News

Google Pixel 3 XL launch spoiled by early sale in Hong Kong

‘Oops!’

Published

on

The Pixel 3 series is set to be unveiled on October 9, but after numerous leaks and teasers, we now have the nail in the phone’s hype coffin.

Engadget got hold of an actual retail unit being sold in Hong Kong days ahead of the launch, and has published this first look video for everyone. Spoiler alert!

Richard Lai, who put this whole video together according to the end credits, runs through the phone’s specs and features, practically confirming all the rumors that have surfaced up to this point.

This unit was obtained through Hong Kong mobile shop WahPhone Digital. Since it’s a rare find, it currently sells for HK$ 15,880 or around US$ 2,025 — woah!

But the best news from this is the complete set of accessories, from the USB-C earphones and USB-C-to-3.5mm adapter, to the USB-C-to-USB-A dongle and 18W fast charger. This is way more than Apple offers with the iPhone XS.

Specs are pretty much what we expected: Snapdragon 845 chipset, 6.3-inch 1440p OLED display, 128GB of storage, but only 4GB of memory. Lai says that a 6GB memory version should become available, as well.

Interestingly, there are two cameras in front — both with 8 megapixels but one is extra wide for group photos — and only one 12.2-megapixel camera on the back, which is surprising to see in a time when three rear shooters is gradually becoming the flagship standard.

Google may have more secrets to reveal during the actual launch, as well as more Pixel products that aren’t phones.

News

Globe introduces The Loop, a portable 5G Wi-Fi hotspot

A home WiFi that moves with you

Published

on

Globe at Home The Loop

Globe is giving Filipinos a new way to stay connected — whether at home or on the go — with The loop, its latest portable 5G Wi-Fi device.

Globe at Home The Loop

Officially unveiled at The Blueprint event, The loop combines style and function in one compact device. It looks like a sleek mini basket with a handle on top and a touchscreen display in the middle — designed for everyday use, not just tech setups.

While it serves as a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot that can connect up to 16 devices simultaneously, Globe also built Theoop to fit right into modern lifestyles. You can stream music, watch videos, and even make video calls directly from the device — perfect for family bonding moments, group trips, or quick catch-ups anywhere.

Globe at Home The Loop

With its built-in battery, The loop keeps your connection running for up to two days even during a power outage, making it a reliable companion at home or outdoors.

Price and availability

Globe at Home The Loop

Available in green, orange,and white and soon in pink! The Loop retails for PhP 10,999.

Available on TikTok Shop! Get the connection you’ll love and feel the 5G energy with exclusive launch deals.

Also available at select Globe The loop stores nationwide — including Alabang Town Center, ICONIC Store BGC, Glorietta 3, Robinsons Place Manila, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM Southmall, SM City Cebu, and more.

Globe’s The loop is more than a Wi-Fi gadget — it’s an experience built to keep every connection within reach.

Continue Reading

Gaming

New Civilization VII update will address everyone’s biggest issue

Soon, everyone can play as a single Civ.

Published

on

Despite being enjoyable in its current state, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is a work in progress. Firaxis Games is still working on improvements, especially as suggested by the franchise’s fans. Now, approaching the new game’s first anniversary, Civilization VII is getting a massive patch, called the Test of Time update, later this spring.

Playing as a single Civ

Test of Time will address the biggest problem that players had with the base game: the inability to play as a single Civ. Currently, players are forced to evolve into Age-appropriate Civs at the end of the previous Age. The system leads to odd histories, such as Maurya somehow evolving into modern-day America.

Starting with the update, players can now take a single Civ across the test of time. And it’s not a shoehorned feature, too. Civs will now have an Apex Age, meaning the Age they were historically associated with. Playing Civs outside of their Apex Age will introduce a new kit that corresponds to the other Ages.

Plus, this also introduces a new system called Syncretism. Playing a Civ outside of their Age allows players to choose a unique military unit or infrastructure from other Civs to help bolster their strategy.

The new system works in reverse too. Players can start a game in the Modern Age using an Antiquity Age Civ. Finally, if players decide to use this system, the AI will follow suit, ensuring an equal playing field.

Reworked victory conditions

Besides the playability of Civs, Civilization VII will rework Victories. Instead of a clear path to victory via Legacy Paths (which players have complained as being too rigid), the new Triumph system will introduce new optional objectives to prod players further down the line of victory.

Plus, getting extraordinary progress in one victory condition can help players earn victory even before the Modern Age. Victory can be earned as early as the Exploration Age, but Firaxis has not explained how this can happen.

Firaxis says that the new system should help the game feel more dynamic and exciting after the Antiquity Age.

Now, to celebrate the actual anniversary, players will get access to a new leader, Gilgamesh, a fan favorite from the previous game. He will be free for all players with update 1.3.2.

Continue Reading

Gaming

CM Punk graces cover of WWE 2K26

The game will feature over 400 playable characters, the largest to date.

Published

on

Compared to the gigantic NBA 2K, WWE 2K is a relatively small series. Well, with thirty teams and a healthy roster of hall of famers, that’s no surprise. This year, however, WWE 2K26 wants to catch up, featuring the biggest roster that the franchise has ever had and a plethora of new features.

WWE 2K26 will feature over 400 playable characters, which includes current Superstars from RAW, SmackDown, and NXT. As always, Legends and Hall of Famers will be playable wrestlers.

This year, however, the roster of classics are much healthier. Specifically, there are three different editions dedicated to past wrestlers. The first, called The King of Kings Edition, centers the spotlight on Hall of Famer and Chief Content Officer, Triple H (or Paul Levesque). The Attitude Era Edition features Superstars from that era, including Stone Cold Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, and The Rock. Finally, the Monday Night Wars Edition includes Superstars from WCW such as the nWo’s Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall.

Meanwhile, the Standard Edition features a Superstar that’s been no less decorated over the years. CM Punk, who will also grace the cover, will have his entire career featured in the annual 2K Showcase.

For gameplay, WWE 2K26 has four new match types: I Quit, Inferno, Three Stages of Hell, and Dumpster. Intergender matches are also available now. The environment is now more interactable with more usable weapons. Plus, the Stamina and Reversal systems have been reworked.

The Standard Edition (US$ 69.99) launches on March 13 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

The King of Kings Edition (US$ 99.99), the Attitude Era Edition (US$ 129.99), and the Monday Night War Edition (US$ 149.99) will all launch a week prior, on March 6.

SEE ALSO: Netflix will become new home for WWE in 2025

Continue Reading

Trending