Apps

Wise unlocks Google Pay in the Philippines

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

Published

November 21, 2025

MJ Jucutan

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.

Apps

Meta adds subscriptions for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp

Published

May 28, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Is your wallet buckling from the weight of so many subscription services? Well, Meta has a trio of new subscriptions for you to sink your hard-earned cash towards. If you have a few dollars, here’s Facebook Plus, Instagram Plus, and WhatsApp Plus.

All three subscriptions are designed to add new features which can enhance the experience for those who practically live on these apps. Among the three, Instagram Plus is the meatiest. It offers users the ability to view other people’s Stories without showing up as a viewer, create more tailored audiences outside of Close Friends, and extend the duration of a Story beyond 24 hours, among others.

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Since it shares similarities with Instagram, Facebook Plus offers much of the same features. WhatsApp Plus, however, offers more customization options including new themes, ringtones, and stickers.

If that’s not enough, Meta has also released a new subscription system for Meta AI. Though the basic use of the AI is still free, the new Meta One Plus and Meta One Premium plans offer more capacity and performance for power users. The company is also testing new creator-focused plans, Meta One Essential and Meta One Advanced.

Of course, the new AI-based plans are more focused on those who actually use the AI software. Meanwhile, the three app plans are more for regular users. Facebook Plus and Instagram Plus will cost US$ 3.99 per month. Meanwhile, WhatsApp Plus will cost US$ 2.99 per month.

Apps

Meta quietly launches Forum app for Facebook Groups

The app highlights discussions from Facebook Groups.

Published

May 22, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Since the rise of other platforms, Facebook Groups haven’t enjoyed as much popularity anymore. Despite this (or maybe even to help with this), Meta has unleashed an all-new app called Forum.

Designed specifically with Facebook Groups in mind, Forum collates discussions from Groups that the user might be interested in. Much like the websites of the same name from the 2000s, the app wants to feature conversations, rather than canned content that the algorithm shoves towards users on the main Facebook feed.

Users can also ask questions. Forum will sift through real discussions to find an answer. The closest analog today is searching Reddit for troubleshooting questions to get answers based on human experience. The main feed of the new app, however, feels more in tune with Quora’s concept.

That said, it’s a refreshing way to bring social media back to human-made feeds. It’s also a stark admission that the main Facebook feed (and, frankly, Instagram too) is just too inundated with content that users are not interested in.

Lately, Instagram also made the same admission by launching its own “lightweight” app called Instants. Like Forum, Instants was made to recapture the essence of Instagram before the rise of the almighty algorithm.

Forum, however, was launched with much less fanfare than Instants. There was no announcement. Rather, it’s just a casual drop from out of nowhere. The app is available now on the App Store and the Play Store.

Apps

Apple Sports: Free app expands globally ahead of World Cup

Personalized, intuitive experience to get fans ready for the World Cup

Published

May 20, 2026

GadgetMatch

Apple has expanded the availability of its free Apple Sports iPhone app to more than 90 new countries and regions.

This brings the app’s total global footprint to over 170 markets. The massive expansion comes just weeks before the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup this June.

It only means the standalone app is positioned as the primary real-time tracking fan for millions of football fans worldwide.

The rollout shifts Apple’s strategy toward global sports integration by providing the utility completely free of charge on the App Store.

A massive influx of international users are expected to use the app, as it provides a more direct experience — eliminating the need for third-party score tracking platforms.

As part of the personalized, real-time FIFA World Cup coverage, the app is introducing dedicated tournament features.

This includes allowing users to explore group stage standings, follow specific national teams, and view the current bracket through tournament bracket view.

In addition, visual formations for each team’s starting lineup will be provided ahead of every match.

Apple Sports is also tailored for those who have an entire ecosystem of Apple devices. The app can deliver real-time updates directly to a user’s iPhone Lock Screen and Apple Watch.

Fans can further add widgets to their iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Home Screens, and jump easily into the Apple TV app with a single tap to find live matches.