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Zuckerberg steals Samsung show, unveils big vision for virtual reality

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Nothing can prepare you for the day you come face-to-face with an icon.

It hasn’t really sunk in yet, and I’m not sure if as a tech journalist I’m even supposed to feel this way. But it happened, last night at the tail end of Samsung’s hour-long Unpacked event, I came almost face-to-face with Mark Zuckerberg, and I was awestruck.

Mark Zuckerberg says Virtual Reality is THE next platform

Mark Zuckerberg says Virtual Reality is THE next platform

Staring through my camera’s viewfinder I stood huddled along with almost a hundred other journalists at the foot of the stage where just moments earlier, Samsung unveiled two impressive smartphones and an innovative 360 camera.

But our thoughts weren’t about these devices anymore, they were about the Facebook founder that stood right in front of us. A man whose unveiling was more dramatic than that of the phones we’d travelled thousands of miles to see.

Just minutes before, with virtual reality goggles on and a 360 degree video presentation playing, an entire audience was clueless that one of the world’s most recognizable faces was nonchalantly walking past, with a sheepish grin on his face that told of world domination. When the video was over we took off our headsets, and there stood Mark Zuckerberg, in the middle of the stage with a thousand watt smile on his face.

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If what he was about to say comes true, there is plenty for him to be happy about.

Just two years ago his company spent $2B to acquire virtual reality company Oculus, and today he talked about how together, Facebook and Samsung were going to “push the state of (VR) technology forward.”

What happens when two of the world’s largest tech companies form an alliance? Great things. Late last year Samsung, with Facebook’s help, launched the Gear VR, a sub $100 dollar virtual reality headset – the world’s most affordable consumer VR product.

This year, Zuckerberg estimates, “millions of people will get their hands on one.”

At $99 Samsung Gear VR is the world's most affordable, commercially available consumer VR product.

At $99 Samsung Gear VR is the world’s most affordable, commercially available consumer VR product.

Zuckerberg’s 10 minute presentation was long enough to qualify for a supporting role nomination at the Oscars, but his presence here would have taken the grand prize. And I don’t think Samsung minds one bit.

Facebook’s grand vision for virtual reality is that it is THE next platform, “VR is going to be the most social platform. Pretty soon we’re gonna live in the world where everyone has the power to share and experience whole scenes as if you’re just there in person. (And) VR is the next platform where anyone can create and experience anything that they want.”

Samsung's Gear 360 camera brings 360 video to the masses

Samsung’s Gear 360 camera brings 360 video to the masses

With the launch of their new Gear 360 camera, a Go-Pro like device that can shoot 360 degree video, Samsung is positioning itself as the hardware manufacturer behind the content of tomorrow. Zuckerberg said, “Samsung is the only company in the world that can deliver, at scale, (the technology) required for a good comfortable VR experience.”

For its part, Zuckerberg said Facebook is working to push itself as the best platform for 360 videos. Last September the company rolled out support for 360 degree video in Facebook news feeds. Now with Samsung Gear 360 everyday consumers can create this kind of content, and with devices like Samsung Gear VR everyday consumers can experience them.

And this is just the beginning. “Right now VR is still mostly used for games and entertainment, but that’s quickly evolving,” Zuckerberg adds, “one day you’re gonna be able to put on a headset and that’s going to change the way you live, and work and communicate.”

Perhaps there really is a lot to be in awe about.

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Features

GadgetSnaps: Malaysia shot on the Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Beyond charging tech

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Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

The Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G prides itself in its charging technologies. But what about its camera capabilities? Well, here’s a quick round-up of the many photos we took around the time the Note 40 series was launched in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

The NOTE 40 Series features a 108MP main shooter with 3x Lossless Superzoom. It also has OIS for steadier shots when taking videos.

The edits applied to the photos here only some resizing and cropping to make the page easier to load. Take a look at all these sample shots

Infinix Note 40 Pro series launch day

Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Kwai Chai Hong/ ‘Little Ghost Lane’

Little Ghost Lane | Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Petaling Street (Chinatown)

REXKL | Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Tanghulu | Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Petaling Street | Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

In and around Central Market

Central Market | Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery

Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery | Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Istana Negara entrance

Istana Negra | Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Merdeka Square

Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Merdeka Square | Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Malaysian Bak Kut Teh and more

Bak Kut Teh | Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Petronas Twin Towers at night

Petronas Twin Towers | Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Steady shooter

The Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G isn’t a stellar shooter. But at its price point, it’s pretty darn decent for capturing different scenarios. Take these photos into some editing software and you can certainly elevate their look.

The NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G is priced at PhP 13,999. It may be purchased through Infinix’s Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop platforms, where customers can get up to PhP 2,000 off. Additionally, the first 100 buyers can get an S1 smartwatch or XE23 earphones. Alternatively, customers may opt for the Shopee-exclusive NOTE 40 Pro (4G variant) for PhP 10,999.

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Features

LOQ and LOAD: The Lenovo LOQ 2024 is for gaming and more

Your entry to PC Gaming

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Lenovo LOQ

Get your game on with the Lenovo LOQ 2024. This capable laptop is your entry point to PC Gaming and a lot more.

It comes an absolutely affordable price point: PhP 48,995.

You get capable hardware and the hood to support gaming and more. The Lenovo LOQ 15IAX9I runs on the 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and Intel Arc Graphics.

Those are key to bringing unreal graphics to this segment. Supporting latest tech like DirectX 12 Ultimate, players are able to enjoy high frame rates on the Lenovo LOQ.

Creating content? It comes with AI Advantage to help boost performance. Engines and accelerators boost the media processing workloads especially for creatives. It also works with Intel’s X Super Machine Learning, Leading to images that are as close to reality.

The laptop supports a configuration of up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD Storage.

As for its display, the device has a large 15.6-inch, Full HD panel that is more than enough for gaming, video editing, content consumption, and whatever else you do on a laptop. This display has 144Hz refresh rate, 300 nits brightness, and anti-glare.

Videos come out clear, crisp, and realistic. Audio is punchy and as loud as it gets. Windows Sonic elevates it more when you use headphones. And it just takes a few minutes to render HD videos on editing software.

As it runs on Windows 11, if you are going to use it for work, you can take advantage of various features. The Lenovo Vantage Widget is there for constant reminders, Copilot will help you organize your tasks, and Microsoft Edge is there for casual browsing.

There is an assortment of ports at the back for easy connectivity. And as this is meant for gaming, we put it to the test. Racing that looks better with high frame rate? Check. Shooting titles that require heavy work? Not a problem. You can play all your favorites and not worry about performance.

Best of all, it takes less than an our to juice up this laptop all the way to 100%.

So, whether you’re looking to get started with PC Gaming, or an upgrade for work and entertainment needs, the Lenovo LOQ has you covered.


This feature is a collaboration between GadgetMatch and Lenovo Philippines.

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Buyer's Guide

2024 Samsung TV: Buyer’s Guide

Which 2024 Samsung TV is your GadgetMatch?

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With all the options available in the market, shopping for TVs can get overwhelming.

One brand Michael Josh recommends whenever someone asks? It’s none other than Samsung.

They have TVs for every price point and every feature a user might prioritize.

But which one is right for you?

Keep watching our 2024 Buyer’s Guide to find out the latest Samsung TV that best matches your needs.

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