Features

6 weird technology no one asked for

Things that no one asked for

Published

December 30, 2019

MJ Jucutan

As a proud millennial, I grew up watching technology evolve in drastic ways. I can remember how I started using technology in its early stages, and there was nothing but amazement. Back then, internet connection was through dial-up, and people used SMS to contact each other.

A lot has changed in recent years and we’ve witnessed how technology made our lives better. The popular adage was true: Necessity is the mother of invention. The technology I saw this past decade solved a lot of problems and offered convenience, efficiency, and improved productivity.

However, weird technology sprouted too, creating solutions for problems that weren’t exactly there. News about these “innovations” made you wonder: “Do we really need this?”

In true memetic fashion, literally no one asked for these things. Yet here we are, laughing while wondering who on earth needs these? Could it be the start of something new? A glimpse of what’s in store in the next decade to come? Or is it just a useless fad to make something seem “innovative” to keep the headlines humming? After all, technology is rapidly growing and it can be a challenge to keep up.

Tech companies should stop showing off products that won’t cater to anyone. I’ve grown tired of their charade, trying to be the first in everything when in reality, consumers — like us — would just want the best to accompany our lifestyle.

So here they are, the tech we don’t want to see anymore (unless it’s in perfect form).

Foldable Phones

When Samsung introduced the Galaxy Fold, many people thought it’s the future. Huawei, along with other companies, jumped on the trend Samsung started. Even Motorola made a comeback by reviving the razr as a foldable phone.

Foldable phones are still in their early stages. Even though I’m amazed by these innovations, let’s admit it: No one needs a foldable phone as they are right now. In our hands-on, we said the Galaxy Fold is perfect for those who want to be the first, those who are techies and geeks by heart. Don’t get us wrong. We like the attempt, but foldables — especially the ones announced in 2019 — could have been delayed for at least a year.

It’s merely a way for Samsung to show-off their innovative prowess. Props to them for being first to market, but I would’ve probably appreciated it if it was just a prototype for now and was launched later on when the tech is more mature.

Just like the Galaxy Note 10, the phone didn’t have any groundbreaking features but it’s a solid flagship phone that you would recommend for everyone looking for the best smartphone they can buy. I’m hoping for the day Samsung does the same for the Galaxy Fold. We need a perfected product before we consider getting one.

Headphone jack adapter

The removal of the headphone jack has sparked the outrage amongst headphone jack users, including me. I can’t seem to fathom why would these companies remove the very thing that connects people to music — their reason for living and being. It’s even more irritating when companies solved the problem with a headphone jack adapter. These companies shouldn’t have bothered with removing the headphone jack from the start! Now, we’re going backwards. Bring back the headphone jack!

Notch

The annoying feature from 2018 has carried over to 2019, and possibly until 2020. In the past two years, the notch has been one of the most controversial and hated feature. Despite this, it has become a norm in the smartphones being produced nowadays, especially the affordable ones.

When Essential first started the notch, we didn’t care enough. But having Apple do it and made it sound like a great solution to a non-existent problem of “wanting an all-screen phone,” everyone went crazy. Key word: wanting. Technological advancements should be done to solve a need, not a want.

If you don’t see the problem why the notch is annoying, you probably don’t have a penchant for anything aesthetic. For starters, the notch made screens asymmetrical. Aside from that, it was annoying to look at when you watch a movie or play a game, especially those who haven’t perfected the notch. Pop-up and slider mechanisms were also introduced as an alternative but honestly, the under-display camera seems a lot better as a solution to having an all-screen phone.

Waterfall Display

OPPO, Vivo, and Huawei introduced their waterfall displays in 2019 — for what reason? In my experience with the Vivo NEX 3 and Huawei Mate 30 Pro, the waterfall display is annoying to hold and use. To this date, curved edges are still better than having a display carrying over to the sides. Personally, Samsung’s Galaxy S8 and Huawei’s Mate 20 Pro are the best-curved smartphones, providing better grip for without bleeding the edge too much.

Back then, I was happy with bevels. Sony’s Xperia design was to die for, along with Samsung Galaxy Note’s boxy style. But suddenly you have displays staring to hug the entire sides of the phone. Let’s face it, the waterfall display is just another attempt for an all-screen phone. Honestly, we don’t need it. What we need is for OPPO, Vivo, and Huawei to create a solid smartphone — from a reliable battery, wonderful cameras, and a seamless user experience at an AFFORDABLE price.

Screens on bags, plates, and anywhere it can be placed

Whoever thought of placing a screen on bags, plates, and wherever it can be is a lunatic. Why would I need a screen on my bag?

Or on my plate where I eat my precious food? Why would I need a screen and technology plastered on my everyday items when my current gadgets are already too much. This is literally the biggest “thing no one asked for.”

Dual Display Phones

Yet another attempt for a brand to generate buzz and pioneer a concept in order to look cool, dual display phones should never return in the coming decade. Unless brands make a meaningful reason for people to use it, dual displays are just a fad that would make a perfect accessory to show off to people who don’t matter.

Palm Phone, Google’s Paper Phone, and other dumb phones

This era has cultivated a culture of people glued and addicted to their smartphones. To combat this, Palm has launched a minimalist phone to cover a user’s basic needs. It acts as your second phone because honestly, who can live without a smartphone today? Likewise, Google’s Paper Phone was developed to combat smartphone addiction, making you go old-school. Even Supreme has a dumbphone (the opposite of smartphones).

You see, the problem here isn’t creating more. These companies think they need to make more in order to solve a problem caused by technology’s rapid growth. As much as I love small phones like Palm’s and Supreme’s, the cure to smartphone addiction isn’t another “basic” phone.

We need discipline and a cultural fix. My cousins belonging to Generation Z have their phones at all times as if their life depended on it. As a millennial, it’s ironic for me to say that I require my loved ones to put their phones down so we can have a good time. People seem to have forgotten the value of connection, conversations, and being in the moment. If we’re looking for a solution, it’s highlighting the importance of living your life offline, not another phone.

Looking forward to more meaningful technology

Technology isn’t going to stop evolving, and we’ll see more groundbreaking features in the coming years — both useful and useless. However, I wish we’ll see more well-rounded technology built with the consumer in mind. The geeks are only a fraction of the population, and they’re the only ones appeased by these innovations.

Companies should talk to the general population and see what they need: a gadget or technology that will make their life more efficient, convenient, and productive. Yes, we’re amazed by your new technology, but no, we don’t need all these fancy things. We just need things that are smart enough to make things work.

Features

This is the history of basketball videogames since the ’73 Knicks

Did you know that the first basketball videogame was invented in 1973?

Published

June 15, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Knicks fans, rejoice; your long, long wait is finally over! The New York Knicks are once again the NBA Champions. As you’ve probably heard so many times by now, the last time that New York’s own was on top of the basketball pyramid was in 1973, 53 years ago.

Here’s a fun fact that you might not know, though: The last Knicks championship is tied to the history of the basketball in videogames. Did you know that the very first basketball video game was invented in 1973, the exact same year that the Knicks won their last championship?

But, of course, a lot of things have happened since then, and a lot of videogames have come and gone. Here are the most notable basketball games you might have played (or missed playing) in history:

NBA 2K

It would be pointless to start a list of basketball games without stating the obvious first. The NBA 2K series is the quintessential hooper sim today. When you think of the sport in videogames today, you can’t spend two seconds without thinking of the long-running franchise.

Now an annually releasing series, NBA 2K started in 1999 for the Sega Dreamcast. At the time, it was just another drop in a sea of ‘90s basketball games. Now, it’s an institution with constantly updating graphics and mechanics.

NBA Live

Around the time that NBA 2K first started, NBA Live was the king of the jungle. Up until 2018, it was another annually releasing series going alongside (and against) the behemoth known as 2K.

But it’s had a storied history as well. It started off as the NBA Playoffs series. The first one, 1989’s Lakers versus Celtics and the NBA Playoffs, featured eight teams who were part of that year’s playoffs. This went on until 1993 when it evolved into NBA Showdown, one of the first games to feature every NBA team. In 1994, Showdown reinvented itself once again into NBA Live and turned into an annual series before its unfortunate cancellation in 2018.

NBA Street

If sports simulators aren’t your thing, NBA Street is an arcade-style series that has ups the fun with trick shots and streetball rules. It features three-on-three hooping with 29 teams and 5 players from each. Whereas NBA 2K and NBA Live helped gamers live out their dreams to become an NBA superstar, NBA Street was one for the gamers who just wanted a fun time.

The series spawned a few sequels since 2001 but eventually met its end in 2007. Now, however, you can continue the legacy in the recently launched NBA the Run, a spiritual successor created by developers of the original NBA Street games.

NBA Jam

“Boomshakalaka! He’s on fire!”

Even if you’ve never played NBA Jam before, you’ve probably heard its most iconic catchphrase. NBA Jam was so influential that it’s considered one of the most important games of the SNES and the arcade cabinet generation.

Besides impressive graphics for its time, it was a spectacle. Because it had no fouling system, you can physically bully people out of your way. You can catch fire if you’re too good at shooting, hence the “he’s on fire” line. You can jump to gravity-defying heights to make a dunk. Plus, the game features so many fun Easter eggs, including one that turns you into a literal tank on the court.

Double Dribble

Technically a sequel to Konami’s Super Basketball, 1986’s Double Dribble was a fairly straightforward simulator that attempted to feature realistic gameplay in a very two-dimensional time. For its time, the game was remarkable because it featured highly detailed animations for fancy moves like slam dunks.

However, the game came out before the rise of the NBA’s massive popularity in media. It doesn’t have a license to feature actual teams or players. Then again, haven’t you heard of the Boston Frogs or the New York Eagles?

One on One: Dr. J vs. Larry Bird

Contrasted to the above’s five-versus-five or three-versus-three formats, 1983’s One on One featured, as the title says, a mano-a-mano duel between Julius Erving and Larry Bird. With an isometric half-court layout, either player takes turns dunking or shooting over the other.

While one-versus-one modes are available in today’s games, One on One let players live out their fantasies as two of the biggest basketball stars at the time. It even let you shatter the backboard Though the game isn’t much of a talking point nowadays, it was so popular for its time that it helped establish Electronic Arts as a household name in gaming.

Atari’s Basketball

As the father of modern basketball games, 1978’s Basketball, built for the Atari, was the first game to feature the full-court format so popular today. Like One on One, Basketball features only two players. The game was so rudimentary that the two hoops were represented with two sticks, and the two players were different colored blobs.

However, in 1979, Atari released an updated version with detailed graphics. It was also controlled with a trackball, the first of its kind to do so. Though it didn’t have named superstars or teams, it’s clearly the predecessor of the games we all know and love.

Basketball!

And now, we’ve come to the beginning. Released on 1973, Basketball! is officially the first basketball video game in history. Since it’s on the Magnavox Odyssey, the very first home gaming console, that comes as no surprise.

Like Pong, which also found a home in the Magnavox Odyssey, Basketball! features two square dots (the players) bouncing a smaller dot (the ball) into two “hoops” on both sides of a court. The game had a static image laid over the dots to simulate an ongoing basketball game. It was so basic that it didn’t even have a computing system for point. Players had to manually tally scores on their own based on where the small dot lands.

If it’s hard for you to imagine just how long today’s Knicks fans have waited for a championship, this was the state of gaming when they got their last ring.

Cameras

What HYROX Hong Kong looks like up close

Photographed on the Canon EOS R6 Mark III.

Published

June 11, 2026

MJ Jucutan

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.

Buyer's Guide

Buyer’s Guide: Xiaomi Pad 8 Series

Do you need the base or the Pro?

Published

June 8, 2026

MJ Jucutan

Choosing between the Xiaomi Pad 8 and the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro feels like picking between a “sweet treat” and a “full-course meal.”

It’s deciding between a reliable travel companion and a specialized workstation. Both tablets rock a slim 5.8mm profile and a manageable 485-gram weight, and a 9200mAh battery.

However, under the hood, they are playing in different leagues. Especially since the “Pro” moniker adds serious muscle to the internals, and a solution for that glossy screen distraction.

Specs at a glance

Product	Xiaomi Pad 8	Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro
Processor	Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4nm)	Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
Display	11.2″ 3.2K IPS LCD (144Hz)	11.2″ 3.2K IPS LCD (144Hz)
Surface	Ultra-Glossy Glass	Optional Matte Nano-Texture
Storage/RAM	Up to 12GB LPDDR5X / 256GB	Up to 16GB LPDDR5T / 512GB
Rear Camera	13MP	50MP
Front Camera	8MP	32MP
Charging	45W Turbo Charge	67W HyperCharge
Pricing	Starts at PhP 20,999	Starts at PhP 38,999

Why you should pick the Xiaomi Pad 8

The standard Pad 8 is that “Goldilocks” device, hitting that sweet spot between price and premium hardware.

It’s ideal if your tablet usage is centered on media consumption and light productivity. Since it shares the same 11.2-inch screen size as the Pro, it fits perfectly on an airplane tray table, making it a dream for frequent flyers.

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is no slouch; it still runs titles like Racing Master at 60fps on Ultra-High settings. If you’re a fan of XG or KiiiKiii, you’ll appreciate the quad-speaker setup and Hi-Res Audio support without needing to pay the “Pro” tax.

It’s the smart choice for those who want a capable second screen to complement their main laptop.

Why you should level up to the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro

The “Pro” is for those who found the standard model’s limitations — like the glossy screen reflections or the 128GB storage ceiling — to be a dealbreaker.

The biggest upgrade is the Snapdragon 8 Elite, a powerhouse chip that turns the tablet into a legitimate workstation for video editing in CapCut or heavy multitasking in HyperOS 3.0.

Beyond power, the Pro version offers a Matte Glass Edition, which completely solves the “reflection” issue that can ruin your movie sessions or drawing time under bright lights.

You also get significantly better cameras, such as a 32-megapixel front sensor for professional-looking video calls. There’s also a 50-megapixel rear camera for high-res document scanning.

Finally, the 67W HyperCharge means you spend less time tethered to a wall and more time being productive.

Which Xiaomi Pad is your GadgetMatch?

Swipe Right on the Xiaomi Pad 8 if you want the best value for your money.

It’s thin, light, and powerful enough for 90% of users. It handles gaming, writing, and music playback with ease, making it a worthy recipient of a seal of approval for anyone on a budget.

Just be sure to skip the 128GB entry model and go for the 256GB version to ensure you get those faster storage speeds.

Swipe Right on the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro if you are a “power user” who hates screen glare. If you plan to use the Focus Pen Pro for serious creative work or need 512GB of space for a massive game library, the Pro is worth the extra investment.

It’s a high-speed machine that charges faster, captures better photos, and runs every app with flagship-level fluidness.

The Xiaomi Pad 8 starts at PhP 20,999 with Normal Keyboard while the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro starts at PhP 38,999 with Touch Keyboard. Both tablets come with free Focus Pen Pro.