Accessories

Nokia E3101: The wireless earbuds for everyone

A new TWS earbuds without breaking the bank

Published

October 27, 2021

Vincenz

When we hear the word ‘Nokia‘, it reminds us of the Finnish giant’s dominance in the feature phone and Windows Phone space. That goes hand-in-hand with durability and robustness.

Up until the Nokia brand was sold, things have changed. From offering budget to midrange Android smartphones, they also have tablets, smart TVs, and wireless earbuds in the lineup.

To be very specific, Nokia’s audio product line come from RichGo Technology while smartphones are under HMD Global. Their TVs (only sold in India) belong to Flipkart.

And take it as a good thing. Without Nokia branching out from a highly-competitive phone market, they would barely last long. But I’m pretty sure that these wireless earbuds I have for quite a while last longer than expected.

Minimal packaging

For a wireless earbuds this cheap, don’t expect anything grand. But if you want to legit check your (future) purchase, the pair comes with an outside sleeve showing the lifestyle photo of the product. Removing it reveals a less fancy white box.

Opening the box furthermore shows the product as well as the paperwork.

First, there’s the pair of wireless earbuds as well as its case in a flimsy plastic packaging.

And if you’ll flip it, there’s a USB-C cable wrapped in plastic that’s also taped beneath. Not the most fancy packaging ever but still does the job.

Easy to pair

Thanks to Bluetooth 5.1, pairing it to any smartphone is actually faster than sending Bluetooth files between two Android smartphones. All you have to do is to press the button behind the case, lights will show, and the device will instantly appear on your phone’s Bluetooth devices list.

I tried pairing it to my iPhone too and it was a breeze. It’s safe to say that these wireless buds will work regardless of how new or old your device is as long as your device has Bluetooth.

Pocketable and featherweight

First thing I noticed when I held this is that, it’s small and light. As you can see in my big hands, the Nokia E3101 looked small compared to other TWS buds offerings in the market.

If we talk about material, its entirely made out of plastic — from the case to its buds. But the differentiating factor has got to be the matte texture of the case versus the glossy plastic wireless earbuds inside.

Despite the material used, I gotta commend Nokia for that idea of combining two different finishes for that elegant touch of design.

When you remove and put the earbuds inside your ear, it feels like its almost non-existent. But mind you, I still felt it dropped when I fell asleep inside the bus. You just have to make sure that each bud fit inside your ears well.

Decent buds for its price

I’m not a 101 perecemt audiophile but for someone who loves listening to various musical genres, I have my list on what to check in any pair of wireless earbuds — especially the bass and clarity. I own an Apple AirPods, as well as the Samsung’s Galaxy Buds+ and Galaxy Buds Live. But for the Nokia E3101’s affordable price tag, I have to lower down my expectations.

Upon first usage, I wasn’t expecting anything grand but I’m surprised that it offers good sound quality. Bass could’ve been better but I have to remind myself this is a sub-PhP 2K pair of TWS earbuds. Clarity-wise, it’s enough for everyone with vocals that are audible. I’m pretty sure dialogues in films, series, or even calls all sound clear for anyone’s liking.

If you play more with your phone’s EQ or have some third-party apps like Boom 3D, you’ll totally be amazed with what these TWS earbuds have to offer. Not that it’s a big deal but the lack of wear detection means music will still play if you remove it from your ears. It even plays music even when I placed them inside the case.

There’s also a touch sensor for playing, pausing, or skipping tracks. As I’ve mentioned earlier that the buds work for both Android and Apple devices, Google Assistant and Alexa can be summoned with just that single press.

If you’re into long walks, running, or gym workouts, the Nokia E3101 is IP44-rated. That means it can withstand water splashes or sweat so you don’t have to worry that much in such situations. My regular pair of AirPods don’t even have this feature.

People who are eyeing to buy this would care less about the codec it supports. But if you’re that curious enough, it has SBC which is the default codec for all Bluetooth earphones.

Besides, would you expect Qualcomm’s aptX or Sony’s LDAC audio codecs at this price point? A thing I can guarantee is that, this isn’t marketed towards hardcore audiophiles so you shouldn’t expect anything monumental.

Long-lasting battery

Another thing I love about this pair is its battery life. On a single charge, both buds lasts for up to 4-5 hours depending on usage. That’s enough battery to get you in a video call meeting via Zoom or GMeet.

I also used it when I went out for work. Its battery capacity lasted more than enough taking into account how I got stuck in traffic for three hours. So whether it’s for playing music, making calls, streaming videos, or even playing games, the Nokia E3101 will surely last long for almost a full-day of use.

While not totally similar with the 150-hour-touting Nokia Power Earbuds, the case of the Nokia E3101 will give you a total of around 20 hours before you actually hook the USB-C port in its case once it gets drained. Fully charging both the earbuds and the case take around two hours — not ideal for people who are always in the hurry.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

If you’re that type of budget-conscious user who can’t wait to switch from your old wired earphones to a new pair of wireless earbuds, the Nokia E3101 might just be your GadgetMatch. With an SRP of just PhP 1,999, you can easily transition to a wireless ecosystem without breaking the bank.

The buds are available in Shopee, Lazada, and Nokia’s Facebook store. Other than the black colorway that I have, it’s also available in blue and white variations.

You can also check out other offerings from Nokia such as the cheaper Nokia E3100 and a more pricey Nokia E3500.

Accessories

70mai launches the A900 series with 4K front, rear recording

Two new 4K dual-channel dash cams, both with 4G

Published

September 22, 2026

MJ Jucutan

70mai has launched the A900 Series, led by the flagship 70mai Dash Cam 4K A900 Ultra, with the 70mai Dash Cam 4K A900 joining it in the lineup.

Both models record in 4K from the front and rear cameras, and both support 4G, so your footage stays reachable from your phone even when you’re away from the car.

4K recording from both cameras

The A900 Ultra uses dual Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 sensors to capture clear 4K footage from both directions. As a result, details like license plates and road signs remain sharp.

Smart HDR balances bright and dark areas under shifting light. Users can also adjust color tones and contrast. To keep feeds synced, the rear camera uses LVDS digital transmission. This tech sends a lossless 4K feed with just 20ms of latency.

Handling changing light

Driving into a tunnel or under the shadow of a tall building changes the lighting quickly, and 70mai built three imaging technologies into the A900 Ultra to deal with it.

MaiColor Vivid+ Solution 2.0 is meant to give more natural colors and finer detail, along with smarter scene adaptation. Night Owl Vision 2.0 reduces noise and glare to help with nighttime clarity.

Lumi Vision is made for parking surveillance in near-total darkness, where it automatically adjusts exposure and gain and applies noise reduction. 70mai says this produces clear, full-color footage in extremely low light.

Parking mode and remote access

Smart Parking Guardian Mode 2.0 protects your vehicle while parked. It combines AI motion detection, dual-channel collision detection with pre-recording, and time-lapse options.

The system draws just 5mA on standby to prevent battery drain. For extended coverage, the optional 70mai Battery Pack Mini powers surveillance for up to 30 days.

In photo: A900

Pairing the camera with the 4G Hardwire Kit unlocks 70mai 4G Cloud+ 2.0 features on the app. Enhanced Buffered Emergency Recording saves up to 190 seconds before an incident and 30 seconds after.

It automatically uploads this footage to the cloud for immediate remote viewing.

The 70mai Dash Cam 4K A900

In photo: A900

The A900 sits alongside the Ultra as the more accessible option. It records True 4K HDR at 30FPS from both the front and rear cameras, and Smart HDR can be scheduled to turn on at set times.

Its f/1.55 aperture is meant to help in low light, and 4G Cloud+ 2.0 keeps the dash cam connected to the 70mai App. It’s the model for drivers who want dual-channel recording and 4G connectivity at a lower price.

The 70mai Dash Cam 4K A900 Ultra retails for US$ 300, available for pre-order at US$ 240. Meanwhile, the A900 is priced at US$ 200, currently 20% off at US$ 170.

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.

Published

September 21, 2026

MJ Jucutan

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.

Accessories

Jackery Explorer 300D: Power and portability in one

Uninterrupted workflows for digital nomads, freelance creatives, more

Published

September 18, 2026

Manila Connoisseur

For digital nomads, freelance creatives, and even work-from-home professionals, staying productive on the move means carrying around multiple gadgets, cords, adapters, and power banks to survive the day.

Having to carry such weight, quite literally, is vital for maintaining workflow continuity.

For a more seamless experience and to have just one extra portable device to power all working parts, there’s the Jackery Explorer 300D.

Launched just last month, this grab-and-go offering from Jackery is designed for the modern lifestyle.

It moves away from Jackery’s traditional aesthetic with a sleek, speaker-like form factor. It weighs just 2.5 kilograms and is 64% smaller than standard 300W units in the market.

This ultra-compact size was made possible by a smart engineering choice of swapping bulky traditional AC wall outlets for highly efficient DC-only and USB-C ports — which also helps eliminate idle power loss.

With a 288Wh capacity, the Jackery Explorer 300D holds enough juice for up to nine power banks.

It can keep a Type-C fast-charging laptop for up to three to four full cycles, a Wi-Fi router alive for hours, and recharge cameras or drone batteries up to five times for a lengthy production day.

For smaller gadgets like smartphones and portable fans, the power station can juice them up for up to 22 times.