News

First look: ASUS ZenFone 3 Laser, ZenFone 3 Max

Published

July 21, 2016

Monch Lopez

While the world awaits the arrival of the ZenFone 3, in Vietnam, two new ASUS budget phones were made official as the company continues its 2016 makeover of popular smartphone spin-offs.

The ASUS ZenFone 3 Laser and ZenFone 3 Max join the ZenFone 3, ZenFone 3 Ultra, and ZenFone 3 Deluxe announced in its native Taiwan last May 2016.

And just like their higher-end cousins, the 2016 Laser and Max feature polished metal unibody designs that look identical and feel better in the hand—not to mention they’re thinner and lighter than their predecessors’. It’s obvious they share the same DNA, but there are different selling points for each phone: a more capable camera for the Laser; a long-lasting battery for the Max.

The designs don’t match the premium aesthetic of the other ZenFone 3 models—we’re not entirely convinced the cases are entirely made of metal—but that can be forgiven.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow is the platform of choice for these latest ZenFones, and this time around, the software nuances that layer the interface are prettier and less intrusive and don’t seem to impact responsiveness too much. Of course, they come with (mostly) upgraded internals as well, which is expected of smartphone successors.

The one thing you won’t find on most budget phones, however, is a fingerprint scanner present on the back of both devices. It’s fast and reliable, though it bears noting the Laser unlocks faster. Neither is as good as the one on the ZenFone 3 or ZenFone 3 Deluxe. For what it’s worth, the scanner on the Laser is oblong in shape; the Max’s has a squarish design with rounded edges.

zenfone-3-laser-camera

Of the two, the ZenFone 3 Laser takes photography more seriously, with a camera bump to show for it. The device sports a 13-megpixel rear camera that takes better photos than the 13-megapixel shooter on the Max, and works well enough to allow for some background blur. There’s also an improved laser autofocus system around the back (which the Max doesn’t have) for quick, crisp shooting.

A 5.5-inch, full-resolution display with curved corners dominates the front of the device, while an octa-core Qualcomm 430 chip backed by 4GB of RAM powers the entire assembly.

The ZenFone 3 Max, meanwhile, is better equipped to handle the rigors of daily use, with its moderately sized 5.2-inch display and 4,100mAh battery and ability to charge other phones or devices.

ASUS ZenFones old and new. From left to right: ZenFone 3 Max, ZenFone Max, ZenFone 3 Laser, ZenFone 2 Laser

But although the high-capacity cell is something all road warriors will appreciate, we can’t help but question ASUS’ choice to include a smaller battery than that of the original Max. We suppose a compromise had to be made to come up with a sleeker phone, but time will tell if consumers embrace the decision. Nevertheless, the 3GB of RAM inside the new Max should be plenty for multitasking.

Anyway, you get the idea. Different phones for different types of users—ASUS followed the same formula last year to great success. The company shipped 20.5 million ZenFones in 2015; this year, it has set a grander goal: 25 million units sold globally.

The ZenFone 3 Laser and ZenFone 3 Max are priced at 5,990,000 (around $270) and 4,490,000 ($200) Vietnamese dong, respectively. They’ll soon be available in Vietnam, and a wider rollout is expected in the future. The Philippines might see them hit stores in August at the earliest; India and the rest of the world might have to wait until the third quarter of 2016.

[irp posts=”7939″ name=”ASUS ZenFone 3 Max 5.5-inch review”]

Related Topics:ASUS ZenFone 3 ZenFone 3 Laser ZenFone 3 Max

Apps

Here’s how to share your Spotify Wrapped 2023 with everyone

Also available on desktop for the first time ever

Published

November 30, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

Psst. It’s that time of the year again. If you’ve been on social media lately, you might have noticed the start of Spotify Wrapped posts. Everyone is keen to share which songs they were obsessed over this entire year. If you want to join in the fun, here’s how you can share your top songs and artists for the year.

Starting today, Spotify Wrapped is now available. As long as your app is updated, the yearly feature should already be available. You can find the button for your Wrapped right on your home screen.

Clicking on the feature will take you to the traditional story-like sequence showcasing your favorite music and when you listened to them. At the end of the sequence, you’ll get a variety of color options to share your list on social media. This year’s theme is more psychedelic, so you can show off a lot more color for your feed.

Additionally, after you view the sequence (and during, for your most listened-to artist), you can access special messages shot by your most played artists as a thank you for supporting them throughout the year. The top artist will get a special spot in your stories, too.

Besides the usual way of viewing your Wrapped on mobile, Spotify is also making Wrapped 2023 available on desktop for the first time ever. The desktop version isn’t really new as it still offers the same story sequence, though. Still, it’s a good addition if you prefer using Spotify on a PC.

Gaming

Netflix is getting three classic Grand Theft Auto games next month

All three in remastered glory

Published

November 30, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

If you need something light to play amid the bushel of bigger games released this year, you might be sleeping on Netflix’s growing library of games. After packing a significant amount of indie classics on the platform, Netflix is now adding more mainstream hits starting next month. Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition will arrive on the platform in December.

While it’s no Grand Theft Auto V, the trilogy collection three of the most iconic titles in the series: Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City, and San Andreas. The three games represent an era when Rockstar Games had unparalleled dominance in the open-world genre. Released in 2021, the collection releases the trilogy for modern systems, complete with upgraded (albeit controversial) graphics.

The trilogy is a big get for Netflix. Though the platform’s games catalog already has certified hits (such as Spiritfarer and Into the Breach), Netflix’s new feature hasn’t taken off as much as the company would want. Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy might be its most iconic addition yet, potentially boosting its value for subscribers (especially those who don’t want to pay full price for old games).

For Rockstar Games, the addition couldn’t have come at a better time. The studio has already confirmed that it will release the first trailer for the much-awaited Grand Theft Auto VI next month. The series is about to get a big boost.

If you want to play Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, the three games will drop on Netflix starting December 14. As with all of Netflix’s other games, the trilogy is available for free for all subscribers through a mobile device.

News

Limited-edition vivo V29 5G in Rose Pink now available

Make the holidays brighter

Published

November 28, 2023

GadgetMatch

vivo is releasing a limited-edition Rose Pink-colored vivo V29 5G in time for the holidays.

Available starting on December 1, the Rose Pink edition is the third color option for vivo’s premier device under the V series. It joins the Starry Purple and Magic Maroon colorways.

The Rose Pink variant comes with a delicate pink hue that is reminiscent of winter sunset. It also has gradient hues and textured ripples inspired by a sea of pink roses.

The colorway is only available on the vivo V29 5G which. It is priced at PhP 24,999 (12GB+256GB) and PhP 26,999 (12GB+256GB).

The vivo V29 5G packs a punch with powerful features, including a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen with a 2880×1260 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, a 4,600mAh battery with 80W fast charge, and a 50MP OIS main camera along with a 50MP front camera.

The more affordable vivo V29e 5G, meanwhile, is still available in the Crystal Blue and Forest Black. It retails for just PhP 18,999.

Make A Wish campaign

For those who are interested in getting the Rose Pink edition of the vivo V29 5G, vivo has a Make A Wish campaign that invites customers to join for a chance to win exclusive gifts and prizes, including the phone itself.

To join the festivities, visit the microsite here and answer the simple question What is your Christmas wish?

This article is a sponsored press release from vivo Philippines.