News

Apple is reportedly working on an iPad for a smart home

A tablet with a robotic arm

Published

August 15, 2024

Luigi Leonardo

Apple’s smart home lineup is faltering. Though the HomePod is still in circulation, the brand isn’t usually on top of everyone’s mind for a smart home product. Now, according to a new report, Apple is reportedly back in front of the drawing board for a tabletop tablet.

As first reported by Bloomberg, Apple is working on a tablet-like display maneuverable with a robotic arm. Meant to be placed on a hard surface, the device is supposed to make it easy for users at home to access technology handsfree, much like other smart home appliances.

For those who are familiar with the smart home segment, it will likely look like the Amazon Echo Show. Amazon’s device is a tablet-like device meant for the home and built with Alexa installed inside.

With the HomePod already a force for Siri, it’s highly likely that Apple’s supposedly new smart home device will also have the voice assistant inside. In fact, it might even have the new Apple Intelligence when it comes out.

According to the same report, the unannounced device will debut as early as 2026. The next few years is seemingly critical for the company. For years, Apple has subsisted on a limited number of segments for users. If the latest rumors are true, the brand is expanding beyond the realm of simple phones, tablets, and notebooks — right into foldable and home devices.

Gaming

The regular PlayStation 5 is getting an AI upscaling feature

The feature debuts with Wolverine and Ghost of Yotei.

Published

October 2, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

If you’re an owner of a regular PlayStation 5, watching a PS5 Pro owner might touch you with a tinge of jealousy. Besides the upgraded console’s better hardware, it also has something called the PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), which uses AI to improve resolution and framerate. Unfortunately, that feature isn’t available on the regular console. But Sony is throwing the classic console a bone today by adding Quick Spectral Super Resolution (QSSR), which does the same as PSSR but on the older machine.

Since the introduction of PSSR, fans and developers alike have asked whether the older console can have a version of the technology. Developed with AMD, QSSR is an AI upscaling feature that improves performance for modern games on the PlayStation 5. For now, the feature is debuting first on Ghost of Yotei and Marvel’s Wolverine via a set of patches. Moving forward, Sony will also allow its developers to add the feature for their respective games.

Now, the choice of games is deliberate. Marvel’s Wolverine is still fresh on everyone’s mind. Meanwhile, Ghost of Yotei has just released a Complete Edition, which packs in a new story expansion and a roguelike mode. You don’t even need to Complete Edition or the corresponding paid upgrade to enjoy the new feature.

News

iPhone 18 Pro series pre-orders now open via Power Mac Center

Philippines gears up for iPhone 18 Pro series midnight launch later this month

Published

October 1, 2026

GadgetMatch

Premier Apple partner Power Mac Center (PMC) in the Philippines has opened pre-orders for the newest iPhone 18 Pro series.

As part of the announcement, exclusive activities were held at Greenbelt 3 and SM Mall of Asia. The nationwide pre-order opens on October 2.

Being among the first to pre-order the latest iPhone entitles customers to secure premium freebies.

Those visiting the aforementioned mall activations will also enjoy pre-order kits and UpTrade Boost, as well as freebies and a chance to win raffle prizes.

In any case, by October 2, nationwide pre-order will commence at Apple Premium partner stores. Meanwhile, PMC stores nationwide will accept pre-orders during mall hours.

In-store pre-order customers will also get pre-order kits and UpTrade Boost. In addition, there will be early access for customers who will line up for partner-exclusive offers at select locations:

BPI at Greenbelt 3
UnionBank at SM Megamall, The Annex SM North EDSA, Molito Lifestyle Center
Billease at SM City Tuguegarao

Lastly, customers who prefer online transactions can visit PMC’s official web store and the new official Lazada flagship store starting October 2.

Customers may use their 1 Infinite loyalty points as payment. Bank offers are also available.

The pre-order period ends on October 15.

iPhone 18 Pro series midnight launch

As usual, the iPhone 18 Pro series will officially be welcomed in the Philippines through a midnight launch.

There will be six locations where customers can take part in the festivities: Greenbelt 3, SM Mall of Asia, SM City Iloilo, SM Lanang, SM Megamall, and SM North EDSA.

Midnight launch participants can get exclusive gifts when they avail in select locations:

Additional freebies for first 75 customers: Greenbelt 3 and SM Mall of Asia
Additional freebies for first 50 customers: SM City Iloilo and SM Lanang
Additional freebies for first 25 customers: SM Megamall and SM North EDSA
Voucher for non-Apple accessory: Midnight selling participants at SM Megamall and SM North EDSA

More details will be announced on Power Mac Center’s social media accounts.

News

Apple wants to release new iPhones more regularly

Apple CEO John Ternus is aiming for a new direction.

Published

October 1, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Only a month after taking the reins from Tim Cook, Apple CEO John Ternus already changed how the company runs. As you’ve probably gathered, the company is now experimenting with a new release schedule by launching the two Pro models ahead of the regular iPhone duo. According to a new report, it’s all intentional as Ternus looks to make the company’s releases much more regular and unique.

That should come as no surprise for everyone. As opposed to the more managerial style of Tim Cook, Ternus comes specifically from an engineering background, ensuring that we’ll likely get crazier ideas going forward.

Right now, we don’t know how this new status quo will look like. It’s likely that we’ll see the regular iPhone 18 siblings next year, but who knows what else Apple has planned? Currently, there are rumors that the company might host a home-themed event this month.

Apple is now going through the tough teething stage of Ternus’s young term. Besides changing schedules, the company is also slowly shelving some projects to make itself leaner. Unfortunately, doing so also means layoffs. At the very least, Apple is allowing affected employees to find new work within the company to prevent getting laid off.