Accessories

One month with Xiaomi’s Yuemi mechanical keyboard

Published

April 14, 2017

Michael Sy

Xiaomi is more popularly known as a Chinese smartphone maker that delivers great hardware for good value, but in recent years, Xiaomi has embraced several sub-brands to help expand its vision of a Mi ecosystem. Recently, I was able to get hold of Xiaomi’s first keyboard — a mechanical TKL keyboard by a company called Yuemi.

MATERIALS

The keyboard (model name MK01) comes in only one variant; the entire upper half is made out of white plastic, while the entire bottom half is made of aluminum alloy with a silver finish that’s a tad bit glossier than Apple’s Macs. The keycaps have a matte texture and are made from PC/ABS material, which basically means plastic, but a separate piece of plastic is used for the letters to make sure they never fade. The plate on the top half has a glossy finish; while it looks great, expect fingerprints to become more prominent as you use the keyboard.

DESIGN

Design-wise, it reminds me of Apple, but one thing that strays from that is the choice of fonts. While I do like the overall aesthetic of the keyboard (clean and minimalist), I don’t agree with the choice of fonts. It’s a font I’ve never seen used elsewhere and definitely feels off at first glance. However, I’ve gotten used to it over time and hardly ever think about it when using the keyboard.

Something I did like was the raised set of keys, so your fingers can easily jump from one row to another and be able to distinguish one row from the next. If the inclined keys still aren’t enough for you, the rubber feet at the bottom give them just the right amount of height for me. They feel sturdy and have a very assuring snap to them when flipping them up or pushing them back down.

KEYS

Unlike the majority of mechanical keyboards from US brands, the key switches aren’t the ever-popular Cherry MX, but rather TTC switches. In this case, the keyboard comes in only one variant, and that’s with TTC red switches with white backlight. Typing with the keyboard feels satisfactory. Every click is audible and only requires a reasonable amount of actuation force, which means how hard you’d have to press the keys for them to be recognized.

EXPERIENCE

Mechanical keyboards are known to be great at two things, and that’s typing and gaming, both of which I do a lot of. So, how’s my experience? Pretty good actually. Typing on the keyboard feels great; tactile feedback is very noticeable when pressing the keys, as you’d expect from a mechanical keyboard. A few skipped letters every now and then do happen, but that might just be because I’m not that used to mechanical keyboards in the first place.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

At around PhP 3,500 or roughly $70 on Banggood, is this keyboard for you? Well, these days there are a lot of options for mechanical keyboards — even ones at lower price points — but no two keyboards are exactly the same, and if the aesthetics and typing experience of the Xiaomi keyboard wins you over, then I say go for it. It might not be as cheap as I would’ve liked from a Xiaomi product, but it isn’t too expensive either when compared to more popular offerings from Razer or Corsair.

Overall, the keyboard does the job and it does it well. It doesn’t have features like RGB lighting or mappable keys, but if you’re like me and prefer a minimalist setup, this just might be your GadgetMatch.

[irp posts=”9288″ name=”Razer’s latest gaming laptop has three monitors — three!”]

Accessories

JBL unwraps the season with prizes that go beyond powerful sound

Celebrate the holidays with Unwrap the Unexpected promo and an unforgettable Sound Fest!

Published

November 17, 2025

GadgetMatch

The holidays always feel louder when music fills the room.

This year, JBL is giving Filipinos a reason to turn the volume even higher with its Unwrap the Unexpected promo, a Christmas celebration that rewards every purchase with the chance to take home surprises that go from everyday essentials to life-changing grand prizes.

A holiday treat with every purchase

From November 1 to December 31, anyone who buys a participating JBL product from authorized stores or official online partners can register their receipt at jblpromo.com.ph.

The process is simple. You make a purchase, upload your proof of payment, and enter your details before the year ends. Each entry becomes your chance to win a lineup of prizes that includes a brand-new Tesla Model 3.

The promo also offers rewards such as a Vespa S125, a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7, and a Lenovo Legion 5 gaming laptop, along with dozens of other exciting items.

Free pass to the biggest JBL music experience

Every successful registration comes with a free Concert Pass to JBL Sound Fest 2025.

The event happens on December 6 at Parklinks Open Grounds in Pasig City. Registration for the pass is open until December 6 at 10 a.m.

The festival is set to gather some of the most celebrated OPM artists in one night of energy, lights, and crowd-shaking sound.

Rico Blanco, Cup of Joe, HORI7ON, Flow G, and Kat DJ will take the stage, along with other performers ready to deliver a holiday concert that lives up to the JBL name.

Expect a night built around powerful music, vibrant production, and a shared love for sound.

How to join

To participate, purchase any qualified JBL product from participating retailers nationwide and register at jblpromo.com.ph by December 31.

Make sure to claim your Sound Fest pass before December 6 at 10 a.m. Full promo mechanics and registration details are available on jblpromo.com.ph.

Accessories

SKG makes its official Philippine debut

Smart wellness solutions now available nationwide

Published

November 15, 2025

GadgetMatch

SKG is now officially in the Philippines. The company is bringing its lineup of smart wellness devices to help Filipinos manage fast-paced days with better rest and recovery.

The global wellness tech brand is now present in over 50 countries. They offer portable massagers and relaxation tools built with ergonomic design, advanced engineering, and a user-first approach.

SKG Philippines launches with a full range of products tailored for modern lifestyles.

The flagship model: G7 Pro-Fold Neck Massager

Leading the lineup is the G7 Pro-Fold Neck Massager with Heat. This is SKG’s signature device and the only foldable neck massager on the market. It comes in a premium leather finish and full smart customization.

It uses dual-mode TENS and Vibration Powered Massage Technology. This strengthens muscles, improve circulation, and deliver targeted nerve relaxation. For deeper relief, its heat therapy system combines a 6000Hz pulse matrix, graphene heating, and 630nm red light to penetrate muscles up to 10mm.

Its award-winning foldable design supports mobility, making it ideal for long flights and demanding workdays.

The SKG G7 Pro-Fold Neck Massager with Heat is priced at PhP 10,999 SRP in SKG physical stores and on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.

A more accessible option: 4356E Neck Massager

For students and budget-conscious users, the 4356E Neck Massager offers a more affordable way to experience SKG’s self-care tech. It combines TENS and EMS to relax nerves, strengthen muscles, and support daily recovery.

It also includes a 42°C hot compress, three massage modes, and 15 intensity levels, backed by a reliable battery and a one-button voice prompt for ease of use.
The SKG 4356E Neck Massager retails for PhP 2,999 SRP on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.

Portable premium comfort: ES500 Eye Massager

The ES500 Eye Massager brings premium eye care to frequent travelers, busy professionals, and anyone looking for a relaxing end to long days. It blends built-in heating pads, soft PU leather, and Bluetooth audio in a lightweight, foldable design.

Ceramic air pumps keep noise levels at just 45dB, while its 1200mAh battery offers up to 60 minutes of use. The ES500’s five-mode hot compress system (38–45°C) helps reduce eye strain, puffiness, and fatigue.

The ES500 Eye Massager is available for PhP 6,499 SRP on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.

Accessories

Apple’s new iPhone Pocket is a stylish way to carry your iPhone

This time, woven into the fabric of a modern accessory

Published

November 12, 2025

Michael Josh Villanueva

Decades after dressing Steve Jobs, Issey Miyake’s legacy returns to Apple

Fashion meets tech — again.

Apple’s latest creation isn’t a new iPhone, but something to wear it in. Announced today, the iPhone Pocket is a collaboration between Apple and Japanese fashion house ISSEY MIYAKE, reimagining the way we carry one of the world’s most recognizable devices.

While this is the first official partnership between the two brands, Miyake’s influence has long been stitched into Apple’s story.

The minimalist yet iconic uniform that is Steve Jobs’ black turtlenecks were custom-made by Miyake himself.

Back in the 1980s, Jobs even approached Miyake with an idea: to design a uniform for Apple employees. That plan never took off, but decades later, the spirit of collaboration finds new form — not in a shirt, but in a beautifully woven accessory.

The iPhone Pocket draws inspiration from Miyake’s Pleats Please and Homme Plissé lines, famed for its permanently pleated, wrinkle-free designs.

Made in Japan, and co-designed with the Apple Design Studio, each bag is crafted from a single piece of innovative 3D-knit fabric that’s both stretchy and feather-light. It’s designed to fit any iPhone and, as Apple notes, “other pocketable items.”

Available in two strap lengths, it can be worn as a shoulder bag (or slung on an arm) or crossbody. The color palette is distinctly Miyake: lemon (neon yellow), mandarin (bright orange), purple, pink, peacock (turquoise), sapphire (rich blue), cinnamon (brown), and black.

Longtime fans might also feel a nostalgic nod to the iPod Socks — a whimsical early-2000s Apple accessory that turned practicality into playful design.

The iPhone Pocket launches Friday, November 14, as a limited release, available online and in select Apple Stores.

In New York, it makes its debut in SoHo which is Apple’s outpost in the city’s fashion district. Prices start at $149.95 for the short strap and $229.95 for the long strap.