News
How Globe, Smart, and PLDT are responding to COVID-19’s threat
From free speed boost to extended bills payment
Due to the rising cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines, the whole island of Luzon has been placed on a lockdown or what the government prefers to call “enhanced community quarantine.” Public utility companies, for their part, have already limited physical transactions. However, they are reassuring the public that they will continue to provide services during these difficult times.
Telecommunications operators like Globe, Smart, and PLDT have released their own advisory to meet the guidelines for enhanced quarantine on the whole island. Here’s how they are responding to the public heath crisis brought by COVID-19 outbreak:
Advisories are subject to change. We will update this article for new developments. Hit refresh from time to time to see these updates.
Bill payment extension
Globe, Smart, and PLDT are extending their payment period again for 30 days soon after the lockdown period was extended until April 30. However, this extension doesn’t mean that the operators will give a free one-month service to its customers. The billing cycle of each operator will continue. So, you will still pay a hefty amount for using their service for the duration of the lockdown.
Free speed and data boost from PLDT and Smart
PLDT customers are entitled to a free speed boost during the lockdown. But that comes with a big “if”. If you’re not a PLDT Fibr customer nor a resident from Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, then you’re out of luck. Still, those within the speed boost criteria gets a decent 25 Mbps boost, irrespective of the Fibr plan that the customers have.
Smart Signature Plan subscribers are also getting a boost on their mobile data for the next 30 days. Every postpaid plan gets an increase in consumable data. To know the new mobile data limits for every plan, head over to Smart’s website.
Free, unlimited WiFi on critical areas
It is important for the medical workers to stay connected with their friends and families during these crucial moments. Battling an outbreak that has the potential to spread to more people is a risky and important task. Smart and Globe recognizes this fact, and they are offering free and unlimited Internet access to select areas via their WiFi stations.
Adjusted store operating hours
PLDT and Smart are also adjusting their store hours to comply with the enhanced quarantine guidelines. Meanwhile, Globe announced that they are closing all of their physical stores from March 16 to 22. Globe customers must resort to their online store or hotline support during these days.
SEE ALSO:
How to disinfect your tech from the coronavirus
8 apps to use when working from home
As general rules, the CDC or The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed these to help with preventing the spread of COVID-19:
- Stay home when sick
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Frequently wash hands with soap and water
- Clean frequently touched surfaces
Last year, the Sony WH-1000XM6 quickly became our favorite pair of noise-cancelling headphones. The audio quality pairs remarkably well with its ANC capabilities. Now, a year into the accessory’s life cycle, new colors are still coming out. Today, the acclaimed WH-1000XM6 is getting an Olive Gray variant.
A few months ago, Sony expanded the WH-1000XM6’s colorway options with a Sandstone version, launching alongside the Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION. At the time, the new color added a splash of life to an already blossoming lineup.
Now, much like the rest of the lineup, the new Olive Gray version is a subdued mashup between olive green and gray. Though it stands out on its own, the color is still cool enough to mix well with the contours of the user’s head.
Other than that, the new version is still identical to the inner workings of the original device. The Sony WH-1000XM6 comes with a new HD Noise Canceling Processor QN3, providing 12 microphones for effective noise cancellation. In terms of audio quality, the headphones support High-Resolution Audio and High-Resolution Audio Wireless, thanks to LDAC support.
Also, the accessory sits comfortable on the head with a high rigidity carbon fiber composite material dome, cushioned well with synthetic leather.
As always, the Olive Gray version, launching today, will sell for US$ 459.99.
SEE ALSO: Sony WH-1000XM6: Master of sound quality and noise cancellation
News
TECNO MEGAPAD 2 now available in the Philippines
The TECNO MEGAPAD 2 finally reaches the Philippine shores — five months after its official unveiling at MWC 2026 last March.
It’s the brand’s latest Android tablet aimed at users looking for a larger screen for work, study, and entertainment.
Your Productivity Companion
TECNO’s MEGAPAD 2 boasts an 11-inch 2.5K display with a 90Hz refresh rate and TÜV Low Blue Light certification. It also comes with a quad-speaker setup with DTS audio.
Powering the MEGAPAD 2 is a MediaTek Helio G99 SoC paired with either a 6+128GB or 8+256GB memory and storage configurations. There’s even a microSD expansion of up to 2TB.
Keeping the tablet running is an 8,200mAh battery with 18W wired charging. At just 6.6mm thin and 490g, it’s one of the slimmest and lightest tablets for its price point.
AI takes center stage
Like TECNO’s latest devices, the MEGAPAD 2 runs the latest HiOS 16 based on Android 16. This means they have integrated several AI-powered tools aimed at boosting productivity and learning.
These include AI Problem Solving for educational / homework assistance, AI Translation with support for up to 140 languages across images, calls, meetings, and videos. Moreover, writing tools that can summarize, rewrite, and proofread text.
The tablet is also part of TECNO’s OneLeap ecosystem. Compatible TECNO phones and laptops can share files, extend displays, and transfer content more seamlessly.
For video calls and casual photo-taking, the MEGAPAD 2 features 8MP front and rear cameras. Connectivity options include LTE, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB-C, allowing users to stay connected even when Wi-Fi isn’t available.
Pricing and Availability
The TECNO MEGAPAD 2 comes in Space Grey, Light Green, and Cosmic Orange colorways.
In the Philippines, early bird pricing starts at PhP 13,266 for the 6GB + 128GB model. Meanwhile, the 8GB + 256GB variant is priced at PHP 15,766. Both configurations include a Bluetooth keyboard as part of the launch bundle.
After the offer, it rolls back to its PhP 16,999 and PhP 19,999 SRPs respectively — minus the free Bluetooth keyboard.
It seems like the race towards an all-screen smartphone isn’t over just yet.
While most in the tech industry are currently obsessed over Samsung’s latest wide foldable, TECNO announces a more refreshing sight — at least for the regular “slab-type” phone form factor.
Black borders begone
Modern flagship smartphones already have incredibly slim bezels, but there’s still a thin black border separating the active display from the frame. That’s due to the internal circuitry and safety clearances required by current display technology
TECNO proves it’s possible to dissolve that with their Next-Gen Bezelless Concept Phone. And this is actually the industry’s first smartphone with a true 0mm display bezel.
With this fresh concept, the uprising brand says it has solved that “final millimeter” by redesigning the phone’s internal structure and display packaging. The result is a display with a visible border measuring 0 microns (0mm). This makes the screen appear to stretch all the way to the edges.
Removing the bezel completely isn’t just about aesthetics. The company says such uninterrupted display makes a more immersive experience — whether you’re watching videos, playing games, browsing photos, or simply reading.
Without these visible borders, content appears to flow naturally from edge-to-edge, making the display look as if it’s floating in your hand.
A glimpse at TECNO’s future
As with most concept devices, there’s no word yet on whether this exact design will make it into a commercial smartphone. Still, TECNO says the engineering behind the concept goes beyond the display itself.
The technologies developed for the project (such as improvements related to cameras, touch responsiveness, audio, and AI-driven user interactions) could eventually find their way into the brand’s future flagship devices.
Whether or not a true bezel-free phone becomes reality anytime soon, the concept offers a glimpse at where smartphone design could be heading next. After all, TECNO’s super slim concept last 2025 actually became an actual retail product with the existence of TECNO Slim.
The concept is set to make its public debut on the upcoming ShowStoppers at IFA 2026 this September 3.
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