Welcome to another edition of Kwentong Tech, where we dive deep into the latest gadgets and share our honest experiences with you. Today, we’re lucky enough to review a phone that many have been eagerly waiting for: the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Although this device has created quite a buzz, let's take a closer look to see if it lives up to the hype.

However, despite these standout specifications, is the Galaxy S24 Ultra truly as revolutionary as it appears?

The Reality Behind the Hype

While the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra certainly impresses with its spec sheet, there are a few aspects that may not be as groundbreaking as they seem. For instance, the 200MP camera is remarkable but comes with the downside of quickly consuming storage space. If you plan on using this feature extensively, you might find yourself needing additional storage solutions sooner rather than later.

The AI Features: A Blessing or a Curse?

One of the main selling points of the S24 Ultra is its AI integration. The camera’s AI is designed to make photography and video recording easier. As my wife aptly put it, it's about "easy access," meaning that the device is supposed to be user-friendly with helpful features. While the AI does assist in capturing stunning shots, it sometimes overcompensates by adjusting colors and lighting, which can lead to less natural-looking images. 

Photography with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

For content creators, the S24 Ultra’s camera is a mixed bag. On one hand, it captures high-quality images that are crisp and detailed, which is perfect for event coverage. On the other hand, the extensive zoom capabilities, while impressive, may not always produce the most reliable results. For instance, while the 10x zoom is handy for getting close-up shots, it can be challenging to keep the image stable without a tripod.

The 200MP camera is certainly a feature to show off, but it’s worth noting that the storage capacity might become an issue if you're a heavy user. To avoid running out of space, consider opting for a higher storage model or investing in an external drive.

When and Where to Use the Camera Best

The S24 Ultra’s camera excels in well-lit environments. The colors are true to life and stand out vividly in daylight, making it ideal for capturing nature and vibrant scenes. However, the AI’s scene optimizer might not be as effective in low-light conditions, where it can over-brighten darker areas, sometimes altering the intended mood of your photos.

If you’re into dramatic night shots with high contrast, the S24 Ultra’s intelligent optimization can be more of a hindrance than a help. The AI tends to lighten dark areas, which can detract from the dramatic effect you might be going for.

AI Image Erase: A Useful but Flawed Tool

One feature that stands out is the AI image erase, which allows you to remove unwanted objects or people from your photos. This can be incredibly useful for eliminating photobombers or distractions. However, it’s not foolproof. If the object you want to remove is a similar color to the background or subject, the results can be less than perfect. It’s best to use this feature carefully to avoid unsightly patches in your photos.

Video Recording: A Double-Edged Sword

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra offers a range of video recording options, from HD to 8K. While the 8K resolution delivers incredibly sharp and detailed footage, it also results in very large file sizes that can quickly eat up your storage. Additionally, while the video stabilization is generally effective, the need for a tripod is still evident when using high zoom levels to avoid shaky footage.

The S24 Ultra's AI stabilization is a notable feature, helping to smooth out shaky recordings, but it’s not a substitute for a steady hand or a tripod. For events like concerts, the zoom and video quality are impressive, but remember that your hand’s stability will impact the final result.

 
Final Thoughts

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a powerful device with an array of impressive features that are certainly worth noting. However, it’s not without its flaws. The high storage demands, occasional overzealous AI adjustments, and the need for additional accessories like tripods can be drawbacks for some users. While the S24 Ultra is undoubtedly a top-tier smartphone, it’s important to weigh these aspects against the potential benefits to determine if it meets your specific needs.

So, whether you're a content creator or simply a tech enthusiast, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra offers a compelling experience, but it’s essential to understand both its strengths and limitations.

This review aims to provide a balanced view of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, highlighting both its strengths and areas where it might fall short.

After its launch last year in Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Samsung Shop App is now available in the Philippines; with plans to launch in more markets across Southeast Asia and Oceania. With the Samsung Shop App, users are provided with exclusive access to offers available only on the app. At the same time, the app is also able to personalize offers made available to users depending on their interests, while ensuring they can stay on top of the latest deals of Samsung products via timely notifications in the app.

For users making purchases through the Samsung Shop App, flexible payment options such as easy installment payments simplify the purchase process. Users can also easily view delivery details and do real-time tracking for orders made. As a feature benefit, users also have Official Samsung Warranty when purchasing products on the Shop App. At the same time, users can benefit from the Samsung Rewards program, which lets users easily earn and redeem points on every purchase made through the Samsung Shop App.

“Online shopping has always been a promising avenue to reach our customers, and the increase in online shoppers in the region, including the Philippines, tells us there is merit in creating more accessible shopping platforms. As we are continuously seeking ways to improve our customer experience, our goal with the launch of the Samsung Shop App in the Philippines is to bring our products that can help elevate work and play to more Filipinos, and allow them to seamlessly discover the best personalized deals suited for their unique needs and individuality,” says Min Su Chu, President of Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation (SEPCO).

Immersive, app-tastic shopping experiences

With Samsung Shop App, Samsung is elevating the online shopping experience for customers and fans, all from the comfort of wherever they are, in the following ways:

●An optimized shopping experience on mobile devices: The Samsung Shop App will be available on both Android and iOS devices, with a mobile-optimized user interface that is user friendly, as well as a curated selection of the latest Samsung consumer electronics products available for purchase through the app, with the catalog of products available for purchase to be expanded in the months to come. In Q4 of this year, tablet users can take advantage of their larger screens for an optimized shopping experience.

●Real-time order status updates: Customers who make purchases on the Samsung Shop App can view details of orders made and receive real-time delivery notifications. For all purchases, customers are entitled to free shipping.

●Personalized recommendations: The Samsung Shop App will be able to offer personalized content and recommendations for Samsung products, including easy comparisons between users’ current devices and the latest models offered, as well as accessories for owned products.

●Exclusive discounts for students: Students from the Philippines will be able to save big on Samsung devices with exclusive discounts and offers for purchases made through the Samsung Shop App.

●Samsung Members-only benefits: Through the Members App, Samsung Members can be directed to exclusive Members-only discounts, offers, and experiential perks, along with the ability to earn additional loyalty benefits, on the Samsung Shop app.

●Exclusive in-app promotions for all: As part of the Samsung Shop App launch festivities, Samsung customers and users will be able to take advantage of a discount of ₱1,000 off with minimum spend of ₱10,000 using the code APP1KPH upon checkout. Promo is available now until December 31, 2024.

Enjoy the latest deals on the new device releases like the Galaxy Z Flip6 and Galaxy Z Fold6 and wearables like the Galaxy Watch7 Series, Galaxy Watch Ultra, and the Galaxy Buds3 series powered by Galaxy AI. Consumer Electronic products like Bespoke AI Home Appliances, Samsung AI TVs and Smart Monitors are also up for grabs. Check out the best deals today at the Samsung Shop App. Users can also take advantage of Flexible Payment Options: Pay in monthly installments at 0% interest up to 36 months using HSBC, Metrobank, BDO, & BPI credit cards.

Samsung Shop App is available on the Google Play Store, and the App Store. To download and install the Samsung Shop App and take advantage of the promotions on offer, please visit https://www.samsung.com/ph/apps/samsung-shop-app/, or scan the QR code to download.

DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-195164

Timezone’s Make It Rain Basketball Challenge 2024 brought together the best ballers from across the nation to compete in a high-stakes tournament where skill, and strategy reign supreme.

Held on August 10th at Timezone Ayala Malls Feliz, audiences were treated to an electrifying event where sharpshooters tossed basket after basket, scoring points off the competition and having a blast.

Every shot counted during the finals, but Michael Rasco representing Timezone Cloverleaf came away as the Grand Champion, taking home his very own Slam and Jam machine and beating the very best shooters from 32 locations nationwide.

Of course, the 1st runner Raylord Roxas representing Timezone SM Mall of Asia up and second runner Efren Christopher Flaminia representing Timezone Ayala Center Cebu brought home 10K and 5K worth of cash as the competition came to a fruitful completion.

Time to play
From June 29th, participants aged 15 and older signed up at their Timezone of choice to try their hands at the prize.

Each contestant got two plays to score as many points in order to move on to the next round.

Qualifying participants went through a triple wringer of trials: the weekly competitions seeking out the best in individual locales; and the venue finals where individual champions were selected to represent different branches.

Those who survived those grueling rounds made it to a grand showdown where the country's best ballers finally determined who was the 2024 baller king.

But while this year's champ stands tall as Timezone’s MVP, the fun isn't over at all! Stay tuned for Timezone’s upcoming competitions.

Tech Horizons: Unleashing the Future of Innovation

The responsible use of Artificial Intelligence, building digital trust, unlocking the value of digital evolution, and tech sustainability were the hot topics of discussion at the KPMG PH annual Innovation Summit tagged “Tech Horizons: Unleashing the Future of Innovation”.

With over a thousand live and online participants, the summit in its 4th year has become KPMG in the Philippines’ annual way to gather emerging tech and business leaders to harness the transformative power of technologies as catalysts of progress and instill the importance of responsibility and sustainability to its use.

KPMG in the Philippines Chairman and CEO Sharon Dayoan welcomed guests and participants comprising tech and business leaders from different industries by reiterating the company’s primary focus on technology and its role in promoting growth for businesses and consequent national development. She revealed that the driving force behind the annual Innovation Summit’s success since its inception in 2021 is KPMG in the Philippines’ commitment to harnessing technology to streamline operations, drive efficiencies and enhance stakeholder experiences, consequently contributing to economic advancements.

Delivering the keynote address, Peter Maquera, CEO of Microsoft Philippines remarked that the integration of AI can significantly enhance the principles of transparency, accountability, and fairness, ultimately improving performance and shareholder value of companies.

Noel Bonoan, Vice Chairman and COO, Head of Advisory of KPMG in the Philippines, in his speech about their digital transformation debunked the perception that people become irrelevant with Artificial Intelligence, saying new jobs will replace the ones that are lost. Bonoan said that technology and innovation, if done right and collaboratively, can catalyze business growth and help with economic development and nation building. This is why KPMG in the Philippines has invested time and resources to ensure a robust and responsive Technology Consulting practice working shoulder to shoulder with their clients in their own digital transformation journeys.

AI Unleashed: Shaping Tomorrow Responsibly

Dr. David R. Hardoon, CEO of Aboitiz Data Innovation and Sr. Advisor for Data and AI of the Union Bank of the Philippines treated the summit participants with a fascinating discussion on the responsible use of AI. He emphasized that if AI is used responsibly, it can augment human capacity by enhancing decision-making processes through data-driven insights. This capability can lead to more informed and accurate decisions ultimately improving shareholder value.

However, he said these advantages will not benefit users if they are not managed responsibly. Companies need to adopt good governance practices to ensure that their AI initiatives are safe and have a positive impact on society. This includes addressing the potential job displacement effects of AI and implementing strategies to support affected employees, such as retraining programs. 

Digital Trust: Building Confidence in the Digital Age

Significant security measures are needed to ensure digital trust. It was the bottom line during the first panel discussion tagged “Digital Trust: Building Confidence in the Digital Age” moderated by Mr. Frits Enriquez, KPMG in the Philippines Technology Consulting – Cybersecurity Principal.

According to Dr. Erik Capistrano of the University of the Philippines Diliman, people need to feel confident that their personal information is safe from cyber threats such as hacking, data breaches, and identity theft, and from negligence such as lax practices. Organizations must implement strong encryption, secure authentication methods, and regular security audits to protect user data.


Panelist Dennis Omila, Chief Transformation Officer of Union Bank of the Philippines said being transparent about how data is protected can reassure users that their information is secure. Clear and transparent privacy policies are also essential because users are often wary of how their data is collected, stored and used. Companies should also inform users on the details of data collection as well as provide an opt-out choice to help users gain the confidence to go the digital path.

The discussion also tackled education and collaboration among stakeholders to further reinforce trust and promote digital adoption enabling society to fully benefit from digital enhancements. Panelist Carlos Tengkiat, Chief Information and Security Officer RCBC said that breaches in security happens because even if a company is careful of its privacy measures, it becomes vulnerable if it works with third party contractors that don’t have the same level of care to one’s data. That is why companies should ensure security measures and protocols and extend its standards to its business partners. It is also vital to address the challenges of educating the consumers to do their part in exercising these data protection protocols.

Sustainability Meets Tech: ESQ and AI in Corporate Governance

Speaker Rafael Dionisio, Co-founder, MAD Travel, Circle Hostel and Director of Lighthouse Legacy Foundation said in his speech that the intersection of sustainability and technology, specifically the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors with Artificial Intelligence (AI) in corporate governance, represents a significant development in business practices. This convergence not only addresses global challenges but also improves organizational resilience, stakeholder trust, and long-term value creation.

Transformation to Profit: Unlocking the Value of Digital Evolution

The pandemic era enabled a lot of enterprises to adapt to the need of the market, using ecommerce and multiple channels to expose their products. According to panelist Dennis Velasco, the CEO of Prosperna, digital transformation goes beyond mere automation of tasks, encompassing a holistic rethinking of business models, customer experiences, and internal processes, it also refers to the integration of digital technology in all areas of a business, fundamentally changing how companies operate and deliver value to customers.

Esel Madrid, SVP and Head of Data Science and AI Center of Excellence, Security Bank Corporation, said that leadership makes a huge difference in embracing change like digital transformation. She said that while many organization initiate digital transformation with the goal of modernization, the true value of data and ai is unlocked when business embeds the learnings and translates it into action and measurable outcomes.

Mark Gersava, Executive Cabinet Member, National Innovation Council said that strategic alignment is key in turning digital transformation into profit. By setting clear and measurable goals, organizations can track the impact of digital initiatives. He said the objective of the council is to make sure that the environment is ripe for innovation enabling the improvement of innovation governance in the country and the adaptation of long-term vision. It is pertinent to remove the obstacles in innovation and adapt the regulatory frameworks to support the infusion of digital transformation.

Today, GCash remains a market leader in making financial services accessible & affordable to the masses. A key step to this is establishing a financial identity, which we have made easier with simple full verification within the GCash app. Tek Olano, Chief Financial Officer of GCash, cited the company's own example of problem-solving expertise in a market that is not well-equipped with financial tech capabilities. Olano stated that if the process is easy, people will adopt it, especially if it offers the advantages of having a financial identity. Dick Chiang, CEO of Dragonpay, emphasized the importance of studying the market when creating platforms for convenience. By addressing the market’s purchase needs, businesses can drive digital transformation. However, measuring digital success goes beyond transaction numbers; it involves metrics related to customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, revenue growth, and cost reduction. 

 KPMG in the Philippines and the Exciting Race to Digital Transformation

With another Innovation Summit concluded and a new Global Tech Innovator in the Philippines proclaimed, the firm celebrates the agility and optimization that innovation brings to businesses not just in the Philippines but worldwide. Its annual pursuit of a GTI continues to celebrate innovators for being a guiding light in the race for digital transformation where everyone is going at their own individual pace and merits. KPMG in the Philippines is always committed to provide insight and guidance tailored to meet organizations in whatever stage of their digital transformation. It remains to be one of the most trusted professional services firms in the country, providing audit and assurance, tax, advisory and tech consulting services. ###

The Bootleg Beatles have previously performed sold out dates in the Philippines during their 2016, 2018 & 2022 tours here. Moreover, they are fresh from performing at this year’s (2024) Glastonbury & Isle of White Festivals held in the UK.

This is an absolute must-see show for Beatles fans of all ages, singing all your favourite Beatle’s hits & featuring original muti-media images of the Fab Four!

Mark your calendars for this spectacular show:

The Theatre at Solaire, Manila – Saturday, October 26th, 2024 – 8 PM Ticket Prices for The Theatre at Solaire, Manila:

PLATINUM - Reserved Seating – 6,850 PHP
SVIP - Reserved Seating – 5,850 PHP
VIP - Reserved Seating – 4,850 PHP
GOLD - Reserved Seating – 3,850 PHP
SILVER - Reserved Seating – 2,850 PHP
BRONZE - Reserved Seating – 1,850 PHP
Ticket prices exclusive of service charges.

Presented by Concert Republic do not miss this chance to witness The Bootleg Beatles live in Manila this October 2024 for a one-of-a-kind live music experience!
v Tickets for The Bootleg Beatles' concerts are available at all Ticket World outlets and online at www.ticketworld.com.ph or by calling 891-9999.
v For more information.

www.bootlegbeatles.com

www.concertrepublic.com