Accessories

5 reasons why you should stick to wired earphones

You don’t have to give up comfort and familiarity!

Photo by Daniel Fontenele

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The advent of wireless earbuds has become gospel among my friends — techie and geeks alike. It’s like everyone’s preaching about switching to wireless like it’s some mandatory rite of passage for adults who’ve been in the workforce for god knows how long.

Though I have my own pair of wireless earbuds, I still have my trusty wired earphones — one that has a 3.5mm jack for my laptop, and one that comes in USB-C for my phone that has no headphone jack. Even before, wired earphones were my savior — from strangers and familiar people approaching me, to keep me entertained in between idle moments, and for being a companion in trying times.

Just like most people, I’m still having a hard time letting go of wired earphones. People had been asking me to stop using one, but I still stand to a few reasons why it’s perfectly okay to stick to the familiar.

You’re a plug-and-play person

A lot of times, I find myself having trouble with pairing my smartphones to my wireless earbuds. To ensure seamless pairing, you must be using top-of-the-line and/or premium earbuds. Imagine the time you spent trying to connect so you can listen to music when you can just plug your wired earphones to a headphone jack, play your music, and enjoy.

You love the feeling of being connected

I thrive in connections — whether it’s people, conversations, or earphones. I feel most reassured when I know I’m connected, and the tangibility of my earphones’ connection to my smartphone is comforting — especially when I’m commuting. I’ll know right away where my phone is, and having a wired connection makes my loving smartphone safe.

On certain occasions, my smartphone was saved from falling because of my wired earphones. It’s these prevented tragedies that reassure me a tangible connection is still a good choice.

You’re practical about your choices

Let’s admit it: wireless earbuds are expensive. As someone who follows a strict budget, wired earphones are a tad cheaper and is more accessible to most of us. There are plenty of us can’t live without music, and wired earphones sometimes become a necessity to keep us from falling apart in between trying times.

On the other hand, wireless earbuds are considered a luxury — a want, not a need. Imagine losing a pair, or even misplacing it when a pair of wireless earbuds is priced around US$ 100. I don’t have the money to replace it easily even with access to a credit card.

You find comfort in familiarity

Some people aren’t comfortable with change. Most are hesitant, and even resistant to it — even with the advent of functional and bang-for-the-buck wireless earbuds. If you find comfort in familiarity a.k.a. choosing wired earphones because you’ve been using it for a long time, that’s absolutely fine.

You don’t have to change your preferences in life just because someone asked you to do so. Stay unique and love your individuality!

You haven’t felt the urge to switch

Lastly, there comes a time in every modern individual where they need to switch to a wireless lifestyle. It could be for convenience, for more flexibility, or for safety during a commute. Whatever it is, you’ll always feel the urge to switch and when you do, heed the call.

When you feel like you’re being called to the other side, that’s when you take a leap of faith. If you’re still content with using wired earphones, just enjoy it and stop caring what the world thinks. You have your music with you, just keep playing!

SEE ALSO: 6 reasons why you should switch to wireless earbuds

Accessories

Samsung launched a charger that’s incompatible with all its phones

None of their phones have built-in Qi2 magnets.

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In the world of wireless charging, Qi2 is where it’s at. The newer magnetic system automatically aligns the phone with the best positions to charge wirelessly. That said, it’s taking a while for most smartphones to get the charging standard. In an odder twist, Samsung, who does not currently have any native Qi2 devices, has launched its own Qi2 chargers.

In the United States, Samsung rolled out the Qi2-compatible Single Wireless Charger and Car Wireless Charger. As both their names indicate, the chargers will allow for wireless charging in a variety of situations.

Retailing for US$ 34.99, the single puck can charge by up to 25W when paired with a charging adapter (sold separately). The car charger, on the other hand, comes with its own 12V car adapter and a rotating mount. It’s very pricy, coming in at US$ 84.99.

Now, the kicker is that the chargers are compatible with Samsung’s current flagships including the Galaxy S25, the Flip7, and the Fold7. Technically, yes, these smartphones can charge using this duo. However, none of them have the built-in magnets to natively connect to the pucks. They need a separate case with a Qi2-certified magnet included.

It seems pretty scummy to offer a Qi2 charger for smartphones without the magnets built inside. On the bright side, it’s a good sign that Samsung’s upcoming smartphones, starting with the Galaxy S26 early next year, will likely offer Qi2 charging natively. (At least, we hope. Otherwise, this might be the priciest charger in recent memory.)

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S25 FE review: Closer to flagship than ever

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Accessories

Takashi Murakami and CASETiFY’s new collab is in full bloom

The third chapter of the Murakami collection is here!

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There’s something about Takashi Murakami’s art that feels like a shot of pure happiness.

Those smiling flowers — bright and a little mischievous — have appeared everywhere, from gallery walls to fashion collabs. And now, they’re blooming once again through CASETiFY’s latest collection.

Called FLOWERS BLOOM, this third chapter of the ongoing TAKASHI MURAKAMI x CASETiFY collaboration brings the artist’s most recognizable motif into a fresh lineup of tech accessories and travel gear.

The collection includes the FLOWERS Ripple Phone Case, which arrives through a surprise blind box (yes, you’ll have to unbox it to see which design you get).

It also comes with the FLOWERS Carry-On Suitcase that takes CASETiFY’s signature ripple texture and turns it into a piece of art.

There’s also a rainbow camera ring, gold-accented cases, and collectible charms and danglers that look as cheerful as they sound.

Murakami’s FLOWERS motif has long represented his “Superflat” style, melding traditional Japanese art with pop culture in a way that feels both nostalgic and new.

For collectors, the blind box adds a sense of thrill, with ultra-rare designs like the shimmering FLOWERS 18K Gold Case waiting to be discovered.

Meanwhile, the carry-on luggage and wireless chargers make the motif part of your daily rhythm.

The new lineup feels like a love letter to Murakami’s world, a reminder that joy can be part of your everyday life. It’s bright, bold, and unapologetically happy. And in a world that often feels gray, these blooms are exactly what we need.

Price, availability

Product  Price
FLOWERIAN DANGLER BLIND BOX PhP 2,590
FLOWERS RIPPLE PHONE CASE BLIND BOX PhP 3,990 
FLOWERS SNAPPY GRIP STAND (RAINBOW/BLUE/BLACK/RED/PINK) PhP 4,290 (RAINBOW) / 

PhP 3,990

FLOWERS MAGNETIC WIRELESS CHARGER (RAINBOW/BLUE/BLACK/RED/PINK) PhP 4,590 (RAINBOW) / 

Php 4,290

EXCLUSIVE FLOWERS CHARM KEYCHAIN PhP 4,790
FLOWERS (RAINBOW) CHARM KEYCHAIN PhP 4,790
LIMITED EDITION MULTI-FLOWERS PHONE CASE – 

RAINBOW CAMERA RING EDITION

PhP 5,290
FLOWERS (RAINBOW) PHONE CHARM  PhP 4,790
FLOWERS (RAINBOW) PHONE CHARM & CHARM CUBE SET PhP 5,290
FLOWERIAN DANGLER BLIND BOX SET (X4) PhP 10,360
FLOWERIAN EARBUDS CASE PhP 15,890
FLOWERS RIPPLE CARRY-ON SUITCASE (RAINBOW/BLUE/BLACK/RED/PINK) Not sellable in PH
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Accessories

Ultimate tag-team: Razer-2XKO Collection arrives

Featuring Ahri on the Kitsune, BlackShark V3 Pro

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Razer has officially announced the new Razer | 2XKO Collection. The exclusive lineup of high-performance gear was created in collaboration with Riot Games.

2XKOof course, is Riot’s new fighting game featuring champions from both League of Legends and Arcane.

The collection launches alongside the game’s Early Access, now open to all players on Windows PC.

The Razer | 2XKO Collection introduces the first licensed gaming peripherals for the title, designed to meet the demands of competitive gaming and casual fans alike.

Each product features champion-inspired artwork, blending high performance engineering with iconic character design.

Under the collection are three pro-grade esports gaming peripherals with the following prices:

  • Razer Kitsune 2XKO Edition: US$ 329.99 / EUR 349.99 / PhP 21,390
  • Razer BlackShark V3 Pro 2XKO Edition: US$ 269.99 / EUR 289.99 / PhP 19,990
  • Razer Iskur V2 X 2XKO Edition: US$ 399.99 / EUR 479.99 / PH pricing TBC

The collection features Ahri from the title, complete with her red top, cat ears, at whisker face print, and indigo hair.

Razer’s pro-grade leverless arcade controller comes emblazoned with her. Meanwhile, the wireless esports headset also comes in dominant white with the character on the outer housing of the earpad.

Lastly, the gaming chair has a more manga-inspired back with with close-ups of the character’s black and white faces at the back.

There’s a huge 2XKO icon at the back, and both the Razer’s triad snake logo and the game’s logo on the backseat.

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