HWM - April 2016 PH

WINThese
PrIzes! Antivirus for Android Aspire 2 smArtphone
SHOOTOUTS
FLAGSHIP
SMARTPHONE
CAMERAS
HigH-end Z170
MOTHERBOARDS
FLARE IS IN THE AIR

NADINE LUSTRE • JAMES REID REVIEWED
SamSung galaxy S7,
aSuS ROg g752,
SappHiRe RadeOn R9 nanO,
and lOtS mORe!
APRIL 2016 VOLUME 12, ISSUE 05
get CREATIVE witH COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY 04
A P R I L 2 0 1 6
46
Cherries on top
10
think
20
scene
24
Bulletin
26
lifestyle
27
spotlight
Follow us
2 HWM PH / April 2016

A P R I L 2 0 1 6
Gear
28
52
test
36
Samsung Galaxy S7
Microsoft Lumia 950 XL
Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro
ASUS ROG G752 shootout
Sapphire Radeon R9 Nano
WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra
ASUS 4G-N12
Samsung Gear VR
52
Flagship Smartphone
37
Camera Shootout
Apple iPhone 6s Plus
Huawei Nexus 6P
LG V10
Samsung Galaxy Note 5
Sony Xperia Z5 Premium
test
64
74
High-end Z170
Motherboard Shootout
ASRock Z170 OC Formula
ASUS ROG Maximus VIII
Extreme
Gigabyte Z170X Gaming G1
MSI Z170A Gaming M9 ACK Feature
Feature
74
Creative Photography
learn
84
42
The Ultimate Guide to Netflix
88
Enhance Your Netflix
Experience
90
Seven Netflix Hacks, Tips,
test and Tricks
84
43
learn
test suBsCription prize

93
Happy Mobile Aspire 2

THE BEST
Just Keeps GETTING
Better!
HardwareZone.com.ph
A P R I L
2 0 1 6
MAKE IT COUNT
Marvin R. Velasco | Editor

Comments about this issue? Suggestions? The HWM Team would love to hear from you! Send us your
thoughts at editor.ph@hwzcorp.com.
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T H I N K
paper
and
digital
divideIt has never been easier to read, write, draw, and create
digitally. So why are we still stuck on books?
Text by Liu Hongzuo

Photography by Zaphs Zhang
Art Direction by Ken Koh

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T H I N K
it’s the
diGital aGe;
why are we
still stuCk
on paper?
Despite the proliferation of digital
styluses and content, print still survives,
dashing declarations of its inevitable
PICTURES fReePIK & aPPLe

doom. Why is the world still in a limbo
between paper and digital?
by Liu Hongzuo
It has never been easier to work digitally. For artists making digital their physical form. Reading is defined by the left and right pages, framed by
artwork, there’s the Wacom Intuos Creative Stylus 2 and the Wacom corners which help readers orient themselves and focus without losing track
Bamboo Smart stylus. There’s also the Apple Pencil, which lets you do far of progress.
more than writing or drawing, but only when used with an iPad Pro. Each physical page you turn creates a visible trail of progress, compounded
If you look beyond the stylus, there are the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and by the relative thickness of pages read in your left hand, and the pages
Samsung Galaxy Note 5, both highly popular hybrids that incorporate a stylus. remaining nested in your right. Every page flip also creates a sense of rhythm.
Indeed, print is dying, but that’s because it’s so much easier to work off a All this is further amplified with how our human brains perceive reading.
word processor, to chase people with emails over The academic International Journal of Human-
post mail, and read sensational drivel on a rumor site Computer Studies noted that text is mentally
instead of a gossip magazine. “The International represented by meanings tied to structure, just like
So with businesses, artists, and your typical Journal of Human- how we read terrain on maps.
white-collar worker with a stylus-enabled smartphone Behavioral studies also argue that people recall
moving their written work onto the digital platform,
Computer Studies written information by remembering the location of
why do we still fall back on physical books when it noted that text is where the text appeared. Anecdotally speaking, I had
comes to reading? mentally represented no trouble remembering how George Orwell’s 1984
Our own HWM folks have polarizing opinions on had a distinct pattern to it, with the third quarter of
by meanings tied to
the matter. Some claim that e-books are superior, the book going knee-deep into political ideology after
given how much physical space and money they structure, just like how the protagonist meets his contact at a bar.
save, while the supporters of paperbacks argue that we read terrain on
Paper versus Digital
nothing beats the smell of opening a good book.
maps.”
On the surface, it sounds like a terrible, emotional But isn’t digital text far more intuitive with the
argument for books to stay, marred further by their ability to search for key phrases at a whim? It’s
environmentally destructive origins. But what if there’s actually more to certainly more convenient, but digitized books rob the reader from getting the
physical books that we didn’t notice? experience to mentally picture their reading progress.
And these implemented features still can’t take away the greatest bane
Reading a physical book makes a map in your mind there is to the web-reading experience – scrolling. From Wired’s research
The Scientific American claims that paperbacks have the advantage over piece on paper versus digital, psychologist Erik Wästlund at Sweden’s Karlstad
digital formats. Paper books are superior in terms of feel and flow, thanks to University pointed out that scrolling through digital text created more

distraction, compared to flipping a page. to tell us how subconsciously powerful a physical book is to a reader, even
The need to search for a new focus point after each swipe also distracted with the convenience of free literature compressed onto an easily accessible
a reader from their text, and the psychologist said that the mental resources hard drive.
spent on scrolling could have been spent on understanding the text instead. While it’s easier than ever to capture your thoughts digitally, it seems
Even with these features, books dominate because of their innate ability physical books still provide the better reading experience. That helps to explain
to track progress by thickness instead of page number. That alone is enough why tablets and screens still haven’t replaced the good old paper book.
the Best paper replaCements

you Can Get 1.
1. Phree stylus - US$ 198
This stylus is one of the few that openly boasts compatibility across multiple platforms: Android and iOS,
Windows and OSX, as well as programs such as Evernote and Photoshop. It also has the ability to track 2.
your writing on any surface, including your own skin.
2. Wacom Intuos Creative Stylus 2 - US$ 79.95

Designed for artists who work with iPads, this Bluetooth-connected stylus has 2,048 pressure levels and a
durable stylus tip for extended use.
3. Microsoft Surface Pro 4 - From US$ 1,299

This hybrid is everything in a neat little package. Getting the Surface Pro 4 isn’t just for the Surface Pen
3.
stylus, with its 1,024 pressure levels and magnetic attachment; what you’re really paying for is the full
Windows 10 operating system and the hardware that supports it. Because of its configuration, it’s easy to
jump in and out of digital work without much effort.
4. Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (32GB) - PhP 36,990

It’s hard to avoid bringing up this Samsung phablet when you want to talk about wonderful stylus
experiences on a device. The Samsung Galaxy Note 5’s S Pen is much more than a writing instrument; it
functions as a third limb for people who like precision and pen-holding while on their smartphone. Use 4.
the S Pen to scroll through webpages, access shortcuts, and many more – all from the convenience of
your palm.
5. Amazon Kindle Voyage - US$ 199

The Kindle devices by Amazon are regarded as the de-facto e-reader of choice, given their HD e-ink 5.
screen, automatic backlight, and intuitive handling. The latest iteration, the Kindle Voyage, comes with
4GB of onboard storage and physical page-turning buttons called PagePress.
6. Kobo Glo HD - US$ 129.99 6.

If you want something as powerful as an Amazon e-reader with epub file format compatibility and no
advertising, try this instead. The Kobo Glo HD also comes with r4GB of internal storage and the same
Carta E Ink display at 300ppi. The makers claim that it has a two-month-long battery life if you read 30
minutes a day, which is significantly more than what the Voyage offers on a single charge.
hardwarezone.com.ph 13
T H I N K
the Camera is dyinG,

But photoGraphy has
never Been more alive
The end of the compact camera is near, but another kind
of “compact camera” is taking its place.
by Marcus Wong
ìf` h >
h> ì f`
ì
f`
h>
PICTURE fReePIK
According to the latest report by the substantially less. This comes largely off the
Camera & Imaging Products Association back of stable demand for interchangeable lens
(CIPA), total shipments of cameras and related “Compared to the 30.9% cameras (ILCs) and their lenses, as they accounted
goods declined 18.5% year on year in 2015 to 35.4 contraction for 37% of total shipments.
million units. 2015 continues the downward trend
in shipments for 2014, Shipment of digital cameras with built-in
that has hit the industry since the global recession lenses (i.e., compact cameras), on the other hand,
of 2009.
the decline in 2015 was showed a decline of 24.5% year on year to 22.3
However, compared to the 30.9% contraction substantially less.” million units. That’s less than 80% of what they
in shipments for 2014, the decline in 2015 was were in 2014!

Why compact cameras have fallen so far Some compact cameras have gained these sensor, for image quality that comes closer to ILCs.
The reasons for compact cameras’ dramatic fall functionalities too, but for most users, the quality
are twofold. One is due to the fact that prices they get from their smartphones is good enough, The most popular camera today is –
of interchangeable lens cameras have fallen especially for online and messaging, so why carry guess who?
dramatically over the years, so it simply makes yet another gadget? The numbers show this, too. Despite the falling
more sense to get an ILC over a compact camera. numbers of camera shipments through the
Today’s ILCs are small enough and offer better How compact cameras might weather the years, the number of photographs taken and
performance than compacts, so why not pick one storm shared online has skyrocketed. InfoTrends’ 2014
up if you’re going for a new camera? It’s a confluence of forces that spell dread tidings Worldwide Image Capture Forecast states that
The second – and probably bigger – reason is for the compact camera. Already companies like approximately 810 billion photos were taken
that the cameras in our smartphones are getting GoPro are scaling down, thanks to the rough worldwide in 2014. That number is set to grow to
better and better. Advanced camera functions are an astonishing 1 trillion photos in 2015. So where
becoming more and more commonplace. Some are all these images coming from?
smartphones offer the option to save images in
“Despite the falling The smartphone in everybody’s hands. Flickr’s
RAW, while others offer in-camera filter effects, numbers of camera Year in Review 2015 shows that 42% of their
panorama capture modes, and even the ability to shipments through users used an iPhone to capture the images on
shoot 4K video. their website, compared to just 27% by Canon
the years, the number EOS users and 16% with Nikon cameras. In fact,
Social media is the new photo album of photographs taken different versions of the iPhone take up eight of
Mobile phones have two key advantages over and shared online has the top 20 cameras that are used on Flickr.
compact cameras: They’re always with you, and It’s obvious that the cameras in our
they allow you to instantly share whatever images
skyrocketed.” smartphones are the cameras driving photography
you’ve taken with the largest audience available – today. And that’s certainly something camera
the Internet. makers should start taking note of. Rather than
Posting on social media has become today’s financial times we’re going through, and this trying to create similar but bigger cameras, they
equivalent of printing photos to display. Social should only become more prevalent through the should perhaps focus on helping their customers
media options are endless, from Facebook to industry. improve their skills, so they’ll naturally look
Tumblr to Instagram, much faster than waiting for The compact camera portfolio can only towards ILCs to take them further.
prints develop, and for the most part, free as well. reasonably continue in three forms: The action/all- That, or take a leaf out of Carl Zeiss’ book, and
After all, the photo is already in your phone and weather camera for conditions you wouldn’t want move into creating accessories like clip-on lenses
the phone is already connected to the Internet, so to expose your smartphone to, the superzoom for smartphones. It’s clear to see that there are
it’s really a case of pressing a few buttons on the compact for people who want extended reach, resources currently being devoted to compact
screen. and the premium compact which offers a larger cameras that could be better used in other ways.
Cameras used to upload

photoGraphs on FliCkr in 2015
39% 31% 25% 3%

Camera Phone DSLR Compact Mirrorless
Data from flickr Year in Review 2015.
T H I N K
are oled displays Finally

ready For prime time?
If what we have seen at CES 2016 is any indication, be prepared
to see OLED displays coming soon to more devices near you.
by Kenny Yeo
OLED or organic light-emitting diode on OLED displays look so vivid and photorealistic. problem.
displays are not new. The first phones to The icing on the cake is that because there’s no Early OLEDs would lose their brightness after
use active-matrix OLED displays appeared as early need for backlights, OLED televisions can be built just 1,000 hours and would only achieve half
as 2008, while the first commercially available thinner than LCD televisions. The thinnest OLED their original brightness after 14,000 hours. This
OLED televisions made their way to store shelves televisions are now thinner than smartphones. compares poorly to LCD displays, which would
about three years ago. typically lose half their original brightness only
after 25,000 to 40,000 hours of use. OLED displays
How do OLeD displays work? "Like any other are also prone to burn-in images. Like plasma
OLED displays work by passing an electric current
new technology, there displays, OLEDs can retain images temporarily or
through a thin film of organic material to create even permanently if left static for too long.
red, blue, and green lights – the basic colors are teething
needed to create a TV image. On the other hand, issues that need to OLeD displays might finally be ready for
LCDs have pixels that are switched on or off using be addressed.” prime time
liquid crystals to rotate polarized light, while Fortunately, these issues have largely been
the now-abandoned plasma technology ignites solved. According to LG, the biggest proponent
pockets of gas to excite phosphors. of OLED displays, its OLED displays now have a
This method of creating images gives OLED Why hasn’t the superior OLeD display lifespan of around 30,000 hours before brightness
displays numerous advantages over traditional become mainstream already? deteriorates; that equals to 10 years of watching
LCD displays. Since OLED displays do not rely on With so many significant advantages over LCD television for 8 hours a day. Additionally, OLED
backlights, they can show true, absolute blacks; displays, why then hasn’t OLED become the television manufacturers have also implemented
consequently, brightness uniformity across the mainstream display? various anti-burn-in features into their OLED
entire display is also less of an issue. Like any other new technology, there are televisions to prevent burn-in images from
OLED displays also enjoy wider viewing angles, teething issues that need to be addressed. For a occurring.
higher refresh rates and contrast ratios, and have time, the limited lifespan of the organic materials In fact, thanks to advances in OLED technology,
a wider color gamut, which explain why images used to create OLED displays was the biggest OLED displays might finally be ready for prime

the FlaG-
Bearer oF
oled tvs:
lG G6
LG has been OLED’s most visible
proponent, and earlier this year at
CES 2016, it unveiled its new G6
OLED televisions. Supporting 4K
resolution and available in 77 and
65-inch sizes, the display of these
new televisions is just 2.57 mm
thick. The bezels are also just as
thin. In fact, it’s so thin that LG is
calling the G6 televisions Picture-
On-Glass.
To complete the futuristic look,
the back of the television is
translucent, and the televisions
have forward-facing soundbar
speakers. These new televisions
run webOS 3.0, and also support
OLED HDR and HDR formats such
as HDR10 and DolbyVision.
time. At CES 2016, we saw, for the first time, OLED Dell’s existing UltraSharp 32 Ultra HD 4K monitor, LCD display.
displays being used in notebooks and computer which uses an IPS LCD display and was also New technology is always costly to
monitors. Lenovo is offering optional OLED designed for professional use, is considerably more manufacture, partly because of immature
displays on their new ThinkPad X1 Yoga device. We accessible at US$1,799 - just over a third of the manufacturing processes and also high R&D costs.
saw the OLED variant alongside the standard IPS price of the new OLED UltraSharp 30 monitor. This was the case for SSDs, too, but look at how
LCD model and the difference was astounding. The affordable they are now. Thankfully, prices of OLED
OLED model looked incredibly vivid and images displays could come down in the next year or so.
were more lifelike. "Price remains to be The technology is fairly mature now and volume
Apart from Lenovo, Dell also announced
the biggest stumbling manufacturing by key players in the industry looks
its new 4K OLED UltraSharp 30 monitor at CES set to take place in the near future.
2016. This new monitor boasts very impressive block that’s preventing LG has just invested US$ 380 million to build
specifications including a 0.1ms response time the widespread a new factory to ramp up production of OLED
and a 400,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. It also adoption of OLED displays, which should help bring down the costs
covers 100% of the Adobe RGB color space, as of OLED panels by a sizeable margin in time.
well as 97.8% of DCI-P3 color space – the color
displays.” Before LG’s investment, Samsung announced an
space used extensively in cinema today. Although even larger US$ 3.6 billion investment in February
it’s a monitor targeted at professional users, the last year to build more OLED panels. Japan Display,
insane response time and amazing colors would In fact, price remains to be the biggest another large producer of LCD panels, also
likely appeal to any enthusiast or power user, stumbling block that’s preventing the widespread announced that it would start mass production of
as well. adoption of OLED displays. If we were to compare OLED displays in 2018.
similar-sized televisions using OLED and LCD It seems that whatever hesitations
But there’s still one problem to overcome displays, the OLED model will cost about 40% manufacturers had about OLED technology have
However, there’s still one stumbling block and more. And according to IHS Research, it is been allayed, and it’s likely that OLED could be the
that’s price. The Dell 4K OLED UltraSharp 30 estimated that it would cost manufacturers double predominant display technology in the not-so-
monitor is expected to cost around US$ 4,999. to put an OLED display into a PC as opposed to an distant future.
T H I N K
THE WORLD’S
OLDEST TORRENT
reaCtions to the by Marcus Wong
oriGinal ipad
From six years
aGo
Was it really that bad?
by James Lu
The nature of BitTorrent is that files only live

on in the network if at least one person keeps
seeding it. Which means, most torrents die after
the public loses interest. So imagine how rare it
is to find a torrent that’s still going strong some
12 plus years after its creation on December 20,
2003.
Created as a piece of fan art, The Matrix-
ASCII is the work of a single fan who
painstakingly converted the movie frame by
frame to ASCII text, then cropping, resizing,
and coloring the final output.
GooGle’s ai will
ChallenGe the
Best Go player in
The Apple iPad was announced exactly We also loved this guy’s response: “I can’t wait till the world
six years ago. Since then, it’s evolved they make a pocket version of it …” by Liu Hongzuo
into the iPad Air, while a Mini version and a
After defeating European Go champion Fan
larger Pro version have come along, too. But What about the press? Hui in a closed-door showdown last October,
what was the reaction like when Steve Jobs first Engadget wrote, “What it was, however, was fairly Google’s AlphaGo artificial intelligence will
be taking on Lee Se-dol, the top Go player in
announced it? underwhelming. Maybe underwhelming isn’t the the world of the past decade. This is the first
Here are some selections right word. Unimaginative time a computer program has ever beaten a
professional Go player.
from the Macrumors might be more accurate.”
thread discussing the "The Truth Designing an AI that can defeat professional
Go players is more complex than creating
about Business Insider ran an article

announcement (don’t forget, AI for checkers or chess. These other games
utilize traditional AI methods, while Google
Macrumors is an Apple fan headlined, “The Truth about
used a different approach to create AlphaGo
site):
Apple’s iPad: Apple’s iPad: It’s a Big Yawn.” – an advanced search tree infused with deep
neural networks.
“This is a giant iPhone, there’s It’s a David Pogue from the

Google trained the AI’s neural networks
with 30 million possible moves from games
no other way to put it. You can New York Times was one of played by human experts. The AI is capable of
love it, you can hate it but in Big Yawn.” the few optimistic ones, “That machine learning; it went on to play thousands
of games within its own neural networks, then
the end it is a giant iPhone. Not [criticism] will last until the adjusted its connections by trial-and-error to
revolutionary at all.” iPad actually goes on sale in determine the best rewards for its actions.
April. Then, if history is any guide, Phase 3 will

“Bigger fail than Macbook Air and Apple TV begin: positive reviews, people lining up to buy the
combined ... all those years of waiting and all the thing, and the mysterious disappearance of the
hype ...” basher-bloggers.”
“The keynote could have been 5 minutes long. What did we think of the original iPad? We
‘Hey we took the iPhone and made it bigger, called it, “Sheer tablet brilliance.” In fact, we
booya!’ I can’t believe this is it.” dedicated eight (!) pages to it in our review on
HardwareZone.com.

I M P a C T
lonG-ranGe wireless
CharGinG
by James Lu
Imagine power being delivered through connection from a device. If that signal isn’t
the air, without the need for any cables detected – if it’s blocked by a person standing
or charging pads. That’s what Ossia’s Cota in the way, for example – the power won’t
wireless charging technology can do, and it’s be delivered. The Cota isn’t limited to smart
available this year. devices either, it can charge virtually anything
The Cota has been in development for that can be fitted with a receiver chip, including
ten years and, in its current form, resembles digital cameras, remote controls, electric
a cylindrical tower, about the same size and toothbrushes, smoke detectors, and IoT devices
shape as the Mac Pro. Inside the Cota are like thermostats and electronic locks.
hundreds of omnidirectional antennas that can The Cota itself is scheduled to enter
beam radio frequency waves over 2.8GHz at production around Q3 this year, while the
100Hz, well beyond the interference range of receiver chips are already being produced.
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. According to Ossia, the first generation of Cota
The waves carry a power charge, capable of products will mainly be accessories, such as
delivering 1W of power wirelessly up to a range smartphone cases with the receiver chips
of 10 meters, but they aren’t on all the time. inside them. If all goes well, next-generation
To ensure safe charging, the Cota only sends devices will already have Cota chips built into
out a power charge when it receives a signal them.
S C e N e
Refining
Luxury
The latest generation of BMW’s flagship automobile – the BMW 7 Series – is finally here in the
Philippines. Asian Car Makers Corporation (ACC), the official importer and distributor of BMW in
the Philippines, unveiled the all-new BMW 7 Series through a gala event held at the Grand
Ballroom of the new Shangri-La the Fort in Bonifacio Global City. Dubbed the most
innovative vehicle in its segment, the new BMW 7 Series marks an important
milestone in BMW’s technological evolution by combining groundbreaking
features in design, functionality, EfficientDynamics, and well-being
and comfort that define contemporary automotive luxury.

We Do Events!
Driven by a team of passionate technology professionals, Hardware Zone Events Services
offers comprehensive event management solutions which leave lasting impressions. We
have the expertise, talent, and experience to conceptualize and execute any customized on-
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• Total service orientation
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Events Marketing Promotions Relationship Marketing
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• Business Conferences/Seminars • Sales Promos • Loyalty Programs
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• Trade Activations • Manpower Management • Customer Relation Mgt.
S C e N e
Leviathan
The world’s first water-cooled laptop finally
arrived in the Philippines. The ASUS GX700 packs
an unlocked Intel Core i7-6820HK, a desktop-
class GTX 980 with 8GB of GDDR5 RAM, and
32GB of DDR4 RAM. In terms of storage, it has
two 256GB NVMe SSDs running at RAID 0 for
maximum performance. A travel case, jacket, and
a personalized luggage tag are included. Only
20 units will be available in the country. The 20
customers who will purchase these beasts will be
dubbed as the “Legendary 20” and are exclusively
invited to all ROG events in the country.
Enterprise Durability
Geared towards the enterprise market, HP has
released its Elite x2 1012 convertible. Able to pass
MIL-STD 810G testing, HP advertises the Elite x2
as being able to handle harsh abuse without any
problems. Flexibility is also included in the formula,
as the Elite x2 has a choice of two detachable
keyboards and a Wacom-powered stylus to use on its
touchscreen display. Priced at PhP 65,000, the Elite x2
comes equipped with a 12-inch LED touchscreen with
Gorilla Glass 4 protection, a 6th-generation Intel Core
M processor, and stereo audio from Bang & Olufsen.
Looking Forward
HOOQ marked its first anniversary back in
March. Initially a startup venture of Singtel,
Warner Bros. Entertainment, and Sony Picture
Television, HOOQ has now become the
number-one paid video streaming service in
the Philippines with more than 100,000 paying
subscribers. First launched in the Philippines,
it has now expanded to Thailand and India
offering more than 35,000 hours of Hollywood,
regional, and Filipino movies and TV shows.
As it celebrated its first year, new content has
been introduced, including Spartacus,
The White Queen, The Player, and Community.

Ensuring Security
Fortinet has launched its Cyber Threat Assessment
Program in the Philippines to show both profit and
non-profit organizations a detailed look into the type
and amount of cyber threats posing risks to their
networks, yet going undetected by their existing
security solutions. Derek Manky, Fortinet’s global
security strategist, has already spoken with the
Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group
to introduce the threats the Filipino masses could
possibly experience by connecting their devices to
the Internet.
Amplify
JBL introduced its #AmplifyPassion campaign
by holding a two-day (March 10 to 11) event
at the Glorietta Activity Center, showcasing
the brand’s extensive line of headphones. On
display at Glorietta was JBL’s Everest Series for
travelers and casual listeners, Grip Series, Reflect
Response, Reflect Mini, as well as Yurbud’s Leap
and Inspire Series. For sports enthusiasts, the
Under Armour Wireless and JBL Reflect Mini were
available. Music lovers were able to experience
JBL’s E40BY and E50BT, AKG’s Y50, Y50BT, and
Y45BY, as well as Harman Kardon’s Soho and
Soho Wireless. Present at the event were brand
ambassadors Camille Co and Michele Gumabao.
To the Future
In celebration of its fourth anniversary, Lazada
Philippines held a four-day Birthday Sale between
March 15 and 18. Customers were able to get up
to 90 percent discounts on a wide selection of
products, featuring home and living, travel and
luggage, and consumer electronics. Some brand
partners participating in the celebration offering
special promotions were Samsung, Microsoft,
Tosot, Unilever, Nestle, Belo, Cherry Mobile, JBL,
Timex, Unilab, Crissa, P&G, Kimberly-Clark, and
Platinum. Brand ambassadors LA Aguinaldo and
Kelsey Merritt were also present at the party.
B u L L e T I N
Fresh air
MSI-ECS Opens New Office in Pasig
MSI-ECS, one of the biggest IT rooms, teleconference areas, training rooms, and solution centers), the new
distributors in the country, recently office is built to make sure MSI-ECS stays at the top of its field, always ready
inaugurated its new office at the MSI- to keep up with the fast-paced world of IT.
ECS Complex in M. Eusebio Ave., San Miguel, Pasig City. High-speed Internet connection, software-defined network, upgraded
The CEO and President of MSI-ECS, Jimmy Go, led the ribbon cutting Oracle system ERP, hyper-convergence infrastructure, improved warehouse
together with the company’s Director, Cynthia Go, and the EVP/General management system, IP cameras, and redundant UPS were among the
Manager, Princess Chua. They were joined by the CEO of ECS Singapore, featured installations in the new MSI-ECS office.
William Ong, ECS’ EVP for Group Business Development, Tow Cheng, and MSI-ECS has been in the IT business for more than 30 years. It is
the CEO of ECS Technology China, Grace Chow. Present during the ribbon currently carrying 40 brands under its name, and its new office only signifies
cutting were vendors, resellers, bankers, and members of the press. its disposition for growth and for always delivering greatness.
The MSI-ECS Complex houses its main office, warehouse, and its Read more news and updates about MCI-ECS products and services at
DigiCare Service Center. Featuring more than 30 function rooms (meeting www.msi-ecs.com.ph.
dAtA hArVeSting
Cloudera and Hadoop Land on Philippine Shores
Cloudera and Hadoop arrive “The question is not ‘How do I gather information?’ but ‘What will I do
in the Philippines to introduce after gathering the data?’” the Singapore-based Senior Director explained.
themselves as one of the top “Our software would be extremely useful not just to the business sector
data analytics companies in the world, hoping to offer their services to local but also to educational and health institutions,” said Jonathan Limbo, Sales
organizations as soon as possible. and Business Development Head of Cloudera Philippines.
Data analytics, as described by Cloudera’s Senior Director Daniel Ng, Celebrating its 10th birthday, they also announced the partnership
have been crucial to business organizations in other countries in gathering between Cloudera and Computrade Technology Philippines, Inc. (CTPI).
information of users who engage with their system. For more information, visit cloudera.com.
hit the ground running

Passengers at NAIA Can Now Book Rides with Grab
Following the official accreditation with the airport drivers to pick up passengers from the four terminals of NAIA. Pick-up
management, starting March 14, passengers at the points would be at Terminal 1 Main Arrival curbside, Terminal 2 Inner Arrival
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) can now curbside between Bays 7 and 8, Terminal 3 Secondary Arrival Curbside
conveniently book rides with Grab. between Bays 5 and 6, and Terminal 4 Curbside.
On the verge of app-based ride booking a few months ago, the Manila No worries for passengers who do not have mobile data connectivity or
International Airport Authority (MIAA) had banned Grab and other car have no Grab app installed on their phones; there are Grab booths planted
services around NAIA to give way to its designated taxis and shuttles. at designated areas to accommodate bookings with no sweat.
Grab and MIAA recently signed an agreement that allows GrabCar Get updates from Grab via www.grab.co/ph.

steppinG Forward
Panasonic Introduces Flexible, Cost-Effective Video Conference System
Panasonic has (Multi-point Connection Units). It also lets clients hold a multi-site video
launched the HD Visual conference at virtually any location, even if it changes each time.
Communications System For multi-site connection of up to 16 locations, Panasonic has the HD
to help clients achieve cost-effective and far more flexible connections that Visual Communications Multi-Point Connection Software that allows a six-
will promote business growth and success wherever they are in the world. site, eight-site, 12-site, or 16-site configuration to meet the user’s multi-site
The HDVC System highlights features that allow for versatile and video conferencing needs. The number of communication sites can be
innovative video conferences to meet every business requirement. It increased from eight to 12 or 12 to 16 after the product purchase.
essentially answers the need for connection to multiple sites, clear The HDVC System ensures accurate communication of information with
communication, and ease of use – all while keeping costs at a minimum and less hassle. It supports H.239 dual streaming to simultaneously transmit the
without restrictions on time or place. home location image and to simultaneously receive the image of a distant
The KX-VC 1600 lets clients hold a multi-site video conference with site and a PC document image.
people up to 10 sites without requiring the purchase of expensive MCUs Learn more about this product by visiting www.panasonic.com/ph.
With FlYing colorS

WD Announces Colored Internal HDDs
Albert Chang, Senior Regional Marketing of WD APAC, biggest and best-performing NAS storage solution with up to 8-bay NAS
introduced the latest WD colored hard drives. systems, plus noise and vibration protection. In addition, a WD Red Pro
The WD Blue gives entry-level features and capacities allows seamless integration with users’ existing network infrastructure, and
ideal for everyday needs. Upgrading to the WD Blue SSHD will get you high- the WD Re is perfect for high-availability storage arrays.
performance NAND flash SSD technology with a huge storage capacity. The WD Purple hard drive is built for 24/7 surveillance use that comes
Users who choose the WD Black will enjoy a high-performance 7200rpm with support for up to eight hard drives and 32 cameras. Another option is
spin speed, 16MB cache, and SATA 6Gbps interface. the WD Purple NV hard drive that adds support for up to 64 HD cameras.
The WD Red NAS hard drives, on the other hand, offer customers the Check out their detailed specs at www.wdc.com.
neW Breed oF excellence

Intel Showcases New Technology-Enabled Experiences
Intel Philippines has unveiled a series of new devices By bringing the Internet of Things (IoT) to the level of consumers and
and technologies that will transform the way power users, private institutions and academies have now become starting
technology is consumed in the Philippines and deliver a points for individuals to try their hand in creating new technology.
new technology-enabled experience. Through Intel’s collaboration with the Philippine Society of Information
Technology showcased by Intel include the sixth-generation Intel Core Technology Educators (PSITE) and academia from the University of the
processors that power a broad range of computing form factors, as well as Philippines, a total of 400 Intel Galileo development boards were provided to
the Intel Curie module which provides real-time sensor data and will enable serve as educational platforms powered by the Intel chip.
consumers to experience technology like never before. Visit www.intel.ph to learn about more updates.
Chuck’s
reflective
Collection
If you’re in the hunt for a new pair of sneakers, we highly recommend the new
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star II Reflective Print collection.
a P P a R e L
fresh Off the Print

There haven’t been too many new colorways of the
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star II since its introduction
last year, but that’s about to change. Carrying on the
innovations of the update to the legendary shoe line,
the fresh Reflective Print collection brings in three
camo styles that – as the name implies – provide
extra visibility while in dimly lit places.
Sandy Camo
Mix of Traditional and Technology

The camo prints in question are traditional designs, while the
embroidered Converse patch matches the iconic appeal. And like the
first set of Chuck II sneakers that were released, the Reflective
Print collection features the high-end technologies that make
Black Camo
the successor greatly improved over the original Chucks,
including the Lunarlon sockliner for added cushioning
and arch support, padded non-slip tongue,
and super-soft micro-suede lining.
already available!
The Sandy Camo (featured on top) has been available since last month, while the Black
White Camo Camo and White Camo will be in stores this April. Each one is priced at PhP 3,990, which is
close to the US$ 80 international price.

T e S T
laB
reSUltS Every month, behind the doors of our super secret
gadget testing facility, the latest tech products
are put through their paces using industry-recognized
benchmarks and our own blend of real-world usage
scenarios. Here are our findings!
the awards
Review scores of 8/8.5
MuLTI-TeST MuLTI-TeST
are awarded the Silver For more comprehensive
PERFORMANCE
Award. 9/9.5 get the takes on the features
Gold. ONLY a perfect and performance of the
10 wins our Platinum products reviewed here, visit
10 9/9.5 8/8.5 Best Performance Best Value Award. HardwareZone.com.ph.

samsung Galaxy s7 aT a GLaNCe
OS
ReFINeMeNTS We WANT Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Display
If you think the Galaxy S6 is time, date, day, battery status, first smartphones to have a Dual 5.1-inch Super AMOLED
a great smartphone, you’d be missed calls, and if you’ve Pixel sensor for its rear camera.
(2560 x 1440)
delighted to know that Samsung received any messages – even During our test shoot, we found
Processor
one-upped itself with the brand when your phone is idle and that the S7 has an autofocus so
Samsung Exynos 8890
new Galaxy S7. While it may locked. In a nutshell, AOD is fast that we weren’t even sure if (Octa-core)
look similar to its predecessor like sweet poison: It drains life it was activated yet.
at first glance, Samsung actually away from the phone’s battery, This S7 variant sports an Storage
managed to refine the Galaxy S7 but it’s definitely one of the embedded 3000mAh battery, 32GB, expandable up to
while bringing back aspects that nicer convenience features a which outperformed all the other 200GB via microSD
were in great demand. smartphone can have. phones in its class. The 5.1-inch
The phone’s RAM capacity The Philippine variant of the Galaxy S7 clocked in a good Price
got a boost to 4GB, and Samsung Galaxy S7 gets a 64-bit 40 minutes more in our video PhP 34,990
expandable storage (of up octa-core Exynos 8890 processor loop test than the Nexus 6P,
to 200GB) makes a return to with 4GB of RAM. Rest assured, which has a whopping 3450mAh
Samsung’s flagship device. It the setup blazes through both battery paired with its 5.7-inch
also comes internally sealed benchmarks and real-life usage. Quad HD display.
with IP68 certification. The S7 In our SunSpider JavaScript Considering all that has been
feels entirely different in hand; test, the S7 is clearly the fastest crammed into the new Samsung
it’s a lot smoother, while having Android phone yet; and in Galaxy S7, it’s certainly worth
a better grip than the S6, and is 3DMark, it outclassed every upgrading to, even if you’re
secure even when we flipped the smartphone currently available. coming from the S6 or S6 Edge.
phone within our palms. The Galaxy S7 now uses a Given the amount of effort that
The display on the Galaxy 12-megapixel rear camera and went into making the Samsung
S7 is a 5.1-inch Quad HD a brighter f/1.7 aperture on Galaxy lineup exciting once
(2560 x 1440-pixel resolution) the lens with Smart OIS (image more, we’d still say Samsung has
Super AMOLED screen at stabilization). The camera’s it in them to stay relevant to the
The always-On Display is very handy,
577ppi. What’s special this image sensor has 1.4µm demands of novelty – balanced if you don’t mind trading some
battery life over the day.
time around is the Always-On photosites, allowing the S7 to against practicality.
Display, which shows the most capture 56% more light than its
pertinent information, such as predecessor. It’s also one of the by The HWM Team
CONCLuSION
Considering
all that has
been crammed
into the new
Samsung Galaxy
S7, it’s certainly
worth upgrading
to, even if you’re
coming from the
Samsung Galaxy
S6 or S6 edge
from last year.
TESTED & RATED
9.0 /10
PHILIPPINES
T e S T
aT a GLaNCe
OS
Windows 10
Display
5.7-inch AMOLED
(2560 x 1440)
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon
810 (Octa-core)
Storage
32GB, expandable up to
200GB via microSD
Price
PhP 32,990
microsoft lumia 950 xl

A NeW HOPe The 21-megapixel camera with
PureView is just one of the Microsoft
Lumia 950 XL’s strengths.
Microsoft’s latest offspring this phone over its rivals. features a new authentication
wears a 5.7-inch AMOLED Since Windows 10 walks method called Windows Hello.
CONCLuSION
screen with a 2560 x 1440 into the OS market as the This method scans your face and
resolution featuring ClearBlack newcomer, some apps for your iris through infrared LED The Microsoft
technology for improved the Lumia 950 XL are not yet for faster verification on the lock Lumia 950 XL
sunlight visibility. Though it available for download as of screen or mobile payments.
performs well in
lacks some key features from writing. During our initial test, We were also impressed
previous Lumia flagships (like we also encountered system with the Battery Saver, which gaming, phone
the ability to double-tap to issues with syncing to cloud filters what apps should run in usage, and
wake and super sensitive touch) accounts and a few software the background. You can disable
entertainment.
it’s powered by a Qualcomm bugs, which we believe will be apps to load when not in use,
Snapdragon 810 (quad-core addressed once Microsoft rolls and stretch out the phone’s But due to
1.5GHz Cortex-A53 and quad- out the next system update. usage for a few more hours. system bug, it
core 2.0GHz Cortex-A57) for The Lumia 950 XL’s At some point, though, the is not as stable
extra sleek phone usage, exchangeable back cover battery drains quickly, so we
gaming, and entertainment. exposes a 20-megapixel hope this battery inconsistency
as the other
In an iOS- and Android- protruding rear camera, a gets addressed soon. smartphones on
dominated world, this replaceable battery, two nano- Overall, the Lumia 950 XL is a the market.
smartphone’s interface may be SIM card slots, and a microSD slot statement phone from Microsoft.
unfamiliar to most consumers. which can handle up to 200GB. It clearly exhibits the potential of
But, despite our love for the As we all know, most of the its series and OS to flourish in the
TESTED & RATED
8.5
aforementioned platforms, we best smartphone cameras come near future. For now, it stays in
find this Windows 10-run device from the Lumia series, and this the backseat in terms of stability
to be user-friendly, especially phone does not fail to live up due to some bug issues. And yet,
when configuring its system to that reputation. The 950 XL this phone doesn’t deserve to /10
to our own style. Though we still has PureView, a program be called a newcomer, thanks
may not be a fan of its overly responsible for the Lumia’s to its excellent features and
simple physique, its minimalist optical image stabilization and high-powered performance.
UI design, QHD screen, and font reduced noise through low- PHILIPPINES
readability make us consider light conditions. In addition, it by Patrick Alcantara

lenovo yoga tab 3 pro aT a GLaNCe
OS
THeATRe ON TAP Android 5.1 Lollipop
Display
Imagine a world where tablet on the wall and view cover is dressed with faux- 10.1-inch IPS LCD
(2560 X 1600)
nobody has to line up at theaters on the tablet screen itself. leather for handling comfort, the
to watch the latest movies. Although rotating the kickstand metal chassis plays a role with
Processor
Imagine a world where you hold cylinder feels static at times, the tab’s 1.47 pounds of weight.
Intel Atom x5-Z8500
a tablet in your arms, sitting on it gives a firm setup once Awesome camera features
(Quad-core, 2.24GHz)
your comfortable sofa, and the you’ve found the right angle. on tablets are like fairy tales;
cinematic adventure begins. Built-in speakers on tablets we wish they exist in real life, Storage
Today, that fairytale comes to life. usually spoil the entertainment but they don’t. The Tab 3 Pro’s 32GB, expandable up to
The Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro we desire, but not with this one. focus and capture are just 200GB via microSD
takes us to an experience nobody The Tab 3 Pro is armed with four as slow as its competitors.
should miss. Aside from its large, front-facing JBL speakers, Browsing through the tablet is Price
astonishing 10-inch screen and equalized by Dolby Atmos. The as smooth as melting butter on Php 29,999
2560 x 1600 display, it offers an technology fires up any headset a pan. The Intel Atom-powered
out-of-this-world design featuring or pair of headphones you inject tablet responds to each
a built-in rotating projector that to the tablet with its 360-degree swipe fluently without delays,
can cast up to a 70-inch screen. sound flowing around and except while downloading,
The Tab Pro 3 also provides above you. Powered with clarity, which happens to pretty much
a software-based projector- depth, and the groundbreaking all slates on the planet.
focusing tool to sharpen up the projector, the Tab 3 Pro easily A projector and a good sound
frame. It features a number of becomes one of the best tablets system priced at PhP 29,999
exciting options such as real-time for our entertainment spirits. could be the sweetest deal on
image enhancement in different We get a long-enduring Earth for media enthusiasts like
environmental conditions and an battery life in exchange for a us. But if you’re wishing for a
automatic correction of distortion hefty tablet on-hand. The Tab 3 tablet in the same price range
due to tilting of the screen. Pro’s bulk, weight, and thickness that functions more than just
Along with the projector are caused by the 10200mAh an entertainment system, the
The Tab 3 Pro comes with a built-in
comes a kickstand designed battery integration, which won’t Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro might rotating projetor that flashes a sharp
70-inch image on walls and ceilings.
for stabilization. A hole is have any problem filling up with not be the right one for you.
carved onto the kickstand the Tab 3 Pro’s fast-charging
should you wish to mount the technology. Although the back by Patrick Alcantara
CONCLuSION
It could be the
most appealing
deal for media
enthusiasts, but
if you’re looking
for a tab that
offers more than
entertainment,
the Lenovo Yoga
Tab 3 Pro might
not be the right
one for you.
TESTED & RATED
8.0 /10
PHILIPPINES
T e S T
aT a GLaNCe
Capacity
Diskless, 4TB, 8TB, 12TB
Connectivity
Gigabit Ethernet
Drive Bays
Two
Processor
Marvell ARMADA (Dual-
core, 1.3GHz)
Price
PhP 10,490 (Diskless), PhP
21,290 (4TB), PhP 29,190
(8TB), PhP 40,690 (12TB)
wd my Cloud ex2 ultra

yOUR PRIVATe ClOUD Located at the front are the LeD
status lights for power/connectivity,
and drive bays 1 and 2.
Network Attached Storage ports, and the reset button are in your network, and you’re
(NAS) are becoming more located at the back. good to go. For more advanced
CONCLuSION
popular nowadays. With multiple The NAS comes with two hot users, you can manage folders
users at home having their own swap-capable, tray-less drive through the GUI, plus configure Two bays might
laptops and PCs, NAS units offer bays that supports two 3.5-inch USB, Remote, Internal, Cloud, and not be enough
Camera Backups. You can even
seamless sharing and availability hard drives. Like most of WD’s My
set your NAS for HTTP, FTP, and
for power users,
of files to multiple people at Cloud series NAS units, the GUI
once. WD has added a new NAS can be accessed by typing the P2P downloads. but for private
to their already bustling lineup, NAS’ IP address in your browser. The speed of the NAS is use within your
the WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra. Alternatively, if you can see the only as fast as the router it’s
family and a
The EX2 Ultra comes in NAS on your network, just click connected to. In order to test
four models: diskless, 4TB, 8TB, the network location, and you the speed of the My Cloud EX2 small business,
or 12TB. For this particular will be automatically redirected Ultra, we connected it to a the WD My
review, we will be taking a look to the browser GUI. Gigabit-capable router and ran
Cloud eX2 ultra
at the 8TB version. All these Our unit came with two 4TB several read/write tests. Based
configurations come using WD drives running in RAID 1. This on our tests, the read we got
delivers just the
Red NAS drives. means that you will only get 4TB was 111.9MB/s, while it got a right capacity
All versions of the EX2 Ultra of storage, since the second drive 107.2MB/s on our write tests. and speed.
come with a Marvell ARMADA acts as a mirror of the other in Aside from read/write tests,
385 dual-core processor clocked case one of the drives fails. You we copied a 4GB ISO file to the
at 1.3GHz and 1GB of RAM to can also set the EX2 Ultra as device, wherein it got a result of
TESTED & RATED
8.0
ensure maximum performance. JBOD (Just a Bunch of Disks) or 62MB/s.
The front of the device is Spanning for maximum storage For power users, two bays
equipped with three LED status capacity, or run at RAID 0 for might not be enough, but for
lights for power/connectivity, and maximum speed. private use within your family /10
drive bays 1 and 2. In order to WD’s My Cloud browser GUI and perhaps a small business, the
dissipate heat from the drives, is incredibly user-friendly. For WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra delivers
the top and bottom of the device basic users, you will only need just the right capacity and speed.
are ventilated. Meanwhile, one to set up its IP address to ensure PHILIPPINES
Ethernet port, two USB 3.1 Gen1 there are no IP address conflicts by Chester Labaco

asus 4G-n12
CUTTING THe CORD
Routers have been the only need to plug the Ethernet great concept. You can connect
hidden heroes of our modern cable from your modem to the to the Internet via DSL or LTE.
life. With the Internet becoming WAN/LAN port of the router, However, due to our current
an essential part of our daily and from there, you can plug state of bandwidth restrictions
lives, routers are becoming your devices via an Ethernet set by the local telcos, the
faster and more efficient as the cable. Of course, you can setup LTE capabilities of the device
time goes by. We will be taking the router to become a Wi-Fi are ultimately hamstringed
a look at one of ASUS’ offerings, hotspot via the browser GUI. by bandwidth restrictions.
the 4G-N12 Wireless N300. The highlight of the 4G-N12 is
aT a GLaNCe
The unit comes with several its support for LTE. You can plug by Chester Labaco
accessories: one Ethernet in your SIM card at the SIM slot at
Network Standard
cable, a power brick, warranty the side of the device and set up
IEEE 802.11b, IEEE
card and a quick start guide, the LTE capabilities through the 802.11g, IEE 802.11n, IPv4
and nano- and micro-SIM browser GUI. You can even send
adapters for your SIM card. text messages on the GUI, too. TESTED & RATED Operating frequency
8.0
Moving on to the unit itself. As a router itself, the 4G-N12 2.4GHz
Located at the front are your did not disappoint. Connecting
usual LED status indicators with to the Internet was easy and WaN Connection Type
an LTE signal indicator. At the fast. Depending on your area, LTE /10 Automatic IP, Static IP,
back are one WAN/LAN Ethernet might or might not be available.
PPPoE (MPE supported)
Mobile Broadband WAN
plug, three LAN plugs, the power The speed and data allowance
switch, and two antennas. would also be a dependent
Price
The setup of the router on your preferred carrier. PHILIPPINES PhP 7,780
is incredibly easy. You would In theory, the 4G-N112 is a
samsung Gear vr
NeeDS MORe TIMe
The Samsung Gear VR Once everything is set up, Gear VR great is its current
finds itself in a sweet spot for you’re on your own in Samsung’s availability and fair price. It’s
virtual reality headsets: right in proprietary Gear VR world. As not worth buying a Galaxy S7
between the low-cost Google of writing, the app selection is or even an older S6 just for
Cardboard and the full-fledged still quite limited, and there are this, but if you already have
systems from Oculus, HTC/Valve, no standout games or worlds a compatible handset and
and Sony. In a nutshell, it’s a to explore that’ll get you truly want to dive into the VR trend,
wireless VR device with touch excited just yet; you even need then this is your best bet.
controls, but only compatible a separate controller from
aT a GLaNCe
with the latest two generations Samsung to fully appreciate by Marvin R. Velasco
of Samsung Galaxy flagships. certain games. And like other
Compatibility
If you’re new to consumer- VR gadgets, expect to feel
Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, Note
level virtual reality, then the nauseated after prolonged use. 5, S6 Edge+, S6, S6 Edge
Gear VR is a good product to Speaking of extended usage,
start with. There’s no need to the setup overheats while TESTED & RATED Interface
7.5
go through manuals or research pushing the more strenuous Touchpad, Back key,
online before beginning the apps. Fortunately, we had no Volume key, Focus
experience. You simply have problems with the physical adjustment wheel
to plug your smartphone into buttons and touchpad of the /10
Weight
the Gear VR, and it’ll walk you Gear VR. Once you get the right
318g
through the requirements needed fit and become accustomed to
for complete functionality, which the controls, it’s non-stop fun
Price
involves some app downloads until the overheating sets in. PHILIPPINES PhP 4,990
and a short virtual tutorial. What makes the Samsung
G e e K L I f e
upGradinG
your
smartphone
Camera
by Liu Hongzuo
Smartphone cameras have only been getting better with the times. But there’s only so
much their makers can include to keep the smartphone portable. However, travelers
always have a little more room and many more reasons to take better photos for their trips. Here
are some must-have accessories if you want to make the most of your smartphone’s camera and
your travel memories.
eaSY MaCRO
WWW.EASY-MACRO.COM HISY ReMOTe
WWW.HISYPIX.COM/SHOP
It’s always the details that make a trip

You’d never need photography help
memorable. Easy Macro takes care of
from strangers off a street after getting
the small things simply because the
the HISY Remote. This little stub is a
phone can’t focus on stuff that’s too
remote shutter for your smartphone; it
near, by default. Slip on this elastic band
connects using Bluetooth, and it comes
around your camera lens and you’ll be
in a discreet size that will never show
taking Instagram-worthy photos on your
up in your pictures. Set your phone up
trip. No tinkering, battery, or wireless
somewhere safe and start posing against
tethering required. Keeping it away is
impressive sunsets or mountain ranges,
as simple as putting it into your wallet
or have amazing group selfies without
or pocket, so you don’t have to fumble
having to leave anybody out.
about when a picture-worthy chance
strikes.
PICTURE fReePIK

TY-LITe PROTeCTIVe CaSe
WWW.TY-LITE.COM/PRODUCT/LIGHTED- SuPeR SPY uLTRa HIGH POWeR
CASE-IPHONE-6/ ZOOM 80X TeLeSCOPe WITH TRIPOD
STaND
SHOP.BRANDO.COM
This phone case doesn’t simply protect
the device; it can double as a fill light for
your selfies. The Ty-Lite gives off three Is your phone’s built-in zoom not good
different light profiles, which help to enough for you? Attach an 80x zoom lens
perfect your selfie’s style and mood. We instead! The Super Spy Ultra High Power
know that this is the real deal since the Zoom 80X Telescope lens is so powerful
accessory was designed by Beyoncé’s that their makers included a tripod, a
stylist. If you’re also the real deal, you specially designed phone case, and even
won’t settle for basic – why add an a pouch for making the most out of your
artificial filter to your photos when you shots. Now you’ll have something nice
can have real “studio-like” lighting? to show every time you return from
Dazzling your Instagram followers can be an overseas hike or a one-night only
easily done now, especially when using a outdoors concert. Just be mindful about
comprehensive selfie lighting accessory buying the correct lens for the correct
for travels. phone model.
IBLaZR 2
WWW.CONCEPTER.CO/IBLAZR2
Why take a chance with ambient light

when you can have a pocket-sized
LED flash? The iBlazr 2 is an ideal flash
solution for smartphone shooters who
want quality for travel photos. The 40mm
flash module gives a burst of white light
when attached to your smartphone or
tablet via Bluetooth. This new model lets
you attach multiple iBlazer2 units around
the perimeter of your device, allowing
you to scale up the flash based on your
requirements. With it, there’ll be no more
dimly lit photos of places you might
never visit again.
f e a T u R e
the
cherrieS
on toP
We have indulged in the short but sweet
On the Wings of Love bite, and while we
wait for another, let us recall how the
cake was baked for Cherry Mobile’s
James Reid and Nadine Lustre.
Facebook: facebook.com/cherrymobile
Instagram: @cherrymobileph
Twitter: @cherryPH
Website: www.cherrymobile.com.ph

PHOTOS CHeRRY MOBILe
f e a T u R e
There is nothing more electrifying

than seeing our favorite on-screen
couple turn to real-life sweethearts.
And in the case of JaDine, as the James
Reid-Nadine Lustre tag team fans
would call them, it feels like fairytale
characters jumped out of the pages
by seeing them grow from strangers
to a phenomenon, and now, to being
today’s most celebrated real-life
partners in the Philippines.
Nadine Lustre was born in
Quezon City and is currently taking
up Communication Arts at Colegio
de San Lorenzo. She started as a TV
host in RPN’s children-oriented show
at the age of nine. She also became a
featured child host in Disney Channel
Asia in 2005. Her entertainment career
started to sprout when she signed with
Viva Entertainment and appeared in TV
shows on GMA and TV5.
In some shows, Lustre performed
as a lead vocalist in her all-female
group Pop Girls, which was launched
by Viva Entertainment. She eventually
left the group and started a solo music
career. Lustre was given the Titanium
Award by SBS PopAsia, a popular
Australian music show, an award
achieved by other famous artists like
K-Pop groups Super Junior, U-KISS, and
EXO.
Now, on to the other half. James
Reid was born in Sydney, Australia, and
moved to the Philippines because of
financial issues while his father needed
medical attention. He was only 16
when he entered the Pinoy Big Brother
house, a reality show that airs on ABS-
CBN. Reid almost got evicted twice due
to health problems, but was able to
recover and went out of the house as
the Big Winner by a very close margin
(19.75 percent versus 18.70 percent),
the closest in the show’s history,
against his PBB housemate and real-
life pal, Ryan Bang.
Coming off the PBB stint, Reid
turned the page into a different paper
by venturing to the music industry.
His musicality was mostly shown
on his ASAP appearances with him
singing or playing instruments on some
production numbers. According to him,
he is an avid listener of R&B music and
cites Chris Brown as his hero. Most of
the time, he listens to Maroon 5, The
Script, Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars,
Jared Leto, and Gary Valenciano.

f e a T u R e

The James-Nadine tandem
was born when they starred in a
blockbuster film called Diary ng
Panget as talents of Viva Artists
Agency. After their success,
they followed it up with another
blockbuster based on a best-
selling novel entitled Talk Back
and You’re Dead. With warm
appreciation garnered from fans,
ABS-CBN decided to sign JaDine
as their newest love team on the
network and offered them another
movie entitled Para sa Hopeless
Romantic.
Their early works may have
paved the way for JaDine’s spot in
the country’s line of biggest and
brightest stars, but the tandem
etched a deeper mark when they
starred as Leah and Clark in the
critically acclaimed TV series,
On the Wings of Love. Popularly
known as OTWOL, the show
was supposed star Coco Martin
and was also offered to Sarah
Geronimo and Judy Ann Santos.
Eventually, Martin dropped out
of the project, while both Santos
and Geronimo never boarded on
the project due to conflicts in
schedule. After signing exclusive
contracts with ABS-CBN, the roles
were given to Reid and Lustre.
Written and directed by the
multi-awarded director Antoinette
Jadaone, the daily primetime
series has shaped JaDine into
more mature and serious actors.
The show ended on a high note
by pulling off a live interaction
finale held in the Ynares Sports
Complex, Antipolo City, where the
duo finally admitted that they are
in a relationship in real life.
For two years in a row, JaDine
have been with the Cherry Mobile
family as brand ambassadors.
Cherry Mobile believes these two
young stars perfectly fit as role
models to our youth. As part of the
family and Cherry Mobile Festival
2016, JaDine will perform Cherry
Mobile’s latest jingle, “Every Day
is a Cherry Day,” which will be
released soon. Obviously, OTWOL
was just the beginning. We have
a lot more to see from JaDine and
their blooming careers.
T e S T - SMaRTPHONe CaMeRa SHOOTOuT
The BesT Flagship

smarTphone
Camera
Which smartphone flagship from
2015 (and continuing into 2016) has
the best camera? We’ve rounded up
the usual suspects to pit their cameras
against each other.
Text by Alvin Soon
Photography by Zaphs Zhang + Darren Chang
Art Direction by Ken Koh + Ian Chong

vs
APPLE IPHONE 6S PLUS
•
HUAWEI NEXUS 6P
•
LG V10
•
SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 5
•
SONY XPERIA Z5 PREMIUM
apple iphone 6s plus

The iPhone 6s Plus has the best camera UI for most do things like panoramas and slow-mo.
people. It’s easy to use, makes sense, is fast, and But it pays for that simplicity at the expense aT a GLaNCe
its auto-focus is spot on most of the time. You can of sophistication. There are no advanced controls.
Megapixels
control exposure easily by tapping the screen for Settings for video resolution are hidden away in the
12MP
focus and sliding the brightness slider that appears. iPhone’s Settings app, which I doubt most people
You don’t need to go into any secondary menus to would go into. Sensor Size
1/3”
focal Length
29mm
aperture
f/2.2
O.I.S.
Yes
has the best camera ui

for most people.
there are no advanced

controls.
huawei nexus 6p aT a GLaNCe
The Huawei Nexus 6P’s camera UI is as bare bones The 6P’s camera can slow down if you take
Megapixels
as you can get. While you can tap to focus, you multiple shots, but other than that, there’s really
12.3MP
can’t change brightness levels. It does have one nothing much to say about it. If you get the Nexus
clever detail: When the camera is shooting at slower 6P, our first recommendation would be to download Sensor Size
shutter speeds, a circular animation cues you to hold a third-party camera app to get more features for 1/2.3”
the camera steady until the shot is finished. shooting and editing.
focal Length
26mm
aperture
f/2.0
O.I.S.
N.A.
it works.
the app is as bare as

you can get. download
a third-party camera
app immediately.

lG v10
While fast, the LG V10’s autofocus tends to hunt more difficult to use. You can’t set the Auto ISO in
even after acquiring focus. While the V10 lets you Manual, so when you change shutter speed, you’ll aT a GLaNCe
tap to focus in the Simple and Auto modes, it omits also need to shift ISO to compensate, and vice versa.
Megapixels
the ability to adjust brightness settings. You’ll have Otherwise, the V10’s manual UI is better than the
16MP
to be in Manual mode to do so. Note 5’s in all ways. It also has the most advanced
The V10’s Manual mode is fully manual, which is video mode among the smartphones. Sensor Size
1/2.6”
focal Length
28mm
aperture
f/1.8
O.I.S.
Yes
Best manual ui for

video and (almost)
stills.
no auto iso feature

in manual mode.
samsunG Galaxy note 5 aT a GLaNCe
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 has the user-friendliest In Manual mode, you can enable Auto ISO, which
Megapixels
UI for both basic and advanced shooting. In Auto lets you fully focus on adjusting shutter speed. What
16MP
mode, we like how the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 lets the Note 5 lacks is a way to quickly reset all manual
you easily change exposure levels, with an exposure settings, and a fast way to save it in raw. In order to Sensor Size
slider which appears to the side of the screen when do so, you have to go into the camera app’s settings 1/2.6”
you tap to focus. to enable it.
focal Length
28mm
aperture
f/1.9
O.I.S.
Yes
user-friendliest ui
for both basic and
advanced shooting.
no quick settings reset

in manual mode. no
quick way to save in
raw.
sony xperia z5 premium

The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium’s camera UI is On the other camera apps, you can set the video
incredibly sparse. If you shoot in Superior Auto resolution to 4K as default, but you cannot do that aT a GLaNCe
mode, you can tap to focus, but you cannot change on the Z5 Premium. Instead, you will need to go into
Megapixels
the brightness settings. There is a Manual mode, its Modes screen, and choose 4K video every time
12MP
but this only lets you change white balance and you want to shoot 4K video, which is an inexplicable
exposure settings. hassle to the user. Sensor Size
1/2.3”
focal Length
24mm
aperture
f/2.0
O.I.S.
N.A.
it works.
the camera ui is
sparse, and it’s
impossible to set 4k
video as the default.
smartphone Cameras are Great, But…

I love my smartphone’s camera. I’ve loved it ever since I got one years ago,
and it’s helped me capture years of random memories that would have
otherwise been lost – snapshots of my life when I didn’t have a “proper”
camera with me. Those little moments when unexpected, happy things
happened, when I never expected them.
And I love how today’s smartphone cameras are so much better than
they used to be. From more megapixels to optical image stabilization to 4K
video. Wow. Good times.
But, the truth is, they’re still not great, when compared to a modern
digital camera with a large sensor. These “proper” cameras produce image
quality that still runs circles around what smartphones can do.
It breaks my heart when I see people using their smartphones to take
photos of important events, like a big family dinner or an overseas vacation.
It’s judgmental I know. But speaking from personal experience, I have
hundreds of grainy, dark, low-resolution smartphone camera photos where I
wish I’d brought my camera and used that instead.
The saying, “The best camera is the one that’s with you,” is so
true. But I think we can do better for the important moments in our
lives. I think we can expand that to, “The best camera is the one
that you bring.”
Important events beg for proper cameras, if only because these moments
are captured in better quality to keep through the years. If you treasure these
moments as much as I do, and you love photographs, then my advice is to get
a “proper” camera of your own.

T e S T - IMaGe QuaLITY & PeRfORMaNCe

The Apple iPhone 6s Plus’ colors are quite pleasing in good light. However,
its white balance tends to veer warmer, with some images looking more
yellow than usual. The lens is mostly sharp, with the right-upper and lower
corners slightly soft. There is no barrel distortion. When viewed up close,
the images lack fine detail especially when compared against the Note 5.
It does manage to preserve whatever details it captures while shooting
in low light. That would be a given since its images are shot at low ISOs,
even in dark situations. To get such low ISO settings, it has an alarming
habit of shooting at dangerously low shutter speeds. And yet, the images
are still stable and sharp.
HDR images tend to be underexposed, but the iPhone 6s Plus regularly
gets the best paronamas out of the competition.
The iPhone 6s Plus’ 4k videos are fine in good light, but experience
some noise in low light. Its OIS stabilization i s good and the difference is
obvious when compared against non-stabilized videos taken by the Nexus
6P. This makes it the best 4K video camera out of all the five flagships.
The iPhone 6s Plus’ colors are quite pleasing, but the images lack fine detail.
The iPhone 6s Plus manages to nail sharp and steady shots in low light, thanks to its excellent optical image stabilization.
huawei nexus 6p
Huawei’s Nexus 6P reproduces colors well in good light. The lens is sharp
from corner to corner, and there’s very slight barrel distortion. Slight
crosshatching can be seen on our resolution chart, and while it’s not as
apparent as on the Sony Xperia Z5, it still results in some jitteriness on
subject edges.
Huawei’s Nexus 6P has decent performance in low light. There’s more
of the jittery noise that plagues the Sony Z5, but it manages to balance
overall image noise with detail retention quite well.
The Nexus 6P has the distinction of shooting the best HDR images,
with a good amount of detail in both the brightest and darkest parts of the
image. However, its panoramas doesn’t fare as well since they suffer from
odd skewing.
The Huawei Nexus 6P’s 4K videos do fine in good light, but there’s a lot
of noise in low light. There is some rolling shutter, and the lack of optical
image stabilization really hurts it. O nce you see how smooth videos can
look with good OIS, you realize how dizzy non-stabilized video can look.
The Nexus 6P does well in good light, with pleasant colors and good details.
Low-light performance is decent; it manages to balance overall image noise with detail retention quite well.

lG v10
The LG V10’s colors are consistently subdued. There’s a lack of saturation
which make photos look flat. The odd thing is its zeroed DNG (raw) files
appear more vibrant than its JPEGs. If you increase saturation in post, the
V10 actually shoots nice images in good light, with fine detail. The lens is
sharp from corner to corner, with only slight barrel distortion.
Image details tend to smear in low light, and there tends to be chroma
noise in the shadows, especially in the raw DNG files. The LG V10 does
excellent HDR images, with lots of detail captured across the frame.
However, ghosting can appear when shooting moving subjects. The LG
V10’s panoramas can be oddly joined together, with some softness or
different exposure levels between captured images.
The V10’s 4K videos look fine in good light, but videos in low light are
noisy. The autofocus tends to hunt, which means you’ll see a jerking in and
out effect as the camera tries to lock focus. Optical image stabilization isn’t
available for 4K video, but on Full HD resolution, it’s not as smooth as on
the iPhone 6s Plus. Rolling shutter is obvious when moving the camera.
The LG V10’s colors are consistenly subdued, with a lack of saturation.
Image details tend to smear in low light, with apparent color noise in the shadows.
samsunG Galaxy note 5

The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 manages the best balance between pleasing
color and detail capture in good light. The lens is mostly sharp, with some
softness in the left upper and lower corners. There is hardly any barrel
distortion. However, the Note 5 suffers from heavy-handed noise reduction
in low light, which smoothens out details, giving subjects an overly smooth
and muddy appearance.
The Note 5 does well with HDR, and there’s no ghosting to be seen.
While its HDR seems to render more even tones, the Nexus 6P retains
highlights better. The Note 5’s panoramas have some odd seams, and it has
problems achieving an even, overall exposure.
The Note 5’s 4K videos are fine in both good and low light, and its
optical image stabilization does quite well – neck and neck with the iPhone
6s Plus. The problem is that OIS isn’t available at the 4K resolution. It
only works at Full HD and below. Besides that, the Note 5 has one major
weakness: rolling shutter is quite obvious when you move the camera.
The Note 5 performs best in good light, with vibrant colors and rich details.
The Note 5 tends to be overly aggressive with noise reduction in low light, resulting in lost details.

sony xperia z5 premium
The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium does well with accurate color reproduction.
It also has the best auto white balancing among the competition. While the
others tend to grade their images a bit warmly, the Z5 Premium gets the
light looking the way it did in real light. There is slight barrel distortion, and
the left upper corner of the image is soft.
Its highest 22MP count should give us the most detailed images, but
the odd crosshatching artifacts that plagued the Z1 still persists. The result
is that subject edges tend to have a jittery look, making the whole image
look noisy and inorganic.
Its HDR mode doesn’t capture as wide a range of detail as the rest of
the cameras, especially in the highlights. Also, it doesn’t save panoramas in
high-resolution, but instead compresses them into 3MP images. The Xperia
Z5 Premium’s saving grace is its video camera. Rolling shutter is kept to a
minimum and there’s little noise in low light. Even though it lacks OIS, its
digital image stabilization works in smoothening the shot.
The Z5 Premium delivers the best white balance, but it suffers from artificial-looking image noise, even in good light.
The crosshatching artifacts are more apparent in low light, and it gives subject edges a harsh, artificial look.
T e S T - CONCLuSION
and the BeSt Smartphone

Shooter iS...
TeST
Best
perFormanCe

The apple iPhone 6s Plus is our best
smartphone camera. Its optical image
stabilization is best of class, giving
you steady photos even in low light
and smooth video that doesn’t make
viewers dizzy. It also shoots the best
panoramas out of the lot. Samsung’s
Galaxy Note 5 comes a very close
second, with better image detail in
good light, but it doesn’t do as well in
low-light, panoramas, and video.
The iPhone 6s Plus isn’t perfect.
When looked at closely, the iPhone 6s
Plus’ images lack fine detail, especially
when compared to the Galaxy Note
5. Still, its overall strengths and lack
of critical weaknesses shared by its
competitors, confer the iPhone 6s Plus
first place in our shootout – even if it’s
not by a wide margin.

THE BEST
Just Keeps GETTING
Better!
HardwareZone.com.ph
T e S T - INTeL Z170 MOTHeRBOaRD SHOOTOuT

The ulTimaTe
moTherBoard
showdown
Every effort has been made to arm these new
Intel Z170 boards to the teeth. As flagships of their
respective brands, they feature excesses like a
generally inordinate amount of power phases, and
an assortment of dedicated overclocking buttons
and knobs. But which one of these is the best?
Text by Koh Wanzi
Photography by Zaphs Zhang + Vernon Wong
Art Direction by Ken Koh + Ian Chong
vs
ASROCK Z170 OC FORMULA
•
ASUS ROG MAXIMUS
VIII EXTREME
•
GIGABYTE Z170X
GAMING G1
•
MSI Z170A GAMING M9 ACK
asroCk z170 oC Formula

As its name suggests, the Z170 OC Formula has lanes to the GPUs, so the second PCIe 3.0 x16 slot has
aT a GLaNCe
been designed unabashedly with overclocking in been wired to the PCH to tap on the PCIe 3.0 lanes
mind. The board boasts an 18+2 phase digital power from the chipset itself. Memory
design, with the two additional phases dedicated Other standout features include ten SATA 6Gbps 4x DDR4 DIMMs up to
to the memory components. While the number of ports and three M.2 sockets. However, you won’t DDR4 4500
power phases is a poor indicator of a board’s ability be able to populate them all at once because of the
to support high overclocks, it does serve as a general finite number of PCIe 3.0 lanes available through the Processor
guide of overclockability. chipset, so do take note which ports 4x PCIe 3.0 x16, 1x
PCIe 3.0 x1, 1x PCIe 2.0 x1,
Power phases aside, the Z170 have shared lanes so you don’t install
1x half-size mini-PCIe
OC Formula also comes with a your devices in conflicting ports.
host of other features to improve Good overclocker Finally, the board features a
uSB 3.0
stability. This includes 60A power with many plethora of dedicated hardware 4x rear, 4x front
chokes for cleaner Vcore voltages, dedicated controls. switches to allow quicker access
premium memory alloy chokes to to overclocking settings in an open SaTa
feed power more reliably to the test bench. The “+” and “-” Rapid 10x SATA 6Gbps
memory modules, and dual-stack OC buttons also allow you to tweak
MOSFETs that double the die area your CPU frequency in the Rapid OC Price
no onboard wi-Fi. US$ 299
over traditional MOSFETs and make Windows application by adjusting
power delivery for the CPU Vcore the base clock, CPU multiplier, CPU
more efficient. core voltage, and CPU cache ratio. Then there’s also
In addition, there is a wide selection of the LN2 mode, Slow mode, and XMP DIP switches
connectivity options, including a total of four PCIe 3.0 and Direct Key button that let extreme overclockers
x16 slots, one PCIe 3.0 x1 slot, and one PCIe 2.0 x1 resolve potential issues with LN2 overclocking or
slot. There’s even a vertical half-size mini-PCIe slot for simply streamline the entire overclocking process.
a network adapter as the board lacks onboard Wi-Fi. And as expected of an overclocking-oriented
There’s only support for two-way SLI, but if you board of this calibur, a dual BIOS switch enables you
have four AMD cards, they could run in x8/x4/x4/x4 to switch between two BIOSes and recover from
mode. The Z170 platform only allocates 16 PCIe 3.0 failed overclocks.
There are a total of three M.2

sockets, the most out of all our
tested boards.
Dedicated overclocking buttons and

switches are found on the bottom-
right corner.
The onboard Purity Sound 3 audio

solution can drive high impedance
headphones up to 600ohm.

asus roG maximus viii extreme
While the ASRock Z170 OC Formula was designed two USB 3.1 ports at the back (red, Type-A) controlled
aT a GLaNCe
with overclocking in mind, the ASUS ROG Maximus by an ASMedia USB 3.1 controller.
VIII Extreme is an all-round premium board that A bundled 3x3 Wi-Fi module adds support for Memory
is intended to offer the best performance to both 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0, allowing you to take 4x DDR4 DIMMs up to
gamers and overclockers. It is also one of two advantage of the latest AC1900-class routers, as well. DDR4 3866
E-ATX boards in this shootout – ASUS apparently The onboard SupremeFX 2015 audio has also
needed more space to cram extra goodies on the been upgraded over last year’s solution. ASUS had Processor
motherboard. added a total of four new discrete 4x PCIe 3.0 x16,
2x PCIe 3.0 x1
The board utilizes a 13+2 phase components – an onboard digital-to-
power design that has full control analog converter, a dedicated clock,
uSB 3.0
over all elements of power delivery very capable a TI RC4580 operational amplifier,
4x rear, 4x front
to the CPU, like the Vcore and Vsa overclocker. and a de-pop relay – to provide
voltages. This means smoother and better performance for live streaming SaTa
more stable power delivery to the applications and high-impedance 8x SATA 6Gbps
CPU, which should translate into headphones. In sum, this means a
higher and more stable overclocks. cleaner audio signal that is free from Price
Fairly expensive. US$ 499
An additional 4-pin ATX 12V power jitter and noise from other electrical
connector is also present to deliver components in the system, the
more power to the motherboard for extreme ability to drive headphones up to 600ohm, and the
overclocks. elimination of loud popping noises when you plug in
One unique feature is the inclusion of a dedicated your audio components.
U.2 port located beside the eight SATA 6Gbps ports, Rounding out the package is a special area
which means there is no need to go through the called the OCZone that hosts a selection of buttons,
hassle of getting an M.2 to U.2 adapter if you want to switches, and voltage readout points to make
install a 2.5-inch form factor PCIe 3.0 x4 drive. overclocking easier. For instance, the ReTry button
For additional connectivity, ASUS has added two addresses the issue of lockups during POST by setting
USB 3.1 ports at the back (1x Type-A, 1x Type-C) the system to continually attempt to reboot until it
connected to the Intel USB 3.1 controller and another succeeds.
The additional 4-pin header

provides extra power to extreme
overclockers.
The dedicated u.2 port enables you

to easily install 2.5-inch PCIe
3.0 x4 SSDs.
The OC Panel II lets you reduce the

load on your resources by hooking
up directly with your hardware.
GiGaByte z170x GaminG G1

Overclocking comprises the cornerstone of entire configuration is Creative Sound Blaster ZxRi-
aT a GLaNCe
performance for any enthusiast-level board, certified, and should get you good audio quality even
and the E-ATX Z170X Gaming G1 incorporates a if you plug your headphones into the front panel. Memory
22-phase digital power delivery design to help with The flagship also has the most comprehensive 4x DDR4 DIMMs up to
overclocking stability. This includes a combination networking solution among the competition. The dual DDR4 3866
of IR digital power controllers and PowlRstage ICs to Gigabit Ethernet ports rely on the latest Killer E2400,
detect the current accurately. albeit without support for teaming. But together with Processor
The VRM heatsinks themselves the Killer Wireless-AC 1535 network 4x PCIe 3.0 x16,
3x PCIe 2.0 x1
are armed with built-in G1/4 fittings adapter, they do support the Killer
that will work with the majority of DoubleShot-X3 Pro technology,
uSB 3.0
water-cooling components. pCie lane switcher an intelligent control system that
7x rear, 4x front
Gigabyte has gone all out in every allows it to support optimizes your network connection
aspect of the board’s features. All up to four-way for the lowest latency by prioritizing SaTa
four PCIe 3.0 x16 slots are reinforced nvidia sli. network traffic and sending the 10x SATA 6Gbps
with metal. In addition, there are also highest priority packages over the
two PCIe 2.0 x1 slots. fastest interface. Price
What really helps the board The board, likewise, has a US$ 479
distinguish itself from the pack is lackluster selection of onboard buttons and
its use of a PLX PEX8747 PCIe lane overclocking switches to allow enthusiasts to
switcher, which allows Gigabyte performance. tweak their systems easily. The
to direct the PCIe lanes however it OC button automatically loads an
wants to run, making it possible to optimized configuration for your
run four-way graphics setups in x8/x8/x8/x8 mode. hardware, providing a one-click boost to performance.
The onboard audio solution is a similarly On the other hand, the ECO button saves power by
extravagant affair. The Gaming G1 uses a dedicated reducing the overall power consumption according to
quad-core Creative Sound Core 3D audio processor the current system load.
and features a Burr-Brown 127dB DAC that supports Lastly, Gigabyte has thrown in a USB 3.1 in the
192kHZ/24-bit audio and upgradeable op-amps. The front panel with Type-A and -C ports.
BIOS switches at the bottom let you

switch between the default and
backup BIOS.
The upgradeable operational-amps

can be seen flanking the third PCIe
3.0 x16 slot.
The VRM heatsinks feature G1/4

threaded ports for compatibility with
most water-cooling components.

msi z170a GaminG m9 aCk
The MSI Z170A Gaming M9 ACK sits at the top of The Gaming M9 ACK only has three PCIe 3.0 x16
aT a GLaNCe
MSI’s enthusiast-oriented Gaming series of boards. slots, making it the only board in this shootout to
However, a closer look at its feature set shows that not have four slots. It’s not going to make much of Memory
it is a board that is geared more toward the gaming a practical difference to most users, but you could 4x DDR4 DIMMs up to
crowd as opposed to overclockers. argue that as a flagship board, it should have included DDR4 3600
It features an 11-phase power design – that may a fourth slot anyway. However, it makes up for it by
seem paltry in comparison with the other boards, but reinforcing the first and third slots with metal, so Processor
it is the quality and implementation heavy cards should hold up better in 3x PCIe 3.0 x16,
3x PCIe 3.0 x1
that matters more than the number the long term.
of power phases. And like the In addition, the Xtreme Audio
uSB 3.0
Gigabyte Z170X Gaming G1, the MSI unique ddr4 Boost DAC audio solution has been
2x rear, 4x front
board also has G1/4 threaded fittings feature for isolating upgraded with components like a
built into its VRM heatsinks, should memory signals. Sabre HiFi ESS 9016K2M DAC, and SaTa
you choose to go the water-cooling the board now supports high- 6x SATA 6Gbps
route. resolution playback at 384kHz/32-bit
MSI has also included a full-length thanks to the C-Media CM6632A Price
motherboard backplate. It provides HD audio processor. Nahimic Audio PhP 22,300
no dual Bios.
some reassuring heft and support to Enhanced technology is supported as
the board and even houses LEDs on well, offering audio enhancements
the underside, so the board will give you a subtle red like virtual surround, frequency and voice levellers,
underglow when installed in your case. and tweaks for voice clarity for clearer in-game
Another noteworthy feature is something MSI communication.
calls DDR4 Boost, which is highlighted by the bright Overclockers will be more interested in the Game
red memory traces on the PCB. By fully isolating Boost knob that lets you overclock the CPU quickly
the memory circuitry from the other components, by just turning the knob. It does this by tweaking the
DDR4 Boost ensures that the memory signal remains CPU BCLK, which means you cannot do this on the fly
free from interference in order to achieve the best and will have to reboot the system before the change
possible performance and stability. can take effect.
The memory circuit has been

isolated to keep the signal free from
interference.
The Game Boost knob lets you

overclock your CPu by tweaking the
BCLK values.
The Killer Wireless 1535 Wi-fi module

can be detached from the board,
depending on your needs.
T e S T - BeNCHMaRKS
Middle-earth: Shadow of ASROCK Z170 OC FORMULA

Mordor 107.94
(average fps, higher is better) 63.55
41.23
We tested the boards on Middle-earth: Shadow of
Mordor to see how they stack up against each other in asus roG maximus viii extreme
terms of real-world gaming performance. As expected, 113.12
the performance difference between the boards was
minuscule, given that the underlying CPU and GPU
65.18
hardware was the same. Nevertheless, the ASUS board 41.07
just managed to edge ahead, followed by the MSI and GIGABYTE Z170X GAMING G1
ASRock boards. 107.11
62.32
40.15
msi z170a GaminG m9 aCk
1920 x 1200 111.89
65.22
2880 x 1800
41.56
3840 x 2400
SYSmark 2014 asroCk z170 oC Formula

(SYSMarks, higher is better) 2,299
SYSMark is a general productivity benchmark suite that
ASUS ROG MAXIMUS VIII EXTREME
measures the response times of tasks on a PC using
real-world applications like Microsoft Office 2013, Adobe
2,295
Photoshop, and simulated user input. Task response GIGABYTE Z170 GAMING G1
times are used to generate a performance rating that 2,287
reflects actual experience, so the faster a PC responds to
MSI Z170A GAMING M9 ACK
application workloads, the higher its score.
2,292
The ASRock board came out on top here, followed by
the ASUS and MSI boards, respectively. The former did
especially well in the Data/Financial Analysis test, which
was what helped it clinch first place.
Overclocking ASROCK Z170 OC FORMULA

(Higher is better) 4.79GHz
We first tweaked the CPU multiplier ratio and raised the
voltage accordingly. After ascertaining that the achieved
clock speed was stable, we then proceeded to increase
4.83Ghz
the BCLK value to get smaller overclock increments.
This also enabled us to take advantage of the new
overclocking capabilities of Skylake CPUs, which allow a
GIGABYTE Z170 GAMING G1
wider range of BCLK values. Changing the BCLK values 4.66GHz
also overclocks the RAM, so we throttled the speed
accordingly to maintain system stability. MSI Z170A GAMING M9 ACK
The ASUS motherboard was the most capable 4.77GHz
overclocker here, and we managed to hit a top
speed of 4.83GHz, which translated to around a 17%
improvement over default speeds. The ASRock and MSI
motherboard also performed decently, coming in second
and third, respectively.
Unfortunately, the Gigabyte motherboard didn’t
live up to its whopping 22-phase power design at all,
managing a top overclock of just 4.66GHz from our trials.

T e S T - SPeCIfICaTIONS
MODeL aSROCK Z170 OC aSuS ROG MaXIMuS GIGaBYTe Z170X MSI Z170a
fORMuLa VIII eXTReMe GaMING G1 GaMING M9 aCK
MeMORY 4x DDR4 DIMMs (supports 4x DDR4 DIMMs (supports 4x DDR4 DIMMs (supports 4x DDR4 DIMMs (supports
DDR4 4500+, max: 64GB) DDR4 3866, max: 64GB) DDR4 3866, max: 64GB) DDR4 3600, max: 64GB)
STORaGe Intel Z170 chipset: 6x SATA Intel Z170 chipset: 6x SATA Intel Z170 chipset: 6x SATA Intel Z170 chipset: 6x SATA
6Gbps, 3x SATA Express, 3x 6Gbps, 2x SATA Express, 1x 6Gbps, 3x SATA Express, 2x 6Gbps, 2x SATA Express, 2x
M.2 socket M.2 socket M.2 socket M.2 socket
ASMedia ASM1061, ASMedia ASM1061, ASMedia ASM1061:
4x SATA 6Gbps 2x SATA 6Gbps 2x SATA 6Gbps,
1x SATA Express
Realtek ALC1150 audio ROG SupremeFX 2015 Quad-core Creative Sound Xtreme Audio DAC with
auDIO
codec, with support for 8-channel Core3D processor with 1x C-Media CM6632 audio
Purity Sound 3 TI Burr Brown OPA2134, 2x codec
JRC NJM2114 op-amps
1x Intel I219-V 1x Intel I219-V, 3x3 2x Killer E2400, 2x2 Killer 1x Killer E2400, 2x2 Killer
NeTWORKING
dual-band Wi-Fi Wireless-AC 1535 Wireless-AC 1535
802.11ac module
1x PS/2, 1x HDMI, 1x 1x PS/2, 1x HDMI, 1x 1x PS/2, 1x HDMI, 2x USB 1x PS/2, 1x HDMI, 1x

ReaR I/O DisplayPort, 4x USB 3.1 (3 2.0, 2x USB 3.1 (1 Type-A, 1
DisplayPort, 2x USB 2.0, DisplayPort, 3x USB 2.0,
1x USB 3.1 (1 Type-A, 1 Type-A, 1 Type-C), 4x USB Type-C), 7x USB 3.0, 2x RJ- 2x USB 3.1 (1 Type-A, 1
Type-C), 4x USB 3.0, 1x 3.0, 1x RJ-45, 1x ASUS Wi-Fi 45, 1x Optical S/PDIF Out, Type-C), 2x USB 3.0, 1x
RJ-45, 1x Optical S/PDIF GO! Module, 1x Optical 5x audio RJ-45, 1x Optical S/PDIF
Out, 1x Clear CMOS button, S/PDIF Out, USB BIOS Out, 1x Clear CMOS button,
6x audio Flashback button, 5x audio 5x audio
eXPaNSION 4x PCIe 3.0 x16, 1x PCIe 4x PCIe 3.0 x16, 4x PCIe 3.0 x16, 3x PCIe 3.0 x16,
SLOTS 3.0 x1, 1x PCIe 2.0 x1, 2x PCIe 3.0 x1 3x PCIe 2.0 x1 3x PCIe 3.0 x1
1x half-size mini-PCIe
PRICe US$ 299 US$ 499 US$ 479 PhP 22,300
T e S T - CONCLuSION
and the BeSt Z170

motherBoard iS...
TeST
Best
perFormanCe

at the end of the day, it was the aSuS Maximus VIII extreme that impressed us the most. It topped the majority of our test benchmarks, and
was always among the top two performers for the tests it didn’t win. furthermore, its blend of gaming- and enthusiast-oriented features are
quite compelling, as it manages to appeal quite successfully to both crowds, setting it apart from the other boards that often look like they
are sacrificing one for the other.
In addition to being the best board for overclocking, it also offers a range of hardware buttons – the ReTry button for instance – that
speak to aSuS’ efforts to make the overclocking process as smooth as possible. It is this attention to detail and user experience, combined
with its stellar performance and attractive design, that lead us to unreservedly declare it the winner. It will also cost you a pretty penny
at uS$ 500, but what you get is an exceedingly feature-rich board that performs great and looks the part, as well.

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f e a T u R e
Get Creative
with Color
photography
From the cool blues of an evening sunset, to the glowing yellows of a
warm morning, colors evoke mood and emotions in any photograph.
Here’s how to shoot images that show life in vivid color.
Text and Photographs by alvin Soon

All photographs shot with the Olympus Pen-f

f e a T u R e
Getting Color:
the Color wheel
explained
How colors work together (or not).
Put different colors together, and you evoke different moods and feelings.
Color theory explains why, and the color wheel explains color theory.
What’s a color wheel?

A color wheel illustrates the relationship between primary, secondary, and
tertiary colors. The primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. Secondary colors Complementary colors
are colors formed by mixing the primary colors. Tertiary colors are created Complementary colors, sometimes called contrasting colors, are colors that
from mixing primary and secondary colors. lie opposite each other on the color wheel. For example, blue complements
There are actually many different kinds of color wheels, but what’s orange. These colors pair well together, and make the other look more vivid.
important about any color wheel is the way it shows you how complementary
colors, analogous colors, and warm and cool colors work.
Primary Colors
analogous colors
Analogous colors are those that lie side by side on a 12-part color wheel. They
look harmonious together, but create little contrast. For example, orange and
red look good next to each other, but they also look similar.
Secondary Colors
Tertiary Colors
Warm and cool colors
Warm colors are the colors from red through yellow, with browns and tans
included. Cool colors are the colors from blue-green to blue-violet.
In general, warm colors attract more attention and will appear closer to
the viewer, even if they’re actually in the background. Cool colors tend to
recede into the background. Placing warm and cool colors together creates
strong contrasts.

f e a T u R e
7 ways to
Get Creative
with Color
How to shoot images
full of expressive color.
1. Shoot complementary colors

to make subjects pop
Shoot complementary colors against each other to create
standout contrasts. For example, put green subjects against
red backgrounds, or yellow next to purple subjects.
2. Group similar colors together to create 3. Shoot one dominant color

harmony Instead of finding complementary or analogous colors to match, you can also
Instead of creating contrast, group analogous or similar colors together to look for compositions with a single color that dominates the photo.
create a harmonious photo.

4. add a dash of color 5. Shoot warm colors for vibrant images
Add a dash of color to a photo to create contrast and draw attention to the Create vibrant, upbeat images by shooting photos full of warm colors, from
color. The Olympus Pen-F can do this in-camera with its Partial Color Art Filter. reds to oranges to yellows.
6. Shoot cool colors for solemn moods 7. find bright and dark contrasts
Or do the opposite, by shooting images that are full of cool colors, to evoke a Looking for complementary colors is one way to create contrast. Another way
more somber, tranquil look. to create contrast is to find compositions with bright and dark lighting contrast,
as well as color contrasts.
f e a T u R e
Get Creative with

Color impressions
How to make abstract photos that
are all about color.
Make photos all about colors by making the subjects abstract. While photographs
are traditionally about subjects in sharp focus, color impressions create photos
that are intentionally blurry. Here’s how to do it:
1. Create impressions by going out of focus

It’s usually a big sin to have your subject out of focus, but with colorful subjects,
we can intentionally blur the image to create color abstracts. To do this, set your
camera to manual focus, and use the lens’ manual ring to blur the image to your
liking.

2. Create impressions using camera movement
Another way to create color abstracts is to shoot with a slow shutter speed,
and move the camera as the shot is being taken. You’ll need to experiment,
as different shutter speeds and varieties of movement will produce different
results. There are a few ways to move the camera:
i. Move the camera into the subject

Moving the camera towards the subject creates motion blur. You can also
zoom the lens in, instead of moving the camera in, to create the same effect.
ii. Move the camera in a straight line

Moving the camera in a straight line, horizontally or vertically, works well to
emphasize subjects with strong leading lines.
iii. Move the camera in a circular motion

Moving the camera in circles while the camera takes the shot can result in
smooth and organic-looking blurs.
f e a T u R e
when to use shooting

Black and white with the
How do you know when to remove
color altogether? olympus
With all this talk about color, what about black-and-white photography? Not all shots lend
themselves best to color; sometimes removing color can make an image stronger. So how do
pen-F
you know when to remove color altogether? First impressions of
Olympus’ new camera.
All the images in this feature were shot with the

Olympus Pen-F, and most of them were shot using the
new film presets that ship with the camera.
I shoot all the time in RAW and do my own post-
i. When colors overwhelm the main subject processing, so I wasn’t excited about the Pen-F’s
One key reason to remove color is when it overwhelms the photo and takes attention away Creative Dial at first, which gives you quick access to
from the main subject. the new Color Profile and Monochrome modes, as well
as Art Filters and a Color Creator mode.
ii. When color isn’t necessary That’s why I was quite surprised by how often I
Another reason is when there’s hardly any color in the image. turned the dial to the Color Profile and Monochrome
modes when shooting with the Pen-F. The Color
iii. When you want to focus on forms, lines, and textures
Profiles simulate the look of film, and I came to enjoy
Shooting in black and white is a good way to put more focus on forms, lines, and textures,
their colors. It was also quite refreshing to view the
which might otherwise be buried by distracting colors.
world through black and white in Monochrome mode,
which simulates the look of classic black-and-white
iv. When there’s a lot of contrast in the image
films.
Black-and-white images work great when there’s a lot of tonal contrast in an image (i.e., big Because the colors are saved in JPEG, I still saved
differences in light and dark areas in an image). the original shots by setting the camera to shoot in
RAW with JPEG. But I liked the colors often enough
v. Preview and play that I didn’t have to do much with the JPEGs in post
Some cameras, like the Pen-F, let you preview images in black and white before you shoot, so anyway. This came as both a pleasant surprise and a
you can see if the shot works better in color or not. Try it! nice time-saver.
The rest of the Pen-F handled beautifully, and
is, in itself, a beautiful camera, following the lines
of the original Pen F from 1963. It’s compact and
lightweight, making it easy to carry around and remain
inconspicuous in crowded areas. I’m still impressed by
how many small lenses I can pack into a bag, and how
sharp and full of character Olympus’ prime lenses are.
The new 20MP sensor, which doesn’t have an
optical low-pass filter, captures a good amount of
detail. Autofocus is quick, and I appreciate how quickly
you can take over focus points with the touchscreen
and four-way controller. The class-leading five-axis
optical image stabilization helped me nail clearer and
sharper images in low light than I’d usually hope to get.
As first impressions go, the Olympus Pen-F is off to
an impressive start. Look forward to our review of the
camera in a future issue of HWM.

R e W I N D
The Nokia 7250,

released in 2003,
represented the
fashion-conscious back
then. The phone had a
4,096 color display and
two games that weren’t
Snake. The 7250i could
even support XHTML.
PH OTO G R A PH Y V e R N O N WO N G A R T D I R EC T I O N K e N KO H
L e a R N
YoUr
Ultimate
gUide to
netflix
Couch potatoes rejoice, Netflix is finally here in the Philippines! That means no more relying
on proxy services and VPNs to watch Netflix any longer. To help you get on your way, here’s a
comprehensive guide on how to start watching Netflix, as well as some tips and tricks to maximize your
Netflix experience.
Text by The HWM Team

PICTURES NeTfLIX
L e a R N
everythinG you need to

know to Get started on
netFlix
Intrigued, but not sure if Netflix is for you? Check out our guide to help you get started.
At CES 2016, Netflix made a major announcement that it would be launching in 130 new countries. The Philippines was one
of these countries. Now that it’s here, some of you might be wondering, what is Netflix exactly? Can I only watch it on my
TV? And how does it compare to Netflix USA? Let us answer all questions and help you get started.
NeTfLIX 101
Netflix is a video-on-demand
streaming service. Now, some
users might wonder how it differs
from HOOQ and iflix. The main
difference is in the pricing and
catalog of available videos. You can
discover all the series and movies
on their respective websites, and
the best part about it is that all
offer a month-long trial period to
see which one deserves your cash.
WaTCHING NeTfLIX
The other great thing about Netflix is that you can watch it on a multitude of gaming console like a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, you could download the
devices. You can watch Netflix on your TV, computer, and just about any mobile Netflix app for those consoles and watch Netflix on your TV using your game
device. console. However, if these methods don’t work for you, you could invest in
You can watch directly on your web browser simply by heading to Netflix’s a Google Chromecast, which is an affordable and super tiny HDMI streaming
website and logging into your account. Or you could download the Netflix app dongle; or an Apple TV, which is a digital media player and streaming device
for your Android, iOS, or Windows Phone smartphone or tablet and watch it on that connects to your television.
those devices, too. Another nifty thing is that viewing progress is carried over across
And if you want to watch Netflix on your television, there’s a couple of devices, which means customers can begin watching on their phones while
ways. The Netflix app is available for most smart TVs from major brands commuting, pause it when they get home, and then resume watching on
like Samsung, LG, Philips, Sharp, and Sony, and that would be the most their TV without missing a beat.
straightforward way. Alternatively, if you have a modern Internet-enabled
Watch on your TV On the go use any computer

Smart TVs, PlayStation, Xbox, Chromecast, Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Watch right on Netflix.com.
Blu-ray players, and more. Windows phones and tablets.

THe PLaNS
Netflix offers three subscription plans: Basic, Standard, and Premium. And the more popular titles are. Of course, it goes without saying that you need a
important thing to know is that the plan does not determine access to content, 4K display to be able to take full advantage of the 4K content, as well. The
meaning to say that there’s no need to worry that a cheaper plan might not be Premium plan is the most costly at PhP 550 a month.
able to watch some shows that only those with premium plans can.
One of the key differences between the plans is the resolution you can
watch at and also the number of devices that can log on simultaneously. With
a Basic subscription, which costs PhP 360 a month, you will only be able to
watch videos at 480p. That’s not ideal given that anyone who has bought a
new TV in the past three or so years is likely to have a Full HD TV. Likewise,
if your notebook and mobile device is relatively new, it is likely to have a
display that supports Full HD resolution and beyond, too. Plus, with a Basic
subscription, you can only watch Netflix on a single device at any one time.
A Standard subscription is recommended for most users, as it will give
you access to videos in Full HD (1080p) resolution. Furthermore, it will let you
watch on two devices simultaneously, which is great for couples or families
who want to watch different shows. The Standard plan is only slightly pricier at
PhP 460 each month.
For cinephiles, the Premium plan is for you as it allows you to watch
shows up to Ultra HD or 4K. It also lets you watch Netflix on up to four devices
simultaneously, which is great for large families. One thing to note, however,
is that not all shows are available in Ultra HD, though most of the newer and
PICTURES NeTfLIX
NeTfLIX SINGaPORe OR NeTfLIX uSa?

Now, some of you might have read that Netflix Philippines still pales in circumvent the geographical content restrictions that the company has put
comparison to Netflix USA when it comes to content, and that’s true. Because in place. This occurrence is not exclusive to Philippine viewers; Netflix USA
of licensing issues, shows like House of Cards are not available on Netflix viewers in Australia also reported experiencing the same fate.
Philippines. In fact, a comparison done showed that we only have access to Fortunately for most of these viewers, they were able to resume watching
about 7% of the shows and movies that Netflix USA has. Netflix USA once their respective VPN service providers found workarounds.
Subscribing to Netflix USA isn’t as hard as you may think either. All you Peter Dujan, managing director of uFlix, a firm that specializes in provided
need is a VPN or proxy service provider, and that can be set up in as little as Netflix USA to Australian users, said, “It’s simply a game of cat and mouse, and
15 minutes. However, there are some issues that you should consider before this is our job, so let’s play.”
going down this route. To begin, subscribing to Netflix USA will be costlier in What this really means for new users contemplating between Netflix
the long run because you need to subscribe to a VPN or proxy service, too. Philippines and Netflix USA is this: Netflix Philippines is easily the more fuss-
But perhaps more importantly, Netflix has said that it wants to clamp down on free option, but it comes at the cost of a limited catalog; on the other hand,
users bypassing geographical restrictions to access its content. In the past few Netflix USA provides more entertainment options, but it costs more and could
weeks, there have been reports of some users in the Philippines losing access be problematic at times (especially if Netflix USA clamps down on your VPN or
to Netflix USA, as Netflix clamps down on VPN and proxy services looking to proxy service provider).
L e a R N
enhanCe your netFlix

experienCe with two
simple add-ons
Alternatively, how to get the most out of Netflix beyond Netflix’s default settings.
Text by Liu Hongzuo
If you’re already using Netflix for a handful of shows, this enhancement guide is for you. There’s a fair bit of good stuff that Netflix has
and doesn’t offer upfront, but that can be easily fixed when you have access to these add-ons. No, we aren’t bypassing any licensing
laws to get you to a show you want; we’re showing you how to get access to good shows on your current catalog.
Some of these add-ons require slight tinkering on your end, so exercise discretion and healthy web-surfing habits if you want to get
them to work smoothly.
NeTfLIX SuPeR BROWSe

If you’re a seasoned Netflix user, you’ve most likely read or heard about how
Netflix actually has secret genres or categories for their shows. As a viewer,
we have our own tastes, so it’s better (for us) to know what shows are
available in a specific category that caters to our liking. Netflix Super Browse
is an extension for Chrome and Firefox web browsers, and it “unlocks” said
hidden categories.
Installation is simple: If you’re on Chrome, simply go to the Chrome
extension store and search for the add-on. Click on the “Add To Chrome”
This is how your Browse normally looks like…
button when you find the extension. Restart your browser when done.
Go back to your Netflix, and you’ll notice that your original Browse button
is now next to a brand new Super Browse option. Tucked within is a list of
genres handpicked by the extension maker, covering important subsections
without cluttering the option with the entire list of hidden categories.
If the extension isn’t working for you, try reinstalling it. Some ad-blockers
are also not compatible with Netflix Super Browse, so switch ad-blocker
extensions if you really want this add-on.
If you do not want to install any extensions, simply use a website
equivalent to do the same search. One
good example would be
netflixcodes.me, where you can click
on the genre code on the right-side
column, bringing you to that Netflix
genre on a new tab. The website
lists all genres (with some repeats),
providing the full list at a glance.
… and this is the new Super Browse you’ll get after installing.
The Netflix Super Browse extension. Website alternative to this extension is found at netflixcodes.me.

NeNHaNCeR
Now that your shows are properly categorized for easier exploration, you’ll
probably want to know which ones are worth your time. Wouldn’t it be nice
to have a little something within the Netflix page that can display ratings from
various film review websites?
NEnhancer is a Chrome extension that lets you tweak your Netflix page to
include ratings from review aggregation sites IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes.
Like all extensions, download and install on the Chrome extension page
like before. Go to your Netflix main page, and you’ll see a NEnhancer logo
inside your browser’s address bar. Click on it and click Options, and you’ll
be shown the same list of settings found in the extension management tab
for Chrome. By default, some features are already enabled, but we want the
full package here. So go ahead and check both “IMDb Panel” and “RT Panel.”
This will bring up a prompt in red, asking you enable an experimental Chrome
feature.
Follow those instructions to enable the experimental feature, and close
your entire browser properly. Now you can re-open Chrome browser, go back
to the Netflix website, and start hovering your mouse over some titles.
Pulling up show ratings from film critic sites is much easier with add-ons.
The star rating you now get is actually from film database site IMDb.
The tomato and the popcorn icons are from Rotten Tomatoes. If you’ve
configured your NEnhancer extension with the instructions above,
you’d also have the ability to launch a tiny pop-up. This shows you more
information from the respective ratings site, making it a great way to
explore the reviews written for the show.
You can also access the trailer by clicking the icon next to the star,
making it super handy and quick for you to decide whether the show is
worth watching (based on the trailer and the recommendation). With both
enhancements, you now have all the necessary tools for a better Netflix
experience without leaving the Netflix site itself. Knock yourselves out,
kids!
The Nenhancer extension.
Pull up this menu by clicking the Nenhancer logo in the address bar, or in
the extension’s settings. When you’re done, you should have all the ratings at your fingertips.
L e a R N
seven netFlix haCks,

tips, and triCks you
need to know
Here’s how to get more from your Netflix subscription.
Text by James Lu
Are you getting the most out of your Netflix subscription? Here are seven Netflix hacks, tips, and tricks that will dramatically
improve your binge-watching experience!
1. aCCeSS a HIDDeN MeNu TO KILL BuffeRING

If you find yourself infuriated by constant buffering, try this hack. If you’re on
a PC, press Shift + alt + Left Mouse Click, and if you’re using a Mac, press
Shift + Option + Click. This will open Netflix’s diagnostic menu.
From here, select the Stream Manager. This is the only place where you
can manually adjust the buffering rate. By increasing the buffer rate, you can
force Netflix to download much more video to your computer prior to showing
the video.
You will have smoother, higher-quality video, and less pauses in-between
for buffering, but you will have a longer wait before the video starts to play. By
decreasing the buffer rate, you risk choppier, lower-quality video. The video,
however, will play much quicker.
2. KeYBOaRD SHORTCuTS
Everybody knows about hitting the Spacebar to pause, but do you know
all of the keyboard shortcuts available on Netflix?
• On top of Spacebar, you can also hit the enter key to pause/play.
• You can also use PgDn to pause, and Pgup to resume play.
• f will take you to full screen; esc will take you out of it.
• Shift + Left arrow will rewind, while Shift + Right arrow will fast
forward.
• You can use the up and Down arrows to adjust the volume.
• M will mute audio on and off.
3. SeaRCH uSING NeTfLIX’S SeCReT

CaTeGORIeS
Sure, you can browse Netflix using the usual Action, Drama, and Comedy
categories, but what if your tastes are a little more esoteric? Netflix has
a master list of thousands of subgenres, most of which don’t show up in
the regular browsing categories. Instead, you’ll have to input a category
code for your specific vice. First, put this into your address bar:
www.netflix.com/browse/genre/###
Then, replace ### with the code of the category you’re looking for.
PICTURES NeTfLIX
For example, 7687 is Film Noir, and 3196 is Visually-striking Martial

Arts Movies. You can check out the entire list of category codes at
netflixcodes.me.

4. aCCeSS THe fuLL CaTaLOG Of NeTfLIX
SHOWS aND MOVIeS fROM aNYWHeRe IN THe
WORLD
Filipinos who have been using Netflix via VPN will already know how to
configure their VPN settings to access a specific country’s Netflix settings,
but for a more convenient fix, just use Smartflix. It shows every movie and TV
show from Netflix’s entire catalog worldwide in one simple interface, and it’s
as simple as clicking on what you want to watch.
Right now the service is in beta, and is currently free to use. Once it’s
out of beta, there will be a one-month trial period (no sign up or credit card
required), then if you want to keep using it, it’s just a one-time payment of
US$ 7.99.
5. SeT uP MuLTIPLe uSeR aCCOuNTS fOR

DIffeReNT MOODS
Netflix lets you set up a maximum of five different logins on your account;
most people use this to let other family members share the same Netflix
account. But even if you’re not using all of your login slots, those extra user
accounts can still come in handy.
Set up one account for “Serious,” when you’re in the mood for political
thrillers and tearjerker dramas, and one account for “Silly,” when you’re in the
mood for Harold and Kumar or anything starring Seth Rogan. That way, your
viewing history will be separated, which will make viewing recommendations
more accurate.
Or try setting up one account for yourself, one for your significant other,
and a shared account for joint viewing, that way those period dramas you only
watch together won’t interfere with your individual taste for Nazi dinosaur-
fighting spy comedies.
6. CuSTOMIZe THe SuBTITLeS

If you’ve ever had to stop watching a foreign language movie thanks to illegible
subtitles – hello white subtitles in a movie about Alaska – Netflix has the
answer. Just go into Your Account and select Subtitle Appearance under the
My Profile section.
Now, you can change everything to do with the font, including picking from
seven fonts and three font sizes. You can even choose from five types of letter
shading, as well as altering the color of the text and the text outline.
You can even choose whether the subtitles have a background, or sit in a
window. You’ll get a handy preview of any changes in a box at the top.
7. RaTe eVeRYTHING fOR BeTTeR

ReCOMMeNDaTIONS
This last one may seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning because so many
people don’t bother doing it: Rate everything. No matter what you watch, love
it or hate it, after you’re done, take a second to rate it with Netflix’s five-star
rating system.
We’re all conditioned to just blow past any type of survey these days, but
in this case, it’s really worth it, as rating a show gives Netflix’s algorithms more
data to work with when it’s recommending shows and movies for you. If you
forgot to rate a show and you want to go back and do it, just navigate to the
show’s title page and click on how many stars you want to give it.
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Marvin R. Velasco | Editor

Hardware Magazine (HWM) covers the latest

Our Profile Vision

HardwareZone Philippines telephone: (632) 634-9179 Facebook: Hwm philippines / HardwareZonepH

Text by Liu Hongzuo

10 HWM PH / April 2016

PICTURES fReePIK & aPPLe

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