MoneyGram Strengthens Partnership with GCash in the Philippines

After the successful launch of direct receive service, MoneyGram and GCash announced recently that customers worldwide can now also send money to over 10 million GCash mobile wallets in the Philippines, 24/7. 

This partnership supports further growth of MoneyGram’s digital channels in the world’s third largest remittances receive market. 

“With the growing number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) looking for a reliable way to send money back home, the collaboration with GCash aligns with our strategy to provide user-friendly, rapid-response and low-cost channels to send money across borders,” said Alex Holmes, MoneyGram’s chairman and chief executive officer. 

“The expansion of digital channels combined with a strong network of agent locations, enables MoneyGram to offer a differentiated customer experience that allows consumers to transact with us their way,” added Holmes. 

Funds can be sent via MoneyGram online or at any one of MoneyGram’s thousands of locations in 200 countries and territories around the world to reach a GCash mobile wallet in minutes. Money will be deposited into the mobile wallet in the Philippine Peso. The receiver will get an SMS notification of every incoming money transfer and will be able to use funds instantly for purchasing goods and services online or paying bills. 

“We are delighted to partner with MoneyGram once more to improve the way remittances are processed in the Philippines. GCash is committed to make the experience of sending money more convenient for both the sender and receiver. The OFWs and their families are a big segment of the remittance business as well as a key contributor to the country’s economy. We need to do more for them and we think this partnership with MoneyGram leads us to that direction,” said Anthony Thomas, President and CEO of Mynt, the operator of GCash. 

The launch of the new service was followed by a presentation of an OFW Family Card which allows customers to withdraw their money for free twice a month at any BancNet ATM in the Philippines. The OFW Family Card will be awarded to each registered and verified GCash user who receives a minimum of PHP 500 via MoneyGram between September 15 and December 30. 

For more information about the service, please visit moneygram.ph.

OPPO F9 leads MemoXpress weekly chart upon 1st week of availability

Mobile smartphone establishment MemoXpress recently announced that OPPO F9 was its top-selling smartphone from September 3-9, 2018, exceeding the sales of other brands in the mid-range category on its first week of availability starting September 1. Successfully launched only one month ago, OPPO F9 features the highly beneficial VOOC flash charge which allows the user two hours of talk time in only five minutes of charging. Its fast charging capabilities help dynamic Filipinos save time and be able to do more with their smartphones. Priced at PHP 17,990.00, the F9 also brings together an innovative waterdrop screen, 6GB RAM, and dual rear cameras, providing high value for money for Filipinos in every way. 

For more details on OPPO’s products and activities, followwww.facebook.com/OPPOPH as well as @OPPOPhilippines on Twitter and Instagram.

The Philippines Can Now Experience 5-minute Charge, 2-hour Talk with the New OPPO F9

Experience the revolutionary OPPO F9 at the SM MOA roadshow on September 1-2 After the pre-order period of the much anticipated OPPO F9, thousands of customers have taken opportunity to claim their new smartphone in various stores nationwide. This weekend, September 1-2, smartphone users can see what the in-demand F9 is all about during OPPO’s roadshow at SM Mall of Asia. As a global leader in technology innovation, OPPO presents breakthrough smartphone features in the F9 such as the VOOC Flash Charging, Waterdrop Screen, 6GB RAM, Dual Rear Camera, and beautiful gradient body finish, which redefine the definition of value for money in its price segment. OPPO positions the F9 as among the most competitive and fashionable smartphone in its price range.  OPPO F9’s foremost unique selling proposition is the VOOC Flash Charging that can give 2 hours of talk time in just 5 minutes of charging. This OPPO-exclusive flash charging technology is 4x faster than regular smartphone charging, saving time for Filipinos and allowing them more time on-the-go and less time tangled on the wall socket, charging. Despite being fast, the VOOC Flash Charging is safe with 5 layers of protection found in the charger and smartphone, delivering powerful performance and quality. “We are grateful to all who pre-ordered our new OPPO F9, and we’re confident that our customers will surely love it, especially the VOOC Flash Charging because of its amazing charging speed. The F9 will be a trendsetter for the new standard Filipinos’ mobile lifestyle,” OPPO Philippines’ Vice President of Marketing Jane Wan said. “The OPPO F9 is our latest innovation for our Filipino consumers and will address their needs in battery, performance, camera, and even design.” OPPO F9’s unique gradient color finishes of Twilight Blue and Sunrise Red are inspired by nature and complemented with an eye-catching flower petal pattern for a striking back design. The front carries the latest Waterdrop Screen, which is an innovative approach to the notch as it significantly reduces the screen notch to a simple waterdrop-like shape for the front camera. The F9’s 6.3” FHD+ 19.5:9 screen display delivers an overall more pleasant and immersive visual experience. OPPO F9 Roadshow Check out the OPPO F9 and experience VOOC Flash Charging first-hand at the SM Mall of Asia Main Mall Atrium this September 1-2, 2018. Fun booth and activities await customers as they get to experience the features of the OPPO F9. Plus, catch celebrity and OPPO influencer Gabbi Garcia who will also join the roadshow on September 1 at 5PM. Approach any OPPO sales representative to avail the OPPO F9 in Sunrise Red and Twilight Blue for PHP 17,990.00 (6GB RAM) in any OPPO dealer and concept stores nationwide. For more information on OPPO’s exciting products and activities, like OPPO Philippines’ official Facebook page and follow @OPPOPhilippines on Twitter and Instagram.

Get Amazon Prime Video and Twitch Prime with Globe Postpaid Plans

Globe Postpaid customers can soon enjoy six months of Amazon Prime Video to stream popular and award-winning movies

Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu and Amazon Director, Mobile Business Development-APAC Krishan Patel official announce the availability of Amazon Prime Video in the Philippines with special offers for Globe customers

Globe Telecom is raising the bar and offering high-voltage entertainment to its customers. Soon, eligible Globe customers can get a premium offer of  six months Amazon Prime Video access on us, with a postpaid plan. 

With this offer, Globe customers can enjoy unlimited streaming of select movies and TV shows on Prime Video, including critically acclaimed and award-winning Prime Original series like Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, The Grand Tour,Emmy nominee and Golden Globe winner The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, all new seasons of The Man in the High Castle and more.

“Globe has always led the pack when it comes to the digital lifestyle,” says Ernest Cu, President & CEO of Globe Telecom. “We have redefined how Filipinos enjoy their entertainment—from music and movies to eSports and live shows. Teaming up with global content brands brings a wide array of content to our customers, giving them more wonderful entertainment choices.”

 Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu proudly announces the company's newest content partner, Amazon Prime Video

All new and existing Globe Postpaid customers will be eligible for a six month subscription (up to P150/month value), to Amazon Prime Video, which comes with Twitch Prime. Following this, select Globe at Home plans will include the six month offer to Amazon Prime Video and Twitch Prime by Globe. After the promo period, customers can continue to enjoy Amazon Prime Video for P150 per month.

At the Globe and Amazon Prime Video launch, some of the  most talented Filipino talents gather onstage to talk about creating world class quality content. With Cu and Patel are Globe Studios Director Quark Henares, Filmmaker Tonette Jadaone, Director Paul Soriano, award-winning actor John Arcilla, Producer/Screenwriter Monster Jimenez, and Director Treb Monteras

Twitch Prime, included in the six month offer, is a premium experience on Twitch, the live streaming video service that’s popular among gamers. Twitch Prime includes free games every month, in-game content for some of the most popular games, a Twitch channel subscription every 30 days at no additional cost, exclusive emotes, and chat badge.

Vivo Hints Fast Changing? Lightning Fast Within Your Reach

Vivo, one of the leading global smartphones in the world, is set to re-unleash an innovative feature to aid everyday life. Will it be a feature that allows efficient battery charging to ensure better communication, web browsing, and long-lasting apps usage to keep up with day-to-day tasks?

Battery life and charging time are two of the important features that tech savvy and heavy smartphone users look at when they search for smartphone. What good is a smartphone if it does not have battery anyway?

Vivo’s latest flagship model in the Philippines, the X21, for instance, has non-removable Li-Ion 3400 mAh battery with fast charging. The Vivo NEX was also supported by fast charging but its Li-Ion battery capacity is up to 4,000 mAh.

With a slogan of “daring to pursue true perfection, while continuously creating the surprising”, we can’t wait for what’s next for Vivo.

Meteor Garden actors use Vivo smartphones in 2018 reboot

Hit TV series Meteor Garden has made a comeback this 2018 after a successful and highly popular run 17 years ago, in 2001. Set in the city of Shanghai, the series reboot centers around the story of an ordinary girl, Dong Shancai who enters a prestigious university where she later encounters the well-known F4, an exclusive circle of four boys celebrated in school for their good looks and wealthy background. A string of events brought Shancai with the boys, particularly with the handsome Daoming Siand soft-spoken Huaze Lei.

Shancai checks her Vivo smartphone during one scene shot at the university.

In the Philippines, the local fans were crossing their fingers that a Filipino version of the beloved Chinese series would materialize, calling for their favorite celebrities to earn a spot in a local series re-make. When rumors surfaced in 2017 that Meteor Garden would be resurrected, the anticipation was also met with uncertainty that the reboot with series darlings Shancai and Daoming Si would not be as good as the original, some even calling that the original casts be called back for the re-creation of the show.

The box of a Vivo smartphone reaches the hand of the one of the key characters of the show.

But the 2018 Meteor Garden reboot did not disappoint its fans, old and new. Drawing legions of young followers from everywhere, the old formula of the series proved that it has not lost its charm over the years. As a matter of fact, its comeback was a trending topic on Twitter with over thirty thousand tweets on Its much-anticipated re-make. Much to the delight of fans, Shancai still carries her dream-girl image, her unyielding personality more charming to the audience than ever and Daoming Si still never fails to woo fans with his abounding charisma.

The series comeback inspired a myriad of feels from the fans: from happiness to sadness, to excitement and fear.

One thing that stands out with the Meteor Garden reboot and perhaps the reason why the show managed to captivate the hearts of millennials is the relatable personalities and lifestyles of the show’s characters. The show’s leads, much like today’s youth, are connected to their smartphones—Vivo smartphones in particular—heavily interacting with each other and expressing themselves through the usual selfies and status updates, shared through several social media platforms.

Shancai keeps her handy Vivo smartphone close to her.

While many Filipinos know the love story of Shancai and Daoming Si like the back of their hand, the Meteor Garden reboot’s main actors Shen Yue and Dylan Wang as well as the rest of the F4—Darren Chen, Connor Leung, and Caesar Wu—no doubt keep fans glued to their screens with their chemistry and energy that add zing to a classic favorite.

VIVO Endorsers tease about the next flagship smartphone

Are these photos a hint of Vivo’s next flagship smartphone?

These photos may give a hint on Vivo’s next flagship smartphone

Vivo endorsers are dropping hints on next flagship

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Daniel Padilla on Twitter teased fans with a new visual.

Vivo’s Filipino endorsers have been throwing hints on their social media accounts that something new is coming soon.

Teen King Daniel Padilla posted a photo of himself with a gradient pink and blue background and the words “Go Beyond,” tagging Vivo Philippines' account.

Other Vivo endorsers Darren Espanto, Julie Anne San Jose, Maymay Entrata, Maris Racal, and Paul Salas also posted the similar photos on their Instagram pages.

    

Vivo endorsers hinted online that something new from the smartphone brand is arriving soon.

TJ Monterde, KZ Tandingan, and Iñigo Pascual also posted photos tagging Vivo Philippines on IG. This time, their photos showed colorful backgrounds or lighting.

Vivo ladies Kira Balinger, Joyce Pring, Loisa Andalio, Elisse Joson, and Sassa Dagdag posted closeup photos tagging Vivo Philippines, as if to emphasize their makeup.

   

Do these photos tell something about the next Vivo flagship smartphone?  What is the common theme of these photos?

In the past week, Vivo has been dropping hints on its social media accounts. It kicked off with a video of a fingerprint depicted like a spiral galaxy in an apparent reference to its pioneering In-Display Fingerprint Scanning Technology. Its second teaser was a video of a launch of a space rocket. The third one was another video of the moon with a curved line emphasizing its shape.

In this case, Vivo seems to be getting a lot of inspiration from the cosmos for its next smartphone. What do you think will Vivo post next? Best to keep watch on its social media pages. 

About Vivo

A global smartphone brand focused on introducing perfect sound quality and ultimate photography with cutting-edge technology, Vivo develops innovative and stylish products for young people. We now have over two hundred million users and are one of the preferred brands of young people around the world. As an Official Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™, Vivo believes in the importance of encouraging young people to embrace self-expression and an energetic lifestyle.  In the Philippines, Vivo is the top 3 smartphone brand in terms of market share with 1.5 million users nationwide.  

For inquiries about Vivo, visit the Vivo website at vivoglobal.ph or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/vivophil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivo_philippines/), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts.

Is VIVO preparing for a new smartphone ?

Monday is an exciting day for tech enthusiasts and loyal followers of the fastest growing smartphone brand Vivo as it teased fans with a new visual, raising speculations that a new flagship is on its way.

Vivo said that “something out of this world is brewing.” Tech enthusiasts and fans should keep watch in the coming days for more details.

On its social media pages, Vivo posted a GIF image that depicts a fingerprint like a spiral galaxy with the phrases, “Go beyond” and “Arriving soon.”

Vivo, a global smartphone that focuses on high-technology innovations, has surprised its Filipino fans with the launch of the first X-series smartphone last June 21. The Vivo X21 is equipped with the pioneering In-Display Fingerprint Scanning Technology, the first smartphone in the Philippines with this forward-looking feature.

The technology replaced the rear fingerprint sensor to achieve a sleek and unified design and offer an immersive smartphone experience. This is how it works: When a user finger touches the screen for unlocking, the Vivo X21’s Super AMOLED display emits light to illuminate the fingerprint. The optical fingerprint sensor below the OLED display captures the light reflected by the fingerprint. Based on the reflected light from the unique ridges on the fingerprint, the sensor processes the optical signals to deliver crisp and sharp fingerprint images for matching. Its unlocking speed is only 0.6 second.

Vivo unveiled the industry’s first Vivo Under-Display Fingerprint Scanning Solution at the Mobile World Congress Shanghai 2017. But not long after, the global smartphone brand showcased a ready-to-produce smartphone with the world’s first In-Display Fingerprint Scanning Technology at the Consumer Electronics Show 2018 in Las Vegas, United States. That was how quick Vivo was able to develop the technology for mass production, proving that its developments are not just for show, but also for use.

With Vivo preparing for its big announcement soon, one can’t help but wonder—how can their next flagship be different from its predecessors? 

For inquiries about Vivo, 

visit the Vivo website at vivoglobal.ph or 

check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/vivophil),

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivo_philippines/), and 

Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts

Lenovo introduces new laptops for the ‘modern avid gamer’

Lenovo, a global leader in PCs and smart devices development, is launching two new laptops designed to meet the demands of the ‘modern avid gamers’.

“Through our market research, we have discovered that there is a subset of gamers being ignored – the modern avid gamers. Most of these are millennials who carried their enthusiasm to adulthood but find it hard to continue due to their responsibilities at work, family, and social life. They are looking for a gaming PC that lets them partake in their passion but in a way that fits their lifestyle and time constraints. Our newest gaming machines are designed to meet their needs – a powerful, portable device with a stylish and minimalist exterior,” said

Michael Ngan, Country General Manager of Lenovo Philippines.

Lenovo Legion Y530 and Lenovo IdeaPad 330 

The new devices, namely, theLenovo Legion Y530 and theIdeaPad 330 are built for more than just gaming. Both can handle programs for work or study easily, but also allows you to watch movies and TV series, it supports digital performance like video, animation, and graphics editing.

The new devices, namely, theLenovo Legion Y530 and theIdeaPad 330 are built for more than just gaming. Both can handle programs for work or study easily, but also allows you to watch movies and TV series, it supports digital performance like video, animation, and graphics editing.

Lenovo Legion Y530 – The portable gaming and office workhorse

The new Lenovo Legion laptops are built for today’s on-the-go gamers who travel light. The Lenovo Legion Y530 Laptop has a subtle but compelling top cover texture that radiates out from the “O” in its Legion emblem. The laptop is fully equipped with up to NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1050 Ti GPUs, up to the latest 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 processors and Windows® 10.

With up to 16GB DDR4 2666MHz memory and up to 256GB M.2 PCIe SSD or 2TB HDD storage, it can fulfill both powering and storage demands. Heat is no longer a bother to gamers as the new Legion Y530 features improved thermal layout with dual fan design and quad-vent cooling for increased airflow.

           

Users can enjoy clear and crisp audio with its Dolby Audio™ Premium, which can dynamically adjust audio to deliver home theatre quality in a virtual surround sound experience. The Legion Y530 comes in at only 24 mm thin and 5.1 lbs. light. Its bezels are 62% thinner compared to previous gaming laptops, making it more portable and easy to carry.

The device is available in Onyx Black with backlit keyboards.

Lenovo IdeaPad 330 – The all-around productivity and entertainment booster

Stacked with premium processing and discrete graphics options, the Lenovo IdeaPad™ 330 is as powerful as it is easy to use.  Buyers can choose up to 7^thGeneration Intel® Core™ i7 processor, coming with the lightning-fast responsiveness and reliable performance.

The device supports up to NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1050 graphics, perfect for those who want to play graphics-intensive games and handle resource-intensive business applications smoothly at the same time.

In addition, users can choose from up to 2 TB SATA HDD storage. The laptop comes in 14-, 15- and 17-inch anti-glare screens, in HD and full HD resolution options. Starting at 4.6 lbs, the device is made up of sturdy PC-ABS material chassis and it promises up to 8 hours of battery life.

Lenovo IdeaPad 330 comes in Onyx Black, Platinum Grey, Midnight Blue, and Chocolate.

Starting price for the Legion Y530 and IdeaPad 330 are P59,995 and P17,995, respectively. Both devices are now available at leading electronics stores.

The devices will be first showcased at Conquerors Manila 2018

where Lenovo is the official gaming hardware partner.

New generation of the Nokia 2 and Nokia 3 arrives in the Philippines

HMD Global brings affordable premium design and long-lasting entertainment in new smartphones

HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, announces that the new Nokia 2.1 and Nokia 3.1 will be available for PHP5,990 and PHP9,990, respectively, starting August 29.

Delivering premium experience and a sophisticated aluminum design, the Nokia 3.1 exudes the quality and craftsmanship fans can expect from a Nokia smartphone. Joining the Android One family, the Nokia 3.1 is endorsed by Google as a best-in-class experience across hardware and software given its price point.

On top of 50 percent performance boost over its predecessor, the Nokia 2.1 combines a larger screen and dual front-front facing speakers with an incredible 2-day battery life to give users everything they need for entertainment on the go.

Shannon Mead, HMD Global Philippines country manager, said:

“At HMD Global, innovation means merging premium quality with affordability and accessibility. The Nokia 3.1 and Nokia 2.1 are just two of the breakthroughs we are proud to bring to the Filipinos, with the design and technology upgrade for even better mobile experience.

The Nokia 3.1 brings perfect balance between power and design while the Nokia 2.1 gives better and long-lasting experience with its great battery life, faster processor, bigger screen and dual front-facing stereo speakers.”

Nokia 3.1: Premium design, high-quality experience

Like the original, the new Nokia 3.1 blends a careful selection of materials into a perfect harmony with a stunning design. Its anodized machined metal frame and sculpted glass display deliver the perfect combination for both stand-out looks and comfortable feel in the hand. Subtle but striking metal accents are matched with dual diamond cuts for a premium finish.

The Nokia 3.1 is Nokia mobile’s most-affordable 18:9 smartphone, delivering the same screen ratio users get from modern flagships to give them more content with a single glance in a slim device. Just the right size for single-handed use, it now packs a larger 5.2-inch HD+ display protected by a damage-resistant 2.5D curved Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 to keep its original aesthetic.

The Nokia 3.1 runs on an octa-core MediaTek 6750 chip, which gives its user twice the processor cores and 50 percent faster performance than the previous generation to keep up with modern users’ busy and fast-paced lifestyle. Featuring an upgraded 13MP auto-focus rear camera, the Nokia 3.1 captures the memories that its user would want to relive over and over while the wide-angle front camera fits more subjects into every selfie.

Thanks to its full set of sensors - usually only found on premium phones - the Nokia 3.1 runs the latest apps and features effortlessly. Users can make the most out of popular AR apps such as Pokémon Go, pay securely and easily with Google Pay,[1]  and capture the whole scene with panoramic imaging.

Nokia 2.1: Long-lasting entertainment, designed to be powerful

Designed to deliver long-lasting entertainment to consumers who are always on-the-go, the Nokia 2.1 comes with 2-day battery life, a large 5.5-inch HD screen and dual front-facing stereo speakers. The Nokia 2.1’s powerful 4,000mAh battery now charges even faster so users can get back up and running even more quickly than before.

With its HD display 20 percent bigger than the original, Nokia mobile fans can now enjoy high-definition videos on the go. The dual speakers, with bespoke 3D formed stainless steel detail, provide amazing stereo sound.

The upgraded Qualcomm™ Snapdragon® 425 64-bit Mobile Platform gives users 50 percent faster and smoother performance to enable efficient and fast switching between apps.

Nokia 2.1’s cameras allow users to capture the action wherever they are with its 5MP front-facing selfie snapper or 8MP rear camera with auto focus.

Offering the quality and style fans expect from a Nokia phone, Nokia 2.1’s sophisticated Nordic design and metallic accents guarantee that its user will stand out from the crowd. Its sleek, rounded and ergonomically designed, inherently colored polycarbonate back keeps the phone looking great even after long periods of use.

Pure, secure and up-to-date Android

The Nokia 3.1 is entering the Android One family where it joins the comprehensive range of Nokia smartphones already delivering an experience designed by Google that is smart, secure and simply amazing. Nokia smartphones with Android One offer more storage and battery life out of the box as well as the latest AI-powered innovations from Google to help the user stay ahead of the game every day. The Nokia 3.1 will receive three years of monthly security patches and two years of OS updates as guaranteed in the Android One program. This puts the new Nokia 3.1 among the most-secure phones out there, always up-to-date with the latest Google services such as Google Assistant and Google Photos with free unlimited high-quality photo storage.

Tailored to devices with 1GB RAM or less, Android Oreo™ (Go edition) is what’s operating Nokia 2.1 with a new range of apps from Google designed to run faster while consuming less data. Optimized to be smooth and fast, these include Google Go web search app, Google Maps™ Go, YouTube™ Go and Google Assistant for Android (Go edition), to quickly send messages, make calls, set alarms and do more, simply by using your voice.

Availability and pricing

• The Nokia 3.1 will be available in Black/Chrome on August 29 and will retail for PHP9,990.
• Coming in three colors — Blue/Copper, Blue/Silver, Gray/Silver — the Nokia 2.1 is available starting August 29 for PHP5,990.

Pre-sale of Nokia 3.1 started in August 15 and lasts until August 26 through Nokia mobile stores and MemoXpress. See full details at http://uniteforpromo.ph/premium

With HMD Global’s extended partnership with Home Credit, you can also avail the Nokia 2.1 and the Nokia 3.1 at 0% interest for a 6-month installment period.

Experience the new generation of Nokia phones you can rely on and enjoy a free Kingston 16GB SD card at any authorized Nokia reseller, as well as any Nokia store, kiosk or exhibit:

Nokia mobile stores:

SM City North EDSA

SM City Clark

SM City Tarlac

SM City Bacolod

SM City Iloilo

Gaisano Mall Davao

Nokia mobile kiosks:

SM City Megamall

Robinsons Manila

SM City Bacoor

SM City Batangas

SM City Dasmarinas

SM City Olongapo

SM City Rosales

SM City San Fernando, Pampanga

SM City San Pablo

SM City Sta. Rosa

SM City Urdaneta

Nokia mobile exhibits:

SM Mall of Asia

Gaisano Mall Tagum

SM City Davao

SM City Marilao

SM City Rosario

Visit the official Nokia website https://www.nokia.com/en_ph/phones/store-locator for the full list of the top stores near you.