Accessories

Apple could launch new entry-level AirPods next year

Along with new AirPods Pro!

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AirPods

Apple’s AirPods have been an instant success, and the brand is all set to capitalize on its gains. A report says the giant could launch an entry-level pair of truly wireless earphones that’ll also be called AirPods, but will technically be the third-generation.

Bloomberg spoke to people familiar with the matter and reported that Apple could launch two AirPods next year — the entry-level AirPods and second-generation AirPods Pro.

The affordable ones are said to have a similar design as the AirPods Pro. It’ll have a smaller stem and replaceable ear tips. Obviously, premium features will be reduced or entirely removed. So, don’t expect active noise cancellation.

On the other hand, the Pro option could become more compact and completely eliminate the stem. The new design could look similar to Samsung and Google’s current TWS offering that looks like a bean and directly fits into anyone’s ears.

However, the report added that making the AirPods Pro more compact was a challenging task and the end result could be less ambitious. Apple is also going to add new wireless charging chips on both the TWS earphones.

While competition from Chinese players has made it difficult for Apple to justify AirPods’s high price, they continue to sell like hot cakes in the developed markets of the US, Europe, and Southeast Asia. An entry-level accessory makes a lot of sense because Apple has been able to successfully implement this strategy with the iPhone SE.

Lastly, the report added that Apple intends to launch over-the-ear headphones but has faced several development challenges in the last couple of years.

Accessories

IQOS x Isabel Santos turns heated tech into a cool, design statement

A limited-edition collaboration where product innovation meets contemporary Filipino art.

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IQOS unveiled its latest collaboration with contemporary Filipino visual artist Isabel Santos.

Titled Curiosity Without Limits, the partnership places product design and personalization at the forefront, using art as the medium that reshapes the experience.

When hardware becomes a canvas

On a Friday night in Makati, RCBC Plaza felt less like a business address and more like a portal. The third floor glowed in deep blues and music echoed through concrete walls.

Inside, a crowd gathered not for a board meeting, but for something far more immersive. At the center stood a curated installation of IQOS devices and limited-edition accessories wrapped in Santos’ signature visual language.

Her works, known for their fluid motion, layered forms, and bold interplay of blue, teal, and bursts of warmth, extended beyond framed canvases and into physical objects people could carry.

Hand-painted IQOS devices, tote bags, pouches, luggage tags, and magnetic snap wallets were displayed like collectible pieces rather than merchandise.

Personalization as part of the ecosystem

Beyond display, the event emphasized interaction. Legal-age IQOS club members were given access to on-site customization stations, where devices could be personalized with exclusive Isabel Santos designs.

The process turned a familiar tech ritual into something participatory, aligning with the broader theme of curiosity driving experimentation.

A digital sensory wall responded to movement, animating Santos’ artwork through ripples and waves.

Nearby, a sketch station allowed guests to draw digitally. Guests were able to see their creations projected in real time onto a large screen. The experience reinforced IQOS’ positioning at the intersection of product innovation and experiential design.

Design meets contemporary culture

Isabel Santos, known for her motion-driven compositions and layered abstractions, unveiled and signed a central artwork created exclusively for the collaboration.

Her ability to translate emotional rhythm into visual form brought dimension to IQOS’ structured aesthetic.

The partnership was announced by PMFTC Inc., the Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris International, framing the initiative as a design-led project for legal-age nicotine users who would otherwise continue to smoke.

While IQOS devices are engineered around heated tobacco technology, the collaboration highlighted how design can influence perception and experience. The devices remained technologically consistent. What evolved was the narrative around them.

Beyond the launch

IQOS is positioning its hardware not only as a technological alternative, but as a lifestyle object shaped by collaboration and  customization.

The IQOS x Isabel Santos collection extends to participating IQOS boutiques nationwide. Select locations in Bonifacio Global City, SM Mall of Asia, and Glorietta offer personalization services for a limited time, with a dedicated in-store installation unveiled at the Glorietta boutique.

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Jackery portable power solutions makes appearance at Doraemon Run

New portable power solutions provider set to make official launch soon

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Jackery recently made its first public presence in the Philippines quietly after being among the sponsors of the Doraemon Run 2026 Manila.

The portable power solutions provider founded in 2012 in California showcased three of their innovative charging products at their booth: the Explorer 100 Plus, Explorer 300 Plus, and Explorer 1000 V2.

Naturally, participants at the fun run were able to recharge their small devices for free with Jackery’s products at the booth.

The biggest variant, the Explorer 1000 V2, has a total power storage of 1070Wh. Along with a 1500W maximum output power, it can easily recharge gadgets like smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, earbuds, cameras, and even drones.

It also has multiple USB-C, AC, and DC ports for simultaneous charging of such devices.

Interestingly, the smallest variant, the Explorer 100 Plus, does champion portability. It costs just about PhP 6,999 and comes with a 99.2Wh capacity. That’s about more than 26,000mAh and is enough to recharge five smartphones.

It comes with a USB-A and two USB-C ports, and is much like a slightly larger power bank. Although, make no mistake, it is also approved for flights.

All three of Jackery’s Explorer models also have an informative digital display. The brand also had the Solar Saga 100W foldable solar panel on display. This standalone backup power solution has an IP68 water resistance.

Currently, Jackery’s products are available online via Lazada and Shopee. An official launch event is expected later this year.

The brand name is an amalgamation of the words “jacket” and “battery”. This is a nod to what Jackery produced a decade ago: jacket batteries for consumer tech companies.

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Apple AirTag 2 Review

Range, Sound, and REAL-WORLD Tests!

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THE Michael Josh puts AirTags in his bags, suitcases, keys, heck, even his TV remote.

They’ve saved him many times and keep anxiety at bay when it comes to delayed or missing baggage.

And just about last month, Apple announced a new model — the same size, shape, and price. But, it comes with a whole bunch of improvements that make it more findable.

So, should you rush out to get the new ones? In this review video, we test the range and sound of the all-new AirTag 2 in the real world.

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