News

Pixel Fold now official

Google’s first foldable

Published

May 11, 2023

Rodneil Quiteles

It’s been leaked incessantly and was officially confirmed to be true roughly a week before it’s grand reveal. Now, the Pixel Fold, Google’s first foldable smartphone, is finally truly official.

It’s form-factor more closely resembles OPPO’s Find N series — wider and shorter versus the taller, narrower form of the Samsung Galaxy Fold. Folded, you get a 5.8-inch display — just about the size of “mini” phones by today’s standards. Unfolded, you get a 7.6-inch display for a more tablet-like real estate.

Both outer and inner displays have a 120Hz screen refresh rate and have HDR support. Its peak brightness goes as high up as 1,450 nits.

Its hinge allows a full 180-degree range of motion. Friend of GadgetMatch Mr. Mobile says on his Hands-On video that it has “enough friction to pose the phone at any posture.” Google claims their custom-built hinge was designed to be both thin and durable.

The foldable has an IPX8 rating. Yes to water resistance, but nothing for dust.

Everything you expect from a Pixel

Perhaps the most important thing about the Pixel Fold is Google’s implementation of Android. Now that they have their own foldable, there’s reason to hope that more apps will be supported for this form factor.

When folded, the Pixel Fold functions just like any other Pixel phone. Everything from messages, browsing, video viewing, and what not will be a familiar experience.

Unfolded, it unlocks many more features. For instance, if you’re watching a video, it will continuously play from the small display to the larger inner display. The feature is aptly called Continuity. You can also prop it up like a laptop and playback will show up on the bottom-half while the video plays up top. Google says they’re working on adding more playback features in this mode. But this isn’t really new as this is also present the Galaxy Fold as well as other foldables.

On their blog, Google says that when fully open, the Pixel Fold functions much like a tablet. They add that “your favorite apps are optimized to take full advantage of the larger screen.” But as most reviewers will tell you, Android on larger form-factors is still far from being a fully-optimized experience. Granted, Google did say some 50 of their apps will adapt to the foldable naturally.

Some additions include a Taskbar that lets users easily switch between apps. From here, users can also drag compatible apps and go into split-screen. They actually made a true multi-tasking feature by adding the ability to drag and drop files from one app to another where it applies. The Taskbar is also dynamic. Swipe up from the black bar when you need it. When you’re done, it’ll disappear.

Coming soon with Android 14

Google also showcased a translation feature that can be extremely helpful when you’re travelling. Called the Dual Screen interpreter mode, it lets the Pixel Fold display live translations simultaneously on both the inner and outer screens. Hopefully, it works well enough to punch through language barriers.

Best camera on a foldable?

That’s the promise, at least. Pixel phones are known for taking great photos. Google promised to deliver the same with the Pixel Fold. Powered by the G2 Tensor chip, the Pixel Fold should have all the AI goodness that Google applies when Pixels take a photo.

Also home to the Pixel Fold are many of the Pixel’s notable features. These include but are not limited to Super Res Zoom with 5x optical zoom, Real Tone, Night Sight, and more. You also have access to software tools like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur via Google Photos.

Speaking of cameras, here they are by the numbers:

Main camera array:

48MP with 1/2″ sensor, f/1.7 aperture
10MP ultrawide with 1/3″ sensor, f/2.2 aperture
10.8MP 5x optical zoom telephoto with 1/3.1″ sensor, f/3.05 aperture

Outer screen:

9.5MP fixed focus, f/2.2

Inner screen:

8MP fixed focus, f/2.0

Price and availability

The Pixel Fold comes in two colors: Porcelain and Obsidian. According to their listing, it will be available initially in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan. It starts at US$ 1,799 for the 256GB variant while the 512GB one will cost US$ 1,919.

News

NBA China, Alibaba Cloud partner to reimagine fan engagement

Alibaba Cloud becomes Official Cloud Computing and AI Partner of NBA in China

Published

October 10, 2025

GadgetMatch

NBA China and Alibaba Cloud have announced a multi-year partnership to elevate the fan experience locally through AI and cloud technologies.

Through the collaboration, Alibaba Cloud becomes the Official Cloud Computing and AI Partner of NBA in the country.

NBA China will utilize Alibaba Cloud’s AI and cloud computing services to support a wide range of digital fan engagement initiatives.

This includes the development of a proprietary AI model for NBA China based on Alibaba’s Qwen series of foundational models.

The scope of the partnership encompasses even the NBA All-Star, NBA Playoffs, and NBA Finals.

Even Quark and the Tongyi App, which are Alibaba’s consumer-facing AI applications, will also become Official Marketing Partners of NBA China.

Moreover, NBA China will leverage Alibaba Cloud’s infrastructure to host its digital destinations. These include the NBA App, the league’s official website in China, and NBA China mini-programs.

In addition, Alibaba Cloud will debut a Real-Time 360 Replay Solution at The NBA China Games 2025. This shall provide fans with AI-powered visual enhancements to replay highlights.

This year’s NBA China Games will likewise showcase innovative and interactive experiences powered by Alibaba Cloud’s AI capabilities.

At NBA House, fans can create personalized NBA-themed avatars and generate iconic commentary clips in a voice replicated from a sample of their own.

Lastly, as part of the multi-year deal, NBA China will also utilize Alibaba Cloud’s intelligent analytical tools to generate data-driven insights. This shall help enhance the league’s fan engagement efforts locally.

Entertainment

A Minecraft Movie is getting a sequel

It’s scheduled to premiere in July 2027.

Published

October 10, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

A Minecraft Movie was decidedly not for me. However, there’s no denying how much the movie was so effective for younger fans and gamers who grew up with Minecraft. It’s one of the highest-grossing movies this year. Even if I didn’t personally like it, I still consider it a success for videogame adaptations. Now, recognizing the film’s success, Warner Bros. has signed off on a sequel to Jack Black’s blocky caper, as confirmed by Variety.

It’s a mystery where the sequel will take players. Not to spoil anything, but the original movie did end with virtually loose ends neatly tied into a bow. Then again, Minecraft is an endless well of content. Where one story ends, another can just as easily open up in its place. As a game, it’s a completely open sandbox where nothing is limited.

However, to establish continuity, the sequel is reportedly tapping the talents of director Jared Hess once again. Chris Galleta might also come back to write the screenplay.

Interestingly, Jack Black is not confirmed yet. But given how much of a star he was as Steve, it’s hard to imagine a sequel without his energy, so it’s likely that he’s coming back. On a more positive note, Jason Momoa, who co-starred as Garrett Garrison, is expected to co-produce the sequel.

Warner Bros. has currently scheduled the sequel’s premiere on July 23, 2027.

SEE ALSO: Now Playing: A Minecraft Movie

Apps

ChatGPT Go now available in the Philippines, more Asian countries

Access to more popular ChatGPT features for an affordable subscription plan

Published

October 9, 2025

GadgetMatch

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

OpenAI has officially launched ChatGPT Go in 16 Asian countries, including the Philippines. This is the most cost-friendly subscription option yet at just PhP 300 (~ US$ 5.15).

This development gives users in the serviced regions greater access to ChatGPT’s advanced capabilities at a more affordable price.

To get started, simply visit chat.openai.com or download the ChatGPT mobile app, then create an account and select ChatGPT Go as your plan. The payment process is simple.

On the other hand, those who already have accounts may simply upgrade to Go.

The launch comes amid strong growth adoption of OpenAI’s tools in the Philippines. In fact, the country ranks among the top five countries for weekly ChatGPT users in Asia.

In addition, the top five use cases locally are tutoring, editing, personal writing, “how to” advice, and creative ideation.

At PhP 300 a month, ChatGPT Go subscribers will gain access to ChatGPT’s most popular features, including higher message limits, image generation, file uploads, and memory.

These are all powered by GPT-5, OpenAI’s most-advanced model.

Specifically, here’s the perks for the Go plan compared to free:

10x higher message limits
10x more image generations per day
10x more file or image uploads per day
2x longer memory for personalized responses

ChatGPT Go will join existing subscription options Plus (PhP 1,100) and Pro (PhP 9,900).

Plus is for subscribers who need more advanced thinking models and features like deep research, agent mode, and Sora video creation.

Meanwhile, Pro is for professionals, researchers, or organizations who need enterprise-grade scale, pro-level reasoning, and the most advanced features.