LIST: 5 tech toys for the big girls

MANILA, Philippines —  Studies show that modern Filipino women are much into fashion and technology.

In time for Women’s Month this March, multinational agency J. Walter Thompson (JWT) Philippines released the results of its “Filipina Next” study based on quantitative and qualitative research among Filipinas across socio-economic classes ABCDE and between the ages of 18 to 70. 

According to the results of “Filipina Next,” 85 percent of Filipinas surveyed believe that technology empowers them, while 89 percent uphold that technology gives them a voice.

“Technology has an important role in driving the Filipina forward, both in being a global citizen and in finding new solutions,” JWT Philippines stated.

Social media, the study expounded, has allowed Filipinas to voice out issues that matter to them to people all over the world, as well as hear others’ stories.

“New apps and gadgets have also helped her manage her day-to-day life better, such as having more information on her health and allowing her to stay on top of her business even when home,” the press statement added.

For those on the lookout for the hottest tech treats in town, check out these cool new gadgets ideal for travel and summer getaways.

Actresses Erich Gonzales and Jessy Mendiola shot these selfies using Vivo V5 Plus smart phone. Studies show that technology has an important role in driving the Filipina forward. Photo release

Creative ways to store Instax prints

After the Photo Diary, FujiFilm Philippines launches the Memory Lane album, a unique Instax album made of thick-bordered pages where one can keep Instax prints.

“Our mission is to keep memories on hand and make sure that they would be available for future generations to gaze at,” says Takuya Maeda, FujiFilm Philippines Division Head for Electronic Imaging and Photo Imaging.

People nowadays, according to him, have become careless in taking pictures unlike before.

“Filipinos love taking photos...We have endeavored to help them preserve their memories in the best possible way, especially now since it is graduation and summer season, when people really need to keep important memories.”

The Memory Lane album has been designed to protect precious prints from dust, dirt, moisture and sunlight to reduce fading and ensure that they stand the test of time. It is bundled up with the Instax Mini 8 and a range of digital cameras.

Actress and FujiFilm ambassador Bea Alonzo suggests designing the album in many creative ways, such as for a wedding proposal or as personal recipe book.

Users are further encouraged to doodle on the sides, place stickers, even write haiku or short poems to make their albums not only unique but very personal and heart-warming.

Memory Lane album kit

The shop for the rough and tough

From weekend warriors, Filipinos today, says entrepreneur Jay Tengo, have become workday-to-weekend warriors, which means many are now going straight to their outdoor adventures right after work.

Thus, if there are day-to-night outfits, there also bags and accessories with the look, storage, strength and functionality, flexible enough for office-to-outdoor use. These goods can all be found in Tengco’s new lifestyle shop for the mobile urban warrior, Urban Rugged Gear (URGe).

Located at the second floor of Greenbelt 1 in Makati City and at the second floor of Theater Mall in Greenhills, URGe carries innovative gear such as portable solar power systems; earphones made to never to fall out even under rigorous physical activity; action cameras; protective covers that can turn your regular phone into a professional diver’s camera; modular bags with removable parts; and gadget bags made of handmade textiles from artisan villages in Ghana, Guatamela, India, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Gadget bags made of handmade textiles from artisan villages in Ghana, Guatamela, India, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Handmade two-in-one laptop/tablet

Electronics company HP Philippines recently unveiled its latest hybrid innovation, the HP Spectre x360. To highlight the laptop’s unique feature as a “union between artisanal craftsmanship and functional ingenuity,” it was launched together with versatile art pieces from renowned furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue and the Benildean Industrial Designers Organization.

The new premium laptop is said to be “more artisan than manufactured” and can either be used as a laptop or tablet, said HP Philippines managing director Pallasena Viswanath.

“It provides exceptional performance and design to complement the dynamic lifestyles of our tastemakers,” Viswanath added.

As a laptop, HP Spectre x360 claims to deliver industry-level work performance, while it can also shift into a tablet, a powerful, portable tool for on-the-go users. For leisure and entertainment use, the stand and tent modes are there to enjoy movies and music.

Similar to the first HP Spectre model, the new x360 unit also sports a hidden piston hinge mechanism, which makes way for a 10.4mm and 2.45lbs featherweight, seamless design feature that puts mobility at ease.

It retains its predecessor’s distinct copper metal accent and two-tone gray carbon fiber and aluminum top finish. It also boasts a 13-inch, edge-to-edge, durable and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass and a vibrant, full-high definition display for crisp pictures and wide viewing angles. It can allegedly run up to nine hours of battery life with its hybrid polymer battery system. A backlit keyboard and track pad also makes it a user-friendly unit, while the full Intel Core i5 or i7 power supply and its Windows 10 operating system deliver a smooth performance.

Socialite Tessa Prieto-Valdes checking out the new HP Spectre x360. Photo release

Mobile phone convenience store

Convenience store chain 7-Eleven opened its 2,000th store in the Philippines recently at the LV Locsin Building, 6752 Makati Avenue, Legazpi Village, Makati. The store chain celebrates this feat with a concert at the Bonifacio Global City Amphitheater, top-billed by Moonstar88, Gracenote, Imago, Ransom Collective and Bamboo.

To complement the stores, the company will soon release its new mobile app, a platform on Facebook Messenger and a CLiQQ WiFi in all of its stores. Philippine Seven Corporation (PSC), the country licensee of 7-Eleven, started developing its e-commerce initiatives to take advantage of the emerging digital retail market.

The company opened its first store in the Philippines in 1984 and reached 500 stores seven years ago. PSC was able to expand to 1,000 stores in 2014 and now to 2,000 stores in just over two years.

The store chain went nationwide with its first branch in Visayas in 2012 and in Mindanao in 2015. Currently, there are 255 stores in Visayas and 107 stores in Mindanao. 

PSC will open 412 more stores this year and continue to innovate its products and services such as its CLiQQ Rewards loyalty program. The global store chain now has over 60,000 stores in 17 countries, making it claim to be the largest convenience retailer in the world.

Get cash back rewards when booking rides

As more and more people become app dependent, mobile application ShopBack aims to help consumers get more savings from daily expenses. Those who have been choosing Grab as their daily mode of transportation should enjoy some cash back using the ShopBack app.

First, Grab riders must download the ShopBack app in the App Store for iOS users or the Google Play Store for those with Android phones. Click the Ride icon and book your ride on Grab.

With every ride on GrabCar services (GrabCar Premium, six-seater Economy and six-seater Premium) and GrabShare, riders can now get a reward of a five-peso cash back.

For cash back to be tracked successfully, do not edit "Notes to Driver" when making your booking. Cash back is applicable to completed GrabCar rides only, thus, cancelled or incomplete trips will not be awarded a cash rebate. It is also only valid for the rides made within the Philippines.

— Reports from Robbie Pangilinan