Accessories

I was skeptical about smartphone gimbals, then I tried the DJI Osmo Mobile 8

This gear finally made sense to me and my workflow

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I never liked smartphone gimbals. I tried several over the years, from different brands and different builds, and I never felt compelled to use them in real situations.

They were either too heavy or too fiddly to set up. I also found them too demanding to use when all I wanted was to take my phone out and record. My iPhone already has excellent stabilization built in, and I have relied on it for years. The extra gear rarely felt necessary.

My perspective shifted when I tried the DJI Osmo Mobile 8. I brought it with me on a work trip in China without thinking much of it. I realized that it made sense to be part of my arsenal.

A design that feels familiar in a good way

The Osmo Mobile 8 does not reinvent the idea of a mobile gimbal. It refines the experience.

It feels lighter and folds easily. The clamp snaps on with a magnetic mount, and the grip feels secure without straining the wrist.

It feels like something I can use for a few minutes or a few hours without thinking about it. Rather than slowing me down, it felt like it supports my workflow.

There is an extension rod built in, which is helpful for group shots and for pushing perspective in movement shots. The built-in tripod legs make it easy to set down for hands-free filming.

These details may seem small, although they contribute to gear that I actually reach for.

Stabilization for better footage

To be honest, I’m still not sold in getting a mobile gimbal for myself. But what shifted my perspective (for now) was not the convenience. It was the footage.

The movement became smoother. Walked shots, pans, and follow movements looked intentional instead of constantly adjusting themselves.

The three-axis stabilization makes smartphone footage feel more deliberate. I found myself able to move more slowly and follow subjects naturally.

It didn’t make my shots steadier, but the Osmo Mobile 8 changed the way I moved while filming. I suddenly found myself planning sweeps and tracking motions that I would never attempt handheld.

Tracking that feels more intelligent

The tracking on the Osmo Mobile 8 is noticeably improved. Faces, pets, objects, and even faster subjects stay in frame more reliably.

When I stepped away to record myself, the camera followed smoothly without overshooting. It felt responsive rather than reactive. This made solo shooting feel easier.

It also made dynamic movement filming more fun. I could run with a subject or move around a space and trust the framing.

A tool that fits everyday work

I always evaluate gear based on how it blends into my workflow. If it needs too much setup or thought, I will eventually avoid it.

The Osmo Mobile 8 feels fast. I can mount my phone, open the app, and start recording in a matter of seconds. And the battery life holds up well for a full day of casual shooting.

There is also support for counterweights if you use heavier external lenses or cases. The experience is smooth whether I am at an event, outdoors, or shooting casual everyday clips.

Frankly, I never expected to find a smartphone gimbal that felt necessary, yet the Osmo Mobile 8 is worth recognizing to be part of your creator kit.

Is the DJI Osmo Mobile 8 your GadgetMatch?

The DJI Osmo Mobile 8 delivers steady footage and a filming experience that feels composed. I appreciate what it adds to my work, and I recognize that it improves my content when I need it to.

Even so, it is not my personal everyday companion. I prefer filming with my phone alone and relying on built-in stabilization. I like moving lightly and freely.

But the Osmo Mobile 8 is a strong tool to have in the kit for specific situations.

Swipe right if you want steady and controlled movement in your videos, especially when you shoot travel, sports, or even events where an extra movement is part of the story. It might help you create more cinematic clips without a full camera setup.

Swipe left if you prefer minimal gear, and if you’re someone who’s always ready for spontaneous shooting but doesn’t want any additional setup.

The DJI Osmo Mobile 8 retails for PhP 7,499. It’s available in DJI’s official website and authorized stores.

Accessories

Manila turns up the volume at COVE

Sony Philippines launched its ULT TOWER lineup at Beyond the Beat, with SB19 joining the ULT Squad.

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Sound and style shared the floor at COVE Manila in Okada Manila. Sony Philippines opened its doors for Beyond the Beat: The Next-Level ULT POWER SOUND Experience.

The event marked the company’s biggest ULT POWER SOUND launch in the country, and Sony paced the program like an exclusive night out.

Stacked ULT Towers filled the space. Guests styled themselves with designer pieces from Alser Lumawag, and SB19 closed the evening as the newest Sony ULT Squad members.

MySony members from every tier joined industry guests while the new ULT TOWER lineup set the tempo.

The towers take center stage

Shuhei Sugihara, Sony Philippines’ President and Managing Director, opened the program.

Product Marketing Specialist Keira Ambubuyog then introduced the newest additions to the lineup.

Arbie Bandiling of Personal Audio Systems unveiled the latest ULT Squad video. The clip introduced the artists and personalities fronting the campaign.

The lineup features the ULT TOWER 5, ULT TOWER 7, and ULT TOWER MAX. The new series pairs large circular woofers and high-capacity cabinets with ULT DUCT technology.

This design delivers stronger low-frequency bass than earlier models. The ULT TOWER MAX leads the series, described as Sony’s most powerful bass speaker yet.

On another note, Sony pitches the ULT TOWER 7 as stage-worthy sound in a portable frame. Meanwhile, the compact ULT TOWER 5 targets smaller gatherings and features karaoke and DJ capabilities.

Experiential zones bring the sound to life

Guests explored the lineup across several interactive event zones. Step into the Beat paired an arcade-inspired setup with stacked ULT Towers and a dance pad. ULT Selfie Club handled photo ops.

Nearby, ULT Cover Star let guests style ULT Field speakers alongside designer pieces from Alser Lumawag. Here, the speakers served as chic fashion accessories.

The Bass District gave VIPs and influencers a private, nightlife-inspired lounge. Karaoke Lounges invited everyone else to grab a mic and test the party-ready towers firsthand.

The ULT Squad shows up

Fashion influencer and ULT Squad member Angelique Manto-Guison hosted the night.

A-Team opened the show with a high-energy routine before Carlos Serrano III took the stage. David Guison and Jacqueline Jala walked the stage with ULT Models in elevated fashion, and Jeremy G followed with a dynamic musical performance.

KAIA brought a youthful pop sound, while Maki delivered a set in his signature style.

SB19 closed the night, making their debut as the newest Sony ULT Squad members. Sony pairs its sound technology with the group’s influence in Filipino music. This collaboration positions the Squad as a platform for artists shaping contemporary music culture.


The ULT TOWER MAX, ULT TOWER 7, and ULT TOWER 5 are now available at Sony Centres and authorized dealers nationwide.

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Jackery Explorer 300D: Power and portability in one

Uninterrupted workflows for digital nomads, freelance creatives, more

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For digital nomads, freelance creatives, and even work-from-home professionals, staying productive on the move means carrying around multiple gadgets, cords, adapters, and power banks to survive the day.

Having to carry such weight, quite literally, is vital for maintaining workflow continuity.

For a more seamless experience and to have just one extra portable device to power all working parts, there’s the Jackery Explorer 300D.

Launched just last month, this grab-and-go offering from Jackery is designed for the modern lifestyle.

It moves away from Jackery’s traditional aesthetic with a sleek, speaker-like form factor. It weighs just 2.5 kilograms and is 64% smaller than standard 300W units in the market.

This ultra-compact size was made possible by a smart engineering choice of swapping bulky traditional AC wall outlets for highly efficient DC-only and USB-C ports —  which also helps eliminate idle power loss.

With a 288Wh capacity, the Jackery Explorer 300D holds enough juice for up to nine power banks.

It can keep a Type-C fast-charging laptop for up to three to four full cycles, a Wi-Fi router alive for hours, and recharge cameras or drone batteries up to five times for a lengthy production day.

For smaller gadgets like smartphones and portable fans, the power station can juice them up for up to 22 times.

It can even charge five devices simultaneously with a total of three USB-C ports, a USB-A port, and a DC 12V car charger port.

All these ensure users are never disconnected, wherever they may set up their mobile office.

Another brilliant touch is the two-in-one shoulder strap that easily unclips to double as a heavy-duty 140W USB-C charging cable.

The everyday carry is available via Lazada and Shopee, and at the official Jackery kiosk in SM Fairview, as well as other partner stores.

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Apple is reportedly working on its own gaming controllers

It might launch under the Beats brand.

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Last week, the iPhone Duo changed how you look at the ubiquitous smartphone. Foldables are in, and Apple is right there with it. But the company isn’t stopping with the foldable segment. Apple is reportedly working on its own branded game controllers.

According to Bloomberg, Apple has been working on a controller since last year. Further, a piece of code linked to macOS 27.4, spotted by MacRumors, includes references to two unknown gaming controllers.

Because Apple just concluded its huge event this month, it will likely be a while before we see confirmation of this controller. And it could be anything. Of course, because the Duo is fresh on our minds, the easiest answer is a mobile controller than can maximize the foldable’s ability to stand by itself. It could also use Apple’s larger screens like the iPad, the MacBook, or the Mac. Some even speculate that this could be Apple’s stronger push into the gaming market.

Outside of the actual hardware, the reports are also claiming that the controller will arrive by way of Beats, rather than from Apple itself. At first, the branding comes off as a surprise, but then again, Beats hasn’t really evolved past an audio brand in a long, long time. Is it time to revitalize Beats as something more than just a peddler of headphones?

SEE ALSO: First Look: Apple iPhone Duo

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