Author: PhilSTAR Tech Team

South Trading Post (STP), a weekend flea market and community hub, marked its second year by scaling up merchant events and digital engagement, backed by connectivity support from DITO Telecommunity’s BizBayan platform. The February milestone event brought together STP’s growing community of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), capping a series of activations that highlighted how hybrid commerce, both offline and online, is shaping modern retail experiences. “STP represents what the modern market looks like today, where business happens seamlessly both offline and online. With DITO’s 5G connectivity, we’re helping MSMEs power cashless payments, connect with customers in real time,…

Digital bank GoTyme Bank and payments firm Visa are rolling out limited-edition debit cards tied to the FIFA World Cup 2026, and are also giving Filipino customers a chance to watch the tournament live in the United States. The commemorative GoTyme Bank Visa Debit Cards feature the tournament’s trophy and come in Pitch Black and Trophy Gold designs. The cards also highlight artwork by Filipino artist Ross Du, adding a local touch to one of the world’s biggest sporting events. These will be available nationwide through GoTyme Bank kiosks starting March 23. “This partnership marks an important step forward for…

Modern women juggle careers, family, and personal passions, shaping their own paths with strength and purpose. From leading in boardrooms to managing households, they navigate multiple roles with skill and grace. Appliance brand TCL celebrates Women’s Month by honoring these multifaceted women. Its smart innovations are designed for comfort, efficiency, and style, giving women the tools to focus on what matters most: their ambitions, well-being, and personal growth. “Women today are shaping their own paths and redefining what it means to live with purpose and balance,” said Shae Yu Ling, deputy marketing director, TCL. “At TCL, we design our innovations…

Tech brand Infinix is expanding its esports presence in Southeast Asia (SEA) through a wider partnership with MOONTON Games, to boost major Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tournaments in the region. Infinix will serve as Presenting Partner of the MLBB Professional League Indonesia, Titling Partner of the MLBB Development League Indonesia, and Official Sponsor of the MLBB Super League Thailand. These partnerships build on earlier collaborations in the Philippines and Malaysia The partnership covers multiple seasons, including MPL Indonesia Season 17, MDL Indonesia Season 13, and the inaugural MSL Thailand Season 1. Infinix will provide tournament-grade gaming smartphones and roll out…

Smartphone brand POCO is bringing its new X Pro lineup to the Philippines, headlined by the POCO X8 Pro Max with an 8,500mAh battery, Dimensity 9500s chip, and prices starting at ₱18,999. The series includes the POCO X8 Pro Max and POCO X8 Pro, each targeting users looking for flagship-level performance at midrange pricing. At the top of the lineup, the POCO X8 Pro Max introduces a 3nm Dimensity 9500s processor, paired with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage. The device recorded an AnTuTu score exceeding 3 million. The standard POCO X8 Pro runs on the Dimensity 8500-Ultra chip, delivering…

Planning trips is becoming faster and more automated as artificial intelligence (AI) enters travel booking, and Filipino-owned platform Travereel is hoping to help travelers make that shift with a new AI feature called “Vicky.” Travereel is a video-centric travel social network and booking platform. The app combines short-form travel videos with booking tools, to turn inspiration into actual itineraries without leaving the platform. The newly introduced AI travel assistant, Vicky, is designed to address what the company calls “planning paralysis,” a common issue among travelers overwhelmed by too many online options. By analyzing user preferences, budget, and trending destinations within…

Technology company Apple has introduced the AirPods Max 2, upgrading its premium over-ear headphones with stronger active noise cancellation (ANC), new artificial intelligence (AI) features, and tools for creators such as podcasters and musicians. The second-generation AirPods Max is powered by Apple’s H2 chip, which enables several intelligent audio features. Among the additions is Adaptive Audio, which automatically adjusts the balance between ANC and Transparency mode based on surrounding noise levels. Conversation Awareness also detects when a user begins speaking to someone nearby and lowers the volume of music while reducing background noise. The device also introduces Live Translation, powered…

AI smart devices provider HONOR Philippines will introduce the HONOR X8d smartphone in the Philippines on March 19, its third handset release in the country for 2026. The HONOR X8d is being positioned for students and younger smartphone users looking for a stylish yet budget-friendly device. The phone features a 7.5mm ultra-thin body designed to be lightweight while maintaining a glossy finish and textured surface meant to give it a more premium look. “Today’s students are creative, expressive, and always on the move. We offer HONOR X8d to match that energy, sleek, capable, and budget-friendly. It proves that you don’t…

Digital health platform mWell, developed by Metro Pacific Health Tech, secured its third Global Mobile (GLOMO) recognition after winning Best Mobile Innovation Supporting Emergency or Humanitarian Situations under the Tech4Good category at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. The award is a back-to-back win for the platform after its 2023 recognition for Best Mobile Innovation for Digital Life. “Digital innovation is key to our commitment to national progress,” said Manuel V. Pangilinan, chair of mWell and MPIC. “Through mWell, we continue to harness technology to bring quality healthcare closer to every Filipino.” For emergencies, mWell has introduced Southeast Asia’s…

Smart device company HONOR has entered a strategic technical partnership with ARRI to bring professional cinema imaging technology to future consumer devices, including smartphones. The collaboration aims to integrate elements of ARRI’s Image Science, the technology behind the color rendering and visual quality used in many Hollywood productions, into HONOR’s next-generation mobile imaging systems. By combining HONOR’s mobile hardware and software capabilities with ARRI’s expertise in cinematic imaging, the companies aim to give content creators tools that produce more natural color, improved highlight control, and visuals closer to what professional filmmakers achieve using dedicated cinema cameras. “HONOR is pioneering a…