Category: Tech and Gadgets

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Where AI Meets Play: Inside Miko’s Exciting Launch into Filipino Homes

 

Walking into Miko’s official Philippine launch in Pasig City felt less like a typical tech event and more like a glimpse into the future of everyday home technology. The venue welcomed a diverse mix of guests, all curious to see how AI-powered robots are redefining learning, play, and companionship. With interactive demonstrations and lively discussions throughout the event, Miko’s entry into Filipino homes was met with genuine excitement and interest.

That day, consumer robotics company Miko officially marked its grand entry into the Philippines, introducing AI companions designed not just for learning, but for genuine connection within the home.

A Robot Built for Families

Originally created to support smart parenting, Miko has evolved over the past decade into a brand that blends technology seamlessly into daily family life. During the launch, it became clear that these robots aren’t just gadgets—they’re designed to be companions.

Anjily Praveen Miko’s Key Account Manager

“Miko products may come small and handy, but they fully represent the growing shift in lifestyle technology for modern families,” shared Anjily Praveen, Miko’s Key Account Manager, during her talk. She highlighted how AI is becoming a natural part of homes and how Miko’s robots bring that technology in a warmer, more human-centered way.

Jay Ranola AI Products Country lead, Thankral One Inc

From the live demonstrations alone, it was easy to see why Miko has earned the trust of parents worldwide and the affection of kids.

Meeting the Stars of the Launch

Miko 3: A Child’s New Learning Buddy

One of the highlights of the event was meeting Miko 3, a compact yet expressive robot designed for kids aged 4 to 10. Watching it interact live—with curious questions, playful jokes, stories, songs, and even yoga moves—was impressive.

Powered by deep-learning AI, Miko 3 adapts to a child’s personality and learning pace. It is designed to “grow with your child,” offering not just entertainment but also building foundational skills in a fun and engaging way.

Some of its notable features include:

  • A durable design built for worry-free playtime
  • An interactive touch screen and advanced sensors that enable expressive, human-like interaction
  • Curated content from Disney, Nickelodeon, and other trusted creators
  • Enhanced data protection with an enclosed system and strong encryption
  • Parental controls and progress tracking through the Miko Parents App
  • STEAM-based learning activities, traditional games, and video-calling features

It’s a rare combination of learning, play, and emotional intelligence—something parents at the event were clearly excited about.

Miko Mini: Small Robot, Big Curiosity

Another crowd favorite was Miko Mini, a more affordable AI-powered companion also designed for kids aged 4 to 10. While it doesn’t have a touch screen like Miko 3, it makes up for it with voice-based interaction and an expressive display that reacts to every conversation.

Miko Mini focuses on sparking curiosity through STEAM education, blending science, technology, engineering, arts, and math into playful moments. Built-in music, dance, and mindful interactions help kids build confidence, rhythm, memory, and emotional resilience—all while having fun.

Designed as an ideal first step into technology, Miko Mini proves that learning doesn’t have to be intimidating—it can be joyful, safe, and engaging.

Miko Chess Grand: Strategy Meets Smart Technology

The launch also featured something for teens and adults: Miko Chess Grand.

Dubbed the world’s smartest AI chessboard, it comes with self-moving pieces and a powerful chess engine that adapts to a player’s skill level. Guests were able to see how players can challenge the AI across 20 difficulty levels, enjoy face-to-face matches, or connect with millions of players worldwide through the Square Off community.

With its sleek design and intelligent gameplay analysis, Miko Chess Grand brings a modern twist to a timeless game—making chess more exciting and accessible for everyone.

Beyond the Robots

Miko’s ecosystem goes beyond hardware. The brand also introduced Miko Max, a premium content library curated by child development and education experts. It features hundreds of learning games, educational videos, stories, puzzles, and music that further enrich the Miko experience.

Parents can stay actively involved through the Miko App, which allows them to monitor progress, manage content, and use parental control features—tools that support smarter and safer learning at home.

A New Kind of AI for Filipino Homes

As the launch came to a close, one thing was clear: Miko isn’t just introducing robots to the Philippines—it’s offering a new way for families to experience AI. One that values education, play, security, and emotional connection in equal measure.

Miko is now available in the Philippines. To learn more about its technology and products, visit www.miko.ai.

 

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DOST-Backed Reelist8 Pioneers AI-Powered Ecosystem to Make Homeownership More Affordable

Reelist8 Launches Integrated Property Applications at Philippine Startup Week

Reelist8, a DOST-backed Philippine financial technology company in the real estate and construction sector, has officially launched its AI-powered ecosystem. The platform aims to help address the country’s housing affordability challenges by enabling qualified Filipinos to own a home for as little as 0.5% equity.

Reelist8 unveiled this new technology at the Philippine Startup Week community event called Unlock Reelist8—Housing Liquidity in the Age of AI: Affordable Homeownership Through Technology at Acceler8 Legaspi, Makati City. Over 150+ business executives from various industries, sponsors, celebrities, and media guests graced the launch.

The new ecosystem incorporates integrated applications like Property Auctions (PropertyAuctions.ph) and Buildin (Buildin.com.ph). Made for buyers and investors, PropertyAuctions.ph empowers clients to discover and win below-market-value deals through auctions. Meanwhile, Buildin.com.ph serves as an all-in-one project management tool, instantly converting floor plans into priced takeoffs for contractors and designers.

“Owning a home shouldn’t be a privilege for the fortunate few; it’s a fundamental human right.” We built Reelist8 as the intelligent path to make that right a reality,” said Marianne Dela Cruz, Chief Executive Officer of Reelist8. “We at Reelist8 hope to empower more Filipinos to become homeowners through a tangible and affordable path.”

The event also featured a celebrity fireside chat moderated by Borj de Borja, Chief Operations Officer, with panelists Anna Feo (character actress, model, and product endorser), Alma Concepcion (beauty queen, real estate investor, and interior designer), and Ynez Veneracion (award-winning actress, investor, and entrepreneur). The guests shared insights on investment strategies and audience-focused marketing.

“Our goal with this new ecosystem is to keep it simple,” shared de Borja. “Every Filipino deserves access to efficient and accessible world-class tools. That’s why we’re making homeownership easier and more affordable.”

Reelist8 will host a free, specialized online workshop on November 21, 2025, to onboard global users to this new ecosystem. The PropertyAuctions.ph demo is designed for buyers and investors to locate and bid on exclusive properties. In the meantime, contractors and designers can manage projects with 2D/3D modeling, invoicing, and team communications through the Buildin.com.ph Demo.

IInterested participants can register for the free online workshop at https://luma.com/azc4gltp. For more information on Reelist8, please visit Reelist8.com and follow the company on Instagram and Facebook.

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There are no costs for Autosweep and Easytrip reloads with BDO Pay.

You’re driving when you suddenly notice that your RFID account balance is low. You don’t have time to stop at a convenience shop for more money, and you prefer not to switch to the cash lane at the toll gate, which would mean waiting in a longer line.

Let BDO Pay help you out. You save time, effort, and money using it since there are no cash-in or convenience fees. Other payment applications can charge up to P12 to add money to your account. For drivers who have to add money to their RFID loads often, the savings pile up over time, allowing you to make your budget go further, whether it’s for petrol, snacks, coffee for the journey, or parking fees at your destination.

BDO Pay is an everyday payment app that lets you scan, send, and pay practically anyplace without needing to cash in. It’s powered by the country’s biggest bank. You can pay with any of your linked BDO accounts, like savings, checking, or credit cards. And since BDO backs it, you can be sure that your transactions are safe, reliable, and secure.

This is how you do it:

Just click on Pay Bills on the BDO Pay home screen. Then click “Transportation” and scroll down to pick either “Autosweep RFID” or “Easytrip RFID.” On the next page, type in your account number, subscriber account name, and the amount you want to load. Click Pay after choosing the account you wish to pay from. That’s it! Autosweep transactions load immediately, and Easytrip posts them right away if you complete the transaction before 10:00 PM.

Save it as a favorite and limit the taps to a minimum for an even speedier transaction next time.

Every time you pay, save. BDO Pay makes it faster and cheaper to reload your RFID accounts.

Paying your bills? No expenses, just ease

With BDO Pay, you can pay not only your RFID accounts but also other bills without incurring any convenience fees. You can pay your bills using your BDO account anytime, anyplace. There are more than 2,100 billers to choose from. Electric corporations, government entities, insurance firms, colleges, and even charities are all on the list.

Get BDO Pay now

Are you new to BDO Pay? Download the software from the software store, Google Play Store, or AppGallery and start enjoying no fees and no cash in. You don’t have to sign up; just log in with your BDO Online username and password. To start paying with the app, log in and connect your BDO bank account and credit cards.

You can make a BDO Online account and use your login information to sign up for BDO Pay if you have at least one BDO account or credit card but have not yet signed up for online banking. You can only choose Credit Card if you don’t already have a BDO Savings or Checking Account to utilize the app.

Need help? You may get help from BDO online and offline. You can call their 24/7 hotline at (+632) 8888-0000, visit one of their 1,200 branches around the country, or go to their website at www.bdo.com.ph.

Find out how to pay smarter with BDO Pay today.

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Tap, Scan, or Card? GCash Offers 3 Ways to Go Cashless on Your MRT-3 Commute

Commuters can now choose their own way to pay for MRT-3 rides using their GCash wallet

Every MRT-3 commuter knows the struggle of having to line up for tickets and fumbling for spare change, especially during rush hour. Starting this month, you can now use GCash to pay for your MRT-3 trips, making everyday commuting faster and easier!

In partnership with the Department of Transportation, GCash has introduced a cashless automated fare collection system at the MRT-3, significantly enhancing the commuter journey. Now, you can pay for your trips in new, easy ways, saving you from long queues and giving you access to a dedicated MRT fast lane. As long as you have a PHP 28 minimum balance in your GCash wallet (the maximum fare for a North Avenue-Taft trip), you’re ready to go! The full amount will be deducted upon entry, and your change will be reflected on your GCash wallet upon exit—you can verify the details on your app’s Transaction History.

Forget cash or exact coins—your exact fare is seamlessly deducted from your GCash wallet. You can always check your balance and easily top up anytime, because you’re using your e-wallet directly. Best of all, your phone with the GCash app or GCash Visa Card is all you need!

Here are new, easy ways you can use GCash at the MRT-3:

Tap to Pay using your phone.

Are you using an NFC-enabled Android phone? Great news! Your device is now your ticket for a seamless entry and exit pass.

To get started, GCash Tap to Pay is a quick, one-time activation:

    1. Simply tap Settings in your GCash app.
    2. Turn on the NFC feature.
    3. Log in to your GCash account.
    4. Select “Tap to Pay” and agree to the terms and conditions..

Once activated, paying for your MRT-3 ride is just two taps away. Just log in and open your GCash app, then tap your phone on the turnstile upon entry to proceed to the platform.

Scan your GCash Commute QR

There is no NFC available for tapping. No worries! You can still enjoy the convenience of cashless commuting by generating a Commute QR code on your GCash app, serving as your digital ticket without the need to input any station details.

Here’s how easy it is:

    1. At the start of the trip, tap Commute on the GCash app.
    2. Click Generate QR. You may download the QR or take a screenshot.
    3. In the MRT fast lane, position your phone toward the scanner.
    4. Once scanned, you’re all set to proceed to the train platform.

Upon exit, just scan the same QR code again, and the exact fare will be automatically deducted from your account. For Globe and TM users, this feature works even without mobile data!

Tap your GCash Visa Card

Are you experiencing a spotty signal, running out of battery, or do you simply prefer using a card? You can still breeze through your MRT-3 ride using your GCash Visa Card. Just like the current card ticketing system, you can simply tap your card upon entry and again upon exit. What’s excellent about the GCash Visa Card is that it’s linked to your GCash wallet for a leveled-up experience! You don’t need to line up to load; you can use it not only to pay for MRT rides but also for shopping at millions of online and offline stores, and you can withdraw from your GCash at any ATM for as low as P10. During the soft launch of the cards, your change will be credited to your GCash account 24 hours after your MRT trip. See the details on your app’s Transaction History.

To use this convenient feature, order your GCash Visa Card on the app, and when you receive it, make sure to link it to your GCash account:

    1. Tap ‘Cards’ in the GCash app to order or link your GCash Visa Card.
    2. To order—select ‘Order a Card,’ then input your delivery address and pay P250. It will be delivered to you in 7-10 days.
    3. To link, select ‘Link my Card,’ then input the One-Time Pin (OTP) and submit.
    4. Enter the last 4 digits of your card and your virtual account number found at the back, then submit.

With new convenient ways to pay at the MRT-3 station, your everyday commute just got a significant upgrade. Whether you tap, scan, or use your card, you are not just skipping one extra line and saving yourself time but also experiencing a global, innovative way to pay with GCash!

Ready to power up your commute journey? Download the GCash App on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei App Gallery.

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These Earphones are Breaking Language Barriers for Work & Travel with Real-Time AI Translation

Have you ever been in a foreign country and tried to order a meal, ask for directions, or negotiate the price of a taxi ride, only to get a blank stare in return? It’s a universal frustration: the language barrier.

It happens to everyone, and it’s why real-time language translation is becoming increasingly important. Earphones with built-in AI translation are quickly becoming the new travel and work must-have, and it’s what can help you overcome language barriers with ease.

Introducing the All-New Soundcore AeroFit 2

Whether you’re traveling alone for leisure, joining a global contingent for a conference, or simply trying to connect with colleagues who speak a different language, the all-new AeroFit 2 open-ear earbuds from Soundcore are breaking barriers not just in communication, but also in design and performance.

With these new earphones from Soundcore, you can enjoy your music while staying connected to the world around you through open-ear technology. Unlike traditional headphones that either cover your ears or sit in your ear canal, the AeroFit2 earbuds give you the freedom to hear everything that is happening around you while still enjoying crystal clear notes and sounds.

Its powerful new AI translation function makes these earbuds turn into an interpreter who translates directly into your ears in real time. Its two modes open up limitless possibilities, depending on your needs:

The Face-to-Face Translation feature is your go-to mode for everyday conversations. It’s like having a personal interpreter in your ear, making it perfect for when you’re traveling or find yourself in new social situations with people who don’t speak the same language.

Here’s how it works: your voice is captured by the AeroFit 2 earbuds, translated, and played through your connected phone. Your phone’s microphone picks up the other person’s voice, translates it, and delivers it straight to your earbuds when they reply.

Real-Time Translation comes in handy, especially when listening to lectures, webinars, or even watching foreign shows. It works simply: the speaker’s voice from wherever you may be streaming is received by your phone, translated, and delivered straight to your AeroFit 2 earbuds.

You can also follow along by reading the translated transcript on your screen. This is an invaluable tool for students or professionals who may encounter situations where understanding spoken content is crucial without active participation.

The AeroFit 2 earbuds support various languages, including but not limited to: English, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, Russian, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Thai.

Now Even Better for Everyday Use

Featuring a rotatable ear hook design, these open-ear earbuds can adapt to different ear sizes and offer a secure yet ultra-lightweight fit, ideal for all-day wear. Its special design even adds comfort for those wearing their earbuds and glasses at the same time.

In comparison to its predecessor, the Aerofit 2 boasts an enhanced sound quality, featuring crisp notes and a robust bass. With touch-style controls, managing your playback, volume, or translation modes is effortless and intuitive. Plus, the addition of a wireless charging case makes powering up more convenient than ever.

It also supports wireless charging with a 10H playtime, while the charging case can extend that to a total of 42 hours.

How to Get Started

Getting started is easier than you think.

Step 1: Download the soundcore app on your smartphone.

Step 2: Pair your AeroFit 2 earbuds via Bluetooth and open the app.

Step 3: Pick Your Translation Mode, whether Face-to-Face Translation or Real-Time Translation

Whether you’re traveling the world or working across cultures, the future of communication is already here, and it fits right in your ear. The Soundcore AeroFit 2 is now available in the Philippines through soundcore.ph, and online at Shopee and Lazada.

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Introducing the Instinct 3 Series from Garmin: Rugged smartwatches now with AMOLED displays

Boldly designed for an active lifestyle, the newest smartwatches offer bright AMOLED or solar-charged displays, a metal-reinforced bezel and built-in LED flashlights on all models

The newest collection of tough smartwatches, Garmin’s Instinct® 3 Series, is available with a stunning AMOLED or solar-powered display for maximum battery life. Designed with explorers in mind, the Instinct 3 Series adds a built-in spotlight on every model and a metal-reinforced bezel for great durability. With amazing battery life, it’s easy to discover more; the AMOLED versions get up to 24 days on a single charge in smartwatch mode, while the solar charging devices can obtain infinite battery life.

Thanks to its sturdy build and fashionable, limited-edition colors, Instinct 3 is the smartwatch you should wear everywhere, anytime. Full of connected features, well-known built-in sports apps, and 24/7 health and wellness monitoring, the newest collection is designed to enable you to follow your passions—whatever they may be. Dan Bartel is Garmin’s Vice President of Global Consumer Sales.

strong but forceful

Featuring a metal-reinforced bezel, a fiber-reinforced polymer case, and a scratch-resistant display for ultimate durability, the Instinct 3 Series is ready for any challenge. Built to MIL-STD 810 for thermal and stress protection, the new series is also water-rated to 100 meters. Now found on all Instinct 3 models, a built-in flashlight offers different intensities, a red light, and a strobe mode to aid in increasing awareness in dark surroundings, such as while spelunking in caves, sorting through a gear bag, or recounting terrifying tales around the campfire.

The solar-powered variant is 50 mm, and the AMOLED Instinct 3 is 45 mm and 50 mm. Both choices are part of the new, limited-edition Tropical Pulse Collection. They feature sleek hues, including Black and Black/Charcoal, plus vivid and vibrant colors, including Neotropic and Neotropic/Twilight.

More to love about the Instinct 3 Series.

Greater solar efficiency: A larger, more effective solar lens better uses solar power. The new 50mm Instinct 3 Solar gains more than five times the battery life in GPS mode while solar charging than the Instinct 2 Solar.
Track steps, heart rate, sophisticated sleep monitoring, wrist-based Pulse Ox2, heart rate variability (HRV) status, and more around-the-clock health and wellness monitoring. Women’s health tracking tools, meanwhile, provide fitness and nutritional information in addition to allowing users to monitor their menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Morning report: Upon awakening, get a tailored view of last night’s sleep, the calendar for today, and HRV state.

Intelligent alerts: When matched with a suitable Apple® or Android™

Garmin Messenger™ app: Get emails, texts, and notifications right on the watch. From the watch4, send two-way text messages to friends and family.

Satiq™ Multi-Band GPS: Maximizes battery life and enjoys outstanding positional precision.

Share quickly and simply saved locations, routes, and workouts with other compatible Garmin smartwatches and Edge® cycling computers nearby.

See how the Instinct 3 Series can enable you to follow yours, wherever the adventure takes you, on our YouTube website.

Look farther.

Instinct 3 Series is the ideal friend to appreciate the great outdoors with sports apps, including hiking, jogging, cycling, golfing, fishing, skiing, and more. TracBack® routing provides reference points of known locations relative to the starting place as well as a path back there while out exploring. One can negotiate the next path using the built-in altimeter, barometer, and 3-axis electronic compass. To review more thorough maps, establish waypoints and courses, and more to maximize their next excursion, users can also pair their Instinct 3 with the Garmin Explore™ App.

Engage in activity.

Apart from built-in sports applications for outdoor adventures, the Instinct 3 Series is filled with apps for HIIT, cardio, indoor and outdoor track running, pickleball, basketball, and more. Train for a milestone, get ready for the next race, or use Garmin Coach adaptive and prebuilt running and cycling programs to raise general fitness. View a whole week of daily suggested workouts that adjust after every run or cycle, or design step-by-step routines from more than 1,600 exercises in the Garmin Connect™ app, then forward them straight to the watch. Track intensity minutes, VO2 max, and recovery periods to get direction on suggested recovery times to lower burnout and fatigue.

Maintain connectivity.

View smart notifications and work out with more peace of mind thanks to safety and tracking tools, including incident detection, help, and LiveTrack5 when teamed with a connected smartphone.

The 45mm AMOLED model will be available February 26 under the Garmin Instinct 3 series at a suggested retail price of PHP 29,290; the 50mm variant will go for PHP 32, 490. Available for PHP 29,290 will be the 50mm solar charging devices. Get yours through Kinetic, Lazada, Shopee, or the official Garmin PH website.

Designed on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have transformed adventure, athletic, off-road, road warrior, and outdoor enthusiast life everywhere. Garmin thinks every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to surpass yesterday, committed to creating products that improve experiences, enrich lives, and assist in bringing peace of mind.

1. Assumes all-day wear, 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions.

2. This is not a medical device and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or monitoring of any medical condition; see Garmin.com/ataccuracy. Pulse Oxis is not available in all countries.

3. Activity tracking accuracy.

4. When paired with your compatible smartphone. Requires both the sender and receiver of messages to have the Garmin Messenger app installed on their paired smartphones.

5. When paired with your compatible smartphone. For safety and tracking feature requirements and limitations, see Garmin.com/safety

 

About Garmin International, Inc.

Garmin International, Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin and Forerunner are registered trademarks and Garmin Connect, Garmin Pay, PacePro, Body Battery and Connect IQ are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. Apple is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Android is a trademark of Google LLC. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.