Accessories

5 fitness resolutions and tech to help you achieve them

Published

December 11, 2017

Isa Rodriguez

As we gear up for New Year’s and the many exercise resolutions you will eventually break, I offer a better solution to your fitness woes: Start moving now.

Yes, you heard me. No need to wait until after the holiday festivities to get that booty in shape! Admittedly, this is easier said than done. So, I’ve compiled a few easy things you can do to jump start your healthier lifestyle.

These activities require no gym fees, equipment, or specialized instructors; all you need is a lot of motivation! But, since it’s 2017, I snuck in other devices and an app every now and then to make this switch in lifestyle easier and more enjoyable. Here we go:

Make it a habit to jog

Going out for a run is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to exercise. It’s literally as easy as putting one foot in front of the other.

If you’re just starting out like me, apps like Nike+ Run Club help map out and record your runs. Fitness trackers are also great if you don’t want to lug your phone around — they help track runtime, heart rate, and distance.

Bluetooth earphones are also a big help; this means no cords to your smartphone or music player, and more freedom to move.

Do some outdoor HIIT

The great outdoors is open to many workout possibilities. A quick high intensity interval training (HIIT) session is easily doable and will only take 20 to 30 minutes.

HIIT entails alternating between bursts of high-intensity exercises and intervals of low-intensity activities. You can start with basics like squats, crunches, and lunges for high intervals, and a light jog or a complete rest period for the low intervals.

Numerous interval timer apps are available on both iOS and Android for free. You can customize these timers to your HIIT exercise preference.

If you’re not so keen on doing HIIT, you can also download apps like Sworkit (iOS, Android), Nike+ Training Club (iOS, Android), or J&J Official 7 Minute Workout (iOS, Android) for different exercise routines. Some wearables, like the Samsung Gear Sport, offer a number of built-in exercises and automatically tracks movement.

Use the stairs when you can

This is one small habit that can make a big difference. Instead of taking elevators or escalators, get physical! Before you know it, these flights will accumulate and make a dent in your daily active minutes.

Most flagships like the Huawei Mate 10, Samsung S and Note series, and even iPhones, have trackers built in. They take note of everyday activities, including how many flights of stairs you’ve climbed. For those who aren’t so attached to their phones, most fitness trackers also have the same features.

Keep swimming

If you have access to a pool, swimming is also a great way to exercise and keep cool.

Apps like MySwimPro (iOS, Android) and Speedo On (iOS, Android) are useful tools for this wet workout.

There are also numerous waterproof fitness wearables, like the Fitbit Ionic, Garmin Vivoactive 3, or the Samsung Gear Sport (pictured above) in the market.

Make healthier food choices

You can exercise as much as you want, but you can’t exercise a bad diet away. Getting fit also means having healthy food intake.

Calorie counting can help — not to cut down on food, but to monitor what you eat. MyFitnessPal (iOS, Android) is a great app to track meals. They also have a standing partnership with Samsung that allows app integration with Samsung fitness devices.

[irp posts=”17113″ name=”Essential fitness apps for a healthier lifestyle”]

Accessories

Jackery SolarSaga series: Free power for small devices

Portable solar panels can charge small gadgets directly

Published

March 22, 2026

GadgetMatch

As fuel prices continue to surge as of late, one of the ways to make up for the additional expenses is to turn to alternative power sources. That’s including solar power.

And Jackery is here to help Philippine consumers, with the availability of their portable SolarSaga panels.

These solar panels are an alternative to traditional and permanently installed rooftop solar panels. They are engineered for modern and mobile life with portable, lightweight, and sleek designs. They are built primarily to be set up and put away easily, and charge small devices directly.

Simply put the Jackery SolarSaga panels where sunlight is available, and it will convert up to 25% of sunlight into usable energy.

To charge small gadgets like phones and portable fans, or even smartwatches, the SolarSaga panels come with a USB-C and USB-A port.

Another way is connecting the SolarSaga to Jackery’s Explorer power stations like the Explorer 300 Plus or 1000 Plus.

From there, users can power up devices, essentially for free. On its own, the Jackery SolarSaga panels are available in 100W and 200W variants.

The panels are also IP68 rated for water and dust resistance. This makes them usable outdoors when brought to adventures like camping, picnics, or beach trips.

The panels are already available through Jackery’s Lazada and Shopee platforms, as well as Techroom’s Lazada and Shopee accounts.

Accessories

UGREEN adds new Nexode Pro power bank, charger to lineup

Intelligent displays, fast-charging, user-focused design

Published

March 22, 2026

GadgetMatch

UGREEN has expanded its Nexode Pro charging lineup with two new devices designed for the modern user. They are the Nexode Pro 10000mAh 55W Power Bank and Nexode Pro 100W 5-Port Charger.

These new offerings combine intelligent digital displays, fast-charging capabilities, and user-focused designs for reliable power — whether at the desk or on the move.

The Nexode Pro 10000mAh Power Bank is the ultimate travel companion, delivering strong charging performance in a compact and travel-friendly form.

It supports up to 45W single-port fast charge, meeting the industry standard for high-speed portable charging. It can reach up to 55W as well when charging compatible Xiaomi devices.

The accessory is equipped with two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, and a built-in retractable USB-C cable. As such, it can power up to three small devices simultaneously without requiring extra cables.

With a rated capacity of 36Wh, the power bank also meets airline carry-on requirements.

Meanwhile, the UGREEN Nexode Pro 10W 5-Port Charger supports workstations. It has four USB-C ports, a USB-A port, and up to a 100W output.

It also has a built-in smart TFT display for easy power distribution monitoring.

Accessories

Hermès launches a $5,000 MagSafe charger

The charging brick is sold separately.

Published

March 20, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Paddock Yoyo + Grand Paddock case

How extra are you as an Apple fan? No matter what you say, you’ll probably never be as extra as someone who buys a US$ 5,000 MagSafe charging case for their iPhone and Apple Watch. Hermès has just launched a series of leather chargers and cases specifically made for Apple fans.

Available now, Hermès has three types of MagSafe chargers for iPhone users. The cheapest one, the Paddock Solo, is a simple leather-bound puck that can charge a single device. The charger also has a braided 3.3ft USB cable. It costs an eye-watering US$ 1,250.

Paddock Solo charger

On the other hand, the Paddock Yoyo charger offers two charging zones for two devices simultaneously. Shaped like a yoyo (hence, the name), it allows users to roll the cable into a convenient stack. It costs US$ 1,750.

Finally, the Paddock Duo is a charging pad that allows for two devices simultaneously. It just doesn’t have a pocket for the cable. It likewise costs US$ 1,750.

Paddock Duo charger

Now, if you want to upgrade your pricey charging kit even further, Hermès has two cases for them: the Petit Paddock case and the Grand Paddock case.

The Petit Paddock case, as the name suggest, is a snug leather case that fits only the charger (and a brick, if bundled with the Yoyo). The charger and case combo will set you back by US$ 3,725 for the Solo, and US$ 4,225 for either the Duo or the Yoyo.