Accessories

Pacsafe Instasafe backpack tote review: My all around carry-on

Looks good and keeps all your stuff safe!

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What’s the big deal about Pacsafe bags? My father is a Pacsafe user. He has, on numerous occasions, showed off his travel-safe bag to me. When we interviewed our Her GadgetMatch September guest, TV Host Lyn Ching, she pledged her undying love to Pacsafe.

I, on the other hand, have never used a Pacsafe bag. To be completely honest about it, I’d never traveled with an anti-theft bag… until now.

This is Pacsafe’s Instasafe backpack tote. I road tested it on a recent trip and what follows are my thoughts on what has become a travel cult favorite.

Of course, I’ll start with my favorite feature: It’s convertible! It has enough straps and handles to be used as either a backpack or a tote. It’s understated look is just formal enough, but not too dressy. I love how it can match my outfits whether it be super casual for exploring new places (like pictured below), or a little dressed up for workday meetings and such.

You see, picking a bag is hard. I’ve always had trouble finding the right one; usually, backpacks are too big or too informal and tote bags, on the other hand, are hard to carry for long periods of time. Not to mention, I need something that will fit everything from my laptop to my makeup kit, without being too bulky.

This bag hits the best middle ground. The Instasafe can fit my laptop but is still compact enough for me to carry around on a daily basis.

And believe me, I totally have. On my last trip, this was a staple. I had everything I needed to work remotely — laptop, external hard drive, camera, gorilla pod, makeup kit — in one backpack. The same bag was also my carry on as I rode a total of eight planes and moved through three time zones in a span of two weeks.

Yep, that’s everything in my bag!

Aside from a laptop pocket that fits a 13-inch laptop, this bag has pockets and different compartments for all your other junk, which is great since your bag won’t turn into a bottomless pit of random things.

That’s not all that’s great about this bag, though.

Pacsafe’s main selling point is the anti-theft capabilities. Although this bag is lightweight, it has mesh inside so that it’s slash-proof. That means no one is getting to your stuff, even if they try with a knife.

Even the tote handles are slash-proof so no one will be able to take it from you, they’d have to pry it from your cold, dead, well-manicured fingers.

There are also zipper stoppers that ensure that your bag won’t be zipped open just by anyone else when you’re busy exploring the world.

Another cool feature is something I’ve always needed but just never knew about.

You can unlock this bag strap and wrap it around a secure spot so that you’re 100 percent sure no one just grabs it when you’re not looking.

This is a great thing for people like me who camp out and work in coffee shops. When I’m in the zone writing, I’m not very attentive to my surroundings. Locking this to a table base of a chair means my bag isn’t going anywhere.

There’s also an RFID blocking pocket which ensures that no one can scan your credit cards or passport and steal your information. (This is something I’ve been freaking out about lately!)

Of course, I wasn’t able to definitively test out the anti-theft features (thank heavens 🙄) but knowing there’s an added layer of security is always a welcome thought when you’re out and about.

The best thing about the Instasafe bag, I think, is the fact that its use isn’t just limited to when you’re traveling and hopping from plane to plane. This thing proved to be a great day-to-day work bag and it didn’t destroy my #OOTDs. I honestly didn’t think I’d appreciate Pacsafe’s travel bags this much, but I am now a believer.

It’s been a week since my trip ended but I’m still using the Instasafe. That is a good sign.

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Accessories

Is it comfortable to sleep on a Secretlab Atlas?

You can grab the chair now through Secretlab’s 11.11 sale!

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November 10, 2026

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The biggest reason to get an ergonomic chair is to stay comfortable while working or playing all day. But how about getting that well-deserved siesta after lunch or falling asleep on your chair after a long day of gaming?

The new Secretlab Atlas is more than just a chair for when you’re busy. It’s a perfect chair for dozing off and taking it easy.

Today, you can grab the Atlas and everything else from Secretlab to complete your workstation during Secretlab’s 11.11 sale on Shopee. You can enjoy discounts of up to PhP 9,300. You can also stack and save vouchers of up to PhP 1,500, plus additional vouchers from Shopee. Once purchased, customers can grab free gifts worth up to PhP 7,500. Finally, it’s free shipping!

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Accessories

CASETiFY Match: Finding the right case for your Galaxy Z8 Series phone

Cases that match your personality

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October 23, 2026

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CASETiFY cases for Galaxy Z8 series phones

A phone case can be more than protection. It can also be a way to show off your interests, personality, and the little things that make you, well, you.

For our CASETiFY Match for the Galaxy Z8 Series, we asked the team one question: Why was this CASETiFY design your Match?

From Spider-Man fandom and capybara obsession to feline-inspired art and snake motifs, here are the designs that found their way into our team’s everyday carry, plus a couple of bonus picks worth checking out.

Rodneil: A little New York energy for a certified web-head

If it wasn’t obvious enough, I’m a certified web-head. I love anything and everything Spider-Man, especially the iconic red-and-blue motif. Though, if we’re being honest, I’m more partial to the red.

I had my eyes on the Spider-Man suit design for the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and the Spider-Man Mask Snappy Grip Stand. Unfortunately, those designs aren’t available for the Galaxy Z Fold8.

So, I went with a design that gives off a bit of New York energy instead. It still pairs nicely with the Spidey Snappy Grip Stand, letting me bring a little of that Spider-Man vibe to my everyday setup.

V: Keeping it cool with capybaras

I’ve been a capybara stan since 2020, long before the world finally caught up with just how cute and chill these animals are. Seeing them get the recognition they deserve has been a source of much excitement.

Finding cool and cute capybara cases and accessories for the phones I use every day, however, hasn’t always been easy.

That’s where Deville Dewil’s capybara collection comes in. It fills that gap while making my Galaxy Z Fold8 feel like an even more personal accessory.

At this point, I’d like to identify as a capy/bara.

Luigi: A cat design that’s playful without being too loud

There’s no shortage of cat-themed cases out there. If you’re a cat lover like me, chances are you’ve considered one at some point.

The tricky part is finding a design that isn’t too whimsical or loud. I love the little furballs, but I still want something sleek and clean.

CASETiFY’s cat collection speaks to that balance. In particular, this design by Catwheezie blends artistry with a touch of whimsy. It lets me show off my personality without being too flashy.

MJ: A little reputation energy

I’ve always had a soft spot for snake motifs, and CASETiFY’s Transparent Kingsnake case gives me Taylor Swift’s reputation era energy.

I love how snakes symbolize transformation. As someone who’s always evolving and never afraid to reinvent himself, that meaning feels personal.

The black-and-white design also brings a sleek, rebellious edge. Paired with my Galaxy Z Flip8, it’s giving statement accessory with a little bite.

Bonus Match: Sunglasses at Night

Sometimes, keeping it simple is the way to go. The Sunglasses at Night design is tasteful and understated, letting me show off the actual color of my phone without competing with it.

Bonus Match: Pink Weekly Planner

For the girls (and gaes) who plan their days–and life–ahead. And of course, for when they need to keep their Wednesdays pink.

Find your Match

There’s no single way to find a phone case that feels right. It might be a favorite character, an animal you’ve loved for years, a piece of art, or a symbol that means something to you.

For our team, the right CASETiFY design is the one that brings a little more personality to a device we carry every day.

So, which design would be your Match?

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Bose acquires Skullcandy

But both are still separate brands.

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October 22, 2026

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As one of the wisest sages of the 2000s once said, “He was a punk, she did ballet. What more can I say?” Sometimes, opposites attract. Now, two of those opposites in the audio space are coming together: the punk Skullcandy and the ballet-loving Bose.

Today, Bose has announced its acquisition of Skullcandy. The latter will continue to operate as a separate brand but now officially under the Bose umbrella. Although, it’s not a new collaboration as the two brands have previously worked together on devices before. Skullcandy will just have more access to Bose’s technologies moving forward.

Alternatively, Bose will now have access to Skullcandy’s more varied audience. Compared to Bose’s focus on premium products, Skullcandy caters to more alternative lifestyles. Though the brand has since mellowed from its more radical roots, it is still known as one of the alternative brands.

Bose, on the other hand, is still a household name for home audio and noise-cancelling headphones. The new relationship between two polar opposites might be seen as a weird one, but it’s ultimately beneficial to both parties. Besides, both brands were very strong in the 2010s. Keeping both brands going is a boon to audiophiles of the past decade.

SEE ALSO: Sony unveils three premium Walkman music players

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