Author: Dawn Solano

Content Producer for PhilSTAR Tech

Singapore Airlines (SIA), its budget airline Scoot, and Thai Airways have announced a ban on the in-flight use and charging of powerbanks, citing safety concerns linked to lithium battery-related fire risks. The policy change, which aligns with international aviation safety regulations, aims to prevent potential overheating incidents that have occurred on aircraft in recent years. In their Facebook posts, SIA and Scoot announced that it will implement the ban starting April 1, while Thai Airways will enforce the same rule beginning March 15. Under the new regulations, passengers can still carry power banks in their hand luggage but will no…

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ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) has launched the country’s first liquid cooling showroom, introducing advanced cooling technology amid the Philippines’ rising heat index and growing demand for efficient data center solutions. The showroom, named as the AI Synergy Lab, showcases liquid cooling technology designed to support the increasing demands of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing workloads. Liquid cooling, which uses fluid-based systems to dissipate heat more efficiently than traditional air cooling, is gaining traction globally as data centers seek to optimize energy consumption and improve system performance. The Philippines is seeing increased investments in its data center industry,…

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Qualcomm is ramping up efforts to gain market share in the PC industry after holding a relatively low position in 2024, betting on its Snapdragon X Series processors and AI-driven capabilities to disrupt the space. The company’s share of the global chipset market declined from 30% to 26% in the third quarter of 2024, according to industry reports. But Qualcomm remains hopeful, saying that it aims to capture 50% of the market by 2029. In an exclusive interview with Kedar Kondap, the Senior Vice President of Product Management at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc, he said that their long-term strategy for gaining…

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If you’re thinking about getting a smartphone for the youngest member of the family, durability is probably at the top of your list. Kids drop things, sometimes a lot. You also want something that won’t break the bank but still keeps up with today’s digital demands. Enter the HONOR X9c Smart—a tough, 5G-ready smartphone that delivers all the essentials at an affordable ₱13,999 price tag. For the active and sport-loving kid The HONOR X9c Smart is designed to take a beating. Certified with a 5-star SGS drop resistance rating, this phone can handle falls up to 2 meters—which means if…

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Rakuten Viber, the global messaging app, is set to launch its own e-wallet service for Filipinos in the second half of 2025, expanding its ecosystem beyond messaging and its recent move into the dating scene.Viber CEO Ofir Eyal told reporters in a media briefing on Tuesday that the expansion is part of their goal in strengthening its position as a super app in the Philippines.“If Viber Pay was operational today, it would be one the largest fintech services in the Philippines,” Eyal said.Viber’s decision to launch its digital wallet service in the Philippines was driven by the country’s strong international…

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Google said that it is on the lookout for content that contribute to the spread of false information in the Philippines amid the campaign season of #Halalan2025.Yves Gonzalez, the Google Philippines Public Policy and Government Relations Head, reported that they are expecting the rise of searches about “politics,” which is one of the popular topics Filipino associate with “fake news.”“As we prepare for the campaign season, starting today, definitely we expect na dadami nanaman ‘yung incidents natin na either nag-sesearch about ‘fake news’ or nagkakalat ng misinformation,” Gonzalez told reporters after Google’s Safer Internet Celebration 2025, held at the Google…

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Twenty-three year old M.R.J (not her real name) has found a safe haven in using AI tools for work. With the help of ChatGPT, research has become a walk in the park for her. ChatGPT is an AI chatbot and virtual assistant in one. It was developed by OpenAI in 2022 and launched as a free tool for all. It offers many functions, and Ruth has put most of them to use. Her work for a non-government organization requires her to write extensive reports and researches. Thus, there’s the need to be quick-paced all the time “The reason why I…

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Electroworld Philippines is offering freebies valued higher than the promo price of a HUAWEI tablet being sold, following the recently launched promo deal by HUAWEI for the first month of 2025. At P18,998, the HUAWEI Matepad 11.5 will now come with five other products, namely, a PC-level WPS Office (P4,999), HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 2 (P1,599), a HUAWEI Smart Keyboard (P6,999), a HUAWEI M-Pen Light (P3,999), and a HUAWEI Bluetooth Mouse (P1,899). The promo will run from January 17 to 31. Originally, HUAWEI made the tablet available at a price of P18,999 with a bundle of freebies valued at P15,496 in…

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Positioned as the HONOR’s “toughest” phone to date, the HONOR X9C 5G claims to have triple defense against drops, water, and extreme temperatures. But does it live up to its billing? Let’s dive in. Built to endure everyday hazards The HONOR X9C 5G’s build was engineered for resilience in real-world scenarios. Its triple defense system offers drop resistance, water resistance, and heat resistance.The phone boasts a back-to-back Superdouble tempered glass. It survived our four meter drop test—a level of durability that might please clumsy users and outdoor explorers alike.Moreover, with an IP65 rating, the device can withstand water jets from…

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