A Glimpse of the iStudio Plus Store in Shangri-la Plaza Mall

It's been only a few months and change has definitely happened with the brand of iStudio Plus. After being a Premium Apple Reseller for years, they now carry MORE brands under their belt. What this means for consumers is OPTIONS, that in this day and age of different smartphone brands and accessories, you've got iStudio Plus stores you can go to.

After covering the iStudio Plus iPhone 16 event a couple weeks ago, they have opened up a brand new store over at the 3rd Floor of Shangri-la Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong City. We were able to get first dibs on some of the brands that they carry including top fan manufacturer Jisulife, smartphone manufacturer Samsung, and the really fun Divoom, a brand that has lots of bags, speakers, microphones, LED and accessories. iStudio plus also has their own branded products, which I love every bit of.

They carry Philips products, but I fancied this huge 30,000mAh power bank. It's small but compared to other brands, this has more capacity.

This is one of the things that are iStudio branded, they've got a lot! But what I dig about this brick is the two outputs. I don't have to wait for one device to charge and can do it at the same time!

A big surprise was this JBL Wind 3S portable bluetooth speaker, you can attach this to bikes when you're outdoors. Enjoy the fun of music even in the midst of your workout. There's more where this came from!

Being a Premium Apple Reseller, they carry Apple products like this Apple TV 4K. It's got really good audio and video quality. With it, you can Facetime people while you're in the living room. It also has access to Apple original shows and films!

Because it's hot in the Philippines, iStudio Plus carries Jisulife products. Different from the usual wireless rechargeable fans in the market, this is much stronger and lasts quite a long time. This is why it's the top selling brand of portable fans in the country, and in the world.

I'm a sucker for really good bluetooth speakers. Divoom has these. This is the Divoom Spark Pop Bluetooth Speaker, a kind of small portable speaker which they carry in store. Don't be fooled by how small it is because it sound so loud and crisp in real life. Imagine the things you can do with this while you're traveling to other countries or domestically. You don't have to be bored at all!

This is just the tip of the iceberg, during the event, they also told us that they're planning to open/revamp a few more stores within the year. They are also targeting even more before 2030. It's going to be more convenient shopping for phones, audio, video devices and accessories because they made it all in one place, at iStudio Plus!

I'd like to take this bit to thank the folks at iStudio Plus for letting us see what's about to happen at their store in Shangri-la Plaza Mall. From the looks of it, it's amazing!

DIGIMAP Opens Newest Store at Gateway 2 Mall Araneta City

First time to actually know about this brand Digimap, but really feel how they've aggressively expanded operations in the Philippines. This store they've recently opened is near my hood at the Gateway 2 Mall in Araneta City. 

They are having several specials during store opening including a default 21K off in select MacBook, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch models. 2.5K off on select AirPods, 30K off on select Apple products if you use Unionbank Credit Cards at 0% interest, and free Soundcore Earbuds for the first 50 customers, and a 10% discount on partner accessory brands from June 26 to 30. They have their friendly Superstars at the store if you have questions about the devices too.

Currently they have Digimap Ayala, Digimap Robinsons Starmills in Pampanga, Digimap Parqal, Digimap Robinsons Jaro in Iloilo, Digimap Robinsons Gentri, Digimap New Mall Greenhills, Digimap Robinsons Lipa Batangas, Digimap North Tacloban, Digimap Robinsons Roxas and Digimap Robinsons Tagum. They also have Digiplanet Alabang Town Center,  Digiplanet Centrio, Digiplanet Capitol Bacolod and Digiplanet Estancia. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by John Bueno (@kumagcow)

This one in Gateway 2 is certainly a good addition since there are no other authorized distributors of Apple products nearby, it will service a lot of people who need new products and those who plan to make a switch!

Congratulations Digimap! This is the time to live, play and connect this side of town!

Gift To Self: #SmartiPhoneX

December has been a rollercoaster ride for me. I've had a lot of ups and downs but I don't complain. I work hard and knew that this would be a great time to have a GIFT TO SELF, because I haven't been doing that for the longest time. 

I have been longing to get a phone that would match my needs and to tell you honestly I've been lugging around my coverages using three phones, my old iPhone 5, my iPhone 5S and a crippled ASUS 6 inch Laser. Both my iPhones have already gone bloated on me but still works and all I needed to do was just replace the batteries (thanks to the store I go to in SM San Lazaro) but my ASUS Laser 2 phone showed signs of breaking down as some parts of the screen don't respond to pressing anymore (so I had to install an app just to have a home button). My games there had me worried so I had to put them all in my old iPhone just so I could play. Long story short, the iPhones that I have lasted for years and didn't give me major problems, so when news broke out that there was a new iPhoneX, I had to have one, I knew it was time. 

It was also my time for retention as a postpaid subscriber for Smart. When I heard Smart Communications was releasing it December, I knew I had to get one from them. Their plan was obviously the BEST because if you think about it, they are offering it with a plan for only Php 3,199 a month for 2 years which means I can get this dream phone less than the actual price plus a prepaid plan Php 1,499 that fits my lifestyle (already included in the Php 3,199 price tag). I was wondering what could have prompted them to actually give it away at this price because if you think about it, you'll save thousands of pesos if you buy it from them instead of the Apple Store which priced it at Php 65,000 per unit. That device alone would cost Php 2,700++ a month, a difference of about Php 15,000 if you subtract the plan, now isn't that crazy?

The iPhone X also takes superb photos, live ones and even great videos. I've been using it for a few weeks already and the images just come so real as with the iPhone X. The funny thing is that if you see the shots even without editing you'll already think it's amazing, what more if you touch it a little, people go crazy when they see it.

Now I've got a powerful phone that takes gorgeous photos, ample amount of storage for those videos I have to take plus tons of things that previous iPhones haven't been able to do. They removed the audio jack and kept it with the Lightning cord. They have a special adapter which is included in the box so you can still use the regular earphones if you would need it. Drop tests, depth tests and waterproofing reviews had all of them feel at awe with the iPhone X and I guess this not so common GIFT TO SELF is going to serve me well for years to come. 

If you want to know more about the plan with NO CASHOUT then visit Smart's page for it over at http://smart.com.ph/iPhoneX and thank me later!

It's totally worth it!

KUMAGCOW

Fresh Blogs Fast!

What's There To Like About iPhone X?

The iPhone X has been available to consumers for a little while now, and sales are going well. Despite a great deal of concern over the fact that the phone comes with a $1,000 price tag, Apple customers appear to be willing to pay. The iPhone X is selling well already and is expected to break sales records over the course of the next year, according to some accounts. So it seems that once again, Apple has proven that it sets the bar in mobile technology. While a $1,000 iPhone X is certainly not an every man’s phone, it still seems to be the new gold standard in smartphones.

But why are consumers taking to such an expensive phone so quickly and enthusiastic? What is there to like about the iPhone X that its competitors (including even Apple’s own iPhone 8 and 8-Plus) don’t have? These appear to be some of the biggest draws.

It’s Apple’s Best

This might be enough for people to trust (and buy) this phone. As much as other companies like Samsung and Google like to advertise that they’re actually leading the way in mobile technology, and as big as the consumer base is for Samsung in particular, it’s still true that Apple is the company most of us look to for innovation in this space. Apple brought us the original iPhone and has since become the biggest tech company in the world – so, naturally, the best Apple phone at any given point is going to be a big deal. From a specifications perspective, the iPhone X is that phone. It’s faster, clearer, and more powerful than any other device Apple has ever put out, and arguably than any other phone on the market. So while this isn’t a specific feature, it may be the most important point.

Face ID Is Impressive

In case you haven’t looked into iPhone X details yet, it’s important to know that Apple has abandoned its home button with this device. That means Touch ID (the fingerprint unlocking system) is out the door as well. In its place, the iPhone X has “Face ID,” which is a system by which its front-facing camera can recognize the owner’s face, such that the phone unlocks simply when you look at it. There are some concerns that this is actually a less secure system, as it was famously tricked by masks just days after the phone was released. For the average user, however, it’s an awesome and convenient feature (and it’s not as if many people around you have iPhone-tricking masks handy). As many have remarked, there’s something almost futuristic about seeing a phone recognize you and open itself up.

It’s Built For New Games

The iPhone X’s potential in augmented reality is perhaps its most overlooked feature. This is simply because other phones, including the iPhone 8, can also work with AR. But none have a display to match that of the iPhone X, nor the screen-to-phone ratio that makes something like AR animation look all the more impressive. Now consider where this new technology is probably going. An article looking at how virtual reality will change gaming may have had the best statement on the matter, suggesting that a single good idea could spark a trend, leading to a magnificent bloom in creativity. We’re already seeing this play out in AR. What was merely a concept months ago has become a whole portion of the app store, and it’s still in its infancy. AR is undoubtedly the future of mobile game, and the iPhone X does it best. For many people, the appeal may be that simple.

Animojis Are Fun (Seriously)

Animojis are ordinary, animated emojis that happen to be able to move, talk, sing, and even imitate the facial expressions of a phone’s owner. People are having a ton of fun with them already, to the point that Apple has started using them in advertisements. In particular, it’s “animoji karaoke” that seems to be taking off, such that some are calling it the best thing about iPhone X. That might seem ridiculous when we’re talking about such an expensive and sophisticated device, but it’s worth remembering that people like to have fun with their smartphones. This is a messaging trend that only the iPhone X is capable of, and that’s going to drive sales.

Too Hot? Grab Oishi Great Lakes Today!

When it's hot outside and you can't stand the heat, the last thing you would want to do is prepare powdered juices, ice, mixing them up and make a mess on your kitchen. Aside from that, powdered juices seem to have too much sugar in them. No matter how much natural they say they are, it just doesn't feel good and it tastes so artificial. Good thing there's Great Lakes from OISHI!

They've got in two sizes, one in the 1 Liter pack (my favorite since I have a big family) and the other in handy dandy 250 ml bricks which you can bring anywhere like school, the office, or the lovely outdoors.

Best of all, these things are all natural, 100% JUICE (except the Red Grape variant because you will get drunk if that is 100% so they kept it at 50% hahah). 

My personal favorite is this Pure Pressed Apple Juice because it's so good and feels like you're just eating apples without the usual fruit pulp. As the name says, it's all natural and has added Vitamin C on all of them. So if you don't want to get sick and need the amount of Vitamin C for today, you know how to get it with one serving of OISHI Great Lakes! 

Dad loves this a lot because it has several fruits and Carrot which he needs. Carrots are filled with Vitamin A which would be good for the eyes. Add to that the other fruits that are included in this one like Grapefruit, Orange, Pineapple, you've got like a whole bowl of fruit salad in one pack. Isn't that healthy?

Mom loves this Tropical Blend Fruit Mix because it's got Mango, Papaya, Calamansi, Pineapple and Orange. This doesn't have artificial colors, flavors or sweetener. You're assured of a very healthy drink which you need this summer!

As if that wasn't good enough, they've got Just Right 50% Red Grape Juice too. I love this because it tastes like the usual real grapes because it is made from real grapes. It's sweet and a little tangy, and I'm sure there's no added preservatives on this one just like the other variants. 

Now you know what's best for you right? Get the brand that's got real juice, no preservatives, no artificial colors and a lot of Vitamin C. That's what you'll get in every pack of Oishi Great Lakes! I'm actually drinking one right now. Just add tons of ice, and we're good to go! It's available in all leading groceries and stores nationwide!

Power Mac Center and ADAM elements at the 21st Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

I was invited to go to a trip up north for the 21st Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta with some of my blogger friends to try out one of Power Mac Center's best selling products, a brand called ADAM elements. I'm an iPhone user since they discontinued the Blackberry, so it's quite a long time already since I've had my iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S. As a blogger, I've taken thousands of photos, tons of videos too because of my coverages and you know I would suffer in storage because of that. I've been surviving using 2 16GB phones because I have fast LTE connection courtesy of Smart Communications (which I am super thankful for) where I upload my media real time so my phone won't get full. Sometimes, I couldn't still delete some of the files on my phone because I blog on it too and need the photos to be posted on my @kumagcow instagram account fast. 

This is the 32GB iKlips DUO+ which I used during the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, it was easy to transfer files and take photos because you don't have to worry about storage.

This is the iKlips DUO which I won in the raffle, and now it's part of my life.

I've been looking for  a solution for my storage problems but I couldn't really find the one that would be easy to carry around and connect to my laptop when I need to. ADAM elements took us to take photos of the Hot Air event and had us compete with our co-bloggers to see who could whip up an excellent shot without worrying about storage using iKlips (the app), iKlips Duo (first generation hot swappable storage) and iKlips Duo+ (which I had that afternoon). I actually had the capability of putting all my old files on it and making an experiential video about the trip, so here you go and enjoy!

I actually had 4 entries in mind and wanted an element of humans in it. This one was for the German Balloon, pulled by men who worked so early in the morning before the lift off around 7ish.

An element of love, there were tons of brides and grooms who did their prenup in the venue.

This was the ceremonial first fire, done by the Captain himself

My photo entry called TRINITY. It won me an iPAD2 from POWER MAC CENTER!

I would like to take this bit and thank POWER MAC CENTER for bringing us to Clark Pampanga, thank you also to ADAM elements who gave us an experience using the iKlips DUO and DUO+ storage (one of which I won in the raffle! Thank you!). Also, thank you to the fine people of 21st Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta aka Ms. Millet who gave us Media Passes for the event. Thank you for changing my life ADAM elements!

For more information about their products:

ADAM Elements

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.adamelements.com/

What's Great About Today?

Have you ever asked yourself that question? I know I do. Sometimes, things don't turn out right, things don't happen for you, but you just want to feel awesome right at the moment you get out of bed. I was feeling under the weather last week and I was a little panicked because I had to cover about 9 events that week. I already drank meds and the usual vitamins + supplements I always take when I feel like this way. Still, I felt a little sad and drowsy. A delivery guy came and gave me this humongous mysterious crate that morning and I thought it was fresh fruits! It was exactly what I need! I was surprised when I opened it though!  

Oooh! I was ecstatic because it asked me immediately about what's great about today! It reminded me that I had a lot of things to be thankful for and this surprise was one of them. This thing was also a writing board so I could hang it on my wall and remind myself about things I should be thinking about early in the morning.

Right under that happy sign, were little tetra bricks of Oishi Great Lakes. These are real fruit juice drinks that's got no artificial coloring, no artificial flavors or coloring. I could imagine it tasting like the real thing that's pressed through cloth like what they do with apple cider. Or what they do when grapes get harvested and they start processing it for wine. The younger juice is sweeter, non alcoholic, real fruity in smell and flavor. 

What's even more fun is that they also come in 1 Liter packs which my family absolutely loves! Now we can drink from the box and just keep the rest in the fridge for later, or even cook with it. I can imagine divine sauces for pork dishes, or perhaps beef and gravy with the grape juice. Doesn't that sound good?

You too have a LOT of things to be thankful for today! You should go out, go to the grocery or convenience stores and get yourself Oishi Great Lakes for your homes. I'm getting my apple fix, plus grape juice too. Don't be sad, because as I said you've got a ton of things to be thankful for. The sun outside is shining, you've got a lot of friends who care, plus a family to love you unconditionally. 

Now you tell me, what's great about today?

For more information about their drinks:

Oishi Philippines

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.oishi.com.ph/

Smart Bro Outs Best iPad Mini 2 Plan Ever!

Your best deal ever has come true as Smart the country's biggest network has released the awesome iPad Mini 2 with Retina Display at Plan 599. This is true and it's happening because change is good no?

The plan already includes data of 1.7 GB on Plan 299 and a high speed LTE sim plus an additional 1.1 GB monthly data FREE so you could watch and stream your favorite shows on Youtube, iFlix and MORE!

We just got word of this today and I'm glad a lot of people, kids and teens in particular would be able to afford this plan easily and get access to the best internet content fast and efficient because it's from SMART!

Visit http://www.smart.com.ph/bro for more details about the plan today!

KUMAGCOW

Fresh Blogs Fast!

Switch Opens New Store in Ayala Malls Serin Tagaytay

It looks like they're rapidly expanding. Switch, an authorized Apple Premium Reseller just opened their 19th store at the 2nd level of Ayala Malls Serin in Tagaytay City. We were there this morning and the good news is, they're throwing in an 8% discount on all items today as part of their 8th year anniversary.

Macpower executives Ken Tan and Suzette Cruz officiated the ribbon cutting ceremony and showed us around their new store. They've got tons of Macbook bags, slim sleeves, hard cases, iPhone cases, Lumee (the ultimate selfie tool), Belkin accessories, Belkin car mounts, powerbanks and a lot more. They also have audio speakers and accessories so if you need some fancy ear gear, you should definitely visit them today!

Switch also has other branches in Ayala Malls Solenad, Arcadia in Paseo, Marquee Mall in Angeles Pampanga, UP Technohub, The District Mall in Imus Cavite, The District Mall in Dasmariñas City, Alabang Town Center, Glorietta, UP Town Center, EVIA Lifestyle Center, Bluebay Wal and Robinson's Mall in Las Piñas which they also just recently opened. Come and enjoy the discount today if you are around the area. It's a cool mall too!

KUMAGCOW

Fresh Blogs Fast!