Features

I used Galaxy AI to summarize a Samsung Health AI panel

Works like a charm

Published

February 3, 2025

There are more discussions that happen after Unpacked. After the official unveiling of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Series, Samsung holds panels and forums to dive deeper into the tech that runs on these smartphones. This is the case with every Unpacked event. Unpacked 2025 in San Jose is no different.

They’re not always the most engaging discussions. And sometimes, a venue is filled to the brim that it’s hard to keep track of what’s going on.

For Unpacked 2025, I was assigned to listen to a panel discussing Health AI. I’m low-key interested because, if you’ve seen me, I definitely need to be living healthier. I’ve listened to my fair share of health, wellness, and fitness related things to sort of determine which ones make sense and which ones should enter one ear and exit the other.

I was also particularly interested in listening to this panel because when I attended Unpacked in Paris, I spoke to someone from Samsung about their Energy Score. It’s a concept introduced with the Galaxy Ring. You can read more about it here.

I have to admit, I was pre-occupied during the panel discussion due to some connectivity issues. But I did listen quite a bit.

To make sure I don’t miss anything, I put Galaxy AI Summarize to the test. I opened the recorder app and recorded the whole thing. The recorder captured the entire hour-long session. The transcript was really smart too. It was able to separate the recordings by speaker.

But the kicker is that right next to the Transcript tab is the Summarize tab. I clicked on it and just waited for the magic to happen.

The Summary

Challenges and Opportunities in Health Data Integration

Many health tracking tools exist, but fragmented data and misinformation overwhelm users.
Integrating data from various sources (wearables, apps, etc.) into a unified system is crucial.
AI can synthesize information, provide accurate insights, and personalize feedback for improved health management.

Personalized Health Insights and User Adoption

Health-conscious individuals don’t always adopt health tracking technologies.
Actionable, predictive, and personalized insights are key to increasing user adoption.
Addressing user concerns about judgment and data overload is vital for successful implementation.

Holistic Health Approach and Behavior Change

A holistic approach considering sleep, nutrition, activity, and stress is essential for health.
Technology can provide awareness and insights into daily habits, facilitating behavior change.
Incremental progress and self-compassion are crucial for long-term behavior modification.

AI’s Role in Healthcare and the Future of Health Management

AI can simplify complex health data, provide personalized recommendations, and support healthcare teams.
An AI-powered health coach could address workforce shortages and improve healthcare accessibility.
Future technologies aim to integrate diverse data sources for comprehensive health insights and personalized interventions.

My takeaways

The transcription and summary AI tools are wonderful tools especially for journalists. You just have to pray that the language support expands to your country’s vernacular. If it’s already supported, this is such a boon, making things so much easier.

In my earlier years as a journalist in bigger newsrooms, I’ve had to transcribe my fair share of interviews. It’s no one’s favorite task. And this just makes the whole process more efficient.

Meanwhile, the summary is valuable in helping you organize your thoughts. The proper practice is to not present it as is like I did here. This particular article was just an opportunity to showcase what the summary looks like. It still won’t be able to replace your “nose” or instinct as a journalist, sniffing out the best soundbites and finding the right angle for your story.

Regarding the panel itself, it was an encouraging discussion on the role AI can take in parsing all the data from the health devices and apps. It’s one thing to monitor and see the numbers. It’s another to analyze and make sense of them.

The panel recognizes that there are more casual users over those that actually can take the time to understand the numbers. That’s the gap that AI can bridge. The goal of Health AI is to turn health monitoring into actionable items that’s easy for people to understand.

That’s gonna take a while. But I’m glad that steps are being taken to get there.

Cameras

What HYROX Hong Kong looks like up close

Photographed on the Canon EOS R6 Mark III.

Published

June 11, 2026

MJ Jucutan

HYROX drew people from all over the world for a single purpose: finish the course. In Hong Kong, athletes showed up at AsiaWorld-Expo ready to run, row, and push through 8 stations of pure functional fitness.

So, we brought the Canon EOS R6 Mark III to capture one of the most demanding fitness races on the planet.

The Expo floor is a lighting nightmare, a mix of harsh overheads and deep shadows, but the 32.5MP sensor handled the contrast without breaking a sweat.

The 40fps electronic shutter and Pre-continuous shooting meant we were already capturing the moment half a second before we consciously decided to press the shutter.

Covering a race means staying mobile, and the 8.5-stop IBIS let us move freely alongside athletes without losing the shot. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF II stayed locked on athletes even when they were squinting through the final stretch.

What came out were stories of triumph and determination. Even when their bodies were screaming, they pushed through anyway.

This is what HYROX Hong Kong looked like from the inside.

Words by MJ Jucutan. Photos by Sky Rodillas.

Buyer's Guide

Buyer’s Guide: Xiaomi Pad 8 Series

Do you need the base or the Pro?

Published

June 8, 2026

MJ Jucutan

Choosing between the Xiaomi Pad 8 and the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro feels like picking between a “sweet treat” and a “full-course meal.”

It’s deciding between a reliable travel companion and a specialized workstation. Both tablets rock a slim 5.8mm profile and a manageable 485-gram weight, and a 9200mAh battery.

However, under the hood, they are playing in different leagues. Especially since the “Pro” moniker adds serious muscle to the internals, and a solution for that glossy screen distraction.

Specs at a glance

Product	Xiaomi Pad 8	Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro
Processor	Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4nm)	Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
Display	11.2″ 3.2K IPS LCD (144Hz)	11.2″ 3.2K IPS LCD (144Hz)
Surface	Ultra-Glossy Glass	Optional Matte Nano-Texture
Storage/RAM	Up to 12GB LPDDR5X / 256GB	Up to 16GB LPDDR5T / 512GB
Rear Camera	13MP	50MP
Front Camera	8MP	32MP
Charging	45W Turbo Charge	67W HyperCharge
Pricing	Starts at PhP 20,999	Starts at PhP 38,999

Why you should pick the Xiaomi Pad 8

The standard Pad 8 is that “Goldilocks” device, hitting that sweet spot between price and premium hardware.

It’s ideal if your tablet usage is centered on media consumption and light productivity. Since it shares the same 11.2-inch screen size as the Pro, it fits perfectly on an airplane tray table, making it a dream for frequent flyers.

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is no slouch; it still runs titles like Racing Master at 60fps on Ultra-High settings. If you’re a fan of XG or KiiiKiii, you’ll appreciate the quad-speaker setup and Hi-Res Audio support without needing to pay the “Pro” tax.

It’s the smart choice for those who want a capable second screen to complement their main laptop.

Why you should level up to the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro

The “Pro” is for those who found the standard model’s limitations — like the glossy screen reflections or the 128GB storage ceiling — to be a dealbreaker.

The biggest upgrade is the Snapdragon 8 Elite, a powerhouse chip that turns the tablet into a legitimate workstation for video editing in CapCut or heavy multitasking in HyperOS 3.0.

Beyond power, the Pro version offers a Matte Glass Edition, which completely solves the “reflection” issue that can ruin your movie sessions or drawing time under bright lights.

You also get significantly better cameras, such as a 32-megapixel front sensor for professional-looking video calls. There’s also a 50-megapixel rear camera for high-res document scanning.

Finally, the 67W HyperCharge means you spend less time tethered to a wall and more time being productive.

Which Xiaomi Pad is your GadgetMatch?

Swipe Right on the Xiaomi Pad 8 if you want the best value for your money.

It’s thin, light, and powerful enough for 90% of users. It handles gaming, writing, and music playback with ease, making it a worthy recipient of a seal of approval for anyone on a budget.

Just be sure to skip the 128GB entry model and go for the 256GB version to ensure you get those faster storage speeds.

Swipe Right on the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro if you are a “power user” who hates screen glare. If you plan to use the Focus Pen Pro for serious creative work or need 512GB of space for a massive game library, the Pro is worth the extra investment.

It’s a high-speed machine that charges faster, captures better photos, and runs every app with flagship-level fluidness.

The Xiaomi Pad 8 starts at PhP 20,999 with Normal Keyboard while the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro starts at PhP 38,999 with Touch Keyboard. Both tablets come with free Focus Pen Pro.

Apps

The No-Nonsense guide to mid-year shopping

Let AI do the heavy lifting for you this Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale

Published

June 5, 2026

MJ Jucutan

The mid-year sale season is here, but the days of mindless impulse buying are over.

Shoppers are shifting toward intentional, value-driven decisions, focusing on quality, authenticity, and actual utility over flashy, low-quality gimmicks.

From 8:00 PM on June 5 until 11:59 PM on June 8, 2026, the Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale is dropping major discounts. But the real win is using the platform’s tools to maximize your budget.

Lock in the baseline discounts

Before diving into specific items, map out how to stack the core offers.

You can stretch your money by hunting down LazFlash Deals for up to 90% off, collecting up to PhP 3,000 in stackable vouchers, and ensuring every order qualifies for the free shipping offers available throughout the event.

True value comes from combining these three layers of savings on things you already need.

Jisulife: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall

Filter for authentic value

Shopping smart means avoiding the trap of “too good to be true” counterfeits that end up in the trash.

Data shows a massive consumer shift toward trusted quality, with LazMall growth vastly outperforming standard listings during major sales.

To ensure your money goes toward genuine products with real warranties, restrict your browsing to official, brand-certified stores.

If you are upgrading your tech, parenting gear, or wardrobe, look to trusted names anchoring the sale like UGREEN, JisuLife, ANTA, Maserati Watches, Momcozy, and O.TWO.O.

UGREEN: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall

Outsmart the noise with built-in tech

Don’t waste hours scrolling through endless listings or guessing which product is better.

The smartest way to navigate a massive mid-year event is to let the platform’s built-in features cut through choice paralysis.

Tools like AI Lazzie and AI Picks allow you to instantly compare similar items, analyze prices, and get personalized recommendations based on actual data rather than generic marketing hype.

Smart Shopper Tip: True value is a mix of the right price, verified authenticity, and a seamless return policy. Use this sale period to stock up on everyday essentials and high-quality upgrades rather than panic-buying items you’ll regret later.