Accessories

Gift ideas for the important people in your life

Make a list and check it twice

Published

December 4, 2018

Chay Lazaro

Making Christmas lists can be daunting. One minute you think you already thought of the perfect gift for the people on your nice list, but next thing you know, they already have it or you doubt they’ll ever use it. So, you drop the idea and go back to square one. Other times, you come up with the most generic lists just so you have something to give: belt for dad, purse for mom, a pair of socks for the brother, a scarf for the best friend.

Sometimes, all you need are fresh ideas. Here are some to jump-start your holiday shopping this year!

1. For the one who travels for work

Productivity and portability rarely go hand in hand, but there are devices and accessories that help maximize remote work for anyone whose jobs allow it. Creatives could use a stylus, while writers and entrepreneurs could use a keyboard case. You can even get a nice backpack or sleeve to house it all in!

2. For the one who embraces a minimalist lifestyle

There are those who dream of having a walk-in closet, and those who try to keep their belongings to a minimum. That said, minimalist people are probably the toughest to buy material things for, but that doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate a thoughtful gift. If you know that they have something that needs replacing, help them find out if they can have it recycled or traded in for a new one. Apps for mindfulness and meditation, learning a new language, or even an Audible subscription would also be great!

3. For the one who works out a lot

Gym rats almost always have everything they already need for their workouts, yet some of them haven’t invested in a smartwatch or a fitness band. If they have, you can give them new straps or cases so they can sport their wearables outside the gym and continue tracking their activities. Subscriptions to coaching, music streaming, or meal planning apps are also something they’d appreciate.

4. For the one who needs a pop of color

We all have that one person in our lives who wears neutral colors all the time or have had a pretty lackluster year — at least I know I do. Whether a guy or girl, everyone could use something bold once in a while: a pair of shoes in red, a wool coat in yellow, or even a phone in coral. More than making a statement, colors have the power to change moods and brighten up one’s day.

5. For the one who dresses to kill

She’s all about making an impression and takes dressing up seriously. She’s the woman in your life who takes a little bit longer to get ready in the morning putting an outfit together. A daring red lipstick, a pair of sexy pumps, jewelry, or a designer watch are all great options. Even better: a smartwatch in a bold color that is a statement on its own.

While they don’t always have to be material things, there’s something to be said for getting gifts for family and friends, no matter how small or cheap. Gift giving during the holidays is a way to give back to the important people who made your year merrier. The more thought and effort you put into it, the more meaningful and fitting it is for the person you’re getting it for. There’s no better feeling than knowing you made a difference in someone’s life through a gift — whether that’s in making them more efficient with their work, in their road to fitness, or in simply making them feel good about themselves.

Accessories

JBL decks out new pairs of True Wireless earbuds

Meet the Tune 130NC, Tune 230NC, and Endurance RACE

Published

May 28, 2022

MJ Jucutan

Photo by MJ Jucutan | GadgetMatch

JBL is expanding its collection of True Wireless earbuds. After hitting it off with the popular Tune 125 TWS and Tune 225 TWS, the company is bringing the JBL Tune 230NC, Tune 130NC, and the Endurance RACE.

The new pairs of True Wireless earbuds promise an impressive audio experience sans the steep price tag.

JBL Tune 230NC: For those who like the stem design

Photo by MJ Jucutan | GadgetMatch

First on the new collection is the JBL Tune 230NC. It punches with JBL’s pure bass sound, together with its 5.8mm driver delivering splendid sound apt for people who are always on the go. Impressively, it has an active noise cancellation feature.

Also, it has four microphones for crystal-clear calls enabled in the stem design following its predecessor. Moreover, it has new silicone tips for a more secure fit and better bass performance.

The Tune 230NC aims to deliver 40 hours of playtime, and a speed charge feature that enables you an hour of listening after plugging it in for only ten minutes.

JBL Tune 130NC: When you like it in the usual ‘buds’

Photo by MJ Jucutan | GadgetMatch

For those who prefer the in-ear ‘buds’, the JBL Tune 130NC provides style and substance through its design and functions. It carries JBL’s signature pure bass sound of up to 40 hours of combined playtime.

To top it off, it comes with active noise cancellation so you can listen intently to your favorite tunes while on the go. It also has four microphones to ensure crystal clear communication during calls.

JBL Endurance RACE: Ready for action

Photo by MJ Jucutan | GadgetMatch

Fitness freaks and adventure buffs alike might find a new companion through the JBL Endurance RACE. The latest addition to the Endurance series delivers the same durability and comfort found on the JBL Endurance RUN, SPRINT, JUMP, DIVE, and PEAK headphones.

It has an IP67 rating that enables it to come along in your toughest workouts — dust, sweat, and splashes considered. RACE offers ten hours of continuous playback, with 20 hours of backup power through its charging case.

With its Pure Bass Performance audio, athletes can revel in music that accompanies them in pushing past any obstacles. However, too much focus can be a bad thing, which is why RACE’s Ambient Aware technology aids the athletes by helping them stay alert to their surroundings.

Price and availability

The JBL Tune 230NC and the JBL Tune 130NC retail for PhP 5,999 while the JBL Endurance RACE retails for PhP 4,999. The new pair of True Wireless earbuds are available at JBL’s concept stores, official dealers, and online stores nationwide.

Accessories

SteelSeries adds world’s lightest gaming mice to Aerox series

The Aerox 5, Aerox 5 Wireless, and Aerox 9 Wireless
g

Published

May 25, 2022

GadgetMatch

SteelSeries continues to expanded its award-winning Aerox series, adding three new ultra-lightweight gaming mice to the collection.

The new Aerox 5, Aerox 5 Wireless, and Aerox 9 Wireless mice are now available, offering gamers even better precision, speed, and comfort.

Dubbed as the world’s lightest multi-genre and MMO/MOBA gaming mice, the latest peripherals come with customizable features.

These include programmable buttons for instant access to a gamer’s preferred shortcuts, as well as syncing RGB lighting for a more personalized gaming experience.

Pricing, availability

The three new Aerox mice are now available at SteelSeries’ official Lazada and Shopee stores, as well as Challenger, Courts, Endless passion, Tec Drome, Xtreme, and other major channels.

Refer to the table below for the prices and specs.

Model	Specs	Price
Aerox 5	66g 9 programmable buttons TrueMove Air sensor 100 percent Virgin Grade PTFE feet 3 RGB zones with Brilliant PrismSync Lighting Water-resistant AquaBarrier with IP54 safety rating	SG$ 149
Aerox 5 Wireless	74g Up to 180 hours of battery life 40 hours of use on a 15-minute charge TrueMove Air Sensor Quantum 2.0 Wireless and Bluetooth	SG$ 229
Aerox 9 Wireless	89g 12 programmable buttons Up to 180 hours of battery life 40 hours of use on a 15-minute charge Quantum 2.0 Wireless and Bluetooth Golden Micro IP54 Switches	SG$ 249

In addition, any purchase of SteelSeries entitles customers to a free one-month GeForce NOW cloud gaming subscription.

Accessories

Sony WH-1000XM5 is a luxury for your ears

Improve noise cancelation and audio quality

Published

May 17, 2022

Luigi Leonardo

Sony remains one of the most important players in the noise-canceling realm. While Bose is also a force in the industry, Sony is doing what it can to improve its own audio technology. Following up its impressive flagship lineup of headphones, the company has announced the WH-1000XM5, a new pair for your discerning ears.

Much like its predecessor, the WH-1000XM5 follows the same tradition of design. The sleeker evolution makes way for a softer, more comfortable fit around your skull, bolstered by synthetic leather.

Under the hood, the headphones sports an additional processor to improve noise cancelation, especially in mid to high frequency ranges. It can also adapt to various user scenarios like those who wear glasses or have long hair.

As always, Sony is also focusing on audio quality. The 30mm driver uses a light dome with carbon fiber composite material to deliver natural sound. Plus, with Sony’s LDAC coding technology, users can enjoy Hi-Fi Audio. DSEE Extreme automatically upscales audio files to high quality. Finally, if your audio can support it, the headphones is compatible with 360 Reality Audio.

The WH-1000XM5 also worked on call quality with four beamforming microphones on the device and noise reduction.

Starting May 20, users can buy the WM-1000XM5 for US$ 399.99.