Lifestyle
Huawei showcases Gentle Monster Eyewear, other wearables
“Connecting Tech with Fashion”
We’ve come a long way from wearables that people won’t exactly be proud to wear. But Huawei is taking it further by “connecting tech with fashion.”
During “The Showroom” event in Singapore, Huawei paraded their set of wearables. Each one we’ve likely seen before like the FreeBuds 3 and the different variations of the Huawei Watch GT 2.
But perhaps one of their more unique offerings is the Gentle Monster — Huawei Eyewear.
Gentle Monster — Huawei Eyewear: New kind of wearable
Huawei calls it “an elegant and minimalist intelligent assistant for daily wear.” With it on, you can listen to music, take calls, and get voice updates from your virtual assistant. Which you’ll do simply by double tapping on either side of the eyewear’s frame.
If you’re worried about the audio blasting out too much, of course, Huawei took that into consideration. The eyewear has dual speakers and a semi-open design so you can hear the audio properly. At the same time it has a “unique audio cavity” to make sure sound doesn’t leak out.
It’s also combining hardware and software to deliver clear audio communications. The linear beam noise reduction design along with AI speech noise-reduction tech helps in this aspect.
The device also has an IP67 rating which means it’s dust and water resistant. It also comes with a portable leather case that doubles as a charger for the device. The charging, interestingly, is done wirelessly thanks to NFC.
Partnering with Gentle Monster appears to be another masterful branding move, akin to how Huawei hooked up with Leica for their flagship’s cameras. This means that the Gentle Monster — Huawei Eyewear will come in an array of different designs. So you should find something that will look good on you — which was hard for me, but I digress.
The Gentle Monster – Huawei Eyewear will be available on November 28 in Singapore in two design options: Smart Eastmoon and Smart Jackbye. No word yet on exact pricing.
Different Huawei Watch GT 2 designs to match your needs
Another thing showcased was the Huawei Watch GT 2 — our review is coming up soon so watch out for it. But initial impressions suggest it’s one of the better smartwatch options for Android. It comes in two sizes: 46mm and 42mm.
There are plenty of design options to choose from. Here are pricing and availability:
- HUAWEI Watch GT 2 (46mm) Sport Edition in Matte Black now available at SG $298 here
- HUAWEI Watch GT 2 (46mm) Classic Edition in Pebble Brown now available at SG$ 328 here
- HUAWEI Watch GT 2 (42mm) Sport Edition in Lake Cyan available on 28 November, pricing to be released on a closer date.
- HUAWEI Watch GT 2 (42mm) Elegant Edition in Refined Gold available in December, further details to come.
- HUAWEI Watch GT 2 (46mm) Elite Edition in Titanium Grey available in December, further details to come
Freebuds 3: AirPods Pro but for Android
Last, but certainly not least, is the Freebuds 3 which bears a striking resemblance to the AirPods by Apple. This particular design allowed Huawei to put their Kirin A1 wearable chip on the wireless earphones which helps in noise cancellation, a stable, fast bluetooth connection and better power efficiency.
The FreeBuds 3 will be available on November 28, in Carbon Black and Ceramic White.
Huawei’s ecosystem
These new devices should also work well with the ecosystem that Huawei is building. The company is going towards the full Internet of Things (IoT) route and while they’re building their own hardware, they’re also inviting other developers and manufacturers to create products that will fit in their ecosystem.
SEE ALSO: Huawei Mobile Cloud will have free storage for some users
Lifestyle
Your coffee nook is getting a makeover with Starbucks’ holiday collections
Seven collections and a Lazada exclusive arrive from November 3 to December 1.
Starbucks Philippines is rolling out its holiday merchandise in waves, starting November 3, and this year’s lineup treats your daily tumbler as a fashion accessory. Here’s what’s arriving, sorted by release dates.
November 3
Midnight Muse (“Wrapped in Sophistication”) is the sparkle-forward pick, with metallic finishes and delicate embellishments.
The 14oz Mug has rhinestone details and a gold rim (PhP 2,645), and the 16oz Mug with Phone Charm comes with a pearl phone chain (PhP 2,245).
The Mini Bag is PhP 1,395, and the Bag Charm, which has heart, clover and flower charms plus a fluffy pom, is PhP 925.
Dusk to Dawn Chic pairs floral artwork with a day-to-night look. Priced at PhP 3,095, it’s sold as a set of 4.9oz stainless steel tumblers with leak-proof lids.
Snow and Ribbon brings festive silk-print artwork to reusable cups, with four designs to collect. The 16oz cups are PhP 245, and the 24oz cups are PhP 285.
On Lazada, the Mallow Charm Bundles pair select holiday drinkware with a Mallow Charm. That includes the 16oz Snowman Marshmallow Coffee Time Tumbler. They’re sold exclusively through the Starbucks Lazada Flagship Store.
November 16
Geometric Holiday (“Wrapped in Vibrance”) is the maximalist collection, with bold patterns throughout. The 19oz Tumbler has a carry handle and a tea infuser lid (PhP 1,595), and the 18oz Cold Cup comes with a cardholder (PhP 2,295). The Bearista
Plushie in a red suit doubles as a bag (PhP 2,145), and the Coffee Coaster, made from recycled coffee waste, is PhP 695.
Champagne Shimmer is all metallic finishes and lightweight, compact designs. The 16oz Cold Cup with Straw Charm has a star-shaped charm and an embossed Siren logo (PhP 2,075). The 8oz Stainless Steel Tumbler is shaped like the classic Starbucks paper cup (PhP 1,895).
The 29th Anniversary collection takes its cues from the sea, with pearlescent finishes and mermaid details. The 12oz Ceramic Siren Mug is PhP 1,345, and the 12oz Ceramic Shell Mug has a seashell-inspired handle (PhP 1,395).
The 16oz Tumbler with Pouch comes with a shell-shaped earbuds pouch (PhP 2,245), and the Canvas Tote Bag has a charm-friendly ring on the handle (PhP 1,295).
December 1
Moonlit Blue (“Wrapped in Enchantment”) is the most understated of the bunch, with cooler tones and dreamy finishes. The 20oz Water Bottle has a handled lid with a retractable straw (PhP 1,775), and the 16oz Water Bottle comes with a metal keyring and charm (PhP 2,195).
The 12oz Tumbler has a glitter finish (PhP 1,895), and the Crossbody Pouch fits most phone sizes (PhP 1,295).
Lifestyle
This pop-up sauna brings the steam room experience into your home
HAZEMOR’s Instant Sauna sets up in about a minute and folds into a closet
A home sauna no longer needs a dedicated room or a permanent spot in your house.
HAZEMOR’s new Instant Sauna is designed to bring the steam room experience into smaller spaces. It comes with a pop-up frame that sets up in about a minute and folds away when the session is over.
The portable indoor steam sauna uses the brand’s QuickFlow semi-automatic frame, which opens without tools or separate poles.
Once the frame is locked and its four support legs are raised, the sauna is ready for its steamer. The 1,300-watt unit has a 3-liter stainless-steel tank. It produces steam in about two minutes with hot water or six to eight minutes with cold tap water.
Inside, the temperature reaches up to 131°F (55°C), with adjustable steam levels and a timer for customizing each session. A remote control lets users change the settings without stepping outside the enclosure.
The design takes a brighter approach to the traditional steam tent. Finished in warm beige and champagne tones, the HAZEMOR Instant Sauna has two transparent ceiling panels under its SKY TOP WINDOWS design, which let natural light into the space.
Its three-layer insulated fabric pairs a water-resistant exterior with a heat-retaining middle layer and a soft interior surface.
With interior dimensions of approximately 43 × 43 inches and 71 inches of headroom, the sauna leaves room to sit comfortably.
It comes with a folding chair and floor mat, along with the steamer, steam hose, remote control, squeegee, and carry bag.
Price, availability
For those looking to expand their setup, HAZEMOR also offers a Red & Near-Infrared Light Kit for an additional US$ 149. It includes three 10-watt tubes that combine 660nm red light and 850nm near-infrared light.
Storage is factored into the design as well. Folded, the sauna measures approximately 41 × 12 × 12 inches, small enough to tuck into a closet or bedroom corner. Assembled, it needs about 47 × 47 inches of floor space and access to a standard household outlet.
The HAZEMOR Instant Sauna is available now in the United States through the brand’s website for US$ 425. An early-bird price of US$ 319 runs from November 3 to 16, 2026.
Each purchase comes with a one-year limited warranty and a 30-day return window from delivery.
Lifestyle
Sticker season is back, and so is the planner your ~friends~ might fill in for you
Starbucks Traditions turns 24 with five pieces in the 2027 collection!
There are two kinds of people during the holidays: those who start planning their Christmas shopping early and those who hear the word merienda and immediately calculate how many Starbucks drinks stand between them and a new planner.
If you belong to the latter, consider this your annual reminder. Starbucks Traditions returns to the Philippines on November 3 for its 24th year, bringing a bigger collection with five pieces this time around. And suddenly, your afternoon coffee plans have acquired a very specific financial objective.
The 2026 collection carries the theme “Wrapped in Joy,” celebrating the little surprises that make the holidays feel special.
Think thoughtful gestures, unexpected visits, and friends who actually follow through on plans. You know, the rarest Christmas miracle of all.
Finally, someone is making plans for the planner
Starbucks is giving this year’s campaign a little emotional backstory with “Kami Naman,” a holiday film about Mara, the friend who somehow became the designated organizer of every barkada gathering.
You know her. She’s the one who starts the group chat, finds the restaurant, checks everyone’s availability, and sends the follow-up message when nobody responds.
This time, her friends decide she’s had enough administrative duties for one lifetime. They surprise her at Starbucks with a planner already filled with gatherings they’ve organized for her throughout the year.
Set to Eraserheads’ “With a Smile,” the film is a sweet reminder that the friend who makes everyone else’s holidays special deserves a little magic herself. The song will also be playing in Starbucks stores from November 3 to January 4.
You can watch the full film on Starbucks Philippines’ social media channels. Consider forwarding it to your group chat, particularly if you have been carrying the entire social calendar on your back.
Why your current coffee accessories suddenly feel inadequate
This year’s collection looks ready to be wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree, with copper, ivory, and black setting the mood. Each piece has its own appeal, which makes choosing a favorite a rather complicated exercise in holiday budgeting.
The Siren Planner with Pouch is for the organized one who has approximately 47 things to remember and would prefer to make that 48 with a beautiful planner. It also comes with a surprise keychain in one of five designs, giving you another tiny mystery to obsess over.
The Travel Case with Towel makes its debut in the collection, and suddenly, the idea of booking a little getaway sounds very reasonable. You may have nowhere to go yet, but at least your travel essentials will be beautifully organized when the opportunity presents itself.
For your everyday caffeine arrangements, there’s the 20oz Stainless Steel Tumbler and the 24oz Cold Cup. Both are practical additions to your daily rotation, although you may find yourself explaining why you need another drinking vessel when your kitchen cabinet is already staging a protest.
Then there’s the 20oz Glass Mug, which is arguably the most emotionally persuasive purchase of the bunch.
You don’t necessarily need another mug. You simply deserve one that makes your morning coffee feel a little more special. That’s a perfectly respectable argument, as far as your holiday shopping budget is concerned.
The 19-sticker strategy
Now comes the part that requires a little planning. From November 3, 2026 to January 4, 2027, every Tall, Grande, or Venti handcrafted beverage earns you one e-sticker. You can collect them through the Starbucks PH App or a QR Promo Card.
Reach 19 e-stickers and you can redeem one piece from the 2027 Starbucks Traditions collection until March 5, 2027.
The strategy is fairly straightforward. You order your usual handcrafted beverage, invite your friends for merienda, and let the stickers accumulate. Suddenly, that afternoon coffee with your best friend has a second purpose, and your usual catch-up session feels a little more productive.
Before committing to a particular piece, take a look at the full collection at starbuckstraditions.ph. You might already have your eye on the planner, or you could find yourself unexpectedly falling for the glass mug. Either way, knowing what you’re collecting for makes the sticker-counting considerably more exciting.
Since its Philippine debut in 2004, Starbucks Traditions has become one of those holiday rituals that people look forward to every year. It’s the season of comparing sticker counts, coordinating coffee runs, and celebrating the little rewards that make an ordinary afternoon feel festive.
-
Reviews2 weeks agovivo V80 review: Good phone, tough sell
-
News2 weeks agoOPPO Find X10 Series: Price, availability in the Philippines
-
Cameras2 weeks agoDJI Osmo Pocket 4P Pearl White now available globally
-
News2 weeks agoOPPO Find X10 Series: Price, availability
-
Entertainment2 weeks agoCyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 now streaming, Cyberpunk 2077 update coming
-
Gaming1 week agoHP OMEN Max 16 review: Gamer-maxxing in deep black
-
Laptops2 weeks agoLenovo expands Yoga lineup with new AI PCs and tablets
-
Laptops2 weeks agoASUS ProArt P14, P16 laptops with NVIDIA RTX Spark now available



















