News

The Samsung Galaxy Fold is coming to the Philippines

Get hyped!

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First announced alongside the Samsung Galaxy S10 and refined later on in 2019, the Samsung Galaxy Fold is making its way to the Philippines!

Samsung excitedly shared the news with GadgetMatch and while there isn’t any specific date yet, the company told us the device is coming “very soon.” It wasn’t clear at first if the Fold was coming to the Philippine but following encouraging sales in other countries, the company decided to bring it to the archipelago.

A new device category

the Galaxy Fold is Samsung’s first foldable smartphone. It sports a foldable 7.3-inch Infinity Flex Display. Revealed months ago, the display can freely transform between an expansive 7.3-inch tablet and a smaller 4.6-inch phone. Unfolded, the phone is a QXGA+ resolution powerhouse. Folded, the phone carries a workable HD+ display.

Powering the device is a 7nm octa-core processor, 12GB of RAM, and 512GB of internal storage. Outside, the phone carries a triple rear camera setup — 16-megapixel ultra-wide camera + 12-megapixel wide-angle camera + a telephoto lens. In front, it has a 16-megapixel selfie shooter when folded. It has two batteries that combine for a total of 4380mAh.

During the first reveal, the Galaxy Fold was said to be available in four colors with LTE and 5G variants and will retail for US$ 1,980. Global availability of the refined version was announced in September 2019.

Ample customer support

Samsung is reassuring potential buyers that every Galaxy Fold will come with exclusive access to specialized customer care services. This includes one-on-one access to Samsung experts, and a 24/7 support hub online or over the phone.

Samsung is deep into planning to make the sure everything goes well so watch for more announcements soon.

Gaming

Switch 2 finally gets a Choose Your Game bundle

Choose from Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, or Pokémon Pokopia.

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When the console launched, Nintendo fans had only two options when buying a new Switch 2: the console by itself or packaged with Mario Kart World. Since then, Nintendo has very occasionally released more bundles for more games. Finally, a new bundle will let you pick your bundled game from three hard-hitting options.

The best way to buy a new console is through a bundle. It allows you to save a few dollars on a game you’re probably buying anyway and lets you play right as you unbox your new purchase.

Today, Nintendo announced a new bundle that adds more options for gamers. These options include Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Pokémon Pokopia. The bundle lets you pick one.

As someone who’s played all three games, this selection isn’t too shabby at all. In fact, they’re the best first-party games you can currently get for the console.

It’s also a cost-efficient purchase that gives you more savings before the price of a new Switch 2 goes up in September. It’s likely that Nintendo introduced the option to soften the blow of the upcoming price hike.

The bundle will cost US 499.99. Being the most expensive game of the bundle, selecting Mario Kart World will save you US$ 29.99. Meanwhile, both Donkey Kong Bananza and Pokémon Pokopia will save you US$ 19.99.

The Nintendo Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle will come out in early June and will be available until supplies last. If you’re still craving for a Switch 2, this might be the perfect time to grab one.

SEE ALSO: The Switch 2 is getting more expensive this year

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Laptops

The Googlebook is the next evolution of the Chromebook

Notebooks are coming later this year.

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Chromebooks did not become the go-to alternative for laptop users on a budget. Given how the market looks today, it could have been a matter of “right place, wrong time.” Today, Google is trying again with the new Googlebook lineup.

The Googlebook is different from the Chromebook. Though both platforms allow Android apps to run natively, the Googlebook will focus more on building a foundation on Gemini Intelligence.

Of course, the Android ecosystem is still a focal point. The Googlebook can run apps from the ecosystem and can connect seamlessly with Android phones. Specifically, users can access their phone’s apps and files directly from the notebook without waiting for transfers.

As for the Gemini part, the Googlebook starts by reinventing the cursor. The new Magic Pointer brings the wonder of Gemini to your mouse. A wiggle of the cursor wakes the software, which contextualizes anything it’s pointed to. For example, pointing at a date will ask you if you want to schedule a meeting. Pointing at two photos might merge the two into an AI-generated mashup.

Additionally, Create a Widget will allow you to customize software to perfectly tailor to your needs. Using Gemini, the Googlebook can collate everything you need on your dashboard.

Currently, there are no official models set to come out just yet. However, Google has confirmed that Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo have committed to bringing out the Googlebook this fall. Naturally, each of these brands will have their own take on lineup, but the one thing uniting them will be a unique glowbar to set them apart from other notebooks.

SEE ALSO: Google, on Android adopting Liquid Glass: “Not happening!”

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News

HONOR Magic8 Pro gets Android 17 Beta 3 support early

Android 17 arrives early

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The HONOR Magic8 Pro is among the first smartphones to support Android 17 Beta 3, giving developers early access to Google’s upcoming mobile platform ahead of its wider release.

According to HONOR, the early beta access allows developers to test app compatibility, optimize performance, and integrate new Android 17 features using the company’s flagship smartphone.

Android 17 Beta 3

Android 17 Beta 3 introduces several new multitasking, customization, camera, and privacy tools. One of its biggest additions is the expansion of Bubbles into a system-wide feature. Apps can now run in floating windows that users can minimize and reopen from anywhere on-screen.

The update also adds support for the RAW14 image format. HONOR says this allows developers to better take advantage of the Magic8 Pro’s AiMAGE camera system for improved image processing, dynamic range, and color accuracy in third-party camera and editing apps.

Android 17 Beta 3 also expands UI customization. Users can now hide app labels for a cleaner home screen layout, while developers can adjust Photo Picker layouts with different aspect ratios including portrait-style 9:16 views.

Other updates include separate Quick Settings toggles for Wi-Fi and mobile data, alongside a redesigned screen recording interface that lets users choose between recording the full display or a specific app.

Privacy and security improvements are also part of the update. Android 17 Beta 3 adds session-only precise location access, blocks local network access by default, and introduces protections against code injection attacks. Google is also preparing Android for future cybersecurity threats through support for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC).

The HONOR Magic8 Pro features the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform, HONOR’s AiMAGE imaging system, and a 6,270mAh Silicon-carbon Battery. HONOR says its participation in the Android 17 Beta program highlights its continued collaboration with Google ahead of Android 17’s official release.

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