News
Apple Watch brings back recalled blood oxygen sensor
First recalled in 2023 because of a patent dispute
In late 2023, Apple faced an unprecedented dilemma. Because the Apple Watch uses a blood oxygen sensor patented by someone else, the company was forced to recall most of its smartwatches in the United States. Today, Apple has resolved the issue and has started rolling out the feature once again to users.
Previously, Masimo, the opposing company, claimed that the Apple Watch uses a light-based blood oxygen sensor that it had first patented. As such, Apple was illegally using the technology inside the watch, hence the recall. The keyword here is “inside”.
Apple has announced a fix for the issue. Rather than redesigning the entire smartwatch, the company has an innovative solution. The sensor now lies in the paired iPhone, instead of the Apple Watch. By doing so, Apple circumvents the lawsuit’s issue.
The newly redesigned feature will ship out via the iPhone’s iOS 18.6.1 update and the Watch’s watchOS 11.6.1 update. “Following this update, sensor data from the Blood Oxygen app on Apple Watch will be measured and calculated on the paired iPhone, and results can be viewed in the Respiratory section of the Health app,” Apple said.
The update will come to the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2. It will have no effect on previous watches with the blood oxygen sensor already built in. Likewise, smartwatches purchased outside of the United States are not affected.
SEE ALSO: Apple will reportedly add cameras to the Apple Watch
Finance
EastWest rolls out Google Pay access for debit cardholders
For fast, seamless, and secure payments
Eastwest continues to make banking easier as its EastWest Debit Card is now on Google Pay. This enables users to pay with just the tap of their phone.
The integration brings a globally accepted payment experience closer to home. With Google Pay now supporting EastWest Debit Cards, customers can add their card to Google Wallet to enjoy fast, seamless, and secure payments.
That’s whether for everyday purchases, online shopping, or even when traveling overseas. Specifically for Eastwest Priority clients who travel frequently, Visa Infinite Debit Cardholders can enjoy more benefits, like:
- Low foreign exchange fees of 1.7% (with no foreign exchange bank conversion fees promo until March 31)
- Waived interbank domestic withdrawal fees
- Up to 10 free international ATM withdrawals per year (with free and unlimited international ATM withdrawals promo until March 31)
- 24/7 access to Visa Infinite Concierge
From casual cafe purchases to grocery checkouts and even online purchases and international trips, having EastWest on Google Pay transforms the smartphone into a secure, all-in-one wallet.
As with other banks offering the same capabilities, users do not need to carry their physical card with them anymore. A simple tap with a compatible Android device or wearable completes the transaction.
EastWest’s Debit Cards are powered by Visa, and are accepted at millions of merchants worldwide.
News
Globe postpaid opens pre-orders for Samsung Galaxy S26 series
Enjoy a double the storage promo and more perks
Globe has officially opened pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S26 series through its postpaid plans.
Customers can choose from three different models: the Samsung Galaxy S26, the Galaxy S26 Plus, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
As with Globe GPlans with previous flagship releases, the higher the postpaid plan you avail, the less you have to shell out as a one-time cashout fee.
Postpaid plans start at just 599 pesos, with a 24-month lock-in period and reward points for corresponding expenditures.
And as part of Globe’s pre-order offer, customers can enjoy double the storage when they avail of any device until March 17.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how much you will spend depending on the plan you choose:
Globe GPlan 599
Inclusions: 2GB data, 100 minutes mobile and landline calls, 100 minutes all-net texts
- Galaxy S26 (512GB): PhP 47,400 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Plus (512GB): PhP 59,400 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB): PhP 67,400 cashout
Globe GPlan 799
Inclusions: 3GB data, unlimited all-net calls (including landline) and texts
- Galaxy S26 (512GB): PhP 46,000 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Plus (512GB): PhP 58,000 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB): PhP 66,000 cashout
Globe GPlan 999
Inclusions: 5GB data, unlimited all-net calls (including landline) and texts
- Galaxy S26 (512GB): PhP 44,000 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Plus (512GB): PhP 56,000 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB): PhP 64,000 cashout
Globe GPlan 1299
Inclusions: 8GB data, unlimited all-net calls (including landline) and texts
- Galaxy S26 (512GB): PhP 42,000 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Plus (512GB): PhP 54,000 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB): PhP 62,000 cashout
Globe GPlan 1499
Inclusions: 10GB data, unlimited all-net calls (including landline) and texts
- Galaxy S26 (512GB): PhP 38,600 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Plus (512GB): PhP 50,600 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB): PhP 58,600 cashout
Globe GPlan 1799
Inclusions: 13GB data, unlimited all-net calls (including landline) and texts
- Galaxy S26 (512GB): PhP 35,300 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Plus (512GB): PhP 47,300 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB): PhP 55,300 cashout
Globe GPlan 1999
Inclusions: 15GB data, unlimited all-net calls (including landline) and texts
- Galaxy S26 (512GB): PhP 33,000 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Plus (512GB): PhP 45,000 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB): PhP 53,000 cashout
Globe GPlan 2499
Inclusions: 25GB data, unlimited all-net calls (including landline) and texts
- Galaxy S26 (512GB): PhP 28,500 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Plus (512GB): PhP 40,500 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB): PhP 48,500 cashout
In addition, customers can enjoy 0% interest installment up to 36 months via select bank credit cards, like UnionBank, BDO, BPI, Metrobank, EastWest, Chinabank, and more.
What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? After a year of wrestling through tariffs from the current American administration, Nintendo has decided to sue the United States.
Last year, the Trump administration was trigger-happy with implement tariffs on countries everywhere. Though the controversy mostly circulated around geopolitics, major corporations also found themselves on the receiving end of Trump’s ire. All over the world, the tariffs sparked product delays and price hikes.
Nintendo is no exception. As a result of the fiasco, the company had to delay the launch of the Switch 2, in anticipation of disruptions caused by the tariffs. First reported by Aftermath, the Japanese gaming giant is now going after the American government over refunds associated with the tariffs.
Now, the tariffs aren’t a big issue anymore. Notably, the Supreme Court scratched off the White House’s implementations that the former found illegal. While a big sigh of relief for future business, corporations like Nintendo have already paid duties and deposits in the past. As a result, Nintendo is now looking for recompense for what they paid before.
Nintendo isn’t the first company to seek restitution over the illegal tariffs. Others, including FedEx and Revlon, are also asking for refunds. However, the Japanese giant is certainly one of the biggest names to cross the government’s path. After all, the company is notoriously litigious over anything it considers as an affront to its business, including small streamers using Pokémon on their broadcasts.
With all its global resources, Nintendo likely won’t just give up without a fight.
SEE ALSO: The Nintendo Switch is now Nintendo’s best-selling console ever
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