Sony partners with Viu Philippines for large screen streaming through BRAVIA Android TV®

Customers can enjoy a one month-free trial of Viu Premium with designated Sony TVs

Heads up, K-Drama addicts! You can now enjoy watching your favorite Korean shows and other Asian dramas on the big screen as Sony has partnered up with Viu, a leading pan-regional over-the-top (OTT) video streaming service operated by Viu International Limited, to give BRAVIA users the best home experience.

Viu is now available on all 2016 Sony BRAVIA Android TV models and newer and will also be downloadable via Google Play Store for Android 7.0 Nougat, and via Sony Select / Google Play Store for Android 8.0 Oreo and above.

The Sony and Viu partnership also let qualified users enjoy a FREE one-month trial of Viu Premium. With a few simple steps after downloading the Viu app, users can experience on demand full HD streaming on their Sony BRAVIA Android TV and an all-access pass to Viu’s collection of top-rated movies and series with no ads disruption.

Top 5 Christmas gift ideas you can give via the GCash App

This 2020 holiday season is unique because of the pandemic, community quarantines and lack of opportunities to socialize with family and friends. So it’s no surprise that consumers will find other ways to give gifts -- or even give non-conventional gifts -- for Christmas.

GCash, the undisputed leader and preferred mobile wallet in the Philippines, suggests that Filipinos go for digital gifts readily available within the GCash app for Christmas. This is not only very practical and usable, but will also keep consumers safe from the pandemic by being contactless.

“This holiday season is the first in recent history where some friends and families won’t be able to see each other because of the pandemic, preventing much needed social interaction. However, through fintech, we can still make our loved ones feel the Christmas spirit. This is possible with GCash,” said Martha Sazon, President and CEO of GCash.

Vertiv Experts Foresee Utility-Like Criticality for Data Centers in 2021

Accelerated digitalization, beefed-up edge among other key trends to watch across digital ecosystem

As the world moved online seemingly overnight in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the criticality of data centers and the unrelenting reliance on them across all walks of life became an enduring storyline of the crisis. This reality will manifest in new ways in 2021 as the data center and the information ecosystem orbiting it emerge from the pandemic with a fourth utility criticality, complete with all the expectations and responsibilities that implies. This is among the emerging 2021 data center trends identified by experts from Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions. 

New Designs, New Trends, New Momentum: OPPO launches partnership with nendo design studio at CIIDE

Just this week, OPPO, the global smart device company, showcased multiple new conceptual designs based on its human-centric design philosophy at the 4th China International Industrial Design Expo (CIIDE), a national event focused on industrial design. These concepts were created for OPPO by leading Japanese studio nendo, founded by Oki Sato, the two companies collaborating to explore the possibilities of future design. 

At this year’s exhibition themed “New Designs, New Trends, New Momentum,” OPPO and nendo unveiled two conceptual designs. The first, the “slide-phone” concept, jumps off from the insight that smartphone users increasingly rely on their smartphones to interact with the world around them. Completely going against the trend of larger phones, as these, while supporting functionality, are less convenient and more difficult to hold, the “slide-phone” is designed with three foldable screens attached by hinges folding over in the same direction. 

Converge Celebrates 1M Subscribers Milestone with Stronger Commitment to Reliable Internet, Gives Free Speed Increase of up to 300 Mbps

The fast-paced shift to a digital lifestyle ushered by the pandemic has placed utmost importance on the reliability of internet connection. Major activities that drive heavier internet traffic such as work from home, distance learning, and at-home entertainment such as online gaming and video streaming and the increased use of features like 4K video which call for higher speeds have fueled the demand for better connectivity— a key commitment of Converge ICT to its ever-growing community. Now with a million subscribers, Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc. (Converge ICT) celebrates this milestone, and in the spirit of Christmas, by giving free speed increases to its customers of up to 300 Mbps. 

Starting December 15, both existing and new subscribers will be able to enjoy permanent speed upgrades to their plans without additional fees.  

**This offering is exclusive for existing Plan 1500 Subs who only need to pay an additional P99 per month to enjoy 10Mbps on top of their Plan

To avail of the free upgrade,

• Existing subscribers need to simply log on to go-faster-now@convergeict.com for the speed increase to take effect; 
• For new subscribers, application may be done via Converge ICT’s self-serve app site,  https://gofiber.ph/ 

In an additional offer from Converge, new subscribers can also enjoy their first month completely free when they apply for any Converge plan from December 12, 2020 to January 31, 2021.

With these upgrades, Converge continues to be a driving force for Filipinos in providing fast and reliable connectivity, addressing customers’ at-home needs. 

“The shifts we experienced this year have been pivotal to the growth of the fixed broadband market in the Philippines. With Converge ICT’s expertise, we are in a prime position to help the community adapt to the digital lifestyle by serving their at-home needs. The speed increase is one of the many steps we are undertaking to ensure that we follow through with our commitment to providing fast and affordable internet nationwide. With the holiday season fast approaching, the speed increase is also our way of giving back to Filipinos. We want to ensure they receive uninterrupted reliable internet that will allow them to stay connected to their loved ones this Christmas,” said Dennis Anthony Uy, founder and chief executive officer of Converge ICT.

#ExperienceBetter with the fastest growing fiber internet provider, Converge ICT. Visit convergeict.com for more details.

Win great holiday treats from Intel

Intel is starting this holiday season with a promo! With every single purchase of the 10th Gen Core i3/i5 Processors, you are qualified to win exciting prizes such as Php 100,000 of PayMaya credits, Sodexo vouchers, gadgets, and many more!

Participating products in the promo are Intel Core i3-10100, Intel Core i3-10100F, Intel Core i5-10400, Intel Core i5-10400F, Intel Core i5-10500, Intel Core i5-10600, Intel Core i5-10600KF, and Intel Core i5-10600KA. Any single purchase of any of these products from November 27 to December 25, 2020, entitles the buyer to a raffle entry. This promo can be availed at all participating Intel resellers nationwide.  

Globe uses global best practice for customer service

“Hi, I’d like to check my data usage.”

“As of December 11, 2020, you have 9.2 GB left out of your 10.0 GB data allowance. Your data allowance will refresh on December 31. Is there anything else I can help you with?”    

Most of the time, customer support inquiries are directed to live agents.  Today,  chatbots are reshaping the way companies interact with their customers especially under the new normal.

A chatbot is a software application that allows human-like online conversations using messaging platforms such as Facebook Messenger. It is programmed with the necessary information that allows the bot to respond to customer inquiries or suggest the next best course of action. It enables customers to get the help they need through  channels that customers are familiar with.

Bots can easily work together with live agents to support customers. Instead of agents answering all inquiries, which may take time, bots can respond to simple, commonly-asked questions. They can also hand off customers to live agents for multiple transactions that may be too complex for a bot to handle.