Accessories

The Huawei x Gentle Monster Eyewear II makes the future look stylish

It’s a little like meeting ‘the one’

Published

December 14, 2020

Carolyn Ramoran Hamilton | Almost Diplomatic

Every now and then, a piece of tech comes along that changes the way you live a certain aspect of your life. It might be something you never thought you needed. Maybe something some movie that’s supposed to be in the distant future showed you a version of? But one thing’s for sure. It’s a little like meeting the one. It certainly was how I felt with the Huawei x Gentle Monster Eyewear II.

The second version of the Chinese tech giant’s stylish wearable is now in the Philippines. Listening to music or taking calls while on the go has never looked this good.

Choose your style: The many faces of Huawei x Gentle Monster Eyewear II

I’ve been eyeing Gentle Monster’s Her sunglasses ever since I saw Son Ye Jin wear them on Crash Landing on You. Frames so big, they can practically make anyone look like a K-drama star. Living in Berlin at that time with no Gentle Monster store nearby, it was hard to try it on before buying.

Sunglasses, for me, had to be bought in a physical store because of how picky I can be. But when the Smart Myma style of this collab landed on my desk, I totally forgot about the style I’ve been looking at for months. They had Her in the first generation line-up but why miss out on Eyewear II’s new features?

Sure, this style is ginormous and can look quite comical on those with small faces. But if you’re someone like me who’s got a pretty strong jawline that makes your choice of glasses quite limited — well, lucky us. This style is perfect. For the rest of you lucky people with smaller faces, there’s always the smaller but still as eye-catching Smart Lang.

People who wish to opt for prescription glasses have the Smart Kubo and Smart Havana. For the best of both worlds, you can always switch to transition lenses to give you the best of both worlds.

The future looks stylish

Now on to the tech. Sure, there’s no doubt the glasses are stylish. But what makes them special or better than the first generation? A lot.

I tried the first generation Eyewear during IFA and one of my first comments was how the arms weren’t so comfortable. This issue was addressed in Eyewear II. I personally find that they stay on better with the way the arms bend towards the end. After wearing these glasses for hours, there was also no discomfort.

It also has five hours of music playback and up to three hours when used for phone calls. It also easily pairs with your current phone — even if it’s not Huawei. These glasses connect almost instantly to my iPhone 12 Pro as soon as I put them on.

The audio is also pretty good. Some say the bass falls a bit flat but I personally don’t notice that. The audio quality is pretty at par with your usual, wireless earphones. Calls come in crystal clear and the mic also functions really well even when you’re in a pretty noisy environment.

Control on your fingertips

The controls are pretty easy and to be honest — are pretty cool. Pairing the Eyewear II only requires a gentle pinch on the left temple. The voice assistant, meanwhile, is activated by a double-tap also on the left temple.

To move on to the next song on your playlist, you just need to swipe your finger on the right arm of your glasses to the front. Swiping back brings you to the previous song. Doing the same gestures on the left side will control the volume.

Removing the glasses will automatically pause music playback and will resume the moment you put it back on within three minutes.

Sure, it’s great — but what about the negatives?

The glasses do have enough battery to power through a long chat or a decent listening session. When you need to charge it, you pop it into its case that — sadly — doesn’t have a battery. So you have to keep it plugged in with a USB-C cable to get some juice and listening time back. Maybe the next versions on Eyewear will have a battery built into the case but that might also mean a little more added weight.

There’s a little bit of audio spilling out. Sure, a person who’s nearby might hear that there’s music coming out of your glasses but it’s not enough for them to recognize any words or music. No need to worry about people eavesdropping. The audio leak is also hardly noticeable outdoors.

I always felt awkward talking on the phone using my AirPods when my hair is down and they could hardly be seen. I’ve often gotten stares from people who think I’m talking to myself. Those stares got worse with Eyewear II. During a pretty long phone call that lasted while walking through Greenbelt, I’m pretty sure I left a couple of people thinking I was having quite the monologue. But who cares about what other people think? My dog thinks my Smart Myma is cool and his is the only opinion that’s valid.

The Huawei x Gentle Monster Eyewear II is available wherever you can score Huawei devices in the Philippines. It currently retails for PhP 21,999.

Accessories

JBL unwraps the season with prizes that go beyond powerful sound

Celebrate the holidays with Unwrap the Unexpected promo and an unforgettable Sound Fest!

Published

November 17, 2025

GadgetMatch

The holidays always feel louder when music fills the room.

This year, JBL is giving Filipinos a reason to turn the volume even higher with its Unwrap the Unexpected promo, a Christmas celebration that rewards every purchase with the chance to take home surprises that go from everyday essentials to life-changing grand prizes.

A holiday treat with every purchase

From November 1 to December 31, anyone who buys a participating JBL product from authorized stores or official online partners can register their receipt at jblpromo.com.ph.

The process is simple. You make a purchase, upload your proof of payment, and enter your details before the year ends. Each entry becomes your chance to win a lineup of prizes that includes a brand-new Tesla Model 3.

The promo also offers rewards such as a Vespa S125, a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7, and a Lenovo Legion 5 gaming laptop, along with dozens of other exciting items.

Free pass to the biggest JBL music experience

Every successful registration comes with a free Concert Pass to JBL Sound Fest 2025.

The event happens on December 6 at Parklinks Open Grounds in Pasig City. Registration for the pass is open until December 6 at 10 a.m.

The festival is set to gather some of the most celebrated OPM artists in one night of energy, lights, and crowd-shaking sound.

Rico Blanco, Cup of Joe, HORI7ON, Flow G, and Kat DJ will take the stage, along with other performers ready to deliver a holiday concert that lives up to the JBL name.

Expect a night built around powerful music, vibrant production, and a shared love for sound.

How to join

To participate, purchase any qualified JBL product from participating retailers nationwide and register at jblpromo.com.ph by December 31.

Make sure to claim your Sound Fest pass before December 6 at 10 a.m. Full promo mechanics and registration details are available on jblpromo.com.ph.

Accessories

SKG makes its official Philippine debut

Smart wellness solutions now available nationwide

Published

November 15, 2025

GadgetMatch

SKG is now officially in the Philippines. The company is bringing its lineup of smart wellness devices to help Filipinos manage fast-paced days with better rest and recovery.

The global wellness tech brand is now present in over 50 countries. They offer portable massagers and relaxation tools built with ergonomic design, advanced engineering, and a user-first approach.

SKG Philippines launches with a full range of products tailored for modern lifestyles.

The flagship model: G7 Pro-Fold Neck Massager

Leading the lineup is the G7 Pro-Fold Neck Massager with Heat. This is SKG’s signature device and the only foldable neck massager on the market. It comes in a premium leather finish and full smart customization.

It uses dual-mode TENS and Vibration Powered Massage Technology. This strengthens muscles, improve circulation, and deliver targeted nerve relaxation. For deeper relief, its heat therapy system combines a 6000Hz pulse matrix, graphene heating, and 630nm red light to penetrate muscles up to 10mm.

Its award-winning foldable design supports mobility, making it ideal for long flights and demanding workdays.

The SKG G7 Pro-Fold Neck Massager with Heat is priced at PhP 10,999 SRP in SKG physical stores and on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.

A more accessible option: 4356E Neck Massager

For students and budget-conscious users, the 4356E Neck Massager offers a more affordable way to experience SKG’s self-care tech. It combines TENS and EMS to relax nerves, strengthen muscles, and support daily recovery.

It also includes a 42°C hot compress, three massage modes, and 15 intensity levels, backed by a reliable battery and a one-button voice prompt for ease of use.
The SKG 4356E Neck Massager retails for PhP 2,999 SRP on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.

Portable premium comfort: ES500 Eye Massager

The ES500 Eye Massager brings premium eye care to frequent travelers, busy professionals, and anyone looking for a relaxing end to long days. It blends built-in heating pads, soft PU leather, and Bluetooth audio in a lightweight, foldable design.

Ceramic air pumps keep noise levels at just 45dB, while its 1200mAh battery offers up to 60 minutes of use. The ES500’s five-mode hot compress system (38–45°C) helps reduce eye strain, puffiness, and fatigue.

The ES500 Eye Massager is available for PhP 6,499 SRP on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.

Accessories

Apple’s new iPhone Pocket is a stylish way to carry your iPhone

This time, woven into the fabric of a modern accessory

Published

November 12, 2025

Michael Josh Villanueva

Decades after dressing Steve Jobs, Issey Miyake’s legacy returns to Apple

Fashion meets tech — again.

Apple’s latest creation isn’t a new iPhone, but something to wear it in. Announced today, the iPhone Pocket is a collaboration between Apple and Japanese fashion house ISSEY MIYAKE, reimagining the way we carry one of the world’s most recognizable devices.

While this is the first official partnership between the two brands, Miyake’s influence has long been stitched into Apple’s story.

The minimalist yet iconic uniform that is Steve Jobs’ black turtlenecks were custom-made by Miyake himself.

Back in the 1980s, Jobs even approached Miyake with an idea: to design a uniform for Apple employees. That plan never took off, but decades later, the spirit of collaboration finds new form — not in a shirt, but in a beautifully woven accessory.

The iPhone Pocket draws inspiration from Miyake’s Pleats Please and Homme Plissé lines, famed for its permanently pleated, wrinkle-free designs.

Made in Japan, and co-designed with the Apple Design Studio, each bag is crafted from a single piece of innovative 3D-knit fabric that’s both stretchy and feather-light. It’s designed to fit any iPhone and, as Apple notes, “other pocketable items.”

Available in two strap lengths, it can be worn as a shoulder bag (or slung on an arm) or crossbody. The color palette is distinctly Miyake: lemon (neon yellow), mandarin (bright orange), purple, pink, peacock (turquoise), sapphire (rich blue), cinnamon (brown), and black.

Longtime fans might also feel a nostalgic nod to the iPod Socks — a whimsical early-2000s Apple accessory that turned practicality into playful design.

The iPhone Pocket launches Friday, November 14, as a limited release, available online and in select Apple Stores.

In New York, it makes its debut in SoHo which is Apple’s outpost in the city’s fashion district. Prices start at $149.95 for the short strap and $229.95 for the long strap.