News

WWDC26: Siri AI, parental controls, and more

Apple’s software roadmap

Published

June 9, 2026

GadgetMatch

Apple has unveiled the next generation of Apple Intelligence alongside Siri AI, a rebuilt version of Siri that can understand personal context, work across apps, and answer questions about what’s on a user’s screen.

The announcement headlines Apple’s software updates coming later this year through iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, visionOS 27, and tvOS 27.

According to Apple, Siri AI can search across messages, emails, photos, and other personal data to help users complete tasks. It can also understand on-screen content, retrieve information from the web, and generate responses using broader world knowledge. A dedicated Siri app will let users revisit previous conversations across devices through private iCloud syncing.

The upgraded Apple Intelligence platform also powers new features across Apple’s apps. Photos gains Spatial Reframing, which lets users improve photo composition after capture. Image Playground adds more advanced image generation tools, while Messages and Mail receive smarter suggestions and productivity features.

New parental controls and Screen Time tools

Apple is also expanding parental controls with new child account features and additional Screen Time management tools.

Parents can set up age-appropriate protections immediately through child accounts and choose which apps children can access. Communication Safety features now allow parents to approve new contacts and enable automatic interventions when explicit or violent content is shared.

The company is also introducing category-based daily time allowances for Entertainment, Games, and Social Media apps. Parents can create schedules that control app access throughout the day, while a redesigned Screen Time dashboard offers a clearer view of device usage and app activity.

Faster software across Apple devices

Apple says its upcoming software releases will improve performance across its ecosystem.

The company claims iPhone and iPad apps launch up to 30% faster, photos load up to 70% faster after capture, and AirDrop transfers are up to 80% faster. Apple has also rebuilt search experiences in Spotlight, Photos, and Mail to improve stability and efficiency.

Additional updates include iCloud Shared Albums with full-resolution sharing, expanded health tracking features, custom EQ controls for AirPods, faster Wi-Fi connections on Apple Vision Pro, and an enhanced Flyover experience in Apple Maps.

Availability

The new features are available for developer testing starting today. Apple will launch a public beta through the Apple Beta Software Program next month.

The company plans to release the software updates as free downloads this fall. Siri AI will enter beta later this year for supported devices set to English, with additional language support arriving afterward.

Apple Intelligence and Siri AI will be available on supported Apple Intelligence-capable devices, including iPhone 16 models and newer, select iPads and Macs with Apple silicon, Apple Vision Pro, and compatible Apple Watch models.

Related Topics:Apple Apple Intelligence Siri AI WWDC26

Entertainment

Resident Evil movie reboot finally gets a scary trailer

Can you spot the Easter eggs for longtime fans?

Published

July 24, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

After briefly losing its way in the middling fifth and sixth entries, the Resident Evil series rediscovered its way back to the survival horror genre with the seventh entry onwards. However, the series doesn’t have the best reputation in Hollywood with its lackluster reviews. Now, the Hollywood series wants to right the ship with the upcoming reboot, simply titled Resident Evil.

Much like the gaming franchise’s renaissance, the upcoming film heads to the survival horror genre with a frightful caper. Medical courier Bryan (Austin Abrams) is tasked with delivering a vital organ to somewhere outside Raccoon City. Along the way, he runs over a rabid woman, who just disappears when he steps out to check.

Forced to seek help at a nearby shack, he finds himself in a struggle for survival when he discovers monstrous beings lurking around. It gets worse when he returns to the city and finds it overrun with the zombie outbreak.

The trailer has a few Easter eggs, including a typewriter, one of the most traditional ways that the game series uses to save games. Director Zach Cregger (Weapons) promises that the movie itself will have more Easter eggs for longtime fans of the series.

Resident Evil will premiere in theaters on September 18.

News

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Watch9: Price, availability in the Philippines

Prices start at PHP 24,990

Published

July 22, 2026

GadgetMatch

Samsung has officially launched the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 in the Philippines alongside the new Galaxy Z8 Series.

The new wearables expand Samsung’s smartwatch lineup with upgraded health tracking, AI-powered wellness features, and faster performance. The Galaxy Watch9 is designed for everyday health and fitness, while the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 caters to users looking for a more rugged smartwatch for outdoor adventures.

Here’s how much they cost in the Philippines.

Pricing

Galaxy Watch Ultra2

PHP 44,990

Galaxy Watch9

40mm — PHP 22,990
46mm — PHP 24,990

Availability

Pre-orders begin on July 23 through Samsung Philippines and authorized retailers. Both smartwatches will be offered in multiple color options depending on the model.

Pre-order offers

Customers who pre-order either smartwatch can enjoy several launch offers, including:

Up to 15% off
Up to 36 months of 0% installment plans with participating banks
Up to 50% off through eligible trade-ins
Up to 36% off Samsung Care+ device protection

Galaxy Watch9

The Galaxy Watch9 is Samsung’s latest everyday smartwatch. It features the company’s newest health and wellness platform with AI-powered insights, comprehensive health tracking, and everyday activity monitoring.

Powering the experience is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite platform, which promises faster performance while supporting Samsung’s latest wellness features. The watch is available in 40mm and 46mm sizes.

Galaxy Watch Ultra2

The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 builds on Samsung’s premium outdoor smartwatch with a durable titanium construction, improved comfort, and new sport tracking modes such as Trail Run and Diving.

Like the Galaxy Watch9, it runs on the Snapdragon Wear Elite platform and supports Samsung’s latest AI-powered health and wellness tools.

News

Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series: Price, availability in the Philippines

Prices start at PHP 77,990

Published

July 22, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Samsung has officially launched the Galaxy Z8 Series in the Philippines, bringing three foldables to the local market. The lineup includes the new passport-style Galaxy Z Fold8, the flagship Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, and the Galaxy Z Flip8.

Pre-orders are now open nationwide. Alongside updated Galaxy AI experiences, Samsung’s latest foldables cater to different lifestyles—from productivity-focused power users and those looking for a more portable Fold experience to fans of compact flip phones.

Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series price in the Philippines

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra starts at PHP 123,990, while the new Galaxy Z Fold8 begins at PHP 109,990. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Flip8 starts at PHP 77,990.

Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

Storage	Price
256GB	PHP 123,990
512GB	PHP 137,990
1TB	PHP 165,990

Colors: Violet Shadow, Cream, Graphite, Green Shadow (Online Exclusive)

Galaxy Z Fold8

Storage	Price
256GB	PHP 109,990
512GB	PHP 123,990
1TB	PHP 151,990

Colors: Lavender, Cream, Graphite, Pistachio (Online Exclusive)

Galaxy Z Flip8

Storage	Price
256GB	PHP 77,990
512GB	PHP 91,990

Colors: Coral, Cream, Graphite, Mint

Availability and pre-order offers

Pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series in the Philippines run from July 23 to August 13.

During the pre-order period, customers can enjoy a free storage upgrade worth up to PHP 7,000, trade-in savings of up to PHP 14,000, and three months of Samsung Care+ at no additional cost.

Samsung is also offering up to 15% off and 0% installment for up to 36 months through participating banks. Monthly installment plans start at PHP 1,841.43 for the Galaxy Z8 Series and PHP 542.82 for the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9.

Participating banks include BDO, BPI, UnionBank, Metrobank, EastWest Bank, PNB, Security Bank, HSBC, RCBC, and Chinabank.

Customers can also take advantage of Samsung’s trade-in program through CompAsia and bolttech, with guaranteed trade-in values of up to PHP 16,000 for the Galaxy Z8 Series and up to PHP 7,000 for the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9.

For added peace of mind, Samsung is offering up to 36% off Samsung Care+ through bolttech. The protection plan includes unlimited repairs for up to two years, up to two device replacements, global coverage across 55 countries, and free nationwide pick-up and delivery.

Galaxy Z Fold8 introduces a new Fold experience

Headlining the lineup is the new Galaxy Z Fold8, which introduces an entirely new take on Samsung’s book-style foldable.

Instead of simply shrinking its flagship Fold, Samsung designed the Fold8 around a different idea: making a book-style foldable that’s easier to carry and use every day. Its passport-inspired form factor prioritizes portability and one-handed usability while retaining the large inner display for multitasking, productivity, and entertainment.

The new Fold8 joins—not replaces—the Fold8 Ultra, giving buyers another option depending on how they use their foldable.

Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra builds on Samsung’s flagship foldable

Existing Fold users should note that the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is the direct successor to last year’s Galaxy Z Fold7. This year, Samsung renames its traditional book-style foldable as the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra while introducing an entirely new model simply called the Galaxy Z Fold8.

Rather than redesigning the device, Samsung focuses on refinement. The Fold8 Ultra features a 200MP main camera, Flex Titanium Technology, a brighter display, improved performance, and expanded Galaxy AI capabilities for users who want Samsung’s most advanced foldable.

Galaxy Z Flip8 refines Samsung’s compact foldable

Samsung also updates its clamshell foldable with the Galaxy Z Flip8.

The latest model builds on its familiar design with upgrades to FlexWindow, FlexCam, Galaxy AI, and overall performance. Samsung says the larger cover display allows users to accomplish more everyday tasks without unfolding the device, while its compact design continues to make it the most pocket-friendly model in the lineup.

Galaxy AI powers the Galaxy Z8 Series

Galaxy AI remains a central part of Samsung’s latest foldables.

The company introduces new features such as Gemini-powered Notebooks for organizing information from multiple sources, alongside expanded Photo Assist editing tools and My Filter for more personalized image creation. Across the Fold lineup, Samsung also continues to optimize AI features for multitasking and productivity on larger displays.