Vivo steps up its AI features in X21

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The world is now entering an era of artificial intelligence where most smartphones, if not all, are equipped with AI features that helps enhance the user experience.

One of the most basic uses of AI technology in mobile devices is through photography. The Vivo brand for example has been well-known for the way it revolutionized the selfie game.  In Vivo X21, the brand augmented how users take selfies with the AI Face Beauty and the AI Selfie Lighting.

Vivo’s AI Face Beauty feature can identify the subject’s sex, skin tone, and surrounding lighting environment to create the ideal settings, which are eventually based on the user’s habits and preferences.

But what really makes it stand out is that this feature collected almost a million facial images from people all over the world to create an AI database so its algorithms can accurately detect the age, gender, and skin tone of users in different countries. This provides each user with the most appropriate beauty effects also based on specific market habits and culture.

TechPinas' mark Milan Macanas, in fact affirmed that the feature renders a more natural result. "With this technology from Vivo, your selfies will be beautified, but at the same time, you still look like your selfies," he said at the launch of the Vivo X21 on June 21. 

To give more impact to the selfies, Vivo X21 also has AI Selfie Lighting that processes light accents authentically. It does by identifying the different parts of the face so the X21 can fill light, adjust sharpness, enhance shadows, and apply filters. The user can choose among a range of light accent effects like Studio Light, Stereo Light, and Monochrome Background to enhance that perfect shot.

Aside from its selfie capabilities, the front camera also has a new infrared module to help user to recognize faces even in dark situations. Now enhanced by AI, Vivo X21’s AI Face Access can intelligently detect ambient light intensity and ensure fast and accurate unlocking at night.

Vivo X21’s AI Photography, moreover, is improved with the AI HDR and the AI Scene Recognition.

With just a single press of the shutter, Vivo X21’s AI HDR captures more frames of a wider dynamic range than previously possible with existing HDR technology. This provides more image options for merging to perfectly light all the parts of the eventual photo to render crisper results.

The AI Scene Recognition, meanwhile, goes beyond the night, sports, vibration or backlit scenarios. It can also detect and identify 18 tags and 140 scenarios such as portraits, food, and plants. It is activated using Vivo’s AI algorithm based on a large database of almost one million photos. Through this database, the Vivo X21 can detect different scenarios and adjust settings such as saturation, sharpness, and brightness.

Also during the launch of the Vivo X21 on june 21, Gadgetmacth's Daniel Moral praised this AI feature in helping a user sort out of the photos taken.

"Vivo X21 has more scene detections than any other phones in the market. There is an album dedicated called AI Image Identification, so you go there then it sorts out by selfies, by documents, by food, and by people," he said.

Vivo’s newest flagship also uses AI technology to enhance its processor. Named AI Smart Engine, the Vivo X21 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 Artificial Intelligence Engine (AIE) which can effectively utilize CPU resources for complex AI processes.

The AI Smart Engine, moreover, also familiarizes itself with user preferences and predicts different usage scenarios to launch and switch apps faster for a seamless user experience.

The AI Smart Engine is further amplified by the AI Game Mode. The Vivo X21 knows it when you play games and transforms into a dedicated game console with features to help eliminate distraction. For instance, the Background Calls feature means you can stay on calls without stopping the game, and AI Game Mode prevents accidental touch operations, ensuring you only make the moves you intended.

With all these AI-powered capabilities, Vivo X21 proves that its priority is making smartphone experience a pleasure to every user.

The Vivo X21 is available for only 29,999 Pesos. It is retailed at authorized shops nationwide. The list of participating stores can be found on this link: http://vivoglobal.ph/x21_stores/.

Fitness Playground MNL 2018 is happening this September

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One of Asia’s biggest fitness events is bringing together the active and the high-spirited of all ages and from all walks of life. Fitness Playground MNL 2018 is happening on September 29 and 30, 2018 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia.

Set to inspire all fitness enthusiasts and newbies alike, the event is the venue for each and every activity that an individual might want to embark on his or her journey to becoming fit: zumba, jiu-jitsu, yoga, cycling, CrossFit, circuit training, pilates, and many more. 

"We are excited to roll out one of the largest international caliber fitness expositions in the Philippines and to bring in international athletes like Commonwealth Games gold medalist and 2017 CrossFit Games' fittest woman Tia-Clair Toomey. Fitness Playground MNL 2018 will definitely be a place to begin or continue your health and fitness journey," shares Mike Tinsay, founder and main organizer of Fitness Playground MNL.

This weekend-long affair is to house one of the largest convergences of fitness brands. See a myriad of apparel and equipment labels come together in celebration and support of taking one step closer to a healthier lifestyle.

Co-presented by Hollow Rock Gear and other sponsors, Fitness Playground MNL 2018 also showcases the latest from the industry, paving way for gyms, studios, wellness centers, and coaches to share their knowledge through nutrition talks, fitness workshops and demos. Attendees will also get access to exclusive deals, sales and other promos from participating brands.

Tickets priced at P350 (one-day PlayPass) and P550 (two-day PlayPass) will be available soon at smtickets.com, all SM Ticket outlets, and other partner stores. To know more about, like us on Facebook (link), follow us on Instagram (link) or visit our website at (website).

A playground, a play park, or a play area…no matter how you coin it, one thing’s for sure: it’s a place where physical coordination, strength, and flexibility is developed. Commit to get fit and let us all ignite the fitness revolution! See you there!

Vhong Navarro travels back in time to get love back in Unli Life - Unli Life is an official entry to the 2018 Pista Ng Pelikulang Pilipino

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Vhong Navarro returns to the big screen with his brand of comedy in Unli Life, Regal Entertainment Inc.'s upcoming movie offering.

The film is also Regal's official entry to the forthcoming Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino film festival.

Just last year, Vhong entertained the audience with two comedy films, : Mang Kepweng Returns and the blockbuster hit with Lovi Poe from Regal Entertainment, Woke Up Like This.

With Unli Life, the talented comedian is sure to tickle our funny bones once more with his impeccable comic timing and witty dialogues.

Having been in the industry for 26 years, Vhong has made his mark in comedy genre and his comedic flair for likened to that of Hollywood star Jim Carrey.

In Unli Life, Vhong portrays (name of character), who is given a chance to mend the breakup with his girlfriend, played by Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez, by going back in time through the help of a magic whiskey, called “wishkey.”

By drinking “wishkey,” (name of Vhong's character) is transported in different time periods, such as the Dinosaur Era, Magellan, and the '70s Era, in an effort to correct his mistakes and prevent her girlfriend from breaking up with him in the current time.

OFFICIAL TRAILER: https://youtu.be/e33EaLVYCeg

UNLILIFE SHORT SYNOPSIS:

Benedict, a celebrity podcast DJ, is an overprotective, controlling, and overbearing boyfriend to the love of his life, Victoria. He did not expect that on the night he plans to propose to her, Victoria also breaks up with him. Heartbroken and devastated, he chances by a mysterious bar called “Turning Point” where the bartender Sir Saro, offers him a drink that could “make him go back in time to correct his present”. Due to a mistake with the procedure, he was sent farther in time, and he starts moving from one era to another. Benedict appears as different versions of himself, alongside Victoria, who he repeatedly tries to win over in each era that he encounters her, putting them in different circumstances. However, something uncontrollable always prevents him from getting back Victoria. In all his travels through the eras, he learns an important lesson that will forever change his life.

The film tackles about how much willing one is willing to go great lengths to get back that one person you love the most and what one is willing to do just to preserve it.

After making the country proud by being the first-ever Filipina contestant and eventually crowned Reina Hispanoamericana 2017, Unli Life marks Teresita's comeback to acting.

Teresita, together with her fellow beauty queens from Miss World Philippines, signed up with Regal Entertainment, Inc. last October 2017.

Unli Life also marks Teresita's first major role and as a leading in the movies.

The movie is directed by Miko Livelo, and Unli Life marks his second full-length commercial directorial job.

His credentials include being the writer and director of the 2013 indie film Blue Bustamante and as a writer for number of television series.

Unli Life is a star-studded movie that also stars Joey Marquez, Ejay Falcon, Donna Cariaga, Jon Lucas, Isabelle de Leon, Alex Calleja, Kamille Filoteo, Red Ollero with James Caraan, Anthony Andres, and Jun Urbano.

Special participation includes Dimples Romana, Joem Bascon, Jun Sabayton, Epi Quizon and Jhong Hilario.

Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino opens August 15 - 21. For more updates, follow Regal Entertainment Inc on Facebook, @RegalFilms on Twitter, @RegalFilms50 on IG and Regal Cinema channel on YouTube.

The 2nd Boy Abunda Roundtable Conversations (BARC) Raises Awareness on LGBTQIA

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The 2nd Boy Abunda Roundtable Conversations (BARC) was held some weeks ago at Nanka Restaurant in Quezon City with the timely topic, LGBTQIA: Sino Ba Tayo? This coincided with the celebration of Pride Month held every June each year.

A personal initiative of Boy Abunda, BARC is a roundtable discussion among resource speakers and invited participants. Lively discussion and exchange of ideas are encouraged. BARC hopes that conversations will open minds, expand perspectives, and explore new ideas among the participants.

Boy explained in his opening remarks for the second edition of BARC, “We are fighting for equality and against discrimination. We are fighting for marriage equality. What is LGBTQIA? How can we effectively fight against homophobia and bigotry if we do not know who we are? If we cannot articulate who we are?”

The resource speaker was UP Diliman Assistant Professor Bea Torre who completed the 2nd International LGBT Psychology Summer Institute at the University of Michigan Department of Psychology in 2010. She is the coordinator of the Psychological Association of the Philippines LGBT Special Interest Group composed of psychologists and allied mental health professionals who engages in research, education, advocacy towards the promotion of LGBT rights and well-being.

BARC was attended by students from various universities and LGBTQIA advocates who actively participated in the discussion.

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression (SOGIE) were discussed during the event.

The website https://lgbtqia.ucdavis.edu/educated/glossary.html defines the following: Sexual Orientation is the romantic, emotional, or sexual attraction or non-attraction of a person to another human being. Gender Identity is a deep sense of self – being a trans, woman, man, or other identity – which may or may not match the sex and gender a person is assigned at birth. Gender Expression means how an individual expresses oneself through a person’s name, pronoun use, style of dressing, haircut, behavior, or voice modulation, among other manifestations.

Meanwhile, chr.gov.ph explains the meanings of each term in LGBTQIA. 

• A Lesbian (L) is a woman who is attracted romantically, sexually, and/or emotionally to women. 
• A Gay (G) has a sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction toward people of the same gender. It can specifically refer to a gay man. 
• A Bisexual (B) is an individual who can be romantically, sexually, and/or emotionally attracted toward two or more genders. 
• A Transgender (T) is a person whose gender identity and/or expression are different from what are conventionally associated with their birth sex.

• A Queer (Q) is defined as a person who is beyond the range of the controlling gender and sexuality narrative. 
• An Intersex (I) individual has characteristics such as sexual, physical, strictly genetic, or some combination that would be classified as both a male and a female. 
• An Asexual (A) is anyone who feels little or no sexual attraction to others as well as lack of interest regarding sexual relationships and behavior. Asexual is different from celibacy because it is a human trait while celibacy is a choice to abstain from engaging in any sexual activity.

The main coordinators of BARC are Ms. Bemz Benedito and Mr. Ruffy Hirang.

For more info, please contact Ms. Bemz Benedito at 0917-9984584 and email address bemzbenedito@gmail.com

Score the Nintendo Switch, Oppo F7, and HD TVs at Shopee’s July Orange Day Campaign

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Shopee celebrates Orange Day from July 13 to 15 with a bumper flash sale, featuring up to 90% discounts on various products and free shipping for 24 hours

To celebrate its monthly Orange Day campaign, Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, launches the Flash 7 on July 13 with seven flash deals instead of the usual three a day. Featuring massive limited-time discounts on premium products such as the Nintendo Switch and Smart TVs, the campaign will also include a diverse array of products from various categories like Electronics, Home Appliances, and Mobiles and Gadgets. 

Here are seven must-have items up for grabs in Shopee’s Orange Day Sale:

  1. Sharp AQUOS 32 Inches LED TV

With Sharp’s AQUOS 32” LE185M LED TV, you can dive right into your favourite movies and TV shows. With advanced image processing, a crisp HD display, and top-notch LED technology, the Sharp AQUOS 32” LED185M LED TV promises an immersive entertainment experience for only P7,699.

Purchase the Sharp AQUOS 32” LE185M LED TV

  2. Nintendo Switch with Gray Joy-Cons (Comes with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Game)

The first home gaming console capable of transforming into a portable gaming device, it’s no wonder why the Nintendo Switch is on everybody’s wishlist in 2018. If you’re someone who’s  always out and about, Shopee’s Orange Day Sale is the sign you need to get your hands on a Switch for only P17,999!

Purchase the Nintendo Switch with Gray Joy-Con 

  3. Toshiba 32 Inches LED HD TV 

Upgrade your home entertainment system with the latest Toshiba 32” LED TV and bring your stay-home nights to the next level. With a display able to support viewing angles up to 178 degrees, you won’t miss any of the onscreen action no matter where you sit. Pamper yourself with a supreme entertainment experience for only P7,499 during Shopee’s Orange Day Sale.

Purchase the Toshiba 32" LED TV 32S1710EV HD D-LED TV

  4. Oppo F7 (with Free Bluetooth Music Lamp)

Besides the coolest gaming consoles and crystal-clear TVs, Shopee’s Orange Day Sale also features the all-new Oppo F7 for shoppers itching for a new phone. Packing an ultra-HD camera mode and stocked with the latest specs, it is sure to place you at the centre of attention among your friends and family. To sweeten an already awesome deal, buy the Oppo 7 at Shopee’s Orange Day Sale for P17,999 and receive a Bluetooth music lamp for free! 

Purchase the Oppo F7

  5. JBL Charge 3 Speaker

Discover the all-new wireless JBL Charge 3 you can carry anywhere to savour your favourite tunes. Packing a powerful stereo and a durable build with waterproof fabrics, the JBL Charge 3 delivers a satisfying audio experience in different vibrant colours. Get it now for only P5,999!

Purchase the JBL Charge 3

  6. KitchenAid Food Chopper 

Cooking has never been easier with the KitchenAid Food Chopper. For only P2,495, you can now quickly chop or puree ingredients from your favorite recipes. It is convenient for everyday use in the kitchen and will surely be one of your favorite household items.

Purchase the KitchenAid Food Chopper

  7. Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Sakura Special Kit Instant Camera

What makes the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Sakura Special Kit Instant Camera special is its close-up lens attachment, which allows you to shoot your subject from up to 35cm away. It also automatically detects the best brightness levels for a shot, making it easier when taking photos in different environments. With its suite of smart functions, the Fujifilm Instax Mini at P3,779 is the perfect weapon for both expert photographers or just casual shooters looking for a versatile polaroid camera.

Purchase the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Sakura Special Kit Instant Camera 

Aside from a wave of flash deals on July 13, Shopee’s Orange Day celebration from July 13 to 15 promises tons of other attractive promotions, such as two-for-one deals, vouchers offering up to 150 pesos off, and curated category collections featuring up to 90% discounts on items.

For more information about the Orange Day Sale, visit http://shopee.ph/OrangeDayJuly

Download the Shopee app for free on Apple App Store or Google Play Store.