Her GadgetMatch

3 reasons why Huawei x Gentle Monster Eyewear II is one of my 2021 must-haves

Add this to your wearable collection!

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The coming year just has to be better than this one. After all, there’s no way to go but up after the shit storm that was 2020. I can’t speak for everything but when it comes to wearable tech, things are already looking pretty good. Literally. The Huawei x Gentle Monster Eyewear II came out last month with new designs and improved features that had fans of the first generation impressed.

Honestly speaking, I’m glad I got to take this one for a spin the past few weeks and I just know that I’ll be using it more often in 2021. Here are some reasons why I could hardly leave home or go one day without wearing them:

It instantly adds flair to any outfit

This year was already difficult as it is. Still, I found myself in the middle of a big move from Berlin to Manila by November. This meant having to live with limited wardrobe options until our shipment arrives. And that would take two months.

We also had to move from a hotel to a temporary flat, and now to more permanent accommodations. Such is the life of people with nomadic careers and I’m not gonna lie — it’s no walk in the park. Especially when it comes to the wardrobe and luggage weight limit dilemma.

Mixing and matching my pieces have always been fun. But I have to admit that it was in having the Huawei x Gentle Monster Eyewear II that added that flair into some of the outfits I have already worn before. It practically goes with anything.

Earrings from @merriambatara, top and shorts from Zara

Even on days when I feel lazy to dress up but need to go and see the outside world, I just add these sunglasses and the whole look is easily elevated.

Pro tip when you’re working with few pieces: Go with basic colors and cuts that make it easier to pair your tops with your available bottoms. Opt for basic pieces.  This gives you the freedom to dress them down to look casual or to accessorize for something more glamorous. Dresses in plain hues also go a long way just by changing your hairstyle, shoes, and jewelry.

Not just for the outdoors

We’ve been spending a lot of time at home lately and that has allowed me to embrace the athleisure trend. While the Huawei x Gentle Monster Eyewear II Myma is classic enough for my usual wardrobe, it can easily be worn with sporty outfits as well.

With bright, tropical sunshine always finding its way into our homes here in Manila, I find myself opting to do my writing by a window to score a tan.

I can listen to music or an audiobook as I do so without bothering my husband when he’s also working from home. Not gonna lie — it did take a while for him to get used to me wearing it around the flat. But it’s a fashion choice that also saves me from the early development of crow’s feet.

I can also connect it to our TV and even to my phone for some music. Lately, I’ve committed to basic barre workouts in the morning. Even tried them once while sporting these sunglasses and it worked out pretty well. It was even quite the lifesaver when the sun decided to go on full blast.

It stays on as the arms are gently hooked behind my ears. It also works well even as I use it as a makeshift headband to push my hair away from my face. As long as the ends of the arms touch the back of your ears, you’ll hear your music just fine.

Top from @onepeloton, leggings from Lululemon

Convenience

It’s especially useful when I’m walking our dog Juancho. It keeps me connected while making sure I have a firm grip on the leash. I can listen to music and even take calls with just a few taps. I can even adjust the volume and change tracks on my Spotify.

We all have days when we prefer to be introverts. Walking around Manila with a mask and this pair is also a surefire way to avoid being recognized by your friends.

When it’s not in use, I pop it in the case and toss it into my tote. It gives me up to 5 hours of playback before I need to charge it again. I can wear it for hours without any discomfort, too.

It’s not a must-have for everyone. Surely, some would say this is pretty much non-essential tech. But for people who value style and convenience, this is a great addition to one’s wearable collection.

Accessories

Dyson Airstrait: Hair straightening with air, not heat

Less heat, less damage

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People may now straighten hair without worrying about heat damage. Dyson has launched the new Dyson Airstrait hair straightener, ushering a new era in hair straightening. As the product name suggests, this innovative tool introduces a new way to straighten hair using just air.

The Airstrait has a simple wet-to-dry straightening process. Airflow is accelerated through the two arms’ 1.5mm openings, creating a high-velocity downward blade of air at a specific angle. This creates a controlled downward force to straighten hair simultaneously as it dries.

With the tool, stylers can achieve a naturally straight and shiny finish that maintains the hair’s strength and healthy look. The Airstrait also speeds the process up by about 25%. What’s best is there is no heat damage, unlike traditional straighteners.

Designed for multiple hair types

The Airstrait runs on a specifically-engineered Hyperdymium motor, a 13-blade impeller that spins up to 106,000rpm and generates 3.5kPa of pressure. Like Dyson’s hair care range, the Airstrait features intelligent heat control that measures the airflow’s temperature to ensure there is no damage.

Users may switch between two styling modes: Wet and Dry. The Wet and Dry modes are pre-set with specific heat and airflow combinations for the best results. A Cool mode is also available to set the style. Moreover, the airflow control has two speed settings, low and high. Drying, meanwhile, can be set to cold shot or root drying.

The science

Dyson has constantly invested a lot financially in research and technology development to craft innovative products in its specific industry. In creating the Airstrait, Dyson engineers studied every detail, from airflow dynamics to hair structure. They also considered thermal, mechanical, and chemical damage and their effects to hair health.

In the end, the Airstrait works based on one key principle. In styling hair to a new shape, hydrogen bonds from each hair strand are broken down. Traditionally, this is done through heat or moisture. But Dyson came up with a tool that just lets water weaken the hydrogen bonds, and then style hair with the optimum level of heat and controlled airflow.

Price, availability

The Dyson Airstrait is available starting April 16 in two colorways: Bright Nickel/Rich Copper and Prussian Blue/Rich Copper. It is priced at PhP 33,900.

Those interested in preordering may already do using this link: Dyson Airstrait

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Her GadgetMatch

Filipina who created Window Garden joins Google Play program

More indie games to come?

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Filipina-owned CLOVER-FI Games is taking the next step to build more accessible mobile games through Google Play. One-woman developer and publisher Camilla Santiago is representing the country at Google Play’s Indie Games Accelerator (IGA) program this year.

Her CLOVER-FI Games studio is behind hit local game Window Garden. The idle game lets players plant and decorate their own virtual indoor garden while relaxing in chill vibes, lo-fi music, and a cottagecore aesthetic. It was released in October 2021, back when Santiago learned app development amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Windows Garden has since amassed a million downloads. In almost three years, it has been received well by gamers with a 4.7 rating based on more than 8,200 reviews.

Google Play IGA

The Google Play IGA is a 10-week course designed for high-potential indie game studios. The program allows these startups to access the best of Google’s programs, products, people, and technology to be able to build and improve a successful organization.

The last Philippine representative in the program was Ranida Games, which had created one-on-one fighting game Vita Fighters. Through IGA, the title received benefits, allowing the developers to improve it.

Like Ranida Games, Santiago’s CLOVER-FI Games is just getting started. Her studio’s goal is to ultimately create more cozy-themed games that are accessible to everyone through mobile platforms.

With the help of the IGA, Santiago will be equipped with the necessary skills and experience needed to create another potentially successful title just like Window Garden. We can only wait as she empowers Filipinas through her craft.

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Her GadgetMatch

Dyson unveils ‘most intelligent hair dryer’ yet

The Supersonic Nural

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During its global launch event in Seoul, South Korea, Dyson has unveiled its “most intelligent hair dryer” yet: The Dyson Supersonic Nural.

The styling tool harnesses Dyson’s new automatic Nural sensor technology to protect scalp health and enhance hair’s natural shine.

One of the Dyson Supersonic Nural’s key features is a Scalp protect mode which is activated by the Nural sensors.

This automatically reduces the dryer’s heat as it nears a person’s head, protecting the scalp from damage. The process is done by having the sensors recognize when the dryer is already nearing the person’s head.

In addition, the Supersonic Nural’s LED light automatically changes under Scalp mode, depending on the distance from the head. Users will see yellow for low heat, orange for medium heat, and red for high heat, for convenient usage.

Moreover, the tool intelligently remembers your last used heat and airflow settings and will apply them the next time it is in use.

Price, availability

The Dyson Supersonic Nural comes in two color palettes: Ceramic Patina and Topaz or Vinca Blue and Topaz.

The entire package will come with five attachments, including two new ones:

  • Gentle Air Attachment
  • Styling Concentrator
  • Smoothing Nozzle
  • Diffuser
  • Flyaway Smoother

However, the technology has not been made available in the Philippines yet as of writing time. To be the first to know when it arrives, sign up here.

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