Author: Marlet Salazar

Meta is testing paid subscription plans that combine extra features across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The company said the new plans will give users more ways to post, connect, and create content across its apps. More features are also being tested for people who want stronger Meta AI (artificial intelligence) tools and support for future AI-powered glasses. Meta said the subscriptions are meant to handle bigger and more advanced AI requests, especially for creators, businesses, and users who regularly use Meta AI for content, work, or automation. RELATED STORY: Instagram tests paid subscription for users For businesses and creators, Meta…

The HONOR 600 looks and feels more expensive than its price suggests. That is clearly what it is going for, and most of the time it actually pulls it off. It is built to give you a smooth, bright, modern phone that feels solid to use every day without feeling like you are settling for less. Pick it up and nothing feels complicated about it. It is slim, not too heavy, and easy to hold for long periods. At around 190 grams and under 8 mm thick, it sits in that comfortable zone where it is easy to hold and…

Trend Micro is reshaping its cybersecurity strategy around artificial intelligence (AI), shifting toward what it describes as more proactive, AI-driven protection as digital systems become more complex and interconnected. Its enterprise unit is now called TrendAI. “We believe that AI is not just here and here to stay, but AI is changing the way we do things, changing our lives, our business process, the way companies operate,” said Ian Felipe, country manager of Trend Micro Philippines. “So it is very important that we transition as well in this journey, together with customers.” Felipe said the shift is driven by how…

Google is rolling out a major upgrade to Search, adding new features that bring artificial intelligence (AI) deeper into everyday queries and interactions. At the annual Google I/O event, the company explained that its AI Mode has already grown fast, now serving over 1 billion monthly users. Searches are also happening more often than ever, with query volume more than doubling every quarter since its launch last year. Here’s what’s new in Search’s AI Mode: For example, you can set it to watch apartment listings that match your budget and preferences. Or get notified when your favorite athlete announces a…

I’ve been an iPhone user, albeit the more affordable ones, since 2015. So far, I’ve only had two iPhones, the iPhone 6 and the iPhone SE, which I bought in 2022 because I needed to travel post-pandemic and some apps no longer worked on the iPhone 6. And I guess this is what appeals to me the most about Apple products: their longevity. I’ve also only used two MacBook Airs (technically three, but I had to surrender one in 2018 when I resigned from my job). So when I had the opportunity to test the latest iPhone 17e, I was…

Organizations in the Philippines and across Asia Pacific (APAC) are increasing investments in artificial intelligence (AI) for cybersecurity as companies struggle to manage growing cyber threats, according to a study commissioned by cybersecurity company Fortinet. The study, conducted by Forrester Consulting, found that 91% of organizations plan to increase their AI budgets for cybersecurity, with many expecting AI to help improve threat detection, speed up response times, and reduce manual work. However, the report also showed that many organizations are still not fully prepared to handle growing cyber risks. About 57% of organizations said AI-driven cyber threats are now among…

Philippine businesses are adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud-based systems faster as companies look for ways to improve operations, reduce manual work, and respond more quickly to market changes. At Oracle’s SuiteConnect event in Manila, executives said businesses are investing more in connected digital systems to help manage surging costs, supply chain disruptions, expansion plans, and growing customer demands. According to Amit Suxena, group VP and head of Asia at Oracle, companies in the Philippines are now moving beyond simply testing AI tools and are starting to use them in everyday business operations. “AI is moving from experimentation to actual…

Small businesses are increasingly doing most of their work inside web browsers, but that shift is also making them more exposed to cyberattacks and data leaks, especially as employees start using AI tools for everyday tasks. Today, many small companies rely on different online apps just to run their operations, from email and file sharing to accounting and customer management. But security is becoming a major problem. About 95% of companies have experienced at least one security incident that started in the browser, showing how easily attacks can slip in through everyday work tools. For small businesses, the problem is…

Sumsub, an all-in-one, AI-powered verification platform, is seeing a significant increase in AI-driven fraud, with attackers using multi-step methods, deepfakes, and artificial identities to breach financial platforms. In its Identity Fraud Report for 2025-2026, Sumsub found that high-quality attacks increased by 180 percent year over year. “We see this sophistication and increase of multi steps or attacks,” Andrew Sever, co-founder and CEO of Sumsub, said during a media interview. The company said fraud is no longer carried out by isolated individuals but by organized, cross-border networks. These groups use stolen identity data, often sourced from the dark web, to create…

Power interruptions, electricity bill shocks, and the growing need to stay connected have quietly changed how people think about power. It is no longer just about what comes out of the wall. It is about having control, flexibility, and a backup plan that does not involve candles or noisy generators. That is where portable solar power stations come in, and brands like Jackery have become increasingly visible in this space. We look at three products in that ecosystem, in order: the Jackery Explorer 100 Plus, the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus, and the Jackery SolarSaga panels. Each one targets a slightly…