Nokia 8 Official Price is €599 Euros or $700 USD : Continuing The Great Nokia Cameraphone Legacy

Tech enthusiasts who are familiar with Nokia's long history as a handset maker would know that the Finnish Giant was particularly popular and respected for doing two things:

1. Crafting very durable phones
2. Making the best cameraphones

The old Nokia 3310 is a testament to the first phrase while smartphones like the Nokia N8, Nokia 808 PureView, and Nokia Lumia 1020 - to this day - speak about the company's capabilities when it comes to creating mobile devices that can work as an alternative to your traditional digital camera.

Although the all-new Nokia 8 Android smartphone by HMD Global merely bears the name of the Finnish Giant and is not really crafted by "the Nokia of old", I'm still hoping that it can somehow be a decent follow-up to those models. I mean, it's been so long since a good cameraphone with the name Nokia printed on it was released in the market. It would be a shame if it won't be as good as advertised. Heck, I want this model to be commercially successful.

Anyway, what's great is that Nokia 8 has several things going for it.

For one, 8 - historically - is a magic number for Nokia. During its heydays, Nokia would always affix the number 8 to it handset models sporting the best imaging features. So I'm sure fans of the brand would immediately associate "great camera" with this release without HMD Global having to explain too much.

Second and more importantly, Nokia 8 is the first handset by HMD Global to have Carl Zeiss optics. You see, what made all those Nokia cameraphones that I mentioned above the absolute best during their time was in large part because of the Finnish company's partnership with German optics maker, Carl Zeiss. For those who are not familiar with it, Carl Zeiss is one of the oldest and most respected optics manufacturers in the world.

And finally, of course, compared to its predecessors, the Nokia 8 already incorporates today's leading innovations in terms of internal hardware, display quality, audio technology, and even design and build -- all to better deliver a vastly enhanced mobile imaging experience.

I've just seen several videos on Youtube about the Nokia 8 and off hand, here are eight features highlighted in the clips that got me really excited to see this cameraphone in the flesh and to play it:

1. Dual Camera Module incorporating a 13 MegaPixel RGB camera with Carl Zeiss lens plus another 13 MegaPixel monochrome shooter - This set-up is largely the same as that of Huawei P9, P9 Plus, P10, and P10 Plus and should result in shots with better contrast and clarity in various lighting conditions.

2. Nokia OZO Audio with spatial 3D recording, which even better than stereo and should deliver a more immersive and enjoyable AV experience.

3. Full-length graphite-shielded copper cooling pipe for the 10nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor ensures better heat management and lag-free performance when you're playing the most specs-intensive games that you can download from Google Play Store.

The powerful and energy efficient processor is complemented by two sets of internal hardware that consumers can choose from: 4GB RAM / 64GB ROM combo for the Tempered Blue, Steel, and Polished Copper variants and 6GB RAM / 128GB ROM combo for the Polished Blue version

4. 13 MegaPixel front-facing selfie camera with 4K 30fps video recording capability, which is great for those who want to start recording and uploading vlogs on Youtube and Facebook.

5. 'Bothie' shooting mode where you do split screen video recording using both the front and rear cameras simultaneously and go live on Facebook or Youtube!

6. IP54 splash-proof build and availability in four elegant colors, namely, Polished Copper, Steel, Tempered Blue, and Polished Blue. Nokia 8 can be a great companion be it outdoors while you're on adventure or when you're inside the boardroom for your corporate role.

7. Nokia 8 is the first Nokia-branded smartphone to have a pixel-dense Quad HD display! This model has a 5.3-inch 1440 x 2560 pixels IPS display that guarantees an enjoyable experience whether you're browsing photos or watching videos.

8. Not only is the non-removable 3,090 mAh Li-Ion battery rather big given Nokia 8's display size but it also supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 that greatly shortens the time it takes to fully charge the pack.

That's a lot to look forward to, right? Again, I can't wait to take Nokia 8 for a spin -- just to see for myself if it's a worthy addition to the long line of great Nokia cameraphones.

The official suggested retail price of Nokia 8 with Dual Carl Zeiss Optics is 599 Euros or Php 36,200 with current conversion. On the other hand, its release date in several key markets around the world will be on September 23, 2017.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)Name : Nokia 8
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)
Price Category : High-End (Flagship Level)
Dimensions : 151.5 x 73.7 x 7.9 mm
Weight : 160 grams
Available Colors : Tempered Blue, Polished Blue, Steel, Polished Copper
Operating System : Android 7.1.1 Nougat
Display : 5.3 inches (~69.4% screen-to-body ratio), 1440 x 2560 pixels (~554 ppi pixel density), IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Processor : 10nm 64-Bit Octa-core (4 x 2.45 GHz Kryo) + (4 x 1.9 GHz Kryo), Adreno 540 GPU, Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 chipset
RAM / Internal Storage Options: 4GB RAM / 64GB ROM - Tempered Blue, Steel, Polished Copper
6GB RAM / 128GB ROM - Polished Blue
MicroSD Card Slot : Yes, via Hybrid Secondary NanoSIM Slot, not Dedicated
Camera : Back: Dual 13 MegaPixel, Carl Zeiss Optics, f/2.0 aperture, Laser and Phase Detection AutoFocus (PDAF), Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), Dual Tone LED Flash
Front: 13 MegaPixels
Video Capture : Front and Back: 4K 2160p 30 frames per second, Full HD 1080p 30 frames per second
Audio and Video Playback : MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC, MP4, H.264
Ports : USB Type-C 1.0, 3.5 mm audio jack
Connectivity : Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE, EDR, 3G HSPA+; 4G LTE-A
GPS : A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS
FM Radio : Yes
Sensors : Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Proximity, Gyroscope, Fingerprint Scanner, Heart Rate
Network : 2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 and SIM 2,
3G HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G LTE band 1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 20(800), 28(700), 38(2600), 39(1900), 40(2300), 41(2500)
SIM Card Type : Dual nanoSIM
Battery : Non-removable 3,090 mAh Li-Ion battery with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 (18W, 5V/2.5A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A)
Uptime : TBD
Value-Added Features : Dual Camera Module (RGB and Monochrome), Nokia OZO Audio, Bothie Mode, IP54 Splashproof Build, Aluminum Shell, High-Gloss Finish for some variants, Copper Cooling Pipe, Quad HD Display, 4K Front Video Recorder
Announcement : Global - August 17, 2017
Availability : Global - September 2017
Price : Official SRP - 599 Euros

Samsung Galaxy Note8 Dual Camera Features Explained

Considering how accurate leaks about the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, 4, 5, 6, and Note7 had been, there's a big chance that a lot of things we are reading right now about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note8 are already on-point.

For one, I believe all these leaked press photos of the 2017 flagship phablet by the Korean Giant posted by Evan Blass on Twitter are the real thing. (We should all thank him, really.)

Also, the rumored technical specifications of the device (coming from various 'insiders' and 'experts'), including the 6.3-inch 1440 x 2960 pixels SuperAMOLED Infinity Display, 8 MegaPixel f/1.7 front cam, 10nm 64-Bit Exynos 8895 Octa processor, 6GB of RAM, plus the 64GB and 128GB expandable storage options could very well be true.

Of course, S-Pen stylus support is to be expected. Otherwise, this model won't be worthy of being in the Note line.

But of all "leaked" features of the Samsung Galaxy Note8, the Dual Camera Module at the back - beside the oddly placed Fingerprint Scanner - is the one that I'm most curious about.

According to reports, it's made of two 12 MegaPixel Dual Pixel optics with differing f/1.7 and f/2.4 apertures.

Why? Well, it's because this stylus-toting phablet is the first mobile device by the Korean Giant to don this particular imaging set-up. Lots of questions pop in my mind whenever I look at it in photos: "What can it do exactly?" "Is it going to be a lot better than what's on the Apple iPhone 7 Plus?"

Thankfully, just recently, a website dedicated to keeping Galaxy fans in Netherlands abreast with the latest that Samsung has to offer in the mobile game posted leaked presentation slides on all the possible capabilities of the all-new Samsung Galaxy Note8 Dual Rear Camera. (source)

Let's go through the slides, one by one:

1. 3X Optical Zoom called "Smart Zoom"

It appears that the secondary 12 MP camera will have a telephoto lens that will allow Note8 to have three times optical zoom capability, which is impressive given that other high-end Dual Camera smartphones can these days can only 2X or 2.3X lossless zoom.

2. Refocus or Playing with Bokeh Effect

Aside from making 3X lossless zoom possible, the secondary cam also measures and maps out the location of each possible subject in a shot in 3D, which then allows the user to change the focus in the resulting images and applying beautiful bokeh or blur effects, mimicking what a DSLR can deliver.

3. Super Night Shot for Clearer and Most Crisp Photos in Low Light Conditions

Apparently, Samsung has found a way to make two cameras work together to deliver brighter and more brilliant photos even in settings where there's little ambient light. How is it done? We don't know yet but of all the rumored capabilities of Note8's Dual Camera Module, this is the one that I find most interesting. Will definitely wait for Samsung's explanation of this feature during the launch of the phablet.

4. Perspective View

With the two cameras positioned differently, they can snap photos with different perspectives when you press the shutter button. This lets you rotate the shot and pick the perspective you prefer after taking the photo.

5. Background Effect

According to the Dutch site, with the Dual Camera's ability to zoom in and measure depth, other more psychedelic tricks are also possible; Samsung calls this 'Background Effect'. This comes in handy if you want to add a particular mood and feel to your images.

Now, I don't know about you -- but considering all the key features and imaging capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy Note8, I think it could very well be the absolute best smartphone that you can get this year. For me, it represents the very pinnacle of what Samsung could deliver in this product category. Needless to say, I'm very impressed with everything I'm learning about this model. Can't wait to see it in the flesh and to play with it!

Samsung Galaxy Note8 will be officially unveiled by the Korean Giant via an exclusive media event happening in New York on August 23, 2017. As for its price, insiders believe that the top-of-the-line phablet should go for around $1,000 USD or roughly Php 51,000 with current conversion.

Asus ZenFone 4 Selfie With Dual Front-Facing Camera, Arriving in August 2017

Information about the 2017 selfie-centic midrange Android smartphone of Taiwanese electronic company Asus are now starting to surface online.

The Asus ZenFone 4 Selfie is expected to be the the first handset by the brand to sport a Dual Camera module in front, which is reminiscent of what we currently find on popular mid-level releases by OPPO and Vivo Mobile.

This is more or less confirmed by leaked press photos of this model that were first posted online by former Engadget Senior Editor and Twitter personality, Evan Blass.

According to insiders, the Asus ZenFone 4 Selfie's Dual Camera set-up will be comprised of a 20 MegaPixel shooter plus an 8 MegaPixel lens. Currently, we can only speculate on what this module can do but based on what we've seen so far from competing brands, it can either be for zoom-out groufie shots or for bokeh effect, where the background of the subject is beautifully blurred. Either way, this set-up will certainly put Asus shoulder-to-shoulder with other top players in the Selfie smartphone game.

As for technical specifications, various sources claim that this model will have a 5.5-inch HD IPS display panel, a 16 MegaPixel PDAF camera at the back, Full HD 30fps video recorder, Dual SIM Dual Standby capability, 4G LTE connectivity support, and a non-removable 3,000 mAh battery pack. Inside, it is believed that the phone will run its Zen-UI-skinned Android 7.0 Nougat operating system with a 64-Bit Octa-Core 1.4 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 and Adreno 505 GPU based Qualcomm MSM8937 Snapdragon 430 chipset that's complemented by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage that's easily expandable using a dedicated microSD card slot.]

Side Note: Like many of you, I'm still hoping that these rumored technical specifications of ZF4Selfie are not entirely accurate. I mean, I'd love to see a Full HD display on this model along with a more powerful processor and bigger battery pack.

In terms of design and build, looking at these images, it appears that the handset will have an anodized aluminum shell at the back and a 2.5D Curved Glass face that will make it look and feel both durable and elegant. The Fingerprint Scanner is located in front, lining the home button and flanked by two capacitive buttons, most likely for Back and Multitasking Panel.

For the color options, so far, we're seeing Black, Gold, and Red.

Now, as for the price and release, I'm guessing that Asus ZenFone 4 Selfie will don an official SRP of Php 16,990 in the Philippines - based on the leaked 9,990 Taiwan Dollar price tag of the model - when it gets released within this month, August 2017.

Asus Philippines is expected to formally unveil the all-new Asus ZenFone 4 Selfie alongside the more powerful Asus ZenFone 4 via a media and consumer event to be held on August 19, 2017.

Smart Communications is Again The Largest Mobile Network in the Philippines

Following its efforts to improve its prepaid and postpaid offerings, Smart has managed to retake the lead from its erstwhile rival Globe Telecom to become the leading mobile services provider in the country as of Q2 2017.

According to a recent GSMA Intelligence Data report (source), Smart got a 51.4% market share by the end of June 2017 while Globe’s share was at 48.2%, representing a 2% drop from its share during the end of 2016.

After it lost the top spot to Globe in January 2017, Smart Communications beefed up and streamlined its prepaid and postpaid packages, making them more enticing to Pinoy mobile consumers. To be specific, the MVP-company added more mobile data allocation to prepaid promos all while including Free Facebook experience to some packs. Likewise, Smart started to bundle high-end or flagship-level smartphones across the board, even to entry-level and midrange postpaid plans.

References:
1. Smart All Out Surf vs Giga Surf Prepaid Promos
2. Smart Postpaid Plans Get Bigger Data Allocation
3. Smart Offers Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ Starting at Postpaid Plan 399

By the end of 2016, Smart had 62.76 million customers compared to Globe's 62.8 million. Fast forward to March 2017, Smart's total subscriber base grew to 63.1 million while Globe’s figures dropped to 58.6 million.

Both Smart Communications and Globe Telecom have yet to release an official statement on the Q2 2017 GSMA Intelligence Data Report.

Disclosure: Mark Milan Macanas, the founder and sole blogger running TechPinas.com, is currently an Online Ambassador and Digital Influencer of Smart Communications.

MyPhone My28s DTV Price is Php 1,799 : Watch Clear Digital TV Channels On The Go!

Last week, I told you about a new MyPhone dongle that you can plug to your Android smartphone, allowing you to watch Digital TV shows on your device. The product only costs Php 499, which is fairly affordable considering the added value that it gives your handset.

But if you don't have a smartphone yet and you're currently looking for a wallet-friendly daily driver with DTV functionality, MyPhone also has something for you.

As its very name suggests, MyPhone My28s DTV is a Digital-TV-enabled version of the 2016 best-selling entry-level Android smartphone by the company.

Apart from DTV functionality, this handset has the exact same technical specifications of the regular model, which include the 4-inch WVGA display, 5 MegaPixel main camera, 2 MP front cam with Soft LED flash that comes in handy for low light conditions, Dual SIM Dual Standby capability, 3G HSPA+ support, and a removable 1,450 mAh Li-Ion battery pack. Inside, it runs Android 5.1 Lollipop operating system with 1.2 GHz Quad Core ARM Cortex A7 and Mali 400 based Spreadtrum SC7731 chipset, has 512 MB of RAM for multitasking, and comes with 4GB of expandable storage.

MyPhone My28s DTV is a basic Android smartphone through and through. I personally see it a decent smartphone for browsing social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well as browsing blogs and websites via any mobile browser for Android. For gaming? Well, maybe just the basic 2D titles. As for the cameras, again not the best ones out there; But at this price point, that's forgivable.

The highlight of this handset is certainly the Digital TV support that lets you watch clear and crisp DTV channels from ABS-CBN, GMA7, and TV5 on the go, wherever there's signal. If you enjoy watching telenovelas while you're in the bus or jeepney on the way home, you will surely appreciate this feature.

MyPhone My28s DTV is now available at all MyPhone Concept Stores, kiosks, and authorized retail channels across the country for only Php 1,799. I believe it's out in a number of fun colors including Light Blue, Red, and White, among others.

Vivo V5 Price in the Philippines is Now Just Php 10,990 : Here Are The Complete Specs

From having an official suggested retail price of Php 12,990 when it was launched in the Philippines in November 2016, the midrange selfie-centric Android smartphone Vivo V5 now goes for only Php 10,990 at all Vivo Concept Stores, kiosks, and authorized dealers across the country.

I believe the world's Top 5 smartphone seller offers this generous Php 2,000 to allow more Filipinos to experience what the brand has to offer especially in terms of snapping selfies and delivering a decent mobile multi-tasking experience.

The Vivo V5 sports an incredible 20 MegaPixel front-facing camera that features a 1/2.78” Sony IMX376 camera sensor coupled with a 5P lens system as well as an aperture of f/2.0 and Soft LED flash for enhanced low-light performance.

Filipinos checking out the 2017 Android smartphone offerings of Vivo Mobile, a popular handset brand from China.

Flaunting an anodized aluminum unibody shell, Vivo V5 is equipped with a 5.5-inch HD IPS display panel protected by 2.5D Curved Gorilla Glass 3 touchscreen, a 13 MegaPixel f/2.2 PDAF camera at the back, Full HD video recorder, Dual SIM Dual Standby capability, 4G LTE mobile connectivity support, and a non-removable 3,000 mAh Li-Ion battery pack with Fast Charging support.

Under the hood, this handset runs its FunTouch OS skinned Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS with a 64-Bit Octa Core 1.5 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 and Mali-T860MP2 GPU based Mediatek MT6750 chipset that should help deliver a fairly decent gaming experience - not the best but still OK, has 4GB of RAM for smooth multitasking even when running many apps at once, and comes with 32GB of internal storage that can easily be augmented using the secondary hybrid nanoSIM slot that supports microSD card memory expansion.

One of the unique features of Vivo V5 (or Vivo Android smartphones, in general) compared to handsets by other brands is its AK4376 Hi-Fi chipset that improves audio experience when listening to music both via earphones or loud speaker.

Is this the phone for you? If you're now looking a sub-Php 12,000 Android handset with a very high-resolution selfie camera that's reliable in low to zero lighting conditions, good enough specs for a lag-free mobile experience, and a Hi-Fi chipset for clear and crisp music playback, you might want to check this model out. One of the weak points of this release, though, is that its 5.5-inch display only has 720 x 1280 pixels or HD resolution and not Full HD.

You can now get the discounted Vivo V5 at all official retail channels of Vivo Mobile Philippines both online and in shopping malls. This midrange model is out in three classy colors, namely, Gold, Rose Gold, and Space Grey.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)Name : Vivo V5 (August 2017 Price Update)
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)
Price Category : Midrange
Dimensions : 153.8 x 75.5 x 7.6 mm
Weight : 154 grams
Available Colors : Gold, Rose Gold, Space Grey
Operating System : Android 6.0 Marshmallow with FunTouch OS 2.6
Display : 5.5 inches (~71.8% screen-to-body ratio), 720 x 1280 pixels (~267 ppi pixel density), IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Processor : 64-Bit Octa Core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53, Mali-T860MP2 GPU, Mediatek MT6750 chipset
RAM : 4GB RAM
Internal Storage : 32GB ROM, expandable via secondary hybrid nanoSIM slot that doubles as microSD card slot supporting up to 256GB
Camera : Back: 13 MegaPixels, f/2.2 aperture, phase detection autofocus (PDAF), LED flash, 1/3" sensor size, 1.12 µm pixel size
Front: 20 MegaPixels, f/2.0 aperture, 1/2.8" sensor size
Video Capture : Full HD 1080p 30 frames per second - Front and Back
Audio and Video Playback : MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC, MP4, H.264
Ports : microUSB 2.0, 3.5 mm audio jack
Connectivity : Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth v4.0 with A2DP, EDR, 3G HSPA+; 4G LTE
GPS : A-GPS, GLONASS
FM Radio : No
Sensors : Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Proximity, Digital Gyroscope, Fingerprint Scanner
Network : 2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 and SIM 2,
3G HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 38(2600), 39(1900), 40(2300), 41(2500)
SIM Card Type : Dual = microSIM + nanoSIM
Battery : Non-removable 3,000 mAh Li-Ion battery with Fast Charging Support
Uptime : TBD
Value-Added Features : FunTouch OS Features, Front Moonlight Camera, Good Set of Internal Hardware, Premium Build
Announcement : Philippines - November 2016
Availability : Philippines - November 26, 2016
Price : Official SRP in the Philippines - Php 12,990 (Upon Launch)
Updated Price in the Philippines - Php 10,990

Nokia 105 2017 Philippines Price is Php 850 : Basic Phone with Flashlight, Out Now in the Philippines

HMD Global has just released another feature-phone that could be a great choice for those who are looking for a very affordable yet durable secondary handset or consumers who want to undergo digital detox by getting a basic mobile device to be their daily driver.

Even more affordable than the re-imagined version of the Nokia 3310, the third generation Nokia 105 sells for only Php 850 here in the Philippines -- but for that small amount, you already get a reliable phone for sending text messages or making calls.

I would like to give credit to Mr. Ramesh Bakotra of India for all photos in this blog post.

In terms of design and build, the 2017 Nokia 105 looks largely identical to Nokia 101 from 2011 -- if you still remember that best-seller.

This new model flaunts a completely plastic shell with slightly rounded corners and sides; No metallic accents whatsoever. The familiar alpha-numeric keyboard, on the other hand, has large keys and one big navigation button in the middle made of rubber.

As earlier explained by the company, HMD Global - the new home of Nokia phones - ensures that their handsets' durability or toughness approximate that of legendary Nokia phones of old.

Nokia 105 may be a basic phone but it has a number of cool and useful selling points.

First, it has a removable 800 mAh battery pack that delivers up to a month of standby time and 15.7 hours of talk time. Like the new Nokia 3310, a fully charged Nokia 105 2017 is also great for keeping in an emergency kit.

Second, it has an LED torch light on the top panel that can activated with a couple of clicks on the keypad. This feature comes in handy when looking for something inside your bag also when you're walking to your car that's parked away from a street light.

And finally, the phone's internal storage supports up to 2,000 contacts even without microSD card memory expansion -- so you can save all the numbers of your loved ones and other emergency contacts with peace of mind.

Unlike Nokia 3310, Nokia 105 has no camera at the back and has a smaller display.

Other notable features of Nokia 105 2017 include its 1.8-inch colored display, Snake Xenzia Game, microUSB port for charging and data sync, 3.5mm combo jack, and FM Radio via the included headset.

Nokia 105 is now available in the market. It's out in three colors, Black, Light Blue, and White.

CloudFone Lite Senior Phone Price is Php 799 : For Our Dear Grandmas and Grandpas

Last week, as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility Give-Back Project, our friends from CloudFone held a Peace of Mind Activity where they gave 20 senior patients at the Martinez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan City free Lite Senior phones that they can use to stay in touch with their loved ones.

At the event, CellPrime executive showed how the phones' unique S.O.S. Button can help people seek help during medical emergencies or times of distress. Pressing the button automatically activates an alarm, sends emergency text messages, and calls up to five pre-assigned contacts.

"In a non-life threatening situation, you can always text or call someone. But if the situation is life threatening, you may not have the time or even the ability to turn on your phone, unlock the screen and look for a number to call. You’re not even sure if those you call can respond fast enough to help you. The S.O.S. Button in the CloudFone Lite Senior can take care of all that and more," shared Mr. CellPrime COO, Mr. Jaime Alcantara.

Mrs. Dominga Martin, 71, was one of the grandmas to receive a CloudFone Lite Senior phone.

She recalled her difficulty in getting help when she accidentally slipped while at home. She also shared about an instance when she was trying to ask for help when she was held up and robbed of her money during a trip in the city.

With her new CloudFone Lite Senior phone, Lola Dominga can have peace of mind that her loved ones will only be a press of a button away should she require help and assistance.

Our friends from CellPrime handing their Lite Senior Phones to grandpas and grandmas at Martinez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan City.

Cloudfone Lite Senior was developed by the Proudly-Pinoy company within a span of one and a half years before launching the device in June 2017. They took into account how they could make available technologies more useful to seniors.

Mr. Ray Caguin, CloudFone Group Brand Manager, expounded, "Here in the Philippines, a feature phone like the Cloudfone Lite Senior is a volume driver, meaning many people still look for this kind of phone. For every niche market, we want to develop something awesome for the Filipino customer and we make sure that the development of each feature in every phone is given enough time and thought, so we can reach that goal to be awesome. For the senior segment, we believe that the S.O.S. button is awesome because it serves as a lifeline to your family and loved ones."

Mr. Niño Mendoza - CloudFone Chief Strategy Officer, Ms. Tess Tiu-Cloudfone Chief Finance Officer, Mr. Azer Villola- CloudFone Chief Product Officer, Mr. Joey Oreta- CloudFone Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Jaime Alcantara- CloudFone Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Bradford Martinez - Martinez Memorial Hospital Board Member, and Dr. Elizabeth Del Rio - Martinez Memorial Hospital Chief Operating Officer - at the CloudFone 'Peace of Mind' Activity.

CloudFone Lite Senior Bar version's SOS button is located at the back, beside the camera.

Available in Candybar and Flip versions, the CloudFone Lite Senior Phone has basic functionality including the ability to send text messages and make calls. Both models also have a colored display to deliver a more enjoyable mobile experience.

"When Cloudfone explained to me the features, I liked it. I explained to the recipients about the advantages in cases of accidents and distress. Ang galing. If I had that kind of phone when I had an accident, this phone could have helped. Maganda ito," shared Martinez Memorial Hospital’s COO, Dr. Elizabeth Martinez Del Rio.

Suitable for users aged 60 and above, the Cloudfone Lite Senior Bar and Cloudfone Lite Senior Flip are now available all all CloudFone trade channels for only Php 799 and Php 1,299 respectively.

Lenovo K8 Note Price, Specs, Press Photos : Splash Resistant, Has Dual Camera and Deca Core Processor

On Thursday - August 10, 2017, Chinese handset maker Lenovo officially launched a new Android smartphone in India, marking one of its first moves to regain lost ground in the midrange price bracket.

The fairly affordable Lenovo K8 Note has a number of attractive features that make it a good alternative to other mid-level handsets by other brands from China that have taken over the market.

The biggest selling point of this model would have to be its Dual Real Camera module made up of a 13 MegaPixel PDAF optic with f/1.7 aperture and Dual Tone LED flash plus another 5 MegaPixel lens that work together to deliver shots with interesting bokeh or depth of field effects. This is largely similar to what Huawei's GR line currently offers.

Users who love to take selfies will also surely appreciate the 13 MegaPixel f/2.0 front camera with Soft LED flash that allows the user to snap clear and crisp self-portraits even in low to zero lighting conditions. Of course, this shooter also benefits from Lenovo's very own beautification software.

Another notable feature is the phone's Mediatek Helio X23 chipset, which has a whopping ten physical cores! The four ARM Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.4GHz, four ARM Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.85GHz, and two ARM Cortex-A72 cores clocked at 2.3GHz combine to make Lenovo K8 Note one of the most powerful handsets in its price echelon. This chip likewise incorporates a Mali-T880 MP4 GPU for decent 3D gaming experience and is complemented by either 3GB or 4GB of RAM and 32GB or 64GB of internal storage that's expandable via a dedicated microSD card slot.

For those who hate always charging their handsets via powerbank or electrical outlet just so it won't run out of juice on the way home in the evening, you'll be glad to know that Lenovo K8 Note is powered by a non-removable 4,000 mAh battery pack, which - I think - is just right for a handset with a large 5.5-inch Full HD IPS display. Expect a whole day of uptime - and a bit more - from this phablet with regular use.

Unlike other K-series models from Lenovo in the past, Lenovo K8 Note will no longer have the Vibe user interface as serving as skin for the operating system. This one will run the stock version of Android 7.1.1 Nougat right out of the box.

And finally, here's a feature that puts this model ahead of its competition: Lenovo K8 Note has a splash-resistant build and finish!

Apart from being crafted from aluminum making it look and feel both durable and elegant, the shell is also closely sealed to protect against accidental splashes of water. It's not particularly water-proof so you can't dive with it -- but such level of protection, made possible in part by water-repellent nano-coating - is definitely welcome in a midrange handset.

So how much will it be? As I've noted, Lenovo K8 Note will be available in two variants when it hits store shelves in India come August 18. The 3GB RAM with 32GB ROM variant is priced at INR 12,999 ($203 USD or Php 10,300) and the 4GB RAM with 64GB ROM version goes for INR 13,999 ($219 USD or Php 11,100). This handset will be out in two colors, Venom Black and Fine Gold.

The Philippines usually also gets Lenovo Android smartphones that are launched in India -- albeit a bit later. Here's to hoping that this one would get released here real soon. I mean, Lenovo K8 Note sure looks promising.

Smart Bro LTE Home WiFi Device Price is Php 1,995 : No Installation, No Hassles

Did you know that - thanks to Smart - it's now super easy to get WiFi access in your own home?

It's true. Believe it. Lets go.

It used to be that you need to go the head office of an Internet service provider near your residence, sign papers, submit requirements, wait for the approval processes, and oversee the installation of equipment at your place before you can enjoy the service.

But now, with the all-new Smart Bro LTE Home WiFi, all you have to do is to purchase the device both via Smart Online Store or a Smart Business Center in a mall near you, load up your Smart Bro prepaid number, subscribe to a data promo, and you're good to go!

No arduous installation needed. No hassles!

Simply plug the device to an electrical outlet, choose a promo, and start surfing!

Specs-wise, Smart Bro Prepaid Home WiFi has a minimum speed of up to 512kbps, which is better than the mobile internet minimum speed of up to 48kpbps. Device also supports the 700MHz frequency for better indoor web-browsing experience.

So what makes Smart Bro Home WiFi better than your regular Smart Bro LTE Pocket Wifi, you ask? Well, three things:

1. It's two times faster.
2. It supports up to 10 devices.
3. It has wider indoor penetration that cuts through walls.

Smart Bro LTE Home WiFi is ideal for families with children who are still studying as internet connection is important these days for supplementing lessons in school -- so they can learn like never before.

I think it's also great for dormitories, small businesses, and even pads that are being rented out via AirBnB.

If you need internet in your home or office and you don't want to undergo the usual lengthy application and installation process, this great new product and service from Smart Communications is ideal for you!

You can now purchase your Smart Bro LTE Home WiFi device for Php 1,995 if you intend to use it with Smart Bro Prepaid promos. Upon activation, you will get free 10GB of data that you can use for 7 days. After that, you will have to load up and subscribe to your desired Smart Bro SurfMax promos to continue browsing the web.

Apple iPhone 7s and 7s Plus, To Be Launched Alongside Apple iPhone 8 - KGI Securities

KGI Securities, a financial services group in the Asia-Pacific region that allegedly gets information from Apple's supply chain in China and reports it to its clients, recently disclosed that the Cupertino company is planning to release three versions of the iPhone simultaneously later this year.

Apart from the all-new Apple iPhone 8 that's shown in the photo above, the firm said that Apple is likewise planning to launch upgraded versions versions of the current iPhone models - iPhone 7 and 7 Plus - which will named Apple iPhone 7s and 7s Plus, following the brand's expected product timeline and nomenclature.

Leaked photo of the Apple iPhone 8's button-less face.

Based on numerous reports that have been published online, it appears that Apple iPhone 7s and 7s Plus will look largely the same as the current releases but will have improved internal hardware, making them just as powerful as the Apple iPhone 8.

However, they will most likely lack the fresh innovations that the 10th anniversary release is rumored to feature, including the edge-to-edge OLED display as well as the Fingerprint Scanner that's embedded within the screen itself.

More: Apple iPhone 8 Philippines, What We Know So Far

Soft Gel cases for the 5.5-inch Apple iPhone 7s Plus, 5.8-inch Apple iPhone 8, and 4.7-inch Apple iPhone 7s? Notice that Apple iPhone 8 has a smaller footprint compared to the Apple iPhone 7s Plus despite having a larger display.

Last month - July 2017, alleged photos of the Apple iPhone 7s Plus with glass back plate - hinting at at a possible built-in wireless charging support - were leaked online. After carefully looking at the shots, though, Apple fans noted that the images could very well be dubious.

As a tech blogger who has followed the release of Apple iPhone models through the years, I think it's highly unlikely for the brand not to make the most of the expensive production cycle of the Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. If you ask me, releasing an upgraded version of those two models having the exact same look is a logical step for Apple when you consider economies of scale.

Clearly then, not all iPhone models that will be released within 2017 will be as expensive as some people are expecting them to be. To be specific, I believe Apple iPhone 7s variants will have more or less the same pricing schedule as that of the current Apple iPhone 7.

Sharp Aquos S2 Price, Specs, Features : Has Free Form Display with 87.5% Screen-To-Body Ratio

Since 2014, when it launched its first near-bezel-less smartphone in the form of Sharp Aquos Crystal, respected Japanese tech giant Sharp has been at the forefront of creating handsets with downright stunning displays with incredible screen-to-body ratio.

The all-new Sharp Aquos S2, which was unveiled in Beijing just a few hours ago, represents the company's latest efforts in coming up with devices that challenge bigger players in the mobile industry to rethink just how much of a phone's face can be taken up by the screen itself.

Flaunting design characteristics reminiscent of Andy Rubin's Essential Phone and of 'creative renders' of the upcoming Apple iPhone 8, Sharp Aquos S2's main selling point would have to be its 5.5-inch 2,040 x 1,080 pixels resolution IPS 'Free Form Display' with an unbelievable 87.5% Screen-To-Body ratio.

As shown in the image above, Aquos S2 lacks a thick top bezel found in most smartphones. Instead, its screen is placed right on the edge of the top panel, so much so that the front-facing camera is surrounded by it. This look is largely the same as that of Essential Phone albeit the top corners of S2's screen are not cleanly trimmed.

Sharp Aquos S2's back panels is made of 3D 'single sheet' glass while the mid-frame is anodized aluminum. The combination of these materials give this handset a high-end look. The standard version is available in a number of colors, namely, Blue, White, Black, or Mint Green.

Apart from its display and the Dual Rear Camera module made of a 12 MegaPixel shooter (f/1.8, PDAF, Dual Tone LED flash) plus a secondary 8 MegaPixel autofocus shooter that work together to deliver seven-level bokeh effect, Sharp Aquos S2's other technical specifications are more or less typical of a midrange Android smartphone this year.

It has an 8 MegaPixel f/2.0 front cam for selfies, a non-removable 3,020 battery pack, USB Type C port, Dual SIM Capability, and 4G LTE-A support.

Under the hood, it runs heavily-customized Android 7.1.1 Nougat operating system with a 64-Bit Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor for the 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM version or a 64-Bit Octa-Core Qualcomm MSM8956 Plus Snapdragon 660 chipset for the 6GB RAM, 128GB ROM version. Both variants have expandable storage via the secondary nanoSIM slot that also supports microSD card memory expansion.

Now, as for the price, the base model with the Snapdragon 630 chip - which is now available for pre-order in China - goes for 2,499 Yuan (or about $370 USD or Php 18,720) while the more premium one with Snapdragon 660 - coming later this year - will sell for 3,499 yuan (or about $520 USD or Php 26,320).

Gadget buyers here in the Philippines can only wish that a distributor would be interested to bring Sharp Aquos S2 to our country. And why not? Given that we are the fastest growing mobile devices market in South East Asia, I think Sharp should fight the urge to brush off the Philippines as unimportant or irrelevant. I mean, who knows? With the right strategy and funding, their mobile business could flourish here.