Apps

Grab transport solutions: The go-to this Christmas season

Reliable, accessible services amid the holiday demand

Published

December 11, 2024

GadgetMatch

Christmas season as a whole is, without question, the most anticipated holiday for Filipinos. That’s where they’re at right now — in the middle of the busiest stretch of the calendar year.

December often includes countless Christmas parties and many other numerous gatherings. And as the month winds down, people then travel back to their provinces to spend the holidays with their loved ones.

According to Grab Philippines, 20% of people plan to travel with family and friends this holiday season. Furthermore, an average group size of 15 people attend Christmas and New Year gatherings.

It’s these occasions that cause a surge in the demand for transport-hailing services throughout the season. Fortunately, Grab Philippines has prepared months ahead. They have anticipated the situation so that they can vow the best service reliability and accessibility for users.

As such, Grab’s transportation solutions are a definite go-to for Filipinos this holiday season. Here are some of the ways passengers can utilize Grab’s transportation services so no matter how busy it gets, they can still just focus on celebrating Christmas with family, friends, and loved ones.

Group Rides

For those traveling to Christmas parties, reunions, and more events, Grab has optimized its transport services to maximize vehicle utilization and promote carpooling.

Family and friends going to the same destination or have drop-off points that are close to each other can leverage Group Rides. This allows passengers to coordinate schedules better and have more reliable travel times.

Of course, the Grab app will automatically map out the best possible route to ensure efficient travel time, minus the delays for each of the addresses inputted. Passengers yet to be picked up can also track the ride status in real-time.

Traveling in groups also makes rides more cost-efficient. All passengers as part of one ride will only have to share the same, singular base fare.

With these options, both Grab and the passengers are doing their part in reducing traffic congestion throughout the holiday season.

Advance Booking

Moreover, if you’re planning on flying in and out of the metro, Grab’s Advance Booking service will surely let you focus on enjoying your trips instead of stressing out on getting a ride – touting guaranteed on-time rides.

The service allows passengers to book a driver as early as seven days ahead of their trip to the airport. The reservation window is likewise flexible, allowing bookings to be changed from as early as seven days prior to as late as two hours before the scheduled ride.

Grab has specific driver-partners under Advance Booking too, so passengers are assured of on-time pick-up. In fact, a PhP 100 courtesy credit will be offered if the driver arrives late for a pre-scheduled ride.

And as preparing for departure day could definitely mean a lot of baggage, Advance Booking rides also have a 15-minute grace period implemented.

This allows drivers to accommodate minor delays too, should passengers encounter sudden inconveniences en route to their pick-up location.

Multi-Service Type Booking

Should it get really tricky for passengers to book a GrabCar, Grab has also enhanced ride reliability by increasing chances of successful ride allocation under Multi-Service Type Booking.

Users can also take advantage of this feature by selecting multiple service types in a single booking. Suppose a GrabCar Four-Seater isn’t available at the time, a Grab Six-Seater will fill in.

By expanding the pool of drivers that can be tapped for a passenger there is reduction in the passenger wait time. It also increases the allocation rate amongst Grab drivers, giving them more bookings so they can likewise spend the holiday season with smiles on their faces.

With these measures in tow for Grab’s transport offerings, the platform aims to provide convenient and reliable trips this holiday season.

Apps

Firefox ad reunites all your favorite memes from decades ago

The Numa Numa Guy, Annoying Orange, and Chocolate Rain are back!

Published

October 27, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Before Tung Tung Tung Sahur and Skibidi Toilet, the early internet was populated by charismatic personalities looking to make their presences felt in a land that didn’t have a lot of rules yet. As early users, we danced to “Dragostea din tei,” belted out “Chocolate Rain,” and copied “Shoes” word-for-word. Today, Firefox is bringing all those good memories back for a grand reunion.

In a new ad, the web browser featured ten of the biggest stars of the early internet including the aforementioned Numa Numa Guy, Tay Zonday, and Shoes’ Kelly. You can also see Annoying Orange, Chuck Testa, Overly Attached Girlfriend, Bad Luck Brian, Where the Hell is Matt?, the Apparently Kid, and the Success Kid.

Now, this isn’t just a reunion. The ad has a clear message about today’s most concerning issue: AI. Everything has “built-in AI, always asking, asking, asking,” as the Annoying Orange said.

“They make money by following us, and somehow, I’m the creepy one?” the Overly Attached Girlfriend asked.

All these famous personalities are asking what happened to the internet today. Obviously, the big takeaway is that we should all go back to Firefox.

Compared to other browsers, Firefox has a lot of built-in features that offer a lot of control for users. For one, it has its own VPN for privacy. Secondly, reflecting the ad’s message against AI, the browser has a toggle to minimize AI features.

Apps

Apple Music is getting a Liquid Glass makeover

The new logo debuts next week with iOS 27.2.

Published

October 22, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Apple Music is getting a revamp. In one of the tamer things going on with the brand today, Apple has introduced a new design language for its native music streaming platform.

In the midst of all the hubbub surrounding the iPhone Duo, Apple released a change in the visual identity of Apple Music. Rather than a static logo, the platform’s newest evolution offers a dynamic look that melds Liquid Glass and the power of sound together.

Confirmed through a behind-the-scenes video, Apple says that the new aesthetic was made with practical effects. Music producer Fred Again and NEST Acoustics submerged the platform’s logo in a tank of mineral oil and creating ripples with sound. The new language matches well with the chrome aesthetic typical of today’s trends and… well, Liquid Glass, of course.

Apple says that the more ripple-filled version will play before longer content like concert recordings (similar to Netflix’s startup stinger). Meanwhile, a black-and-white version will replace the app’s icon currently colored red and white. Current previews show off a simple logo, but it’s unknown whether Apple is adding a but more elements when the final version drops.

The updated version will debut for users after next week’s iOS 27.2 and macOS 27.2 updates.

Apps

Disney+ strengthens footing as go-to sports streaming app with UFC, NBA, more

ESPN on Disney+ brands itself as ‘new home ground for sports’

Published

October 20, 2026

GadgetMatch

Disney+ is strengthening its footing as a go-to sports streaming app as ESPN on Disney+ is now available in the Philippines, one of its markets with a huge sports-loving fanbase.

The launch coincides with a brand new campaign, “Ito ang Homecourt Mo!” (This is your homecourt!), welcoming Filipino fans to a new home ground for games, stories, and moments.

Subscribers can access live events, on-demand replays, studio shows, documentaries and original programming together in one dedicated destination through ESPN on Disney+.

Production and coverage will be led by ESPN, delivering high-quality broadcasts, commentary and expert analysis across the sports season where available, alongside Disney+ general entertainment and family programming.

Following last season’s success, NBA returns to ESPN on Disney+ with matchups during NBA Tip-Off Week.

Christmas Day games will also be available to stream, including the NBA Finals rematch between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs and the Philadelphia 76ers versus the Los Angeles Lakers.

Playoff games through the conference finals shall also be streamed live and on demand.

Meanwhile, the UFC is among some of the new regular sports programs Filipinos can watch on Disney+.

The action kicks off at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi scheduled on October 25, where two world championship titles are expected to be on the line: UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski takes on undefeated No. 1-ranked contender Movsar Evloev, and UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan defends against former champion and No. 1-ranked Merab Dvalishvili.

Alongside live UFC numbered events and UFC Fight Nights, fans will have access to a library of classic fights and curated UFC content.

There will also be the original and and behind-the-scenes programming, including UFC Countdown, UFC Connected, UFC Main Event, UFC Fight Flashback, UFC Reloaded, and ROAD TO UFC.

A new home ground for sports

Other notable sports programming will include the Formula E 2026/27 season, with practice, qualifying and main races across 21 rounds in 13 host cities.

Also available on Disney+ are NCAA events, including March Madness, and Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL), with all games live across the regular season and championship series.

ESPN’s popular 30 for 30 documentaries will continue to be available on the platform. The line-up also features ESPN studio shows, including ESPN FC and Pardon the Interruption.