 installments or “gives” twice a month to make it more affordable and flexible for subscribers during paydays.

“GCash is committed to helping Filipinos have access to solutions that help them attain financial freedom so they can live better lives. This new feature from GCash extends the purchasing power of our users, helping them have better and safer lifestyles and a financially inclusive future,” said GCash President and CEO Martha Sazon.

This new feature is available to users with a high GScore on the GCash app. For qualified users, you may activate your GGives in just three easy steps.

Eligible users can enjoy GGives in over 26,000 stores via Scan QR with more branches and options for users soon. On the GCash app, shoppers can buy from The SM Store, Puregold, 7-Eleven, Ministop, Shell Select, S&R Pizza, KFC, Nike, Power Mac Center, Mercury Drug, Southstar Drug, Watsons, and many more. 

Filipinos can download the GCash app for free on the Google Play or App Store.

For more information, visit https://help.gcash.com/hc/en-us/articles/4411269013529-What-are-the-things-that-I-need-to-know-before-using-GGives-.

 Lifestyle TVs receive ‘Glare-Free’ verification from UL, ‘Eye Care’ certification from VDE in Germany 

(From Left) Seokwoo Yong, EVP and Head of R&D Team, Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics and Raj Shah, Vice President at Marketing of Pantone

 

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced that its 2022 QLED and Lifestyle TVs have been recognized by leading global certification institutes for eye safety and color technology. The news comes as the company announced its newest QLED and Lifestyle TVs at CES 2022.  

The 2022 Samsung Lifestyle TVs won the ‘Eye Care’ Certification from Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker (VDE) in Germany, one of Europe’s largest technical-scientific associations with more than 36,000 members. The certification applies to Samsung’s 2022 Lifestyle TV models including The Frame, The Serif and The Sero. The screens are evaluated on various categories, including ‘Safety’, ‘Gentle to the eyes’, flicker level, uniformity, and color fidelity. 

(From Left) Seokwoo Yong, EVP and Head of R&D Team, Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics and Cherif Kedir, President & CEO of VDE

The new Lifestyle TVs were assessed for safety from blue light emission and melatonin inhibition levels based on a light hazard classification method set by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Samsung’s 2022 Lifestyle TVs satisfy the IEC's standards for screen flickering, which can cause eye fatigue or headache for viewers. They were also recognized for excellence in color fidelity and picture quality uniformity, both elements of which contribute to eye comfort level while watching TV.

Samsung’s 2022 Lifestyle TVs  were also verified as ‘Glare-Free’ by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a leading independent safety science company. UL's verification validates the ‘Glare-Free’ claim by assessing the products against Unified Glare Rating (UGR) testing standard set by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE). Samsung's new Lifestyle TV models use a new Matte Display with anti-glare, anti-reflection and anti-fingerprint properties to deliver the optimal brightness and provide the best picture quality without glare.

• Reflected Glare, which determines whether the objects on a TV screen are visible even when external light is reflected on the surface

• Discomfort Glare, which determines whether a TV screen is too bright

• Disability Glare, which determines whether a TV screen is overly bright when watching TV in a dark room

(From Left) Seokwoo Yong, EVP and Head of R&D Team, Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics and Wyatt Brannan, Vice President of North America Consumer, Medical, & Information Technology of UL

These glare assessments were calculated based on test results of watching TV in both 300 lux, which is equivalent to a brightly lit work area, and in 150 lux, which is usually the value for a dimly lit work area. 

Additionally, Samsung's all new 2022 QLED models received the world's first ‘Pantone Validated’ certification from Pantone, the world-famous brand in the global color industry and creator of the Pantone Matching System (PMS).

These models receiving this recognition from Pantone include all 20 newly released models - 15 QLED TVs in both 4K and 8K and five monitors. Samsung’s 2022 QLED TV line-up was recognized for its accurate expression of 2,030 Pantone colors and newly added 110 skin tone shades.

"As TVs become more of an entertainment hub in the home, there’s an increased demand for screens with top-tier picture quality that minimize eye strain," said Seokwoo Yong, Executive Vice President and Head of R&D Team, Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "This recognition from leading global institutes validates our technology that delivers best-in-class images along with the most comfortable watching experience." 

When it comes to home and furniture design, we look to Europe for minimalist yet striking aesthetics. The same can be said about European appliances, which are designed in elegant and timeless ways and usually come in neutral colors so they can fit any interiors.

But beyond aesthetics, European appliances are known for being environment-friendly and energy efficient. The European Union has the most comprehensive and useful regulations when it comes to informing consumers how energy-efficient appliances are. Most white goods being sold in the EU have to be tagged with an energy rating from A to G, with A being the best.

Energy efficiency means a lower carbon footprint.

As Europe’s leading appliance brand, Beko is always looking for new technologies that help preserve nature and allow people to live a healthy lifestyle.

For Beko refrigerators, HarvestFresh technology keeps fruits and vegetables fresh for up to 30 days, preserving the vitamins in them for longer. Meanwhile, the Inverter Compressor works in all weather conditions with less energy usage.

Beko’s highly efficient washers with ProSmart Inverter Motor not only use 30% less energy than EPA standards, but the water level sensor makes sure no water is ever wasted.

The dryers have revolutionary closed-loop heat exchange system that reuse the hot air during drying cycles, conserving energy as well as over 50% in savings compared to conventional dryers.

Last year, Beko ran a survey across several countries in Europe, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and France to find out what its consumers wanted in terms of sustainability.

In the survey, 80 percent of people said they practiced recycling in their daily lives, followed by Italy at 78 percent and then Germany at 66 percent.

After the survey, Beko set environmental targets, such as achieving zero emissions by 2050. The company also announced the launch of a new range of eco-friendly appliances that are made from recycled plastic and even fishing nets.

“At Beko, we recognize the urgency of water pollution and saving the planet’s resources. We will adapt our existing technologies to make all our appliances more environmentally friendly. Our efforts as makers of appliances will help ensure a more sustainable future for the next generations,” said Gürhan Günal, Country Manager of Beko Pilipinas Corporation.

For more information, go to http://bekopromos.ph Philippines or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bekoph for more details.

Nothing is more crucial than staying connected in times of calamity and DITO Telecommunity has been a lifebelt for many Filipinos who have been massively affected by the recent onslaught of typhoon Odette in the country.

Dr. Jobe Buling-Viernes, the coordinator of San Beda University-Graduate School of Business, joins relief operations to distribute 500 DITO SIM cards to local members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), students, drivers, and municipal employees in Valencia, Negros Oriental. Photos were taken by: Dr. Jobe Buling-Viernes

While most mobile services were temporarily rendered unserviceable by the catastrophe, the newly laid out DITO cell towers stood resilient in the beleaguered provinces, except for only six of DITO microsites that were affected.

In particular, residents of Negros Oriental were able to rely on the continuous and strong connection provided by DITO. 

One resident from Valencia, Negros Oriental who participated in the relief operations, Dr. Jobe Buling-Viernes, coordinator of the San Beda University - Graduate School of Business, started distributing 500 DITO SIM cards to local members of the Philippine National Police, students, drivers and municipal employees.

Using #DitoNaKamisaDITO, #DITONaKami, #DitoTayoSaDITO on social media, recipients expressed their appreciation to the telco for its strong internet speed and reliable connectivity while being economical for as low as PhP39 for 3GB, PhP99 for 10GB, and PhP199 for 25GB. 

“What struck me the most is the idea of connecting people and lives during disasters – I’ve really proven that DITO was there,” shared Dr. Viernes. 

As government and non-government relief and recovery work began in earnest in the Visayas, DITO also provided 1000 SIM cards to the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the AFP Visayas Command and another 250 to the regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management offices for the use of the responders.

This effort is in collaboration with Udenna Foundation's UCare, UShare initiative, a program that aims to feed, protect, and connect the community in the time of COVID, and DITO CME, a majority shareholder of DITO Telecommunity that provides telecommunications, multimedia, and IT services in the country.

 Shop your favorite realme smartphones and TechLife devices for as much as 55% OFF during Lazada’s Sulit Sweldo Sale on January 15-17!  

 

2022 is finally here and what better way to welcome the new year than with new gadgets to help you achieve your goals and resolutions. Be it for leisure, productivity or everything in between, realme, the country’s no. 1 smartphone brand for three consecutive quarters (according to Canalys and IDC sell-in data Q1-Q3 2021), has got you covered.  

To kick off the year with a bang, realme is joining Lazada’s Sulit Sweldo Sale on January 15 to 17, offering discounts of as much as P8,000 OFF on its well-loved smartphones and TechLife devices. This is in line with the brand’s commitment of providing quality tech and lifestyle products to cater to everyone’s digital-driven needs.   

Here’s a rundown of some of the discounted products you can expect during realme’s three-day sale on Lazada:  

narzo 50A (Sale price: P7,289 from SRP P7,990) 

If you’re looking to level up in mobile gaming this year, then the narzo 50A is for you! With a MediaTek Helio G85 gaming processor, a powerful 6000mAh battery, and a 50MP AI Triple Camera, among many other features, the narzo 50A is your best bet when it comes to mobile gaming, content creation and many others. Coming in the 4GB+64GB variant and in Oxygen Blue and Oxygen Green colors, the narzo 50A will be available on Lazada at P701 OFF! 

realme C21-Y (Sale price: P5,989 from SRP P6,490) 

A new year means a new set of memories to make and cherish. To help with content creation, the realme C21-Y is packed with a 13MP Triple AI Camera so you can enjoy taking vibrant and quality photos in different photo modes, whether landscape, portrait, or macro shot. If you wish to capture moments beautifully without breaking the bank, you can check out the realme C21-Y 4GB+64GB variant for only P5,689 on Lazada. 

realme 8i (Sale price: P10,989 from SRP P11,990) 

If you’re due for a phone upgrade, the realme 8i might be the ideal choice! It promises #infinitelySmooth capabilities with the powerful MediaTek Helio G96 chipset and a 120Hz Ultra Smooth display, allowing users to perform any task seamlessly. The realme 8i also comes with a 6.6-inch LCD display, and content creators get a huge level up with the realme 8i’s 50MP AI Triple Camera setup. Get this best-selling smartphone at P1,001 OFF on Lazada.  

realme Pad (Sale price: starts at P8,990 from SRP P10,990) 

Got an exciting list of TV shows to binge-watch this year? Then realme’s first-ever tablet is perfect for you! The realme Pad is designed to be a portable entertainment powerhouse with a 10-inch high-resolution screen, crystal-clear Dolby Atmos quad speakers on each corner, a 7100mAh mega battery for all-day use, and a slim and lightweight body. What’s even better is it will be on sale for P2,000 OFF! Get it on Lazada for only P8,990 (3GB+32GB), P12,990 (4GB+64GB), and P14,990 (6GB+128GB). 

realme Book (Sale Price: starts at P29,990 from SRP P37,990) 

For those looking to boost their productivity this year, now is the best time to get realme's first-ever laptop, therealme Book with a huge discount of P8,000 for the i3 variant.  The i5 variant will also be available for up to P6,000 OFF.  This device is powered by the 11th Gen Intel® Core™ Processor and equipped with 8 GB dual-channel LPDDR4x RAM, up to 512GB SSD storage, and a picture-perfect high-resolution 14” 2K Full Vision display. 

realme Buds Air 2 Neo (Sale price: P1,490 from SRP P1,990) 

Need a fresh pair of earbuds for your online classes or work calls? The realme Buds Air 2 Neo might just come in handy. It’s the ideal choice as it comes with  Active Noise Cancellation of up to 25dB, a 10mm Bass Boost Driver that makes for a richer audio experience with deep bass, and AAC high-quality audio technology for higher fidelity. It comes in two colors – Active Black and Calm Gray. Get these stylish earbuds at P500 OFF on Lazada.  

Don’t miss out on these incredible offers during Lazada’s Sulit Sweldo Sale starting on January 15 12 m.n. until January 17! To know more about the complete line-up of discounts and other deals, be sure to check out the realme Official Store on Lazada, follow realme on Facebook at www.facebook.com/realmePhilippines or visit www.realme.com.ph.  

 

The Acer Chromebook Spin 513 (CP513-2H) boosts productivity on-the-go with a sleek, convertible design, 13.5-inch VertiView® display with a 3:2 aspect ratio, long battery life and exceptional performance—powered by the octa-core MediaTek Kompanio 1380 processor

Acer today unveiled three new Chromebooks designed for consumers needing a secure, easy-to-use, and affordable device for productivity, entertainment and communication. These new Chromebooks come in three sizes and form factors, and are furnished with everything consumers need, plus exceptional audio and video technology for entertainment and video conferencing.  

“This new trio of Acer Chromebooks offers the best of several worlds; they deliver solid performance capabilities, have great extra features, and give users the latest technology while staying within budget,” said James Lin, General Manager, Notebooks, IT Products Business, Acer Inc. “Today’s users need a reliable, easy-to-use means to stay productive, connected and entertained when they’re at home—these three new Acer Chromebooks fit that bill.”

Acer Chromebook Spin 513 — Sleek Design with Productivity-Boosting VertiView Display

With a svelte design and a durable aluminum case, the new Acer Chromebook Spin 513 (CP513-2H) is the ideal Chromebook to take on-the-go for school, passion projects, work, and more. Powered by the new super-fast MediaTek Kompanio 1380 processor with eight cores for enhanced multitasking, it lets users stay productive all-day with exceptional performance and up to 10 hours of battery life. A productivity-boosting VertiView 13.5-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio gives users 18% more vertical screen space so they can see more content before needing to scroll. Furthermore, the gorgeous display’s 2256x1504 resolution panel and 7.7 mm (0.3 in) narrow side bezels serve to highlight these visuals. 

The new Acer Chromebook Spin 513’s convertible design makes it a great choice for people who take their device with them when they travel. It can transform between four different usage modes, such as tent mode for making the most of space-constrained spaces like trains or airplanes and tablet mode for use on-the-go, and features military-grade MIL-STD 810H[ , ] durability. When out and about, Wi-Fi 6 helps maintain reliable connections to networks and hot spots. In addition, the Chromebook has a backlit-keyboard for low-light areas and a USB Type-C port for connecting to peripherals, transferring data and charging mobile devices.  

DTS® Audio and a pair of upward-facing speakers deliver high-quality and distortion-free sound, whether it’s on a video call for work or school, or while enjoying streamed entertainment. A pair of upward facing microphones completes the package, giving users everything they need for crystal-clear conference calls.

Acer Chromebook 315 — Large 15.6-inch Anti-Glare Display and OceanGlass Touchpad

Acer builds on its position as the industry leader in large-screen Chromebooks with the Acer Chromebook 315 (CB315-4H/T), bringing an affordable option to users seeking a device for smooth and effortless multitasking. This portable device keeps users connected, engaged and entertained from different areas of their home—or even while outdoors. The Acer Chromebook 315’s huge FHD IPS 15.6-inch display is anti-glare, so it can be enjoyed on the patio, balcony or garden as well as throughout the home and office. Plus, an optional touch-screen display allows for easy navigation, while the large keyboard has room for a dedicated numeric keypad, a bonus when working on home finances and schoolwork. 

Complementing the display’s extra real-estate, the Acer Chromebook 315 includes technology for clear and reliable video conferences. Hybrid workers and students will be seen and heard thanks to a wide field-of-view HDR webcam with flare-reducing technology and a pair of integrated microphones. DTS Audio delivers rich sound with deeper bass, ideal for video calls as well as enjoying games or streamed content, while the latest Intel® processors and Wi-Fi 6 provide reliable performance and connectivity. On top of 10 hours of battery life[1], users will also appreciate two USB Gen 2 Type-C ports, one on each side, and the ability to easily transfer videos and photos thanks to a MicroSD card reader.

The Acer Chromebook 315 features a unique eco-friendly OceanGlass™ touchpad which is made entirely out of ocean-bound plastic waste that has been recycled into a glass-like texture, giving it sleek and responsive tactile feedback, contributing to the reduction of plastics adrift in the ocean. 

Acer Chromebook 314 — Budget-friendly and Portable with an OceanGlass Touchpad

Designed for students and families with school-age children, the Acer Chromebook 314 (CB314-3H/T) is powered by the latest Intel® processors for solid everyday performance and features MIL-STD 810H durability. Users can expect up to 10-hours of battery life[1], plenty long enough to make it through the entire school-day, while Intel® Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) provides connectivity speeds up to 3x faster than Wi-Fi 5. 

The Acer Chromebook’s 14-inch FHD IPS touchscreen display features an anti-glare coating so it can be used even in brighter lighting conditions, while its narrow 8.1 mm (0.32 in) side bezels further keep the focus on the visuals and contribute to the Chromebook’s compact size. Users can navigate Chrome OS via the optional multi-touch display, or by using the OceanGlass™ touchpad that delivers a sleek touch experience and contributes to the reduction of ocean-bound plastic waste.

The Acer Chromebook 314 provides an excellent remote-learning experience with two built-in microphones and a flare-reducing webcam with temporal noise reduction (TNR) technology for better video quality in low-light conditions. DTS Audio delivers full, high-quality, distortion-free sound. A pair of USB Type-C ports completes the packaging, offering users a convenient means to connect to a wide variety of peripherals.

Chrome OS and App Support 

The new Acer Chromebooks utilize Chrome OS to deliver fast boot times, ease of use, security, and longer battery life. They support web-based apps and apps on Google Play, so users will have access to all the apps they need for productivity, school, creativity and more. 

Pricing and Availability

Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To learn more about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office via www.acer.com.

Visit Acer’s press kit for product images and specifications, or visit our press room to see all announcements.

Pursuant to their mission and vision as a company, Panasonic continues to advocate cleaner and fresher air for life. In recent events, the company partnered with the Far Eastern University – Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation (FEU-NRMF) in Novaliches, Quezon City through a donation in the form of nanoe X-equipped Panasonic Air Purifiers as well as Panasonic Portable nanoe X Generators for the university’s use in its medical schools.

It has always been Panasonic’s objective to provide cleaner and quality air for the community. And in this time of need, the installation of Panasonic’s nanoe X technology, through the different avenues it has been able to explore, not only turned the company’s vision into a reality but has been amplifying the safety and welfare of people affected by the novel coronavirus in high-traffic areas including vaccination sites, hospitals, and schools. This initiative is in par with Panasonic’s agenda of expanding their current program this 2022 to be of assistance to students, most especially in the medical field, that will be instrumental in the future of the health care system of the Philippines.

Moreover, these groundbreaking, state-of-the-art technologies are designed and have been verified to have inhibitory effects on airborne and adhered viruses, including the novel coronavirus*1. Students, teachers and staff members of FEU-NRMF can now breathe a sigh of relief, with the assurance of another layer of protection from the virus, especially now in the event that face-to-face classes are nearing its resumption.

Previous Panasonic excursions included partnerships with different local city government units to disseminate the technology they have, including donations to Mandaluyong City, Makati City, Malabon City, Taguig City, Quezon City, and the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

Guests in attendance at FEU-NRMF’s Alfonso Hall for the short turnover ceremony held last December 10, 2021, included General Manager of Life Solutions and Panasonic Country Head, Yosuke Tanaka, Communications and Product Planning Manager of Panasonic Air Conditioning Philippines (PACPH), Francis Serrato, FEU-NRMF Chief Operating Officer, Juan Enrique Reyes, Dr. Magdalena Natividad, Dr. Nolan Pecho, and other FEU-NRMF department heads, staff, and medical students, who all showed exuberance, appreciation and interest in learning more about the aforementioned nanoe X technology.

Yosuke Tanaka, in a short message to students and staff present, shared, “It is a great honor for Panasonic to be sharing our technology. It is our pride and joy to make nanoe X technology accessible in this prestigious university and give everyone the opportunity to experience quality air for life so you can focus on your craft as future medical professionals.”

A total of 16 Panasonic nanoe X air purifiers and 18 Panasonic Portable nanoe X Generators were donated. Classrooms equipped with nanoe X products are identifiable through Panasonic’s nanoe X safety seal sticker. With this contribution, the company hopes for improved protection in its classrooms in time for the resumption of face-to-face classes. Freebies such as nanoe X face masks, fans, and pillows, were also given to students in attendance.

Francis Serrato, Communications and Product Planning Manager of Panasonic Air Conditioning Philippines (PACPH) held a short lecture to further educate everyone in attendance on the science behind the brand’s  nanoe X technology. “Panasonic has leveraged the power of hydroxyl radicals contained in water to purify the air around us. Proven by its effectiveness on four novel coronaviruses variants*2, Alpha, Beta, Gama and Delta, the assurance of breathing in clean air when these products are around is something we, in Panasonic, are glad to share.”

During the event, some students were also asked how they feel about the installation of the nanoe X technology in their school premises. Katrina Pacuan, a 3rd year medical technology student, said, “It’s easier to breath now especially if you have this kind of technology that protects you from harmful viruses.”

A nursing student also shared his thoughts, “I’m so excited for face-to-face classes to resume because now we have nanoe X technology to protect us from viruses and assure us of our safety and welfare.”

For more information on Panasonic and its patented technologies, please visit https://www.panasonic.com/ph/nanoe