News

Samsung erases ads mocking Apple for not having a headphone jack

Just right after Galaxy Note 10 launches

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Normally, rivaling corporations often engage in competitive banter against one another. Tech makers have notably gone on petty crusades against rivals. Remember when Huawei gave away powerbanks to Apple customers in line for the next iPhone? How about when Qualcomm spent a billion dollars just to torment Apple? Actually, everyone loves to throw shade at Apple.

Naturally, Samsung — Apple’s arch-rival — has already jumped on the anti-Apple crusade. In the past, the Galaxy maker launched Ingenius, a series of creative ads bashing the iPhone for having (and lacking) certain features. The series mocked the Apple Pencil, the notch, and the lack of a headphone jack.

Now, if you’ve been following Samsung’s latest releases, you might have noticed a few outdated pieces of this series. Particularly, the new Galaxy Note 10 already eliminated the headphone jack. By now, Ingenius is starting to look ironic. Samsung has become the very thing it mocked in the past. Like every phone without a headphone jack, Samsung requires a dongle to use wired earphones. Additionally, the new Galaxy has a notch — albeit, a punch-hole one.

Quick on the uptake, Samsung has already noticed this glaring error. The company has noticeable deleted the incriminating ads from its YouTube channels. Samsung’s humiliating irony is nowhere to be found on official channels.

Of course, things on the internet don’t r eally go away. Some of Samsung’s regional channels — like Samsung Malaysia — have retained the ironic ads on their respective channels. Likewise, Samsung US still has Ingenius promotional material on their website.

Regardless, the company is already doubling down against its wicked ways from the past. Unfortunately, the deletion does not bode well for Samsung’s future phones. Is this really the end of the headphone jack? We hope not.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Note 10 price in the Philippines

Gaming

A Pokémon leak reveals an MMO-style remake of Hoenn, Sinnoh

It’s scheduled to launch in 2028.

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For a company that’s notoriously litigious, The Pokémon Company has done a remarkably poor job at keeping its details safe from leaks. Today, a new Pokémon leak has revealed so much more about what the franchise has in store for gamers in the coming years.

Exactly a year ago, a massive leak called the Teraleak revealed a trove of information for the series. At the time, the leak focused mainly on the upcoming Legends: Z-A (which coincidentally launches later this week) and the mysterious tenth generation.

Now, via Centro LEAKS, the team behind the Teraleak has uncovered more information. Most importantly, the upcoming tenth generation of games will feature MMO-inspired elements. It will feature a central hub where players can interact with others online. It will also have co-op raid bosses and the ability to explore underwater.

The tenth generation will reportedly have the name Pokémon Wind and Wave, scheduled for a 2026 release. Supposedly, they even found a logo for the duo already.

Past 2026, the leak says that a new Legends game is coming in 2027. This time, the faster paced franchise will take players to the Galar region.

Then, in 2028, the developers are reportedly releasing a dream project that will make every older Pokémon fan’s heart flutter. Project Seed is supposedly a multi-region remake set in a new region between Hoenn and Sinnoh. Being in between worlds, players will get the ability to traverse the two aforementioned regions from the past. It’s also an MMO, so it’s a big dream come true for fans.

That said, these are leaked plans from 2020. As crazy as this slate sounds, there’s still a chance that TPC’s plans have already changed today. As with all leaks, take it with a grain of salt.

SEE ALSO: Massive Pokémon leak reveals plans for Gen 10

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News

vivo X300 Pro headlines Dimensity 9500 and Sony’s LYT-828 image sensor

Alongside Samsung’s custom-engineered ISOCELL HPB sensor

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vivo X300 Pro
Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

In line with vivo’s annual product roadmap lies the refresh of their grandest smartphone line.

The vivo X300 and X300 Pro were finally revealed in China as the industry’s newest smartphones leading the mobile photography and Dimensity 9500 race.

Two Flavors, One Flagship

Qualcomm already announced their first Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 phones with the Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max. vivo then pioneers the X300 series as the first batch of Dimensity 9500-running flagships.

Unlike last year though, there are only two models in the X300 lineup instead of three.

vivo X300

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

The vivo X300 adapts a smaller 6.31-inch flat screen, ditching the 6.67-inch of X200 last 2024. This not only is the “mini” successor of the X200, it also effectively replaces last year’s X200 Pro mini altogether.

Moreover, the Pro variant still rocks the same 6.78-inch panel as last year’s X200 Pro with “finely curved straight-edged bezels.”

vivo X300

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

These ZEISS Master Color displays are 8T LTPO 120Hz displays based on BOE’s Q10 AMOLED. Both support HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Netflix HDR content as well.

They also feature eye-protection features like 2160Hz PWM Dimming, TÜV Rheinland Flicker Free and SGS Low Blue Light certifications, and as low as 1 nit of screen brightness.

Finally, the base vivo X300 adopts an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor that was previously exclusive to the Pro and Ultra models.

vivo X300

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

When it comes to battery, the X300 has a 6040mAh battery while the Pro variant packs a bigger 6510mAh capacity.

vivo boldly claims that these Silicon-Anode BlueVolt batteries are comparable to phones with 7000 and 7500mAh batteries through software and hardware energy optimizations.

Both support 90W FlashCharge plus 40W Wireless FlashCharge standards.

Pocket Pro-tography

The X300 phones wouldn’t be complete without their revolutionary flagship-grade camera system.

vivo X300 Pro vivo X300
Wide 50MP f/1.57
1/1.28” Sony LYT-828 sensor
200MP f/1.68
1/1.4” Samsung ISOCELL HPB sensor
Ultra-Wide 50MP f/2.0
1/2.76” Samsung ISOCELL JN1 sensor
50MP f/2.0
1/2.76” Samsung ISOCELL JN1 sensor
Telephoto 200MP f/2.67 ZEISS APO
1/1.4” Samsung ISOCELL HPB sensor
50MP f/2.57 ZEISS APO
1/1.95” Sony LYT-602 sensor
Selfie 50MP f/2.0
1/2.76” Samsung ISOCELL JN1 sensor
50MP f/2.0
1/2.76” Samsung ISOCELL JN1 sensor

Sony LYT-828

While both phones possess an identical ultra-wide and selfie shooters, the biggest differences can be seen between their wide and telephoto modules.

The X300 Pro headlines the all-new Sony LYT-828 1/1.28-inch image sensor together with vivo’s self-developed VCS 3.0 imaging technology. That’s then partnered by Samsung’s custom-engineered 200MP ISOCELL HPB sensor for its telephoto shooter.

Interestingly, the same sensor is also being utilized by vivo as the main camera sensor for the base X300. In return, the X300 packs a different 50MP telephoto module based on Sony’s LYT-602 with VCS technology.

vivo VS1

Other than the power of MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500, the X300 series achieves an efficient “Dual-Chip Integration” with vivo’s in-house V3+ imaging chip (plus VS1 in the X300 Pro).

This further provides robust computational power for both advanced imaging processing and system operations.

With their long-lasting partnership with ZEISS, stylized portrait features still remain. Aside from the new Style Portrait and ZEISS Natural Portrait, the X300 Pro also has an added a newer ZEISS Mirotar Telephoto Style Bokeh that wasn’t found on previous models.

vivo X300

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

There’s even the Adaptive Zoom Flash feature as well as other enhancements that solves night-time portraits against complex lighting setups.

Last but definitely not the least, both the X300 and X300 Pro have their own Photography Kit — including that 2.35x Telephoto Extender that was only exclusive to the vivo X200 Ultra.

Video Mastery

That pro-tography prowess doesn’t end there.

The X300 Pro alone is finally capable of shooting up to 4K/120fps footages in 10-bit Log format across all focal length options. The X200 Pro can only manage to shoot 4K / 60fps Dolby Vision in 1x wide or 3.7x zoom.

For shake-free footages, vivo also promises gimbal-grade stabilization with an upgraded ±1.5-degree stabilization angle aside from the Dual-Channel EIS feature.

ACES Workflow was also incorporated for better color management and seamless color grading in editing software when synced across multiple devices.

Portrait Video was also improved to 4K / 60fps (previously limited to 4K / 30fps). vivo’s custom styles such as Cold -White or Classic Negative can also be applied when shooting in this mode.

On the other hand, the vanilla X300 is also capable of recording 4K / 120fps clips through Pro mode.

With the special camera kit in mind, it complements the 4K Stage All-in-One Recording found on the X300 Pro together with 20x Long-Range Motion Snapshot and Dual-View Stage Video add-ons.

These might make the X300 Pro the bestest compact concert companion just yet.

Refinements Within

Both of the X300 phones feature a Unibody 3D Glass Design that seamlessly blends the camera hump towards the rear cover.

There’s also the Coral Velvet Glass Technique for that fingerprint-resistant back design that’s also pleasant to the touch.

Both models are also slim just below the 8mm mark (7.95mm and 7.99mm respectively). Durability-wise, these X300 phones still rock dual IP68 and IP69 water and dust resistance ratings.

Other notable improvements include USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port standard, UFS 4.1 storage protocol, as well as Bluetooth 6.0 and Wi-Fi 6G support for the X300 Pro.

vivo X300

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Lastly, the X300 series will premiere the latest OriginOS 6 based on Android 16 with a revamped look a la Apple’s Liquid Glass as well as seamless Apple Ecosystem integration — much like any other Chinese phone brands these days.

It’s said that this version will (finally) kill the long-running Funtouch OS and will be launched in India on October 15.

Pricing and Availability

The vivo X300 is available in Black, Blue, Pink, Purple, and Red colorways.

Meanwhile, the X300 Pro is available in four shades: Black, Brown, Blue, and White.

vivo X300

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Pricing and configuration in China are as follows:

X300

  • 12+256GB = CNY 4399 (US$ 620 / EUR 535 / GBP 465 / SG$ 800 / MYR 2610 / PhP 36,000 / INR 54,790)
  • 16+256GB = CNY 4699 (US$ 660 / EUR 570 / GBP 500 / SG$ 860 / MYR 2790 / PhP 38,490 / INR 58,530)
  • 12+512GB = CNY 4999 (US$ 700 / EUR 610 / GBP 530 / SG$ 910 / MYR 2970 / PhP 40,900 / INR 62,260)
  • 16+512GB = CNY 5299 (US$ 745 / EUR 645 / GBP 560 / SG$ 965 / MYR 3145 / PhP 43,360 / INR 65,995)
  • 16+1TB = CNY 5799 (US$ 815 / EUR 705 / GBP 615 / SG$ 1060 / MYR 3440 / PhP 47,450 / INR 72,230)

X300 Pro

  • 12+256GB = CNY 5299 (US$ 745 / EUR 645 / GBP 560 / SG$ 965 / MYR 3145 / PhP 43,360 / INR 65,995)
  • 16+512GB = CNY 5999 (US$ 845 / EUR 730 / GBP 635 / SG$ 1095 / MYR 3560 / PhP 49,085 / INR 74,715)
  • 16+1TB = CNY 6699 (US$ 940 / EUR 815 / GBP 710 / SG$ 1220 / MYR 3975 / PhP 54,815 / INR 83,435)
  • 16+1TB Photographer Kit Edition = CNY 8299 (US$ 1165 / EUR 1010 / GBP 880 / SG$ 1520 / MYR 4930 / PhP 67,910 / INR 103,360)

* These are only rough, rounded-off price estimates

There’s no word on global availability just yet but it’s expected to rollout months after the Mainland China launch.

Press materials also suggest that global versions will only come with a maxed out config of 16+512GB as opposed to China’s 1TB variants.

SEE ALSO: vivo X200 Pro+ review: 200+ Days After

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Automotive

Green GSM, Xentro partner to boost all-electric ride hailing

Collaboration to bring 2,000 EV units for co-branded fleet

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Green GSM and Xentro Group have partnered to boost the all-electric ride-hailing scene in the Philippines even further.

The collaboration involves Green GSM, which is the brand of GSM’s ride-hailing fleet, and AMRC Renewable Corporation/Xentro Motors from the Philippines.

The latter is a subsidiary of the Xentro Group of Companies.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Green GSM will supply 2,000 VinFast electric vehicles to support future operations under the Green GSM platform.

A thousand units have already been secured and the remaining half is expected to be delivered within two years.

The fleet will operate under the co-branding Green Xentro powered by Green GSM. In case you missed it, Green GSM has been in operation in the Philippines for a few months now, utilizing VinFast EVs for ride-hailing across Metro Manila.

Following the completion of all necessary regulatory and accreditation processes, the fleet is expected to cater to even more major urban areas.

The Green Xentro fleet will showcase Green GSM’s signature cyan color and follow eco-friendly standards.

Known for their quiet operation, zero tailpipe emissions, and comfortable interiors, VinFast electric vehicles aim to offer passengers a cleaner and more enjoyable ride.

In addition, Green GSM is developing a partner-based operational approach to increase EV adoption while fully complying with local regulations.

AMRC Renewable Corp/Xentro Motors viewed this collaboration as an opportunity to contribute to the country’s growing sustainable transportation movement.

Once all approvals are secured, the fleet will begin operations under the Green GSM platform.

For their side, the Xentro Group of Companies will let Xentro Malls nationwide offer accessible pick-up zones, EV charging stations, and parking areas.

Of course, the partnership will also benefit from VinFast’s service ecosystem. This includes fleet maintenance, charging infrastructure, and driver support.

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