News

Smart ditches all-net call limits for all Signature Plan subscribers

It’s unlimited now!

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Smart postpaid subscribers are in a treat this holiday season. Smart just ditched its time limits to all-net calls on all Signature Plans, making the postpaid experience better.

As such, all Signature Plans now come with unlimited all-net calls no matter the plan type. In the past, Signature Plans come with limited all-net call minutes, varying from 150 minutes to 300 minutes.

Unlimited all-net calls are effective for Signature Plan S, M, L, and XL. It is also available for SIM-only and with device plans. Thus, subscribers only have to take into consideration their data allocation in choosing the plans that they want to avail of.

Along with the roll-out of unlimited all-net calls for all Signature Plans, Smart is also introducing new data plans for subscribers who need more. These data plans are still available on four tiers: Plan S, M, X, and XL.

Here are the perks included with each data plan tiers:

Plan S Plan M Plan L Plan XL
Monthly Cost PhP 999 PhP 1,499 PhP 1,999 PhP 2,999
Data Allocation 20 GB 40 GB 60 GB 120 GB

GigaLife app for easier bills management

Smart also launched its own GigaLife app so subscribers can easily manage their digital accounts. The app enables postpaid customers to check their usage, link their accounts, and pay their bills with just a few taps on their smartphone.

Further, postpaid subscribers can use the app to track their data, call, and text usage. They may also avail themselves of data boosters through the app and earn rewards with GigaPoints.

The GigaLife app is now available to download on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Those who wanted to sign-up for Smart’s Signature Plan may visit the telco’s website to proceed with their application. They may also visit any Smart stores nationwide today for further inquiries.

News

Apple reportedly gives up on the Vision Pro

But Apple will continue to sell the current model.

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When they unveiled the Vision Pro in 2023, Apple touted the wearable as the next big thing after the iPhone. Now, almost three years removed from the launch, the Vision Pro hasn’t really taken over the coveted spot occupied by the iPhone. Apple, according to a report, is allegedly canning the short-lived wearable.

According to MacRumors, Apple has reportedly given up on making the Vision Pro a thing. The team handling the wearable has supposedly been subsumed by other teams within Apple.

If true, the wearable’s end is unfortunate but not surprising. Despite being out for years, the Vision Pro has sold only a little more than half a million units with numerous returns from customers. Most recently, Apple updated the wearable with the M5 chip, but the move hasn’t revitalized the device’s status in Apple’s lineup.

Most of the complaints about the device stem from its exorbitant price or its cumbersome battery pack. Besides costing a whopping US$ 3,499, the Vision Pro is also difficult to move around with, especially because of its total weight and a battery pack that can get in the way.

To be clear, Apple has not officially discontinued the Vision Pro yet. The company continues to sell the version with the M5 chip. Apple can also restart development in the future.

However, the meantime retirement on future development does coincide with the recent restructuring inside the company. Tim Cook recently decided to step down as CEO with John Ternus as his replacement. Canning the Vision Pro might be Ternus’ first step in redefining Apple according to his plans.

SEE ALSO: Apple Vision Pro gets M5 chip upgrade

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Apps

YouTube makes picture-in-picture mode free for everyone globally

The update is rolling out globally now.

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Picture-in-picture (or PiP) mode is a godsend for multitaskers. The feature lets users watch videos in a tiny floating window while doing other tasks. However, the feature isn’t readily available for all users. Or wasn’t, at least. YouTube is now rolling out PiP mode for free globally.

Previously, PiP mode was exclusive to YouTube users who pay for Premium or Premium Lite. It was also exclusive to the United States.

Now, YouTube is making the feature completely free for users all over the globe. It will be available for both iOS and Android versions of the app.

There’s still a catch, though. The free version is available only for “longform, non-music content.” The same goes for Premium Lite subscribers. Music is still an exclusive feature for those who pay for the regular version of Premium. Basically, there is no change for paying users or users in the United States.

Using PiP mode is simple. All you need to do is load up a video you want to watch in the background. Then, just exit the YouTube app and go about your other tasks. The video will be inside a floating, resizable window while you look at other things.

There’s no timeline on when the update will reach your device. However, YouTube has promised that it will roll out globally within the coming months.

SEE ALSO: YouTube remains top PH video platform; advertisers urged to continue investing

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Enterprise

OnePlus has reportedly merged with realme

Both brands were previously rumored for restructuring early this year.

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OnePlus 13

OnePlus has a problem. For a while now, rumors have swirled about the company’s dissolution. For their part, the company has continued to deny the reports, citing business as usual. Likely to their dismay, the reports just keep coming. Today, sources have hinted that OnePlus has merged with realme.

Back in January, it was rumored that OnePlus would be closing up shop this year. Since the company very quickly denied the rumors, the report hardly made waves. However, a suspected merger with realme is more difficult to debunk.

For one, realme is itself in a very interesting position. Also back in January, realme was reportedly moving back into being a sub-brand of OPPO. Coupled together with the OnePlus debacle, all this internal restructuring seems par for the course.

According to Digital Chat Station on Weibo, OnePlus and realme have already concluded the merger. The two brands have reportedly united their Chinese and international operations under one roof. Likewise, their marketing will be the same. Pete Lau will still be the main head for this new division.

As with anything of this nature, take this with a grain of salt. OPPO, OnePlus, and realme have not issued any official statements concerning a merger or a shutdown for any brand.

SEE ALSO: realme is reportedly going back to being an OPPO sub-brand

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