News

Huawei’s HarmonyOS will stop supporting Android this year

Big enough to rely on its own

Published

January 20, 2024

Luigi Leonardo

Only a few years ago, the American government played its infamous trump card against Chinese company Huawei. Huge regulations effectively deprived the smartphone maker its access to American components including Android. Now, years after its expulsion from American soil, Huawei is back with an Uno reverse card. Huawei’s HarmonyOS will soon stop supporting Android.

HarmonyOS is a new kid on the block. While most smartphone makers today have their own specific flavors for mobile operating system, Huawei boosted its own system to circumvent the American bans. Naturally, it was just trying to trail behind Android. Now, the Chinese company is in a better place, allowing for moves of its own.

Today, Huawei has unveiled HarmonyOS Next (via SCMP). The next-generation update will no longer support Android-based apps.

As such, the company is building its own ecosystem of developers and apps. It has already promised development with over 200 development partners, over 280 companies, and over 300 educational institutions. Huawei hopes to get over 5,000 partners by the end of the year.

The first developer versions were already shipped earlier this year. Huawei will launch a public version towards the end of the year. The software will likely debut in this year’s slate of smartphones including the P70 series and the Mate 70 series.

News

AMD launches new Ryzen processors with built-in graphics

Introducing the Ryzen 7 8700F and Ryzen 5 8400F

Published

May 13, 2024

Luigi Leonardo

Integrated graphics are a thorny subject for gamers. While integrating the graphics to the processor sounds more cost-effective, having dedicated graphics guarantees strong performance for gaming. Thankfully, there are more options now for those who still want a processor with graphics capabilities. AMD has launched new processors for the Ryzen 8000 processor family.

As stated, the new AMD Ryzen 7 8700F and Ryzen 5 8400F come with built-in graphics. Users won’t need a discrete graphics card to enjoy gaming on the platform. AMD claims that the series features the fastest built-in graphics in its class. If that power isn’t enough, the series also features the ability to add a separate graphics card in the future.

More technically, the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F features 8 cores with 16 threads. It has a base frequency of 4.1GHz, capable of a boost to up to 5.0GHz. It also comes with a Wraith Stealth cooler. Finally, this model specifically will have a Neural Processing Unit for that extra oomph of AI. It retails for US$ 269.

Secondly, the AMD Ryzen 5 8400F comes with 6 cores and 12 threads. It has a base frequency of 4.2GHz and can be boosted to up to 4.7GHz. It will also come with a Wraith Stealth cooler. It retails for US$ 169.

Gaming

Pre-orders for Ghost of Tsushima on PC are getting cancelled

Because of the PlayStation Network requirement

Published

May 13, 2024

Luigi Leonardo

Excited for the upcoming PC version of Ghost of Tsushima? If you’re looking for a complication-free experience on the platform, Sony has other ideas, especially if you live in a country without the PlayStation Network.

Last week was a bad one for the gaming community. Both Microsoft and Sony made decisions that countered what its users were expecting. Most notably, Sony decided to force Helldivers 2 players to link their PlayStation Network accounts in order to play the game. The massive outcry against the decision ultimately forced the company to backtrack.

However, Sony is still hellbent on fulfilling its PSN dreams. Over the weekend, gamers have noticed that the upcoming version is disappearing from digital storefronts like Steam and the Epic Games Store.

These platforms have gone even further now. As noted by Eurogamer, Steam and Green Man Gaming are automatically refunding pre-orders for Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut in countries that don’t have support for the PlayStation Network.

Though users in these countries can easily create accounts by setting their country to a supported one, the inability to buy the game presents a new obstacle. The list of countries affected by the decision is still currently unconfirmed, being based on user reports. However, if the Helldivers 2 list is anything to go by, it includes the Philippines and Japan.

Ironically, developer Sucker Punch previously confirmed that players who only want to go through the single-player campaign should have no issue playing without a PlayStation Network account. Sony has seemingly gone further and included single-player gamers into their new ecosystem.

Automotive

All-New Ford Mustang and Territory Sport featured for test drives this weekend

At the SM MOA Concert Grounds

Published

May 10, 2024

Luigi Leonardo

One of the best ways to spend a weekend is to go on a road trip. Understandably, it’s not easy to plan one on the fly. If life’s still got you on a “I need to drive far away” mood, Ford has a nearby treat for you. The All-New Ford Mustang and the new Territory Sport are in the spotlight at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds this weekend.

Melding both the new and the classic together, Ford is featuring both cars at the Auto Focus Summer Test Drive Festival happening from May 9 through 12 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. Anyone can request a drive during the four-day event. The list of drivable vehicles include the Ranger, the Everest, and the Territory.

Plus, anyone who wants to grab a new Ford vehicle can take advantage of special offers during the event, including up to PhP 100,000 in cash discounts. Customers can also learn of Ford’s extensive lineup of perks for its users, such as FordPass, Pickup and Delivery, Express Service, Scheduled Service Plan, Extended Warranty, Emergency Roadside Assistance, and Genuine Parts and Accessories.

The Auto Focus Summer Test Drive Festival is open from May 9 to 12 from 11am to 9pm.