I never liked smartphone gimbals. I tried several over the years, from different brands and different builds, and I never felt compelled to use them in real situations.

They were either too heavy or too fiddly to set up. I also found them too demanding to use when all I wanted was to take my phone out and record. My iPhone already has excellent stabilization built in, and I have relied on it for years. The extra gear rarely felt necessary.

My perspective shifted when I tried the DJI Osmo Mobile 8. I brought it with me on a work trip in China without thinking much of it. I realized that it made sense to be part of my arsenal.

A design that feels familiar in a good way

The Osmo Mobile 8 does not reinvent the idea of a mobile gimbal. It refines the experience.

It feels lighter and folds easily. The clamp snaps on with a magnetic mount, and the grip feels secure without straining the wrist.

It feels like something I can use for a few minutes or a few hours without thinking about it. Rather than slowing me down, it felt like it supports my workflow.

There is an extension rod built in, which is helpful for group shots and for pushing perspective in movement shots. The built-in tripod legs make it easy to set down for hands-free filming.

These details may seem small, although they contribute to gear that I actually reach for.

Stabilization for better footage

To be honest, I’m still not sold in getting a mobile gimbal for myself. But what shifted my perspective (for now) was not the convenience. It was the footage.

The movement became smoother. Walked shots, pans, and follow movements looked intentional instead of constantly adjusting themselves.

The three-axis stabilization makes smartphone footage feel more deliberate. I found myself able to move more slowly and follow subjects naturally.

It didn’t make my shots steadier, but the Osmo Mobile 8 changed the way I moved while filming. I suddenly found myself planning sweeps and tracking motions that I would never attempt handheld.

Tracking that feels more intelligent

The tracking on the Osmo Mobile 8 is noticeably improved. Faces, pets, objects, and even faster subjects stay in frame more reliably.

When I stepped away to record myself, the camera followed smoothly without overshooting. It felt responsive rather than reactive. This made solo shooting feel easier.

It also made dynamic movement filming more fun. I could run with a subject or move around a space and trust the framing.

A tool that fits everyday work

I always evaluate gear based on how it blends into my workflow. If it needs too much setup or thought, I will eventually avoid it.

The Osmo Mobile 8 feels fast. I can mount my phone, open the app, and start recording in a matter of seconds. And the battery life holds up well for a full day of casual shooting.

There is also support for counterweights if you use heavier external lenses or cases. The experience is smooth whether I am at an event, outdoors, or shooting casual everyday clips.

Frankly, I never expected to find a smartphone gimbal that felt necessary, yet the Osmo Mobile 8 is worth recognizing to be part of your creator kit.

Is the DJI Osmo Mobile 8 your GadgetMatch?

The DJI Osmo Mobile 8 delivers steady footage and a filming experience that feels composed. I appreciate what it adds to my work, and I recognize that it improves my content when I need it to.

Even so, it is not my personal everyday companion. I prefer filming with my phone alone and relying on built-in stabilization. I like moving lightly and freely.

But the Osmo Mobile 8 is a strong tool to have in the kit for specific situations.

Swipe right if you want steady and controlled movement in your videos, especially when you shoot travel, sports, or even events where an extra movement is part of the story. It might help you create more cinematic clips without a full camera setup.

Swipe left if you prefer minimal gear, and if you’re someone who’s always ready for spontaneous shooting but doesn’t want any additional setup.

The DJI Osmo Mobile 8 retails for PhP 7,499. It’s available in DJI’s official website and authorized stores.

When the love of my life turned into the loss of my life, driving felt like a chore I couldn’t bring myself to do. Driving wasn’t simply a way to get from Point A to Point B.

Every press on the accelerator once meant I was on my way to see someone I thought I’d build forever with. I could still picture us in traffic jams, singing songs off-key. Those memories made every drive feel alive.

But life doesn’t move according to your route. After that last drive with the Ford Territory Titanium X eight months ago, no other car or trip felt the same.

Everything since felt like errands. Just me, going somewhere, sometimes with people, but never with someone. For months, I stayed busy rebuilding, but healing sometimes feels like a road trip without a destination.

You start over, take turns you didn’t expect, and in the process, you realize others are evolving too. Case in point: the Ford Territory Titanium X, now reborn as a Hybrid.

I first saw it at its launch in Bonifacio Global City, and I didn’t feel any butterflies. But when I finally stepped inside for a drive to Baguio City, it felt… familiar.

It’s like meeting someone you used to know, only this time, they’ve grown softer and wiser. Maybe, I thought, this was my mirror moment. Maybe, I was meeting the better version of myself, too.

Upgraded, inside and out

At first glance, the Territory Hybrid Titanium X looks much like the one I used to know until you look closely.

Aside from the subtle Hybrid badge, it’s longer and wider, and maybe, even grander in presence. There’s a new grille, hood, and fenders, and a coast-to-coast LED light bar that glows (but only for the Titanium X trim).

It reminded me of the small shifts that happen when you heal. You buy new clothes, cut your hair, and even put up boundaries by saying “no” and then one day, someone will say “you look different.”

Inside, it felt like coming home. The cabin welcomed me with its familiar blend of leather. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the 12-inch infotainment display reminded me of the screen we used to play, but now I’ve used it to stream new songs that I enjoy.

It’s got the same creature comforts I’ve always loved, like the hands-free power tailgate that makes it convenient when you’re carrying loads of bags. Except maybe this time, I learned how to pack light and leave the weight I didn’t need to carry.

The difference now lies within. The hybrid powertrain, combined with the electric motor, kept it quiet that I almost consumed my own thoughts. It was calm that you wouldn’t notice the changes unless you listen closely.

But maybe that’s what growth is: changes that aren’t most visible, but what’s quietly working beneath the surface.

New company on the open road

I shared this drive with Kyle and Gab, fellow creators and journalists I met for the first time. We ditched the driver rotation plan, so we could take on the parts of the route we were best suited for.

Kyle handled the never-ending curves of Kennon and Asin roads. With slippery roads, we relied on the Territory’s electronic stability and traction control, especially during sharp turns. Kyle wasn’t too happy with it, but at least we had his steady hands to bring us back safely.

Gab and I swapped seats for the more monotonous stretches: the long, endless freeways. When Gab took over, the Automatic Emergency Braking kicked in twice. It startled us, especially me, as I sat in the backseat without a seatbelt on.

It was an unexpected jolt, but a much-needed one. Even though it annoyed us, it was comforting to know the car was still looking out for us even when we thought we didn’t need it.

Refilling my own tank

When it was my turn, I found myself recharging the hybrid’s battery along a long stretch of road. It was oddly satisfying, especially since I’d done it before.

As Kyle and Gab fell asleep — which I was proud of, or maybe they were just really tired — I thought of all the times I’d felt drained and how I’d learned to fill my own tank again.

Maybe that’s why I love hybrid cars. They remind me of how great I am at pouring love, keeping myself or others moving forward.

In this case, it was when Kyle took the wheel again, using the energy I restored to catch up with the convoy and speed up.

I’m glad we got our hands on the Titanium X trim. Beyond the shared safety suite such as stability control, traction control, hill assist, and 360-degree cameras, this top variant adds layers of luxury that matter.

For someone like me, who trains and races, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering features are a blessing when exhaustion hits.

Meanwhile, the Blind Spot Information System and Rear Cross Traffic Alert feel like having an extra pair of eyes.

When your body’s too tired to think, all you need is a reminder that even when you can’t see what’s behind or beside you, the car’s got your back.

Where the road ends (and begins again)

It rained the moment we left Baguio City. The convoy blurred into mist ahead, and all I could see were red taillights. The wipers worked tirelessly while I tightened my grip on the wheel.

Thankfully, the Territory Hybrid Titanium X responded.

I trusted it the way you trust yourself after heartbreak. Not because I’m fearless, but because I’ve been through enough to know I’ll make it out.

At 100 km/h on TPLEX, I kept pace with the storm. Taylor Swift may have said “keep it 100” in her latest single “The Fate of Ophelia,” but I meant it differently.

The drive home didn’t feel like the end of this journey. It felt like closure.

The Ford Territory Hybrid Titanium X wasn’t the same car I fell in love with, and I wasn’t the same person who drove it then.

Both of us transformed, not because we wanted to be, but because life demanded it.

And maybe that’s what love, in all its forms, is supposed to be. Maybe you don’t need to hold on to what was, but you learn to drive forward in the company of new people and what remains.

By the time I parked, I wasn’t thinking about what I’d lost anymore. I was thinking about where I’d go next.

The Ford Territory Hybrid Titanium X starts at PhP 1,599,000 while the Trend variant starts at PhP 1,399,000. Both variants come in Oasis Green, Crystal Pearl White, Star White, Blue Panther, and Panther Black. Get it at dealerships nationwide.

At the recent gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show 2025, Ubisoft also went all-out in spotlighting Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege and its 10-year journey throughout the annual gathering.

There were hands-on demos, experiential zones, and cosplays; Ubisoft even gave away a custom PC. Plus, a Siege esports tournament was held.

The tactical shooter’s creative director, Alexander Karpazis, also graced gamescom Asia x TGS 2025. He appeared for a fireside chat to reflect on a decade of Siege. This included talking about the Siege X update  from earlier this year.

Such pageantries show that the title has come a long way. It’s also hard to imagine given the spectacles that at some point, Siege wasn’t off to a good start.

Slow start

Among the prominent issues Siege players experienced after launch in 2015 were its gameplay inconsistencies like balance issues and bugginess. Ubisoft also struggled with poor initial sales.

Some attribute the game being rushed for modern consoles at the time to it not resonating among gamers initially.

Others felt that the story veered away from the Rainbow Six series since Siege became a reboot after Rainbow Six: Patriots was cancelled.

The title saw low player numbers, hence, slower matchmaking times and longer waiting times for them.

Turnaround

For developers, it’s easy to think about pulling the plug on a game that is not being received well early on. But Ubisoft stuck with a long-term plan.

Fueled by a games-as-a-service mantra, Ubisoft delivered countless free updates, including adding new operators and game modes.

The consistency of post-launch support and updates kept the community glued. And from late 2016 to 2019, there was a tremendous turnaround period.

It started with the Skull Rain DLC from 2016, before Siege doubled its total registered player base by 2017. It was also the year where Ubisoft prioritized overhauled several aspects of the game, from its servers to content.

In 2019, there was also a surge in terms of average concurrent players. This could be credit to the title offering free-to-play weekends, as well as the Six Invitational tournament.

Pieces eventually fell into place, and it’s clear that Siege is here to stay with millions and millions of players.

The Siege X update, of course, sets the game up for the next few years while honoring what has been a decade’s worth of reinventing.

“We want to respect our players that have invested 10 years of their lives into a game like this. We didn’t want to lose any of that. That was the major thing. Siege X also represented more of a long term view, of delivering an update,” Karpazis said.

Commitment to player base the key — Creative Director

Siege has weathered rough patches throughout its 10-year journey, before eventually reaching the pinnacle. Karpazis said it’s Ubisoft’s commitment to its player base and respecting their feedback that has catapulted the tactical shooter to among Ubisoft’s most relevant IPs.

“We are mainly driven by the community. Things like modernizing our maps to make them look more visually rich and up to date with great lighting, that comes from the community itself,” he shared.

“Things like destructible ingredients, these are tactical things that players would expect us to keep on evolving … As much as we always have our own ideas of what we want to do, the first place that we look for ideas is from the community.”

In terms of key numbers, Siege is right up there with some of Ubisoft’s most beloved franchises like Just Dance, Assassin’s Creed, and Far Cry, to name a few. A Reddit thread even argued that Siege is Ubisoft’s most important game.

Siege keeps surprising

Rainbow Six Siege officially turns ten (10) this December. For Karpazis, the title has stood the test of time with its uniqueness. And part of that includes how developers have invested a lot into continuously improving all aspects of it.

“It is a tactical, strategic shooter even though it’s PvP. For us, the big thing is we do want to continue respecting our things like the characters that are found all over the game, the destruction that is so unique to our game as well, compared to other competition,” he said. “Ingredients like that sets us apart. It makes for an interesting discoveries.”

And yet, Ubisoft still owes it to the fans to keep surprising them with new updates. In fact, creators thoroughly planned the Siege X update before it was released, with a blueprint for the next decade in mind.

“The big part is it’s a brand new foundation for the game where we can say, alright, we’re ready for the next 10 years of Siege as well,” Karpazis said of the title’s biggest update.

“That means making sure on a technical level, we can deliver new surprises to the players. Even on a creative level, it lets us start playing with new ingredients, gameplay mechanics, and modernized gameplay that players would expect today versus 10 years ago when it first came.”

The decade that lies ahead

Not only is Siege here to stay; it continues to rewrite its pages. And that’s what resonates with its massive fanbase.

“One of the elements that we think about more and more today is how to continue injecting innovation into the game design,” Karpazis added.

“There’s Year 11. I think we have some great surprises, things we’ve never tried before, big things that players will still get excited about … I think it shows the promise the team still has for Siege for the next 10 years.”