News

Nokia 8 is company’s first true Android flagship

Published

August 17, 2017

Michael Josh Villanueva

Launched in London today, the new Nokia 8 is the first phone from HMD Global following its partnership with optics expert Zeiss, and the first to come with top-of-the-line specs.

Just as it was during Nokia’s golden age in the early 2000s, the 5.3-inch Nokia 8 is headlined by a Zeiss-branded camera. This time around, there are three on one phone.

The Zeiss partnership couldn’t have come at a better time. Nokia says it hopes to target what it calls a new generation of users that are first and foremost content creators.

Speaking to GadgetMatch via teleconference, HMD CEO Florian Seiche said, “We believe that all of us are storytellers. With the first Nokia flagship, we want to deliver the ultimate device for telling stories.”

Unlike other dual-camera phones such as the iPhone 7 Plus or LG G6, the Nokia 8 has neither a zoom nor wide-angle lens. Instead, it has a pair of identical 13-megapixel cameras on its rear.

One is equipped with a color sensor, while the other is black and white. Using a process called “Image Fusion,” both the black-and-white and color images are combined to theoretically produce better photos.

The selfie camera is also equipped with the same 13-megapixel sensor, and Nokia hopes users will get into the habit of using both at the same time using a split screen mode called Dual Side. They’ve even come up with a hashtag for it, #Bothie.

Other camera features include the ability to livestream to YouTube or Facebook from the camera app, and HiFi surround sound capture while shooting videos.

Unlike previous Nokia models — the 3, 5, and 6 — the Nokia 8 comes with the most high end of specs including a Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. A 3090mAh battery provides energy for the Quad HD LCD.

The phone closely resembles its mid-range brother the Nokia 5, but is significantly thinner and with a slightly rounded back. The chassis is caved from a single slab of aluminum, with antenna bands marking its top and bottom edges not darting across its back side.

Nokia 8 on the left; Nokia 5 to the right

According to Juho Sarvikas, HMD Chief Product Officer, this antenna design is not only artistically pleasing but also ensures that, “You will not drop a call where others might.”

The Nokia 8 runs on a pure version of Android 7.1.1 out of the box, but Nokia promises that it will to be one of the first to roll out an update once Google releases Android O.

The phone is available in copper, blue, black, and steel — and will retail for EUR 599. Nokia is planning a global launch beginning early next month and promises to “light up all markets this September.”

[irp posts=”17741″ name=”New Nokia 105 is the cheapest Nokia you can buy now”]

Apps

Going cashless? GCash now accepted in Europe

United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy

Published

June 9, 2023

GadgetMatch

Thinking of going cashless on you next trip to Europe? GCash can offer just that, as the mobile wallet app is now accepted in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy.

The cross-border payment service is part of the e-wallet’s strengthened partnership with Alipay+, offering users a seamless and secure payment experience without the need for money changers and carrying to much actual cash on your pockets.

Among the popular merchants that will be accepting GCash from now on are:

Harrods
Liberty London
Harvey Nichols
Printemps
Müller
dm-drogerie markt
itTaxi
IVS Group

To pay using GCash at these establishments, travelers will simply have to look for the Alipay+ logo at the checkout.

Open the GCash app, select the QR or PayQR button, scan the merchant’s QR code, or tap “Pay Abroad with Alipay+” to have a generated QR.

Finally, check the amount, and tap Pay to see the receipt.

Gaming

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth coming early 2024

Second of the Remake trilogy

Published

June 9, 2023

GadgetMatch

Square Enix has released a new trailer for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth to excite gamers even more for its 2024 release in Asia on PlayStation 5.

The Summer Game Fest 2023 trailer previewed the title’s gameplay. It also showed story elements and its expansive world that players can look forward to experiencing starting in “early 2024.”

Thanks to Square Enix’s previous easter eggs, it can be expected that there will be new characters with more action outside of Midgar. This mimics the feeling players of the original game. The world opened up following the events that transpired in Midgar.

The trailer also showcased new combat mechanics. Characters like Yuffie and Red XXIII were seen doing team-up attacks. Our main girls Tifa and Aerith were also shown doing the same.

Though yet to get an exact release date and price, the second entry to the Final Fantasy VII remake project is already anticipated by many. Oh and something that caught people’s eyes — the end of the trailer says Rebirth will have two (2) discs.

It will continue the story in Final Fantasy VII Remake, which has earned tremendous praise from players and critics globally.

The first of the remake trilogy garnered more than 20 perfect scores. It also became the highest-selling digital release on PlayStation in Square Enix’s history.

Watch the trailer.

Gaming

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown announced

A fresh take on a legendary franchise

Published

June 9, 2023

GadgetMatch

Ubisoft has announced Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, a new action-adventure title to be released on January 18, 2024. It will be available on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One. It will also be on Windows via Ubisoft and Epic Games.

The brand-new adventure which is a fresh take on the legendary franchise. It was announced at Ubisoft’s Summer Game Fest live showcase.

It will feature Sargon, a young gifted warrior who is part of an elite group called The Immortals.

The group is tasked to rescue Prince Ghassan, and they will explore Mount Qaf. It is a cursed and hostile place that was once wondrous. It is here where Sargon and the rest discover a treacherous foe they must defeat to restore balance in the world.

Well-represented culture

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown lets players explore a Persian mythology-inspired world at their own pace. This includes everything from the Citadel of Knowledge to the Hyrcanian Forest.

Along the way, players will acquire time powers to unlock unique abilities for combat. Sargon will then delve deeper into Mount Qaf to solve puzzles, uncover secrets, and complete side quests.

The game also highlights original soundtrack created by Iranian-born composer Mentrix, who mixes traditional with modern to guide players from one environment to another.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is one of Ubisoft’s upcoming titles that will be previewed during its Ubisoft Forward conference on June 13.