News
Sony and TCL eye joint future for BRAVIA TVs
Sony, TCL explore TV venture
Sony and TCL have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore a strategic partnership in home entertainment. The move could reshape how Sony TVs and audio products are developed, built, and sold worldwide.
Under the agreement, Sony Corporation and TCL Electronics Holdings Limited will discuss forming a joint venture that would take over Sony’s home entertainment business. TCL would hold a 51% stake, while Sony would retain 49%.
The two companies aim to finalize binding agreements by the end of March 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. If completed, the new company is expected to begin operations in April 2027.
What the joint venture would handle
The proposed joint venture would operate globally and manage the entire home entertainment pipeline. This includes product planning, design, manufacturing, sales, logistics, and customer service.
Products under the venture would cover televisions and home audio equipment. Sony and TCL say these products are expected to continue carrying the globally recognized Sony and BRAVIA names.
The partnership is designed to combine Sony’s strengths in picture and audio quality, brand value, and operational expertise with TCL’s display technology, manufacturing scale, and vertically integrated supply chain.
Why Sony and TCL are teaming up
The companies point to continued growth in the large-screen TV market. Viewing habits are shifting, driven by streaming platforms, smarter TV features, and demand for higher resolution and larger displays.
Sony brings decades of imaging and sound expertise. TCL contributes cost efficiency, advanced panel technology, and global manufacturing reach. Together, the companies believe they can deliver more competitive products while improving operational efficiency.
Sony President and CEO Kimio Maki said the partnership aims to create new customer value through more compelling audio and visual experiences. TCL Chairperson DU Juan described the move as a way to elevate brand value, scale operations, and optimize the supply chain.
What this could mean for consumers
If the joint venture moves forward, consumers can expect future Sony-branded TVs and audio products to benefit from TCL’s display innovations and production scale, while retaining Sony’s image processing, sound tuning, and overall design philosophy.
Both companies say they will continue to support the venture’s long-term growth as the home entertainment market evolves.
Finance
EastWest rolls out Google Pay access for debit cardholders
For fast, seamless, and secure payments
Eastwest continues to make banking easier as its EastWest Debit Card is now on Google Pay. This enables users to pay with just the tap of their phone.
The integration brings a globally accepted payment experience closer to home. With Google Pay now supporting EastWest Debit Cards, customers can add their card to Google Wallet to enjoy fast, seamless, and secure payments.
That’s whether for everyday purchases, online shopping, or even when traveling overseas. Specifically for Eastwest Priority clients who travel frequently, Visa Infinite Debit Cardholders can enjoy more benefits, like:
- Low foreign exchange fees of 1.7% (with no foreign exchange bank conversion fees promo until March 31)
- Waived interbank domestic withdrawal fees
- Up to 10 free international ATM withdrawals per year (with free and unlimited international ATM withdrawals promo until March 31)
- 24/7 access to Visa Infinite Concierge
From casual cafe purchases to grocery checkouts and even online purchases and international trips, having EastWest on Google Pay transforms the smartphone into a secure, all-in-one wallet.
As with other banks offering the same capabilities, users do not need to carry their physical card with them anymore. A simple tap with a compatible Android device or wearable completes the transaction.
EastWest’s Debit Cards are powered by Visa, and are accepted at millions of merchants worldwide.
News
Globe postpaid opens pre-orders for Samsung Galaxy S26 series
Enjoy a double the storage promo and more perks
Globe has officially opened pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S26 series through its postpaid plans.
Customers can choose from three different models: the Samsung Galaxy S26, the Galaxy S26 Plus, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
As with Globe GPlans with previous flagship releases, the higher the postpaid plan you avail, the less you have to shell out as a one-time cashout fee.
Postpaid plans start at just 599 pesos, with a 24-month lock-in period and reward points for corresponding expenditures.
And as part of Globe’s pre-order offer, customers can enjoy double the storage when they avail of any device until March 17.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how much you will spend depending on the plan you choose:
Globe GPlan 599
Inclusions: 2GB data, 100 minutes mobile and landline calls, 100 minutes all-net texts
- Galaxy S26 (512GB): PhP 47,400 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Plus (512GB): PhP 59,400 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB): PhP 67,400 cashout
Globe GPlan 799
Inclusions: 3GB data, unlimited all-net calls (including landline) and texts
- Galaxy S26 (512GB): PhP 46,000 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Plus (512GB): PhP 58,000 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB): PhP 66,000 cashout
Globe GPlan 999
Inclusions: 5GB data, unlimited all-net calls (including landline) and texts
- Galaxy S26 (512GB): PhP 44,000 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Plus (512GB): PhP 56,000 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB): PhP 64,000 cashout
Globe GPlan 1299
Inclusions: 8GB data, unlimited all-net calls (including landline) and texts
- Galaxy S26 (512GB): PhP 42,000 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Plus (512GB): PhP 54,000 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB): PhP 62,000 cashout
Globe GPlan 1499
Inclusions: 10GB data, unlimited all-net calls (including landline) and texts
- Galaxy S26 (512GB): PhP 38,600 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Plus (512GB): PhP 50,600 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB): PhP 58,600 cashout
Globe GPlan 1799
Inclusions: 13GB data, unlimited all-net calls (including landline) and texts
- Galaxy S26 (512GB): PhP 35,300 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Plus (512GB): PhP 47,300 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB): PhP 55,300 cashout
Globe GPlan 1999
Inclusions: 15GB data, unlimited all-net calls (including landline) and texts
- Galaxy S26 (512GB): PhP 33,000 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Plus (512GB): PhP 45,000 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB): PhP 53,000 cashout
Globe GPlan 2499
Inclusions: 25GB data, unlimited all-net calls (including landline) and texts
- Galaxy S26 (512GB): PhP 28,500 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Plus (512GB): PhP 40,500 cashout
- Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB): PhP 48,500 cashout
In addition, customers can enjoy 0% interest installment up to 36 months via select bank credit cards, like UnionBank, BDO, BPI, Metrobank, EastWest, Chinabank, and more.
What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? After a year of wrestling through tariffs from the current American administration, Nintendo has decided to sue the United States.
Last year, the Trump administration was trigger-happy with implement tariffs on countries everywhere. Though the controversy mostly circulated around geopolitics, major corporations also found themselves on the receiving end of Trump’s ire. All over the world, the tariffs sparked product delays and price hikes.
Nintendo is no exception. As a result of the fiasco, the company had to delay the launch of the Switch 2, in anticipation of disruptions caused by the tariffs. First reported by Aftermath, the Japanese gaming giant is now going after the American government over refunds associated with the tariffs.
Now, the tariffs aren’t a big issue anymore. Notably, the Supreme Court scratched off the White House’s implementations that the former found illegal. While a big sigh of relief for future business, corporations like Nintendo have already paid duties and deposits in the past. As a result, Nintendo is now looking for recompense for what they paid before.
Nintendo isn’t the first company to seek restitution over the illegal tariffs. Others, including FedEx and Revlon, are also asking for refunds. However, the Japanese giant is certainly one of the biggest names to cross the government’s path. After all, the company is notoriously litigious over anything it considers as an affront to its business, including small streamers using Pokémon on their broadcasts.
With all its global resources, Nintendo likely won’t just give up without a fight.
SEE ALSO: The Nintendo Switch is now Nintendo’s best-selling console ever
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