TECHNOLOGY
3 ways to build a sustainable, digital Asia-Pacific
June 21, 2022 9:38 p.m.
By Baifeng Lin
Many countries in the Asia-pacific have released digitalization strategies. Cloud Computing technologies are the cornerstone of the digital frontier. For digital economies to thrive they must adopt an open and green ecosystem.
The last two years have been a series of trials. Out of the changes, there has been increasing attention in the digital world and rekindled vigor in how people, businesses and organizations should adapt.
As one of the most populous and diverse regions in the world, the Asia-Pacific is set to be the fast growing economy at the forefront of the global digital landscape. It represents two-thirds of the world’s population, and would reap an economic dividend of more than 1.7 trillion annually.
Mckinsey notes that COVID-19 has accelerated digital transformation by seven years globally and 10 years in Asia Pacific.
To catch up with this sweeping trend, many countries have released national digitalization strategies. For example, Singapore released its Smart Nation 2025 blueprint, Indonesia and Malaysia released strategies to Go Digital, Bangladesh released its Digital Bangladesh blueprint, and Thailand announced its vision to become a digital Hub in ASEAN.
From a technological point of view, the future of Asia-Pacific will require a digital economy underpinned by leading Information and Communications technology solutions and an open and green industry ecosystem is needed as soil for innovation.
And finally, we will need to chart an effective course that addresses gaps in equality to normalize the playing field.
- Build ICT Infrastructure for digital economy
ICT has already proven its value in accelerating economic recovery post-pandemic. Connectivity and computing are the lifeblood of the digital frontier. While connectivity continues to bridge the digital divide offering new education and employment opportunities, enterprises look to the cloud, connectivity and AI to optimize their businesses.
However, the digital readiness of the region varies greatly. For example, China is stepping into data dividend and information dividend, and Southeast Asia is still under the peak phase of demographic dividend. In China, 5G has been widely covered across the country and the penetration rate is more than 40% -100+Mbps, fiber home pass rate is over 90%. However, the large-scale use of 5G has only started in some SEA countries. In SEA, 4G mobile coverage is slightly above 50%, and fiber broadband only reaches one third of households. Cloud penetration in SEA enterprises is less than 20%, which indicates a huge space for data monetization and industry digitalization.
Regarding 5G technology, it is already emerging as a game changer in key industry sectors. For example, Siriraj Hospital, the largest hospital in Thailand on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19, launched the first 5G smart hospital in the ASEAN region featuring smart logistics, 5G Ambulance and smart inventory management.
According to professor Dr. Prasit Watanapa, Dean of Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, “the 5G smart hospital project will be a new model for modern medical facilities, 5G provides the high-speed connections needed to ensure seamless transfer of patient data and operation of telemedicine equipment”.
In some remote areas with limited access to 5G, digital infrastructure is playing an even more important role. The Bangladesh government has made great efforts and progress in implementing network in over 2,600 townships and enabling social well-being service including e-government and finance.
In Malaysia, known as “the kingdom of spices”, HEXA Food established an Internet of Things team to train a chili identification model on Cloud MOdelArts. The image recognition technology of Atlas 500 quickly and accurately identifies the quality of the chilies. Intelligent AI-powered sorting eliminates errors in manual sorting and improves the efficiency by 50%.
- Create an open and green ecosystem
Meanwhile, every country, business and individual has faced some common questions recently — how to survive and develop with resilience and robustness in an environment full of uncertainties? The booming digital economy and low carbonization will generate new business form, new production relationships, and new value distribution systems. A healthier and greener industry ecosystem is therefore required.
First, embracing a digital Asia-Pacific will make an open and collaborative ICT ecosystem will include government, partners, operators and users and will help shape opportunities for transformation in different industries. A good example would be the joint open lab in Singapore. All companies, academics and government agencies can use the lab, where they can have access to cutting-edge robotic solutions, intelligent digital twins, and Ai development kits for research.
Secondly, moving towards carbon neutrality, digital power technologies will be essential to enable energy digitalization for a greener future. In Thailand, smart photovoltaic rooftops are being installed in over 1,200 convenience stores. This is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions for more than 1,300 tons every year. By integrating Ai and Clod in PV for optimal power generation, this makes the solar power plant to highly efficient, safe and reliable and builds the foundation for the solar to become the main energy source.
- Chart a sustainable and inclusive course
Simultaneously, we need to be aware that half the world doesn’t have internet access. In Asia-Pacific, according to the APNIC Foundation, the total internet adoption rate in the region remains below half of the total population at 48.4%. By 2023, it’s estimated this will increase to 72% (3.1Billion users), leaving more than a quarter of the region’s population still disconnected.
That’s simply untenable in an increasingly digital world as people can’t be empowered by technology if they don’t know how to use it. Service like mobile payments, government services, access to digital education and healthcare should all act as gateways to anyone and help underserved communities, including women, girls and older generations.
Take education for example, the ability to learn knowledge regardless of location has helped democratize education resource access. In the Philippines, PLDT-Smart Foundation worked with the tech company to promote the School-in-Bag project. Each backpack includes a laptop for the teacher, 20 tablets and a Smart LTE pocket Wi-Fi kit. It significantly enhanced the students’ learning capabilities, helped children absorb their lessons, and improved the teaching strategies.
Future is digital
Technology has the power to level the playing field. It can bring education, healthcare and jobs to anyone, anywhere around the world. It will revolutionize businesses and industry and it can help manage our use of the world’s resources to enable a sustainable and green future.
In the Asia-Pacific Region, the digital economy ignites social recovery and enables resilient future. It provides synergies for public-private industrial collaborations across country boundaries and scenarios. As we arrive on the precipice of a digital future, we must strive to focus on the harmony that exists between our real world, and the digital one ahead.
TECHNOLOGY
Quick Flicks and Pro Clicks: Logitech brings fastest click technology with Latest PRO X2 SUPERSTRIKE
1:11 p.m. March 26, 2026
Logitech G raises the bar for competitive gaming performance once again with the launch of the PRO X2 SUPERSTRIKE, a next-gen wireless mouse that combines inductive analog sensing with real-time haptics.
Designed for elite precision and total control, the PRO X2 dramatically reduces click latency, enhances responsiveness, and gives players the power to personalize their click intensity like never before.
Industry-Leading Click Technology
Featuring a patent-pending SUPERSTRIKE technology, an industry-first innovation, the PRO X2 transforms how every mouse click is activated and felt. This new technology allows players to reduce the required travel distance to send the click signal. Improvements in click delay are shown to reach up to 30 milliseconds based on internal testing. This drastically transforms the way players compete and provides them the decisive edge they need to win virtual battlefields.
The PRO X2 introduces the Haptic Inductive Trigger System (HITS), which replaces traditional microswitches found in gaming mice. This system drastically improves click latency performance by sending tactile feedback to players so each click is felt the moment the signal reaches the PC.
By combining trigger response optimization with real-time click haptics, Logitech G sets a new benchmark in competitive mouse performance through the PRO X2.
Customizable Esports-Level Gaming Performance
Developed in collaboration with elite esports teams G2 Esports, NAVi, and BLG, the PRO X2 is made to meet the demands of high-level competitive play. Every element of the mouse is designed to support players in fast decision-making, precise execution, and unmatched consistency, whether competing in a professional environment or grinding ranked matches at home.
Beyond its impressive click system, the PRO X2 also introduces 10 selectable actuation steps, allowing players to fine-tune the actuation point of both main buttons. This level of control enables them to calibrate every click depth to match their preferred playstyle, role, or specific game requirements with zero hassle. These adjustments can be made seamlessly through Logitech G HUB software, giving them the flexibility to edit their settings without disrupting their momentum.
The PRO X2 also features LIGHTSPEED wireless technology that blends comfort and efficiency by delivering up to an 8 kHz report rate of untethered freedom. This end-to-end wireless solution ensures that every click and movement registers with exceptional speed and stability, earning the trust of esports professionals worldwide.
Precision Tracking Without Setbacks
Harnessing Logitech’s elite HERO 2 sensor, the PRO X2 SUPERSTRIKE enables a reliable 888 IPS tracking speed with sub-micron precision, up to 44,000 DPI mouse sensitivity, and over 88G acceleration. For players, this level of control not only supports quick wrist flicks and controlled micro-adjustments but also helps in split-second decisions that require fast reaction. Movements are assured to have zero smoothing, acceleration, or filtering, giving players the chance to showcase their raw and unfiltered skills.
Lightweight Design Built for Long Competitive Sessions
Following the award-winning design of the SUPERLIGHT 2, the PRO X2 weighs 61 grams to support fluid movements and long competitive sessions. Additionally, it comes with a long-lasting battery, reaching up
90 hours of constant use, to allow players to focus on their games without worrying about charge times.
The PRO X2 SUPERSTRIKE sets a new benchmark in player-controlled click innovation that redefines what competitive gaming hardware can deliver. Through Logitech’s advancing technologies, it brings together ultra-responsiveness and absolute control for a reliable wireless virtual performance.
Logitech G’s latest gaming mouse is priced at PHP 11,945 and is available exclusively on Shopee and Logitech Authorized Retail Partners and Gaming Specialists. To learn more about the product and upcoming product releases, follow Logitech G on Facebook. You may also visit http://www.logitechg.com for more product offerings.
TECHNOLOGY
OPPO Find X9 breaks barriers of mobile photography
9:22 a.m. March 24, 2026
Redefining what a flagship smartphone camera can achieve, the OPPO Find X9 sets a new standard for mobile imaging with its innovative capability to capture full-resolution 50MP photos by default, delivering unprecedented clarity without relying on shooting modes or manual tweaks.
This breakthrough delivers unprecedented clarity and detail, with 8K-level resolution across all three rear lenses every time you press the shutter, marking the brand’s biggest leap in camera innovation yet. It is designed specifically for creators, visual storytellers, and photography enthusiasts in mind.
Delivering Professional- Grade Quality with the LUMO Image Engine
While most smartphones downscale images to 12MP due to processing limits, the OPPO Find X9 overcomes this barrier with an industry-first imaging pipeline powered by the LUMO Image Engine. All rear cameras now capture crisp, ultra-clear 50MP photos by default, preserving deep textures, sharp edges, and rich detail even after heavy cropping or zooming. To fully appreciate its exceptional quality, users can tap the 8K icon that appears when viewing their photos in the default Photos app for a level of clarity and resolution previously only associated with professional cameras.
Meanwhile, LUMO’s real-time parallel processing enables the CPU, GPU, ISP, and NPU to work simultaneously, enhancing clarity while cutting power consumption by up to 50 percent. This results in balanced highlights, clean shadows, and impressive detail retention even in complex lighting conditions.
Refining Creative Expression Through the Hasselblad Master Camera System
At the core of the OPPO Find X9’s imaging capabilities is the Hasselblad Master Camera System, which brings professional-grade engineering to smartphone photography. The system includes:
- 50MP Main Camera with an ultra-large sensor for enhanced light intake
- 50MP Ultra-Wide Camera capable of capturing sweeping landscapes with zero distortion
- 50MP Periscope Telephoto Camera featuring OPPO’s Triple Prism Lens and 120x Super Zoom for astounding long-range shot results
The collaboration with Hasselblad ensures natural color calibration, beautifully rendered portraits, and deeper tones that reflect the iconic look of Hasselblad cameras. Features like Hasselblad XPAN Mode, Master Mode, and enhanced bokeh simulation provide depth and artistic control for creators.
Revealing True-to-Life Color Through Advanced Spectral Sensing
OPPO Find X9’s True Color Camera supports the 50MP default mode. It is an innovative sensor equipped with two million spectral pixels that analyze color temperature across a refined grid. This ensures that skin tones, neon signs, sunsets, and indoor lighting appear as close as possible to how the eye sees them, providing accuracy that is difficult to achieve on typical mobile cameras.
Colors are rendered naturally, without overly saturated processing, creating images that stand out in their authenticity and tonal balance.
Empowering New Perspectives With 120x Super Zoom
The OPPO Find X9 delivers dependable detail even at extreme distances through its 120x Super Zoom. Using a combination of optical zoom, sensor-level processing, and OPPO’s Super Resolution algorithm, the phone allows users to capture subjects far across the city skyline or fine details across a concert venue. Images remain clear and stable, unlocking creative perspectives normally accessible only with professional telephoto lenses.
A Fusion of Artistry and Engineering
The OPPO Find X9 embodies a design philosophy that brings together art, precision, and intelligent engineering. Its camera innovations are paired with a powerful performance core, ideal for Filipinos who rely on their smartphones to capture their stories.
The OPPO Find X9 (16GB + 512GB) is available nationwide through OPPO’s physical stores, e-commerce platforms on Shopee, Lazada, TikTok, and the official OPPO online store.
TECHNOLOGY
Designed for style: HONOR X8d arrives in PH for only P15,999
3:00 p.m. March 22, 2026
LEADING global AI smart devices provider HONOR Philippines today lifted the curtain on the new HONOR X8d, the latest addition to its acclaimed X Series line-up. Crafted to deliver an optimal experience to users, the HONOR X8d is priced at P15,999.
The new stylish smartphone integrates ultra-slim design, a robust 7000mAh battery, and stunning AI experience, representing HONOR’s dedication to provide well-rounded smartphones cater to the needs of consumers who desire a sleek, intelligent, and durable mobile device.
“The HONOR X8d is designed for today’s generation—where style is a statement and value matters. We’re proud to offer a smartphone that delivers both, making premium aesthetics and reliable performance more accessible than ever,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.
Ultra-Slim Design with Class-Leading Battery Life
Introducing a 7.5mm ultra-thin and lightweight design, the HONOR X8d strikes a perfect balance between a smooth feel and elegant appearance. With advanced excimer technology and micro-nano textures, the body is extremely glossy and eye-catching, while the exquisite metal barrel adds extra embellishment to the back cover.
Powered by a large 7000mAh battery, the HONOR X8d provides price-level biggest 52 hours battery life verified by TÜV Rheinland and 6 years of endurance. The test data shows that the device can stand up to 31 hours of video playback on a single charge. With multi-point temperature monitoring, the battery shows great performance in temperatures from -20°C to 45°C, which allows it to work perfectly in various harsh condition. Additionally, the 45W wired HONOR SuperCharge can rapidly revive the battery for extended usage.
Fabulous AI Button for Brand-New AI Experience
Featuring a brilliant Instant AI Button, the HONOR X8d offers brand-new AI interaction through this subtle design. This physical side button enables users to quickly launch clean up and speed up commands and frequently used apps with a single press, providing much convenience in daily lives. Meanwhile, with a long press, users can activate more AI features such as Circle-to-Search, AI Subtitles, AI Writing, and Blur Private Info, delivering personalized and seamless user experience. Powered by the latest MagicOS 10 based on Android 16, the HONOR X8d carries various other intelligence features including Magic Capsule, Magic Portal, AI Memories, AI Settings Agent, and Google Gemini Assistant, making it the best partner for both work and life.
Exceptional Durability with Comprehensive Protection
Despite its extremely slim and lightweight body design, the HONOR X8d still showcases all-around drop resistance with SGS Premium Performance Certification of Drop & Crush Resistance, which ensures it can withstand drops from heights of up to 2 meters. Boasted with IP65 Water Resistance, the HONOR X8d can easily handle complex water environments including rinsing, splashing, and even high-pressure water guns. This device has been tested to function after being submerged in water for up to 1 minute at a depth of 0.5 meters, making it a dependable companion in various settings and situations. Additionally, with Wet-Hand Touch Enhancement, users can still have smooth experience even with wet or greasy fingers.
AI-Powered Smartphone Photography Experience
Packed with a stunning 108MP Ultra-Clear AI Camera, the HONOR X8d captures images with exceptional details and enhanced brightness, offering users both daylight precision and nocturnal refinement. With 3x Lossless Zoom, users can create stunning shots with diverse focal lengths, effortlessly creating different street vibes. With HONOR Connection, the HONOR X8d breaks the long-standing “drop-barrier” between different systems, enabling the device to share moving photo to iOS seamlessly. Additionally, the HONOR X8d integrates AI photography features like AI Eraser, AI Upscale, AI Cutout and AI Outpainting, which enable users to freely customize their image, streamlining photo editing on smartphones.
Enhanced Hardware for Superior Experience
The HONOR X8d features a 6.77-inch OLED Display, which supports 1.07 billion colors, a high refresh rate of 120Hz, and peak HDR brightness of 3000nits, delivering vibrant hues and incredibly fluid interface with exceptionally sharp and clear viewing experience. The device also boasts 6 eye-care technologies, including 3840Hz PWM Risk-free Dimming, Circadian Night Display, Dynamic Dimming, Comfortable Dim-light Adjustment, Low Blue Light and E-Book Mode.
Powered by the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2, the HONOR X8d offers users a new level of system smoothness and higher graphical performance. This power efficiency is complemented by HONOR’s innovative RAM Turbo Technology, which effectively provides a 16GB RAM equivalent experience (8GB physical + 8GB virtual). It ensures smooth performance even after extended use, allowing users to multitask and switch between apps effortlessly. Additionally, the HONOR X8d comes equipped with 512GB large internal storage at most, providing ample space for years of precious memories.
Pricing and Availability
Catering to users’ diverse style preferences, the HONOR X8d is available in 3 captivating colorways: Light Blue, Velvet Black, Velvet Grey. Starting March 19 to 27, 2026, the HONOR X8d will be available for pre-order for only P15,999 with FREE HONOR Camping Light Speakers when you get from any HONOR Experience and Partner Stores. HONOR X8d is also available online via Shopee (https://bit.ly/Shop_X8d_PR), Lazada (https://bit.ly/Laz_X8d_PR), and TikTok Shop (https://bit.ly/TikTok_X8d_PR) with FREE HONOR Earbuds II.
Check out full specs of HONOR X8d here (https://bit.ly/Web_X8d_PR). In the meantime, for more exciting announcements, visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com, and follow HONOR Philippines on Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines) for exclusive teasers, launch updates, and big reveal.

