Author: Marlet Salazar

When Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 Series at its Unpacked event held in San Francisco, most of the buzz was around its advanced use of artificial intelligence (AI) and the integration of Agentic AI into the system. But some of the, what we think, are useful features aren’t just flashy, but they are practical, the kind consumers will actually use in daily life. Here’s a quick look at the features that could make a real difference. 1. Screen Privacy The Galaxy S26 comes with a new screen privacy mode that keeps people around you from seeing what’s on your screen.…

Messaging app Telegram will continue operating in the Philippines after it reached an agreement with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to act faster against illegal online activities. A few days ago, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said they were considering banning the app because of reports of illegal activities happening in the platform. The agreement came after talks with Telegram leaders Ronak Singh and Abhimanyu Yadav and Philippine officials, according to the DICT’s post on its Facebook page. About 59.1% of internet users in the Philippines now use Telegram, based…

SAN FRANCISCO – Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Buds4 Pro and Galaxy Buds4, adding new audio hardware, adaptive software, and updated designs, at its Galaxy Unpacked event. The Galaxy Buds4 Pro features a new wider woofer designed to increase the effective speaker area by nearly 20% compared with the previous generation. Samsung said the change allows for stronger bass and clearer sound without increasing the size of the earbuds. The Pro model also supports 24-bit/96kHz audio and uses a two-way speaker system tuned for balanced output across low and high frequencies. Active Noise Cancellation, or ANC, has also been updated.…

SAN FRANCISCO – Samsung is relying heavily on Galaxy AI as the next growth driver in Southeast Asia, targeting both consumers and enterprises as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes productivity and the whole device ecosystem. “AI can understand user intent and proactively handle tasks, simplifying work without loss,” said CU Kim, president and CEO, Southeast Asia and Oceania, Samsung, during a roundtable discussion with the media. Still, he cautioned that wider AI adoption also expands more security concerns. As AI systems handle more sensitive data, security becomes a business priority. Samsung sees business-to-business opportunities across eight Southeast Asian markets where it…

SAN FRANCISCO — At its annual Unpacked event, Samsung doubled down on its third-generation AI smartphones, the Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra, expanding its Galaxy AI features. The updates, along with new features, focus on how artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI (GenAI), help users handle everyday tasks more efficiently. The company is also advancing its Agentic AI, or Multi AI Agent, by integrating it at the operating system level. The deeper integration reduces the need to switch between apps and allows a single prompt to generate multiple actions or results. Camera features have always been one of the…

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is considering whether to block Telegram in the Philippines over reports that the messaging app is being used to spread pornographic materials and run illegal gambling activities. Henry Aguda, secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, said in an interview on a radio program aired on DZRH that the government may have to consider banning the messaging app if these activities continue. The possible ban comes weeks after the DICT temporarily banned Grok, the artificial intelligence (AI) tool of X, following reports abroad that it was being used to generate…

Technology Xiaomi has announced its latest device, the Xiaomi Tag, a Bluetooth tracker that weighs 10 grams and measures 7.2 mm thick. Xiaomi Tag runs on a user-replaceable CR2032 coin battery, with an estimated battery life of about one year under normal use. Xiaomi said the tracker is designed for budget-conscious consumers who want basic, reliable location tracking without paying premium prices. The Xiaomi Tag supports both Apple’s Find My network and Google Find Hub, according Xiaomi’s official channels. The cross-platform support allows iOS and Android users to track items through their preferred apps instead of being tied to a…

Ahead of Valentine’s Day, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has warned about romance scams, where criminals exploit emotions and trust to steal money or personal information. Cybersecurity company Kaspersky confirms these scams are becoming more sophisticated, using social engineering and technology to appear convincing. “Romance scams succeed because cybercriminals prey on the human desire for connection and trust,” Choon Hong Chee, head of Consumer Channel, APAC at Kaspersky, said in a media advisory. “During love month, people are more open to forming new relationships, which makes emotional manipulation an effective tactic.” Scammers often build rapport over weeks or months, using…

Artificial intelligence (AI) company OpenAI has begun testing ads within ChatGPT for users in the United States. Based on the company’s data, ChatGPT had 700 million weekly active users globally as of September 2025. According to the company’s media advisory, advertisements will be shown to Free and Go subscribers. Premium paying users, including Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education subscribers, will not see ads. “Ads help fund that work, supporting broader access to AI through higher-quality free and low-cost options, and enabling us to keep improving the intelligence and capabilities we offer over time,” the company said. “If you prefer…

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) are strengthening coordination to enhance digital financial security and curb the growing number of scam-related cases in the country. The initiative follows findings from the CICC’s Cybercrime Complaint Center (C3) 2025 Annual Report, which showed that consumer fraud accounted for 35% of the total 18,633 complaints, equivalent to about 6,453 reports. Online fraud accounted for 4,243 reports, or 23%. “These figures underscore a critical need for tighter regulation and more proactive monitoring within the financial sector,” the CICC said in a media advisory. Both agencies are…