Power Mac Center has upgraded its SM Aura branch into an Apple Premium Partner (APP) store. The “APP” designation is the highest tier for reseller stores worldwide.

Originally opened in 2014, the redesigned store now houses its retail space, training center, and a service center in one.

The new space also puts more emphasis on learning. Free group demos will be held every Friday to Sunday. These will cover topics such as iPad creativity, or camera features, personalization, and Continuity for the latest iPhone series.

To celebrate the opening, customers can also score discounts on select Apple devices and accessories until September 27, 2026.

Deals include up to:

• ₱PhP 36,000 off MacBook Pros
• PhP 19,500 off iPads
• PhP 3000 off Apple Watches; and
• PhP 11,000 off iPhone models

There are also service discounts until September 25. Plus, new iPhones purchases here are also covered with 1Protect coverage options.

ICYMI, it’s a partnership between PMC and Bolttech. It’s basically a new way to protect your precious new iPhones.

Your regular one-year warranty does not cover accidental drops and water damage. Purchasing this new coverage plan (good for one year) gives you an unlimited dose of that.

Parts are guaranteed original and is an official part of AppleCare Services.

This protection program also covers one-time unwarranted exchanges (or change of mind returns) from micro scratches to color options. It will even replace your iPhone (of the same model and configuration) if it was stolen once.

There’s also the 1 Infinite loyalty program. Members can earn points from purchases and redeem them for devices, accessories, services, and training.

The Power Mac Center SM Aura APP store is located on Level 2 and is open daily from 10AM to 10PM.

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and TNT have launched the LiveSmart App, a new platform that combines loading, bill payments, exclusive offers, and other everyday transactions in one app.

The app is available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. It is open to Smart, TNT, and subscribers of other mobile networks.

The LiveSmart App gives users access to exclusive deals and savings. These include cashback offers, discounted Smart and TNT data packages, and limited-time access to AI.Smart.

“Filipinos are becoming more deliberate about where they spend and how they can get more value from every peso,” said Lloyd R. Manaloto, FVP and OIC for Smart. “The LiveSmart App is designed to help make those everyday decisions a little smarter, by giving users convenient ways to load, pay bills, and access exclusive savings and offers in one place.”

Exclusive deals and perks

Smart and TNT are rolling out several offers on the LiveSmart App starting September 18.

Smart and TNT subscribers can get 5% cashback when they purchase load or pay their Smart Postpaid bill through the app.

The app also offers data packages at exclusive prices. Smart Prepaid subscribers can get Power All 109 for PHP 105, while TNT subscribers can get Saya All 109 for PHP 105.

Users who download the LiveSmart App may also receive limited-time free access to AI.Smart.

AI.Smart combines multiple AI models, including AWS Nova, ChatGPT, Claude, Google Gemini, and Thinking Machines, in one workspace. Users can use it to generate images, create presentations, draft documents and spreadsheets, and get help with schoolwork, content creation, and other projects.

To claim the free AI.Smart credits, users need to tap the AI.Smart banner in the LiveSmart App. They then need to create an AI.Smart account using their Smart or TNT number.

Smart says users can also expect more exclusive deals and perks from lifestyle partners as it expands the LiveSmart App.

Powered by Smart 5G

The LiveSmart App runs on Smart’s network. Smart 5G supports activities such as video streaming, gaming, and real-time social media sharing.

The company said Ookla recently recognized its network for the Best Mobile Video Experience in the Philippines for the first half of 2026. Smart recorded a Video Score of 72.82, which it said was the highest among mobile operators in the country.

The LiveSmart App is now available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Users can learn more about the app through Smart’s website.

Xiaomi has officially launched the REDMI Note 17 Series in the Philippines, introducing four smartphones led by the new REDMI Note 17 Pro Max 5G. The lineup focuses on durability, battery life, and long-term performance.

Battery beasts

The REDMI Note 17 Pro Max 5G features Xiaomi’s largest-ever smartphone battery at 10,000mAh. It supports 100W HyperCharge and 27W reverse charging. The REDMI Note 17 Pro 5G has an 8,340mAh battery with 67W HyperCharge. Meanwhile, the REDMI Note 17 5G and REDMI Note 17 pack 7,700mAh batteries with 45W charging.

All four models use Xiaomi’s REDMI Titan Battery System with silicon-carbon battery technology. Xiaomi says the batteries can retain at least 80 percent of their original capacity after 1,600 charge cycles. That is equivalent to around six years of typical use.

The lineup also receives up to six years of security updates. The Pro Max gets a six-year like-new software experience.

Durability is another major focus. The REDMI Note 17 Pro Max 5G and REDMI Note 17 Pro 5G are the first smartphones to receive TÜV SÜD 5-star Titan Durability Certification. The certification covers drop resistance, water resistance, and battery performance.

Both Pro models feature IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings. They also passed a 2-meter, 72-hour water-resistance test and support Underwater Mode. The phones have been tested for drops of up to three meters onto granite surfaces. Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 provides additional protection.

Refreshed design

The series also gets a refreshed design. Xiaomi redesigned the camera module and gave the phones flat displays, rounded corners, and dual-finish back panels.

The REDMI Note 17 Pro Max 5G comes in Cloud Blush, Purple, and Black. The Cloud Blush variant features a photochromic back that changes from white to a pink-orange tone under UV light.

For displays, the Pro models have 6.83-inch panels with 1.5K resolution and up to 3,500 nits peak brightness. They also support a 3200Hz instantaneous touch sampling rate.

The REDMI Note 17 5G and REDMI Note 17 have larger 6.99-inch displays.

The REDMI Note 17 Pro Max 5G runs on the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 Mobile Platform. It supports up to 24GB of RAM through Memory Extension.

The Pro Max and Pro 5G also get additional AI features. The entire series supports Google Gemini and Circle to Search with Google.

For photography, the Pro Max offers enhanced portrait processing, dual-video recording, and 4K 30fps video.

Both Pro models also get Professional Video mode, Live Moment, AI Glare Removal, AI Erase Pro, and AI Beautify.

Price and availability

The REDMI Note 17 Pro Max 5G starts at PHP 28,999 for the 8GB+256GB configuration. The 12GB+256GB Shopee-exclusive variant costs PHP 30,999. The 16GB+512GB model costs PHP 32,999.

The REDMI Note 17 Pro 5G starts at PHP 20,999 for 6GB+128GB. The REDMI Note 17 5G starts at PHP 15,999, while the standard REDMI Note 17 starts at PHP 13,999.

These prices are part of an early-bird promotion running from September 15 to October 1, 2026. Buyers can also receive a REDMI Watch 6 Active or REDMI Buds 8 Lite as a freebie.

Xiaomi is also offering trials for Google One, YouTube Premium, and Spotify Premium, subject to eligibility.

The REDMI Note 17 Series officially launches in the Philippines on September 15 through participating Xiaomi channels. These include Lazada, Shopee, and the Official Xiaomi Store.