News

Essential fires 30 percent of workers, announces new mobile device

No, it’s not a smartphone

Published

on

Despite enjoying a year in smartphone royalty, Essential just isn’t that essential anymore. Preceding the Essential Phone’s launch, the startup gained substantial hype owing to its ownership. Headed by Android co-founder Andy Rubin, it promised an unrivaled Android experience wrapped inside a beautiful package.

Truly, the first Essential Phone garnered positive reviews across the board. Among others, it was one of the more beautiful phones in 2017. Unfortunately, the phone’s price deterred most users from switching. Naturally, the startup’s first outing failed to meet expectations.

Drawing from this initial disappointment, Essential hinted at an eventual buyout a few months ago. Moreover, Rubin cancelled the Essential Phone 2’s development. However, months later, the startup (and everyone else) clearly exaggerated its demise. The company and its plans for a second phone still exist.

Sadly, its continued existence is still in dire jeopardy. The company has recently announced major layoffs in its workforce. As of today, Essential Products has fired 30 percent of its employees.

Despite the astonishing number, the startup has maintained its silence on possible reasons for the pink slips. One can only assume that this stems from its failed sales targets. Regardless, Essential remains hopeful for the future. “We are confident that our sharpened product focus will help us deliver a truly game-changing consumer product,” according to a spokesperson for the startup.

Reportedly, Essential is already working on a second mobile device for the future. Unfortunately, the planned device will not succeed the Essential Phone. Instead, it will leverage artificial intelligence to deliver an autonomous mobile experience.

Notably, the startup hesitates to use the word “smartphone.” While the device can make calls and send messages, it hopes to do more. For one, it can call, message, and plan events on its own without user input. Essentially, the device will replace humans as the primary digital communicators.

By the end of this year, Essential will out a prototype for this device. By then, the startup will finally reveal a possible roadmap for the future. Presently, the future-less startup’s survival is anything but assured.

SEE ALSO: Essential Phone is now a true Pixel-like flagship Android phone for only $399

News

Smart announces postpaid offers for Samsung Galaxy Z8 series

Pre-order now for exclusive perks

Published

on

The newly-launched Samsung Galaxy Z8 series is now available via Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity. Pre-orders for Samsung’s latest foldables are available from July 22 to August 13.

Pre-ordering will allow customers to get exclusive storage upgrades, trade-in savings, and flexible payment options. Plus, they can get three months of complimentary Samsung Care+.

Moreover, customers can maximize their devices with Smart’s All-New Postpaid Plans+, which come with UNLI App Bundles, UNLI 5G for 12 months (in select areas), Open-Access Data, and high priority on the Smart network.

Galaxy Z8 Series

With Smart Postpaid Plans+ 1999, subscribers can get the following devices through straight payment or 24-month, zero-interest installment using participating credit cards (Metrobank, Security Bank, BPI, UnionBank, HSBC, and RCBC):

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra (512GB): PhP P101,600 or PhP 5,021/month
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 (512GB): PhP 91,100 or PhP 4,500/month
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 (512GB): PhP 65,100 or PhP 3,217/month

Customers can pre-order the latest Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series via smart.com.ph/galaxypreorder or at the nearest Smart Store.

In addition, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Series is also available through Infinity Plan 5000 and Infinity Plan 8000.

These packages come with unlimited data, calls, and texts, roaming-ready connectivity, and exclusive Infinity privileges. 

Through the Samsung Trade-In Program, customers can also reserve their preferred Galaxy Z8 Series device and complete their trade-in at participating stores once the devices officially launch.

Eligible smartphones can be traded in for up to PhP 14,000 off.

New Samsung Galaxy Watches also available

Galaxy Watch9, Galaxy Watch Ultra2

Lastly, Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity are offering the new Samsung Galaxy Watch9 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2.

Compatible smartwatch users can also add on Smart Device Link, which enables their smartwatch and phone to share one mobile number and plan inclusions.

First-time subscribers can enjoy the service free for six months, when they activate until September 30.

With the Smart Postpaid Plans, subscribers can save up to 20% compared with the suggested retail price when they bundle a Samsung Galaxy Watch with their new Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series device.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Resident Evil movie reboot finally gets a scary trailer

Can you spot the Easter eggs for longtime fans?

Published

on

After briefly losing its way in the middling fifth and sixth entries, the Resident Evil series rediscovered its way back to the survival horror genre with the seventh entry onwards. However, the series doesn’t have the best reputation in Hollywood with its lackluster reviews. Now, the Hollywood series wants to right the ship with the upcoming reboot, simply titled Resident Evil.

Much like the gaming franchise’s renaissance, the upcoming film heads to the survival horror genre with a frightful caper. Medical courier Bryan (Austin Abrams) is tasked with delivering a vital organ to somewhere outside Raccoon City. Along the way, he runs over a rabid woman, who just disappears when he steps out to check.

Forced to seek help at a nearby shack, he finds himself in a struggle for survival when he discovers monstrous beings lurking around. It gets worse when he returns to the city and finds it overrun with the zombie outbreak.

The trailer has a few Easter eggs, including a typewriter, one of the most traditional ways that the game series uses to save games. Director Zach Cregger (Weapons) promises that the movie itself will have more Easter eggs for longtime fans of the series.

Resident Evil will premiere in theaters on September 18.

SEE ALSO: Resident Evil Veronica announced for 2027 release

Continue Reading

News

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Watch9: Price, availability in the Philippines

Prices start at PHP 24,990

Published

on

Galaxy Watch9, Galaxy Watch Ultra2

Samsung has officially launched the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 in the Philippines alongside the new Galaxy Z8 Series.

The new wearables expand Samsung’s smartwatch lineup with upgraded health tracking, AI-powered wellness features, and faster performance. The Galaxy Watch9 is designed for everyday health and fitness, while the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 caters to users looking for a more rugged smartwatch for outdoor adventures.

Here’s how much they cost in the Philippines.

Pricing

Galaxy Watch Ultra2

  • PHP 44,990

Galaxy Watch9

  • 40mm — PHP 22,990
  • 46mm — PHP 24,990

Availability

Pre-orders begin on July 23 through Samsung Philippines and authorized retailers. Both smartwatches will be offered in multiple color options depending on the model. 

Pre-order offers

Customers who pre-order either smartwatch can enjoy several launch offers, including:

  • Up to 15% off
  • Up to 36 months of 0% installment plans with participating banks
  • Up to 50% off through eligible trade-ins
  • Up to 36% off Samsung Care+ device protection 

Galaxy Watch9

The Galaxy Watch9 is Samsung’s latest everyday smartwatch. It features the company’s newest health and wellness platform with AI-powered insights, comprehensive health tracking, and everyday activity monitoring.

Powering the experience is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite platform, which promises faster performance while supporting Samsung’s latest wellness features. The watch is available in 40mm and 46mm sizes.

Galaxy Watch Ultra2

The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 builds on Samsung’s premium outdoor smartwatch with a durable titanium construction, improved comfort, and new sport tracking modes such as Trail Run and Diving.

Like the Galaxy Watch9, it runs on the Snapdragon Wear Elite platform and supports Samsung’s latest AI-powered health and wellness tools. 

Continue Reading

Trending