Apps

Wise unlocks Google Pay in the Philippines

Cardholders get a smoother and more secure tap to pay experience.

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Wise has unlocked a new level of convenience in the Philippines by becoming the first global non-bank to offer Google Pay for its Wise Account and Wise Business cardholders.

If you rely on your Wise card for travel, cross-border expenses, or day-to-day spending, this update makes every transaction feel smoother and more secure.

Anyone with a Wise card can now add it to Google Wallet and use Google Pay across stores, apps, websites, and even public transport.

Everything works on Android devices, and the experience stays reliable whether you are paying locally or abroad.

It fully aligns with how Filipinos have embraced digital payments, with more people choosing mobile wallets over physical cards.

The feature goes beyond simple tap to pay convenience. Wise gives you more control by letting you add up to three digital cards inside Google Wallet.

Each digital card has its own unique card number which enhances privacy and safety. You can freeze or unfreeze a card instantly and track every transaction in real time. It also helps you organize your spending since you can assign specific cards for different categories.

The Wise account and card make global money management feel easy. You can hold, send, spend, and receive money in more than 40 currencies while enjoying mid-market exchange rates with no hidden fees.

You also get two free ATM withdrawals each month worth up to twelve thousand pesos each which keeps things flexible when you need cash on the go.

How to set up

Setting it up takes a few taps. Open the Wise app, head to the Card tab, choose the card you want to use, and tap Add to Google Pay.

Once your card is active, you can tap and pay anywhere Google Pay is accepted in the Philippines or abroad. It turns every checkout into a quick, secure, and reliable moment.

Wise entering Google Pay territory feels timely for anyone who wants a smoother way to manage money across borders. It gives users a simple way to pay with their phones while keeping every transaction protected and easy to track.

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Accessories

TicNote AI recorder launches in the Philippines

AI-powered transcription, translation, insights, more

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December 19, 2025

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Mobvoi has officially launched TicNote, its AI-powered note-taking device in the Philippines for PhP 9,499. The thin and lightweight recorder is currently available offline and will soon roll out on Lazada and Shopee.

The pocket-friendly TicNote comes with 64GB of memory and offers up to 25 hours of continuous recording. Beyond these, it supports real-time translation in over 120 languages through the TicNote app.

Moreover, powered by Shadow AI, the device goes further with advanced insights, including Smart Summary, Mind Map View, Deep Research Reports, Aha Moment, and even AI Podcast Generation.

To complement the device, Mobvoi offers unlimited TicNote cloud storage and 600 minutes of free monthly recording time.

On paper, the TicNote AI recorder has several professional applications. It can be used for meetings, legal and medical consultations, and more scenarios to record high-quality audio.

Meanwhile, journalists can leverage the tool for press conferences and media scrums. Even content creators can use the tool as a microphone as TicNote can process high bitrate audio and save it to .wav format.

Still, there’s a catch. Users will still need a smartphone, tablet, or laptop to make the most out of TicNote’s AI-powered features.

And that raises the dilemma: modern phones already offer AI translation, real-time transcription, and audio-to-text uploads through popular AI assistants.

For consumers, the question becomes whether TicNote offers enough beyond what their phones already do — or if it will just make having both devices redundant.

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Apps

Disney Plus: NBA Christmas Day games to stream live

More sports content also available on the platform

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December 19, 2025

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Disney+ will stream the entire 2025 NBA Christmas Day games slate live on the platform for Philippine basketball fans to enjoy.

Fans can tune in to the anticipated matchups starting at 1:00 AM (Manila time) on December 26.

Here’s the full schedule:

  • 1:00 AM: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks
  • 3:30 AM: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
  • 6:00 AM: Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors
  • 9:00 AM: Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
  • 11:30 AM: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets

And in case viewers missed a tip-off, the full replays will also be available on the app. Worth noting is the second matchup, which is a rematch of the Emirates NBA Cup semifinals.

Meanwhile, the third pairing brings long-time former Golden State Warrior Klay Thompson back to the Bay Area in a compelling match.

Plus, the Rockets-Lakers showdown features two seasoned veterans and future Hall of Famers Kevin Durant and LeBron James in their latest meeting.

Beyond the NBA Christmas Day games on Disney+, fans can stay plugged in all day with ESPN’s NBA Tip-Off at 12:00 AM. Inside the NBA, on the other hand, airs at 8:30 AM.

In addition, for something totally different, check out NBA alt-cast, Dunk the Halls, the first real-time animated NBA game.

This playful showdown happening also on December 26 at 1:00 AM reimagines the Cavaliers-Knicks tiff on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom Park, with some help from Mickey Mouse and his friends.

In line with Disney+’s NBA Christmas Day games, the platform has also uploaded highlights of the 2025 League of Legends KeSPA Cup on the app. The tournament features top teams from Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and North America.

Disney+ continues to strengthen its sports offerings on the platform, with an all-new Sports Page for easier access.

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Apps

Google Maps is finally getting a power saving mode

Waze needs this update, pronto.

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November 28, 2025

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In a congested country like the Philippines, using navigation for shortcuts is a requirement. However, these apps can hog a lot of battery. If you forgot your car charger, it’s practically game over for your phone. Today, Google is shipping out a Maps update which can save your phone’s battery for those long drives.

Announced earlier this month, the update will include a Power Saving mode for Google Maps. The new mode will turn the normally colorful interface into monochrome with particular emphasis on black. The interface will reduce all interactable elements, so you can just focus on the display.

Presumably, it also reduces the power required by the app, while still prioritizing navigation. According to Google, smartphones will get up to four hours more juice when the mode is enabled.

Unfortunately, it’s not a widely released update yet. Google is limiting the update’s rollout to the Pixel 10 series for now. It’s also limited to driving mode; it won’t work if you’re just walking or cycling. The option is accessible through Driving options under Navigation in the settings.

In countries where Android Auto isn’t the norm just yet, a power saving mode for navigation is a godsend. Besides hoping that the update arrives on more devices, one can also hope that Google, who also owns the app, will introduce a similar mode to Waze. (To be fair, Waze did have a battery saver option, but it just dimmed the display for long straights.

SEE ALSO: Android now supports AirDrop!

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