TECHNOLOGY
Amazon Web Services launches Interactive Video Service in PH, Indonesia
April 21, 2022 5:05 p.m.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced the launch of their Interactive Video Service in two new countries, Indonesia and the Philippines.
The new service is aimed at helping customers meet the demand for rich and engaging interactive live video content streaming. IVS will provide a lower latency experience for viewers, making video content more seamless and engaging.
Growing demand for online video
Video consumption has changed radically over the last two years as people found comfort by connecting through online video during the pandemic.
While pandemic restrictions are easing for parts of Asia Pacific, the popularity of video streaming continues to grow with more than 400 million people now using over-the-top (OTT) video streaming services in the region.
At the same time, consumer demand for personalization is driving organizations such as broadcast, pay TV, and OTT providers to look for new ways to deliver even richer interactive video experiences.
Interactive live video encourages a two-way exchange with viewers and is being adopted across a range of industries – from finance, travel and hospitality, to e-commerce – as enterprises look for new ways to engage their customers.
Today’s consumers– sports fans, entertainment buffs, shoppers, and gamers – want more out of their live streaming experiences, demanding outstanding performances on any device, quick start times, and no buffering.
To provide an optimal user experience, live-streamed interactive video requires minimal latency, which is the time video takes to go from the camera to the viewer.
Seamless and on-demand video streaming
Traditional video streaming required latencies of 20 to 30 seconds to accommodate for content preparation needed for high-quality viewing across multiple kinds of devices, getting the content uploaded to multiple content delivery networks, and finally making the “last-mile” connections to end users’ devices on their preferred networks.
“To help our customers in Indonesia and Philippines meet the demand for rich and engaging interactive live video content streaming at a lower latency, we are pleased to announce the launch of Amazon IVS Points of Presence (PoPs) in Manila and Jakarta,” said Shweta Jain, Head of Media and Entertainment Business Development at AWS in Asia Pacific. “Built on the same live streaming technology that powers Twitch, Amazon IVS is a fully managed service that makes it easy to set up live, interactive video streams for a web or mobile application in just a few minutes.”
By receiving and delivering video streams over local edge infrastructure that is optimized for live video ingest, processing, and delivery, the new Amazon IVS PoPs in Jakarta and Manila will enable end users to benefit from low latency – making video content seamless and more engaging for viewers.
With the Amazon IVS Software Development Kit (SDK) and APIs, customers can also build interactive features into their live streams such as virtual chat spaces, votes and polls, moderated question and answer sessions, and synchronized promotional elements without impacting live video download times.
Not just for media and entertainment
It’s not just traditional media and entertainment companies that are set to benefit from the new Amazon IVS PoPs. Traveloka is Southeast Asia’s lifestyle superapp with the mission to fulfill their customers’ lifestyle aspirations in a single platform, spanning across travel, local services, and financial services.
Founded in 2012, Traveloka was initially established to solve a central problem: to simplify travel from Indonesia to the world.
A decade later, Traveloka now offers more than 20 products and services, featuring more than 200 airlines, 1.8 million accommodation partners, and 111,000 inventories in over 100 countries. The Traveloka app has also been downloaded more than 100 million times by customers in the region.
“Traveloka uses Amazon IVS to accommodate our broadcasting needs for live streaming content related to our Flights, Hotels, Xperience, and Eats products. By using Amazon IVS Player SDK, we are able to significantly reduce the latency on our video content to 5 seconds, meanwhile Amazon IVS Broadcaster SDK allows our content creator partners to directly broadcast on our app,” said Adi Alimin, Vice President of Platform Product at Traveloka.
Since its inception, Traveloka has been leveraging AWS to scale its travel platform and recently adopted Amazon IVS to improve engagement with its customers by adding live streamed product promotions on its platform, including the recent Traveloka Salebrat10n birthday campaign.
Continuing infrastructure investments in APAC
Over the past 15 years, AWS has built out a global infrastructure that spans 84 Availability Zones (AZs) within 26 geographic regions across the globe.
In Asia Pacific, this includes AWS Regions in Singapore, Sydney, Mumbai, Osaka, Tokyo, Seoul, and Jakarta and further investments planned in Auckland and Hyderabad, and Melbourne.
The Amazon IVS PoPs in Jakarta and Manila follow its recent announcement to launch 10 new AWS Local Zones – a type of infrastructure deployment that places AWS compute, storage, database, and other services closer to customers – across Asia Pacific over the next two years.
“We are committed to bringing cloud technologies closer to more customers with further infrastructure investments across Asia Pacific and we look forward to supporting more customers in Jakarta and Manila to build engaging live streaming experiences,” said Jain.
TECHNOLOGY
Pre-order vivo V50 Lite until April 25 to enjoy exclusive perks
1:30 p.m. April 18, 2025
There’s a new must-have phone in town and it’s Maine Mendoza-approved. Meet the all-new vivo V50 Lite with features that are perfect for go-getters, creatives, and trendsetters.
Whether you’re a heavy user or someone who’s always on the go like Maine, the massive 6500mAh BlueVolt battery will keep you powered all day. And when it’s finally time to recharge, vivo’s 90W FlashCharge ensures you’re back to full power in a flash. It’s no wonder this is Maine’s latest favorite!
But the vivo V50 Lite isn’t just about battery life. It’s built to impress from the inside out.
What makes the vivo V50 Lite a game-changer?
- SGS Five-Star Drop Resistance – Engineered for durability so you can stay worry-free even during accidental drops.
- IP65 Dust and Water Resistance – Ready for unpredictable weather and everyday mishaps.
- 60-Month Smooth Experience – Enjoy reliable performance that lasts for five years.
- AI SuperLink – Stay connected even in weak signal areas with this smart, always-on connectivity solution.
- 50MP Sony IMX882 Camera with Aura Light – Capture vibrant, clear, and well-lit photos even in low light.
- 120Hz Ultra Vision AMOLED Display – See and scroll with incredible clarity and smoothness.
- Dual Stereo Speakers with up to 400% Volume – Experience rich, immersive audio whether you’re watching or listening.
Choose the right vibe for you
The vivo V50 Lite comes in three powerful variants to match your lifestyle:
- 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM (4G) – Php 13,999
- 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM (5G) – Php 16,999
- 12GB RAM + 512GB ROM (5G) – Php 19,999
Until April 25, vivo fans who pre-order the V50 Lite will enjoy exclusive perks:
- Php 1,000 Off
- Limited Edition vivo Buds
- vivo VIP Card with 5-year battery warranty and 6 months extended warranty
Visit any vivo store nationwide and secure your vivo V50 Lite today. Don’t miss out as this is your chance to own the phone that’s not only smart and stylish, but also Maine Mendoza’s top pick for 2025.
The vivo V50 Lite: power meets beauty. Pre-order yours now!
TECHNOLOGY
Samsung unveils epic screens for the ultimate gaming experience
5:19 p.m. April 8, 2025
As the Philippine gaming community continues expanding rapidly, the urge for top-tier gaming displays has never been greater. Samsung stands at the forefront, unlocking a new phase of gaming for Filipinos through its Odyssey lineup that is set to take users beyond reality.
Samsung’s gaming monitors deliver unparalleled speed, precision, and immersion from the revolutionary glasses-free Odyssey 3D to the ultrawide Odyssey G9 and the industry-first 4K, 240Hz OLED G8.
A New Dimension in Gaming with the Odyssey 3D
The 27-inch Odyssey 3D (G90XF model) monitor introduces a next-level 3D experience, without the need for special glasses. By combining advanced eye-tracking with a lenticular lens, it delivers vibrant, lifelike 3D visuals through Samsung’s Reality Hub app.
Samsung has collaborated with top developers like Nexon (The First Berserker: Khazan) and Neowiz (Lies of P, Overture DLC) to ensure seamless 3D optimization. The built-in AI-powered 3D conversion enhances both gaming and video content, supported by a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms Gray-to-Gray (GtG) response time for fluid, responsive performance on its 4K screen. AMD FreeSync™ Premium and NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility eliminate choppiness and lag, even during fast-paced action.
For deeper immersion, Edge Lighting adapts to in-game visuals, illuminating the gaming space with synchronized ambient colors that amplify the 3D visuals and bring game environments to life.
Stunning OLED Brilliance with the Odyssey OLED G8
Available in 27” and 32”, the Odyssey OLED G8 sets a new standard for gaming displays. It features the industry’s highest pixel density for a 27” display, paired with the world’s first 4K resolution monitor with 240Hz refresh rate, delivering unmatched fluidity and responsiveness.
Its quantum dot technology and VESA DisplayHDR™ TrueBlack 400 ensure vivid colors and deep contrasts. Built for long-term durability, it features dynamic Cooling Safety and Samsung OLED Safeguard+ to prevent burn-in and ensure prolonged performance.
Other standout features include AI image upscaling, customizable Core Lighting+, and a sleek metal design, making this monitor as stylish as it is functional. Glare-free technology, certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), reduces screen reflections, while the AI processor optimizes lower-resolution content for the full 4K experience.
Expanding Horizons with the Odyssey G9
With its expansive 49” Dual QHD curved display and Picture-in-Picture features, the Odyssey G9 (G91F model) is ideal for immersive gameplay and multitasking. The HDR10+ GAMING supports optimized brightness and color range for a dynamic picture. A 144Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro guarantee smooth, vibrant gameplay. The Odyssey G9 also streamlines gaming access with Auto Source Switch+, automatically detecting connected devices and displaying them as soon as they are powered on, making gaming setups more effortless.
Unleash Victory with your Next Phase of Gaming
The advanced features and seamless connectivity ensure Filipino gamers stay ahead in the rapidly evolving gaming landscape. Each movement is presented with accuracy, giving players a clear competitive advantage, because when it comes to gaming, second best is never an option.
Pre-order Samsung’s Odyssey monitors until April 19, 2025 and enjoy exclusive discounts and perks. Early bird customers receive PHP 3,000 worth of e-vouchers, along with special deals such as up to Php 27,600 on the 32” Odyssey OLED G8, Php 19,800 off on the 49” Odyssey G9, and Php 45,850 off on the 27” Odyssey 3D. Elevate your gaming setup and seize the victory you’ve been striving for.
To know more about Samsung’s latest gaming technology, visit https://www.samsung.com/ph/monitors/odyssey-gaming-monitor/.
TECHNOLOGY
DigiPlus bags 7 wins at 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards
3:56 p.m. April 4, 2025
DigiPlus Interactive Corp. (DigiPlus), the pioneer in digital sports and entertainment in the Philippines and the company behind leading gaming brands such as BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone, won seven honors – including five coveted gold awards – at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards.
This milestone places DigiPlus among the most awarded companies in the region this year, spotlighting its strategic growth and transformative impact across digital entertainment, social development, and investor relations.
The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards are the only business awards program that recognizes innovation across all 29 markets in the region. Widely regarded as the world’s premier business awards, the Stevie Awards represent a prestigious recognition of business excellence.
DigiPlus bagged five Gold Stevies for ‘Innovative Achievement in Growth’, ‘Innovation in Investor Relations’, ‘Excellence in Social Impact Companies’, ‘Innovation in Annual Reports’, and ‘Innovation in Corporate Websites’. The company also clinched Silver and Bronze Stevies for ‘Achievement in Product Innovation’ and ‘Innovation in Brand Renovation’ respectively.
At the core of these wins is DigiPlus’ commitment to innovation and digital transformation. From redefining the player experience through localized and immersive content, to launching a refreshed brand identity that resonates with a more connected and tech-savvy user base, DigiPlus has embraced a future-forward mindset. The company’s calculated investments in big data, cutting-edge technologies, and stakeholder engagement have not only fueled business growth, but also opened inclusive pathways to digital participation through its social development arm, BingoPlus Foundation.
“This momentous victory at the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards affirms DigiPlus’ emergence as a true powerhouse of innovation and progress, reshaping industry boundaries and redefining digital consumer engagement on a global scale,” said DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio Tanco. “Through consistent growth and business performance, DigiPlus reaffirms its unwavering commitment to creating long-term value.”
Winning entries in the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards undergo a rigorous, multi-layered evaluation by an esteemed panel of judges composed of business and industry leaders across the region. “The 12th Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards received an impressive array of outstanding entries,” said Maggie Miller, President of the Stevie Awards. “This year’s winners have clearly shown their dedication to innovation, and we commend their resilience and imaginative efforts.”
Acerpure drops first hand fan inspired by SB19’s MINTYLADORSES
Pre-order vivo V50 Lite until April 25 to enjoy exclusive perks
TCL celebrates 25 years of timeless greatness: Innovation and excellence in every Filipino home
