Lifestyle
6 awesome things that happened at Google I/O 2018
We’re living in the future!
Google I/O happened yesterday, and if you’re not familiar with the event, all you need to know is that this is where a lot of Google announcements are made. Of course, there are run-of-the-mill stuff like Android P features or Google News improvements which are all great tech innovations. But, what really got me excited were the following things:
Google fixed the beer emoji
Hallelujah! After years of sending beer with floating foam on Friday nights and congratulatory situations, Google has finally found their way and fixed the emoji.
This move was done following the great cheeseburger controversy which Google CEO Sundar Pichai himself vowed to fix. Finally, we can live in a world where beer and cheeseburgers are properly represented by our emoji. 🍻
Tania and Ken just made everyone believe in true love
Okay, I have to be completely honest: I cried a little bit (again) as I was writing this article because I watched the video a second time. Take a look for yourself:
I’m sure the bottom line here is that technology improves lives… but can we please take a second to appreciate how grand, sweet, and amazing this love story is? They met through skydiving! Ken is also helping her develop tech that will help them (and others similarly situated) communicate! Not to mention, Tania just called Ken “the love of her life and partner in crime.” 😍
John Legend becomes a Google Assistant
A few days ago, this ad for Google Assistant featuring Chrissy Teigen and John Legend came out. It’s adorable!
Little did we know that it was a sign of things to come.
In the biggest plot twist ever, it was revealed that John Legend will be lending his voice to Google as an Assistant! Soon, we’ll all have the pleasure of hearing the award-winning singer’s voice every day.
I can totally see Chrissy celebrating the victory of being able to order John around anytime.
There will be six new voices in total and they will be available later this year.
Gmail will be able to read your mind
Well, not really, but it sort of seems like it.
Gmail’s new Smart Compose feature basically predicts what you’re about to say when typing out an email. It uses machine learning based on the stuff you’ve already typed previously and suggests possible phrases as you go. This is, in equal parts, amazing and creepy.
Now, if only your boyfriend can use machine learning to read your mind, life would be simpler. 🙄 This feature is rolling out to users this month.
Making people more polite, or at least they’ll be trained to be
Google announced a feature called Pretty Please where Google Assistant will actually reward polite user behavior with affirmations. This was designed so that children are trained to be more polite, but let’s be honest: A lot of adults need this, too.
Google Assistant just made an actual call and it was glorious
This was the most exciting scheduling call I had ever heard in my life.
Google Assistant calls up a salon and books a haircut appointment — and it sounded so human! There were no robotic pauses, no weird intonations, and no misunderstandings. Listen for yourself:
This is what the future sounds like: You could actually be talking to Google Assistant without realizing that you are!
Automotive
The Kia EV3 brings gallery-worthy design in a compact electric form
The 2025 World Car of the Year turns daily driving into functional art.
The all-new Kia EV3 officially debuted against the architectural backdrop of the Ayala Museum.
Named the 2025 World Car of the Year, the compact electric SUV redefines daily driving as functional art. It also holds prestigious Red Dot “Best of the Best” and iF Design awards.
Sculpted like a modern piece of design
The EV3 shares the forward-thinking design philosophy of the acclaimed EV5 and EV9.
Its exterior features an evolved Digital Tiger Face paired with signature LED lighting. Sculpted geometric surfaces and flush door handles maintain a smooth silhouette.
A tailored rear spoiler, roof rails, and 17-inch alloy wheels complete the profile. The result looks composed and elegant, especially when parked outside a contemporary gallery.
Beneath its sculpted skin lies instant, whisper-quiet electric power. A front-mounted motor generates 204 PS and 283 Nm of torque.
A 58.3 kWh battery delivers up to 511 kilometers of range on a single charge (NEDC). Replenishing energy fits seamlessly into a busy lifestyle.
Standard 11 kW AC charging goes from 10 to 80 percent in roughly 5 hours and 20 minutes. Meanwhile, 350 kW DC Fast Charging restores the same charge in just 29 minutes.
A digital sanctuary, literally
Inside, the cabin opens into a clean, modern sanctuary.
A striking 30-inch Triple Panoramic Display centers the dashboard. It unifies the instrument cluster, climate settings, and infotainment beneath one sweeping glass surface.
Leather upholstery and an eight-way power driver’s seat prioritize comfort, and the power lumbar support ensures relaxed driving on longer journeys.
There’s also a sliding central console tray that creates an adaptable workspace on the go. On another note, connectivity remains effortless throughout the interior space. The system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Additionally, dual wireless charging pads, five USB-C ports, and six speakers keep devices powered and entertained. For weekend getaways, 60:40 split-folding rear seats easily expand cargo capacity.
Intuitive safety
Intelligent peace of mind comes standard through the Kia DriveWise suite.
Active features include Advanced Smart Cruise Control and Forward Collision Avoidance with Autonomous Emergency Braking.
Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Blindspot Safety Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Safety assist at every turn.
Seven airbags protect the front, side, and curtain areas. Electronic Stability Control, Hill-Start Assist, parking sensors, and a rear-view camera complete the protective core.
Price, availability
The Kia EV3 starts at PhP 1,898,000, inclusive of a home wall charger. An introductory offer reduces the price to PhP 1,868,000, saving early buyers PhP 30,000. Reservations also include five years of free Preventive Maintenance Service.
Kia provides a five-year or 160,000-kilometer vehicle warranty. The high-voltage battery carries an eight-year or 160,000-kilometer warranty.
The EV3 comes in seven curated exterior colors. Options include Aventurine Green, Snow White Pearl, Aurora Black, Terra Cotta, Frost Blue, Shale Grey, and Ivory Silver.
Accessories
Manila turns up the volume at COVE
Sony Philippines launched its ULT TOWER lineup at Beyond the Beat, with SB19 joining the ULT Squad.
Sound and style shared the floor at COVE Manila in Okada Manila. Sony Philippines opened its doors for Beyond the Beat: The Next-Level ULT POWER SOUND Experience.
The event marked the company’s biggest ULT POWER SOUND launch in the country, and Sony paced the program like an exclusive night out.
Stacked ULT Towers filled the space. Guests styled themselves with designer pieces from Alser Lumawag, and SB19 closed the evening as the newest Sony ULT Squad members.
MySony members from every tier joined industry guests while the new ULT TOWER lineup set the tempo.
The towers take center stage
Shuhei Sugihara, Sony Philippines’ President and Managing Director, opened the program.
Product Marketing Specialist Keira Ambubuyog then introduced the newest additions to the lineup.
Arbie Bandiling of Personal Audio Systems unveiled the latest ULT Squad video. The clip introduced the artists and personalities fronting the campaign.
The lineup features the ULT TOWER 5, ULT TOWER 7, and ULT TOWER MAX. The new series pairs large circular woofers and high-capacity cabinets with ULT DUCT technology.
This design delivers stronger low-frequency bass than earlier models. The ULT TOWER MAX leads the series, described as Sony’s most powerful bass speaker yet.
On another note, Sony pitches the ULT TOWER 7 as stage-worthy sound in a portable frame. Meanwhile, the compact ULT TOWER 5 targets smaller gatherings and features karaoke and DJ capabilities.
Experiential zones bring the sound to life
Guests explored the lineup across several interactive event zones. Step into the Beat paired an arcade-inspired setup with stacked ULT Towers and a dance pad. ULT Selfie Club handled photo ops.
Nearby, ULT Cover Star let guests style ULT Field speakers alongside designer pieces from Alser Lumawag. Here, the speakers served as chic fashion accessories.
The Bass District gave VIPs and influencers a private, nightlife-inspired lounge. Karaoke Lounges invited everyone else to grab a mic and test the party-ready towers firsthand.
The ULT Squad shows up
Fashion influencer and ULT Squad member Angelique Manto-Guison hosted the night.
A-Team opened the show with a high-energy routine before Carlos Serrano III took the stage. David Guison and Jacqueline Jala walked the stage with ULT Models in elevated fashion, and Jeremy G followed with a dynamic musical performance.
KAIA brought a youthful pop sound, while Maki delivered a set in his signature style.
SB19 closed the night, making their debut as the newest Sony ULT Squad members. Sony pairs its sound technology with the group’s influence in Filipino music. This collaboration positions the Squad as a platform for artists shaping contemporary music culture.
The ULT TOWER MAX, ULT TOWER 7, and ULT TOWER 5 are now available at Sony Centres and authorized dealers nationwide.
Lifestyle
Nike’s Alphafly 4 is built for the part of the marathon ~that actually hurts~
Made to protect your stride when fatigue sets in.
Every marathoner knows the exact moment the race truly begins.
It’s not at the starting line amidst the early morning excitement, but around the 32-kilometer mark, when your legs begin to feel heavy and your form starts to fall apart.
Nike designed its latest marathon racer specifically for that critical window. The Alphafly 4 shifts the focus away from chasing sheer top-end speed, targeting instead the physical breakdown that happens late in a long run.
By studying how fatigue alters a runner’s mechanics over time, Nike rebuilt its flagship distance shoe to help athletes maintain their stride when energy starts to dip.
Holding the line when fatigue sets in
On the road, the shoe operates as a complete, unified system designed to protect your stride.
A redesigned Atomknit upper wraps the foot with breathable support, using targeted midfoot cables and an integrated heel unit to keep your fit secure without adding unnecessary weight or friction over long distances.
Underfoot, the new ZoomX LT foam layer works alongside Nike’s contoured carbon-fiber Flyplate. The lighter foam returns maximum energy with every footfall, while the plate smooths out your rolling motion.
Together with dual forefoot Air Zoom units and a durable Fast Shot outsole, the setup keeps your cadence consistent and your legs feeling fresh well into the back half of the race.
As Emily Farina from the Nike Sport Research Lab notes, their goal was to help runners stay confident, balanced, and capable from the start line all the way to the finish.
Built on the miles that came before
That focus on real-world endurance stems directly from athlete testing.
Nike developed the shoe using feedback from its Project Dreamweaver initiative and extensive trials with women distance runners, prioritizing stability and comfort alongside high performance.
The lineage carries significant weight. The Alphafly family has grounded some of distance running’s greatest moments, from historic sub-two-hour efforts to major course records.
With the Alphafly 4, that legacy translates directly into everyday marathon training, helping athletes hold their target pace just a little bit longer. Marathoners won’t have to wait long to feel the difference on race day.
The Nike Alphafly 4 drops in an early, limited release on September 17 at nike.com, followed by a wider global release on October 29 online and at select retail stores.
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