Accessories

Even Samsung calls them Beans, according to teardown

They also have an easily replaceable battery

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Marketing will always clash with engineering. Whereas the latter will use quirky names for a product, the former will always prefer a more marketing-friendly name. Take the Android 11 versus Android Red Velvet Cake debate, for example. Now, another weirdly named product is falling into the same marketing versus engineering clash: the Galaxy Buds Live. If you’ve seen the product, you already know what it should be called. Apparently, Samsung does, too. According to a tear-down video, even Samsung calls them Beans.

In iFixit’s latest teardown video, the infamous dissector of tech revealed the inner workings of the small Galaxy Buds Live. Composed of many minuscule components, each earbud contains a flexible strip that holds the entire thing together. Each cable has a perfectly readable label called “bean left” or “bean right.” Without a doubt, Samsung — at least, their engineering department — calls them beans as well.

In other news, iFixit also comments on the relative ease of taking the earbuds apart, making them much easier to fix. They even found it easy to replace the battery (provided you even have a spare battery in the first place). Overall, the YouTuber gave it a repairability score of 8.

Regardless of what you call the Galaxy Buds Live or Galaxy Beans, the new wireless earbuds are a marvel of product design. The bean-shaped design makes for a more comfortable fit than more elongated earbuds out there. It fits snugly rather than protrudes invasively. Right now, the Galaxy Buds Live are available for US$ 169.99.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series: Staying the course

Accessories

IQOS x Isabel Santos turns heated tech into a cool, design statement

A limited-edition collaboration where product innovation meets contemporary Filipino art.

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IQOS unveiled its latest collaboration with contemporary Filipino visual artist Isabel Santos.

Titled Curiosity Without Limits, the partnership places product design and personalization at the forefront, using art as the medium that reshapes the experience.

When hardware becomes a canvas

On a Friday night in Makati, RCBC Plaza felt less like a business address and more like a portal. The third floor glowed in deep blues and music echoed through concrete walls.

Inside, a crowd gathered not for a board meeting, but for something far more immersive. At the center stood a curated installation of IQOS devices and limited-edition accessories wrapped in Santos’ signature visual language.

Her works, known for their fluid motion, layered forms, and bold interplay of blue, teal, and bursts of warmth, extended beyond framed canvases and into physical objects people could carry.

Hand-painted IQOS devices, tote bags, pouches, luggage tags, and magnetic snap wallets were displayed like collectible pieces rather than merchandise.

Personalization as part of the ecosystem

Beyond display, the event emphasized interaction. Legal-age IQOS club members were given access to on-site customization stations, where devices could be personalized with exclusive Isabel Santos designs.

The process turned a familiar tech ritual into something participatory, aligning with the broader theme of curiosity driving experimentation.

A digital sensory wall responded to movement, animating Santos’ artwork through ripples and waves.

Nearby, a sketch station allowed guests to draw digitally. Guests were able to see their creations projected in real time onto a large screen. The experience reinforced IQOS’ positioning at the intersection of product innovation and experiential design.

Design meets contemporary culture

Isabel Santos, known for her motion-driven compositions and layered abstractions, unveiled and signed a central artwork created exclusively for the collaboration.

Her ability to translate emotional rhythm into visual form brought dimension to IQOS’ structured aesthetic.

The partnership was announced by PMFTC Inc., the Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris International, framing the initiative as a design-led project for legal-age nicotine users who would otherwise continue to smoke.

While IQOS devices are engineered around heated tobacco technology, the collaboration highlighted how design can influence perception and experience. The devices remained technologically consistent. What evolved was the narrative around them.

Beyond the launch

IQOS is positioning its hardware not only as a technological alternative, but as a lifestyle object shaped by collaboration and  customization.

The IQOS x Isabel Santos collection extends to participating IQOS boutiques nationwide. Select locations in Bonifacio Global City, SM Mall of Asia, and Glorietta offer personalization services for a limited time, with a dedicated in-store installation unveiled at the Glorietta boutique.

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Accessories

Jackery portable power solutions makes appearance at Doraemon Run

New portable power solutions provider set to make official launch soon

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Jackery recently made its first public presence in the Philippines quietly after being among the sponsors of the Doraemon Run 2026 Manila.

The portable power solutions provider founded in 2012 in California showcased three of their innovative charging products at their booth: the Explorer 100 Plus, Explorer 300 Plus, and Explorer 1000 V2.

Naturally, participants at the fun run were able to recharge their small devices for free with Jackery’s products at the booth.

The biggest variant, the Explorer 1000 V2, has a total power storage of 1070Wh. Along with a 1500W maximum output power, it can easily recharge gadgets like smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, earbuds, cameras, and even drones.

It also has multiple USB-C, AC, and DC ports for simultaneous charging of such devices.

Interestingly, the smallest variant, the Explorer 100 Plus, does champion portability. It costs just about PhP 6,999 and comes with a 99.2Wh capacity. That’s about more than 26,000mAh and is enough to recharge five smartphones.

It comes with a USB-A and two USB-C ports, and is much like a slightly larger power bank. Although, make no mistake, it is also approved for flights.

All three of Jackery’s Explorer models also have an informative digital display. The brand also had the Solar Saga 100W foldable solar panel on display. This standalone backup power solution has an IP68 water resistance.

Currently, Jackery’s products are available online via Lazada and Shopee. An official launch event is expected later this year.

The brand name is an amalgamation of the words “jacket” and “battery”. This is a nod to what Jackery produced a decade ago: jacket batteries for consumer tech companies.

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Apple AirTag 2 Review

Range, Sound, and REAL-WORLD Tests!

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THE Michael Josh puts AirTags in his bags, suitcases, keys, heck, even his TV remote.

They’ve saved him many times and keep anxiety at bay when it comes to delayed or missing baggage.

And just about last month, Apple announced a new model — the same size, shape, and price. But, it comes with a whole bunch of improvements that make it more findable.

So, should you rush out to get the new ones? In this review video, we test the range and sound of the all-new AirTag 2 in the real world.

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