The tech circuit

CEBU, Philippines – Last week, Google announced that it is launching today “YouTube Red,” a new subscription-based offering that affords subscribers with access to YouTube content without ads and the option to save videos for offline viewing using a smartphone or tablet.

The service also links members to other YouTube services like “YouTube Gaming” and the new “YouTube Music” app – a mobile app designed to make music discovery and listening sessions easier than ever.

“YouTube Red” subscribers also have member-only access to a number of original shows and videos by a number of YouTube’s premium content creators. More information on “YouTube Red”, “YouTube Gaming” and “YouTube Music” is available on the video streaming site’s main website.

Microsoft’s “Surface Book”

Rumors of Microsoft working on a Microsoft-branded laptop finally came to an end early this month in the unveiling of the “Surface Book” – the company’s first ‘transformer laptop’ that can come apart as a tablet.

Essentially a laptop that can function as a tablet (not the other way around), the device is designed with what Microsoft calls a “dynamic fulcrum hinge,” a design component that negates the need for a kickstand to prop up its 13.5-inch screen.

Maintaining the conventional ‘clamshell’ design of a laptop, the “Surface Book’s” performance and processing capacities are competently at par with those of high-end portable computers. Powered by Intel’s 6th gen Core processor range (either Intel Core i5 or Core i7), it can be fitted with a solid state drive (SSD) that rates at 128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1TB for data storage.

Since it was unveiled early this month, there’s been a lot of praise for the “Surface Book” in online forums, message boards and various social media channels. Some have even gone as far as declaring it as “Microsoft’s MacBook Pro killer.”

As praises and accolades come, this isn’t too shabby for the “Surface Book,” considering that it is Microsoft’s first ever laptop model.

The next step in 3D-printing technology

Early this month, Adidas unveiled a concept performance footwear line that harnesses the versatile aspects of 3D-printing technology.

Dubbed “Futurecraft 3D,” the prototype line is part of the brand’s “Futurecraft series” – a future-forward initiative that aims for the unhindered exploration and development of innovative design and production standards.

At its core, a “Futurecraft 3D” running shoe is made with a midsole that’s customized to fit with the specific cushioning needs of a wearer – harnessing the design and manufacturing potentials in 3D-printing standards.

Partnering with Materialise – a pioneer and leading specialist in 3D printing – Adidas aims to implement “Futurecraft 3D” for in-store footwear fittings and customizations in the days ahead, as well as maximize its utilization in performance footwear data gathering. More information about Adidas’ “Futurecraft 3D” and Materialise is available on news.adidas.com and materialize.com.