Author: PhilSTAR Tech Team

Smart device brand HONOR Philippines has awarded a Tesla Cybertruck to the grand winner of its HONOR X9d 5G “Win a Tesla Cybertruck” promo, which ran during the smartphone’s pre-order period from Jan. 9 to 23, 2026. The winner, Lorelyn Felonia, secured the multi-million peso prize after purchasing 10 units of the HONOR X9d 5G during the campaign, turning what began as a smartphone purchase into one of the most high-profile tech promos in the country. The campaign was designed to highlight the durability and everyday reliability of the HONOR X9d 5G, which the company markets as one of its…

PLDT Home is stepping up efforts to make work-from-home (WFH) setups more practical for Filipino households as rising fuel prices and inflation reshape daily routines. Instead of treating home internet as a fixed expense, the company is making connectivity as a way to offset commuting costs. By removing upfront fees and increasing speeds, PLDT Home hopes to make remote work a more accessible option for both employees and freelancers. For a certain period, PLDT Home waives the ₱3,600 installation fee, and offers temporary speed boosts for fiber subscribers. New users of Fiber Plan 1299 and above can get up to…

Infinix is adding Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile platforms to selected smartphones, starting with the upcoming Infinix NOTE 60 Pro, to improve its devices’ performance, gaming, imaging, and AI features for users. Infinix aims to tighten integration between hardware and software, working more closely with Qualcomm Technologies Inc. to optimize system-level performance across devices. This would make phones run faster, more efficiently, and more smoothly in everyday use. Select versions of the NOTE 60 Pro will be the first Infinix smartphones powered by Snapdragon mobile platforms. “We are excited to collaborate with industry leader Qualcomm Technologies,” said Tony Zhao, CEO of Infinix.…

With Canva AI 2.0, the visual design platform introduces automation tools that allow users to schedule design and content tasks that continue running in the background, even when they are offline. The offline-style capability is part of Canva’s efforts to make Canva AI 2.0 function less like a traditional design tool and more like a background assistant that keeps working even when users are offline. Tasks such as content planning, meeting preparation, and multi-channel publishing can be scheduled in advance, with results ready when users return. “Scheduling: Work On Autopilot” enables users to set tasks that Canva AI handles automatically.…

A Filipino scientist is urging wider use of simple building designs that keep homes and buildings cooler without relying heavily on air-conditioning, saying these methods could help reduce electricity use in the Philippines. Academician Filemon Uriarte Jr. of the National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines said passive cooling strategies could help ease rising energy demand, especially during the country’s hot and dry seasons. His study, “Passive Cooling Strategies for Sustainable Development,” looks at ways buildings can stay cooler using design and natural airflow instead of mechanical cooling systems like air conditioners. The approach was tested in Cambodia under a…

By Bobby Corpus The average person barely even heard of quantum computing, but in the next 20 years it’s possible to change the game in fields from cybersecurity and banking to medicine and artificial intelligence. This sounds like science fiction, but governments and companies around the world are investing billions of dollars in quantum technology already. The United States, China, the European Union, Japan, and Australia all have national quantum strategies. Big tech firms including IBM, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are also racing to make practical quantum computers. So is quantum computing, and should Filipinos care? To start understanding quantum…

Google is bringing a more personalized version of its artificial intelligence (AI) assistant to the Philippines, so users can connect their own data for more relevant and tailored responses. The feature, called Personal Intelligence, is now available in the Gemini app. It allows users to link services such as Gmail, Google Photos, YouTube, and Search so the AI can better understand individual preferences and past activity. Google said most AI tools today rely on general knowledge, but Personal Intelligence is designed to go further by using personal context. By connecting selected apps, Gemini can retrieve details from emails, photos, and…

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is promoting bamboo and agricultural waste as alternative fuel sources as the Philippines faces rising energy costs and supply risks. Developed by the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), bamboo pellets and charcoal briquettes are viewed as cleaner, locally sourced fuels that could reduce dependence on imported oil and coal. “The (recent) declaration of a state of national energy emergency shows our country’s vulnerability to disruptions in fuel supply,” said DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. in a media release. “By converting abundant biomass materials into efficient fuels, we offer a renewable,…

Deepfake scams are rapidly spreading beyond social media and into everyday work tools, including video calls, identity checks, and online transactions, according to a new report from iProov, an identity verification company. The iProov Threat Intelligence Report 2026 warns that artificial intelligence (AI) is making it easier for criminals to create highly convincing fake identities and impersonate real people at scale. These attacks are no longer rare, they are becoming part of daily business risks. “Identity is becoming the new battleground in cybersecurity,” said Dr. Andrew Newell, chief scientific officer of iProov. He said generative AI (GenAI) now allows attackers…

After nearly three years without a new Mate device, Huawei is bringing back its flagship smartphone line to the Philippines with the Huawei Mate 80 Pro, set to launch on April 17. The Mate series has long been known for introducing major smartphone innovations. Earlier models brought features such as AI-powered processors, ultra-wide cameras, gesture controls, and even satellite communication. With the Mate 80 Pro, Huawei is doubling down on photography, durability, and performance. The Huawei Mate 80 Pro has a new camera system designed to deliver more natural-looking photos. It uses a 50MP main sensor that captures more light…