Apps

Top apps to achieve work-life balance using the MatePad Pro

Get your life back on track!

Published

June 24, 2020

Her

At a time where working remotely is becoming the new norm, one might find it difficult to maintain a work-life balance.

The thin line separating work and leisure blurs when you’re working from home. There’s a constant need to stay updated and connected, yet our mind and body require us to step away from our work machines so we don’t burnout.

Thankfully, some gizmos are here to help us achieve work-life balance. For instance, the Huawei MatePad Pro is a powerful device that can help you organize your life and enjoy it to the fullest. To help you get on track, here are some tips on how you can utilize this premiere tablet using several apps.

Binge-watch your favorite shows

When you find yourself burning out, it’s time to step back and allow yourself to relax. You can watch some of your favorite films and TV shows through iFlix and Viu, which are accessible via AppGallery, or through Netflix via APKPure.

Stream your favorite YouTubers

Sometimes, the easiest way to unwind is to watch your favorite YouTubers. You can access YouTube using the Huawei Browser, just like you would on a Desktop. Although, you can add a shortcut to your MatePad Pro’s home screen for easier access — making it seem like you still have a YouTube app.

Play some games to unwind

There are games you can play, too. The crowd-favorite Asphalt 9, the social media craze Adorable Home, Ball Hop, Naruto: Slugfest, and many more are available through the AppGallery.

Read books while listening to music

When the day ends, it’s highly relaxing to read ebooks you can buy online. You can dive into the story when you use reading apps like ReadEra while you play your favorite tunes on Spotify, accessible via APK.

Sort your finances

At least once a week, make it a habit to sort your finances. Most banks have their apps available already on the AppGallery, such as Security Bank, CIMB Bank, RCBC, BDO Bank, Metrobank, UnionBank, and EastWest.

For quick online purchases and other transactions, GCash and PayMaya are also available.

Stay connected with the world

Most of the popular instant messaging apps are available through the AppGallery. For instance, you can use Viber and LINE — which pride themselves with end-to-end encryption. There’s also WeChat and Snapchat, which are popular in some parts of the world.

As usual, Facebook is still a staple to connect with other people. You can get it through their official website. Messenger and Instagram are also available via APKPure.

Get entertained by creators

If you want to be entertained by creators and ordinary people like you, you can download Kumu, TikTok, and WeSing via AppGallery.

Hone your creativity

For those who want to hone their creativity, the AppGallery has multiple apps for creatives such as Concepts, Canva, APRIL, and Desygner.

If you’re getting into digital arts, you can practice your skills using Adobe Sketch, AutoDesk SketchBook, Adobe Draw, MediBang Paint, and ArtFlow. These apps can be downloaded via APK!

Do work wherever you want

If you need a breather but you have a deadline to finish, you can take your work off your desk and bring it through the MatePad Pro. The AppGallery has multiple productivity apps that let you get your work done, such as Office, WPS Office, OfficeSuite, and Docx Reader.

Never miss an email again

When there’s a work emergency, you can hop on easily without going back to your work machine. Through Huawei’s Email app, you can access Gmail, Yahoo, or even your Outlook email accounts.

If you need to use Google’s services, you can access it via Huawei Browser. Use Google Search and Google Drive effortlessly. Treat the tablet as if it was a Desktop!

Plan leisurely activities

There are a lot more you can do using the MatePad Pro! You can plan your future travels using Agoda, Booking.com, Trivago, and Traveloka. If you love indulging yourself and your loved ones with good food, make sure to download Eatigo and Booky. On the other hand, shopaholics can enjoy Shopee and Lazada.

These apps are all available via AppGallery, so make the most out of life and reap your rewards for working hard.

Apps you don’t want aren’t here?

Some apps are still finding their way to the AppGallery. You can search them on the app and add it to your wishlist, and Huawei will surely do their best to make it happen.

Visit here to find more about the Huawei MatePad Pro.

This feature was produced in collaboration between Her GadgetMatch and Huawei Philippines.

Apps

Google, on Android adopting Liquid Glass: “Not happening!”

Just in case you were wondering.

Published

May 7, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Google is slightly moving away from Material Design. Last week, a set of icon changes saw Android adding splashes of gradients to its formerly flat app icons. To poke fun at Android’s move away from flat designs, a user on X created a mockup of Android running Apple’s Liquid Design. Google, however, had a response ready in the chamber.

On X, @Micetor made a mockup of Android, specifically on the upcoming Pixel 11, using Apple’s latest Liquid Design aesthetics. It looked much like what an iPhone does except with Google’s icons and fonts.

Clearly, Google does not need to reply to any unsubstantiated mockups about its ecosystem. But they still did.

Sameer Samat, Google’s head for the Android ecosystem, personally replied to the mockup with a simple rebuttal: “Not happening!”

Not happening! Y'all are wild. 😂

— Sameer Samat (@ssamat) May 5, 2026

Despite using the design language for over a decade, Google does not want to drop Material Design altogether. Though the new gradients have revitalized the design language somewhat, the essence of flat design is still there.

Apple, on the other hand, wants a return to 3D. Liquid Design mimics the transparent aesthetics of Windows Vista. Though a bunch of users have found the design polarizing, other brands have started copying the design for themselves, incorporating elements on Liquid Design on their interfaces.

Whatever Google is doing, it’s coming in due time. The company is hosting its annual Google I/O on May 12 to showcase new developments coming to the Android ecosystem, including its design.

Apps

iOS 26.5 will support end-to-end encryption RCS messaging

The final update should come out within the month.

Published

May 5, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Back in 2023, Apple finally adopted the RCS messaging standard, ensuring that iOS and Android users could communicate more seamlessly despite being on different platforms. This year, the platform is adding an improvement to the feature: end-to-end encryption.

Starting with the upcoming launch of iOS 26.5, Apple will now support end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between iOS and Android users (via 9to5Mac). Besides the seamless communication, users on both platforms can start enjoying secure messaging with one another.

Apple has been testing the feature since February. Now, the company is confident enough to release the encryption technology in a new build for iOS 26.5 meant for developers. At this point, it’s just waiting for an actual release.

Why is this a big deal? Encryption adds an extra layer of security for your messages. Plus, end-to-end encryption means that messages is encrypted and decrypted only by the sender and the receiver. Third parties, which includes Apple, cannot intercept and access your information.

With the feature on, both messaging platforms on Android and iOS will show a lock icon to signify that, yes, your messages are encrypted.

Though the current build isn’t meant for end users just yet, it’s expected that iOS 26.5 will launch within the month, if not by next week.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone 17e review

Apps

YouTube makes picture-in-picture mode free for everyone globally

The update is rolling out globally now.

Published

April 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Picture-in-picture (or PiP) mode is a godsend for multitaskers. The feature lets users watch videos in a tiny floating window while doing other tasks. However, the feature isn’t readily available for all users. Or wasn’t, at least. YouTube is now rolling out PiP mode for free globally.

Previously, PiP mode was exclusive to YouTube users who pay for Premium or Premium Lite. It was also exclusive to the United States.

Now, YouTube is making the feature completely free for users all over the globe. It will be available for both iOS and Android versions of the app.

There’s still a catch, though. The free version is available only for “longform, non-music content.” The same goes for Premium Lite subscribers. Music is still an exclusive feature for those who pay for the regular version of Premium. Basically, there is no change for paying users or users in the United States.

Using PiP mode is simple. All you need to do is load up a video you want to watch in the background. Then, just exit the YouTube app and go about your other tasks. The video will be inside a floating, resizable window while you look at other things.

There’s no timeline on when the update will reach your device. However, YouTube has promised that it will roll out globally within the coming months.