July 28, 2023

HONOR to release a Camera Beast on August 15?


After releasing back to back powerful products, it’s not over yet for HONOR Philippines. The leading smart devices provider in the country is set to release its newest iteration to its impressive line of HONOR devices on August 15, 2023!

“We are excited to launch what we believe is the next big thing in the Philippine tech market. Packed with an array of specs at par with flagship products, this phone is a testament to our promise to GO BEYOND this 2023,” said Stephen Cheng, HONOR Philippines Vice President.

HONOR integrates top-of-the-line hardware and cutting-edge technology into smartphones, ensuring a seamless and powerful experience.

Following the teaser on its official Facebook page, this new HONOR smartphone will feature a high-resolution display, a powerful processor, and a state-of-the-art camera system – not compromising its premium and elegant overall design.

Stay tuned as HONOR Philippines unveils this on August 15, 2023. You may catch the Live Facebook Event via https://bit.ly/200MPFlagshipCamera. For more announcements, you may visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com or social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.

July 26, 2023

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5: Delivering Flexibility and Versatility Without Compromise

 

 

The news is out!!!!

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced its fifth generation of Galaxy foldables: Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5. The industry-leading form factors offer unique experiences for every user with sleek and compact designs, countless customization options, and powerful performance. The new Flex Hinge makes the foldable experience possible, while offering an aesthetically balanced and solid design. These unrivalled foldable devices unlock extraordinary camera capabilities such as FlexCam to take photos from creative angles. With strong performance and an optimized battery powered by the latest processor, the Samsung Galaxy Z series transforms what is possible with a smartphone – open or closed.

v “Samsung is revolutionizing the mobile industry with foldables by setting the standard and continually refining the experience,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Every day, more people choose our foldables because they offer an experience people want that they can’t get on any other device. Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 are the latest devices that prove our commitment to meeting the needs of our customers through innovative technology.”

 


Samsung’s heritage of innovation and dedication to the foldables category has created incredibly versatile devices available. With a strong belief in the potential of the foldable format, paired with world-class R&D and manufacturing capabilities, Samsung has consistently refined and optimized the Galaxy Z series lineup. From content creation on Galaxy Z Flip5’s new Flex Window to seamless multitasking on Galaxy Z Fold5, this series of Galaxy foldables meets and exceeds the distinctive needs of today’s users.

Furthermore, both Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 are carefully designed to meet durability expectations. The main screen is equipped with a shock dispersion layer and a redesigned back for a more solid display. Along with IPX8 support, Armor Aluminum frames, and Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®2 applied to both the Flex Window and back cover, Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 provide the protection consumers expect, enhanced further by Flex Hinge. This new integrated hinge module features a dual rail structure, diffusing external impacts.


Galaxy Z Flip5: The ultimate pocketable self-expression tool without compromise
The Galaxy Z Flip5 delivers a stylish, unique foldable experience from a pocket-sized device built for self-expression.

The new Flex Window, now 3.78 times larger than the previous generation, offers a wide range of existing and new capabilities. It provides more customization options, including informative and graphical clocks that can match the face design of a user’s Galaxy Watch6 series, as well as stylish frames. In addition, Galaxy Z Flip5’s new Flipsuit Case provides device protection with a changeable NFC card, so users can match their Flex Window design and case design for even more personalization options. Closed, the Galaxy Z Flip5 offers more usability than ever before. From the Flex Window, quickly and effortlessly access useful information. With Widgets, users can check the weather, control music playback and listen to their favorite music with Media Controller, or catch up on the latest global stock market updates with the Google Finance widget. Simply view all Widgets at a glance and switch between them instantly with a pinch of the screen to activate Multi Widget View. Plus, easily check notifications and access Quick Settings for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Without ever opening the device, browse through call history to return missed calls, and reply to texts on-the-go using Quick Reply with a full QWERTY keyboard and visibility of chat history.

 

With its unparalleled design and form factor, Galaxy Z Flip5 also offers the most versatile camera experience on a Samsung Galaxy smartphone. Take high-quality selfies with the rear camera thanks to the larger Flex Window. Users can capture stunning hands-free photos from creative angles with FlexCam. It’s quick and simple to view and edit shots in Flex Mode too. Users can review, adjust the color tone, or delete images easily with the Quick View in the Flex Window. When taking a photo of a friend, Dual Preview lets them see themselves in the Flex Window so they can make adjustments in real time for the perfect shot. Users can get a smooth shot on the go with camera-stabilizing Super Steady, while Auto Framing ensures that no one is left out.

The Galaxy Z Flip5 adds AI solution improvements to the powerful camera experience, bringing every photo to life. Get creative, even in low light, with improved Nightography capabilities that optimize photos and videos in ambient lighting conditions. The AI-powered image signal processing (ISP) algorithm corrects any visual noise that typically spoils low-light images while enhancing details and color tone. Even from a distance, photos are clearer with the digital 10X zoom.

 

Galaxy Z Fold5: The ultimate productivity powerhouse with a large screen
Offering an immersive, large screen and a long-lasting battery in the thinnest, lightest Fold yet, Galaxy Z Fold5 is easy to take anywhere, while delivering the most powerful performance in the Galaxy Z series.

The Galaxy Z Fold has been a pioneer in transforming everyday productivity through a robust, big screen experience, evolving from Multi Window and App Continuity to a wide range of features including Taskbar, drag and drop, and optimization of third-party apps. S Pen Fold Edition introduced in the third generation Fold in 2021, has also been fine-tuned to deliver a superior writing experience on Galaxy Z Fold5. These features and tools come together to deliver powerful productivity on a large screen and enable users to complete important tasks from anywhere.



 

The improved Taskbar enables dynamic productivity by allowing users to quickly switch between frequently used apps. Now up to four recent apps are at the ready for more efficient working. Newly enhanced two-handed drag and drop can also ramp up productivity when moving content between apps and screens. Simply touch and hold an image in Samsung Gallery with one finger and use another finger to open the Samsung Notes app to drag-and-drop the image. With hidden pop-up, an app can continue running in the background, allowing users to watch video content in full screen and chat with friends in a floating pop-up on the side of the screen.

The new slimmer and more compact S Pen Fold Edition makes real-time annotating and ideation easy while being able to fit more comfortably in the pocket. The Slim S Pen Case is nearly the same thickness as a regular case for the Fold and available in a variety of styles and colors so users can carry their S Pens in style.

Helping users do more on the go, the 7.6-inch Main Screen provides expansive and uninterrupted viewing so users can enjoy their favorite movie in portrait or landscape. Plus, peak brightness has increased by more than 30%, up to 1750 nits, for an optimal viewing experience outdoors even under bright sunlight.

Providing users with an immersive gaming experience on the largest Galaxy smartphone screen, the Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy enhances graphics and uses AI to enable dynamic gaming and multi-game functionality. The Galaxy Z Fold5 can comfortably handle marathon gaming sessions with its advanced cooling system that dissipates heat more intelligently for less lag and no drop in performance.

 

Delivering a positive impact for the planet
Samsung continue to demonstrate progress toward the company’s environmental vision and accelerate actions that help achieve its goals, including reaching net zero carbon emissions by the end of 2030 for the Device eXperience Division.

The Galaxy Z Flip5 and Fold5 feature a wider variety of recycled materials than their previous generations, including pre-consumer recycled glass and aluminum and post-consumer recycled plastics, sourced from discarded fishing nets, water barrels and PET bottles. Even the paper used for their packaging box is made using 100 percent recycled material.

These innovations have also been purposefully designed for optimized longevity. Each device comes with five years of security updates and four generations of OS upgrades, helping to extend the product lifecycle.

Pricing and Availability

The Galaxy Z Flip5 lets users express themselves with colors including Mint, Graphite, Cream, and Lavender, as well as a range of accessories including a Clear Gadget Case, Flap Eco-Leather Case, Flipsuit Case and easy-to-carry Silicone Case with Ring to create a more personalized look. The Galaxy Z Flip5 retails for PHP 64,990 for the 256GB variant, and PHP 71,990 for the 512GB variant.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold5 is available in Icy Blue, Phantom Black, and Cream, along with a variety of cases that offer practicality and style including a Slim S Pen Case, Clear Gadget Case, Eco-Leather Case, and a Standing Case with Strap.The Galaxy Z Fold5 is available at PHP 98,990 for the 256GB variant, PHP 105,990 for the 512GB variant, and PHP 119,990 for the 1TB variant.

From July 26 until August 17, 2023, customers who pre-order the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 will enjoy discounts through samsung.com will enjoy discounts of up to PHP 43,000, including a FREE double-up storage worth PHP 7,000. With this offer, customers will instantly get the higher storage variant for the price of the lower variant within the same model lineup. On top of this, they will also get a FREE Original Samsung case, 30% off on the new Galaxy Watch6, PHP 10,000 off on the new Galaxy Tab S9 Series, and 50% off on the Galaxy Buds2 Pro. In addition, Samsung is committed to giving customers peace of mind with Samsung Care+, a support service for accidental damage, repairs, and more. Customers can enjoy one year Samsung Care+ for free during pre-order period.

As a samsung.com exclusive offer, the Galaxy Z Flip5 is also available in Gray, Blue, Green, and Yellow colors. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold5 in Gray and Blue colors are also up for pre-order exclusively on the site.

The Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 are also available for pre-order through Samsung Experience Stores, Authorized Samsung Stores, Lazada, Shopee, TikTok Shop, Abenson.com and MXMemoXpress.com. Customers who pre-order through these channels from July 26 to August 17, 2023 will enjoy as much as PHP 42,000 worth of discounts. This also includes the FREE double-up storage upgrade, up to 50% off on select Galaxy Wearables, along with additional savings for traded-in devices.

General availability for the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 starts August 18, 2023.

You can pre-order by visiting:
https://www.samsung.com/ph/smartphones/galaxy-z-flip5/buy/
https://www.samsung.com/ph/smartphones/galaxy-z-fold5/buy/






July 18, 2023

KPMG PRESENTS INNOVATION SUMMIT 2023: EMPOWERING EMERGING TECH AND PIONEERING DIGITAL GOVERNMENT TRANSFORMATION

 


KPMG R. G. Manabat & Co., one of the country’s leading accounting and professional services firms will hold its award- winning annual Innovation Summit at Fairmont Makati on July 20.

The Innovation Summit 2023 themed MAKING IT HAPPEN: From Innovative Ideas to Execution, launches two remarkable events: the first Philippine leg of the KPMG Global Technology Innovator competition and KPMG in the Philippines' new Digital Government Center. Quezon City Mayor Hon. Joy Belmonte will grace the event as Keynote Speaker, sharing her own aspirations and commitments to digitization as a decision-maker in the political landscape.

Quezon City Mayor Hon. Joy Belmonte will grace the occasion as the Keynote Speaker, where she will share her own aspirations and commitments to embracing digitization as a crucial decision-maker in the political sphere.

This year’s summit will have physical attendance of business leaders and technology experts supplemented by a livestream serving the summit’s growing online audience. This is a fresh change from the exclusively digital conferences that started in 2021 that continued in 2022, where KPMG bagged the Anvil Award for Special Event and Exhibit from the Public Relations Society of the Philippines. The prestigious Anvil is awarded to outstanding public relations programs, tools and practitioners after careful screening by a multi- sectoral jury of PR professionals in the country.

“Recognitions of such magnitude inspire us to keep doing our share in empowering fellow professionals because we know this triggers the beginning of great leaderships and boundless innovations," says KPMG in the Philippines' Chairman & CEO, Sharon G. Dayoan.

Paving the way, particularly for the many tech start-ups thriving in the country, KPMG in the Philippines will host its first-ever search for the country's tech start-up to represent the Philippines at the KPMG Global Tech Innovator Competition in Lisbon, Portugal.

Representing the Philippines and going head-to-head with tech start- ups from 26 countries around the globe, the Philippine country winner has the opportunity to elevate their ambitious tech goals and take the fulfillment of their vision to an entirely new level.

Prior to the presentation of the finalists’ businesses pitches and ideas, they will be given mentorship opportunities with industry titans to help them prepare for the competition. During the summit, the finalists will be judged by a panel of business leaders and decision- makers using the following criteria: innovation and disruption, market potential, customer adoption, marketing buzz, quality of the pitch and long-term potential.

The winner will enjoy the brand exposure and prestige that comes with the competition, along with the potential to secure funding from investors.

Yet another innovation, KPMG R.G Manabat and Co.’s Digital Government Center will be unveiled at this year's Innovation Summit. Aimed at guiding the national and local governments in their journeys toward digital transformation, the center will help civil workers create and strategize automation services and harness emerging technology so that they can provide citizens with efficient yet practical solutions. It will likewise be

a source of training and certifications for civil servants to upskill their proficiency in technology. Four hyper-specialized plenary sessions are underway at the KPMG Innovation Summit 2023.


 

DIGITAL GOVERNMENT AND SMART CITIES: BUILDING VIBRANT COMMUNITIES

Cities of the future are evolving with advanced technology, efficient resource utilization, sustainable development and increased citizen participation.

The integration of smart infrastructure, renewable energy, interconnectivity and interoperability, autonomous transportation, advanced healthcare services and climate change resilience are woven into the everyday lives of its residents. At the summit, participants are fortunate to gain insights from Department of Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary David Almirol, Department of Budget and Management Undersecretary Maria Francesca Del Rosario, City Savings Bank Head of Legal and Data Protection Officer for Private Sector Infrastructure Ernesto Herrera, League of Cities Execute Biencor Ma. Veronica Hitosis, Microsoft Philippines National Technology and Security Officer Dale Jose, and Aboitiz Chief Operating Officer for Smart Cities Alvin Ng on the strategies and steps necessary to pave the way for the long-term and sustainable development of smart cities in our country. The knowledge-sharing will be led by KPMG PH Vice Chairman and COO and Head of Advisory Emmanuel Bonoan.

 

ESG TECH: INCLUSION AND DRIVING IMPACT THROUGH TECH

Globally, Environmental, Social and Governance considerations have become a top priority.

Tech's important role in enabling ESG adoption makes it easier for businesses to embed ESG models into their operations. KPMG India Director for Digital Strategy and ESG Technology Unaise Urfi, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Carlos Primo David, Asian Institute Management Graduate School Business Head Communications and Center for Sustainable Finance Executive Director Felipe Calderon, Globe Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer Yoly Crisanto, International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) Head of Sustainability and Development Roy Luntayao, and MSCI Inc. Vice President for ESG Data Management Adrian Pacia will delve into how technologies offer solutions to address current ESG issues in a panel discussion moderated by KPMG PH Chairman and CEO Sharon Dayoan. Kristine Aguirre, KPMG PH Advisory Partner and ESG Lead, shall lead this panel discussion.


 

Thinking Beyond : The next wave of automation

The next wave of automation is said to revolutionize industries and transform the way people work; however, it also presents challenges in the aspects of job displacement and the need to upskill the workforce. KPMG PH Head of Technology Consulting Jallain Manrique will facilitate the dialogue of KPMG India Partner and Lead for Digital Advisory Sushant Rabra, Analytics Association of the Philippines President Michelle Alarcon, Asian Development Bank Director of Digital Innovation and Architecture Ozzeir Khan, Globe Telecom CIO Raul Macatangay, Concepcion Business Services President and COO Eric Sarmiento, Robotic Process Automation Philippines Founder and President Allan Tan to shed light on the opportunities and risks that accompany this emerging wave of automation.

 

Industry Disruptors : Game- changers in Tech

The panel will traverse the game- changing innovations and technologies that are upending traditional industries and the challenges and opportunities that all come with being a disruptor. KPMG PH Head of Deal Advisory Michael Guarin will guide the exchange of ideas as Foodpanda VP and Director of Finance Leopoldo De Castro, Alliance of Tech Innovators for the Nation Lead Convenor and DICT Former Undersecretary Mon Ibrahim, Fuse Lending President and CEO Tony Isidro, Digital Pilipinas Convenor and GeiserMaclang Co-founder Amor Maclang, Angkas Co-founder and CEO George Royeca, and Mayani CEO JT Solis delve into the strategies and mindsets behind some of the most successful disruptors in business today.

Join industry experts and technology leaders as they explore innovations making an impact benefiting many business industries. Get a chance to share your impressions on how advanced technology is indeed a huge factor in characterizing the future in a positive, progressive light.

Register and join the virtual KPMG Innovation Summit 2023 for FREE at this link: Event Management (ph-kpmg.com)


R.G. MANABAT & CO.

R.G. Manabat & Co. or KPMG in the Philippines is a Philippine partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. KPMG firms operate in 143 countries and territories. KPMG PH continues to be one of the most trusted premier professional services firms in the country today offering topnotch audit, tax, advisory and technology consulting services to big corporations and industry partners. The firm's diverse public and private sector backgrounds, combined with extensive training, enable the firm to provide real- world solutions to increasingly complex business and regulatory issues.