News

Here’s the lineup for WWDC 2021

Opening with an Apple Keynote

Published

on

WWDC 2021 is just around the corner. The event is happening on June 7 and will kick-off with an Apple Keynote at 10AM PDT (June 8, 1AM GMT+8). The event will cover details about the future of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS.

The conference will offer developers the opportunity to engage with each other. Developers will also be able to interact directly with Apple engineers for guidance on building innovative and platform-differentiating apps and games.

Here’s the event schedule:

Apple Keynote June 7, 10AM PDT (June 8, 1AM GMT+8)

WWDC21 kicks off with the unveiling of exciting new updates coming to all Apple platforms later this year. Streamed directly from Apple Park, the keynote address will be available via apple.com, the Apple Developer app, the Apple TV app, and YouTube, with on-demand playback available after the conclusion of the stream.

Platforms State of the Union, June 7, 2PM PDT (June 8, 5AM GMT+8)

Take a deeper dive into the new tools, technologies, and advances across Apple platforms that will help Apple developers create even better apps. Platforms State of the Union will stream via the Apple Developer app and the Apple Developer website.

Apple Design Awards, June 10, 2PM PDT (June 11, 5AM GMT+8)

Every year, the Apple Design Awards celebrate the creative artistry, craftsmanship, and technical achievement of Apple developers. The Apple Design Awards will stream via the Apple Developer app and the Apple Developer website.

Access to Experts

Featuring over 200 in-depth sessions, one-on-one labs, and more, WWDC21 will provide unprecedented access to Apple engineers and designers so developers can learn about the latest tools and technologies to help them create the next generation of apps. Apple Developer Programme members can request one-on-one lab consultations with more than 1,000 Apple experts to ask questions about the latest APIs and best practices, and apply for user interface and design reviews. Apple engineers will also be available in Apple Developer Forums throughout the week to answer questions and engage in technical discussions. Beginning June 8, session videos will be posted each day and will be available in the Apple Developer app and on the Apple Developer website.

Special Event

In addition to sessions and lab consultations with Apple engineers and designers, WWDC21 will feature special activities and events designed to celebrate developers and bring the community together. Try a coding or design challenge, learn from guest speakers, and more.

Pavilions

New for WWDC21, Pavilions provide an easy way for developers to explore relevant sessions, labs, and special activities for a given topic. Conference attendees can customize their WWDC experience and check out content organised around specific areas like SwiftUI, Developer Tools, Accessibility & Inclusion, and more — exclusively within the Apple Developer app.

On June 1, Apple will celebrate student developers from all over the world with the announcement of winners in the Swift Student Challenge, an opportunity for students of all ages to showcase their love of coding by creating their own Swift playground.

Developers are encouraged to download the Apple Developer app where additional WWDC21 information will be shared ahead of June 7.

Drones

DJI officially launches the Avata 360 with 8K immersive imaging

The new flagship drone introduces 1-inch sensors and 360-degree capture to the FPV world.

Published

on

DJI just redefined the “single take.”

The new DJI Avata 360 combines the raw thrill of FPV flight with a flagship 8K 360° camera system. It effectively gives creators a flying virtual camera that sees everything at once.

This means you no longer have to worry about pointing a gimbal while flying at high speeds. You can simply record the entire environment and choose your favorite angles later in post-production.

Brilliant imaging, post-flight freedom

The headline feature is the imaging, which utilizes dual 1-inch-equivalent sensors capable of 8K/60fps HDR video and 120MP stills.

These massive 2.4 μm pixels handle low light and high dynamic range like a pro, ensuring light and shadow are captured with exquisite clarity.

If you prefer a more traditional look, you can switch to Single Lens mode to capture classic Avata-style cinematic lines in 4K/60fps.

Because the drone records in a full sphere, the Virtual Gimbal feature allows for infinite rotation and tilt during editing.

You can fly in one direction while digitally rotating the horizon or shifting the perspective to look directly behind the drone without ever changing your actual flight path.

Flagship transmission, smarter safety

DJI didn’t just slap a new camera on the old frame. They beefed up the internals to ensure the flight experience is as stable as the footage.

The drone leverages the flagship O4+ video transmission system to deliver crystal-clear 1080p/60fps feeds with a massive 20 km range and strong anti-interference capabilities.

Safety has also seen a major upgrade with Nightscape omnidirectional obstacle sensing. This makes sunset and low-light flights significantly less stressful.

Plus, the front lens element now features a user-replaceable design. If you push a gap a little too hard and scratch the glass, you can swap it out yourself instead of shipping the whole unit back for repairs.

Intelligent tracking, high-speed workflow

The magic continues once the drone is back on the ground through the DJI Fly and Studio apps.

Features like ActiveTrack 360° and Spotlight Free allow the drone to lock onto subjects and replicate sophisticated camera movements that usually require a professional dual-operator setup.

With 42GB of internal storage and high-speed Wi-Fi 6 transfer, you can capture 30 minutes of 8K footage without an SD card and beam it to your phone at up to 100 MB/s.

Price, availability

The DJI Avata 360 is compatible with DJI Goggles, the RC Motion 3, and standard RC 2 controllers, with pre-orders live today and shipping starting in April 2026.

  • DJI Avata 360 (DJI RC 2): PhP 38,290
  • DJI Avata 360 Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2): PhP 47,890
  • DJI Avata 360 Motion Fly More Combo (Goggles N3): PhP 47,890
Continue Reading

Automotive

The Changan Eado Plus officially lands in the Philippines

Its aggressive launch pricing challenges the compact sedan status quo.

Published

on

Inchcape Philippines is officially shaking up the compact sedan segment.

The Changan Eado Plus has arrived on local shores, and it’s gunning for the top spot in your driveway.

Available in two trims — Luxe and Lite — the Eado Plus offers the Filipino driver a car that looks like a million bucks without the massive price tag.

Modern aesthetic inside and out

On the outside, the Eado Plus makes a bold statement with its prominent three-dimensional grille and streamlined body lines.

This polished, premium look relies on LED lighting to command a strong presence on the road. Inside, a meticulously curated cabin handles the daily grind with ease.

The Luxe variant carries a massive 10-inch touchscreen equipped with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Meanwhile, the Lite variant keeps you connected with a 7-inch display.

To beat the local climate, Changan included a PM2.5 air filter to keep the cabin air clean, alongside a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that puts all your vital driving data front and center.

Performance and safety without compromise

Under the hood, a 1.5L Bluecore gasoline engine powers both variants. This engine works with a 7-speed wet-type dual-clutch transmission (WDCT) to deliver a stable, responsive ride.

For those who want more control, the Luxe variant offers selectable Eco and Normal driving modes to match your mood or the traffic conditions.

Safety remains a top priority, as the Eado Plus houses a comprehensive suite of protection. Beyond the standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP), the car packs in practical features like rear parking sensors, tire pressure monitoring, and ISOFIX tethers for families.

Pricing, availability

To celebrate the launch, Changan offers the Eado Plus with aggressive introductory pricing through April 30, 2026.

During this period, the 1.5 Luxe DCT costs only PhP 749,999, while the 1.5 Lite DCT goes for just PhP 699,000. These rates offer a significant discount from the standard prices of PhP 799,999 and PhP 750,000, respectively.

Drivers can choose from four colors: White, Black, Andean Gray, and Titanium Silver Gray (via special order).

Continue Reading

Gaming

Nintendo will make it cheaper to buy digital games than physical

Physical releases will have the same price.

Published

on

The days of lining up for a newly released game are well and truly over. Though some games still experience shortages in brick-and-mortar stores, such as the widely successful Pokémon Pokopia, gamers can get their titles digitally. Now, Nintendo is making digital releases more enticing by offering a tempting discount on the eShop.

Starting in May, Nintendo will start charging different prices for the physical and digital releases of first-party games. While physical releases will still have the same prices going forward, digital releases via the eShop will enjoy a discount.

The discount, of course, will likely depend on the title itself. Nintendo has already given the upcoming Yoshi and the Mysterious Book as the first example. The new platformer will cost US$ 70 from retailers. However, it will cost only US$ 60 on the digital eShop.

The company says that the new pricing scheme “simply reflects the different costs associated with producing and distributing each format.” With the prices of chips skyrocketing, it’s no surprise that the physical release is more expensive than the digital one.

To be more technical about it, Nintendo has started skipping a physical game card for a while now. The physical release of Pokémon Pokopia, for example, has only a game-key card or a code to download the game. In this format, physical releases are just pretty cases you can display on your shelf.

Also, digital releases do carry the added risk of getting delisted on the whims of the developers, the publishers, or Nintendo itself. It is, however, still a cheaper option, especially in a world where getting any discount is a welcome thought.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo sues the United States

Continue Reading

Trending