NIKKE 1.5 Anniversary Rewards Commanders with New SSR Crown and Kilo, Events, Costumes and More

MANILA, April 2024 – Starting April 25th, 2024, players can recruit two new SSR characters: Crown and Kilo. Crown, known as being protective of the weak, will be available through the "Last Kingdom" story event, while Kilo can be obtained for free via the event. Described as lacking in confidence and highly dependent on others, Kilo lived a transient lifestyle for some time and longed for a sense of belonging. The pilot of T.A.L.O.S., its high-performance AI system allows it to provide invaluable support for surviving both on and off the battlefield. 

The new story event, Last Kingdom, will feature a storyline involving a massive invasion that will be fought honorably by Nikkes Crown, Kilo, Chime, and Modernia.

For the full list of April 25 updates, see here. More information can be found on the official website.

Don't miss out on the chance to recruit the new SSR Crown! For updates, visit our official Philippine Facebook page, and join the pride through our Facebook group and Discord server.

To learn more about GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE, go to: http://nikke-en.com and download the game on the iOS App Store and Google Play.

Achieve Studio-Level Portraits With Vivo V30 Series’ Aura Light 3.0

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Global smartphone brand, vivo, recognizes the importance of light in studio-level portrait photography in today's digital age. 

With that, vivo set a new benchmark with Aura Light 3.0, which debuted in the V30 Series. It offered users unparalleled capabilities for capturing stunning portraits in any lighting condition.

Evolution of Aura Light

The journey of Aura Light began with the introduction of the Vivo V27 Series in March 2023, marking a significant leap forward in portrait photography. With a pioneering combination of hardware and software enhancements, the Aura Light Portrait System revolutionized low-light photography, bringing studio-level lighting effects to mobile devices for the first time.

In September 2023, vivo further elevated the Aura Light experience with the launch of the V29 Series, featuring the enhanced Aura Light 2.0. This advanced system boasts a larger light-emitting area and smart color temperature adjustment, enabling users to capture HD natural portraits with unmatched clarity and atmosphere.

Now, in March 2024, vivo proudly introduced the next evolution of Aura Light technology with Aura Light 3.0 in the V30 Series. With a light-emitting area 19 times larger and 50 times softer than a standard flash, the Aura Light 3.0 ensures clarity and detail in every shot, setting a new standard for portrait photography.

Aura Light 3.0 Enhancements

A standout feature of the V30 Series is its Distance-Sensitive Lighting, intelligently adjusting the brightness of the Aura Light 3.0 based on the subject's distance. This ensures optimal lighting conditions regardless of shooting distance, guaranteeing high-quality photos every time.

Furthermore, the Smart Color Temperature Adjustment feature on the V30 Series ensures that the color temperature aligns perfectly with the environment, providing natural and harmonious colors in every portrait shot. With a broader range of color temperature adjustments compared to previous models, users have greater control over their creative vision.

With the V30 Series and Aura Light 3.0, vivo reaffirms its commitment to pushing the boundaries of mobile photography and videography, empowering users to capture every moment with unparalleled clarity and creativity in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

The Vivo V30 Series is now available in two models: V30 Pro and V30. The Vivo V30 Pro comes with 12GB RAM and 512GB ROM for only Php 34,999. You can buy it in vivo concept stores and kiosks nationwide, as well as Shopee and Lazada.

The Vivo V30, on the other hand, is available in 12GB RAM + 256GB ROM for Php 24,999 and 12GB RAM + 512GB ROM for Php 27,999 in vivo concept stores and kiosks nationwide, as well as Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok.
Discover the full range of features and options offered by the vivo V30 Series by visiting Vivo's official website.

Globe Pushes for Zero Lease on Telco Infra in Developments, Cites Asia-Pacific Trends

Globe reiterates its push to remove lease fees for telco infrastructure in local property developments, citing the successful implementation of similar policies across countries in the Asia-Pacific such as Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

The move aims to reduce operational costs for telecom companies, fostering a more competitive market and ultimately benefiting consumers with improved connectivity and services.

Australia's approach requires property developers to organize and meet the costs of pit and pipe infrastructure, ensuring that services are ready when people move into new premises. This responsibility aligns with developers' obligation to provide essential utilities for enhanced liveability.

Likewise, Singapore's Code of Practice for Info-communication Facilities in Buildings (COPIF) mandates building owners and developers to provide space and access for telecom licensees, ensuring adequate telecom infrastructure without imposing additional costs.

 

Singapore’s policy ensures that both residential and commercial developments benefit from robust telecom services, contributing to the nation's digital economy.

 

In Hong Kong, regulations also require building owners to provide telecom installation space and access, emphasizing mutual benefits for buildings and their tenants from shared mobile coverage. Such policies have significantly contributed to creating a resilient mobile telecom network across the city, supporting the growing demand for mobile services.

 

"The experiences of Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong demonstrate that zero lease practices for telco infrastructure can lead to more efficient market operations and better consumer services. It will be an advantage for the Philippines to adopt similar policies, paving the way for enhanced digital connectivity and competitiveness in the region," said Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO.

 

Currently, real property developers and owners of buildings such as malls, office spaces, hotels and condos, charge telcos for installing in-building telco infrastructure to provide necessary connectivity within their own premises.

Globe believes such fees are unnecessary and that telco facilities must be treated the same as water and power, for which developers already provide necessary space without charging lease to service providers.

 

It supports the revision of the National Building Code to classify telcos’ in-building solutions (IBS) as necessary infrastructure for development.

 

House Bill No. 900, filed by Tarlac 2nd District Rep. Christian Tell Yap, proposes an additional section that would classify “telecommunications facilities such as in-building solutions and fiber optic cabling for high capacity and high-speed requirements” as mandatory for “multi-dwelling buildings, commercial buildings, government and office buildings, public and private schools, and government and private hospitals.”

 

Meanwhile, House Bill No. 8534, filed by Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda, explicitly bars building owners and developers from imposing “any cost, expenses, charges or rent… for the provisioning of telecommunications services” in their respective properties.

 

Both bills are pending at the House Committee level.

 

Globe is committed to working with government stakeholders and the private sector to explore the implementation of zero-lease practices for telco infrastructure in the country. By aligning with practices proven successful in other Asia-Pacific countries, the Philippines can accelerate the expansion of its telecom infrastructure, benefiting businesses and consumers alike with improved access to digital services.

 

To learn more about Globe, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.

Schneider Electric partners with NVIDIA to maximize AI in optimizing performance, scalability and energy efficiency of data centers

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and digital automation, partners with artificial intelligence (AI) computing company NVIDIA to optimize data center energy efficiency using AI. 

The partnership will introduce the world’s first publicly available AI data center reference designs. These designs will integrate Schneider Electric’s expertise in digital infrastructures with NVIDIA’s AI technologies, setting new standards for AI deployment and operations within data center ecosystems to drive efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Pankaj Sharma, Executive Vice President of the Secure Power Division & Data Center Business at Schneider Electric, highlighted the significance of this partnership: "By combining our expertise in data center solutions with NVIDIA's leadership in AI technologies, we’re not just overcoming infrastructure limitations; we’re unlocking the full potential of AI.”

“This collaboration is a leap forward towards a more efficient, sustainable, and transformative future, powered by AI," Sharma added as he stressed that the data center industry continues to evolve, which calls for a stronger focus on integrating AI technologies into their operations and addressing Scope 3 emissions to achieve net-zero emissions.

Scope 3 emissions account for about 50% of data centers’ GHG footprint. According to GHG Protocol and ISO 14064, Scope 3 emissions are indirect emissions attributed to the activities of companies which include business travel, waste management, and value chain operations. This type of emission is often not reported and is more challenging to measure compared to Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

These indirect emissions are major but often overlooked drivers of the environmental impact of data centers. As a response, Schneider Electric is advocating for a holistic approach to GHG management, which includes accurate carbon accounting, target-setting, and a systematic review of data and emission sources.

Schneider Electric offers data centers with accounting and reporting solutions to address their Scope 3 emissions. This includes a tool to simulate energy use to estimate GHG emissions, considering power consumption, cooling systems, and operational efficiency of the data center.

“This approach aligns with our commitment to leading the charge to equip critical and energy-intensive industries such as data centers with advanced solutions to help them achieve better operational efficiency all while minimizing their carbon emissions beyond traditional means,” said Abraham Lim, Secure Power and Industrial Automation BVP of Schneider Electric Philippines.

Schneider Electric remains committed to pursuing the digital transformation of industries to keep pace with technological advancements and ensure environmental sustainability globally.

PLDT, Smart Join Huawei and Government Partners To Protect Rainforests

MANILA, Philippines, April 2024 - The Philippines’ leading integrated telecommunications company PLDT Inc. (PLDT), and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) are working with Huawei Technologies Phils. Inc. (Huawei), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in deploying the technology of US-based non-profit organization Rainforest Connection (RFCx) to reinforce local forest conservation efforts and support enforcement of environmental laws. 

Recognized as nature-based solutions for climate change, forests prevent carbon dioxide from going into the atmosphere, generate clean air and water, and protect from erosion, landslides, and flooding. Forests are also home to various animal and plant species that make up biodiversity and keep the balance in the ecosystem.

“We need to protect and preserve our forests given their ecological importance. Unfortunately, we have been seeing continuous destruction of our forests over the years due to relentless cutting and deforestation activities. And among the many critical sites that need protection from these illegal activities is Palawan, as it is the only province in the country that has retained more than 50% of its original forest cover and is recognized as our last biodiversity frontier,” said Taytay, Palawan Community Environment and Natural Resource Office Forest Technician I, Quick Response Team Leader Voltaire Delos Angeles.

The shared common objective of addressing these and helping protect Philippine forests gave rise to a collaboration among PLDT, Smart, Huawei, DENR, DICT, and RFCx. Under this initial project, RFCx “Guardians”, which are bioacoustics monitoring devices, will be deployed in the protected forest areas of Taytay, Palawan. The Guardians can capture sounds of the forest, including those from chainsaws used for illegal logging and firing of gunshots.

Powered by solar energy, RFCx Guardians are installed high in canopies of trees and equipped with the capacity to capture sounds within a 3-kilometer radius. Collected data is transmitted via wireless technology to the cloud for analysis using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technology, allowing for the identification of possible illegal activities.

 

With the RCFx Guardians, and through a connected platform called “Arbimon”, forest rangers are able to monitor a wider area more efficiently which would otherwise be near impossible on foot given the size of the forest.  With access to analyzed data from the Guardians, the rangers have access to improved threat intelligence, allowing them to zero-in on specific areas and helping facilitate corresponding action to stop illegal activities in protected forests.

 

RFCx Guardian devices were previously installed in select forest areas of Palawan in 2020, contributing to the increase in apprehension and decrease in cases of illegal activities. Working in tandem with the DENR and the DICT, PLDT, Smart, and Huawei intend to expand the deployment of these devices in Palawan and in other protected forest areas in the country.

 

“PLDT and Smart recognize the vital role of our forests in combating climate change, in keeping our communities safe from disasters, and in enabling us to continue doing business in the long term. Together with our social outreach arm, the PLDT-Smart Foundation, we are proud to be part of this project that uses communications technology to support and reinforce critical efforts to preserve and protect forests in the country.  We are fortunate to have found like-minded partners in Huawei, the DICT, and the DENR who share our commitment to help protect the planet for the next generation,” said PLDT and Smart Chief Sustainability Officer Melissa Vergel de Dios.

 

“Aligning with Huawei’s TECH4ALL digital initiative and action plan, this project supports our efforts to innovate solutions, use technology, and work with partners to mitigate the impacts of climate change and be stewards of the Planet for the next generation,” said Huawei SR PR Manager Karrie Buenafe.

 

PLDT and Smart are continuously leveraging their industry and technology leadership to engage various stakeholders from industry, government, and civil society towards biodiversity conservation and no-deforestation initiatives. Aside from this project, PLDT and Smart have been working on biodiversity and nature-based climate solutions focused on mangroves, peatlands, and seagrasses. 

 

The telcos also identify climate change as among their top enterprise risks and are thus embedding climate and nature into their network design, operational strategy, and customer solutions. As supporters of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures, PLDT and Smart align with global standards in reporting climate risk management and environmental protection efforts.

 

These initiatives aim to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs,) particularly UN SDGs 13 on Climate Action, 14 on Life on Land, and 17 on Partnerships for the Goals.