Apps

Now Playing: HBO Go Edition

Quick to-watch list you can check out

Published

September 28, 2021

Rodneil Quiteles

HBO Go is an often overlooked streaming app. However, there’s more than a handful of gems here that are worthy of being included in your to watch list. Here are my personal recommendations.

Godzilla vs Kong

The pandemic hasn’t been kind to the cinema-going crowd in the Philippines. Movie theaters remain closed thanks largely to the government’s lackluster pandemic response. But that’s a topic for another day. Due to this, we’ve missed going to the movies and seeing blockbusters like Godzilla vs Kong. Thankfully, HBO Go is here to the rescue.

This kaiju showdown is one of many huge films we missed seeing in cinemas. But now, it’s available on HBO Go along with other movies released in 2021 like Space Jam: A New Legacy.

On The Job: The Missing 8

Speaking of the atrocities that go on behind the scenes of the politics in the Philippines, the long-awaited follow-up to 2013’s On The Job will also stream on HBO Go. The movie will stream as a six-episode series on HBO Go. The first three episodes will show the events of the 2013 film and the last three episodes will follow the events of The Missing 8.

The story is set in a Philippines that’s leading up to a presidential election. It’s a timely watch for Filipinos that can hopefully be eye-opening for registered voters.

The Newsroom

This 2012 series depicts a fictional, dramatized version of a broadcast team. It follows an ensemble of cast members featuring everyone from the newscaster to other newsroom staffers.

While it is indeed, dramatized, it’s still a pretty good look at what a sector of “the media” goes through. It’s a recommended watch for people who wish to be a little demystified about media work. It shows some of the unglamorous side of news, the battle with executives for views/clicks, and the consequences of bungling a major news story.

For people like myself who have previous experience of working in different types of newsrooms, be ready to get war flashbacks if you decide to binge-watch this series.

Superman and Lois

Superman and Lois is likely the best live action adaptation we’ve had of the Big Blue Boy Scout. Instead of a brooding god-like figure trying to figure out how to coexist with humanity, the Superman in this series is more akin to his comic origin — an earnest, clumsy farm boy who uses his abilities to save people.

To ground Supes a little bit, the story features Clark balancing his duties as Superman and as a husband and father. The married couple dynamic between Lois and Clark is refreshing. Just as refreshing is the brotherly chemistry between their twins Jon and Jordan Kent. It’s a thoughtful take on Superman and one that everyone should see.

Teen Titans

Yes, the cool-looking one. Unceremoniously replaced by Teen Titans: Go (which is also available on HBO Go), this early 2000s series is a show I used to watch religiously as a… much younger person. It’s the first animated series in the 2000s to heavily feature sidekicks and tells various stories of friendship and teamwork.

While we’re at it, the HBO Go app is a treasure trove of DC animated series and movies. Classics like Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, Flashpoint Paradox, and many more are available to wash-off the aftertaste of the DCEU.

Emmy Nominated

For some really quality shows, available on HBO Go are all of the Emmy Nominated shows. These include Lovecraft Country, Mare of Easttown, and The Flight Attendant, and more.

Watch on a big screen

These are all best experienced on a bigger screen. However, not just any big screen will do. It has to be the Samsung Neo QLED. We have an entire feature detailing why it’s an awesome TV. But that’s not all. If you purchase any participating Samsung TV product, you also get six (6) months worth of subscription to HBO Go.

You’ll have no shortage of fantastic shows and movies to watch with this HBO Go and Samsung TV combo. This offer is available until November 31, 2021.

Related Topics:Godzilla vs Kong HBO Go On The Job: The Missing 8 Samsung Neo QLED Superman and Lois Teen Titans The Newsroom

Apps

Disney+ launches a TikTok-coded vertical feed called Verts

Published

March 13, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

TikTok has changed how we consume media. Everything is now vertical. Even the most established streaming services, often a bastion for traditionally horizontal content, is adopting the different format. Now, Disney+ is getting a vertical feed called Verts.

Like its contemporaries, Verts presents a continuous feed of content but tailored to show the plethora of titles from the Disney+ library. This might include the first scenes of shows or notable highlights. The hope, of course, is to direct users to the longform content.

Directly from the Verts feed, users can easily add the respective title to their watchlist or go straight to the title’s page. In turn, the feed is accessible from the homepage since it has its own tab.

According to Disney, early experiments with the feature have driven engagement to available content. Right now, the feed is mostly for clipping enticing content from shows. However, the platform will experiment further with the format for new ways to tell stories.

Though Verts surely stands for “verticals” in this case, “adverts” might fit better as its full government name. Still, it might be a useful tool if you’re figuring out what to watch for the night.

Currently, Verts is available for Disney+ subscribers in the United States. Disney also has plans to expand the feature to ESPN for sports-related content.

Apps

Google Maps is finally getting a 3D mode

The app will also have a Gemini chatbot baked inside.

Published

March 13, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Some of today’s navigation apps are living in the future. Instead of a two-dimensional map, these apps render the user’s surroundings in 3D. It’s a nifty upgrade that helps drivers more accurately visualize directions on the fly. Finally, Google Maps is getting a much-needed upgrade and will take navigation to the third dimension.

In a new update rolling out today, the new Immersive Navigation feature will bring your surroundings to life. The 3D view creates a render of the surrounding buildings, overpasses, and terrain around the car. It takes the guesswork out of navigation by showing precisely where to turn and what landmarks to look out for.

In the same vein, you can now use Street View to preview your destination before you arrive. Google Maps will also highlight your destination’s entrance, side of the street, and nearby parking.

Outside of how the map is visualized, Google Maps is also infusing its service with Gemini. The new Ask Maps feature will let you engage with the app in a conversational manner. For example, if you’re in the middle of a long drive, you can now ask Maps where the best place is to stop over and have a coffee break. Ask Maps will provide directions, a potential itinerary, and even helpful links to book a reservation ahead of time.

Now, availability for both of these features is still a bit limited. Immersive View is rolling out today to compatible devices and vehicles in the United States. Further, availability will expand over the coming months.

Meanwhile, Ask Maps is available now in the United States and India for Android and iOS. A desktop version is coming soon.

Apps

Apple Music, TikTok launch Play Full Song, a new music discovery experience

Rolling out worldwide exclusively through Apple Music

Published

March 12, 2026

GadgetMatch

Ever came across a viral 15 or 30-second music snippet on TikTok that instantly became your jam on repeat?

For years, TikTok has been a regular source of songs that have become part of our playlists. And together with Apple Music, listening to the music you discover has just gotten even easier.

That’s through Play Full Song, a new music discovery experience, which launches exclusively though Apple Music.

With the new feature, Apple Music subscribers can now enjoy full-length tracks that they discover on TikTok. That’s without ever leaving that popular streaming app.

Fans who discover a song that they love on their For You or Sound Detail page can simply tap the Play Full Song button to open up an Apple Music player and enjoy the song in its entirety.

From there, subscribers can continue listening to a personalized stream of recommended songs. That means no more need to switch apps and search separately.

The new Play Full Song experience helps music fans move seamlessly from the moment of discovery to deeper listening. It’s also designed to be instant and all within the same environment.

Moreover, users can also save their favorite songs to Your Music and add them directly to their Apple Music playlists.

Built using Apple’s MusicKit, full-length song playback takes place on Apple Music. This way, streams are paid within the Apple Music service, supporting artists and rights holders while giving fans a smooth, uninterrupted experience.

Listening Party also launched

The feature builds on the success of TikTok’s Add to Music App. This was previously launched to help artists and fans convert discovery on TikTok to a playlist save in Apple Music and other streaming services.

To cap the announcement, TikTok and Apple Music are also introducing Listening Party. This new feature is designed to bring artists and fans together around music.

It creates a shared environment where fans can listen to songs from their favorite artists in real time, interact with each her, and engage directly with the artist during the session.