Accessories

Essential fitness apps for a healthier lifestyle

Published

August 2, 2017

Isa Rodriguez

Trying to get fit? These tech hacks may help!

Not that I’m suggesting that downloading apps would instantly transform your lifestyle, but they can definitely put you on the right track. Living a healthier lifestyle entails commitment and certain life changes (for most of us unhealthy mortals), but all it takes is a decision to try — and baby steps to get there.

Personally, living clean is something I still struggle with. Exercise, clean eating, getting enough sleep — these were not things that came naturally to me (like every other busy, caffeine-fuelled millennial in today’s fast paced time). Along the way, however, there were certain apps that helped me progress on my fitness journey.

Gym access apps

I used to never go to the gym because honestly, I didn’t know exactly how to gym. I grew up not knowing what exercise was and the gym didn’t exactly seem to be the most welcoming place to an exercise virgin. What got me to start going to gyms and experimenting on different workouts was, innocently enough, a gym access app.

Apps like Kfit and GuavaPass allow you to try different exercise activities from different gyms without the commitment. Instead of paying one gym for, let’s say, a month’s worth of membership, you can log on to these apps for limited access to different facilities. For an added fee, you get more gym access. This way, you can figure out what exercise activity you’re into before having to fully commit to a particular gym.

Workout apps

If you’re more the anti-social type (meaning you like suffering — er — exercising alone), these workout apps will help you create a better home program to get you moving in no time.

There were times when I couldn’t make it to the gym or simply wasn’t in the mood to deal with other people — but that should never be reason to break your workout streak. Apps like Nike Training Club and HIIT Interval Timer allow you to do your own exercise program anytime, anywhere.

Food/diet apps

A good friend and constant gym buddy always told me: “You can’t exercise a bad diet away,” and as much as I try to ignore this statement, it will not cease to be true. A good diet is the foundation of a healthier life.

Although I can’t say that I’ve totally fixed my eating habits, there are certain apps that have helped me along the way. My Fitness Pal is a calorie counting app that allows me to monitor my food intake; it’s not so much cutting down on food but making sure that my intake consists of healthier options (bye bye, fastfood ?). Cute apps like Plant Nanny also make reminders to drink water throughout the day a little more fun.

Mindfulness/meditation apps

Being healthy is not just a physical thing; having a healthy mind is part of the whole fitness package.

Apps like Aura, as well as Stop, Breathe & Think, facilitate meditation sessions that will allow you to clear your mind of any unwanted energy or stress. (This is no hipster mumbo jumbo. It does help you relax!)

All-around fitness apps with wearables

Once you get a little momentum on the exercise ball, it may be a good idea to invest in a fitness wearable like a Fitbit or a Huawei Band to track your progress. These devices come with their own apps that monitor just about any aspect of your health, depending on what type of fitness band you buy.

Wearables like the Huawei Band and the Fitbit Alta HR usually have a native app

Movement and exercise tracking coupled with automatic data input in such apps can be a very effective way to measure your fitness success, not to mention, a great incentive to work out more.

READ MORE: Huawei Band review

READ MORE: Fitbit Alta HR review

[irp posts=”10747″ name=”App Review: The road to getting Kfit”]

Accessories

Jackery SolarSaga series: Free power for small devices

Portable solar panels can charge small gadgets directly

Published

March 22, 2026

GadgetMatch

As fuel prices continue to surge as of late, one of the ways to make up for the additional expenses is to turn to alternative power sources. That’s including solar power.

And Jackery is here to help Philippine consumers, with the availability of their portable SolarSaga panels.

These solar panels are an alternative to traditional and permanently installed rooftop solar panels. They are engineered for modern and mobile life with portable, lightweight, and sleek designs. They are built primarily to be set up and put away easily, and charge small devices directly.

Simply put the Jackery SolarSaga panels where sunlight is available, and it will convert up to 25% of sunlight into usable energy.

To charge small gadgets like phones and portable fans, or even smartwatches, the SolarSaga panels come with a USB-C and USB-A port.

Another way is connecting the SolarSaga to Jackery’s Explorer power stations like the Explorer 300 Plus or 1000 Plus.

From there, users can power up devices, essentially for free. On its own, the Jackery SolarSaga panels are available in 100W and 200W variants.

The panels are also IP68 rated for water and dust resistance. This makes them usable outdoors when brought to adventures like camping, picnics, or beach trips.

The panels are already available through Jackery’s Lazada and Shopee platforms, as well as Techroom’s Lazada and Shopee accounts.

Accessories

UGREEN adds new Nexode Pro power bank, charger to lineup

Intelligent displays, fast-charging, user-focused design

Published

March 22, 2026

GadgetMatch

UGREEN has expanded its Nexode Pro charging lineup with two new devices designed for the modern user. They are the Nexode Pro 10000mAh 55W Power Bank and Nexode Pro 100W 5-Port Charger.

These new offerings combine intelligent digital displays, fast-charging capabilities, and user-focused designs for reliable power — whether at the desk or on the move.

The Nexode Pro 10000mAh Power Bank is the ultimate travel companion, delivering strong charging performance in a compact and travel-friendly form.

It supports up to 45W single-port fast charge, meeting the industry standard for high-speed portable charging. It can reach up to 55W as well when charging compatible Xiaomi devices.

The accessory is equipped with two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, and a built-in retractable USB-C cable. As such, it can power up to three small devices simultaneously without requiring extra cables.

With a rated capacity of 36Wh, the power bank also meets airline carry-on requirements.

Meanwhile, the UGREEN Nexode Pro 10W 5-Port Charger supports workstations. It has four USB-C ports, a USB-A port, and up to a 100W output.

It also has a built-in smart TFT display for easy power distribution monitoring.

Accessories

Hermès launches a $5,000 MagSafe charger

The charging brick is sold separately.

Published

March 20, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Paddock Yoyo + Grand Paddock case

How extra are you as an Apple fan? No matter what you say, you’ll probably never be as extra as someone who buys a US$ 5,000 MagSafe charging case for their iPhone and Apple Watch. Hermès has just launched a series of leather chargers and cases specifically made for Apple fans.

Available now, Hermès has three types of MagSafe chargers for iPhone users. The cheapest one, the Paddock Solo, is a simple leather-bound puck that can charge a single device. The charger also has a braided 3.3ft USB cable. It costs an eye-watering US$ 1,250.

Paddock Solo charger

On the other hand, the Paddock Yoyo charger offers two charging zones for two devices simultaneously. Shaped like a yoyo (hence, the name), it allows users to roll the cable into a convenient stack. It costs US$ 1,750.

Finally, the Paddock Duo is a charging pad that allows for two devices simultaneously. It just doesn’t have a pocket for the cable. It likewise costs US$ 1,750.

Paddock Duo charger

Now, if you want to upgrade your pricey charging kit even further, Hermès has two cases for them: the Petit Paddock case and the Grand Paddock case.

The Petit Paddock case, as the name suggest, is a snug leather case that fits only the charger (and a brick, if bundled with the Yoyo). The charger and case combo will set you back by US$ 3,725 for the Solo, and US$ 4,225 for either the Duo or the Yoyo.