Author: PhilSTAR Tech Team

Google has rolled out a major update to Google Chrome in the Philippines, adding built-in artificial intelligence (AI) powered by Gemini 3.1 to make browsing faster and easier to understand. The update introduces an AI assistant inside Chrome’s side panel, allowing users to ask questions, summarize articles, or generate ideas without leaving the page they are on. Instead of switching tabs or copying text into another app, users can now interact with content directly while browsing. The feature is designed to simplify everyday tasks. Users can turn long articles into short summaries, create a quick reviewer or quiz, or adjust…

OpenAI has released a major update to its image-making tool, now called ChatGPT Images 2.0. The upgrade aims to make the tool faster and much better at following specific instructions, which has been a common struggle for AI art programs in the past. The new version is reportedly four times faster than the previous one. It promises to be much better at keeping things consistent. The new system is designed to lock in important details, allowing users to make specific edits like adding an object or changing a style while keeping the rest of the picture the same. AI has…

Smartphone brand POCO is bringing the POCO M8s 5G to the Philippines this April, and is considered as a step up from its entry-level lineup focusing on battery life, display quality, and everyday performance. The POCO M8s 5G uses a 6.7-inch 1.5K display aimed at sharper visuals and smoother viewing. It also carries TÜV Rheinland certifications for reduced eye strain and includes a feature that keeps the screen responsive even with wet or oily fingers. The POCO M8s 5G is built with a 7,000mAh battery, which promises to last up to two days on a single charge. Even at 1%…

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…