Power Mac Center Summer Workshop 2017: To Help Kids Become Creative Innovators of the Future

Looking for a cool and exciting learning experience for kids this summer? The Premier Apple Reseller, Power Mac Center promises its most creative, fun, and colorful set of workshops yet.

Now on its 10th year of shaping future-ready kids, Power Mac Center Apple Authorized Training Provider rolled out its latest series of summer workshops set to run from April 17 to May 26. These courses aims to help kids become creative innovators of the future by giving them the competitive edge on this years course offerings.

The workshops are especially designed for 9- to 13-year olds, with each class consisting of only 10-15 participants to ensure focused instruction. Courses are conducted for two hours per session, with a total of five sessions each course. Classes are a mixture of lectures, demonstrations, guided hands-on trainings, and project creation.

“Power Mac Center is truly committed to kids’ learning and development. This year, we want kids to be able to make full use of the technology available to them in pursuing their individual passions so we are offering non-digital courses with a digital twist, alongside our usual digital courses,” said Power Mac Center Marketing Director Joey Alvarez.

The workshops will be held at the Greenbelt and Trinoma branches. Kids can choose from the following subjects:

Digital Courses:

• Game Design & Development
• 3D Architecture Design
• Graphic Design & Photo Editing
• Cartooning & Animation
• Stop Motion Animation & Digital Storytelling

Non Digital Courses:

• Kiddie Cooking Class
• Drawing & Painting

The fee is at PHP 4,500 per course, inclusive of the use of Mac portables or iPads during the training sessions. Kids will then get to take home the course kit, a certificate of completion, and a USB drive with their individual projects.

Registration is on a first come, first served basis. It may be done at Power Mac Center Trinoma and Greenbelt 3 or at the Apple Authorized Training Provider office at 2L Cedar Executive Bldg. 1, 1006 Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City.

Inquiries may be submitted to pbsi@powermaccenter.com or at the following numbers: (632) 553 4211 / (632) 553 6399 / +63 908 885 6277. More information about products and services may be obtained from the website or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@powermaccenter).

Linksys Launches First MU-MIMO Enabled Wi-Fi Router in the Philippines

MU-MIMO Is Like Having An Individual Router Dedicated To Multiple Devices In Your Home
 
Linksys, the first to sell 100 million routers globally and a leader in wireless solutions for the home and business, today announced the availability of the first MU-MIMO enabled Wireless AC router – the Linksys Max-Stream AC2600 MU-MIMO Gigabit Router (EA8500) in Philippines. The new Linksys router leverages the 802.11ac Wave 2 MU-MIMO (Multi-User, MultipleInput, Multiple Output) technology, which helps ensure uninterrupted Wi-Fi connectivity to all the devices in the home and function as if multiple devices have their own dedicated router. With MU-MIMO, the entire household can stream movies, play video games, listen to music, shop, check email and more – all at the same time.

The Linksys EA8500 router incorporates Qualcomm MU | EFX MU-MIMO technology+, which helps to provide up to 3x faster speeds* compared to current W-Fi. The combined 2.53 Gbps Wi-Fi speeds (up to 1733 Mbps for 5 GHz and 800 Mbps for 2.4 GHz‡) help minimize buffering and enable faster downloads. A supercharged 1.4 GHz dual-core CPU and four Gigabit ports offer blazing-fast speeds perfect for heavybandwidth wired gaming. Users can attach devices to the USB 3.0 port and a combo USB 2.0/eSATA port for uninterrupted personal cloud content streaming or to share data across their network. The four removable external antennas are adjustable for maximum coverage, while beamforming technology concentrates the Wi-Fi signal to each device for stronger, better performance and increased mobile speed and range.

“MU-MIMO technology revolutionizes the wireless experience in the home,” said Mike Chen, vice president of product management, Linksys. “The average home has more than 8 devices connecting to the Internet, and they’re not used for just sending emails and tweets. We’re streaming movies and TV shows in high definition, we’re video chatting with our friends and family, and we’re playing video games against competitors around the globe, all on different devices and often at the same time. To have dedicated bandwidth for their devices simultaneously will enhance the users’ experience so they won’t see that buffering icon when streaming a movie or listening to choppy music or worse, playing games with lag. We are so confident in the experience that MU-MIMO provides that we will be expanding our product line in the future to include more MU-MIMO routers.”

 “Qualcomm MU | EFX is designed to greatly improve Wi-Fi performance and consumers’ connected experiences,” said Gopi Sirineni, senior director of product management, Qualcomm Atheros, Inc. “Industry leaders like Linksys recognize the impact that MU-MIMO can have on home networks, and are delivering advanced products with the speed and efficiency to address the ever-increasing number of devices and highbandwidth applications.”  

In an IDC InfoBrief, sponsored by Linksys, titled The Home Network, the Neglected Workhorse, IDC surveyed participants in the US that had at least 3 wireless access users in their household to understand the behaviors of wireless Internet use and how MU-MIMO can benefit multi-user/multi-device households. The research project found that people are doing more on their home networks but are using older wireless technology that is not suited for the type of wireless households today - which are multiple-user/multipledevice households:

 84% of the respondents said they were streaming movies/TV and another activity such as streaming music, playing games, or surfing the Internet at the same time.    Nearly 50% still use routers running versions of Wi-Fi at least 12 years old.
 2/3 of the respondents said they had at least 5 devices connected to the Internet and in use at the same time.   More than half of survey respondents said they frequently or always experience buffering, interruptions or other performance issues on their home network.   84% of survey respondents cite performance as a key attribute to their router buying decision, far out-distancing range, security and even price.  Average selling price of routers is growing too – respondents said they would spend an average of $84 MORE on a router to eliminate performance issues.    People want their Wi-Fi: Wireless Internet access ranked #2 of the things that people would not live without. Food ranked #1, followed by Wi-Fi, Smartphone and Sex.

In today’s digital age where surfing speed is intricately linked to quality of life, the demand for high performance internet connection that enables people to connect multiple devices simultaneously without performance issues is definitely on the rise.  

The Linksys AC2600 MU-MIMO router will help address these issues customers are having today. Consumers can future-proof their home wireless networks as MU-MIMO becomes the next generation Wi-Fi technology in the market.

Pricing and Availability The Linksys Max-Stream AC2600 MU-MIMO Gigabit Router (EA8500) is immediately available at leading retail and online retailers including Complink, Octagon Computer Superstore, PC Worx, Silicon Valley, Villman Computers, and Thinking Tools at an MSRP of Php 13,990.

Router Leadership The EA8500 is added to the list of more than 60 Linksys routers introduced since it pioneered the router in 1999. Linksys recently announced it has sold more than 100 Million routers and has become part of an elite group of consumer electronics manufacturers to have a device hit that milestone number.

Linksys' New Wireless AC1900 MU-MIMO Router (EA7500) Ideal for 4K Streaming

Next-Gen Wi-Fi AC1900 Router Can Connect Multiple Devices To A Network, Including Multiple 4K and HD Video Streams Simultaneously

Linksys, the first to sell 100 million routers globally and a leader in networking solutions for the home and business, today announced the availability of its Linksys Max-Stream AC1900 MU-MIMO Gigabit Wi-Fi Router (EA7500). The new Linksys AC1900 MU-MIMO router leverages the 802.11ac Wave 2 MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output) technology, which helps ensure uninterrupted Wi-Fi connectivity to multiple devices in the home and functions as if multiple devices have their own dedicated router. With MUMIMO, the whole household can enjoy 4K and HD TV streaming to multiple devices as well as play video games, listen to music, check email, shop, and more – all at the same time. 

 
Perfect for families with multiple users with their own streaming devices, the Max-Stream AC1900 leverages MU-MIMO functionality which helps make Wi-Fi networks more efficient when delivering high bandwidth 4K streams to multiple devices at the same time. Market research firm DisplaySearch/IHS recently reported shipments of 4K Ultra HDTVs reached 6 million in North America in 2015 and forecasts to double to 12 Million in 2016. 

 
“If you have or are planning to purchase a 4K TV you will need a Max-Stream router to ensure you have a seamless 4K online streaming experience,” said Justin Doucette, director product management, Linksys. “A single stream of 4K content takes a minimum of 20 Mbps to maintain a consistent stream, and when you combine that with multiple streams plus normal Wi-Fi use from gaming, internet surfing, IoT connectivity and music streaming, it adds up fast. Max-Stream will enable multiple streams of Wi-Fi to occur so users can have the ultimate 4K and networking experience.” 

The Next-Gen Max-Stream AC1900 can provide users with combined speeds up to 1.9 Gbps* and the range they need to connect all their devices in the home and at the same time. Also included is Smart Wi-Fi technology which makes it easy to set up and control your home Wi-Fi from anywhere using the Smart Wi-Fi app on your mobile device. 

 
The EA7500 features:  Next-Gen AC Wi-Fi – 802.11ac Wave 2 with MU-MIMO Technology for uninterrupted WiFi connections to multiple devices at the same time  Qualcomm IPQ 1.4GHz Dual Core Processor  Dual-band AC1900 Wireless speeds up to 1300 Mbps 5 GHz + 600 Mbps 2.4GHz, which is a combined speed up to 1.9 Gbps*  Four Gigabit LAN Ethernet ports One Gigabit WAN for wired speeds up to 10x faster than fast Ethernet  One USB 3.0 and One USB 2.0 ports for connecting printers, storage and more  Three external and adjustable antennas for maximum coverage  Manage and monitor your network and easily control Wi-Fi devices remotely on a smart phone with the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi app  Advanced WPA/WPA2 encryption and SPI firewall helps keep the network safe

The Linksys AC1900 MU-MIMO router will help address buffering issues customers are having today and into the future with 4K content. Check out the MU-MIMO video on the Linksys product page found here.

Pricing and Availability The Linksys Max-Stream AC1900 MU-MIMO Gigabit Wi-Fi Router (EA7500) is immediately available at leading retail and online retailers including Complink, Octagon Computer Superstore, PC Worx, Silicon Valley, Villman Computers, and Thinking Tools at an MSRP of Php 10,590.

Jollibee Now Has a Mobile App with Augmented Reality Technology

Kids nowadays belong to the digital generation who could easily learn how to use gadgets and technology. I sometimes find myself getting overwhelmed by the amount of information and adaptability they show in learning how to use new devices in terms of both hardware and software.

Thus, it is not surprising that many companies are now going with the trend since it is the inevitable direction for all especially if we want to belong among those moving forward with the use of technology in most of our activities, may it be at our home, schools or offices. Doing everything from work and learning to entertainment and leisure now involves taking advantage of what technology has to offer.

One of the most popular technological advancement is the proliferation of mobile apps for just about everything from office productivity tools to fun and games. These mobile apps have changed how we do almost everything and whether we would admit it or not, we have embraced its power for our benefit.

Jollibee, the country’s number one fast-food chain, is equally jumping into the bandwagon by recently unveiling its first-ever mobile application called JolliDance Showdown app that is sure to be a hit among Jollibee fans of all ages.

The big reveal held on September 24, 2016 at Ascott Hotel in Bonifacio Global City made public the all-new mobile app that was developed by renowned Los Angeles-based mobile innovation agency, Trigger. The agency has produced applications for other clients like Sony Pictures, Lionsgate Entertainment, and Lucas Film.

Systems Integration 2016 Highlights Business Solutions And Technologies

Those who still view the Philippines as a technological laggard were surprised when the country jumped 17 places in the 2015 Global Innovation Index (GII), placing 83rd in worldwide rankings and 12th for Southeast Asia and Oceana. This August, one expo is treating tech enthusiasts to a showcase of innovations. Now on its 14th year, Systems Integration Philippines (SIP) will take place from August 11 to 13 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, SM Mall of Asia Complex.

“We want businesses to see what innovative solutions, products, and services are out there in the market,” shares Patrick-Lawrence Tan, CEO of Global-Link MP Events International, Inc. (GLMP), organizer of the event. “SIP is about emerging technologies and it is subdivided into different sections depending on industry. We have pro-AVL for events and film; entertainment technology; consumer electronics; advertising and media; IT; unified communications; education and office solutions. There will be more than 150 solution providers at the show so people really have a lot to look forward to.”

Aside from the expo, the organizers have conceptualized exciting opportunities for trade visitors, such as Technical Seminars; Business Matching Sessions; Zone sections for Innovation, Drones, Virtual Reality; and Digital Raffle Draws.

SIP 2016 will open its doors from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm daily. For hassle-free claiming of IDs during the event, pre-register online via www.globallinkmp.com/SIP. Entrance is free. To inquire, call GLMP at (02) 893 7973 or check out them out on Facebook.

Showcasing the latest technologies for events, advertising and film, Systems Integration Philippines serves as the country’s brainstorming hub for creative directors, media planners, organizers and business developers.

Business owners, managers, and consultants are expected to visit the show to consult with internationally qualified ICT engineers and systems integrators as well as acquire the latest solutions in the market.

With the increasing need to optimize productivity in companies, Systems Integration Philippines allows a first-hand experience of the most efficient equipment to achieve total product and service quality.

Industry decision makers and key players all over the country come together to do business partnerships in the country’s largest and longest running trade show that are changing the way we live, work and play.

This year’s SIP will also be held alongside Wire and Cable Philippines 2016. With the country gaining recognition as Asia’s center for manufacturing and production, this trade event marks its 3rd year as the networking hub for key industry players from across 20 countries.

Don’t miss on this opportunity to consult with systems integrators of the most trusted companies today!

Some of the show sponsors include Avolution, Big Pix Graphics Systems, Kensonic Inc., Inewvation Philippines Corp., Microdata Systems & Management Incorporated, Multistiq, Inc., Norde International Distributors, Stagecraft International, Sun Cellular, ABS-CBN, Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, BusinessWorld, Business + Class, InAVate APAC, Lighting Audio Visual Asia (LAVA) Magazine, Speed Magazine, PC Buyer’s Guide, McGuire Publishing, Asia Signs, Heartshaper Asia, NegoSentro, Eagle Broadcasting Network, DZEC Radyo Agila 1062, NET 25, Light Network, My Pinoy TV, WhenManila, Giz Guide, Geeky Pinas, AstigPh, Pinoy Tekkie, Wazzup Pilipinas, Tekkie Pinas and many more.

Next In Tech: Home Technology For The Future

What’s in store for household tech in the Philippines for 2016?

Internet-connected washing machines, lightbulbs and devices of all kinds - the home automation trend has swept the world, and the Philippines is no exception.

Smart homes have arrived in the Philippines, with developments such as Twin Oaks Place offering housing for the future: incorporating state-of-the-art technology that allows you to control and monitor your home on the go. Forgot to turn off the lights? Now you can do so remotely using just your smartphone.

With a range of new smart devices again on show at global consumer electronics show CES held in Las Vegas last week, it appears this trend is here to stay. So what’s in store for the connected household for the new year? Property portal Lamudi Philippines takes a look at five new gadgets that are set to change the way we live in 2016.



The connected refrigerator

Samsung’s Family Hub Refrigerator was one of the highlights of CES 2016. With its huge built-in touchscreen, this smart fridge acts as a command center for the whole family. You can update the family calendar and leaves notes for each other, all while keeping track of what groceries you need and which products are about to expire. Plus, cameras inside the fridge take high-quality photos every time the doors close, which you can access on the go - so you can check what you have at home while out shopping for groceries.


The smart vase

Wulian’s Dream Flower smart vase is not just for decoration - it also doubles as a multifunctional environment detector. The device can monitor your home’s temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels, PM 2.5 levels and even noise. The device can be connected to multiple devices, including your smartphone and air conditioners. It can also be used as an LED light and wireless router.


The futuristic locking system

Soon unlocking your devices could be as easy as looking in a mirror. EyeLock has launched its first iris module for PC products. This will bring the company’s iris-based user authentication to the PC, allowing you to unlock applications with just a glance. The company says the module will work from up to 60cm away. As EyeLock’s tagline goes, only your DNA could be more secure.


The smart home hub

Billed as a gateway for connected appliances, LG’s Smart ThinQ Hub will monitor and connect a range of devices within your home. Data collected from devices, from your washing machine to air conditioners, is displayed on the LCD screen or broadcast through the device’s speakers. The hub can also display calendar reminders and stream music.


The voice-driven smoke detector

Halo is a state-of-the-art device that combines both a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide alarm in one. Voice alerts will instantly notify you when the device detects a problem. At the same time, the device lights up in different colours to warn about any danger and also sends an alert to your smartphone. Plus, a built-in weather radio keeps you up-to-date about any major threats such as a hurricane in the area.

LBC Pushes Innovation with Impact Hub Fellowship

THE FUTURE OF MOBILITY, IN THIS ERA OF DIGITIZATION, CONNECTEDNESS AND PERSONALIZATION IS LOOKING BRIGHTER THAN EVER. AND WHAT BETTER WAY TO HIGHLIGHT THE PROMISE OF INNOVATION THAN WITH LBC SUPPORTING TODAY’S PIONEERS AND ORIGINAL THINKERS THROUGH THE IMPACT HUB FELLOWSHIP.

“Impact Hub began in London in 2005, has expanded to become a global initiative spanning Amsterdam to Dubai, Singapore to San Francisco, and now, Manila. To date, it has more than 11,000 members in 73 Impact Hubs. Impact Hub Manila is an incubator, co-working and events space for entrepreneurs, activists, creatives and professionals taking action to drive positive social and environmental change. The incubation program, the Fellowship, is a topic focused entrepreneurial idea award and one-year incubation program designed to attract, select and support impact entrepreneurs to grow their innovations. 23 Fellows in 10 Cities around the globe were already chosen,” explains LizAn Kuster, co-founder of Impact Hub Manila.

As part of the fellowship, Impact Hub seeks out a partner organization that will allow them to address social and ecological issues anchored on a specific theme. This year, following the theme of Mobility, LBC in partnership with the Impact Hub Fellowship hopes to provide a solid foundation that will grow these ideas into scalable, innovative, impactful ventures.

The key is to provide a holistic approach where partners can help tailor-fit solutions for impact makers locally. The program provides opportunities for networking through thought-provoking events, and community-driven programs anchored on a global member platform that allows participants to work, meet, learn and connect. 

Chevrolet Philippines: The Covenant Car Company Inc. Company Profile

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year.  Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality.

Chevrolet Philippines - The Covenant Car Company Inc. (TCCCI) is a Filipino owned company and the exclusive importer and distributor of Chevrolet automobiles and parts in the Philippines.

Appointed by General Motors Southeast Asia Operations, Chevrolet Philippines – TCCCI was incorporated on July 1, 2009 and assumed full business operations for Chevrolet on October 1, 2009.
At the helm of the Board of Directors is TCCCI’s Chairman H.E. Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., Philippine Ambassador to the U.S.A. and Management Association of the Philippines’ 2007 Management Man of the Year, whose professional expertise as former Central Bank Governor of the Philippines and current Vice Chairman of the Philippine American Life and General Insurance Company ensures that the company is run with excellence and integrity. Governing the company together with H.E. Cuisia is TCCCI’s Chairman Emeritus Mr. Richard L. Lee who lends his close to 40 years of automotive expertise and keen financial and business sense to the company.

TCCCI’s management team is led by its current President and Managing Director, Atty. Alberto B. Arcilla. With more than 20 years of automotive experience, Atty. Arcilla has led the company to re-ignite the passion for Chevrolet in the Philippines; hence, becoming the solid, customer-oriented Chevrolet distributor in South East Asia today.

Introducing the New Yahoo Mail App, Multiple Mailbox Management and Password-free Sign-in

Most people have an email account from more than one provider. So starting today, Yahoo Mail users can connect and manage their email accounts from Outlook.com, Hotmail and AOL Mail, right from Yahoo Mail on mobile and desktop. Once connected, users can access Yahoo Mail’s features across all their mailboxes. (The ability to manage multiple mailboxes is rolling out globally today in the Yahoo Mail app. The desktop experience is currently available for U.S. English users, and will be coming soon to users outside of the U.S.)

“Email is the most prevalent way people communicate online. However, what we want from our inbox is evolving. Mobile use requires a faster and smarter inbox,” said Jeff Bonforte, Senior Vice President of Communication Products at Yahoo. “Both of these needs are at the center of our new app.”

In addition to speed, smarts and support for multiple mailboxes, the new app marks the introduction of Yahoo Account Key – a more secure and simple future alternative to the old password. This new feature simplifies the sign-in process with a secure and easy-to-use interface to access a Yahoo account with the tap of a button.

Why 3LCD Projection Delivers Superior Brightness And Color Performance

Epson projectors use a 3LCD projection engine to deliver bright, clear images that are rich in detail and color. Here’s why 3LCD is superior to 1-chip projector technology:

Accurate color with no ‘rainbow effect’ can be seen in the image above.

1-chip projectors use a rotating color wheel that spins at a rapid speed, only displaying colors one at a time sequentially. A viewer’s visual system combines the series of colored images into a full-colored picture. With this, viewers will sometimes see an artefact known as the “rainbow effect”.

The rainbow effect is most noticeable with fast moving video, especially bright objects on dark backgrounds. It is also apparent when moving your eyes from side to side, such as when reading text.

The image below is an example of the rainbow effect that was captured by a moving camera while the shutter was open. This is equivalent to what you will see when your eyes move quickly across the screen.
Epson’s 3LCD technology avoids this visual artefact by using mirrors to separate white light from the projector lamp into red, green and blue light. Each of the three light colors is then passed through a LCD panel and recombined using a prism before being projected onto the screen.

The result: accurate color that’s easier on the eyes.