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Philippines to become one of first to roll out 5G in 2019

Along with Japan and Australia

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The race to 5G connectivity is officially on, and to the joy of a striving nation, the Philippines is leading the pack.

News just broke during Mobile World Congress Shanghai 2018 that the Philippines will be among the first to roll out its 5G networks in 2019, along with Japan and Australia.

This marks a major milestone for the archipelago, which has been known for having less-than-stellar 4G results in recent tests. Breaking into 5G territory will give the Philippines a leg up with the next-generation technology.

“Next year, Australia, Japan, and the Philippines are going to be the first to launch 5G networks,” said Jan Stryjak, Lead Analyst at GSMA Intelligence, during a presentation at MWC Shanghai 2018.

What can we expect out of this level of wireless tech? Beyond the obvious speed boost, 5G is expected to have better security and connection reliability compared to older standards.

Globe Telecom already announced earlier in June that they’ll have 5G commercially available for homes by the second quarter of 2019 with the help of Huawei.

“We can bring internet to more homes by deploying 5G compared to a typical fiber optic rollout,” said Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO, when talking about 5G’s advantages over wired fiber connections.

Smart Communications, on the other hand, have already begun testing 5G speeds in the country. Their latest results have shown speeds of up to a jaw-dropping 14.97Gbps on their 5G network. That’s nearly 2GB of data downloaded every second!

Smart plans to have its 5G network ready by 2020, but news of Globe accelerating its rollout could push this rival to speed up the process, as well.

This desire from both telcos to make 5G happen as soon as possible for the Philippines is music to consumers’ ears. Not only will this save the country from its dreadful internet woes, but it’ll also enable more homes to enter the Internet of Things sooner than expected.

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Dreame enters smartphones with AURORA debut

Modular imaging, AI-native OS, and luxury design lead new “perception-first” push

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DREAME AURORA

Dreame has officially stepped into the smartphone space with the debut of its AURORA lineup in Silicon Valley, positioning itself beyond appliances and into next-generation intelligent devices.

Unveiled on April 29, the new AURORA brand introduces what Dreame calls three core breakthroughs: imaging, communication, and an AI-native operating system — all built around a “human-centric” approach to technology.

A new take on smartphones

At launch, Dreame showcased three key directions under the AURORA lineup.

Leading the charge is the AURORA NEX, a modular imaging flagship designed to unlock more advanced, flexible photography setups. The idea is to move beyond typical camera upgrades and give users more control over how they capture content.

Alongside it is the AURORA LUX, a luxury-focused series that leans into premium materials and craftsmanship. Dreame positions this as “heirloom-grade” tech — less gadget, more statement piece.

Completing the lineup is a new flagship range aimed at balancing performance, design, and everyday usability for high-end users.

Moving past spec wars

Dreame isn’t framing this as another specs race. Instead, it’s calling this shift a “perception revolution.”

The pitch is simple:

  • Better imaging should feel like creating, not just capturing
  • Connectivity should be stable and seamless everywhere
  • AI should be invisible but proactive, not something users have to manage

To get there, Dreame says it’s addressing familiar industry pain points — from camera hardware stacking to inconsistent signal performance and surface-level AI features.

Its solution is a full-stack approach:

  • A dedicated imaging system built with input from professional photographers
  • A “full-time signal” communication system for more stable connectivity
  • An AI-native OS designed to flip the model from users adapting to devices → devices adapting to users

From tools to partners

The bigger ambition here is clear. Dreame wants devices to evolve from passive tools into what it calls “proactive service partners.”

That means:

  • Devices anticipate needs
  • AI operates in the background
  • Hardware and software feel like a single system

It’s a familiar direction across the industry, but Dreame is betting on tighter integration and a stronger design identity to stand out.

A broader ecosystem play

The AURORA launch also signals something bigger: Dreame is expanding fast beyond its roots in home and personal care tech.

From hair tools to now smartphones, the company is building toward a full ecosystem anchored on AI and connected experiences.

Whether that vision lands will depend on execution — especially in a category as competitive as smartphones.

For now, AURORA marks Dreame’s most ambitious move yet, and a clear statement that it wants to compete not just on devices, but on how those devices fit into everyday life.

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MacBook Neo already “supply constrained” amid unexpected demand

New purchases are reportedly getting delayed.

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It’s been a crazy month for Apple fans on a budget. The debuts of the iPhone 17e and the MacBook Neo have brought the classic Apple experience to a wider market. Though the former is a bright spot on its own, the new MacBook Neo is currently breaking the company’s expectations as new orders are already “supply constrained.”

Last week, Tim Cook held an earnings call (via Six Colors) which includes the latest additions to Apple’s lineup. For the affordable iPhone, Cook gave a special shoutout as “the newest addition to what is already the strongest iPhone lineup we’ve ever had.” However, he was much more appreciative for the MacBook Neo’s role in the company’s notebook lineup.

Responding to a query about the new notebook, Cook says that the company “undercalled the level of enthusiasm” generated by the MacBook Neo. He also cited “tremendous enthusiasm” for the device in his main presentation.

Though he didn’t have the numbers to bolster his claims, he did give anecdotal examples of public schools switching over to Apple from Chromebooks and Windows PCs.

Finally, he says that the MacBook Neo is currently “supply constrained,” meaning new purchases will likely come with a delay before delivery.

Outside of the corporate perspective, there has been a lot of excitement for the notebook. Even if it uses the A18 Pro chip, the MacBook Neo promises a powerful notebook experience as is typical of Apple’s more traditional MacBooks. And to top it all off, it starts at only US$ 599, creating one of the most tempting offers for users who want to dip their toes into the Apple ecosystem.

SEE ALSO: MacBook Neo officially arrives at Power Mac Center

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Apple reportedly gives up on the Vision Pro

But Apple will continue to sell the current model.

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When they unveiled the Vision Pro in 2023, Apple touted the wearable as the next big thing after the iPhone. Now, almost three years removed from the launch, the Vision Pro hasn’t really taken over the coveted spot occupied by the iPhone. Apple, according to a report, is allegedly canning the short-lived wearable.

According to MacRumors, Apple has reportedly given up on making the Vision Pro a thing. The team handling the wearable has supposedly been subsumed by other teams within Apple.

If true, the wearable’s end is unfortunate but not surprising. Despite being out for years, the Vision Pro has sold only a little more than half a million units with numerous returns from customers. Most recently, Apple updated the wearable with the M5 chip, but the move hasn’t revitalized the device’s status in Apple’s lineup.

Most of the complaints about the device stem from its exorbitant price or its cumbersome battery pack. Besides costing a whopping US$ 3,499, the Vision Pro is also difficult to move around with, especially because of its total weight and a battery pack that can get in the way.

To be clear, Apple has not officially discontinued the Vision Pro yet. The company continues to sell the version with the M5 chip. Apple can also restart development in the future.

However, the meantime retirement on future development does coincide with the recent restructuring inside the company. Tim Cook recently decided to step down as CEO with John Ternus as his replacement. Canning the Vision Pro might be Ternus’ first step in redefining Apple according to his plans.

SEE ALSO: Apple Vision Pro gets M5 chip upgrade

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