TECHNOLOGY
Home Credit boosts digital payment service thru QR PH
December 9, 2021 2:26 p.m.
To provide a fast, easy and safe way to meet the financial needs of their customers, Home Credit boosts its QR Code payment service by joining Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) with QR Ph, the national QR Code standard launched recently to move the country to a more “cash-lite” environment.
In partnership with Asia United Bank Corp. (AUB), Home Credit – the first non-bank institution in the country to issue a credit card to its customers – is also a pioneer in the QR code payment service being the first to allow their credit cardholders to make cardless payments through the use of quick response or QR codes. With the availability of QR Ph person-to-merchant (P2M) payments, its cardholders will have access to an additional 30k+ participating merchants nationwide including retails stores, groceries, gas stations, pharmacies and more.
Through the My Home Credit App, cardholders will only need to scan the displayed QR Ph codes to pay for their purchases paving the way for a cashless and convenient payment option for transactions. As their newly-launched buy now, pay later product Qwarta also becomes available, their customers will be provided with a spending limit of up to 10,000 within the app for their shopping needs.
Aside from the convenience it brings, QR codes are also considered a safe and secure payment method. Offering multiple layers of security, customers are in control of the process by scanning the code without the need to provide personal information such as PIN. In the My Home Credit App alone, all transactions made will be automatically charged to the Home Credit Card or Qwarta which can also be checked and tracked through the mobile app.
“Our digital efforts go all the way back before the pandemic and we continue to do that by offering innovative digital payment products and services to our almost 8 million customers. You can always count on us to fully support any initiative of BSP to further the adoption of digital payment methods and ultimately, foster financial inclusion in the country,” said Home Credit PH Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Minol.
A vital part of BSP’s advocacy to promote financial technology and digitalization is to shift all transactions to digital by 50 percent before 2023. In the same time period, the central bank is also aiming for at least 70 percent of Filipino adults to have digital payment accounts.
In the recent months, the use of QR Codes has been gaining popularity amongst consumers and businesses alike due to social distancing measures caused by the pandemic. It has quickly replaced the heavy use of cash in various transactions and served as a viable alternative to traditional debit and credit card payments. Home Credit, with its partner AUB, was one of the first to respond to this increasing demand with partner brands and merchants already offering QR Code payment services to its customers.
“Our long-standing partnership with Home Credit starting in 2018 also makes them a pioneer in the usage of QR code payments,” said Executive Vice President and Head of Operations and IT Group, Mr. Wilfredo Rodriguez Jr. “Having them as our partner will help widen our reach as well as improve the user experience of their growing customer base with the accessibility of seamless payment services for various sectors such as retail, food and beverages, electronics, supermarkets, services, entertainment, and attractions.”
Founded by the mission to provide services to the unbanked and underserved segment, Home Credit’s participation in the implementation of QR Ph is only expected. With the launch and availability of QR Ph, more stores and merchants will be available to Home Credit consumers so they can continue using digital payments for their day-to-day transactions with their My Home Credit App and enjoy its benefits with greater ease.
The inclusivity that QR Ph brings due to its low cost and convenience will enable more consumers and businesses to participate in the digital payment ecosystem – starting with micro & small enterprises and vendors such as sari-sari stores and tricycle drivers that will eventually help them improve and grow their businesses. In turn, this will empower more consumers, particularly the unbanked market, to start using and patronizing QR Code payment services.
More than 9 million users of the My Home Credit App can simply scan the QR Ph codes displayed in over 30,000 establishments using their mobile device for essential goods and services, making it a faster, easier and safer payment option.
For more information, visit www.homecredit.ph and follow Home Credit at www.facebook.com.homecreditph.
TECHNOLOGY
Keep track of your health in style: 4 new must-have Xiaomi wearables
6:30 a.m. November 30, 2024
Xiaomi’s latest lineup of fitness wearables make health and wellness tracking super stylish and functional
Whether you’re living an active life or not, you shouldn’t underestimate the benefits of tracking your health and exercise. Keeping tabs on your fitness and wellness is easier than ever through the smart devices we own — and now that fitness wearables are more accessible than they were before, there’s nothing stopping you from your best and healthiest life.
But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to think about which fitness wearable you’re going to go for. Fortunately, Xiaomi’s latest lineup of smart wearables narrow down the best choices for you, no matter your fitness level and budget.
- For the starter: Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Active
Looking to get your first wearable but want to dip your toes before going all out? Try the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Active, the entry-level option in the Smart Band 9 series.
It’s got a 1.47-inch display on a light 9.9-mm body, and keeps track of 50 different sports modes for 18 days on a full charge. It’s water-resistant up to five meters, which means you can also take it on your swim. Personalize it with colorful straps and over 100 customizable digital watch faces, making it uniquely yours.
Get the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Active on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop for only P1,199 and at authorized offline stores starting November 30.
2. For the casual: Xiaomi Smart Band 9
If you’re already using a wearable and want some more functionality on a bigger budget, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is a great choice to try.
The Smart Band 9 goes up to a stunning 1.62-inch AMOLED display also on a thin 9.9-mm body, and goes up to over 150 sports modes on a battery that goes longer at 21 days on a full charge. It can also monitor more vitals, including your heart rate, SpO2, stress, and your sleep quality, allowing for more insight into your health.
Get the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 on Lazada and at authorized offline stores for only P1,879.
3. For the enthusiast: Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
Want to take your monitoring and tracking to a whole new level? The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro is the top-of-the-line in the Smart Band 9 series, offering the most features and functionality for power users.
The Smart Band 9 Pro has a beautiful 1.74-inch narrow-edge quadrilateral display resting on a high-quality metal frame with new straps. Along with the features in the Smart Band 9, the Smart Band 9 Pro also has professional workout analysis that personally guides you in doing your exercises and making the most out of your active life. Staying healthy has never been easier and more stylish.
Get the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro on Lazada and Shopee for only P3,799 and at authorized offline stores starting November 30.
4. For the super-stylish: Xiaomi Watch 2
You might need the tracking and monitoring functionality of a fitness wearable, but maybe you still want the piece on your wrist to look like a traditional watch. That’s where the Xiaomi Watch 2 comes in.
The Xiaomi Watch 2 is the ultimate lifestyle wearable, with a classic-looking 1.43-inch round AMOLED display. The water-resistant (up to five meters) watch has a wide array of sensors, from its 161 sports modes to health trackers to even environmental sensors that can tell you temperature, humidity, and direction. The Xiaomi Watch 2 can last up to 65 hours on a single full charge, and you can make it uniquely your own with over 200 customizable watch faces and colorful strap options.
If you want to go all-out in choosing a wearable, you can’t go wrong with the Xiaomi Watch 2.
Get the Xiaomi Watch 2 with a free three-month Spotify subscription on Lazada for P8,499 and Shopee for P7,599, and at authorized offline stores.
So if you’re looking for your first or your next fitness wearable, your best bet is with Xiaomi’s lineup!
To learn more about Xiaomi’s smart wearables, visit the official website at http://mi.com/ph.
TECHNOLOGY
Take life’s challenges head on with the OPPO A3
10:20 p.m. November 15, 2024
Enduring everyday life requires Filipinos to have a mobile device that can be their reliable companion to take on any challenge that arises.
The OPPO A3, OPPO’s strongest A Series device yet, stands out for its durability and reliability, making it a perfect companion for Filipinos in all conditions.
Embodying the #OPPOLangSakalam reputation, the OPPO A3 has been proven and tested to endure accidental falls.
If you’re always on the go, whether for work or school, it’s possible that your phone might take a tumble here and there. Smartphones can get damaged when such situations occur but with the OPPO A3 by your side, you can continue with your day with its ability to still function perfectly without any problems in case it accidentally slips out of your hands or pockets.
Carrying the durability standards of the OPPO A Series, the OPPO A3 passed the Military-Grade Shock Resistance (MIL-STD 810H), putting users’ minds to ease if ever these circumstances come about.
During several tests to see its durability, including a test from a height of 1.2 meters in different angles, the OPPO A3 showed no functional damage after going through it 26 times. When dropped on a marble tile face down from a height of 0.3 meters for 100 times, the device also didn’t show any function issues.
Apart from passing the Military-Grade testing, the OPPO A3 also acquired the SGS Certification for its strong build, which adds peace of mind to users. After being stepped on for 100 times during another test, the phone showed no signs of functional damage.
Face your battles boldly with the OPPO A3
The OPPO A3’s Military-Grade Shock Resistance and SGS Certification proves its durability and reliability, making it the perfect smartphone for everyone. What’s more, the OPPO A3 also comes in multiple variants and stylish colorways, offering users options that will fit their needs.
- The OPPO A3 6GB RAM and 128GB ROM variant is priced at Php 8,999, available in Starry Purple and Sparkle Black.
- The OPPO A3 8GB ROM and 128GB RAM is priced at PHP 9,999 while the OPPOA3 8GB ROM and 256GB RAM is priced at PHP 11,999 available in Starlight White and Sparkle Black.
Get a hold of the OPPO A3 in all OPPO stores nationwide and online via OPPO’s e-commerce platforms on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.
For more information on the OPPO A3, visit OPPO’s official website at www.oppo.com/ph/ or OPPO Philippines’ official Facebook page.
TECHNOLOGY
Lenovo taps MEC Networks as new software distributor in PH
5:58 p.m. November 6, 2024
Lenovo Philippines has strengthened its local software distribution network through a new partnership with MEC Networks Corporation, officially appointing MEC as its software distributor in the Philippine market. The partnership was formalized recently in a contract signing, where Lenovo and MEC committed to delivering high-quality software solutions that meet the evolving needs of Filipino businesses.
This collaboration brings together MEC’s extensive distribution experience and Lenovo’s advanced software offerings. Through MEC, Lenovo will also collaborate with Kinjo Tech, a leading provider of unified endpoint management software such as Scalefusion, to offer cutting-edge software solutions for managing and securing business operations across various industries.
From left to right: Charles Springgay, President of Kinjo Tech, Clark Popple, SMB and One Channel Lead of Lenovo Philippines Inc.,Michael Ngan, President and General Manager of Lenovo Philippines Inc., Gunaseelan Ramachandran, Business Development Manager / Solutions Architect of Kinjo Tech, and Merrick Chua, President of MEC Networks Corporation.
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