Lifestyle
Xiaomi Pop Run 2024 draws 2,000 runners in a celebration of fitness and technology
The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 makes its debut, combining fitness and innovation
Around 2,000 runners gathered bright and early at the SM Mall of Asia grounds on August 31 for the Xiaomi Pop Run 2024 .
Runners of all levels showed up, from hardcore athletes to casual joggers, each pushing themselves in their own way.
The 10KM Professional Race category had participants going head-to-head for the top spot. Exciting Xiaomi prizes like the Xiaomi 13T, Xiaomi Watch S2, and Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo earbuds were up for grabs.
Mark Anthony Octimar took home first place with a time of 36:05. On second place was Jose Fabito, Jr. (37:10) and Ronald Salgado (38:26) took the third place.
For those looking to tackle a shorter distance, the 5KM Fun Run category was the perfect fit. Coach and trainer Jason Cunanan was on-site, keeping everyone warmed up and ready.
Take on the race with the Xiaomi Smart Band 9
On another note, during the Xiaomi Pop Run 2024, Xiaomi has unveiled the new Xiaomi Smart Band 9. It’s a sleek fitness band that tracks all your vitals and workouts. With up to 21 days of battery life on a single charge, it’s built to keep up with you.
The Xiaomi Pop Run 2024 wouldn’t have been possible without the support of partners like Red Bull, Salonpas, Gourmet Farms, Dermplus, Fast Aid Kit, SunCoast Brands, Viu, Fitbar, and Yogorino.
If you’re curious about the new Xiaomi Smart Band 9 or other devices, they’re available at authorized Xiaomi stores and on their official Lazada and Shopee stores. You can learn more by visiting http://mi.com/ph.
Accessories
Soundtrack for the city: HIDDEN.NY x AIAIAI TMA-2 headphones
Living in a big city like New York makes you want to have music on a lot: on the subway, walking between meetings, sitting in a café with your laptop, zoning out on a long walk home, or romanticizing the smallest things. Headphones have become an essential part of my life.
That’s why the HIDDEN.NY x AIAIAI collaboration makes sense. The TMA-2 HIDDEN Edition headphones are reminiscent of early-2000s tech. It’s nostalgic but with New York City character, at least the kind that I encounter and not the one you see in movies.
If you follow either brand, the partnership feels natural. HIDDEN.NY started as an Instagram mood board and grew into a full lifestyle platform rooted in street culture and design. AIAIAI is a Danish company that’s long been part of music culture, known for modular gear that artists use.
The first thing you notice is the colorway. The transparent design with green highlights is subtle. It’s not loud but still stands out.
You can see the structure of the headphones, which makes them feel more like an accessory than just another piece of black plastic tech. Bonus points that they are a conversation starter, too.
In daily use, the headphones are easy to live with. They are light and comfortable, which is important when you’re wearing them for long stretches. They don’t clamp too hard nor do they feel bulky.
Sound-wise, they’re clean and balanced. While it doesn’t have active noise cancellation, it works well for all the ways people actually listen in a big city. I like that you don’t have to think about the sound much.
It’s just good in a way that doesn’t get in your way, whatever mood I’m in wherever I am in the city, these headphones are great company.
AIAIAI’s modular approach also means these aren’t built to be tossed when something wears out. The speaker, headband, earpads, and cable are all replaceable.
So much of the tech we use should grow with us, even if they get outdated. So AIAIAI builds systems that can be upgraded over time. That’s part of why artists and DJs use them.
Especially because it’s a collectible, it feels like a piece you’ll want to keep. As someone who uses his prized possessions for a really long time, I love this about these headphones.
In a city where everything moves fast and feels temporary, it’s nice to have gear that doesn’t feel disposable.
The campaign, shot by photographer Gunner Stahl, probably looks familiar if you’re attuned to hiphop culture. What sets his work apart is his portraits feel more raw and relaxed instead of posed and polished. It aligns with HIDDEN.NY’s aesthetic, the kind of everyday style that feels genuine.
At the end of the day, the HIDDEN.NY x AIAIAI TMA-2 Bluetooth headphones make sense for people who live in cities like New York, where music is part of how you move, work, and think.
They sound good, they look interesting and different. They fit into real life without trying too hard.
The TMA-2 Hidden Edition headphones retail for US$220 and is available on aiaiai.audio.
Entertainment
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie trailer shows first look at Yoshi
The premiere was also moved up by a few days.
As a fan of the Super Mario games, I’m still waiting patiently for the next 3D Mario title. In the meantime, we’ve got Mario in 3D to stave off the hunger. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will premiere on April 1, and it just got a new trailer.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie was announced quite some time ago, if the first film’s stinger wasn’t enough of a confirmation for you. As in that post-credits scene, Yoshi is set to make his debut. Now, the new trailer reveals the green dinosaur for the first time.
In the trailer, Mario and Luigi head to the Sand Kingdom to investigate a strange disturbance inside a pyramid. The disturbance turns out to be a scared Yoshi. What follows is a short montage of scenes from the movie but doesn’t reveal much of the connection between Yoshi and the movie’s story.
From the previous trailer, Bowser Jr. wants to claim the throne as the universe’s big baddie. It’s still unknown how Yoshi (and even Rosalina) connects to the overall plot.
Still, the trailer has a bunch of Easter eggs for fans of the franchise. For one, the Sand Kingdom is an area from the latest 3D Mario game, Super Mario Odyssey. Heading into the pyramid, you might also hear a subdued version of the “Underground Theme”. Then, when Yoshi finally appears, you’ll hear Super Mario World’s “Overworld Theme”.
The trailer also shows a peek at Birdo.
From the new trailer, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will premiere a few days earlier on April 1. Previously, it was set to premiere on April 3.
SEE ALSO: Nintendo’s latest toy is Super Mario Wonder’s Talking Flower
Lifestyle
How a low-impact workout can turn your resolution into a habit
Indoor rowing is more approachable than you think
The best fitness habits are the ones that challenge your body without breaking it down. That’s why low-impact workouts tend to stick — they are effective yet kind to your body. They don’t leave you dreading the next session.
One of the most underrated examples of this is indoor rowing. If it’s something you’ve only seen at the gym, or never tried at all, then you’re in for a treat.
The machine can look intimidating but you’ll be surprised how approachable the workout actually is. And when you bring a rowing machine into your home, it can easily be a part of your daily rhythm.
Here’s why getting a rowing machine like the Merach NovaRow R50 can turn your fitness resolution into a habit you actually keep all year.
Low-impact, full body workout 
Just because indoor rowing is a low-impact workout, it doesn’t mean it’s low effort. Each stroke works your legs, core, back, arms, and shoulders in one smooth motion. You get cardio and a bit of strength without pounding on your joints.
That’s what makes it sustainable. Whether you’re just starting out or trying again, indoor rowing meets you where you are on your fitness journey and lets you build progress without wearing you down.
Comfort and stability lead to consistency
There aren’t many workouts where you get to sit down, and that’s the best part about rowing. The Merach NovaRow R50 features an ergonomic, padded seat that won’t make your butt sore after a long session.
Compared to its more expensive counterparts, it also comes with wider foot straps so your feet stay locked in place. Every stroke feels steady and controlled.
Exercise that feels like an experience
Motivation doesn’t come from discipline alone. When workouts are immersive, they stop feeling like obligations.
Built into the free Merach app are guided classes, scenic rows, and games. When you wake up knowing your exercise is going to be fun instead of torture, your resolution can easily develop into a habit that you look forward to.
Better than a gym membership
One sale the Merach NovaRow R50 is $529.99, which is a fraction of what many people pay for a full year at the gym. Unlike a membership, it’s a one time investment that will call to you because it’s already there at home.
Whether it’s raining, freezing, or scorching outside, your new routine will not be dependent on weather conditions. Your habit is set up and ready for you.
At the end of the day, turning a fitness resolution into a lasting habit will always feel like a challenge. But it doesn’t need to be. It’s achievable if you set yourself up with something that fits your budget, lifestyle, and schedule.
Get the Merach R50 on Amazon or if you want an additional 10% discount, use our code GADGET on merachfit.com
SEE ALSO: Trade doomscrolling for these 12 intentional New Year’s resolutions and side quests
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