Lifestyle

Google head promises to fix cheeseburger emoji

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Over the weekend, author Thomas Baekdal tweeted about his groundbreaking observation regarding cheeseburgers in the time of social media.

cheeseburger emoji

See the differences: Noticeably, Apple’s emoji puts the cheese on top of its beef patty. Google, on the other hand, has the cheese at the very bottom of the burger. Lettuce placements also differ between the two.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai was quick to react to this important matter.

cheeseburger emoji

Good to know that these big companies have their priorities in check and that they truly care about the things that matter most to their consumers — cheeseburger emojis.

The tweet has since sparked a debate on proper cheese placement for optimum burger consumption.

 

Facebook and Messenger also joined in on the fun!

And, even a whole bunch of burger puns surfaced:

What a time to be alive, people!

SEE ALSO: Ideebank Mic is a portable karaoke machine

[irp posts=”23032″ name=”Apple Engineer gets sacked after daughter’s iPhone X video goes viral”]

Drones

HOVERAir AQUA: Meet the world’s first 100% waterproof self-flying drone

Meet the first-ever self-flying drone that floats, flies, and films in 4K.

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Zero Zero Robotics has finally answered the call of the modern traveler with the HOVERAir AQUA, a self-flying camera that is as much a piece of high-end kit as it is a 100% waterproof marvel.

Designed for those who find their best selves on the open sea, this device offers a perspective that is as limitless as the horizon itself.

Award-winning design

Weighing in at under 250 grams, this compact powerhouse has the hidden strength to navigate Level 7 winds and reach spirited speeds of 55 km/h.

In photo: HOVERAir AQUA | Image by MJ Jucutan

This peerless innovation secured the prestigious Red Dot Award, a testament to its triumph of form and function. While traditional drones are famously hydrophobic, the AQUA was built specifically for the elements.

It’s fully waterproof with an IP67 rating, ensuring reliability in both mirror-still freshwater lakes and salt-laden coastal air.

What’s truly clever is its positive buoyancy; the AQUA floats gracefully upon the surface and is capable of taking off or landing directly on the water.

In photo: Controller for the HOVERAir AQUA | Image by MJ Jucutan

Every frame remains crystal clear thanks to a hydrophobic lens and anti-fog technology, so you never have to worry about sea spray or humidity ruining the shot.

Crystal-clear shots

Under the hood, you’ll find a 1/1.28-inch CMOS sensor capable of recording breathtaking 4K video at 100fps. This allow for the creation of cinematic, slow-motion sequences that render every wake and wave in exquisite detail.

With over 15 intelligent flight modes — including specialized settings for surfing, kayaking, and paddling — the AQUA essentially acts as your own personal, invisible cinematographer.

Its SmoothCapture stabilization system keeps your footage as steady as a calm horizon, even in choppy conditions.

For professional wakeboarders and surfers, the AQUA completely removes the need for a follow-cam crew. Now, athletes can head out on the water and capture epic, professional-grade footage entirely on their own.


The HOVERAir AQUA Basic Combo is now available through select luxury retailers and online boutiques in the Philippines, priced at PhP 87,990

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Entertainment

Now Playing: The Mandalorian and Grogu

This is the way

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The Mandalorian and Grogu
Image from StarWars.com

It’s been a while since a Star Wars movie made me walk out of a cinema feeling genuinely pumped. Not necessarily emotional nor mind-blown. And not even scrambling to re-evaluate the entire franchise. Just… pumped.

The Mandalorian and Grogu feels like a proper Star Wars blockbuster again. The kind built for crowded cinemas, loud reactions, and collective gasps during action sequences. More importantly, it feels approachable in a way the franchise hasn’t always managed to be lately.

As someone whose interest in Star Wars slowly waned after The Rise of Skywalker, this movie felt oddly refreshing.

I watched the film alongside occasional GadgetMatch contributor Dawn, whose relationship with Star Wars sits somewhere adjacent to mine. Familiar with the Skywalker Saga and select spin-offs, but not necessarily deep into every corner of the lore either. Not because it reinvented the wheel. Quite the opposite, actually. It understood exactly what kind of movie it wanted to be.

I came into the film fairly blind. No rewatches, just a little prep work, and no “required viewing” marathons beforehand. And somehow, none of that really mattered.

Even without context from multiple seasons of Disney+ shows, Din Djarin and Grogu’s bond clicks almost immediately. You don’t need a detailed explanation for why these two care deeply about each other. The movie trusts viewers enough to simply accept their connection and move forward.

Grogu also remains ABSOLUTELY THE CUTEST. No further notes.

Well, maybe one more note.

That little guy carries an absurd amount of emotional weight throughout the movie. Whether he’s unintentionally causing chaos, silently reacting to situations, or simply existing onscreen, he consistently draws laughs and reactions from the audience.

There’s one sequence in particular where Grogu takes care of Din that managed to get a few giggles. It’s a small moment, but one that perfectly captures why this duo works. They don’t feel manufactured. They just feel natural.

Safe storytelling done right

One thing we kept coming back to after the screening was how easy the movie was to watch. Not “easy” in a dismissive way. More accessible and comfortable.

It’s the kind of blockbuster that lets you settle into the experience without requiring homework beforehand.

One observation that stood out during our post-movie discussion was describing the film as a “palate cleanser spin-off.” Despite growing up with the Skywalker Saga and several Star Wars spin-offs herself, she appreciated how welcoming the film felt.

“It’s interesting enough to lure you back into the lore and fall back into love with the franchise,” she said.

That really captures the movie’s biggest strength.

The Mandalorian and Grogu doesn’t spend its runtime obsessing over lore density or trying to prove how important it is within the larger Star Wars timeline. Instead, it focuses on delivering a straightforward adventure with familiar emotional beats.

Sometimes, that traditional recipe is enough.

There are definitely moments where the story feels predictable. We found ourselves correctly guessing certain developments well before they happened. But surprisingly, that never hurt the experience.

If anything, the predictability made the movie feel oddly comforting.

The film knows when to slow down for tender scenes, when to ramp things up with explosive action, and when to simply let viewers breathe inside its world. There’s also very little visual fatigue throughout the runtime. The pacing stays clean and the movie rarely overstays its welcome.

One of my favorite sequences involved Rotta the Hutt in a gladiator-like setting that weirdly reminded me of Thor: Ragnarok. It was chaotic, funny, and surprisingly entertaining.

Also, I need it on record that I identified with Rotta look-wise.

That comparison was apparently questionable according to my companion for the screening.

A low-friction way back into Star Wars

More than anything else, The Mandalorian and Grogu reminded me why people fell in love with Star Wars in the first place.

Not through endless callbacks or franchise homework. But through companionship, adventure, and a healthy helping of heart.

Underneath all the sci-fi spectacle and action sequences is a story about choosing to care for people even when it might not be the smartest thing to do in the moment. Din and Grogu’s relationship may often get described online as father-and-son, but honestly, they felt more like disproportionately-sized bros constantly looking out for each other.

And somehow, that dynamic works incredibly well.

By the end of the movie, we arrived at almost the same conclusion. We wanted more.

Not necessarily because this was the greatest Star Wars story ever told. It isn’t trying to be. But it successfully reignited interest in a franchise that can sometimes feel daunting from the outside looking in.

One immediate effect of the movie was successfully convincing my co-viewer to finally start The Mandalorian Season 1 once schedules calm down a bit. In the meantime, Grogu doomscrolling on Instagram will apparently suffice.

Meanwhile, I’m suddenly considering diving back into Star Wars shows I skipped over the years. I might check out The Acolyte. Maybe Obi-Wan Kenobi. Maybe even tap into gaming with the adventures of Cal Kestis if time and workload permit.

That’s probably the biggest compliment I can give this movie. It made me want to care again.

For longtime fans, The Mandalorian and Grogu delivers good, clean Star Wars fun with heart and hype.

For newcomers, it offers a surprisingly low-friction entry point into a universe that can otherwise feel overwhelming.

That might be exactly what Star Wars needed right now.

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Accessories

Making the case for sophisticated protection

Why settle for survival when you can have style?

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Protection is a baseline, but sophistication is a choice.

We’ve moved past the era of chunky, industrial shells that make your phone look like it’s prepared for a lunar landing. This season, we’re embracing accessories that complements the lifestyle you’ve curated.

Confidence in minimalism

Photo by Tom Lorenz

The RHINOSHIELD Air X in Black is the choice for those who appreciate the architecture of their device. In the dappled sunlight of a garden or resting against the weathered grain of a vintage wooden wheel, the Air X feels right at home.

It offers a translucent window into the tech you’ve invested in, framed by a silhouette so slim it feels like a second skin.

Photo by Tom Lorenz

The MagSafe ring on the back acts as a focal point; a piece of geometric art that doubles as a functional powerhouse. It’s designed for the person who values a seamless flow, snapping onto chargers and accessories with a satisfying click that echoes its precision.

Photo by Tom Lorenz

Because it retains the phone’s original profile while providing world-class impact resistance, the “cost-per-wear” logic applies here perfectly.

A bold declaration

Photo by Tom Lorenz

The RHINOSHIELD Solid X in Blue is the case that stands out among the bougainvillea and the golden hour glow. The deep, saturated blue is a mood. A rich hue that holds its own against the most vibrant summer palette.

Photo by Tom Lorenz

Holding the Solid X feels premium; its matte texture provides a secure, tactile grip that defies the humidity of a tropical afternoon.

Photo by Tom Lorenz

It’s the “sensible” purchase that feels entirely indulgent. By absorbing the shocks of an active life without sacrificing its sophisticated edge, it pays for itself the first time your phone meets the pavement instead of the repair shop.

READ MORE: 11 must-have accessories for your next tropical escape this summer

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