Computers

macOS Ventura now available

More efficiency, security

Published

October 25, 2022

GadgetMatch

The latest software update for Macs — macOS Ventura — is now available for free, bringing groundbreaking new capabilities to Apple’s computers.

Continuity Camera

The Continuity Camera will give users an entirely new webcam experience. When an iPhone is nearby, Mac can automatically recognize and use the camera on the iPhone. This gives users the option to work wirelessly easily.

Desk View, meanwhile, taps into the Ultra-Wide camera on iPhone to show the user’s face and a good view of what’s happening around, which will come in handy for presentations, instructional videos, and more.

Handoff also comes to FaceTime, which will enable users to transfer a call from one Apple device to another nearby seamlessly.

Stage Manager

Also available in the latest iPadOS update, the Stage Manager is more than just a tool for easy switching in between tasks or apps.

It actually automatically organizes apps and windows together. So, users can focus on what they need to, while still seeing everything in one glance.

Enabling Stage manager from Control Center also leads to the current window being displayed in the center with others appearing on the left.

Safari: Passkeys, collab features

When it comes to Safari, safe browsing is taken to a whole new level with the introduction of passkeys.

This sign-in method is easy to use, and generally more secure, replacing passwords. A unique digital key is created when a user creates a passkey, and it stays on the device.

Users may be able to sign using Touch ID or Face ID for verification. Passkeys are also synced with end-to-end encryption using iCloud Keychain to be available across other Apple devices.

Meanwhile, Shared Tab Groups allow friends, family, and colleagues to collaborate and share websites with others live.

Speaking of viewing things in real-time, the iCloud Shared Photo Library lets up to six individuals collaborate on a photo library where they can add, delete, edit, or favorite shared photos.

More efficiency for Mail, Messages

Similar to the iPadOS update, users will now be able to schedule messages. It can also cancel the delivery of a message before it reaches the inbox, and add links for better content previews.

Mail can also detect if items are missing so users can be reminded – especially when attaching files.

As for Messages, users will be able to edit or undo a recently sent message, recover accidentally deleted messages, or even mark a message as unread.

Gaming on Mac

Thanks to Apple silicon, every new Mac is also capable of running AAA games with ease. The new macOS Ventura brings technologies like Metal 3 that take full advantage of the incredible hardware in Mac. This results in more responsive gameplay, high frame rates, and beautiful visuals.

New AAA game titles are coming to Mac later this year, including Capcom’s Resident Evil Village, which will launch on the Mac App Store on October 28, and will take full advantage of the power and performance of Apple silicon.

WATCH: macOS Ventura: Favorite New Features

Related Topics:Apple iMac MacBook MacBook Pro macOS Ventura

Computers

These latest LG Smart Monitors do not require a PC connection

With webOS 23, support for Microsoft and Google for work

Published

November 29, 2023

GadgetMatch

Remote work and home entertainment have become more convenient as LG Electronics has unveiled its latest LG Smart Monitors which do not require a PC connection.

Powered by LG’s latest webOS 23 platform, the 31.5-inch 32SR50F and 27-inch 27SR50F monitors are ideal for either work or streaming as they come with advanced IPS displays for true-to-life colors and strong contrast.

Here’s a quick look at their specs:

Resolution: FHD 1920 x 1080
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Response time: Up to 8ms
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Ports: 2x HDMI, 2x USB 2.0
Speakers: 2x 5W speakers
Voice assistant: LG ThinQ, Alexa
Mobile casting: AirPlay 2, ScreenShare

With HDR 10 support, the monitors display vibrant and accurate images and enhance the user’s experience when in conference calls or even just simply working on documents or streaming movies and sports.

webOS 23 allows users to stream easily from the Home Board screen. The devices also have built-in LG Home Office software that support Microsoft 365 and Google Calendar.

Users may even manage their LG home appliances through the ThinQ app and connect compatible refrigerators, washing machines, and more.

The two displays have a three-sided virtually borderless design for a sleek and minimalist look.

Price and availability

The new LG SMART Monitors are available at LG Online Brand Store, Amazon, Shopee, Lazada, KrisShop, and authorized retailers such as Best Denki, Challenger, Courts, Gain City and Harvey Norman.

The 27-inch model is priced at SG$ 429 while the 31.5-inch variant costs SG$ 499.

Computers

ASUS Share 2023 Holiday Deals: Free ROG Phone 6, speakers, more

Freebie inclusions worth up to PhP 52,400

Published

November 21, 2023

GadgetMatch

Customers can secure the ROG Phone 6 for free when they purchase the ROG Strix SCAR 18 or Zephyrus M16 throughout the ASUS Share 2023 Holiday Deals promo which lasts until January 15, 2024.

Aside from the gaming smartphone, freebie bundles worth up to PhP 52,400 are up for grabs; customers can take home Canon and Epson printers, JBL speakers, and more, depending on the participating product they purchase.

To help you plan your holiday device shopping, below are some selected models throughout the sale period and the freebies they come with to get you started.

ASUS Zenbook S 13 OLED, Vivobook S 14/15 OLED

JBL Flip 5
ASUS Marshmallow Mouse
ASUS desk mat
ASUS tumbler
64GB USB

Vivobook 16

ASUS Marshmallow Mouse
ASUS tumbler
64GB USB

ASUS Creator Series (Zenbook Pro 16X OLED, Vivobook Pro 15 OLED)

Three-month Adobe Creative Cloud subscription
Delsey luggage
Canon printer
ASUS Marshmallow Mouse
ASUS desk mat

ASUS S501MD desktop, M3400 all-in-one PC

Epson Workforce L100 printer
Toshiba Canvio Basics portable 1TB hard drive
ADATA 8GB 3200 MHz memory (for the S501MD)

ROG Phone 7

PhP 4,000 discount

ROG Phone 6

Cetra II Core headset

Laptop purchases throughout the promo period also come with free ASUS Premium Care and 1-year Warranty Extension, as well as a free lifetime license to Office 2021 Home & Student.

For the full ASUS Share 2023 list of participating ASUS and ROG products, you may view the list here.

Computers

ASUS’ Evangelion-themed motherboard has a glaring typo

Spot the difference

Published

November 15, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

When a company announces a partnership with a popular franchise, you can usually expect an awesome way to rep your favorite fandom. However, there are rare occasions when a limited-edition tie-in comes to market without passing through a quick look over. ASUS, reveling in its Neon Genesis Evangelion, has released a new motherboard with a glaring typo.

Back in September, ASUS released the ROG Maximus Z790 Hero EVA-02 Edition motherboard in the United States. As the name suggests, the limited-edition motherboard touts a design inspired by the eponymous EVA-02 piloted by Asuka Langley Soryu. Though the design is eye-catching by itself, looking at the text surrounding the motherboard might illicit more than just wows.

Near the edge of the cover, the motherboard has text that’s supposed to say “Evangelion Production Model-02.” However, the units out in the market today say “Evangenlion,” sporting the extra “n” in the middle. The typo was spotted through unboxing videos (via Twitter/X).

@ASUS_ROG EVANGENLION? (Maximus Z790) pic.twitter.com/9MSUunjxGu

— Hal Rafael (@halrafael) November 12, 2023

Strangely, ASUS is showcasing both versions of the motherboard on its website. The main landing page for the anime partnership features the motherboard with the correct spelling. However, the page specific to the limited-edition motherboard features a graphic with the typo.

Since the motherboard with the typo has the correctly spelled “Evangelion” elsewhere on the design, the typo clearly was not intended. It’s still odd that it went to market (and the website) with the typo.

Critically, the motherboard costs US$ 700, around US$ 90 more than the regular motherboard without the special design. It’s quite pricey for a typo.

For ASUS’s part, the company is extending the warranty by a year for those who already bought the model. Plus, it is implementing a replacement program for those who want a corrected design.