News

Uber suspended in the Philippines for a month [Updated]

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The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board or LTFRB has suspended the operation of ride-sharing service Uber for one month in the Philippines. The suspension is due to the company’s failure to comply to an earlier mandate by the transportation regulating body.

A CNN Philippines report cites LTFRB spokesperson Aileen Lizada saying that Uber violated its July 26, 2017 order to stop accepting applications for accreditation. The spokesperson said Uber activated at least three vehicles the very next day.

In an August 1 statement, Uber clarified that they indeed accepted applications saying they are “optimistic that with the ongoing discussions with the LTFRB, ride-sharing has a path forward.” The company insists these applications were not processed.

The suspension order was issued 6PM of August 14, 2017. The LTFRB also “strongly recommends” that Uber provide its drivers financial assistance during the suspension period.

Uber Philippines has issued a statement on the morning of Tuesday, August 15, 2017 saying they will comply with the suspension order and that they are doing everything they can “to resolve the situation in the soonest possible time.”

LTFRB versus Uber and Grab

There is an ongoing discussion between the LTFRB and ride-sharing services Uber and Grab over how the two companies should be regulated in the Philippines. Grab is another service that operates in the Philippines and in nearby countries.

In July 2016, the LTFRB issued a memo to Uber and Grab to stop accepting and processing applications. The two companies defied the order citing public demand as the primary reason and has since paid PhP 5 million as fine for the violation.

Uber facing issues around the world

Uber is no stranger to facing difficulties against the government. The company has appeared in headlines all over the world for continuing to operate without securing proper permits from the respective countries they operate in. Uber previously faced suspensions and fines in countries like South Korea, Taiwan, and New Zealand among others over a similar issue.

The ride-sharing service has also faced opposition from local taxi drives worldwide. Cab drivers and operators in countries like Spain, Portugal, and many others said Uber is unfair competition.

Update (12:30PM, GMT+8 Manila Time)

It looks like Uber Philippines isn’t going to let their operations stall after all.

According to the company’s official Twitter account, a motion for reconsideration has been filed for the one-month suspension to be lifted. In the meantime, Uber will continue its services despite the LTFRB’s original orders.

In a report by ABS-CBN News LTFRB’s Lizada said the suspension “stands” despite Uber’s motion for reconsideration. The same report stated that Lizada sent a text message to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority or MMDA saying, “Uber is online again. Let us apprehend them.”

Update (7:20PM, GMT+8 Manila Time)

The LTFRB has denied Uber Philippines’ motion for reconsideration to lift the month-long suspension. In a statement posted on its Twitter account, Uber said it will continue to work on resolving the matter urgently.

SEE ALSO: Grab will give you a free horse ride in Baguio

[irp posts=”1421″ name=”Grab will give you a free horse ride in Baguio”]

Gaming

FromSoftware’s The Duskbloods delayed to 2027

The game needs more development time.

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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.

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Laptops

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

No need to complain anymore.

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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.

SEE ALSO: What the MacBook should touch on instead

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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.

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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.

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