News

Y2K(24): What happened when the world broke this weekend?

It’s the CrowdStrike incident of 2024

Published

July 22, 2024

Luigi Leonardo

Twenty-five years ago, the world trembled in the fear at the coming of the new millennium. A lot of people thought that computers all over the world would just stop working when the calendars rolled over from 1999 to 2000. Because computers were supposedly incapable of distinguishing 2000 from 1900, the so-called Y2K bug would break critical machines from functioning.

As you might have guessed, the world didn’t end in 2000. However, if everyone in 2000 feared how the world depended heavily on technology, imagine what a world-breaking bug can do in 2024. Now, thanks to a major mishap last weekend, you don’t need to imagine anymore.

In case you missed all the systems going down all over the world, a CrowdStrike incident caused an unprecedented number of PCs to crash, taking down essential services and companies.

What happened?

CrowdStrike is a cybersecurity company that ships important security updates to a vast number of systems operating through the cloud. It helps companies detect and prevent potential security threats. Because the service operated mainly in the cloud, most people, like you and me, probably have no idea how much the entire world relies on it.

Over the weekend, however, we all got a taste. On Friday, the company rolled out a security update to all its customers on Windows-based PCs and servers. The update contained a piece of software that caused PCs to enter a boot loop, preceded by the dreaded blue screen of death.

Almost immediately, systems crashed. Though a lot of essential services went down, the most visible effects came through flight delays and cancellations at airports all over the world. Bank services also went down. If a service you rely on is down today, chances are that they are still reeling from the error.

If you’re worried about your own machines, the error does not affect personal devices. It’s also only affecting Windows-based devices, so Macs are safe.

A fix rolls out

Hours after, CrowdStrike quickly pushed out an update that resolved the issue. For a lot of customers, that was the end of it. Not all systems were automatically fixed, though.

Some systems require an IT representative to actually handle the issue themselves at their respective servers. Some also require additional steps, such as rebooting systems multiple times.

Thankfully, the main brunt of the issue has been resolved. However, a comprehensive fix might take quite a while. If a service is still down right now, it’s likely that they’re still working on a fix at their end.

What does this mean for the world?

Back in 1999, the early internet era imagined a world where a single bug can take down the world’s systems in one fell swoop. Twenty-five years later, the world’s fears finally manifested into a global incident that crippled the globe for a weekend.

Thankfully, the world also moved fast to fix the problem. Regardless, it proved how much everyone relies on technology these days. The onus isn’t on regular people to find a workaround, though. The incident is just a grim reminder that things like this can (and does) happen.

News

Power Mac Center SM Aura is now an Apple Premium Partner store

With a new protection plan dubbed as “1Protect” for your precious new iPhones

Published

September 23, 2026

Vincenz

Photos and graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Power Mac Center has upgraded its SM Aura branch into an Apple Premium Partner (APP) store. The “APP” designation is the highest tier for reseller stores worldwide.

Originally opened in 2014, the redesigned store now houses its retail space, training center, and a service center in one.

The new space also puts more emphasis on learning. Free group demos will be held every Friday to Sunday. These will cover topics such as iPad creativity, or camera features, personalization, and Continuity for the latest iPhone series.

To celebrate the opening, customers can also score discounts on select Apple devices and accessories until September 27, 2026.

Deals include up to:

₱PhP 36,000 off MacBook Pros
PhP 19,500 off iPads
PhP 3000 off Apple Watches; and
PhP 11,000 off iPhone models

There are also service discounts until September 25. Plus, new iPhones purchases here are also covered with 1Protect coverage options.

ICYMI, it’s a partnership between PMC and Bolttech. It’s basically a new way to protect your precious new iPhones.

Your regular one-year warranty does not cover accidental drops and water damage. Purchasing this new coverage plan (good for one year) gives you an unlimited dose of that.

Parts are guaranteed original and is an official part of AppleCare Services.

This protection program also covers one-time unwarranted exchanges (or change of mind returns) from micro scratches to color options. It will even replace your iPhone (of the same model and configuration) if it was stolen once.

There’s also the 1 Infinite loyalty program. Members can earn points from purchases and redeem them for devices, accessories, services, and training.

The Power Mac Center SM Aura APP store is located on Level 2 and is open daily from 10AM to 10PM.

News

MediaTek launches the Dimensity 9600 Pro

Smartphones are scheduled to launch later this year.

Published

September 23, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The stage is set for next year’s smartphones. Both MediaTek and Qualcomm have unleased their upcoming flagship chipsets for the coming generation. If you’re looking for the Qualcomm side of things, go here. But if you’re looking for MediaTek, then you’re in the right place.

The Dimensity 9600 Pro adopts the 2nm process mode, which makes MediaTek one of the first companies to use it. The chip itself features a 2+3+3 All Big Core CPU. Specifically, it has two C2-Ultra cores going up to 4.55GHz, three C2-Pro cores going up to 4.35GHz, and three C2-Pro ones going up to 3.1GHz. This configuration can reportedly achieve 17 percent better single-core performance and 15 percent higher multi-core performance.

Besides all that power inherently built in, the chipset also has the G2-Ultra NX GPU. This GPU can deliver 27 percent higher peak performance, 24 percent lower power consumption, 18 percent faster raytracing, and gaming at up to 185 frames per second.

Finally, the chipset has the Imagiq 1290 ISP. With this engine, the processor can handle 60fps motion capture and 4K240 direct-output ultra-slow-motion video.

Alongside the Dimensity 9600 Pro, MediaTek is also launching the Dimensity 9600M, a slightly more lightweight option of the Pro that deliver flagship level performance to more users outside of that price point.

Smartphones that will come with the Dimensity 9600 Pro and 9600M will launch sometime in the fourth quarter.

News

Qualcomm unveils the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 series

This time, there are two models.

Published

September 23, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The end of the year always heralds the next step of processors for next year’s smartphones. Besides the oodles of phone rumors we’ll have before the year ends, these new processors give us a powerful hint of what the new machinery can do. Today, Qualcomm has unveiled that next generation, announcing the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6.

Yes, this time, the Snapdragon flagship chipset will come in two flavors. Let’s start with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6.

The “base” model of the duo has an octa-core Oryon CPU with two prime cores going up to 5GHz. It also has an Adreno GPU that touts 35 percent faster performance compared to the previous generation. Additionally, the chipset has a 16MB Flex Cache which can supposedly leverage the cache better to deliver better single-threaded performance.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 will also have a new Spectra ISP. The engine can support single image capturing at 320 megapixels, or 64 megapixels with a triple rear camera combo. It also supports 8K video capturing at 30fps. Further, Intelligent Pixel Control features better contextualization skills so the camera can more accurately detect what you’re taking a photo or video of.

Finally, the X105 5G modem offers the usual array of 5G connectivity options but also goes up to supporting Bluetooth 6 and Wi-Fi 8.

Meanwhile, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 offers much of the same as the duo’s regular model. However, it features 18MB of high performance memory, video recording that goes up to 60fps at 8K resolution, and new Matrix Cores that boost frame generation for gaming.

As expected, both models will appear in new smartphones from later this year to next year.