News

HTC 10 announced: Android flagship for iPhone owners

Published

April 12, 2016

Monch Lopez

After months of leaks and rumors, HTC has unveiled its flagship smartphone for 2016, the simply named HTC 10. It has a lot riding on its shoulders — or, should we say, metal body? — given HTC’s consistently poor sales amid increasing competition from Apple, Samsung, and Chinese brands.

Note that the troubled Taiwanese-based manufacturer has dropped the One branding and M designation altogether, as well as many HTC-branded bloatware like HTC Audio and the standalone Zoe app (though Zoe is built in to the stock camera software), in an attempt to create a more focused device. One that, at first glance, seems to be aimed squarely at iPhone users who are considering making the switch to Android.

And if its gorgeous aluminum finish, unibody construction, and stripped-down interface aren’t appealing enough to sustain the interest of Apple fans, consider that the HTC 10 is the first non-Apple phone to support AirPlay, meaning it can be used to stream content to the Apple TV and other iOS devices.

The simply named HTC 10

Over to the camera department, the HTC 10 is equipped with a 12-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization and f/1.8 aperture lens for capturing more light and producing brighter and clearer photos in dim lighting. The 5-megapixel front-facer has the same aperture as the rear cam and is likewise optically stabilized — a first for any phone maker, according to HTC.

When it comes to under-the-hood specifications, the HTC 10 matches the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and LG G5 spec-for-spec, fitting a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor with 4GB of RAM. The 32GB of onboard storage should prove to be satisfactory for most users, though a microSD card slot that houses up to 1TB cards (that don’t exist yet) is there for those who need more memory.

Display purists will be delighted to note that the HTC 10 has one of the most pixel-dense screens around, sporting a 5.2-inch Quad HD display topped off with curved-edge glass. And while we’re not in a position to comment on picture quality, our positive experiences with recent HTC flagships going back to the HTC One M7 inspire much confidence.

However, we can’t say the same for the non-user-replaceable 3,000mAh cell, which the phone maker claims is big enough to power the device through two days of usage. Regardless, you’ll be able to charge it quickly through a USB Type-C connector that supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 rapid-charging technology.

The HTC 10 is now available for preorder in the U.S. for $700 (P32,500) and will ship in four colors: gray, silver, gold, and red. Shipping will begin around May.

[irp posts=”11392″ name=”HTC’s ‘unexpected surprise’ is surprisingly disappointing”]

Related Topics:AirPlay HTC 10 HTC One smartphones

Gaming

FromSoftware’s The Duskbloods delayed to 2027

The game needs more development time.

Published

October 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

It’s been a while since the last time we got a FromSoftware game. Elden Ring Nightreign felt like an age ago, even if it was launched just last year. Plus, the title isn’t even a new one, technically, since it’s just building off of Elden Ring. Unfortunately, our wait for a new FromSoftware game has to go on for a little bit longer. FromSoftware has delayed the launch of The Duskbloods to 2027.

The Duskbloods is an interesting addition to the FromSoftware oeuvre. Compared to the usual fare, the Switch-exclusive title is a multiplayer extraction game with a distinctly Bloodborne-like feel. If you’re used to FromSoftware’s usual formula, The Duskbloods represents a huge change.

But it’s a welcome one, nonetheless. If the recently released Elden Ring port of the Switch 2 is any indication, FromSoftware does have a handle of what performance looks like on the console.

Sadly, the new title needs a bit more time in the oven. Citing “final adjustments to game rules and balancing,” FromSoftware is delaying the launch of the game to 2027. According to the studio, this is in response to the successful network test a while back.

The delay shouldn’t come off as a surprise. Though the studio promised a 2026 launch for the title, most of the year has passed without a definite launch date. That was already a telltale sign that a delay was coming.

At the very least, the delay comes with the benefit of launching the game farther away from Grand Theft Auto VI and the Ocarina of Time remake, which will surely dominate holiday gaming this year.

Laptops

Yes, you can turn off the MacBook Pro’s touchscreen display

No need to complain anymore.

Published

October 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The launch of the new MacBook Pro is a polarizing one, to say the least. The notebook introduces a new touchscreen feature that isn’t really an automatic hit for fans. Some have even pointed out how Steve Jobs once said that touchscreen MacBooks were a bad idea. If you’re a part of this group, a new discovery might alleviate your worries a little bit. Apparently, you can turn off the new MacBook Pro’s touchscreen functionalities.

According to MacStories’s Federico Viticci, the new MacBook Pro with Touch includes accessibility features that can turn off the touchscreen entirely. Other early testers have also corroborated this option.

A touchscreen notebook isn’t the most popular type of laptop. Though this particular display has been available for quite a while, it hasn’t really taken off. Case in point, Apple’s announcement hasn’t been met with the warmest of fanfare.

It’s also telling that Apple baked in a way to turn this setting off. At the very least, we didn’t have to wait a while. The hullabaloo is reminiscent of the reception to Liquid Glass, another polarizing feature that Apple eventually made configurable for detractors.

Also, this isn’t the first time that Apple tried experimenting with the MacBook. Do you remember the short-lived Touch Bar?

Strangely, it’s such a strong contrast to the MacBook Neo launched earlier this year. Whereas that particular model debuted to applause, the new MacBook Pro attracted more raised eyebrows.

News

TechLife Pad Neo SE: Price, availability in the Philippines

Now available at PhP 8,999 SRP, with deals on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.

Published

October 29, 2026

GadgetMatch

TechLife has officially launched the Pad Neo SE. It’s a 10.1-inch tablet aimed at families, positioned as a study device first, with room for creativity and after-school entertainment. It comes in Space Grey, Bubble Blue, and Aurora Green.

The Eye Comfort Display is the main draw. The larger screen gives kids more space for research and online classes. It’s designed to keep longer study sessions easier on the eyes.

Dual stereo speakers handle lessons and shared family viewing, while split-screen support lets kids and parents run two tasks at once.

The tablet supports Smart Parental Control and Google Kids Space. Parents can pick the apps, books, videos, and learning content their kids can access.

For the hardware, the Pad Neo SE runs Android 16 on an octa-core processor. It offers up to 8GB of RAM, including memory expansion, and 64GB of storage that can be expanded up to 1TB.

Also, its 6000mAh battery last through a full school day of classes and lessons. Rounding out the spec sheet are 5MP front and rear cameras and the Google Gemini AI assistant.

Price, availability in the Philippines

The Pad Neo SE retails at PhP 8,999. With vouchers, it can go for as low as PhP 7,099 on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.

As part of TechLife’s Peak Season offers, which run from October 29, 2026 to January 3, 2027, buyers get a free Folio Case or a free Power Bank R211 5,000mAh, depending on availability. An online giveaway for the Pad Neo SE also starts October 29 on TechLife’s official social media pages.

Vouchers apply to participating online platforms only. Stocks and vouchers are limited. Freebies are available while supplies last.