Lifestyle

Tech deals that make for great Christmas presents

Here are some great Holideals for the holidays

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It is, yet again, the season of giving. And as fun as it all is, it can be a crazy time searching, shopping, and spending for gifts you’re unsure your loved ones would even like.

To preserve your sanity and to make sure you get your family presents they’ll surely enjoy, we’ve got a proposition: Why not get your family the gift of great internet? Think about it, it’s something they’ll love and definitely use. Plus, this season, PLDT and Smart offer the perfect Holideals with irresistible discounts and deals from their biggest holiday blowout yet! For your every gifting need, for every type of family member:

The newbies

Still don’t have your own home Wi-Fi? Now’s the best time to give your whole family the joy of streaming and surfing with blazing-fast speeds!

With Holideals, you can sign up for PLDT Home Unli Fibr Plan 1899 to enjoy speeds of up to 25Mbps, and save as much as PhP 3,600 with free installation and activation fees and zero cash out. It’s the perfect gift for your family, who’ll probably spend more time with you now that they can connect easily and more conveniently in the comfort of your home.

Already have a PLDT Home Fibr Plan at home? There are more deals, and those who love to get online to stream their favorite shows will love what’s coming…

For the movie lovers

If you’re already enjoying your PLDT Home Fibr Plan, why not surprise your family with a new add-on service like the TVolution Lite powered by Roku, the latest streaming device that lets you turn your TV into a digital entertainment powerhouse for only PhP 99 per month on top of your plan.

This sleek and powerful streaming device gives you easy and convenient access to all your favorite content on Netflix, Cignal, iflix, Fox+, and YouTube, so everyone in your family will surely love it.

It makes your plan even more worth it. This is how you say “I care” in 2018 and beyond.

On to the next deal!

For professionals who are leveling up

Every hardworking professional needs a hardworking smartphone, so why not give your loved one the latest flagship handset with the data-packed GigaX Plans? He or she most definitely deserves a new Samsung Galaxy Note 9, Huawei Mate 20, or Huawei Mate 20 Pro! Aside from getting huge discounts from Smart, you also get a chance to win raffle prizes when you sign up for a new GigaX Plan, so you better grab this opportunity.

But, that’s not all…

For the sibling who needs an LTE upgrade

For all you know, your brother or sister has yet to upgrade to an LTE smartphone! This is the best time to make it happen because you can avail of the latest LTE smartphones at a steal of a price when you apply for a Smart Postpaid Plan on the Smart Online Store. With this gift, you’ll never lose touch with your sibling.

For the friend you want to connect with all the time

Looking for a thoughtful addition to whatever you are giving your dear friends? You can’t go wrong with the Smart Prepaid Gift Card. Available at retailers nationwide, the especially designed Gift Card is not only very practical, but also sends a strong message to the person you want to always connect with — whether through calls, texts, or your favorite mobile apps!

There’s definitely something for everyone on PLDT-Smart Holideals! Go check it here nowHappy Holideals, everyone!

Entertainment

Samsung brings the Galaxy Z series into Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Tracking Spidey this summer

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Spidey Tracker powered by Samsung Galaxy as seen in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day film. © & ™ 2026 MARVEL. ©2026 CPII & TSG

Samsung is swinging into theaters this summer.

Ahead of the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Samsung announced a new collaboration with Sony Pictures. It puts its Galaxy devices directly into the world of Marvel’s friendly neighborhood hero.

At the center of the campaign is the Spidey Tracker, an interactive experience inspired by the upcoming film. In the movie, Ned Leeds develops the tracker on a Samsung Galaxy device to help locate Spider-Man. Now, fans can use a real-world version through a dedicated website.

The tracker will serve as a hub for Spider-Man-themed content throughout the summer. Fans can follow sightings, discover hidden easter eggs, view cast appearances and interviews, and participate in community-driven activities.

Samsung says the Spidey Tracker will be available in 35 countries worldwide through SpideyTracker.com and on X via @SpideyTracker.

Galaxy devices join Spider-Man’s world

The partnership extends beyond marketing.

In Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Samsung’s Galaxy devices will be featured throughout the story. Spider-Man will be seen using a Galaxy Z Flip, while Ned Leeds relies on Galaxy Z Fold devices and Galaxy Watch wearables as he searches for the web-slinger.

According to Samsung, the collaboration highlights how its devices help users stay connected, whether they’re sharing moments with friends, keeping in touch with family, or, in Spider-Man’s case, saving New York City.

The company also said the campaign reflects the importance of human connection and self-expression, themes that have long been part of Spider-Man’s story.

More Spider-Man sightings this summer

Sony Pictures says the partnership helps expand Spider-Man’s connection to his community beyond the movie screen.

Throughout the summer, fans can expect Spider-Man-themed appearances across live events, creator content, special activations, and even select Samsung Experience Stores.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day opens exclusively in theaters on July 31.

Meanwhile, fans can start tracking their favorite wall-crawler through the Spidey Tracker beginning June 17 at 3PM ET.

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Cameras

What HYROX Hong Kong looks like up close

Photographed on the Canon EOS R6 Mark III.

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HYROX drew people from all over the world for a single purpose: finish the course. In Hong Kong, athletes showed up at AsiaWorld-Expo ready to run, row, and push through 8 stations of pure functional fitness.

So, we brought the Canon EOS R6 Mark III to capture one of the most demanding fitness races on the planet.

The Expo floor is a lighting nightmare, a mix of harsh overheads and deep shadows, but the 32.5MP sensor handled the contrast without breaking a sweat.

The 40fps electronic shutter and Pre-continuous shooting meant we were already capturing the moment half a second before we consciously decided to press the shutter.

Covering a race means staying mobile, and the 8.5-stop IBIS let us move freely alongside athletes without losing the shot. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF II stayed locked on athletes even when they were squinting through the final stretch.

What came out were stories of triumph and determination. Even when their bodies were screaming, they pushed through anyway.

This is what HYROX Hong Kong looked like from the inside.


Words by MJ Jucutan. Photos by Sky Rodillas.

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Apps

The No-Nonsense guide to mid-year shopping

Let AI do the heavy lifting for you this Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale

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The mid-year sale season is here, but the days of mindless impulse buying are over.

Shoppers are shifting toward intentional, value-driven decisions, focusing on quality, authenticity, and actual utility over flashy, low-quality gimmicks.

From 8:00 PM on June 5 until 11:59 PM on June 8, 2026, the Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale is dropping major discounts. But the real win is using the platform’s tools to maximize your budget.

Lock in the baseline discounts

Before diving into specific items, map out how to stack the core offers.

You can stretch your money by hunting down LazFlash Deals for up to 90% off, collecting up to PhP 3,000 in stackable vouchers, and ensuring every order qualifies for the free shipping offers available throughout the event.

True value comes from combining these three layers of savings on things you already need.

Jisulife: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall

Filter for authentic value

Shopping smart means avoiding the trap of “too good to be true” counterfeits that end up in the trash.

Data shows a massive consumer shift toward trusted quality, with LazMall growth vastly outperforming standard listings during major sales.

To ensure your money goes toward genuine products with real warranties, restrict your browsing to official, brand-certified stores.

If you are upgrading your tech, parenting gear, or wardrobe, look to trusted names anchoring the sale like UGREEN, JisuLife, ANTA, Maserati Watches, Momcozy, and O.TWO.O.

UGREEN: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall

Outsmart the noise with built-in tech

Don’t waste hours scrolling through endless listings or guessing which product is better.

The smartest way to navigate a massive mid-year event is to let the platform’s built-in features cut through choice paralysis.

Tools like AI Lazzie and AI Picks allow you to instantly compare similar items, analyze prices, and get personalized recommendations based on actual data rather than generic marketing hype.


Smart Shopper Tip: True value is a mix of the right price, verified authenticity, and a seamless return policy. Use this sale period to stock up on everyday essentials and high-quality upgrades rather than panic-buying items you’ll regret later.

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