TECHNOLOGY
LG XBOOM sets new standard for portable audio excellence
12:14 p.m. September 15, 2024
LG Electronics proudly unveils its latest innovation in sound—the LG XBOOM speakers—during a high-energy launch event at Abenson Quezon Avenue. The highly anticipated lineup was introduced to an enthusiastic audience of media and music lovers, all eager to experience the bold, immersive sound that the LG XBOOM delivers.
The event transformed into a vibrant music festival, alive with energy and festive decorations that perfectly highlighted the XBOOM’s cutting-edge technology. This lively atmosphere created an unforgettable experience, showcasing the speakers’ superior features and their versatility for any occasion—whether used outdoors, for traveling, or at a big party.
Black Eyed Peas’ “Boom Boom Pow” also played a key role in the event, initiating the audience for a global movement of breaking boundaries, pushing limits, and living in the moment. As an iconic anthem, “Boom Boom Pow” perfectly complemented the XBOOM’s dynamic features, with the speakers’ bass amplifying the event’s party atmosphere. The collaboration highlighted the synergy between innovative technology and high-energy music, making the launch event a truly unforgettable experience.
LG Philippines Managing Director, Nakhyun Seong, expressed his excitement, emphasizing how the XBOOM movement is designed to revolutionize the way we experience music.
“In perfect harmony with the LG XBOOM, we’ve partnered with the legendary hit ‘Boom Boom Pow’ by the Black Eyed Peas. This iconic track isn’t just a song—it’s a movement. It’s about breaking boundaries, pushing limits, and immersing ourselves in the pure joy of the moment. This philosophy of living boldly and fully is at the core of what LG XBOOM represents.,” he said.
Mildred Bugay, Product Manager for Audio, detailed the features of the LG XBOOM XL9T and LG XBOOM Go speakers, highlighting their advanced sound technology.
“The Dynamic Bass Optimizer in the LG XBOOM XL9T delivers punchy bass while maintaining balanced sound even at low volumes. LG XBOOM Go is a portable party speaker that is perfectly designed for outdoors that you can bring wherever you go. ” she explained. The event demonstrated how LG XBOOM speakers are designed for exceptional usability and convenience.
The LG XBOOM XL9T is a powerhouse in portable sound, featuring two 8-inch giant woofers for deep, bold bass and 3-inch tweeters for crisp highs. Its dynamic lighting includes unique ring lights around the woofers, pixel LED animations, and multi-color effects that sync with the music. The XL9T also offers karaoke functionality and guitar inputs for live performances, and its handle and wheels make it easy to transport. With an IPX4 rating, it withstands water splashes, making it ideal for poolside gatherings.
The LG XBOOM Go is designed for outdoor adventures with remarkable sound and deep bass. The new track-type woofers of XG7Q and XG5Q, produce stunningly loud and clear audio. Its bass enhancement algorithm ensures that every note is heard and felt, even at low volumes. It displays dynamic lighting with up to 16 million colors that sync with the music for an immersive experience. The XG7Q has a 30W output that offers up to 24 hours of playback, while the XG5Q has a 20W output that provides playback up to 18 hours.
The LG XBOOM XG2T, known as “mighty in mini,” delivers powerful sound from its compact design for up to 10 hours. It features a unique string structure for secure attachment and has passed seven US military durability tests.
With IP67 rating, the LG XBOOM Go is designed to withstand both water and dust, ensuring the music keeps playing no matter the environment.
The event also featured a dynamic performance from VXON, a rising P-pop group known for their energetic stage presence. VXON thrilled the audience with a global collaboration rendition of “Boom Boom Pow” by the Black Eyed Peas, and their original hits “Saksak Sa Puso” and “Sandal.”
The group also shared their excitement for music, with VXON stating “Music is truly a universal language, and we’re really happy with this opportunity to connect with all of you through our performances this afternoon.”
In closing, Yongwoo Park, LG Philippines Product Director for Home Entertainment, emphasized LG’s belief on pushing the limits of innovation that redefines sound quality and enhances the way we experience music in our daily lives.
“The LG XBOOM isn’t just a speaker—it’s your go-to for transforming any gathering, adventure, or chill day at home with amazing sound and smart features. LG XBOOM will be your perfect partner in elevating the mood with powerful sound and features.”
Life’s Good with the new lineup of LG XBOOM Speakers that are now available at special introductory prices:
LG XBOOM XL9T (₱ 44,990.00 SRP) – ₱ 35,990.00
LG XBOOM Go Series:
LG XBOOM XG7Q (₱ 9,490.00 SRP) – ₱ 6,990.00
LG XBOOM XG5Q (₱ 7,490.00 SRP) – ₱ 5,490.00
LG XBOOM XG2T (₱ 3,490.00 SRP) – ₱ 2,490.00
Life’s about more than having the latest technology; it’s about the experiences technology creates that impact our lives. LG Electronics Philippines delivers top-of-the-line home entertainment appliances that prepare Filipinos for their greatest moments. LG promises to bring “Innovation for a Better Life” nationwide—across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. For more information, visit and follow their social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok and Youtube (@lgphilippines).
TECHNOLOGY
Rest easy with the Index Sleep Monitor smart sleep band from Garmin
11:09 a.m. August 29, 2025
GARMIN has announced the Index™ Sleep Monitor, an ultra-comfortable and lightweight smart sleep band that tracks sleep for a more comprehensive view of overall fitness and recovery.
Featuring up to 7 nights of battery life with continuous Pulse Ox tracking, the Index Sleep Monitor is worn on the upper arm and tracks sleep stages, heart rate variability (HRV) status, breathing variations, skin temperature and more to calculate a sleep score for users and provide valuable insights about their health.
After a night of sleep, the data seamlessly syncs to the Garmin Connect™ smartphone app and can be combined with metrics from a compatible Garmin smartwatch to fill in gaps in data for users who don’t wear their watch at night or are looking to better understand how well they recovered.
“We are thrilled to add the Index Sleep Monitor to our suite of innovative health and wellness products. Wearing this smart sleep band every night can provide in-depth sleep insights and a more complete picture of fitness and recovery so users can wake up ready to seize the day.” — Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing
Rest and recover
Throughout the night, the Index Sleep Monitor tracks the following sleep and recovery metrics, which can then be viewed on the Garmin Connect app:
● Sleep score: Every morning, receive a personalized score (0-100) for last night’s sleep based on sleep duration, stress, sleep stages and more.
● Sleep stages: View light, deep and REM sleep stages and when they occur during the night.
● HRV status: See the previous night’s average HRV and status (balanced, unbalanced, low or poor). After several nights of wear, the smart sleep band will establish a personal baseline to help provide a better understanding of recovery and overall wellness.
● Pulse Ox: Track blood oxygen saturation during sleep1.
● Breathing variations: Used in conjunction with Pulse Ox, view and better understand shifts in breathing patterns while sleeping.1
● Respiration: View respiration rates throughout the night.
● Skin temperature: Track skin temperature changes, which can be related to recent activity, sleep environment, potential illness and more.
● Women’s health tracking: Using skin temperature, women can get more insights into their menstrual cycle, including improved period predictions and past ovulation estimates2. Women can also track their menstrual cycle or pregnancy and get exercise and nutrition education in the Garmin Connect app.
● Body BatteryTM energy monitoring: View energy levels to see if the body is charged or needs more rest. Users who wear a compatible smartwatch while awake can get a more complete picture of their energy levels—day and night.
● Stress tracking: See if last night’s sleep was calm, balanced or stressful.
When it’s time to wake up, the smart wake alarm feature looks at lighter sleep stages during a pre-selected window of time to gently wake users with a light vibration so they feel more refreshed.
Available in two sizes (S-M and L-XL), the Index Sleep Monitor is easy to clean; just remove the module and toss the band into the washing machine on the gentle cycle.
It is for P10,290.00 and available via official Garmin Stores online in Kinetic, Shopee, and Lazada and in all Garmin Brand Stores and Garmin Specialty Stores.
For more information, visit https://ph.garmin.com/.
TECHNOLOGY
Time to make your moment: OPPO Reno14 Series 5G now available for pre-order
9:11 p.m. August 10, 2025
OPPO’s latest smartphone series is now available for pre-order in the Philippines—and it’s built for those who want to turn everyday moments into stories worth sharing.
The OPPO Reno14 Series 5G brings together AI-powered photography, vivid 4K video, sleek design, and powerful performance, all in one beautifully crafted device. Whether you’re creating content, diving into your favorite game, or simply making your moment, the OPPO Reno14 Series 5G makes it effortless to discover and explore—without compromise.
Your Studio, In Your Pocket
Capture yourself at your best with AI Portrait capabilities that naturally refine lighting, angles, and facial details—no filters or editing apps needed. Want to adjust after the shot? Features like AI Recompose and AI Perfect Shot help you fix framing, expressions, and more—all within the native camera.
Even in low light, the Ultra-Clear Low-Light Camera System and AI Flash Photography keep your shots vivid and full of life—perfect for nights out, concerts, and candle-lit dinners.
Powered by next-gen chipsets, MediaTek Dimensity 8450 for OPPO Reno14 Pro 5G, Dimensity 8350 for OPPO Reno14 5G, and Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 for OPPO Reno14 F 5G, you can count on a fluid experience whether you’re gaming, streaming, or multitasking.
Smart features like AI HyperBoost 2.0 and AI LinkBoost 3.0 optimize gameplay, prevent lag, and keep your connection smooth wherever you are.
Designed to be seen
The Iridescent Mermaid Design of the OPPO Reno14 Series 5G is more than a color, it’s a statement. Inspired by the shimmer of light underwater, the finish is paired with Velvet Glass and aerospace-grade aluminum for a look and feel that’s luxurious, durable, and uniquely OPPO.
TECHNOLOGY
Concentrix Philippines releases iX Hero
9:21 p.m. July 30, 2025
Concentrix Corporation, a global technology and services leader that’s also the Philippines’ largest private employer, today announced the newest release of iX Hero: the company’s agentic AI-powered application that works together with a human in the loop to supercharge the way customer experience is delivered.
Joining the launch of iX Hero in the Philippines were Concentrix Chief Product Officer Ryan Peterson; Global Vice President, Product Management, Craig Cotton; and Vice President, Product and Domain Leader, Ratna Puri, together with Concentrix Philippines Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer Amit Jagga, as well as Vice President for Transformation and Delivery Shared Services Larah Sta. Maria. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) represented by Assistant Secretary Migui Planas was also present for the event, which included a demo of the application and other AI-driven products in the Concentrix Intelligent Experience (iX) suite.
iX Hero supercharges advisor performance through multiple AI-driven features: from automatic conversation transcription and knowledge apps that find and surface ready-to-use answers to customer questions, to noise cancellation that cuts out distracting background noise and speech harmonization that helps every word during a conversation shine through, all the way to generating transaction summaries and insights that offer coaching tips for improvement – all in one place, all in real-time. It’s akin to giving the advisors superpowers that lead to faster onboarding, better performance, and smarter conversations, so they can focus on what matters most: the customers.
According to Concentrix Chief Product Officer Ryan Peterson, “iX Hero is the culmination of decades of Concentrix expertise in AI and automation, built on insights and fine-tuned from millions of interactions. As a company that supports over 2,000 of the world’s leading brands, we know what it takes for AI to complement human ingenuity because we’ve developed the products that have achieved concrete outcomes and growth for our people, clients and business.”
Enabling Job Access and Inclusivity
iX Hero’s impact to the workforce journey starts at the very beginning – helping job applicants get hired. One of iX Hero’s features called Harmony, fine-tunes speech patterns for clearer pronunciation, making sure every word lands perfectly while keeping voices natural and authentic, and has been piloted in the language assessment part of Recruiting in Concentrix Philippines. In the integrated business solutions industry where clear communication is essential, language skills tests are the first part of the recruiting process. During its pilot in the country prior to the launch, iX Hero’s Harmony enabled applicants’ speech to be clear and easy to understand while retaining their authentic voice, enabling passing scores for those who would otherwise not be able to move on to the next stages of the recruiting process due to language proficiency challenges on speech. As iX Hero is also deployed in the advisor workspace once they are hired, the real-time support continues, leading to superior performance and resulting in game-changing customer experiences.
According to Concentrix Philippines EVP and Chief Business Officer Amit Jagga, “Having the Harmony feature in iX Hero is a perfect example of how AI helps provide access to employment and greater job inclusivity for many Filipinos, in addition to upskilling. More than just a tech product launch, iX Hero represents our commitment to harnessing AI for good and keeping humans at the heart of digital transformation.”
According to DICT Assistant Secretary Planas, “In the DICT we have a slogan that says ‘Walang Iwanan sa Digital Bayanihan’, meaning “no one left behind,” which underscores the government’s mission for every Filipino to have access to technology, connectivity and with it, future-ready jobs. It is very encouraging to have private sector partners like Concentrix who contribute positively to this mission, in a very tangible way, through AI-powered products like iX Hero that can scale in use throughout the country, not just where the organization operates but also as it extends to Concentrix clients and partners who will use it as a solution and tool for their own workforce.”
Real-world results from iX Hero include 20% efficiency gains from quicker adaptation and skill acquisition in a supportive learning environment for sustained professional growth, 22% reduction in average call handling times, 13.5% increase in customer satisfaction and 30% improved communication from speech clarity, language proficiency and non-verbal skills. iX Hero received the TMC Generative AI Product of the Year Award and Concentrix’s iX Product Suite has already received over 20 industry awards globally.
For more information, meet iX Hero on the company website.
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