Xiaomi Launches Redmi Note 12 Series, AIoT Devices to Live Vivid!

Took the trip down south to see what Xiaomi has up their sleeves as they launch the new Redmi Note Series and a couple of AIoT devices that's designed for the modern, smart home.

They did have us tinker around with the devices on their experience kiosks at the Grand Ballroom of Mariott Hotel in Pasay City and here's what happened!

Their call for this launch is to #LiveVivid which stems from the launched phone which has got a 200MP primary camera. It's already available for Pre-Order from 15th to the 21st. It's got a Flow AMOLED screen (a debut on the Redmi Note Pro 5G), Dolby vision Atmos, which makes your videos vividly amazing. It is also equipped with an IMX 766 which can capture more light, usually it is seen on flagship camera systems but now is available on this phone. You get vivid shots day or night, also has OIS so you don't have blurry shots. You can also use the proprietary imaging software and camera filters so your photos look good on any occasion. With a battery of 5000mAh, turbo charging, you can last using it all day.

The Redmi Note 12 5G Pro + on the other hand has a 200 MP resolution camera, a wide aperture, makes your photos stunning, with true to life colors. Even if it's dark, it can still capture details. It retains light and lose noise. It also has OIS for shaky hands when taking videos, plus the 200 MP can make you compose better shots by framing other parts of the photo to see more things captured by it. Xiaomi Pro Cut is also a great tool to fix your output, things that you can make with a  few clicks, with the long battery capacity, faster and safe charging.

The Redmi Note 12 on the other hand has fun colors, pro level display, flagship 120Hz AMOLED display (so you can smoothly see videos on fast refresh rate. It has a Snapdragon 685 processor and triple camera system that also has AI.

The AIoT devices on the other hand include a couple more wearables. The Redmi Watch 3 can do Bluetooth Calls, modified with different strap colors, does health metrics, and last up to 12 days (so no annoying charging probs!). It's best for fitness enthusiasts since to has different functions to check vital data to those who need it. There's also new cameras like the C200 that takes 1080p videos, a 360 panorama view, IR and motion enabled recording so it doesn't miss security issues in your home. If you prefer a cam with 2K quality, the C300 could do that instead whilst the C400 can do 1440p, relatively cheap as everything is under 3000 pesos. If you want to install something outdoors, the AW300 has dust proof and waterproof features, and still is as affordable like the others. Xiaomi had Air Fryers, Smart Door Locks and a throng of Mi devices which you can use to make your home a smart one.

Dina Bonnevie Spills Tea on KORINA INTERVIEWS

 

Tomorrow is certainly a good day to go and watch veteran broadcaster and journalist Korina Sanchez-Roxas' show KORINA INTERVIEWS on NET 25 5PM. For starters, she's talking to the feisty, award winning actress Dina Bonnevie who's going to talk more about things she's gone through life, showbusiness and none of the controversial stuff she was in a few weeks ago (yes none of that certain celebrity).

During their talk, Dina divulges how her Dad had released dogs to run after her boyfriend, how had to tone down the way she talks because of politics, the things she does in the north, how she was tortured to kneel in mung beans, how she also had her daughter kneel on rice grains, plus the work she had to do despite being in a well off family. There will be tons of stories and anecdotes about her past relationships, and how she became THE Dina Bonnevie that we see today.

Again, make sure you set the channel on NET 25 this Sunday at 5PM and see what other interesting stories she would dish out and feisty statements uttered on Korina Interviews!

Pushing Conversations: ALLIANCE of TECH INNOVATORS for the NATION

Had a great time over at Diamond Hotel for the event of Alliance of Tech Innovators for the Nation (ATIN), an organization who's goal is to bring government, private institutions and communities together for innovations in the digital front. As of 2021, The Philippines has earmarked the biggest growth among other ASEAN countries so it's apt to hold their launch here together with stakeholders, industry experts and government officials this April 12th. 

Pushing for inclusive growth, ATIN reiterates the importance of its 3 pillars, namely education and skills training, digital adoption and innovation and harnessing digital trade opportunities. Monchito Ibrahim is its Lead Convenor after his stint as an Undersecretary of the DICT.

He says "I want to tell you what the ATIN stands for, and what to expect in the horizon. The pandemic has brought up on huge change in the economy, our adoption has changed day to day lives including shopping, business, even government dealings. We needed to optimize, we had to transform to provide essential services. The next ten years will make ASEAN have the biggest growth according to studies. We remain on track as checked last year. The PH alone added 20 Million internet penetration and has opened a lot of opportunities for workers, internet jobs, merchants, entrepreneurs, and made 20 percent year on year, and potentially earn billions come 2030. The Filipino workers started to work in the digital space when lockdowns happened. Online stores amount to 88574 businesses registered in the last year alone. It should be inclusive, a society approach is essential to democratize it and benefit everyone, leaving nobody behind."

Hon. David Almirol the DICT Undersecretary says "We have 37 projects on DICT but want to emphasize 6. We have the eGov Super app, eLGU, eGovCloud, eTravel and more. The eGov PH give citizens access to mandated government services, a portal to have ease of doing business in one place. We were able to combine it on one platform. The benefits will go to people, the first time to unify solutions of government agencies without disturbing their current platforms. Your National ID, SSS, BIR, DTI, DOT, LTO, etc all by downloading one app. We assisted and made it happen."

This is just the start of a planned environment of policy and regulatory discussions to drive even more participation from Filipinos and our ASEAN neighbors to foster initiatives for growth with the public and private sectors help. This would be done through the first ATIN Digital Economy Summit 2023 which hopes to benefit MSME's improve their digital infrastructure and help even more communities.

Home Cinema Dreams Come True with the LUMOS DAWN

Meet the LUMOS DAWN, the newest affordable home cinema projector available in the Philippines.

My love for movies and the arts has always been an obvious thing since I've been covering entertainment events in Manila. I've always wanted to have my own home theater especially during the pandemic, and it's a lovely premise to have one at so you wouldn't have to go far if you want to enjoy local and international films right at the comforts of your home. You'll be glad to know that there exists something that would fulfill your dreams, meet the new LUMOS DAWN Projector. 

 

Form and Function I Need

Aside from the usual subscriptions I have on streaming apps, I often watch Anime, documentaries, gaming re-runs, and the best films available online on TV. I've got some of the best brands bar none, but I do feel that TV's just doesn't cut it to feel like you're in a movie theater. My room theme is monochrome, and a wall was painted white years ago so I figured I'd better put that to good use. The LUMOS DAWN arrived safely packaged in a box within a box.

It comes with a Remote, a User Manual, a Basic Set-Up Tips flyer, a Power Cable, an RCA Cable and an HDMI Cable. If you're not a techie, it's easy to understand how to put these together. The package doesn't come with batteries, buy one from the grocer or use the one on other remotes for the meantime.

This is where the Power Cable goes

Shiny lens, with the LUMOS logo in front

Underneath, it's got a place where you could fit a stand and screw it. I love how it's a standard size and it fits on my actual tripods here at home.

It's got an audio port where you can use your wired earphones in, an AV port, 2 USB ports for storage and plugging in other devices in plus an HDMI port where I had my laptop plugged in (and see HD quality videos in).

The front has a power button, turns green when it's ON

I like that this one has a cover so you won't have trouble keeping it in boxes or have it gather dust in storage.

The LUMOS DAWN Smart is a smart device, so the remote control for it is essential. The NEXT and DONE clicks, the Volume Control, Home, Menu, Source switches, and mouse control is done through this. You can use a wired mouse too, but it would be so convenient to just get batteries for this and make your movie and streaming moments E A S Y. 

I love how this particular device has a very compact form factor, like they thought about making it small sized but powerful. It's got ample amount of ventilation so as not to heat up. The ports are also positioned well, not too crowded for all the other devices you would need to connect it to. After hooking it up with the cables, we turned it ON. 

The Experience

After screwing it to the tripod I had sitting around, we turned it on and checked its features. After pointing it into the wall I had inside my room, I adjusted the settings by turning the knobs in front. It just takes a few seconds to do that.

You can set the distance of the device quite far (about 3m max) to achieve an 125 inch screen and still see clear images. I did change my wall paint to a matte white color about a year ago and it did wonders for the images this time. It's like my own projector screen without shelling out extra for that. With its 1080p support and 600p clear resolution, it's undoubtedly one of the best ones in the market in the same price range. Quite bright as its got 2500 Lumens which makes videos clear and not appear blurry or faded on screen. When you turn it on, it would ask for your language, timezone, have it connect to your home's WiFi network to gain access to internet. The device has it's own App Store, or Google Play so if there's something you would like to install for a smart device like this, it'll be cinch to do.

It has a built in YouTube and Netflix app so you don't need to bother installing one on the device. They don't also advice you update it and just use as is. If it's not broken, why fix? Makes sense! Aside from that, it's got AirScreen and Miracast which you can use to cast your mobile phone screens into the LUMOS DAWN so imagine what you can do with those Mobile Legends, Call of Duty or Genshin Impact sessions you do for hours. It may well then be the grandest place to play and have an immersive experience (yes the LUMOS DAWN has Dolby Audio speakers!). I'm totally not suggesting you do those TikTok numbers you've been practicing secretly, but you do you!

The soil from Mars certainly looks detailed

I don't need to move shelves, just point the projector on the space I've got on the east side of my room and it becomes an extra place to watch more videos!

LUMOS DAWN gives a lot of these features without breaking the bank. It's priced at Php 6,999 and the LUMOS DAWN Smart version for Php 9,999. It also comes with a 1 Year local warranty which assures you hours of movie and entertainment pleasure right at the comforts of your home. I even used it as a screen to watch YouTube videos today. It was lovely watching documentaries, foreign TV shows and Valorant matches which I streamed live on the YouTube app. Now isn't that a dream?! If you wish to have one, you can purchase them today at https://www.lumosprojector.ph/.

Well, since I'm celebrating my site's milestones this year and you've read this far, I'm letting you in on a huge surprise. I'm hosting a GIVEAWAY of a brand new LUMOS DAWN. This is your chance to win that dream home cinema projector you've been eyeing, and I'm here to make your Home Cinema Dreams Come True with the LUMOS DAWN. All you need to do is look for the Facebook post of this article HERE and follow these steps below:

1. On the comment section, tag 3 FB friends and comment “I like LUMOS DAWN because…….” (and state why you do)!

2. Share the FB article post on your Facebook timeline (set in PUBLIC) with the hashtag #LUMOSHomeCinemaGiveaway and tag the official LUMOS FB page @lumosprojectorph  

3. Bonus points will go to those who Like our FB Page @kumagcow - 1 bonus entry

and Like & Follow the LUMOS FB page @lumosprojectorph - 1 bonus entry

(take screenshot and post photo of liked page on the comment section) 

All I need from you (if you WIN) is a photo with the prize when you get it and tag us both. All I wish is that you put it to good use, and here's hoping the best of luck to whoever wins it! Winners will be announced next week so stay tuned!

 This definitely made my Home Cinema Dreams Come True!