Accessories

Best of 2020: Our favorite iPhone cases

Stylish, protective, and functional!

Published

December 24, 2020

MJ Jucutan

As always, iPhones are the easiest to dress up with stylish cases. They’re clean, simple, and doesn’t come with loud, gradient designs that make it hard for you to cover them up.

There are a lot of gorgeous cases to choose from, and here are our favorite iPhone cases in 2020.

Apple’s Silicone Case with MagSafe

Image/APPLE

Apple’s Silicone Case with MagSafe is a delightful way to protect your iPhone. Its silky, soft-touch finish feels great, and it has built-in magnets for quick attachment and faster wireless charging. Shop here.

Mujjo’s Full Leather Wallet Case

Image/MUJJO

Mujjo’s Full Leather Wallet Case speaks convenience and efficiency, without forsaking style. Its cardholder can carry up to three cards, and the case comes in a durable yet gorgeous leather design producing a beautiful patina over time. Shop here.

LifeProof WĀKE

Image/LIFEPROOF

LifeProof’s WĀKE is crafted from salvaged fishing gear, made up of over 85 percent ocean-based recycled plastic. In a sea of sustainable phone cases, this one stands atop the ocean. It has a DropProof rating up to six feet and works with Apple’s MagSafe charger and other Qi wireless charging. More importantly, you get to donate a dollar to a water-conscious nonprofit partner when you purchase their case. Shop here.

OtterBox Otter + Pop Symmetry Clear

Image/OTTERBOX

Keeping it clear and functional, but with a little bit of pizazz with its Stardust design — that’s OtterBox’s theme for this year with its Otter + Pop Symmetry clear case. Shop here.

Pela Eco-Friendly iPhone Case

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Pela’s Eco-friendly iPhone cases are soft, flexible, smooth, and made of environment-friendly material, making these cases 100 percent compostable. They also donate a percentage of their sales to Ocean Cleanup and Preservation Initiatives to help lessen plastic pollution. Shop here.

Spigen MagArmor

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For those who like it protected, Spigen’s MagArmor might be the one to suit up your iPhone. It looks sleek with its slim, grip-friendly design and slick matte finish, and it has a built-in magnetic ring for MagSafe. It covers all your protective needs without looking bland. Shop here.

Native Union Clic Canvas

Image/NATIVE UNION

Instead of going after a plain case to cover up your plain iPhone, add some character with Native Union’s Clic Canvas. Its cases are slim, durable, and has a unique tactile finish using a woven fabric. Shop here.

Nomad Rugged Folio

Image/NOMAD

The best case, for those who want to be taken seriously, would be Nomad’s Rugged Folio case. It’s built with a high-grade polycarbonate body with an internal shock absorption bumper and offers ample storage — three card slots and one cash slot — for your essentials. Its supple Horween leather develops a patina with time and will look gorgeous as it grows old with you. Shop here.

Chanel case with Chain

Image/CHANEL

If you’re feeling fancy and have a lot of spare cash to splurge on a designer phone case, then look no further. Chanel came up with a smartphone case with chains for added protection — without forsaking style. The case uses a black grained lambskin together with gold-tone metal. Shop here.

Awsaccy Emily in Paris Phone Case

Image/AWSACCY

Ever wished you can roam and shine like Emily Cooper? Make sure you sport Awsaccy’s Emily in Paris phone case, Emily’s vintage camera-like phone case in the Netflix’s Emily in Paris. Shop here.

Uniq Transforma

Image/UNIQ

For those looking after functionality and versatility, Singaporean brand Uniq offers an ultimate hands-free experience with its Transforma series. It has an integrated foldable stand — perfect for when you’re texting, having a video call, or watching movies. It’s also drop certified up to six feet. Shop here.

Accessories

2023 Minimal Desk Setup

With Logitech’s newest keyboard and mouse

Published

January 28, 2023

GadgetMatch

Last week, Apple launched the new Mac mini, a BYODKM device — bring your own display keyboard and mouse.

Paired with Apple’s Studio Display, this is the perfect time to pair it with a keyboard and mouse from Logitech!

But how will Michael Josh’s revamp his 2023 desk setup?

Watch our special Logitech desk setup and styling video now to know more!

Accessories

Google is working on an AirTag competitor

Codenamed “grogu”

Published

January 18, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

Since its launch, the AirTag has created a whirlwind of controversy because of how the tracking device was used (or misused). Today, the general consensus is that the AirTag offers more benefits than potential drawbacks. Everyone now wants in. Google, according to a recent finding, is reportedly working on its own AirTag competitor.

Via Kuba Wojciechowski and Mishaal Rahman on Twitter, Google is developing quite a bit in the tracking device segment. The developers are currently expanding the lineup of Fast Pair to include support for more locator tags like the AirTag. However, besides support for other devices, the development also includes references to a first-party tracking device.

The device, “grogu” as it’s currently called, is under development by the Nest team. It will include on-board speakers and Bluetooth LE support.

Google has not hinted at any developments to confirm any upcoming tracking device. With the currently available information, it’s impossible to check what the final product will be called or what features it will come with.

A Google-based tracking device will still be a godsend for users, though. Currently, only Tile offers an alternative to the Apple-based AirTag. Besides allowing users to keep track of their misplaced devices, a tracking device is now an essential must-have for travelers to make sure airlines don’t accidentally misplace pieces of luggage.

Accessories

Sony brings back the Walkman

There are two new models

Published

January 17, 2023

Rodneil Quiteles

What is a Sony Walkman? For those who don’t know, ‘Walkman’ is essentially Sony’s branding for their line of portable music players. It had versions that played cassette tapes, CDs, and mp3 files. Now, in the era of streaming, the Walkman is making a comeback.

Two new models

Sony Walkman NW-ZX707

Sony is adding two models to the lineup. These are the NW-ZX707, and the NW-A306. Yes, Sony’s robotic nomenclature is alive in well even in the Walkman line.

The NW-ZX707 has a 5-inch display, enhanced battery life, balanced connection, and Wi-Fi compatibility for downloading and streaming. Updated components from high-ends models were used on the device. This is to make sure it delivers high sound quality.

It integrates a DSD Remastering Engine where PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) audio is resampled into an 11.2 MHz DSD (Direct Stream Digital).

Then, there’s the NW-A306. It’s a much more compact modern Walkman. It has a 3.6-inch touch screen as well tactile physical music controls for those who like to feel them buttons.

This new walkman is made with premium aluminium milled frame and weighs only 7oz.

High quality sound

Sony Walkman NW-A306

Naturally, high quality sound is the name of the game for this pair of devices. Walkman’s independently developed S-Master HX digital amp technology was used to make it compatible with native DSD format.

What it does is reduce distortion and noise across a wide range of frequencies. This results in a rich and full-bodied sound, further enhanced by a new high-quality sound lead-free solder.

The NW-ZX707 and the NW-A306 both use Edge-AI (Artificial Intelligence), and DSEE Ultimate™ (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) which upscales compressed digital music files in real-time. The evolving algorithm now delivers even greater benefits for CD-quality (16-bit 44.1/48kHz) lossless codec audio.
This restores subtleties and dynamic range providing a richer and more complete listening experience.

Battery life

The NW-ZX707 has a battery life of up to 25 hours of 44.1kHz FLAC playback, up to 23 hours1 of 96 kHz FLAC High-Resolution Audio playback, or up to 22 hours2 even when streaming.

The NW-A306 has a battery life of up to 36 hours1 of 44.1kHz FLAC playback, up to 32 hours1 of 96kHz FLAC high-resolution audio playback, or even up to 26 hours with streaming service apps.

Price and availability

The NW-ZX707 retails for PhP 44,999 while the NW-A306 is priced at PhP 19,999. They will be available in select Sony Authorized Dealers nationwide starting February 10, 2023.