Features
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 replacement program for PH: Everything you need to know
Not too long ago, Samsung issued a sweeping recall of the Galaxy Note 7 after reports of exploding batteries set fire to the internet. An internal investigation has since confirmed the reports and blamed faulty battery cells from Samsung subsidiary SDI. Shipments bound for China are reportedly safe for daily use, as they come with batteries outsourced to another supplier.
It is said that “one in every 42,000 units” could catch fire. Those odds appear to be in your favor, but in this case, being cautious is far better than being at the risk of harm and the potential lasting consequences of a dangerously defective phone.
And although we reported earlier that there may be a way to find out if your phone carries the same battery as those of units sold in China, and despite the fact there’s no precedent of a Note 7 explosion in some countries, including the Philippines, we think you should jump on Samsung’s offer while you still can.
If you’re among the early adopters of the premium phablet, and you got yours from a store in the Philippine islands, here’s what you need to know about the Galaxy Note 7 replacement process.
1. Samsung has previously announced it will be replacing all Galaxy Note 7 units bought from authorized online and offline retailers and carriers on or before September 7th, free of charge.
2. The replacement process will run from October 1st until the end of the year (December 31, 2016).
3. Those eligible must have purchased a unit from an authorized retailer (Lazada Philippines included) or from telecom company Globe Telecom or Smart Communications.
4. The process may vary depending on where you bought your phone from, but as a general rule, you should contact the store that sold you your Note 7 or visit one of its retail locations. You can get in touch with a Lazada Philippines customer-service representative by dialing (02) 795-8900.
5. If you can’t visit the store itself, you can head to the nearest authorized Samsung repair center instead. For a complete listing of service locations across the country, visit this official Samsung page.
6. Buyers who now reside in a different country should contact a service rep or visit a nearby Samsung repair center to get a replacement in hand, as opposed to shipping the phone back to the Philippines.
7. Heading to a store or repair center? Good. Here’s what you need to bring:
- The Galaxy Note 7 unit, plus the box with everything inside it. Samsung says it will accept damaged hardware; it even went as far as to cite a phone with a cracked screen. And those freebies that came with your purchase? They are yours to keep. Consider it Samsung’s way of apologizing for the debacle.
- A copy of the proof of purchase. Don’t worry if you lost the receipt; just go to the store where you got your phone from and have someone verify the purchase.
- One government-issued ID, company ID, school ID, or residence ID.
8. Upon surrendering your Note 7, you’ll be given three options:
- Wait for a new (and safe) Note 7 of the same color.
- Exchange your Note 7 for a brand-new Galaxy S7 edge. The price difference will be refunded.
- Get a full reimbursement in the form of cash or a check worth P39,990. The check will be delivered to your address within two weeks. Samsung will offer the reimbursement option beginning September 10th.
9. Those who opt for a Note 7 replacement via a Samsung service location can get a loaner unit for use in the interim. Loaners are subject to availability so act quick.
10. The warranty period of your new Samsung device (Note 7 or S7 edge) will be adjusted to reflect the date of replacement.
Okay, I’ve surrendered my possibly defective phone. What now?
You wait — what else is there to do? A Samsung representative will notify you when your new Note 7 is ready for pick-up.
[irp posts=”9847″ name=”Samsung earned record profits despite Note 7 recall”]
Source: Samsung
Apple Pay is officially in the Philippines!
Pushing the country forward into a cashless and cardless future, Apple has now brought its contactless payment system to the Philippines. As with other countries, Apply Pay will work seamlessly and easily even for those who have problems with technology.
Now, despite how easy it is, sometimes we need to be pointed in the right direction. Here’s how you can set up Apple Pay on your iPhone:
Everything starts with the Wallet app. First, open your Wallet app. Tap the “+” button on the top and select “Debit or Credit Card.”
Normally, this is where you can input your card details (which you can still do, by the way), but the default method now is to just tap your card on the back of your iPhone. Your phone does the rest. You might need to confirm with your bank, but it’s as easy as a single tap.
Pick which cards to use. Once you have your cards online, you might need to change which one is the default card. Again, it’s easy. Just drag your preferred card to the front.
Afterwards, you can tap to pay in supported stores by priming the Wallet app for use. Tapping to pay is also available for Apple Watch. Meanwhile, online transactions can also work on MacBook.
Secure, all the time. If you’re worried about your security especially with online transactions, Apple keeps your information only between you and the seller. They don’t store your data.
Also, it’s not easy to make a transaction without your consent. You need Face ID, Touch ID, or your password. If you lose your phone, you can easily shut your phone down with the Find My app to prevent malicious parties from making transactions.
DJI’s smartphone gimbals have always chased one goal: delivering cinema-smooth footage without forcing you to carry a heavy rig.
The Osmo Mobile 8P (OM 8P) makes its priorities clear right out of the box. This is not a simple refresh. DJI rebuilt how you control the gimbal, and that decision shapes the entire shooting experience.
Freedom behind the lens
The biggest change is the FrameTap remote, and it’s the kind of upgrade that fixes a problem you didn’t realize was slowing you down until it’s gone.
On the standard OM 8, adjusting your framing meant reaching for your phone every time, which broke the flow of shooting and pulled you out of the moment.
FrameTap puts that control back in your hand. You can reframe shots and manage the gimbal without touching your phone at all, and for anyone shooting solo, that alone changes how usable the whole setup feels. Tracking has taken a real step forward too.
ActiveTrack 8.0, paired with Module 2, held onto its subject even after they stepped out of frame for a moment, then picked them back up without much fuss.
It also lets you sit off-center in the shot instead of forcing you into the middle every time, which gives you more room to compose something that doesn’t look like every other gimbal video.
None of that would matter much if the gimbal itself wasn’t solid, and it still is. The OM 8P holds onto the same foldable design, magnetic phone clamp, and built-in tripod that made the OM 8 easy to live with.
And it remains one of the better compact options for stabilization, tracking, and portability in one package.
The tripod legs are a touch wider this time, and that extra width does make a noticeable difference on uneven ground.
The trade-offs in touch
The trade-off for all that new remote functionality is a control scheme that takes more getting used to. More of the gimbal’s functions now live on the FrameTap touchscreen, the joystick is smaller, and switching between shooting modes takes a few extra taps compared to the OM 8. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a learning curve you’ll need to budget time for.
DJI also removed the zoom and focus wheel, so if you leaned on that dial for quick adjustments, you’ll feel its absence here. Module 2 no longer lets you plug a DJI wireless mic in directly either.
You’ll need to connect it to your phone instead, which adds a step to a setup that used to be simpler. Phone compatibility is still a limiting factor as well. DJI lists support for phones up to around 300g and 11mm thick, so bigger phones or ones in chunky cases may not clamp in properly.
Finding your ideal workflow
The OM 8P makes the most sense for solo creators who want dependable tracking and the freedom of remote framing without stepping up to a dedicated camera like the DJI Osmo Pocket.
If you’re already shooting on a phone with a solid camera, this fills the gap nicely. It’s a tougher sell if you prefer physical buttons over touchscreen menus, or if your phone runs on the larger and heavier side, since fitting it onto the clamp might be a problem before you even get to shooting.
Price, availability
DJI is offering the OM 8P in three combos, so how much you pay depends on how much of the ecosystem you actually need.
- Standard Combo (PhP 7,499): the gimbal itself, with 8th-gen stabilization and the detachable FrameTap remote included.
- Advanced Tracking Combo (PhP 9,199): adds the Multifunctional Module 2 for the improved subject tracking we tested.
- Creator Combo (PhP 11,099): the full kit, built for creators who want everything DJI bundles in from the start.
Is the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P your GadgetMatch?
The DJI Osmo Mobile 8P asks you to relearn a few habits in exchange for a gimbal that finally lets go of your phone. If hands-free framing and steadier tracking matter more to you than a dedicated zoom dial, this is worth the adjustment.
If you’d rather keep things exactly as they were on the OM 8, that learning curve might be the deciding factor.
Swipe right if you shoot alone often and have been waiting for a gimbal remote that actually works. The FrameTap remote alone justifies the upgrade if reaching for your phone mid-shot has been slowing you down.
Consider this if reliable tracking matters to you, especially if you’ve had a subject wander out of frame and stay lost on older gimbals.
And of course, get this if you already own a capable phone under the weight and thickness limits, and you’d rather invest in a smartphone rig than jump to a dedicated camera like the Osmo Pocket.
Swipe left if you lean on physical dials for zoom and focus, and moving those functions to a touchscreen sounds like a downgrade rather than an upgrade.
This is not for you if you use a DJI wireless mic and want it plugged directly into the module without routing through your phone first. Or, your phone runs heavier or bulkier than DJI’s limits allow, since no amount of enthusiasm fixes a clamp that won’t close.
Features
GadgetSnaps: Westminster Abbey
A thousand years of history, unfolded with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
Westminster Abbey isn’t just another stop on the London tourist trail.
It’s the stage for coronations, royal weddings, and burials that span nearly a thousand years, all still playing out under the same vaulted ceilings that have been standing since before most countries had names.
Once you get past the crowds and the audio guides, a quieter version of the abbey starts to show itself: worn stone steps, poets resting a few feet from kings, light that shifts across the nave like it’s in on the performance too.
While losing track of time in Poets’ Corner (yes, me, playing amateur historian for an afternoon), I unfolded the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and decided the abbey deserved more than a quick tourist snap.
All photos captured using the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.
-
Automotive7 days agoVinFast debuts two-wheeler models, opens 21 e-motorcycle showrooms
-
Computers2 weeks agoAMD launches Radeon RX 9050 graphics card
-
Automotive1 week agoXiaomi debuts SkyNomad Series featuring new Kunlun platform
-
News5 days agoOnePlus officially leaves the United States and Canada
-
Gaming2 weeks agoNBA 2K27 gameplay trailer showcases new dunk mechanics, Rucker Park, and more
-
Gaming1 week agoCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 clip shows Losing Ground 1st look
-
Automotive2 weeks agoBYD Atto 2 launches with EV, plug-in hybrid options
-
Automotive1 week agoGAC launches new trio of MPVs














































