Decades of sending Filipino workers abroad, transferring money from another country to a loved one in the Philippines continues to be a source of frustration for millions of OFWs. Today, a more modern solution wants to help move your money in fewer steps and less fees. Wise, a British fintech company, is now available in the Philippines.

Since starting in 2011, Wise has expanded globally, hiring over 5,500 employees and servicing 10 million active customers worldwide.

Though the company started as a simple transferring service between different currencies, it has since added more services including an international prepaid card. In the Philippines, the company is starting with its standard transferring service, an international prepaid card, and the ability to shop online with a Wise account.

How to set up a Wise account

Wise is now available through the App Store and the Play Store. Creating an account on the platform is easy.  All you need is an email address and a phone number. After making the account, the app will ask you basic questions: home address, occupation, preferred currencies.

However, to use the services, you’ll need a bit more to verify your identity. It will require users to upload a photo of a valid ID such as a driver’s license or a passport.

After everything’s set up, you can start a balance with a selected currency. If it’s your first time setting a balance up, Wise will require you to deposit of PhP 1,400. This isn’t a fee, though. You can use the deposit immediately. You can also now send details for your new balance to senders from abroad.

How to fund your new account

Currently, there are two ways to add funds to your account.

The first way is, of course, by receiving funds from a sender. The second way is to use any bank-issued debit or credit card to top up your account.

Wise hopes to add more ways to fund your account in the future. At the time of this writing, the company has already promised future partnerships with e-wallets.

How to move money from your Wise account to a bank account

Once you have your balance set up and have funds to transfer, you can go to the app, select your balance, and hit Send. Enter the amount you want to send and the account details of the receiving bank account.

If you need to convert your funds into another currency, the app will show you the exact exchange rate and fees associated. (Wise says that their fees are lower compared to other methods.)

How to get a Wise card

And now, the juicy part. Under the Card tab, users can apply for a prepaid card they can use anywhere in the world. It will cost a small fee (PhP 369.60 including VAT). While standard delivery is free, users can pay a bit for a faster delivery through DHL.

Once it arrives, users can activate the card by putting in the 6-digit code that comes with the card. After activation, they can use this card everywhere cards are accepted.

Alternatively, users can create a digital card for free and instantaneously.

Did you know that ChatGPT has a voice? As the AI-powered assistant continues to grab more users, OpenAI, the company behind it, launched voice options to make the software even more immersive. Now, what can get more immersive than a voice based on Her, one of the most prolific films about an AI assistant? Consent, however, remains an important part of this world. Lacking the necessary consent to use her likeness, OpenAI got rid of its Johansson-like voice.

Recently, OpenAI launched GPT-4o. The latest model represents the most advanced developments for the large language model. Adding to its list of features is a new voice option called Sky.

Though the company hasn’t outright confirmed so, the voice curiously sounds like Scarlett Johansson. The actress previously voiced the AI in Her. Joaquin Phoenix’s character falls in love with the voice over the course of the movie. Since then, Johansson’s take on the AI represents one of the most popular depictions of AI assistants.

While the similarity remains unconfirmed internally, CEO Sam Altman tweeted “her” right after announcing the new version.

Apparently, Johansson did not give consent to use the likeness of her voice, according to statement (via NPR). Though OpenAI did approach the actress to ask for permission, she ultimately declined. A few days before the latest model came out, OpenAI urged her to reconsider, but the model launched before they could reconnect.

As such, the actress pursued legal action and essentially forced ChatGPT to take the voice down. She is also asking OpenAI to detail exactly how they obtained the similar-sounding voice. OpenAI maintains that it will keep its voice actors’ identities private.

SEE ALSO: Logitech introduces a dedicated shortcut for ChatGPT

Strava is emerging as a top choice for runners worldwide. Though the app is rising in popularity, there are still some features that are notably missing. If you’re eagerly awaiting for a few to drop, the fitness app is rolling out highly requested features soon.

Naturally, the most requested feature is dark mode. Considered an essential these days, the mode is present in a lot of apps today. Finally, Strava is getting its own version. In an update coming later this summer, users can turn the lights off permanently or according to the device’s settings.

Though not the most highly requested feature, the app is also (inevitably) getting a healthy dose of AI. In Athlete Intelligence Beta, the service will use large language models to interpret and summarize a workout for users. Finished workouts won’t just be a series of arcane numbers anymore. The developing AI will translate these to language that any user can understand.

Additionally, Leaderboard Integrity will analyze recorded activities for any potential errors — intentional or otherwise. If the system detects that an activity feels improbable, it will alert users to change its classification or delete it altogether.

Finally, Strava is getting night heatmaps. Concerned users will soon have the ability to see the traffic in a particular trail between sunset and sunrise. If you’re concerned about the safety of a route, the app will notify you if a path is well-lit and well-travelled at night.

The app will launch these features soon for users worldwide.

SEE ALSO: Strava is getting a much-requested chatting feature