TECHNOLOGY
A well-rounded tire for the all-around van
PHILIPPINE driving conditions can be tough, whether in the city or on provincial roads.
On both roads, drivers have to brake on wet roads, endure long driving, and deal with tire-damaging debris. All could wreak havoc on any well-managed fleet.
Unless, of course, these are anticipated by choosing the right tires to begin with.
Choosing the right tires would, of course, depend on their intended use.
Fortunately, there is a happy intersection where commercial vans, pickups, and light trucks can agree on a tire that delivers the comfortable ride expected of a tire on a passenger van, the durability exacted from a tire on a light truck, and the value for money of a tire designed as a tough all-arounder.
Yes, there are tires for whether your fleet ferries passengers or light cargo. One of the most popular was the UE168, which has now given way to an upgrade, the Maxxis Vansmart MCV5.
Being the successor to the well-received UE168 certainly sets the bar high. The upgrades offered by the Maxxis Vansmart MCV5 focus on things most important to a fleet owner: economy, safety and durability. These three factors are crucial, especially for those who want to get as much value from their vehicles while minimizing unexpected expenses like frequent tire replacement, or accidents caused by the inability of the tire to endure road conditions.
The new pattern design on the Maxxis Vansmart MCV5 focuses on comfort and safety, while the improvements on the materials and construction design target the tire’s durability. Combining all three means fuel savings and spending less on costly maintenance and tire replacements.
One of the most visible differences is that where the UE168 is round-profiled, the Maxxis Vansmart MCV5 is square-profiled. This improves upon the UE168 in many aspects: rolling resistance (up 11%), mileage (increased by 30%), noise reduction (up by 2%), and braking distance (reduced by 6%).
This is made possible by very well-considered design tweaks. A wider shoulder width, coupled with the new pattern and construction, increased the contact patch by 4%. This means more even wearing on the tire, making them not just durable, but the costs more predictable for business owners and managers who want their consumable expenses all laid out and neatly followed.
Costs like drill damage from getting a stone trapped in a groove are prevented by designing continuous 3D wave grooves into the Maxxis Vansmart MCV5. Together with the variable sipe design, this also achieves excellent aquaplaning resistance and safe braking even in wet road conditions. This brings an added bonus of reducing pattern noise.
Another durability tweak on the Maxxis Vansmart MCV5 is an innovative belt design using extra-fine woven composite material coupled with an advanced bead construction for heavy loading.
The result is a more even distribution of structural stress on the tire, translating to reduced heat and a prolonged tire life. This material-and-construction upgrade gives 30% longer life to the tire than its predecessor.
A new compound formula further maximizes these construction design improvements. The compound used on the Maxxis Vansmart MCV5 is specially crafted to produce low heat generation, high reactiveness and high flexibility, while also increasing the life of the tire. This translates to enhanced mileage and economized short to medium heavy trips in the city.
Not bad for an all-arounder tire.
TECHNOLOGY
AI can do that?! 5 ways AI is changing the game for communicators
12:30 p.m. March 8, 2025
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is undeniably here, transforming how communication professionals create content, engage audiences, and predict trends.
But while AI can do a lot, it’s not here to replace human creativity, strategy, and judgment. The real advantage lies in knowing how to use AI as a tool to work smarter and more efficiently.
Whether you’re in PR, marketing, media, or even a student, here are practical ways how AI can enhance your output and make you more effective.
1. Next-Level Personalization
A social media team for a fashion brand uses AI to analyze customer data and segment audiences based on their style preferences. The result? Hyper-personalized email campaigns that suggest products each customer is actually interested in.
2. Real-Time Brand Sentiment Tracking
A crisis communication team at a telecom company notices a sudden spike in negative tweets about a network outage. Thanks to AI-powered sentiment analysis, they react in minutes — crafting a strategic response before things further escalate.
3. Trend Prediction Like a Pro
A political campaign team taps AI to analyze past election data and social media conversations. They predict the key issues voters will care about and fine-tune their messaging before the conversation even starts.
4. AI Ethics 101: Sticking to Facts
A news agency integrates AI-driven fact-checking tools to ensure their reports stay credible and unbiased. They also train their team to detect AI-generated misinformation—because integrity still matters.
5. Instant VO with Zero Studio Time
A content creator needs a last-minute voiceover for a campaign video but has no time for a studio session. AI-generated voiceovers save the day—delivering pro-level narration from the comforts of their own home.
These are just some of the ways AI is transforming the way we communicate, market, and engage with audiences. As AI continues to evolve, everyone needs to upgrade their skills—learning how to adapt, think critically, and integrate AI tools strategically to stay ahead in an increasingly tech-driven world.
If you want to future-proof your skills, don’t miss the AI Centre of Excellence (ACE) Workshop: Power of AI for Communications & Beyond, led by AI expert and India’s Director and CEO of the School of Communications & Reputation, Hemant Gaule.
Happening on March 21, 2025, 1:00 to 5:00 PM, at the Holiday Inn & Suites Makati, this workshop will give you valuable insights into leveraging AI tools to boost efficiency, engagement, and results.
Limited slots available — secure yours now at www.centreofexcellence.ai.
TECHNOLOGY
Say hello to Whisk, Google’s innovative answer to generative AI image creation
1:12 p.m. February 20, 2025
Generative AI opens up a world of creative possibilities with its ability to make unique content. Following the success of Google’s AI tools, it’s taking another significant step with Whisk, the newest experiment that explores the capabilities of gen AI.
Whisk is a fun and engaging tool that makes AI image generation more accessible, especially to those without prior AI knowledge. Instead of typing out long, detailed text prompts, it allows people to use image prompts. They simply drag images and start creating.
Generative AI utilizes deep-learning models to make high-quality content based on existing data. Sometimes, certain design elements get lost in text prompts. But with Whisk, anyone can easily customize how the image will come out. It allows specific image inputs for the main subject, the scene, and preferred art styles.
Behind the scenes, the Gemini model automatically writes a detailed caption of chosen images. It then feeds those descriptions into Google’s latest image generation model, Imagen 3. This process captures the subject’s essence, and doesn’t create an exact replica. This further allows people to remix their subjects, scenes, and styles in novel ways to create something that is uniquely theirs, from character concepts to enamel pin designs.
It’s also important to highlight that Whisk extracts only a few key characters from images, so generated content may differ from one’s expectations. Fortunately, it allows users to view and edit underlying prompts at any time to get the output they want.
Play with Whisk here: https://labs.google/fx/tools/whisk.
TECHNOLOGY
Love begins at home with Beko
5:22 p.m. February 17, 2025
As we finally embrace the love month, the pressure to find the perfect gift can often feel overwhelming. However, there’s no need to break the bank just to express your feelings. After all, it’s the thought that counts!
This love month, create lasting memories in the place you cherish most—your home. Beko, Europe’s number 1 home appliance brand, is here to help you make the perfect Valentine’s plan through meaningful, practical gifts that enhance everyday life.
Show your love in a cup
There’s nothing quite like a warm cup of coffee in the morning to express love. When it’s made by someone special, it means even more. Start your day with a delightful breakfast by pairing your coffee with a hearty meal. Experiment with different coffee blends and recipes for future breakfast dates!
Feel like a barista at home with the Beko espresso machine. The Beko CaffeExperto® Espresso Machine features an integrated milk frother, allowing you to create delicious cappuccinos and lattes right at home. Its user-friendly touchscreen interface lets you make coffee with just a tap, while the easy-to-clean design simplifies maintenance.
Acts of Service
Sometimes, it’s the simplest acts that have the biggest impact in showing how much you care, such as helping your loved ones with household tasks to create a more harmonious home. Lend a hand by volunteering to clean surfaces, wash the dishes, or do the laundry. Your loved ones will truly appreciate the effort!
Make laundry easier with Beko’s line of washers and dryers. These powerful appliances provide the gentle care your clothes need. One of Beko’s top washer-dryers has an Xpress Super Short 14-Minute Program that allows you to wash up to 2 kg of laundry in just 14 minutes. While 2 kg might not sound like a lot, it’s enough to wash around 20 T-shirts! That means more quality bonding time with your loved ones.
Cook Up Some Romance
Cooking is a way to someone’s heart, especially when it’s made with love. Instead of waiting in long reservation lines at a restaurant, consider having a simple yet intimate dinner date at home. Elevate the experience by setting up the table beautifully and creating a personalized menu that features your loved one’s favorite dishes.
Unleash your cooking prowess in the kitchen with Beko refrigerators featuring the innovative NutriFreeze technology. Imagine preparing for steak night or dishes with delicate fish—now you can keep your meats fresh, without deep freezing!
This unique feature freezes fresh foods like meat, shrimp, and fish at a precise temperature of -3°C, which helps to keep the natural texture and taste intact while slowing down bacterial growth. With NutriFreeze, you can reduce nutrient loss and extend the shelf life of your meats, making it easier to store food and enjoy restaurant-quality meals at home.
This Valentine’s season, show your loved ones how much they mean to you with Beko’s high-quality European appliances. Transform your home into a more love-filled space. Visit your nearest leading appliance store, or shop online at Beko Philippines’ official stores on Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop.
For more details, visit our official website at www.beko.com/ph-en and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok at @bekoph.
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