Apps

Finally, a digital banking service focused on personal finance!

Komo gives you full control of your money!

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Komo, a digital banking service powered by EastWest, finally made noise. The platform provides everything you’d expect out of a digital bank, giving users full control over their finances.

There’s no need for long queues at branch visits or hotline calls that take more than an hour, as well as services that usually take a few weeks or more when done in a brick-and-mortar bank.

No need for a physical branch visit

As a digital banking service, Komo doesn’t require you to visit a branch to open a savings account. Simply download the Komo app on your iPhone or Android device and register. You will be required with one valid ID and face verification, and voila!

After getting your account verified, you can get a free VISA debit card for your cashless transactions, as well as the ability to withdraw on any automated teller machine (ATM) nationwide. Moreover, you can generate an authorized bank certificate for visa applications through the app.

Faster, secure transactions

The purpose of a digital banking service is convenience, and Komo delivers through fast yet secure transactions. Through the app, you can authorize transactions with your face ID or fingerprint, without the need for a one-time pin (OTP) that’s usually delayed because of poor network issues.

Even more, Komo pushes for OTP-less transactions through biometrics to keep your account safe. In worst-case scenarios, you have the option to lock and safeguard your account from theft and fraud on your own.

Full control of your personal finance

Komo’s advocacy is helping people take control of their money. The digital banking service created a system that allows its patrons to focus on personal finance with its Personal Finance and Analytics tools — money management services that give an overlook of expenses as well as a dashboard where you can set your financial goals.

It comes with a feature that lets you set your goals and budgets to achieve the desired outcome. Rainy day, vacation, or a big automotive purchase — you name it. Komo helps you visualize the progress of your savings.

Moreover, you’re in for a treat since Komo secures your funds and grows them through a 2.5% annual interest.

Build your own insurance plan

Komo has partnered with Troo Flex, allowing its users to build their own insurance plans. In just a few taps, you can create and customize a benefit that meets your lifestyle and budget. For as low as PhP 428 (US$ 8) per year, you can get comprehensive protection through the app.

Komo is available on Google Play Store and the App Store. For more information, visit this link.

Apps

Google, on Android adopting Liquid Glass: “Not happening!”

Just in case you were wondering.

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Google is slightly moving away from Material Design. Last week, a set of icon changes saw Android adding splashes of gradients to its formerly flat app icons. To poke fun at Android’s move away from flat designs, a user on X created a mockup of Android running Apple’s Liquid Design. Google, however, had a response ready in the chamber.

On X, @Micetor made a mockup of Android, specifically on the upcoming Pixel 11, using Apple’s latest Liquid Design aesthetics. It looked much like what an iPhone does except with Google’s icons and fonts.

Clearly, Google does not need to reply to any unsubstantiated mockups about its ecosystem. But they still did.

Sameer Samat, Google’s head for the Android ecosystem, personally replied to the mockup with a simple rebuttal: “Not happening!”

Despite using the design language for over a decade, Google does not want to drop Material Design altogether. Though the new gradients have revitalized the design language somewhat, the essence of flat design is still there.

Apple, on the other hand, wants a return to 3D. Liquid Design mimics the transparent aesthetics of Windows Vista. Though a bunch of users have found the design polarizing, other brands have started copying the design for themselves, incorporating elements on Liquid Design on their interfaces.

Whatever Google is doing, it’s coming in due time. The company is hosting its annual Google I/O on May 12 to showcase new developments coming to the Android ecosystem, including its design.

SEE ALSO: More iPhone switchers this year than Android switchers, report says

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iOS 26.5 will support end-to-end encryption RCS messaging

The final update should come out within the month.

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Back in 2023, Apple finally adopted the RCS messaging standard, ensuring that iOS and Android users could communicate more seamlessly despite being on different platforms. This year, the platform is adding an improvement to the feature: end-to-end encryption.

Starting with the upcoming launch of iOS 26.5, Apple will now support end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between iOS and Android users (via 9to5Mac). Besides the seamless communication, users on both platforms can start enjoying secure messaging with one another.

Apple has been testing the feature since February. Now, the company is confident enough to release the encryption technology in a new build for iOS 26.5 meant for developers. At this point, it’s just waiting for an actual release.

Why is this a big deal? Encryption adds an extra layer of security for your messages. Plus, end-to-end encryption means that messages is encrypted and decrypted only by the sender and the receiver. Third parties, which includes Apple, cannot intercept and access your information.

With the feature on, both messaging platforms on Android and iOS will show a lock icon to signify that, yes, your messages are encrypted.

Though the current build isn’t meant for end users just yet, it’s expected that iOS 26.5 will launch within the month, if not by next week.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone 17e review

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YouTube makes picture-in-picture mode free for everyone globally

The update is rolling out globally now.

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Picture-in-picture (or PiP) mode is a godsend for multitaskers. The feature lets users watch videos in a tiny floating window while doing other tasks. However, the feature isn’t readily available for all users. Or wasn’t, at least. YouTube is now rolling out PiP mode for free globally.

Previously, PiP mode was exclusive to YouTube users who pay for Premium or Premium Lite. It was also exclusive to the United States.

Now, YouTube is making the feature completely free for users all over the globe. It will be available for both iOS and Android versions of the app.

There’s still a catch, though. The free version is available only for “longform, non-music content.” The same goes for Premium Lite subscribers. Music is still an exclusive feature for those who pay for the regular version of Premium. Basically, there is no change for paying users or users in the United States.

Using PiP mode is simple. All you need to do is load up a video you want to watch in the background. Then, just exit the YouTube app and go about your other tasks. The video will be inside a floating, resizable window while you look at other things.

There’s no timeline on when the update will reach your device. However, YouTube has promised that it will roll out globally within the coming months.

SEE ALSO: YouTube remains top PH video platform; advertisers urged to continue investing

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