News

MediaTek awards the best devices for 2023

In the first Expect Incredible Awards

Published

November 17, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

The end of the year is always the perfect time to recognize the best of the best this past year. If you’re looking at the world of technology, there are so many devices to choose from and debate over. MediaTek, a capable company on its own, has sifted through this year’s devices and awarded the best MediaTek-based ones in its new Expect Incredible Awards.

If you look under your favorite devices, there’s a fairly decent chance that a MediaTek chip is keeping everything together. Every year, there are new devices touting the company’s components. There are a lot of good ones to choose from every year. Given the sheer number of choices available, let’s run through the devices that MediaTek chose for this year:

Best in mobile: OPPO Find Flip N2

Let’s start things off with a bang. This year, the OPPO Find N2 Flip showcased a worthy addition to the burgeoning clamshell market. The Galaxy Z Flip series now has some serious competition. Touting a MediaTek Dimensity 9000+, the foldable smartphone is more than just a looker; it’s a performer.

Runner-up: vivo X90 Pro

Best in smart home: Amazon Echo Show 5

The smart home market is an odd one. While the technology is already prevalent especially for those who are actively seeking for it, the usual suspect is still leading the charge. With its MediaTek MT8169 B chipset, the Amazon Echo Show 5 melds a smart display with a handy hub for your smart home.

Runner-up: Bosche Smart Kitchen Dock

Best in entertainment: Sony PlayStation VR2

Arguably, the market for virtual reality is still relatively niche. This year, the Sony PlayStation VR2 does a great job of making the segment much more accessible for casual users. Armed with a custom MediaTek chip, the wearable improves image quality, wearability, and control in virtual reality.

Runner-up: XGIMI Horizon Ultra Projector

Best in computing: OnePlus Pad

The OnePlus Pad is the brand’s first foray into the world of tablets. More than just a larger screen for your content, the new tablet offers enough to compete in a market saturated by the iPad, especially while rocking its Dimensity 9000 under the hood.

Runner-up: Acer Chromebook Spin 513

Best in connectivity: Motorola Defy Satellite Link

Cool and sleek devices aren’t the only thing in MediaTek’s wheelhouse. The Motorola Defy Satellite Link showcases an emerging technology currently being popularized by Apple’s Emergency SOS. Armed with a MediaTek MT6825, the device allows users to connect to a network of satellites on any smartphone.

Runner-up: TPLink Archer BE805

Best in enterprise: Logitech Sight

While Zoom rightfully popularized teleconferencing technology a few years ago, Logitech is pushing the segment to new heights. With a custom MediaTek chipset, the device captures the entirety of a room — sights and sounds — and broadcasts it for hybrid attendees.

Runner-up: Logitech Rally Bar Huddle

Overall winner

Among all these devices, MediaTek has chosen the Motorola Defy Satellite Link as the overall winner for 2023. At least for its mainstream counterparts, the technology is still in its infancy. However, Motorola’s efforts to make the service available for both Android and iOS users have ensured that the technology will last, especially for outdoorspeople who need an emergency lifeline on their adventures.

Watch our video here:

Automotive

Mercedes-Benz celebrates 140th anniversary at the Presidential Car Museum

A generation’s worth of presidential Benz models under one roof

Published

July 17, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Last month, Mercedes-Benz Philippines kicked off its 140^th -anniversary “Welcome Home” campaign. Designed to celebrate the iconic Chedeng and introduce a new generation to the brand, the campaign attracts old and new customers alike. Now, the brand’s 140^th year is also hitting history buffs with a special showcase at the Presidential Car Museum in Quezon City.

Since President Cory Aquino’s term, the official presidential car has been a Benz, offering comfort and protection for the current head of state. It is here where Mercedes-Benz wants to celebrate the legacy of the brand, especially in the annals of Philippine history.

Amid the cars of Presidents Aquino, Ramos, Estrada, and Macapagal-Arroyo, Mercedes-Benz is displaying a replica of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen Replica, which is the world’s first automobile introduced by Karl Benz in 1886. The replica will be on display until December 2026.

Outside the Presidential Car Museum, Mercedes-Benz is running discounts through the end of July. There are also special aftersales services for those who already own a Benz. Finally, the brand will continue to run activations throughout the anniversary, so expect to hear a lot more about the Chedeng throughout the year.

News

Samsung releases teaser with Spider-Man: Brand New Day Easter eggs

Spot also teases upcoming Galaxy foldable devices

Published

July 16, 2026

GadgetMatch

Samsung has just premiered a new spot that showcases clips directly from Spider-Man: Brand New Day, just a few weeks before the movie hits cinemas later this month.

The clip showcases Spider-Man as he fights crime and puts his phone through the wear and tear of superhero life.

In the spot, the Fabricator creates a number of devices for Spider-Man built to stand up to the pace and unpredictability of life behind the mask. This includes what clearly looks like a Galaxy Z Flip phone.

This provides a behind the scenes look into how Peter Parker ultimately landed on a Samsung phone — as fans speculated from the first trailer.

Meanwhile, Ned can also be seen using the Spidey Tracker to try and catch Spider-Man throughout the city on his Samsung phone.

The campaign pretty much formalizes Jacob Batalon — who plays Ned Leeds — as Samsung’s Team Galaxy’s newest ambassador.

The clip ends with the text “A brand new shape for a Brand New Day”, which is also a callback to what the brand has been teasing regarding the future of its Galaxy foldable devices.

Samsung to release latest devices at Galaxy Unpacked

Next week, Samsung is set to launch its latest devices at Galaxy Unpacked 2026.

Ahead of the launch, customers who wish to reserve as early as now can get a US$ 30 credit during pre-order, for a total of up to US$ 1,230 in savings.

Customers can also enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win one of 10 US$ 500 Samsung.com gift cards towards their purchase.

Apps

iOS 27 public beta gives us our first taste of Siri AI

You can access the beta for free.

Published

July 16, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Normally, public betas come and go with nary a peep from anyone but dedicated fans and testers. After all, why care about a beta when the final release is likely just around the corner? This one, however, is special. Today, Apple launched the iOS 27 public beta, and it’s our first taste of the redesigned Siri AI.

Recently, WWDC 2026 unveiled Apple’s latest attempts at entering the AI segment. Whereas previous iterations to incorporate AI failed to make an impact, Siri AI promises to provide users with helpful feedback that’s actually helpful.

Now, in the public beta for iOS 27, users all over can finally access the new assistant. To get to the beta, you need to be a part of the beta program, which you can easily sign up for on beta.apple.com. Once signed up, you can get the update from Software Update in Settings. You’ll see options for a developer beta and a public beta. Choose iOS 27 Public Beta.

At face value, Siri AI offers much of what you’d get from a traditional AI-powered assistant. However, it does slightly differ because it integrates the entire phone. The assistant contextualizes your information (including emails, messages, and photos) to give you the most accurate feedback that you might need.

If that’s not enough, Siri AI also has its own chatbot app. If you’re more used to ChatGPT, the assistant should give you that bit of familiarity.

Now, if you don’t want to go for a beta, Apple is expected to launch iOS 27 in its final form sometime in September.