Apps

Globe and Google partner for digital learning

Another tool for the new normal

Published

July 20, 2020

Rodneil Quiteles

The Coronavirus pandemic has forced everyone to adjust to a new normal, this includes the education sector. To help ease everyone into either blended or full-time online learning, Globe and Google forged a partnership to address the matter.

Following the Philippine government’s quarantine guidelines, Globe is partnering with Google for Education, to meet the growing demand for better academic services and transform the digital learning experience.

Through the partnership, Globe will provide a comprehensive onboarding process, tailor-made teacher training, and strong after-sales support for partner schools and institutions nationwide.

Going to this website will show the various online learning tools that Globe has on offer. These include crafting new teaching materials for teachers and the more straightforward access to information through Globe’s telco services.

Google for Education

Google for Education is an ecosystem of products, programs, and training grounded on the platform’s innovative tools and resources. The services are listed below.

G Suite for Education

This platform offers best-in-class productivity tools built for the classroom, including Gmail, Classroom, Docs, Spreadsheets, Slides, and Drive. Cloud-based technology allows for collaborative learning, so teachers and students can work on lessons simultaneously.

Classroom

The Google Classroom makes the teaching experience more seamless for educators. Here, teachers can create and manage assignments with ease. Classwork pages organize assignments into modules, so educators can better facilitate discussions. They can also use built-in grading tools to sync test results and feedback in one location. Originality reports can analyze authenticity in papers and flag statements that need citations.

Meet

This service allows teachers to connect with students virtually through secure video calls and messaging. Each classroom can have up to 250 participants per call and up to 100,000 live stream viewers. Meet also makes it easier for both teachers and students to join a classroom, as each class can have a dedicated meeting space with a unique link.

Socratic

Google’s AI-powered tutor helps students navigate the learning process through high-quality videos, concept explanations, and online resources. The platform also offers curated subject guides for quick reference. When students need clarification, they can use the built-in voice and photo input to ask a question.

Read Along

Students can improve their literacy skills through this speech-based reading tutor. This platform provides an expressive and animated reading assistant to keep students engaged and help them in their reading journey. Educators can listen to a student read aloud and provide corrective feedback.

Google Forms

Teachers can create forms, surveys, and quizzes using Google Forms. Through G Suite Integration, they can import questions from Docs and Sheets. Grading is also now faster, easier, and automated as they can view results in a chart, graph, or spreadsheet format. To maintain integrity, locked mode prevents students from browsing other websites during a test.

Chromebook

This secure, simple, and powerful device is easy for schools to set up and manage. The Chrome Education upgrade unlocks the full capabilities of the device to help both students and teachers thrive in the new normal. The App Hub connects educators with Chrome-verified developers to access useful tips and content by grade, subject, and educational goals.

G Suite Enterprise for Education

Academic institutions can upgrade their digital environment with educational tools and security controls. G Suite Enterprise elevates both teaching and learning through an institution-wide email database using GMail, security and administration controls, and eDiscovery for emails, chat, and files. Schools can also access a 24/7 support platform via phone, email, and online.

We’re all adjusting to a new normal and this Globe and Google partnership hopes to help with that especially when it comes to education.

Apps

GCash rolls out in-app OTPs via push notifications to fight scams

SMS-based codes will be phased out by June 22

Published

June 6, 2026

GadgetMatch

GCash is completely changing how users secure their accounts by rolling out in-app OTPs by June 22.

This fully replaces traditional SMS-based authentication as part of heightened cybersecurity measures against phishing scams and financial fraud.

With this security upgrade, users will no longer receive their OTPs via text messages. Instead, the codes will be sent through secure push notifications directly inside the GCash app.

This provides a much safer verification experiences. The migration to internal authentication is a direct response to a directive from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to phase out SMS-based OTPs by June 2026.

Furthermore, the shift aligns with the country’s Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA), which mandates stricter safeguards to curb digital fraud.

For years, cybercriminals have targeted SMS-based verification codes through various spoofing and phishing tactics to gain unauthorized access to accounts.

By routing OTP requests directly through the user’s authenticated GCash app, the platform ensures that only the rightful account owner can receive and use the unique codes.

Beyond security, the switch brings some much-needed convenience. The instant, one-tap authentication removes the annoying hurdle of switching between apps, copying codes, or waiting for delayed text messages to arrive in areas with poor cellular signal.

To get in-app OTPs on the GCash app, simply turn on Push Notifications on your iOS or Android device.

Apps

The No-Nonsense guide to mid-year shopping

Let AI do the heavy lifting for you this Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale

Published

June 5, 2026

MJ Jucutan

The mid-year sale season is here, but the days of mindless impulse buying are over.

Shoppers are shifting toward intentional, value-driven decisions, focusing on quality, authenticity, and actual utility over flashy, low-quality gimmicks.

From 8:00 PM on June 5 until 11:59 PM on June 8, 2026, the Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale is dropping major discounts. But the real win is using the platform’s tools to maximize your budget.

Lock in the baseline discounts

Before diving into specific items, map out how to stack the core offers.

You can stretch your money by hunting down LazFlash Deals for up to 90% off, collecting up to PhP 3,000 in stackable vouchers, and ensuring every order qualifies for the free shipping offers available throughout the event.

True value comes from combining these three layers of savings on things you already need.

Jisulife: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall

Filter for authentic value

Shopping smart means avoiding the trap of “too good to be true” counterfeits that end up in the trash.

Data shows a massive consumer shift toward trusted quality, with LazMall growth vastly outperforming standard listings during major sales.

To ensure your money goes toward genuine products with real warranties, restrict your browsing to official, brand-certified stores.

If you are upgrading your tech, parenting gear, or wardrobe, look to trusted names anchoring the sale like UGREEN, JisuLife, ANTA, Maserati Watches, Momcozy, and O.TWO.O.

UGREEN: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall

Outsmart the noise with built-in tech

Don’t waste hours scrolling through endless listings or guessing which product is better.

The smartest way to navigate a massive mid-year event is to let the platform’s built-in features cut through choice paralysis.

Tools like AI Lazzie and AI Picks allow you to instantly compare similar items, analyze prices, and get personalized recommendations based on actual data rather than generic marketing hype.

Smart Shopper Tip: True value is a mix of the right price, verified authenticity, and a seamless return policy. Use this sale period to stock up on everyday essentials and high-quality upgrades rather than panic-buying items you’ll regret later.

Apps

Meta adds subscriptions for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp

Published

May 28, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Is your wallet buckling from the weight of so many subscription services? Well, Meta has a trio of new subscriptions for you to sink your hard-earned cash towards. If you have a few dollars, here’s Facebook Plus, Instagram Plus, and WhatsApp Plus.

All three subscriptions are designed to add new features which can enhance the experience for those who practically live on these apps. Among the three, Instagram Plus is the meatiest. It offers users the ability to view other people’s Stories without showing up as a viewer, create more tailored audiences outside of Close Friends, and extend the duration of a Story beyond 24 hours, among others.

View this post on Instagram

Since it shares similarities with Instagram, Facebook Plus offers much of the same features. WhatsApp Plus, however, offers more customization options including new themes, ringtones, and stickers.

If that’s not enough, Meta has also released a new subscription system for Meta AI. Though the basic use of the AI is still free, the new Meta One Plus and Meta One Premium plans offer more capacity and performance for power users. The company is also testing new creator-focused plans, Meta One Essential and Meta One Advanced.

Of course, the new AI-based plans are more focused on those who actually use the AI software. Meanwhile, the three app plans are more for regular users. Facebook Plus and Instagram Plus will cost US$ 3.99 per month. Meanwhile, WhatsApp Plus will cost US$ 2.99 per month.