Lifestyle

Shokz OpenFit 2+ review: A love letter to an ultramarathoner

What open-ear freedom feels like when you are chasing a comeback

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There is always a moment in every athlete’s life when the universe nudges you in a direction you swore you were not ready to face again.

Mine arrived softly, almost shyly, in the form of a date circled on my calendar: Spartan Trail 50K. The last piece of my so-called “Trailfecta.” It stared back at me like an old friend I loved deeply and feared at the same time.

I had conquered the 10K and the 21K earlier in the year. They felt like small victories; reminders of who I used to be. Yet beneath them lingered a shadow from a different mountain range. A memory from the Cordilleras that still pricked at my ribs.

The kind of memory where you fight for your life. You survive, but a part of you walks away shaken. And for a long while, I thought that version of me was gone.

Then one day, on an ordinary afternoon, a package arrived at my doorstep: the Shokz OpenFit 2+. They rested inside the box like a whisper from the universe saying, “You want a comeback. Take the first step.” And so I did.

Resting gently on your ears

I grew up in the world of open-ear audio. Not literally, of course, but you know what I mean.

After four years of living an endurance athlete’s life, open-ear earbuds became less of a gadget and more of a ritual. They were the pre-run talisman I reached for before lacing my shoes. The companion waiting for me beside my hydration pack.

It’s the one constant that never complained whenever I trained in places that didn’t always feel safe.

Most tech journalists don’t understand these ear-shaped talismans. They look at the Shokz OpenFit 2+ and frown like it is abstract art they didn’t sign up to interpret.

“It’s strange,” they say. “It’s odd.” And maybe it is. But it only seems odd when you do not spend your hours running through cities and trails, weaving through traffic, or lifting in gyms where someone is always dropping a dumbbell somewhere near your foot.

For me, the OpenFit 2+ felt natural. Familiar. Like another part of my training routine that never asked for attention yet always showed up for the work.

They sit on your ears the same way confidence sits on you after a successful training block: quietly, but securely.

There was no pinching or awkward reshuffling mid-run. No pressing against your skin when sweat turns your face into a waterfall.

With open-ear earbuds, awareness becomes part of the soundtrack. You hear your playlist, and you hear the city. You hear your breath, and you hear the wind. In my experience, I have become more connected to my run, not less. That is why athletes like me gravitate toward them.

They do not isolate you from the world. They teach you how to move through it mindfully.

Weightless enough to forget

Compared to the other open-ear companions I have worn —  JBL Soundgear Sense and Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo — the OpenFit 2+ felt almost unreal. So light it made me question physics.

They disappeared on my ears in the same magical way race-day nerves disappear once your feet start moving. One step, two steps, breathe, and suddenly your mind remembers what your body is built for.

The comfort surprised me. When training gets intense, everything on your body begins to irritate you. Your shirt scratches. Your watch strap sticks to your skin.

Even your hydration vest becomes a test of patience. Yet the OpenFit 2+ stayed soft, even during the sweatiest sessions. Their ultra-soft silicone 2.0 material feels like it was designed by someone who has actually suffered through humid outdoor runs.

The nickel-titanium hooks mold themselves to your ears like muscle memory. They adapt to you without asking you to adapt to them.

During my long solo runs — and these truly are solo because I can’t stand running with a group — the OpenFit 2+ stayed with me. They stayed in place through deadlifts at Anytime Fitness during peak hours in the evening.

They stayed with me through slow, frustrating MotoTaxi rides, where your only job is to survive the traffic and not lose your patience. And then one day, they didn’t.

The heartbreak of losing one half of a perfect pair

I had finished a long ride on a MotoTaxi. I removed my helmet and felt a strange lightness on my right ear. Not the peaceful kind. The “something-is-missing” kind.

My right OpenFit 2+ had fallen somewhere along the way. I retraced my steps like a detective in running shorts. I scanned the pavement, checked the corners, and prayed it had simply slipped somewhere. But… nothing.

And to make things worse, the battery had already died. The app could not reconnect. My tracking option was gone. The trail had gone cold.

The loss felt strange. Not dramatic, but emotionally inconvenient. Like when you lose a water bottle on a long run and pretend you don’t care until you realize you’ll think about it for days.

I tried other earbuds the next morning. It felt wrong and empty, so I got a new pair. Sometimes, we do not choose our attachments. They choose us.

Long runs and long hours

People imagine endurance athletes as superhumans, but the truth is we spend half our lives managing energy. Training teaches you that effort is currency. You cannot spend it carelessly.

Which is why I appreciated the OpenFit 2+ battery life more than I expected. My usage pattern is predictable. I run, work out, commute, and move between meetings. And still, it takes me a full week before the earbuds reach zero and ask for mercy.

Each pair lasts up to 11 hours of playtime. With the case, you get around two days, sometimes more. It reminded me of how endurance athletes stretch every calorie on race day.

Efficiency becomes instinct. You learn to conserve and push only when needed. The OpenFit 2+ works the same way. They’re generous with energy when you ask for it, and thoughtful when you don’t.

My only real gripe is a funny one. When the earbuds are inside the closed case, my iPhone sometimes decides it is still connected.

Imagine scrolling through TikTok and hearing nothing, only to realize your earbuds are quietly vibing inside the case. Not ideal, but manageable.

But every morning, they connect quickly. I leave the house, play “Maneater” by Nelly Furtado, and let myself strut down the hallway like it’s a runway disguised as daily life.

A soundtrack that made the miles feel lighter

The best thing about the OpenFit 2+ is not the volume, or the clarity, or the surprisingly balanced bass. It is the feeling it gives you.

At moderate volume, the audio wraps itself around your day like a soundtrack in a coming-of-age movie about an endurance athlete with questionable life choices and a stubborn heart.

My Spotify algorithm is as messy as my mind. Show tunes. Rock. Lofi beats. Taylor Swift. Ariana Grande. Olivia Rodrigo. Olivia Dean. Sabrina Carpenter.

It is a circus, and yet the OpenFit 2+ handles everything like a concert.

Running with them feels like training inside a music video. The world stays audible, but your flow becomes heightened. You can hear the cars, the dogs, the wind, your breath, and still lose yourself in the melody because it frames the run without overwhelming it.

Turning the volume too high can sound cranky, but this is not the device for noise cancellation addicts. This is for runners. Lifters. Commuters. People who need to stay present.

And when it comes to calls, the OpenFit 2+ performs better than many in-ears. I once attended a meeting while running — yes, running — and no one noticed the traffic, the footsteps, or my heavy breathing.

My colleagues said the audio was clean. Maybe they were not paying attention. Maybe the noise-cancelling mics are that good. Either way, I survived both the meeting and the run.

Tools that stay out of your way

The Shokz app is simple enough to complement your routine without distracting you.

You can adjust EQ, customize button controls, switch between Bass Boost or Vocal mode, or toggle Dolby Audio when you want your life to feel cinematic.

Multipoint pairing is smooth, especially when switching between a smartphone and a smartwatch. But the true beauty of the app is that it never feels like homework.

With the OpenFit 2+, life always comes first, music second. It becomes the soundtrack of grocery runs, slow walks, errands, and morning routines.

You start to feel like the protagonist of a charming 90’s romcom wandering through cobblestone streets even when you are just crossing the street to buy electrolytes.

Is the Shokz OpenFit 2+ your GadgetMatch?

The Shokz OpenFit 2+ is not for everyone.

Open-ear earbuds require a lifestyle that benefits from awareness and movement. If you stay indoors or prefer complete isolation, you will not enjoy them. You may even find them strange, like many do at first glance.

If you want awareness but in a different form, the Shokz OpenDots One might suit you. It clips onto your ear like jewelry and offers a similar open-ear experience. If that is the vibe you are leaning toward, it is time to Swipe Left.

The OpenFit 2+ is for people like me. The ones who train and the ones who move. The ones who sweat through sessions and still have a full day ahead of them.

It is for people who want comfort, durability, awareness, and audio that levels up their way of life. Sounds like you? Then it’s a Swipe Right.

At PhP 11,990, it feels like a steal when you consider how much higher other open-ear wearables cost for similar quality. For me, it is a Super Swipe. It earns the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval.

More importantly, it has earned a place in my life longer than any other open-ear earbuds I have owned. Long enough that when I lost one pair, I got another. That alone tells the full story. You know it: This is my GadgetMatch of the year.

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Enterprise

The future inside your next hotel, cafe, or classroom visit

Samsung’s connected ecosystem is transforming the way businesses shape our everyday life.

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December 6, 2025

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I walked into Samsung’s newly opened Business Experience Studio in Manila expecting a typical corporate showcase. Instead, it felt like I had stepped into the near future of everyday living.

The lights shifted on their own, and the screens responded instantly. It was a glimpse of how businesses are about to transform the places we move through every day.

This was Samsung Electronics Philippines bringing its SmartThings Home and business ecosystem together in one space.

The experience reimagined hospitality, retail, education, and even high-compliance industries in a way that felt seamless, and surprisingly personal.

Because while all of this is built for businesses, the end result is something every customer will feel the next time they check into a hotel, grab a quick meal, or walk into a store.

Hospitality that meets you before you even reach your room

The hospitality zone felt like an intelligent concierge waiting to anticipate needs.

Hotels can now use Samsung’s connected systems to simplify check-ins and lessen the long lines that usually greet you after a long trip.

The moment you enter your room, SmartThings pulls everything together through one interface. Lighting, temperature, entertainment, and even comfort features feel like they were set up by someone who knows you.

The rooms use Samsung’s hospitality TVs paired with immersive audio and smart cooling systems like the One-Way Cassette and WindFree Air Conditioners.

It creates an environment that stays comfortable even when the outside weather behaves unpredictably.

The entire room behaves as one connected space that adjusts naturally. This means hotel stays will start to feel more restorative and less like a checklist of things you need to adjust manually.

A faster and smoother retail experience

The retail and quick-service restaurant zone delivered the biggest shift for anyone who has ever stood in a long queue.

Samsung Kiosks showed how ordering meals can feel smoother and less prone to errors, especially during peak hours when service teams get overloaded.

Payments, orders, and confirmations happen in one place, and customers move faster without losing accuracy.

Digital displays placed inside and outside the store captured attention the way a good storefront should.

Retailers can change menus, promos, and visuals instantly through VXT CMS. It means the next time you pass by your favorite cafe, the signage that lures you in may have been updated seconds earlier.

Classrooms that feel more collaborative

The education zone felt less like a lecture hall and more like an open studio.

Samsung tablets, Flip Pro digital boards, and Samsung TVs created a learning environment where students and teachers could move, annotate, mirror, and collaborate with ease.

Galaxy tablets running Samsung DeX turned into mini workstations. AI-powered productivity tools made it easier to consolidate notes, manage tasks, and keep everyone in sync.

It was a showcase of how future classrooms will focus on how people use technology together rather than simply placing gadgets on desks.

Technology for industries that work in demanding conditions

The final zone highlighted rugged devices like the Galaxy XCover7 and Galaxy Tab Active5.

These were not built for air-conditioned offices. They were created for industries that operate in unpredictable environments.

The devices are tough enough to handle drops, vibration, and harsh conditions while maintaining connectivity and real-time communication. It means that frontline teams can move confidently without worrying about equipment failures.

Samsung Knox added a layer of security designed for industries where data protection is non-negotiable.

Administrators can manage an entire device fleet remotely and lock and wipe compromised units instantly. They can track locations securely, and broadcast urgent messages to teams on the ground.

Combined with SmartThings Pro, it creates an ecosystem where businesses can monitor, automate, and safeguard operations without slowing down.

The intelligence that ties it all together

As I moved through each zone, the common thread was this idea of an intelligent system supporting our daily life.

Samsung’s Business Experience Studio showed how AI and connected devices can help businesses work smarter while giving customers smoother, more delightful experiences.

The future might not look like flying cars and neon skylines. It may look more like hotel rooms that prepare themselves before you reach them.

Or cafes that take your order without delay, classrooms that adapt to how students learn best, and workplaces that stay productive even in challenging environments.

If this showcase is any indication, that future is already waiting the next time you step into your favorite hotel or store.

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Lifestyle

UNIQLO launches 30th anniversary Tamagotchi collaboration

Relive the digital pet experience through 4 designs

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November 29, 2025

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UNIQLO is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Tamagotchi with the launch of a special UT collaboration.

The limited-edition collection features four unique women’s T-shirt designs inspired by the pixel art style of the original Tamagotchi.

They’re available at all UNIQLO stores and the uniqlo.com online store for PhP 790 in the Philippines.

One of the shirts features the attractive design on the first Tamagotchi in front. Meanwhile, the game screen shows Kuchipatchi in a design that expresses the origin of Bandai’s handheld toys back in 1996.

There is also a variant with a simple logo on the chest, while a lineup of colorful pixelated Tamagotchi can be found at the back. This design brings together Ginjirotchi, Kuchipatchi, Mametchi, Mimitchi, and Pochitchi.

Furthermore, there is a lavender shirt that features an embroidered design of Mametchi in front. The back, meanwhile, has scenes unique to training games.

Lastly, there is a black top with Mametchi appearing in a white Tamagotchi. The back print features the process of raising the character from an egg — a must-have for fans.

In addition, a special website also incudes UT original mini-games to enjoy for a generation that grew up enjoying taking care of their virtual pets via Bandai’s iconic toys.

The story centers on Mametchi as he gathers falling items and food while wearing UT.

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Entertainment

I finally saw BLACKPINK perform live for the first time

A first-hand concert experience of a BLINK after almost a decade of stanning them

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November 27, 2025

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Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

I have been yearning to see and hear BLACKPINK perform live since 2016.

My long-time university friends (even acquaintances) can prove how hyped I was during the barrage of BLACKPINK’s first set of debut teasers. That excitement went through the roof the very moment BOOMBAYAH and WHISTLE / 휘파람 (Hwiparam) music videos got out on YouTube.

Honestly, it’s a huge core memory that still lingers to me.

Who’s Next: Pink Punk?! 🩷🤘🏼

Did you know? BLACKPINK was originally planned as a 9-member girl group dubbed “Pink Punk.”

Not until other trainees left and fate decided to let them be another 4-member girl group of YG Entertainment just after the agency’s first hit girl group, 2NE1.

Backtracking my tweets from my aging K-Pop stan account, I was actually waiting for the group’s highly-anticipated arrival as early as March 2015.

* As a refresher, BLACKPINK made their official debut with ‘Square One’ EP last August 8, 2016 — more than a year after I made that tweet.

Again, my inner girl group geekiness speaks out. Other notable trainees include:

The remaining two are now soloists who still have a passion for music:

Near, Far, Wherever You Are 🎶

Despite being a hardcore BLINK since 2016, I only got quite a handful of BLACKPINK-related mementos with me.

For one, there’s the Samsung Galaxy A80 BLACKPINK Edition unboxing we did back in 2019 (which I personally shot and edited).

Last January 2020, two months ahead the lockdown, I was the few chosen ones invited to attend the Korean giant’s ‘Awesome Galaxy’ event in Jakarta, Indonesia.

As unfortunate as it seems, they never performed any songs and only held a mini fan gathering that time. That’s still my closest encounter with the hit 3rd gen K-girl group.

Pandemic halted the world, but it never stopped me from dedicating my very first vivo V-series phone review write-up in relation to BLACKPINK’s first full album promotion during that time.

Five years in, finally, here we are! The much-awaited concert of BLACKPINK is honestly one of the things I least expected to ever see in 2025.

D-DAY = DEADLINE-Day 💅

Longing sentiments aside, THE day has finally arrived.

I came to see BLACKPINK’s ‘DEADLINE’ Day 1 Stop at Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

After that dreamy golden hour, the arena’s pink stairs illuminated to showcase the group’s official color. A perfect complement to everyone’s black and pink fits.

No one asked but, I’m the type of person who often goes cashless — or someone who relies heavily on card payments and just keeps a handful of hard cash in my bag’s pockets.

Luckily, the existence of Maya cards (both the Maya Black Credit Card and the glitzy Pink Glitter Edition one) truly helped me replenish and fill-up that pre-concert void.

These cards have been helpful along my cashless purchases.

From hydrating myself with water (and iced coffee) after roaming around the arena, all the way to filling my appetite with pizza right before entering my designated concert section and seat, it’s been a hassle-free experience.

As easy as tapping your card towards the payment terminal, you’re off the hook and free to go whenever, wherever.

There was even a dedicated Visa booth that gave away freebies (such as a portable fan and power bank) just by showing the Maya card/s that you own.

Going beyond the arena’s doors, you’d be greeted by a lot of BLINKs holding their old and new versions of BLACKPINK lightsticks.

During this time, it was still not sinking in to me. I just sat on my assigned seat just so I can fully immerse myself in this massive concert crowd.

BLACK to the PINK 🖤🩷

After waiting for 15 more minutes, the lights and VCR finally went off while BLINKs screamed as loud as they can.

The set was started by the pre-pandemic hit Kill This Love followed by their second to the latest single Pink Venom (which was released three years ago, BTW).

I’m not saying that having a fewer-than-usual discography as a 9-year-old girl group is a good thing.

However, BLACKPINK’s ‘DEADLINE’ Tour still made me hear and relive their recent BLACK tracks like and Shut Down alongside classics such as How You Like That together with뚜두뚜두 (DDU-DU DDU-DU),

Even BOOMBAYAH was never forgotten — or the banger that made me stan them since the very beginning.

The group’s “Pink Side” was even shown through Lovesick Girls, Forever Young, 불장난 (Playing With Fire), 휘파람 (WHISTLE), even 마지막처럼 (As If It’s Your Last).

Their latest group release, JUMP, was also included in the setlist.

This is the part where everyone actually had the chance to stand up and jump high in the air — myself included in the narrative.

Un poco loco over solo 🤯

ICYMI, BLACKPINK already left YG Entertainment (their OG agency) and went all-out solo with their respective agencies.

That’s Jennie with ODD ATELIER, Lisa with LLOUD, Jisoo with BLISSOO, and lastly, Rosé with THEBLACKLABEL — which was founded by YG’s former producer, TEDDY, who released all hit songs for one of the biggest girl group acts of K-Pop.

Fortunately, despite separating ways, this DEADLINE tour made it possible to perform all of the members’ latest solo releases.

After researching for a bit, I’ve found out that the setlist was NOT fixed / definite in every stop.

DEADLINE’s Act 2 (at least in the first day) was introduced by Jisoo with Hugs & Kisses followed by Earthquake.

It was then followed by Lisa with When I’m With You and Rockstar.

After another OT4 group act, Jennie started Act 4 with the wonder hit Like Jennie mashed alongside ExtraL plus Starlight.

Finally, Rosé (or Rosie) ended the solo act with an acoustic performance of number one girl alongside a band performance of toxic till the end. Of course, APT. was never excluded in this set list as everyone chanted “아파트” (a-pa-teu) so hard and danced like crazy.

En route to the core ➡️

Just when everyone thought it already ended, my gut feeling told me a K-Pop concert wouldn’t be complete without an encore. I was right all along.

Once again, BLACKPINK shooketh the venue with another JUMP performance. This time, they’ve changed to another set of stage outfits — which looked more comfy and lax for all members.

After some fan service and cute fan interactions, they performed Really. My inner self gasped as it’s actually one of my favorite BLACKPINK b-sides ever.

As unfortunate as it gets, they had to end it with See U Later. Maybe that’s a sign that they will come back again — or maybe never?

From Concert Dreams to Reality ✨

I’m an aging veteran K-Pop stan for more than 16 years now.

Admittedly, no matter how dedicated I am when it comes to streaming a lot of groups’ music and performances on several platforms, I’ve never been the concert-goer type of fan.

I’m THAT “broke” type of fan during my elementary, high school, and even university days who relies heavily on granted scholarships. Thus, not having that severe FOMO that most K-Pop fans truly dire and desire.

Still, seeing BLACKPINK for the first time ever since I stanned them last August 2016 has always been a long-time dream.

Not only I get to see and hear Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo, and Rosé perform live, I’ve finally crossed out one thing out of my bucket list after nine long years of being a BLINK.

What a way to truly end my year in advance (and belatedly celebrate my birthday more than a month ago 😅).

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