News

Samsung announces Galaxy Ring, Watch7, Watch Ultra

Samsung’s latest AI-powered wearables

Published

July 10, 2024

Manila Connoisseur

Samsung has officially announced its latest batch of wearables, all powered by Galaxy AI to provide intelligent health experiences for all. They are the Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Watch7, and Galaxy Watch Ultra.

The newest additions align with Samsung’s vision for Galaxy AI to enhance digital health. All devices boast of sensor innovations, enabling them to deliver personalized insights and tailored health experiences by obtaining more accurate, detailed, and advanced user information.

Particularly, both the Galaxy Watch7 and Watch Ultra feature a 3nm Exynos W1000 processor. This allows them to deliver faster performance on the Wear OS 5 platform.

All devices also introduce novel health monitoring capabilities and support for various workouts not seen in previous versions of Samsung’s Galaxy wearable lineups. For added convenience, both watches support advanced features like Gestures and wallet payments. The Ring can also take photos using a Samsung Galaxy smartphone via double pinching.

Price, availability, preorder offers

The Galaxy Ring is available in Titanium Black, Silver, and Gold. There are sizing kits to help interested customers find the right fit from nine sizes. It is priced starting at US$ 399.99.

The Galaxy Watch7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra come in the following sizes and colors:

Galaxy Watch7 44mm: Green and Silver
Galaxy Watch7 40mm: Green and Cream
Galaxy Watch Ultra 47mm: Titanium Silver, Gray, and White

The Galaxy Watch7 starts at US$ 299.99 while the Watch Ultra will retail for US$ 649.99.

All three new offerings will be available on Samsung.com, Samsung Experience Stores, and other major retailers. Preorders in the United States will be open by July 10, 2024, with general sales beginning on July 24.

Galaxy Ring

Samsung first teased about the Galaxy Ring six months ago, and then unveiled it at MWC Barcelona earlier in the year. It is designed for 24/7 health monitoring, coming in the lightweight form of a stylish accessory. The ring has 10ATM water resistance and a Titanium Grade 5 finish.

More than its appearance, the Samsung Galaxy Ring integrates data and insights into Samsung Health for seamless access. It offers users an advanced sleep AI algorithm to help them understand their sleeping patterns through advanced sleep metrics.

Furthermore, the Galaxy Ring can provide personalized recommendations based on four significant factors: Sleep, Activity, Sleeping Heart Rate, and Sleeping Heart Rate Variability.

For everyday wellness monitoring, the wearable supports Heart Rate Alert and Live Heart Rate Check. It also helps users maintain an active lifestyle with Auto Workout Detection and Inactive Alert.

Galaxy Watch7

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch7 is designed to give users a better understanding of themselves. It supports over 100 workouts, and lets users develop active habits with Workout Routine. Body Composition, on the other hand, gives them a comprehensive understanding of their physical bodies.

Likewise new to the Galaxy Watch7 is an advanced AI algorithm, and the De Novo FDA-authorized Sleep Apnea feature. This simple tool checks potential signs for moderate to severe sleep apnea.

Among the smartwatch’s advanced monitoring capabilities are Heart Rate, Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification (IHRN), and Electrocardiogram (ECG). The Watch7’s BioActive Sensor makes tracking these indicators in a more accurate manner possible. Moreover, the device can track advanced glycation end products (AGEs) right from a user’s wrist. AGEs reflect an indication of metabolic health.

The Watch 7 is equipped with a 3nm processor, delivering an even faster performance compared to its predecessor. It is also the first Galaxy product to feature dual-frequency GPS system.

Galaxy Watch Ultra

For a personal active performance companion, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is your best bet. Aside from having the Galaxy Watch7’s advanced health monitoring features and powerful hardware, the Watch Ultra variant also supports enhanced fitness experiences.

The watch is built for extreme durability with its 10ATM water resistance and Titanium Grade 4 frame. It can operate at up to 500 meters below sea level, or 9,000 meters above. It can also last up to 100 hours on Power Saving and 48 in Exercise Power Saving.

For high-level athletes, the Watch Ultra features a new Functional Threshold Power (FTP) for cycling power. This is an AI-powered metric that helps athletes unlock their full potential based on their own indicators. The device also has a Personalized HR Zone and Multi-sports tile for multi-course workouts.

Among its other features are Quick Button and Emergency Siren, which are both helpful during workouts.

Automotive

Mercedes-Benz celebrates 140th anniversary at the Presidential Car Museum

A generation’s worth of presidential Benz models under one roof

Published

July 17, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Last month, Mercedes-Benz Philippines kicked off its 140^th -anniversary “Welcome Home” campaign. Designed to celebrate the iconic Chedeng and introduce a new generation to the brand, the campaign attracts old and new customers alike. Now, the brand’s 140^th year is also hitting history buffs with a special showcase at the Presidential Car Museum in Quezon City.

Since President Cory Aquino’s term, the official presidential car has been a Benz, offering comfort and protection for the current head of state. It is here where Mercedes-Benz wants to celebrate the legacy of the brand, especially in the annals of Philippine history.

Amid the cars of Presidents Aquino, Ramos, Estrada, and Macapagal-Arroyo, Mercedes-Benz is displaying a replica of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen Replica, which is the world’s first automobile introduced by Karl Benz in 1886. The replica will be on display until December 2026.

Outside the Presidential Car Museum, Mercedes-Benz is running discounts through the end of July. There are also special aftersales services for those who already own a Benz. Finally, the brand will continue to run activations throughout the anniversary, so expect to hear a lot more about the Chedeng throughout the year.

News

Samsung releases teaser with Spider-Man: Brand New Day Easter eggs

Spot also teases upcoming Galaxy foldable devices

Published

July 16, 2026

GadgetMatch

Samsung has just premiered a new spot that showcases clips directly from Spider-Man: Brand New Day, just a few weeks before the movie hits cinemas later this month.

The clip showcases Spider-Man as he fights crime and puts his phone through the wear and tear of superhero life.

In the spot, the Fabricator creates a number of devices for Spider-Man built to stand up to the pace and unpredictability of life behind the mask. This includes what clearly looks like a Galaxy Z Flip phone.

This provides a behind the scenes look into how Peter Parker ultimately landed on a Samsung phone — as fans speculated from the first trailer.

Meanwhile, Ned can also be seen using the Spidey Tracker to try and catch Spider-Man throughout the city on his Samsung phone.

The campaign pretty much formalizes Jacob Batalon — who plays Ned Leeds — as Samsung’s Team Galaxy’s newest ambassador.

The clip ends with the text “A brand new shape for a Brand New Day”, which is also a callback to what the brand has been teasing regarding the future of its Galaxy foldable devices.

Samsung to release latest devices at Galaxy Unpacked

Next week, Samsung is set to launch its latest devices at Galaxy Unpacked 2026.

Ahead of the launch, customers who wish to reserve as early as now can get a US$ 30 credit during pre-order, for a total of up to US$ 1,230 in savings.

Customers can also enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win one of 10 US$ 500 Samsung.com gift cards towards their purchase.

Apps

iOS 27 public beta gives us our first taste of Siri AI

You can access the beta for free.

Published

July 16, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Normally, public betas come and go with nary a peep from anyone but dedicated fans and testers. After all, why care about a beta when the final release is likely just around the corner? This one, however, is special. Today, Apple launched the iOS 27 public beta, and it’s our first taste of the redesigned Siri AI.

Recently, WWDC 2026 unveiled Apple’s latest attempts at entering the AI segment. Whereas previous iterations to incorporate AI failed to make an impact, Siri AI promises to provide users with helpful feedback that’s actually helpful.

Now, in the public beta for iOS 27, users all over can finally access the new assistant. To get to the beta, you need to be a part of the beta program, which you can easily sign up for on beta.apple.com. Once signed up, you can get the update from Software Update in Settings. You’ll see options for a developer beta and a public beta. Choose iOS 27 Public Beta.

At face value, Siri AI offers much of what you’d get from a traditional AI-powered assistant. However, it does slightly differ because it integrates the entire phone. The assistant contextualizes your information (including emails, messages, and photos) to give you the most accurate feedback that you might need.

If that’s not enough, Siri AI also has its own chatbot app. If you’re more used to ChatGPT, the assistant should give you that bit of familiarity.

Now, if you don’t want to go for a beta, Apple is expected to launch iOS 27 in its final form sometime in September.