Accessories

Smart Voice Assistant Ring is phone accessory of the future

Published

June 1, 2017

Isa Rodriguez

How do you imagine the technology of the future?

A few years back, I watched the movie Her which is, for the unfamiliar, the story of how a man (Joaquin Phoenix) falls in love with an operating system. The story ended (of course) with the protagonist heartbroken over the failed relationship with artificial intelligence. In the alternative world where this was all set, technology had advanced to the point where it was so well embedded in everyday life that the machined-induced connections seemed natural.

One step towards that high-tech world would be interesting new gadgets like this innocent-looking thing I stumbled upon at Computex.

This is the ORii.

ORii is the very-first voice assistant ring. This small thing connects to your phone through Bluetooth and works via gesture and voice commands; it works perfectly with Siri or Google Now. But, the best part? You can make and receive calls with just the ring on and your finger.

The ring uses bone conductor actuator technology which means that the ring sends vibrations to your ear through your finger. Yes, girls and boys, you basically hear the sound through your finger! A built-in microphone takes in your audio and voila, you can make and receive calls.

When all this was explained to me, I honestly didn’t believe it would work. (I mean would you have believed it if someone said you could call someone with your finger?) But, as technology has done time and time again, I was left amazed, surprised, and convinced.

ORii’s simple demo was connecting a smartphone to the ring and playing Spotify. A ring and a finger to my ear later, I was hearing my playlist.

What amazes me here is not that it’s wearable fashion, it’s that it enables users to utilize tech with what we already have naturally, in this case, your finger. (Though that usually gets me and it’s a plus that there are actual plans of producing it in many different colors with LED alert lighting.) This is not another tech addition like an earphone, nor are these Bluetooth headsets — this was my finger to my ear and it worked.

I guess in a way, my amazement comes with the realization that although we’re still pretty far from developing feelings for El Capitan or Windows OS, we’re not far off from technology that seems too awesome to be real. This year’s Computex has taught me as much.

This may still not mean a happy love story ending, but it involves a great piece of tech and in the wise words of Beyonce: “If you like it then you better put a ring on it.”

[irp posts=”14255″ name=”Things I’m excited to see at Computex 2017″]

Accessories

Jackery SolarSaga series: Free power for small devices

Portable solar panels can charge small gadgets directly

Published

March 22, 2026

GadgetMatch

As fuel prices continue to surge as of late, one of the ways to make up for the additional expenses is to turn to alternative power sources. That’s including solar power.

And Jackery is here to help Philippine consumers, with the availability of their portable SolarSaga panels.

These solar panels are an alternative to traditional and permanently installed rooftop solar panels. They are engineered for modern and mobile life with portable, lightweight, and sleek designs. They are built primarily to be set up and put away easily, and charge small devices directly.

Simply put the Jackery SolarSaga panels where sunlight is available, and it will convert up to 25% of sunlight into usable energy.

To charge small gadgets like phones and portable fans, or even smartwatches, the SolarSaga panels come with a USB-C and USB-A port.

Another way is connecting the SolarSaga to Jackery’s Explorer power stations like the Explorer 300 Plus or 1000 Plus.

From there, users can power up devices, essentially for free. On its own, the Jackery SolarSaga panels are available in 100W and 200W variants.

The panels are also IP68 rated for water and dust resistance. This makes them usable outdoors when brought to adventures like camping, picnics, or beach trips.

The panels are already available through Jackery’s Lazada and Shopee platforms, as well as Techroom’s Lazada and Shopee accounts.

Accessories

UGREEN adds new Nexode Pro power bank, charger to lineup

Intelligent displays, fast-charging, user-focused design

Published

March 22, 2026

GadgetMatch

UGREEN has expanded its Nexode Pro charging lineup with two new devices designed for the modern user. They are the Nexode Pro 10000mAh 55W Power Bank and Nexode Pro 100W 5-Port Charger.

These new offerings combine intelligent digital displays, fast-charging capabilities, and user-focused designs for reliable power — whether at the desk or on the move.

The Nexode Pro 10000mAh Power Bank is the ultimate travel companion, delivering strong charging performance in a compact and travel-friendly form.

It supports up to 45W single-port fast charge, meeting the industry standard for high-speed portable charging. It can reach up to 55W as well when charging compatible Xiaomi devices.

The accessory is equipped with two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, and a built-in retractable USB-C cable. As such, it can power up to three small devices simultaneously without requiring extra cables.

With a rated capacity of 36Wh, the power bank also meets airline carry-on requirements.

Meanwhile, the UGREEN Nexode Pro 10W 5-Port Charger supports workstations. It has four USB-C ports, a USB-A port, and up to a 100W output.

It also has a built-in smart TFT display for easy power distribution monitoring.

Accessories

Hermès launches a $5,000 MagSafe charger

The charging brick is sold separately.

Published

March 20, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Paddock Yoyo + Grand Paddock case

How extra are you as an Apple fan? No matter what you say, you’ll probably never be as extra as someone who buys a US$ 5,000 MagSafe charging case for their iPhone and Apple Watch. Hermès has just launched a series of leather chargers and cases specifically made for Apple fans.

Available now, Hermès has three types of MagSafe chargers for iPhone users. The cheapest one, the Paddock Solo, is a simple leather-bound puck that can charge a single device. The charger also has a braided 3.3ft USB cable. It costs an eye-watering US$ 1,250.

Paddock Solo charger

On the other hand, the Paddock Yoyo charger offers two charging zones for two devices simultaneously. Shaped like a yoyo (hence, the name), it allows users to roll the cable into a convenient stack. It costs US$ 1,750.

Finally, the Paddock Duo is a charging pad that allows for two devices simultaneously. It just doesn’t have a pocket for the cable. It likewise costs US$ 1,750.

Paddock Duo charger

Now, if you want to upgrade your pricey charging kit even further, Hermès has two cases for them: the Petit Paddock case and the Grand Paddock case.

The Petit Paddock case, as the name suggest, is a snug leather case that fits only the charger (and a brick, if bundled with the Yoyo). The charger and case combo will set you back by US$ 3,725 for the Solo, and US$ 4,225 for either the Duo or the Yoyo.