News
OPPO A71 (2018) launches as yet another budget selfie phone
With a Snapdragon 450 processor!
OPPO just announced a new smartphone. If you want a budget phone powered by Qualcomm’s latest processor, then this year’s A71 is the one you’re looking for.
The old A71 is relatively new but shortlived as the latest A71 (2018) is going to replace it. The new A71 is very similar to its predecessor but has a few improvements and also an odd downgrade.

It has the same 5.2-inch HD display, 16GB of expandable storage, dual-SIM functionality, 13-megapixel rear camera, 5-megapixel selfie shooter, and 3000mAh battery as the original A71. It’s got the exact same body, too.
What’s new is the Snapdragon 450 processor which replaces the old and aging MediaTek MT6750, and the latest ColorOS 3.2 version but still based on Android Nougat. While the processor got an upgrade, the memory went down to just 2GB.
The new software brings AI Beauty mode to the A71, just like with the A83 and the F5 series.
The OPPO A71 (2018) will come in gold and black with an asking price of PKR 19,899 in Pakistan or about US$ 180.
HUAWEI will officially launch the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 in the Philippines on February 19.
HUAWEI says the only Airy C-Bridge open-ear TWS earbuds is the next evolution of open-ear listening.
It is designed for users who want premium sound, all-day comfort, and a truly secure fit — not just as a cutting-edge audio wearable but also as a tech jewelry.
There are several trendy colorways: Denim Blue, Black, Rose Gold, and White. Users can also style the FreeClip 2 with interchangeable accessories, like the Star, Butterfly, Flake, and Tassel designs.
Building on the first-generation FreeClip, the FreeClip 2 introduces a lighter, softer, and new design.
The Acoustic Ball, which houses the audio driver, is contoured and weighted to sit naturally near the ear canal. This change allows directing sound precisely while maintaining an open-ear design.
The counterbalance is the Comfort Bean, a broad and soft contact surface for a stable and ergonomic fit. This rests gently behind the ear and distributes pressure across a wider area.
Meanwhile, the Airy C-Bridge design is crafted from skin-friendly liquid silicone and high-performance shape-memory alloy. It is 25% lighter and is tested to withstand 25,000 bends.
Crystal-clear calls, powerful audio
Performance wise, the FreeClip 2 boasts of clearer sound and more reliable calls in real-world environments.
It is equipped with an advanced three-microphone system, including a Voice Pick Up bone-conduction mic.
The powerful dual-diaphragm driver in a TWS design is also engineered to deliver impressive sound. Users can expect a better bass performance for fuller and more dynamic audio for music, podcasts, and even video calls.
An integrated NPU AI Processor also elevates the listening experience with precise audio processing.
With Adaptive Volume, the wearable detects ambient noise and automatically adjusts playback. Adaptive Voice Enhancement also intelligently amplifies voice based on the content being played or surrounding noise.
Other features include up to 38 hours of usage, iOS and Android compatibility, and IP57 rating.
For its Philippines release, HUAWEI is offering Early Bird Vouchers worth PhP 1,000. On Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok, customers can also get PhP 500 vouchers and two sets of accessories, as well as a one-year, one-time loss compensation service.
Events
Apple’s March 4 Event signals something BIG is coming
When Apple breaks tradition, it usually means something big
Apple is gearing up for a big announcement, and the date is set — March 4, 2026.
Invites have gone out for an in-person “Apple Experience” happening simultaneously in New York, London, and Shanghai.
Typically, Apple hosts just two major in-person events each year: WWDC in June and the iPhone launch in September, both held at its Cupertino campus.
The last time the company staged a third in-person event was in spring 2024 for what became its largest-ever iPad refresh.
In-person events are usually reserved for major product launches, fueling speculation that Apple is preparing to introduce something significant.
While the company hasn’t officially confirmed the lineup, rumors point to a new entry-level Mac laptop featuring an aluminum chassis and bright color finishes.
Noted Apple leaker Mark Gurman says the invite’s yellow, green, and blue accents match colors Apple has reportedly tested for these upcoming devices.
Worth pointing out the three colors from the invite are light green, blue and yellow — which just so happen to be the colors Apple has tested the low-cost MacBook with, as I wrote yesterday. Coincidence? We shall see. https://t.co/1FFVkfw9JZ pic.twitter.com/ssKDDzdJsw
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) February 16, 2026
Additional reports suggest Apple could unveil an iPhone 17e, updated iPad and iPad Air models, upgraded MacBook Pro configurations powered by M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, a refreshed Studio Display, and an enhanced version of Siri with Google Gemini integration.
Whether all of these products make an appearance remains to be seen — but if the rumors hold true, 2026 is shaping up to be a major year for Apple.
Doomscrolling is the greatest enemy to everyone’s productivity today. The temptation to keep on scrolling for hours is an ever-present temptation. Taking a very strong stance against the phenomenon, the European Commission is now investigating TikTok for having an addictive interface.
Via Politico, Brussels is now prodding TikTok to change its interface. Very technically, the European Commission is not out to get doomscrolling, specifically. However, the major changes that they want to introduce “disabling infinite scrolling, setting strict screen time breaks, and changing its recommender systems.”
App addiction is a persistent problem today. Besides concerned parents, governments around the world have been trying to regulate addiction, especially when it comes to children. The European Commission, as is apparent from this new initiative, is at the forefront of preventing addiction.
Though the target is explicitly TikTok right now, changing addictive interfaces will also affect other social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and X. Most platforms nowadays thrive on encouraging users to keep scrolling through more content.
Right now, TikTok isn’t set to change just yet. However, the report states that the European Commission is willing to work with platforms for a better, non-addictive interface. It’s less abrasive than the region’s recent privacy initiatives, which requires users to verify their age before accessing mature content.
-
News1 week agoTECNO will showcase the CAMON 50 and POVA 8 series at MWC 2026
-
Laptops1 week agoTECNO MEGABOOK K16s 13th review: No-frills beneath those grills
-
Gaming2 weeks agoMy Hero Academia: All’s Justice: A familiar Final War, made playable
-
Features1 week agoHUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026: The better-than-ever 4-in-1 productivity tablet
-
Gaming2 weeks agoOverwatch reinvents itself with a new story and five new heroes
-
Gaming2 weeks agoValve is delaying the launch of the Steam Machine
-
Gaming2 weeks agoThe Nintendo Switch is now Nintendo’s best-selling console ever
-
Gaming1 week agoNow Playing: Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties


