During this year's "Photokina" photo and video trade fair in Germany, SanDisk presented a prototype SD Card that rates a 1 terabyte (1,000 gigabyte) storage capacity - setting a new memory storage standard.
Measuring no different from regular the SD card, the device is aimed for the storage of high definition videos, apart from storing a wide variety of large format photographs.
Designed to readily accommodate 4K videos, 360 degree videos and the like, netizens were quick to compare the memory card with the hard drives that come with most laptops; indicating that the card has a larger storage capacity than the regular laptop.
It is still unclear when exactly the 1TB SD card will be made commercially available, but its unveiling has generally been well received.
Google Allo: Google rolls out "Allo" and "Trips"
Google rolled out two new services this month - two new app-and-service suites that are geared for better mobile communications and organizing travel itineraries.
Named "Allo" and "Trips," the services are in line with Google's thrust towards arming electronic consumers with functional utilities that are accessible via web or via mobile app variants.
Described by Google as a "smart messaging app," "Allo" highlights a "Smart Reply" feature that allows its users to give quick replies ("yup", "are you on your way?" and the like) with a few taps. The messaging suite also comes with a preview version of "Google Assistant" - a service that links its users to "conversations" with Google.
Basically, the "Allo" and "Google Assistant" integration allows "Allo" users to do quick Google searches while communicating with friends. An example posted on the official Google blog shows a conversation where one friend suggests that they have sushi for dinner. The other friend does a "Google Assistant" search on sushi restaurants near their vicinity without leaving "Allo," then posts restaurant suggestions as a reply.
"Trips," the other recently launched app-and-service suite, can be used to plan out half-day or whole-day travel schedules in various destinations.
Backed by Google's database of local maps, landmarks and places of business, it helps its users find popular attractions, museums and landmarks within their vicinity, and can also give hotel and accommodation suggestions, restaurant recommendations, things-to-do suggestions and more. More information about "Allo" and "Trips" are hosted on Google's official online portals.
Google Trips: Global video streaming service partners with PLDT
The services of a US-based video-streaming platform were recently introduced to the country this month, molded from a partnership between PLDT and content-streaming platform "Roku."
Essentially, the partnership results in a service offering that caters to the growing demand for internet-delivered TV services among Filipino households - connecting subscribers to various video portals like Netflix, YouTube HBO Now and more.
Founded in 2002, "Roku" is a US-based company that develops a range of digital media products. Famed for the release of internet streaming receivers, a "Roku" device can be connected to a television (with appropriate input connections/accessories), which, in turn, is connected to the net via wired or wireless internet-capable networks.
"Roku" has nine million active accounts in 10 countries, including the US, UK, and Australia. It also has more than twice the usage of "Google Chromecast" (an internet streaming receiver developed by Google), according to independent surveys and the platform's own subscriber tracking operations conducted in November 2015.
More information about the partnership/internet-delivered TV service is hosted on PLDT's official online channels. Compiled by Yasunari Ramon Suarez Taguchi