News

Samsung Galaxy Watch4 series bridges health, wellness, and technology

Raising the bar on smartwatch experience

Published

August 11, 2021

MJ Jucutan

Behold, Samsung decks out the new Galaxy Watch4 series!

The new lineup introduces the Galaxy Watch4 and Watch4 Classic featuring the new WearOS by Samsung and Google. It’s also powered by OneUI and equipped with better hardware to redesign the smartwatch experience.

More importantly, the Galaxy Watch4 series delivers a suite of wellness features to achieve that fit and healthy lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of.

Bridging health and technology

Samsung’s smartwatch lineup has just raised the bar for wearables. The Galaxy Watch4 series is equipped with a groundbreaking BioActive Sensor that helps users monitor their blood pressure, heart rate, and measure their blood oxygen level.

For a more holistic peek at your health, Samsung introduces a Body Composition analysis tool for the first time. You can check your skeletal muscle, fat mass, body fat, BMI, body water, etc.

It also comes with advanced sleep management to help you understand your sleeping patterns through Sleep Score, therefore, getting the rightful rest that you need. The sound of your snores is also detected through your smartphone, while the smartwatch tracks your blood oxygen level even if you’re asleep.

For those who are trying to add more exercise to their daily routines, the Galaxy Watch4 series serves guided workouts and plenty of features to aid you in your fitness journey.

Keeping it simple and easy

Samsung aims to make the smartwatch experience convenient and efficient for all kinds of users. With the new OneUI Watch, the Galaxy Watch4 series recognizes the most important settings on your phone and syncs it instantly. For instance, having Do Not Disturb on your phone will reflect the same setting on your watch. It also automatically downloads any apps on your phone that are compatible with the smartwatch.

There are new gestures too that work seamlessly when using Galaxy devices. You can toggle audio between your phone and watch, receive and reject calls, and dismiss notifications and alarms using just your wrist.

Good news to Bixby fans, if there are any. Bixby can be used to control your mobile experience. And if you’re watching the Galaxy Watch4 Classic, you can use the rotating bezel as well.

Supported by Google

Having the new WearOS, the fruit of collaboration between Samsung and Google, the Galaxy Watch4 series brings an expansive ecosystem to your wrist — from popular Google apps and Samsung’s very own Samsung Pay, SmartThings, and Bixby, to leading third-party apps such as Spotify, Strava, adidas Running, and Calm.

Better hardware performance

Samsung seriously upgraded the Galaxy Watch4 series with its first-ever 5nm processor, higher-resolution display, and expanded 16GB of memory for your favorite apps, music, and photos — secured by Samsung’s Knox security platform.

It’s also equipped with an eSim technology so you can leave your phone behind. And even when you’re away, the smartwatches now come with longer battery life, lasting up to 40 hours. It also charges quickly, providing up to 10 hours of battery life even if you charge for only 30 minutes.

Pricing and availability in the US

The Galaxy Watch4 series will be available for pre-order starting August 11 and will be available in retail stores on August 27.

For those who prefer the modern and minimalist watch, the Galaxy Watch4 will come in two sizes (40mm and 44mm), and four colors: Black, Silver, Pink Gold (4omm only), and Green (44mm only). It will retail for US$ 250 for Bluetooth versions and US$ 300 for LTE models.

The Galaxy Watch4 Classic, on the other hand, starts at US$ 350 for Bluetooth versions and US$ 400 for LTE models. It will be available in 42mm and 46mm variants in Black and Silver.

Pricing and availability in the Philippines

In the Philippines, the Galaxy Watch4 series will be available for pre-order starting August 19 until September 21. The Galaxy Watch4 will be available in two sizes (40mm and 44mm) with Black and Silver leading the color options. The Pink Gold (40mm) and Green (44mm) will be exclusive to Samsung’s Online Store.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch4 Classic will be available in 42mm and 46mm variants in Black and Silver. Pricing are as follows:

Galaxy Watch4 Classic 46mm (Black, Silver)

Bluetooth — PhP 19,990

Galaxy Watch4 Classic 42mm (Black, Silver)

Bluetooth — PhP 17,990

Galaxy Watch4 44mm (Black, Silver, Sophisticated Green)

Bluetooth — PhP 14,990

Galaxy Watch4 40mm (Black, Silver, Pink Gold)

Bluetooth — PhP 12,990

Pricing and availability in Singapore

In Singapore, will be available for pre-order starting August 11, 2021. Those who pre-order will be able to claim the device on September 2, 2021. Pricing are as follows:

Galaxy Watch4 Classic 46mm (Black, Silver)

Bluetooth — SG$ 598
LTE — SG$ 748

Galaxy Watch4 Classic 42mm (Black, Silver)

Bluetooth — SG$ 548
LTE — SG$ 698

Galaxy Watch4 44mm (Black, Silver, Green)

Bluetooth — SG$ 448
LTE — SG$ 548

Galaxy Watch4 40mm (Black, Silver, Gold)

Bluetooth — SG$ 398
LTE — SG$ 498

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.