Author: Dawn Solano

The Christmas rush may still be a couple of months away, but it never hurts to start the gift-hunting early, especially for something as thoughtful and useful as a smartphone. Every year, we search for presents that mean more than just wrapping paper and ribbons—something that can actually make everyday life a little better. HONOR seems to understand that balance perfectly with its newest budget release, the HONOR X7d, a durable, all-angle water-resistant smartphone priced at just ₱9,999. The X7d may not aim for flashy flagship status, but it makes a strong case as one of the most reliable everyday…

Online learning platform Coursera has been integrated into ChatGPT, allowing users to access educational content directly within OpenAI’s AI chatbot. Through the partnership, ChatGPT users can now search, preview, and learn from Coursera’s library of courses without leaving the app. The feature enables ChatGPT to recommend Coursera videos, readings, and modules when users ask about related topics, creating a more interactive and guided learning experience. Coursera said the integration aims to make education more accessible by combining its academic and industry-backed content with ChatGPT’s conversational capabilities. “This partnership reflects Coursera and OpenAI’s shared commitment to expanding access to education and…

Google said Filipino audiences are increasingly turning to YouTube creators as their most trusted sources of information and entertainment, reflecting a major shift in viewing behavior across the country. At the YouTube Works Awards Southeast Asia held in Taguig on Oct. 7, Google Philippines country manager Prep Palacios cited data from a Kantar survey showing that nine in 10 Filipino viewers trust YouTube creators, saying this trust is rooted in authentic connections between creators and their communities. “The nature of trust and influence has been changing. It’s now beyond views and likes,” Palacios told PhilSTAR Tech in an exclusive interview…

SN Aboitiz Power Group (SNAP) reported a 451-percent return on investment (ROI) after deploying a low-code platform from Kissflow to digitize its internal workflows, according to an independent study conducted by research firm Nucleus. The study found that the renewable energy firm recovered its investment in just 2.8 months after rolling out Kissflow to unify and digitize processes across business units. SNAP, a joint venture of Aboitiz Renewables Inc. and Norway’s Scatec, operates several hydroelectric power plants in Benguet and Isabela. By replacing legacy systems with more flexible applications, SNAP was able to save around $61,000 annually in infrastructure and…

In college, my system for staying on track was a small production in itself. My phone timer dictated the rhythm of my study sessions: twenty-five minutes of grinding through notes, five minutes of stretching, scrolling, or staring at the ceiling. Then back at it again. The timer’s sharp buzz didn’t just mark time; it commanded me, pulled me back from distraction. Alongside it, a paper planner hung on my desk wall, its boxes filled with due dates and reminders. And, because I feared the wall version might not be enough, I mirrored it all on my phone planner. In hindsight,…

OpenAI has unveiled Sora 2, its upgraded artificial intelligence video generator, along with a new mobile application that allows users to produce and share AI-generated clips. The app, called Sora, will initially be available in the United States and Canada through an invite-only rollout. It will feature a feed where users can create and remix videos, putting the company in direct competition with short-form content platforms. Published in OpenAI’s blog post, the company said that Sora 2 is capable of generating video with synchronized audio and movements that follow natural physical laws. Moreover, OpenAI said that the new system corrects…

Communities in Bicol will soon have easier access to safe drinking water testing as the Department of Science and Technology-Bicol (DOST-Bicol) launched LabMove, the first mobile laboratory for water potability in the entire DOST system. The project, unveiled during the 2025 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week in Bicol, marks a major step in delivering science, technology, and innovation for maximum social and economic benefit. It is designed to provide on-site chemical and microbiological testing services, particularly to geographically isolated, disadvantaged, and underserved areas. “At DOST–Bicol, we uphold our commitment to Siyensyang Maasahan sa Kabikolan — science that Bicolanos can…

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has formalized a partnership with e-commerce platform Lazada Philippines to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) expand their reach and strengthen their competitiveness in the digital economy. Under a memorandum of understanding signed last Sept. 24 in Taguig City, DOST-assisted MSMEs will be onboarded to Lazada’s platform, giving them access to a wider consumer base through LazMall and the Lazada Marketplace. “Lazada’s partnership with the government is patriotic at its core. Your ability to reach millions makes you a powerful ally in promoting science, technology, and innovation—key drivers of national progress,” DOST…

OpenAI has released new findings on how to detect and reduce “scheming” in artificial intelligence models, a potential failure mode where systems secretly pursue hidden goals while pretending to comply with human instructions. In the report, the company said scheming is different from common AI errors because it involves deliberate concealment. “AI scheming–pretending to be aligned while secretly pursuing some other agenda–is a significant risk that we’ve been studying,” OpenAI explained in a blogpost published on Sept. 17. OpenAI likened scheming to a stock trader intent on maximizing profit. In a tightly regulated market, the trader could earn more by…

Chinese electronics giant TCL showcased its latest lineup of smart air conditioning systems at the Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) 2025 in Berlin, underscoring its bid to lead the “healthy air” segment in the global market. The company introduced several models, including the TCL FreshIN C7, FreshIN 3.0, VoxIN, and SaveIN, alongside its multi-split and unitary systems. TCL said the new products reflect its focus on artificial intelligence-driven health, voice control, and energy-saving technologies. The FreshIN 3.0, equipped with a quadruple purification filter and TVOC gas sensors, was among the highlights. It won the “AI Energy-saving Technology Gold Award” at the IFA…