The Best TWS Earbuds for Stress-Free Travel

Traveling is always exciting, but it can also be stressful at times. One way to make your travels more enjoyable is by bringing along a good pair of TWS earbuds. TWS stands for "True Wireless Stereo," which means the earbuds are not connected by any wires and each bud works independently. Here are some of the best TWS earbuds that you should try when you travel.

1. Apple AirPods Pro - These are some of the most popular TWS earbuds on the market and for good reason. They offer excellent noise cancellation, which can be a lifesaver when you're traveling on a plane or train. They also have a comfortable fit and a long battery life, making them perfect for long flights.

2. Sony WF-1000XM4 - These earbuds are a bit on the expensive side, but they are worth it if you're looking for top-of-the-line noise cancellation. They also have a great sound quality and a long battery life, making them perfect for travel.

3. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds - If you're a fan of Bose products, then you'll love these earbuds. They offer excellent noise cancellation and a comfortable fit. They also have a long battery life and great sound quality, making them perfect for travel.

4. Jabra Elite 85t - These earbuds offer a great balance between noise cancellation and ambient noise. They also have a comfortable fit and a long battery life. They are also water-resistant, making them perfect for outdoor activities during your travels.

5. Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro - These earbuds offer excellent sound quality and noise cancellation. They also have a comfortable fit and a long battery life. They also come with a wireless charging case, making it easy to keep them charged during your travels.

6. Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro - These earbuds offer great sound quality and noise cancellation at an affordable price. They also have a comfortable fit and a long battery life. They are also water-resistant, making them perfect for outdoor activities during your travels.

When choosing TWS earbuds for travel, there are a few things to remember. First, you want earbuds with a comfortable fit, as you'll likely be wearing them for long periods of time. You also want earbuds with a long battery life, so you don't have to constantly recharge them. Finally, you want earbuds with good noise cancellation, especially if you'll be traveling on planes or trains.

Overall, any of the TWS earbuds mentioned above would be a great choice for travel. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and budget. If you're willing to spend a bit more, the Sony WF-1000XM4 or Apple AirPods Pro are great options. The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro is a great choice if you're looking for something more affordable. Regardless of which TWS earbuds you choose, they will make your travels more enjoyable.

Boost your savings this summer as you enjoy exclusive deals from Maya

MANILA, Philippines – The summer season is fast approaching, and many of us look forward to some vacation time. Whether it’s a trip to the beach or a relaxing staycation, you can continue boosting your savings without missing out on the fun with Maya, the country’s #1 digital banking app.

Here are some of the ways you can get the most out of your summer spending as you also save up and enjoy rewards from Maya: 

Boost your savings. Building your savings habit is easier with Maya as you can enjoy high-interest rates and daily crediting. What’s even better is that you can boost your savings to up to 10% p.a. just by doing your everyday transactions with Maya. You’ll also get a free Maya Card when you open the best-in-class savings account and deposit P1,000.

Save on cash-in fees. You can get more out of your transactions as you save up on fees with Maya. Cashing in via InstaPay gives you a cashback on the InstaPay fee of up to P25. You can also enjoy free cash in via linked banks and over-the-counter channels up to P8,000 per month. What’s more, when you top up via Maya Center, you’re in for 100% cashback on a 1% cash-in fee, capped at P150 per customer. 

Manage your expenses with Maya Credit. If you’re booking a trip but you don’t have the cash on hand and you want to better manage your finances, Maya Credit can help. Maya offers eligible customers instant credit of up to P18,000. You can also boost your credit score the more you use Maya for your daily transactions. 

Get the most rewards with exclusive deals. 

• Eyeing to upgrade your summer style with key beach-ready fashion pieces? You can enjoy exclusive discounts from Maya partner merchants. For instance, new Zalora users get a 20% off discount using Maya, while existing users can enjoy 18%. You can also get 15% off on all regular items from Michaela Bags with no minimum spend and no cap.
• Use your Maya QR at Robinsons Malls. New users get up to P200 cashback while existing users receive up to P150 when they download, register, and complete their transaction via Maya QR with a minimum spend of P1,000. 
• Shop at SM Store with Maya and you can earn one raffle entry for every cash-in or scan-to-pay via Maya QR transaction worth at least ₱1,000. Up for grabs are ₱3,000 Maya Credits​, Apple Airpods Pro 2, and Apple iPhone 14. 
• Packing drinks for your trip? Shop at Boozy and enjoy P150 off sitewide when you pay with Maya and use the promo code “MAYA150” upon checkout.
• Finally, level up your flight and accommodation bookings with Maya. With Airpaz, you get 3% discount on a minimum spend of P1,600 on flight and hotel bookings when you pay with Maya. You also receive up to 10% off on Qatar Airways using Visa.

With Maya’s rewards and perks this March, you can enjoy the best of summer while working on your money goals! 

Completely free to download and register, Maya packs a feature-rich money app, an inclusive digital bank, and everything else you need to manage your money—save, borrow, spend, invest and more, right from your smartphone.

Maya's digital banking services are powered by Maya Bank, Inc., a digital bank supervised by the BSP. Deposits are insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) for up to PHP500,000 per depositor. To learn more, visit https://www.maya.ph/paydaysave. Follow Maya at @mayaiseverything on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok and @mayaofficialph on Twitter.

Smart partners with Valenzuela LGU, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela for SIM Registration rollout

Leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc's (PLDT) wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc (Smart) has partnered with the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela (PLV) and the local government of Valenzuela City in assisting their residents in registering their SIM cards.  

This SIM registration awareness drive, which covers 33 barangays in Valenzuela City, was organized by PLV's student organizations in coordination with the Valenzuela LGU as part of PLV's National Service Training Program (NSTP).

Under the initiative, PLV student volunteers spread information about the importance of SIM registration and assisted barangay residents in registering their Smart and TNT SIMs.

 

"We welcome projects like these with our partners in the community, as we work together to register the SIMs of as many Filipinos as we can, keeping our services available and accessible to all," said First Vice President and Group Head of Regional Customer Development for NCR Gia Palafox, adding that aside from equipping PLV's student-volunteers with information and know-how about SIM registration and training them in assisting their city mates during registration, Smart is also providing them WiFi devices with load for use during the SIM registration process.

 

"We are proud to be partnering with Valenzuela for this program, and we look forward to having more students as ambassadors for our SIM registration efforts in our communities," Palafox added.

 

This collaboration with PLV and the Valenzuela City LGU is among the many deployments of Smart’s assisted SIM registration services nationwide.

Smart has been rolling out assisted SIM Registration booths all over the Philippines in close collaboration with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the inter-agency committee on remote areas registration, other public telecommunications entities, and other partners.

 

New and existing Smart Prepaid and TNT subscribers may also visit PLDT and Smart stores, or access Smart’s SIM registration portal through https://www.smart.com.ph/simreg; Postpaid users can simply text YES to 5858, while Enterprise customers can confirm their registration through their authorized representatives.

 

According to Republic Act (RA) 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act, all SIM users have until April 26, 2023, to register their SIMs under their name, or risk deactivation of their SIM. The SIM Registration Act regulates the use of SIM cards to help curb the proliferation of text scams and other mobile phone-aided criminal activities. 

The Importance of Owning a 5G-Capable Phone in the Philippines

In today's world, owning a smartphone is almost a necessity. It is no longer just a luxury item, but a crucial tool for communication, entertainment, and work. With the advent of 5G technology, smartphones have become even more essential, offering faster speeds, more reliable connections, and increased bandwidth. In the Philippines, owning a 5G-capable phone is becoming increasingly important as the country prepares to roll out 5G networks nationwide.

Firstly, it is important to understand what 5G technology is and what benefits it offers. 5G is the fifth generation of wireless technology, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and more bandwidth than previous generations. It is capable of delivering download speeds of up to 20 gigabits per second, which is about 100 times faster than the current 4G technology. With 5G, users can stream high-definition videos, play online games, and download large files within seconds.

One of the primary benefits of 5G technology is that it allows for the development of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. These devices include smart homes, smart cities, and other internet-connected devices, which rely on fast and reliable connectivity to function. With the increased bandwidth and lower latency of 5G, these devices can communicate with each other in real-time, creating a more efficient and connected world.

In the Philippines, the importance of owning a 5G-capable phone is growing rapidly as the country is preparing to roll out 5G networks nationwide. In 2021, major telecommunication companies such as Globe Telecom and Smart Communications began launching their 5G networks in select cities, with plans to expand to more areas in the coming years. This means that users with 5G-capable phones will be able to take advantage of the faster speeds and more reliable connections offered by these networks.

Another reason why owning a 5G-capable phone is important in the Philippines is the increasing demand for remote work and online learning. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing many people to work and study from home, reliable internet connectivity has become even more crucial. 5G technology offers faster speeds and lower latency, making it easier for people to participate in video conferencing, access cloud-based applications, and complete online coursework.

Furthermore, owning a 5G-capable phone can also benefit those who enjoy streaming videos or playing online games. With faster speeds and lower latency, users can enjoy high-definition videos without buffering and play games with less lag. This is especially important in the Philippines, where many people rely on their smartphones for entertainment.

In conclusion, owning a 5G-capable phone is becoming increasingly important in the Philippines as the country prepares to roll out 5G networks nationwide. With faster speeds, lower latency, and more bandwidth, 5G technology offers numerous benefits for users, including improved connectivity for IoT devices, better remote work and online learning experiences, and enhanced entertainment options. As such, it is important for individuals to consider upgrading their smartphones to take advantage of these benefits and stay connected in an increasingly digital world.

Lenovo Highlighted in the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the Fourth Year

MANILA, March 20, 2023 – Lenovo has been listed in the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI) for the fourth consecutive year. The Bloomberg Gender-Equity Index framework tracks the progress of 418 companies, in 11 sectors and 45 countries around the world in women's empowerment and equality in the workplace. 

Across the five pillars used to rate the companies measured in the index, Lenovo scored particularly well with Lenovo Philippines having one of the highest gender equality ratios across Asia. The global service provider is committed to increasing female representation, with 63% of its executive leadership team currently comprised of women. Anna Abola, Commercial Marketing Manager at Lenovo Philippines, is one of them.

Abola's three decades of solid marketing experience have taught her how diversity can be a competitive advantage for tech companies as it fosters innovation amidst a range of many different perspectives. “It is such an honor to be part of a team that values diversity and empowers both men and women to contribute to our mission of bringing Smarter Technology to all”, she shares. “A more diverse workplace has really encouraged us to look at things and approach them in different ways. This has been essential for Lenovo and our commitment to effectively respond to customer needs. Bringing these lived experiences together creates an impact on the business and culture of the company," Abola concludes.

Despite discussions about gender diversity, numbers show that women remain underrepresented and often get discriminated against especially in a male-dominated industry like tech. Lenovo continues to challenge these stereotypes and achieve workforce parity by fostering an inclusive culture, and anti-sexual harassment policies, and building diverse systems through increased accountability and training.

Read more about Lenovo’s diversity and inclusion efforts in the most recent Environmental, Social and Governance Report.