Accessories
#MadeByGoogle round-up: Pixel 2 and more highlights

Google has just announced their latest lineup of products and, boy oh boy, the excitement around the new gadgets has not waned. The #MadeByGoogle event exhibited some serious technology, so I’ve come up with a round-up of said devices and event highlights because really, no one has the time to watch the whole thing.
With the announcement of the highly anticipated Google Pixel 2 came a slew of other products #MadeByGoogle and a cool new color palette that makes these powerful contraptions look candy cute. I could honestly spend hours harping on Google’s color theme, but that would be a disservice to the power-packed devices they’ve just announced.
Before we move on, though, here’s a look at the color scheme that made many non-techie girls’ heads turn because of their gadget flatlay capabilities:
Most of the device releases will come in the above colors.
Now, on to the announced devices:
The Pixel 2 and 2 XL
The second-generation Pixel phones are looking great with smaller bezels, an aluminum back, 5-inch screen for the Pixel 2, and 6-inch display for the Pixel 2 XL.
The Pixel 2 XL comes in just black or black and white — or as we have decided to call it: Panda.
The Pixel 2 comes in three colors: kinda blue, just black, and clearly white. But, I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, it’s not really kinda blue but clearly periwinkle. Names aside, it’s such a pretty color — a departure from the previous really blue Pixel which, honestly, didn’t appeal to my aesthetic.
The phones also have the cutest detail with these bright power buttons with varying colors depending on the model.
What you need to know about these phones:
The Pixel 2 and 2 XL don’t have a dual-camera setup but as early as now, the cameras on these things have been given the highest-ever DxOMark rating at 98. This speaks volumes, as the Apple iPhone 8 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Note 8 are tied at only 94.
Oh, and did I mention the cameras are capable of AR Stickers (AR stickers!!) and Motion Photos (which are basically Google’s version of Apple’s Live Photos)?
READ: Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL stick to proven single-camera setup
Google Home Mini and Google Max
The Google Home Mini was also announced. This smaller version of Google Home is a less obtrusive version of the smart speaker as it will, most likely, be easier to match to the rest of your furniture. It comes in coral, chalk, or charcoal.
Designed to integrate more into your daily life, it has Google Assistant built in and is a more budget-friendly option if you want a connected home.
The Google Home Max, which is a bigger digital assistant with powerful speakers built for an optimum music experience, was also unveiled. Equipped with Smart Sound, the Home Max automatically adjusts speaker settings to room size and background noise to ensure the best acoustics for whatever you’re listening to.
READ: Google Home smart speaker gets Mini and Max versions
Google Pixel Buds
These are wireless earphones that won’t be as easy to lose — unless you lose the whole thing. The Google Pixel Buds are wired to each other and use Bluetooth to connect with your smartphone or music player of choice.
These Buds have Google Assistant built in, gesture controls, and they come with a charging case. BTW, these are the earphones that can translate languages in real time thanks to Google Translate.
They come in three colors that will match that future Pixel you plan to own: black, white, or blue.
READ: Google Pixel Buds break language barriers in real-time
Google Clips
When we talk about cameras, we talk about specs and not about how smart they are. That may just change with Google Clips.
The teeny camera is powered by machine learning and is programmed to capture your best possible candid moments. All you need to do is turn it on, set it down, and it will take the best photos for you. It’s a camera and photographer in one — the answer to your Instagram boyfriend dependency!
READ: Google Clips captures best moments with machine learning
Google Pixelbook
Google’s very own Chromebook is looking pretty sleek. The modern-looking device has a 12.3-inch Quad HD touch display and glass details on the front. Pretty, but I’m also thinking this may be pretty fragile.
The Pixelbook is a convertible that has Google Assistant integrated — it even comes with a dedicated button!
A perfect partner to the Pixelbook, the Pixelbook Pen was also unveiled for all your writing needs.
READ: Google still has best Chromebook with Pixelbook and Pixelbook Pen
Google Daydream View
Google’s VR headset has also been updated. The new Daydream View looks great with its more solid and textured look in gray, black, or coral — finally a color that’s a little more appealing to my senses! They’re looking more premium than they ever have.
They’re not only designed to look better, though; they also supposedly feel cozier on your face, because, let’s admit it, no one really looks cool wearing VR headsets.
READ: Google beefs up AR and VR with stickers and new Daydream View
SEE ALSO: Google Pixel 2 full coverage
[irp posts=”21597″ name=”Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL stick to proven single-camera setup”]


Sony remains one of the most important players in the noise-canceling realm. While Bose is also a force in the industry, Sony is doing what it can to improve its own audio technology. Following up its impressive flagship lineup of headphones, the company has announced the WH-1000XM5, a new pair for your discerning ears.
Much like its predecessor, the WH-1000XM5 follows the same tradition of design. The sleeker evolution makes way for a softer, more comfortable fit around your skull, bolstered by synthetic leather.
Under the hood, the headphones sports an additional processor to improve noise cancelation, especially in mid to high frequency ranges. It can also adapt to various user scenarios like those who wear glasses or have long hair.
As always, Sony is also focusing on audio quality. The 30mm driver uses a light dome with carbon fiber composite material to deliver natural sound. Plus, with Sony’s LDAC coding technology, users can enjoy Hi-Fi Audio. DSEE Extreme automatically upscales audio files to high quality. Finally, if your audio can support it, the headphones is compatible with 360 Reality Audio.
The WH-1000XM5 also worked on call quality with four beamforming microphones on the device and noise reduction.
Starting May 20, users can buy the WM-1000XM5 for US$ 399.99.
SEE ALSO: Sony introduces 2022 BRAVIA XR TV lineup with latest tech
Accessories
Western Digital introduces ‘world’s fastest’ memory cards, new SSDs
Availability, capacity for memory cards to be announced

Western Digital, the company behind the renowned SanDisk storage brand, introduced new innovations at their What’s Next Western Digital Event.
Included in the reveal are a new modular SSD ecosystem and the world’s fastest SD and microSD memory cards designed for professionals: the SanDisk Professional PRO-UHS.
Terabytes of storage on the go
The new SanDisk Professional PRO-BLADE modular SSD ecosystem was designed to meet the need for ultrafast portable storage devices.
The powerful ecosystem lets users swap out lightweight and high-capacity PRO-BLADE SSD mags so terabytes worth of storage may be carried easily.
The ecosystem includes:
- PRO-BLADE SSD Mag
- PRO-BLADE TRANSPORT portable SSD enclosure
- PRO-BLADE STATION desktop SSD enclosure
Unmatched speeds
Western Digital also announced read speeds of up to 200MB/s on its SanDisk Extreme PRO memory card line (SD and microSD).
Paired with the new SanDisk professional PRO-READER (SD and microSD), the new products are poised to deliver unmatched speeds to enable users to offload content and other files quickly.
New WD_BLACK SSD
When it comes to gamers, Western Digital also revealed two new additions to its WD_BLACK gaming SSD lineup, with each storage coming with innovative features.
WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD:
- Read speeds of up to 7,300MB/s
- Minimized latency, predictive loading, adaptive thermals management
- Downloadable WD-BLACK Dashboard for Game Mode 2.0
- Optional heatsink
- RGB lighting
WD_BLACK P40 Game Drive SSD:
- USB 3.2 Gen2x2 interface
- Read speeds of up to 2,000MB/s
- Downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard
- RGB lighting
Availability and storage capacities for the SanDisk memory cards will be announced later. For more information on the newest products, visit www.WDBLACK.com.

One of the world’s lightest gaming mice is now available in the Philippines. Razer has announced the release of the ultra-lightweight and wireless gaming mouse Viper V2 Pro.
The Razer V2 Pro sells for Php 8,990 via Razer’s official website, official Shopee and Lazada stores, and through its authorized sellers.
The package box will include additional grip tapes pre-cut to the mouse’s shape, a Razer Speedflex charging cable and 2.4GHz HyperSpeed USB dongle extender.
Peak performance at your fingertips
The Viper V2 Pro is 20 percent lighter than the Viper Ultimate, and comes with cutting-edge tech features, such as:
- Razer Optical Mouse Switches Gen-3
- better battery life
- all-new Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor
Determined to make the Viper V2 Pro the new standard for gaming mice, Razer designed it hand-in-hand with feedback from esports pros.
This includes 2022 VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Grand Finals MVP Jimmy “Marved” Nguyen of OpTic Gaming.
For the pro
Razer’s new Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor helps achieve a complete resolution accuracy of 99.8 percent.
The powerful new sensor is equipped with AI functionality such as Smart Tracking, Motion Sync and Asymmetric Cut-off for the ultimate performance at the highest levels of play.
The Viper V2 Pro also features the new Razer Optical Mouse Switches Gen-3 for absolutely zero double-clicking issues and no debounce delay.
These new switches are rated for a click lifecycle of up to 90 million clicks, an increase of 25 percent from the previous generation’s lifespan.
Other aspects that will benefit gamers include support for USB-C charging and DPI control button on the bottom of the mouse.
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