Apps

Bank on a mobile app with ING Philippines

Do everything on your phone!

Published

July 4, 2019

Rodneil Quiteles

Banking is one of those chores that few people really want to think about. ING Philippines aims to reduce the hassle you experience by making sure you can do most of what you need all on your smartphone.

You’re probably thinking, “Another bank? It’s gonna take a while to set it up, and it will just get more money from me.”

This isn’t the case. ING promises a swift and frictionless experience to get you started.

Minimal requirements

To set up an account, you’ll only need the following: a smartphone, a valid government I.D. and/or any proof of billing, and — this is the kicker — zero maintaining balance.

You’ll also do the entire set up process all on the mobile app, which you can download on the App Store and Google Play. It was designed to be as easy to use as the apps we use daily like Facebook, Instagram, etc.

Set up your account in no time

Once you have all these setting up is pretty straight forward. You just need to follow the steps which include adding a five-digit passcode, putting in your information and taking a photo of your I.D. and signature.

As an additional security measure, you will also be asked to do some gestures using the front-facing camera. It’s almost like what you would do when setting up face-security features.

The gestures can be anything from nodding to opening your mouth. It sounds silly but it contributes to security. If you ever forget your passcode, you can use face verification once again to regain access. This also means simply putting a picture in front of the camera won’t work.

ING then validates your information and in just a few minutes, you’ll have an ING bank account.

Full disclosure, this writer did hit a snag while setting up his account. You just need to start the process from the top which is infinitely easier than having to line up at a bank, file a bunch of forms, only to wait for a few days before confirming that your account has been set up.

Easy transactions

Once you have your account you may proceed to put money in it. Depositing a check only requires that you take a photo of its front and back. There’s zero human intervention and no waiting-in-line involved which is great if you’re a lazy introvert like yours truly.

Another key feature is bank transfer that has absolutely no fees. This is possible through PesoNet and InstaPay. If you do have more questions, you also have access to their 24/7 chat support team within the app. Pretty convenient.

What else do you get out of it?

ING Philippines isn’t asking you to put all your eggs in their basket. As it is now, the functions are still limited so they are positioning themselves as a secondary bank.

What ING encourages you to do is to manage your savings with them. With a 2.5% interest rate per year, even one of the financial advisers they invited at the event says it’s a smart decision to keep your savings with ING.

More to come

The Philippines is the first country to have this all-digital banking service from ING. With a high smartphone penetration, the company hopes this will encourage more Filipinos to save money with them.

It doesn’t end here though. Other functions like bills payment are in the pipeline. So if you’re a digital native trying to look for a place where you can stash your hard-earned cash, ING appears to be a good place to start.

This feature was produced in collaboration between GadgetMatch and ING Philippines.

Related Topics:Banking ING ING Philippines

Apps

Meta adds subscriptions for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp

Published

May 28, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Is your wallet buckling from the weight of so many subscription services? Well, Meta has a trio of new subscriptions for you to sink your hard-earned cash towards. If you have a few dollars, here’s Facebook Plus, Instagram Plus, and WhatsApp Plus.

All three subscriptions are designed to add new features which can enhance the experience for those who practically live on these apps. Among the three, Instagram Plus is the meatiest. It offers users the ability to view other people’s Stories without showing up as a viewer, create more tailored audiences outside of Close Friends, and extend the duration of a Story beyond 24 hours, among others.

View this post on Instagram

Since it shares similarities with Instagram, Facebook Plus offers much of the same features. WhatsApp Plus, however, offers more customization options including new themes, ringtones, and stickers.

If that’s not enough, Meta has also released a new subscription system for Meta AI. Though the basic use of the AI is still free, the new Meta One Plus and Meta One Premium plans offer more capacity and performance for power users. The company is also testing new creator-focused plans, Meta One Essential and Meta One Advanced.

Of course, the new AI-based plans are more focused on those who actually use the AI software. Meanwhile, the three app plans are more for regular users. Facebook Plus and Instagram Plus will cost US$ 3.99 per month. Meanwhile, WhatsApp Plus will cost US$ 2.99 per month.

Apps

Meta quietly launches Forum app for Facebook Groups

The app highlights discussions from Facebook Groups.

Published

May 22, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Since the rise of other platforms, Facebook Groups haven’t enjoyed as much popularity anymore. Despite this (or maybe even to help with this), Meta has unleashed an all-new app called Forum.

Designed specifically with Facebook Groups in mind, Forum collates discussions from Groups that the user might be interested in. Much like the websites of the same name from the 2000s, the app wants to feature conversations, rather than canned content that the algorithm shoves towards users on the main Facebook feed.

Users can also ask questions. Forum will sift through real discussions to find an answer. The closest analog today is searching Reddit for troubleshooting questions to get answers based on human experience. The main feed of the new app, however, feels more in tune with Quora’s concept.

That said, it’s a refreshing way to bring social media back to human-made feeds. It’s also a stark admission that the main Facebook feed (and, frankly, Instagram too) is just too inundated with content that users are not interested in.

Lately, Instagram also made the same admission by launching its own “lightweight” app called Instants. Like Forum, Instants was made to recapture the essence of Instagram before the rise of the almighty algorithm.

Forum, however, was launched with much less fanfare than Instants. There was no announcement. Rather, it’s just a casual drop from out of nowhere. The app is available now on the App Store and the Play Store.

Apps

Apple Sports: Free app expands globally ahead of World Cup

Personalized, intuitive experience to get fans ready for the World Cup

Published

May 20, 2026

GadgetMatch

Apple has expanded the availability of its free Apple Sports iPhone app to more than 90 new countries and regions.

This brings the app’s total global footprint to over 170 markets. The massive expansion comes just weeks before the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup this June.

It only means the standalone app is positioned as the primary real-time tracking fan for millions of football fans worldwide.

The rollout shifts Apple’s strategy toward global sports integration by providing the utility completely free of charge on the App Store.

A massive influx of international users are expected to use the app, as it provides a more direct experience — eliminating the need for third-party score tracking platforms.

As part of the personalized, real-time FIFA World Cup coverage, the app is introducing dedicated tournament features.

This includes allowing users to explore group stage standings, follow specific national teams, and view the current bracket through tournament bracket view.

In addition, visual formations for each team’s starting lineup will be provided ahead of every match.

Apple Sports is also tailored for those who have an entire ecosystem of Apple devices. The app can deliver real-time updates directly to a user’s iPhone Lock Screen and Apple Watch.

Fans can further add widgets to their iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Home Screens, and jump easily into the Apple TV app with a single tap to find live matches.