News

Smart, FIBA renews global partnership

Celebrates PH hosting of FIBA World Cup 2023

Published

September 13, 2023

GadgetMatch

Smart Communications Inc. and FIBA have renewed their Global Partnership for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 in Qatar.

The four-year extension comes off the back of the excellent cooperation between both parties. This includes Smart’s stellar promotional work for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

While the main focus of the Global Partnership has been on the Philippines as co-hosts of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, it’s now set to go much wider. In this next phase of the, Smart will reach out to Filipinos all over the world with promotional campaigns. More exciting plans still to be unveiled.

The new partnership agreement secures Smart’s further enhancements, including additional exclusive rights in the areas of digital and live streaming. They will be the presenting partner of ‘Chat Parties’ hosted on respective FIBA competition websites. This is FIBA’s official mobile digital and media application for the competition or another official FIBA digital media channel. All of which are accessible to users located in the Philippines.

Smart will enjoy graphic integration on the live stream of official draws of FIBA competitions as well as youth competitions. All these come alongside being the presenting partner of the FIBA ‘Power Rankings’.

The renewal was revealed at an announcement ceremony during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Final in Manila.

Smart is the mobile network of choice of FIBA goers

Ahead of the tournament, Smart teamed up with technology partners Huawei and Ericsson. This is to further expand and permanently optimize its LTE and 5G mobile network coverage across all venues.

Smart emerged as the mobile network of choice of fans with up to 59 percent of live attendees relying on their Smart-powered SIMs and eSIMs. They shared real-time updates and upload online content on the fly. This is according to an internal report covering the Phase 1 games from Aug. 26 to Sept. 3.

Filipinos’ love for basketball spilled over on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, the three top apps used by fans during the games. Smart made it easier for local and foreign basketball fans to latch on to the Smart network by making available Prepaid SIMs and eSIMs at Smart Stores and accredited retailers near the venues and airports.

Larger-than-life basketball tributes

Ten days before the games, Smart transformed the MOA Ball into a giant basketball with a hoop. The giant installation — measuring 1.5 meters in diameter, inside a ring with 111 meters in circumference — officially signaled the country’s all-out efforts to kick off the hosting of the FIBA World Cup 2023. It also showcased the larger-than-life passion and energy that Filipinos have for basketball.

Smart also drummed up the excitement of fans by unveiling an interactive LED billboard with a massive basketball ring and augmented reality integration along EDSA, complete with a QR code allowing fans to view FIBA stars’ signature moves on their smartphones. Smart also took it a step further with an interactive 3D Billboard featuring the FIBA official mascot JIP at Bonifacio Global City (BGC), captivating fans and spectators.

Epic basketball fan experiences

Smart helped mount an epic street festival at BGC for the FIBA Draw. Aside from the live viewing of the much-awaited draw, fans were treated to a concert, games, and other exciting activities.

Moreover, subscribers were given a chance to own a piece of basketball history as Smart unveiled limited-edition Gilas Prepaid Cards, and FREE collectible non-fungible tokens or NFTs exclusive to Smart subscribers.

During the tournament, basketball fans trooping to the venues enjoyed awesome augmented reality activities, such as the Smart Quiz, Smart Shirt Blast, and Smart Power Dribble Cam for a shot at winning premium tickets, exciting prizes, and limited-edition merchandise.

Real-time access to all FIBA games

As a treat, Smart gave all its subscribers FREE access to all FIBA games via the Smart LiveStream App. By downloading the app and connecting to the Smart mobile network, fans could stream the games live anytime, anywhere. They can also replay and relive all the FIBA hardcourt action.

Smart also introduced GILAS POWER 399. It’s a prepaid data pack that comes with 78 GB valid for 30 days. The data pack includes access to FIBA World Cup Games via the Smart LiveStream App.

During the Gilas vs. Italy game last Aug. 29, Smart and US-based Radisys Corporation, a subsidiary of Jio Platforms Limited, showcased the future of mobile streaming with its beta test of Smart LiveStream App’s groundbreaking new features, enabling select Smart users to enjoy 360 viewing, live chat, and viewing party features.

As FIBA Global partner, Smart also provided Prepaid eSIMs to all the the players, coaching staff, and delegates who flew to Manila for the tournament so they may stay connected with their loved ones back home.

Related Topics:FIBA Smart Communications Inc

News

Smart showcases cloud gaming platform in partnership with Blacknut

Play over 1,000 titles straight on your smartphones

Published

August 14, 2026

GadgetMatch

Philippines mobile service provider Smart showcased the country’s first cloud gaming platform in partnership with Blacknut at the recent Philippine GameDev Expo (PGDX) 2026.

As the event’s main presenter, Smart highlighted its collaboration with the cloud gaming subscription service. Together with its value-packed Power All offers, the network provider is highlighting what the future of gaming can look like.

Smart and TNT subscribers can conveniently access Blacknut Cloud Gaming through a dedicated site. Here, they can play more than 1,000 premium console and PC-quality games on their smartphones.

That’s without the need for expensive gaming hardware or lengthy downloads. Weekly subscriptions start at just PhP 145 and can be conveniently charged to prepaid load following a simple OTP verification process.

To make the experience better, Smart also has Power All offers, which provide generous open-access data for today’s digital lifestyles. There’s a package for cloud and mobile gaming, streaming, content sharing, and productivity.

Gaming

Ghost of Yotei gets a story expansion in October

The Complete Edition comes with the expansion and a roguelike mode.

Published

August 13, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Ghost of Yotei is a classic RPG experience set in the same universe as its predecessor, Ghost of Tsushima. In my opinion, Atsu’s journey of revenge feels a lot more fun than Jin’s battle to save his homeland. If you’re in the same boat, Ghost of Yotei is coming back on October 1 with brand-new content.

Without delving too much into spoiler territory, Ghost of Yotei has a conclusive ending. Rather than shoehorning a forced epilogue, Echoes of Sekigahara, the title of the upcoming story expansion, explores Atsu’s past.

As with Tsushima’s expansion, Echoes of Sekigahara features a new map with new enemies, weapons, and collectibles. It will be set in two different time periods.

Besides the story expansion, the upcoming update also has a new mode called Most Wanted, which Sucker Punch Production describes as their “spin on a roguelike.” The mode explores Atsu’s experience as a headhunter, feeding her with bounties and earnable perks.

The two new content expansions will come with in the upcoming Ghost of Yotei Complete Edition. The new edition, coming on October 1, will also come with the co-op Legends mode. It also has a few perks and customization options. The edition will sell for US$ 70.

If you already have the base edition, you can grab an upgrade for only US$ 15. If you don’t want to pay for the upgrade, the game is still getting a few minor tweaks.

News

HONOR isn’t taking the Robot Phone global — yet

The hardware is ready. The AI isn’t.

Published

August 13, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

The HONOR Robot Phone may have officially launched, but don’t expect this version to immediately make its way to global markets.

HONOR told media in Shenzhen that it currently has no plans to bring the current Robot Phone outside China. The main hurdle isn’t the hardware. It’s the phone’s AI experience, which is currently optimized for the Chinese market.

HONOR believes a future generation of the Robot Phone would be better positioned for a true global rollout once its AI experience is ready for markets outside China.

That doesn’t mean HONOR is abandoning the idea. Quite the opposite.

More than a phone with a moving camera

The Robot Phone is HONOR’s attempt to introduce a new idea to the smartphone market. It combines a smartphone with a 4DoF mechanical gimbal, allowing its camera to physically move.

Its AI features take that concept further. YOYO Robot Mode can use voice commands, gestures, and AI tracking to control the camera. It can also automatically pan and tilt to keep a person in frame during vlogs, livestreams, and video calls.

The phone also brings selected elements of ARRI Image Science and professional cinema workflows to its camera system. Its 200MP gimbal main camera supports 10-bit ARRI LogC3 recording, while ARRI Wide Gamut 3 and ARRI Looks give creators more control over their footage.

But HONOR isn’t treating the Robot Phone primarily as a volume-driving product.

The company says its bigger goal is to introduce a new concept to the smartphone market and see what kind of effect it can have.

That makes the Robot Phone an interesting experiment for HONOR. The hardware is already here. The company now wants to learn what happens when a smartphone can physically move, respond to its surroundings, and use AI to help operate itself.

For now, though, China is where that experiment begins.