Author: Dawn Solano

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said the response of Meta Platforms to the Philippine government’s request for stronger action against disinformation does not fully address the urgency of the issue. In a statement, the DICT acknowledged that Meta outlined measures to curb the spread of harmful content on its platforms and highlighted its continued engagement with the Philippine government.However, the agency said these interventions “fall short of directly addressing the urgency of the situation and the specific, time-bound actions” requested by authorities. The response follows a joint appeal from the DICT, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and…

Samsung and Apple led separate global smartphone rankings in the first quarter of 2026, even as overall shipments declined amid surging costs and weaker demand.Data from market intelligence company International Data Corp. (IDC) showed Samsung reclaiming the top spot with roughly 20% global market share, followed by Apple at around 19%. Chinese vendor Xiaomi placed third with about 14%, while vivo and OPPO rounded out the top five with approximately 8% share each.Counterpoint Research, a research firm, ranked Apple as the top vendor globally with a 21% market share, ahead of Samsung Electronics at 20%, as strong demand for premium…

There is a tendency to think of artificial intelligence (AI) as something distant, even impersonal. Yet, inside the home, intelligence has always existed in a more familiar form. Growing up, Saturdays meant laundry day. I would watch my mother move through the routine with memorized ease. Sorting clothes and measuring detergents. It felt ordinary, almost invisible I could say. However, beneath that repetition was care in the form of consistency. A washing machine, in that sense, was part of my mother’s system built on how she shows up for us. That idea is what I believe LG Electronics is trying…

Video streaming platform Netflix will roll out a vertical video feature in its mobile app. The redesign is intended to make its service easier to navigate as its content offering expands beyond traditional films and series. In its latest shareholder letter released Thursday, Netflix said it plans to launch “vertical video” on mobile by the end of April 2026, alongside other changes to help users find and engage with content. The company did not provide full details on how the feature will work, but a later section of the letter described it more specifically as a “vertical video discovery feed,”…

Google has rolled out a native Mac application for its artificial intelligence (AI) assistant, bringing Gemini directly to desktop users. The app allows users to access Gemini through a floating interface that can be launched via a keyboard shortcut. Once opened, the assistant stays on top of other applications, enabling users to ask questions, generate content and perform tasks without switching between tabs.A feature of the Mac version is its ability to analyze on-screen content with user permission. This allows Gemini to provide answers or summaries based on what is currently displayed, removing the need to manually copy text or…

I’ve been to Dumaguete three times, but only ever in transit — on the way to Siquijor, chasing white shores and clearer waters. Like many, I treated it as a stopover. Not a place to linger, and certainly not a place I associated with technology. That unfamiliarity led me to overlook something more substantial, which is a local university building the foundations of what it believes could become a regional tech hub. Founded in 1949 as a post-war reconstruction effort, Foundation University (FU) was envisioned as a non-sectarian institution for Filipinos outside major cities, those who had limited access to…

Online gaming platform Roblox is set to introduce age-based account systems to strengthen protections for younger users, as scrutiny over child safety in digital spaces continues to grow. The company said it will roll out two new account categories, “Kids” and “Select,” in early June, tailoring access to content and communication features depending on a user’s age. Children aged five to eight will automatically be assigned to Kids accounts, while users aged nine to 15 will fall under Select accounts. Kid accounts will only be able to access games rated for minimal or mild content, while chat features will be…

Microsoft’ showcased a range of upcoming titles during the Xbox Partner Preview March 2026, highlighting new game announcements, trailers, and updates from partner studios. The showcase featured a mix of narrative-driven games, action titles, and indie projects with several releases confirmed for Xbox Game Pass, including day-one availability for select titles. “Stranger Than Heaven,” a new project from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, known for the Like a Dragon series, is included in the announced titles. The trailer introduced a multi-era setting, with scenes suggesting a story that spans different locations and time periods. Gameplay elements shown include exploration and character-driven interactions.…

Google is introducing the ability for users to change their Gmail usernames without creating a new account, ending years of fixed email addresses.In a blog post, the company said users will be able to modify the part of their email address that appears before “@gmail.com,” while keeping their existing account, including emails, files, and settings.The update applies to personal Google accounts and is designed to give users more flexibility as their needs or identities change over time.The feature is rolling out starting in the United States, with Google not yet confirming when it will become available in other regions. For…

The Poco X8 Pro Max arrives at a time when upgrading your phone isn’t as straightforward as it used to be. There have been a lot of things said about how expensive phones are going to be for the next few years. Prices keep climbing and the gap between midrange and flagship devices can feel harder to justify, especially for young professionals living in 2026. What this device tries to do is to offer an experience that feels complete without asking you to overpay for it.  The 6.83-inch AMOLED display is sharp and fluid enough for daily use, whether I’m…