Computers

3 tips for proper gadget care against volcanic ash

Better safe than sorry

Published

January 13, 2020

Kenrick Buduan

Yesterday, the potentially destructive Taal Volcano in the Philippines erupted after almost 20 years of inactivity. The eruption belched out steam, rocks, and other volcanic materials. Most importantly, it belched out ash, which caused ashfall as far as 100 kilometers from the volcano.

Volcanic ash impacts and disrupts society as a whole. It doesn’t only pose a threat to our health, but it also presents risks to our gadgets. Since they are less than 2-4 millimeters in diameter, they block openings, limit functionality, and even corrode our devices.

Needless to say, you need to look out for you and your family’s safety first. Afterwards, you can think about your other belongings like your gadgets and appliances.

To ensure the best proper care for your gadgets against volcanic ash, we came up with three tips that you can follow. Remember, an ounce of protection for your devices is better than a pound of expensive repairs.

1) Avoid direct exposure

Avoid exposing gadgets to volcanic ash as much as possible. Soon after a volcanic eruption, be cautious of any ashfall alert. If ash begins to fall in your area, relocate any gadgets indoors

When outdoors, place gadgets in the safety of a bag or cover them if necessary. Limit the use of phones or tablets, especially when it is raining ash hard.

2) Seal off any sensitive gadgets

Some of our gadgets are sensitive to dust particles. Since ash is comparable to these dust particles, they can enter our devices and cause problems if left unchecked. One of these problems is electronic short-circuit.

It is proven that ash can contaminate insulators in power lines, causing flashovers and triggering a short-circuit. Plus, ash can corrode equipment in the long term.

Sensitive gadgets are susceptible to these damages also. Seal them off during an ashfall to prevent ash from reaching critical components. Some sensitive gadgets that you need to seal off during an ashfall are generators, power supplies, servers, and the like.

If you can’t seal these sensitive gadgets, then it is recommended to shut down them.

3) Clean any opening in your gadgets

Last but not the least, you should clean any openings in your gadgets before, during, and after an ashfall. Ash accumulates around the openings of our gadgets, including laptops and smartphones. The tiny particles present in the ash can block the openings of some gadgets, preventing them from cooling down. As such, these particles limit the functionality of these gadgets.

Cleaning the openings is simple but goes a long way in ensuring proper care. A can of compressed air will do the trick, as do a soft brush.

However, do not excessively rub ash-covered surfaces as tiny particles present can scratch or cause static discharge, which is harmful to our gadgets.

These three tips will go on a long way to ensuring that our gadgets function properly, even in an ashfall event. As with any hazards, take necessary precautions when operating gadgets to avoid hazards. Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Accessories

2025 Black Friday Sale Gift Guide

Our Top Gift Picks With HUGE Savings!

Published

November 24, 2025

GadgetMatch and Michael Josh Villanueva

In the annual BLACK FRIDAY SALE, we’ve compiled and rounded-up our best picks with the best value you can get right now!

🧹 Get 50% off Dreame X50 Ultra on Amazon or click here on their website | Use code SAKITECH15 (5% off ’til Dec 1)

💧 Stay hydrated and get up to 30% off on the LARQ PureVis 2 here.

💡 Level up with Govee TV Backlight T2 or Govee Sync Box AI Kit 2.

> Samsung The Frame 65”

> Samsung The Frame Pro 75”

> Samsung The Frame Pro 85”

> Hisense C2

> Hisense C2 Pro

> Hisense C2 Ultra

> M4 MacBook Air

> M4 Mac mini

> Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

> Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

> Nomad Universal Cable for Apple Watch

> Nomad Tracking Card

> Nomad Base One Max

> Statik TireHero

> Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD

> Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

> Coffee Check Matte Black

Computers

Kingston FURY Renegade G5 SSD adds 8TB storage capacity option

Largest capacity option yet for high-power uses

Published

November 5, 2025

GadgetMatch

Kingston FURY has added an 8192GB full capacity option for the Kingston FURY Renegade G5 line. This is ideal for high-power uses, such as video editing, 3D rendering, gaming, and more.

Optimized for heavy workflows and gaming needs, the PCIe 5.0 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD utilizes the latest PCIe Gen5 x 4 controller and 3D TLC NAND.

It can reach speeds of up to 14,800/14,000MB/s (read/write) and over 2M IOPS. This way, it can provide extreme performance and endurance.

And with an 8TB option, users can now store more of their favorite games and media without losing system responsiveness. Other scenarios include 4K/8K video editing.

The Kingston FURY Renegade G5 lineup has capacities available from 1TB to 8TB. All options come with a limited five-year warranty, plus free technical support and legendary Kingston reliability.

Like the Renegade G5’s other storage capacities, the 8TB SSD is compatible with many popular motherboards.

Enthusiasts looking at custom builds can rely on the lineup. And by now, popular PC brands already have motherboards with PCIe 5.0 support.

Kingston’s future-ready storage and RAM offerings were displayed previously at COMPUTEX 2025.

These AI-ready solutions support robots, AI PCs, and AI servers, delivering benefits in public safety, data security, and production line efficiency.

Computers

Apple Vision Pro gets M5 chip upgrade

And comfortable Dual Knit Band

Published

October 15, 2025

GadgetMatch

Apple has introduced the upgraded Apple Vision Pro, now powered by the M5 chipand equipped with the Dual Knit Band for improved comfort.

This latest version delivers faster performance, sharper display rendering, longer battery life, and new experiences through visionOS 26, which introduces widgets, updated Personas, and new Apple Intelligence features with expanded language support.

M5 chip brings faster AI and sharper visuals

The M5 chip, built on third-generation 3-nanometer technology, introduces a 10-core CPU and GPU that boost performance across the system. Apps launch faster, web browsing feels more responsive, and visuals appear sharper with 10% more pixels rendered on Vision Pro’s micro-OLED displays.

The new GPU supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading. It brings lifelike lighting and reflections to games like Control. Vision Pro now supports refresh rates up to 120Hz. It reduces motion blur and delivering smoother experiences for Mac Virtual Display users.

The high-performance battery extends use to 2.5 hours of general activity or 3 hours of video playback on a single charge. Meanwhile, the 16-core Neural Engine accelerates AI-powered tasks up to 2x faster than before. Developers can now use Apple’s Foundation Models framework to create smarter on-device AI experiences.

Dual Knit Band offers improved comfort

Apple introduces a redesigned Dual Knit Band, crafted from 3D-knitted fabric for a more cushioned and balanced fit. It uses flexible ribs embedded with tungsten inserts for counterweight and stability, while the dual-function Fit Dial enables fine-tuned adjustments.

The Dual Knit Band is available in three sizes (S, M, L), sold separately, and compatible with previous Vision Pro models. Users can find their best fit through the Apple Store app for iPhone.

visionOS 26 expands spatial experiences

With visionOS 26, Vision Pro adds immersive new ways to work and play. Widgets can now stay anchored in your space, Personas look more natural in FaceTime, and spatial photos use AI to add realistic depth.

Vision Pro also supports 180° and 360° video playback from Canon, Insta360, and GoPro. This lets creators and users relive footage the way it was captured. Later this year, the Vision Pro app for iPad will launch. It will give users another way to browse and manage spatial content.

Expanding apps, games, and immersive content

Vision Pro users can explore over 1 million apps, with 3,000+ made specifically for visionOS. Lifestyle and design apps like HomeByMe, Balenciaga, and Christie’s Select join entertainment titles like Epic Earth and Space Vision.

Apple Immersive continues to push storytelling boundaries with new titles from Audi F1 Project, BBC, HYBE, and Red Bull. There are also 3D movie hits like Jurassic World Rebirth and Wicked on the Apple TV app.

Gaming also levels up with support for PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers. It unlocks tactile gameplay with six degrees of freedom and haptic feedback.

Built for creators and professionals

Pro users can use Vision Pro for advanced workflows — from 3D design and photography to film production and live collaboration. The new Logitech Muse stylus offers pixel-level precision in apps like Crayon and Sketch Pro. Enterprises such as CAE, Porsche, and UC San Diego Health are already adopting Vision Pro to power simulation, visualization, and healthcare innovation.

Pricing and availability

The upgraded Apple Vision Pro with M5 chip and Dual Knit Band starts at SGD 4,999, available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options.

Pre-orders in Singapore begin October 17, with availability in Apple Stores starting October 22.

The Dual Knit Band can be purchased separately for SGD 149, the Vision Pro Travel Case for SGD 299, and ZEISS Optical Inserts for SGD 149 (Readers) or SGD 219 (Prescription). The Logitech Muse stylus is priced at SGD 179 and will be available alongside the new Vision Pro.

Customers can book demos online, featuring the new Vision Pro and its latest features, including Genmoji, Writing Tools, and new Apple Immersive experiences like Tour De Force and MotoGP.