News
Google introduces Nest Hub Max with a bigger display and built-in camera
A new central hub for your smart home
Aside from new midrange Pixel phones, Google also announced a new smart home hub powered by the Google Assistant called the Nest Hub Max. It’s pretty similar to last year’s Nest Hub (formerly Google Home Hub), but with a larger display and a built-in camera.
The Nest Hub Max is practically a digital photo frame thanks to its 10-inch HD display. It can show photos from your Google Photos account or act as a kitchen TV — as long as you have a subscription.
All the features of the smaller Nest Hub are on the Nest Hub Max, but the latter has a Nest Cam. Just like a standalone Nest Cam, you can use it to check on your house right from your phone. It can also be used for video calling with Google Duo.

Google Nest Hub Max | Image credit: Google
The product is designed to be used by multiple people in a home, but it can provide help to each one. With Voice Match and the new Face Match, the device can recognize who is using it and give personalized results. Face Match is processed locally with on-device machine learning, which means the camera data never leaves the device.
The Nest Hub Max will be available in the US for US$ 229 on the Google Store and partner retail stores. It’ll also be available in the UK for GBP 219 and in Australia for AUS 349.
Additionally, the Nest Hub will be available in 12 more countries namely in Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Spain, and Sweden. It’ll now be available in the US for just $129.
SEE ALSO: The Pixel 3a is now officially the budget-friendly Google phone
News
OnePlus officially leaves the United States and Canada
The brand’s smartphones are now sold out in the United States.
Once upon a time, OnePlus used to be the darling child of smartphone users on a budget. For a more meager price than a flagship, users can enjoy flagship specs on a uniquely designed phone. Who can forget the iconic OnePlus One?
Unfortunately, prices have a way of catching up. Though the brand’s phones are still perfectly good, more options have already emerged as alternatives for a so-called flagship killer, including OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei’s Nothing.
Now, marking the brand’s next step, whatever that is, OnePlus has officially left the North American market. As of today, the company has sold its last smartphone in the United States and Canada. Going on the official OnePlus website will warrant a Sold Out sign for both the OnePlus 15 and 15R. If anything, users can still get a handful of earbuds and cases.
As with everything that sells out, if you really want to cop one of the last remaining models in America, you can grab one off a third-party retailer, but who knows until when that will last?
This isn’t just a stocking issue, either. In July, the company already confirmed that it is pulling out of the region starting this month. It’s a sign of internal restructuring happening inside OPPO and all the brands under its umbrella. There’s also a rumor that OnePlus was relegated to being a sub-brand of OPPO once again.
News
Mastercard brings Apple Pay to customers in the Philippines
Easy and secure way to pay across Apple ecosystem
Mastercard has officially brought Apple Pay to its cardholders in the Philippines. This gives iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac users an easy, secure, and private way to pay in-store, in-app, and online.
To pay in-store, customers simply double-click the side button, authenticate, and hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a payment terminal to make a contactless payment.
Apple Pay is easy to set up. On iPhone, simply open the Wallet app and tap the ‘+’ and follow the steps to add a Mastercard credit or debit card.
Once a customer adds a card to iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac, they can start using Apple Pay on that device right away.
Every Apple Pay purchase is secure because it is authenticated with Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode, as well as a one-time unique dynamic security code.
Apple Pay is accepted in grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, and many more places that accept contactless payments.
Customers can also use Apple Pay on iPhone, iPad, and Mac to make faster and more convenient purchases in apps or on the web without having to create accounts or repeatedly type in contact information, card details, or shipping and billing information.
Of course, customers will continue to receive all of the rewards and benefits offered by Mastercard.
Security and privacy are at the core of Apple Pay. When customers use a credit or debit card with Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device, nor on Apple servers.
Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted, and securely stored in the Secure Element, an industry-standard, certified chip designed to store the payment information safely on the device.
News
Visa brings Apple Pay to its customers in the Philippines
An easier and more secure way to pay with iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac
Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, announced today that Visa debit and credit cardholders in the Philippines can now add their eligible cards to Apple Pay on their iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac. Apple Pay is an easy, secure and private way to pay in-store, in-app and online.
This announcement accelerates the digitalization of payments all while expanding payment options for Filipinos traveling abroad and visitors traveling to the Philippines. Across the Asia Pacific region, 97% of travelers1 say that they will bring credit, debit, or prepaid cards on their trips, while only 17% intend to bring foreign currency. Among travelers, 38% said they prefer cards because of robust security and fraud protection features, while 20% cite wide acceptance. Apple Pay seamlessly delivers on these exact needs by making everyday transactions easy, secure, and private.
Visa Confidential
To pay in-store, customers simply double-click the side button, authenticate, and hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a payment terminal to make a contactless payment. Every Apple Pay purchase is secure because it is authenticated with Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode, as well as a one-time unique dynamic security code. Apple Pay is accepted in grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, and many more places that accept contactless payments.
Customers can also use Apple Pay on iPhone, iPad, and Mac to make faster and more convenient purchases in apps or on the web without having to create accounts or repeatedly type in contact information, card details, or shipping and billing information.
“Apple Pay represents the next evolution of payments in the Philippines, combining ease of use, simplicity, and security in every transaction, helping amplify the payment experience for Visa cardholders in the Philippines. With Apple Pay, Filipinos and tourists alike now have seamless and secure ways to pay across shops, restaurants, travel destinations, and public transport, supporting the nation’s vision to become a cash-lite economy,” said Jeffrey Navarro, Country Manager for Visa Philippines.
Security and privacy are at the core of Apple Pay. When customers use a credit or debit card with Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device, nor on Apple servers. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted and securely stored in the Secure Element, an industry-standard, certified chip designed to store the payment information safely on the device.
Apple Pay is easy to set up. On iPhone, simply open the Wallet app, tap the ‘+’, and follow the steps to add a Visa card. Once a customer adds a card to iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac, they can start using Apple Pay on that device right away. Customers will continue to receive all of the rewards and benefits offered by their Visa cards.
For more information on Apple Pay, visit: https://www.apple.com/ph/apple-pay/
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