Acer Chromebook 14 for Work: Business-Class Performance, Military-Grade Reliability

Acer debuts its new Chromebook 14 for Work, the industry’s first Chromebook with 6th Generation Intel® Core™ processors, with a durable design that meets the demanding needs of enterprise, government, small business and institutional users.

Powered by a 6th Generation Intel Core processor to provide exceptional performance and long battery life (up to 10 hours), the Acer Chromebook 14 is also the world’s first notebook with incredibly tough Vibrant Corning® Gorilla® Glass to provide corporate customers with the flexibility to design the top cover with highly durable and scratch-resistant photorealistic images.

The new Chromebook is compliant with Google’s Chrome for Work initiative, providing business-class security, manageability and durability to enterprise, government, institutional and small businesses customers. It is easy to deploy and manage over a wide range of employees and offices.
Also, IT administrators will find it easy to make updates, configure apps, utilize extensions and more. Plus, Chromebooks protect company employee and company data with the latest security protocols and auto-updates.

“Our commercial customers have an abundance of reasons to choose the new Acer Chromebook 14 for Work,” said Jerry Hou, general manager, Commercial & Detachable Notebooks, IT Products Business, Acer. “Its first-rate performance and robust design provides businesses with a powerful and flexible product that delivers topnotch reliability and reduced total cost of ownership. In addition, the Chromebook 14 for Work can be efficiently deployed and managed, while maintaining excellent security for its employees.”

According to data from Gartner, Acer Group is the world’s leading Chromebook brand with over 33 percent market share in 2015.

High Performance; Long Battery Life
The first Chromebook with 6th Generation Intel Core processors, it provides customers with a considerable performance improvement over previous generations and allows customers to multi-task with ease through multiple apps and documents to boost productivity. It also provides up to 12 hours of battery life (HD display models) and up to 10 hours of battery life (Full HD displays). Two keyboard options are available: standard and backlit models for improved efficiency in low-light areas.

Durable, Robust Design Meets Military Standard
The Acer Chromebook 14 for Work has enhanced durability features. The spill-resistant keyboard provides protection against spills of up to 11 fluid ounces (330ml), with a unique gutter system under the keyboard and touchpad that drains liquid through two drain holes to route water away from internal components and out the bottom of the chassis. It has been tested to withstand up to 132 pounds (60kg) of downward force as well as drops of up to 48 inches (122cm).

Large Display in a Compact Design, Features to Boost Collaboration, Productivity
The large 14-inch display was designed to fit into a chassis typically used for 13-inch displays. The extremely narrow bezel gives customers an immersive experience when enjoying the display while reducing the overall size of the device. The Acer Chromebook 14 for Work weighs only 3.2 pounds (1.45kg) and just 13.03W x 8.94D x 0.88H inches (330.9 x 227 x 22.4 mm) thin.

The display will be available with a Full HD (1920 x 1080) or HD (1366 x 768) resolution display. Both ensure clarity in text and graphics as well as wide viewing angles of up to 170 degrees. The Chromebook 14 for Work is easy on the eyes thanks to the display’s ComfyView low-reflection and anti-glare properties.

Group video conferences are effective with the Acer Chromebook 14 for Work’s 720p webcam with 1280 x 720 resolution as well as HD audio and video recording. The webcam provides High Dynamic Range imaging as well as a wide field of view, top-notch audio, dual stereo speakers and an integrated digital microphone.

Administrators Can Keep Acer Chromebooks Secure, Managed
Administrators will find setting up and managing Acer Chromebooks to be intuitive and efficient. The Acer Chromebook 14 for Work has a Trusted Platform Module solution integrated to protect files, documents, and photos securely in the cloud with 100GB of free storage[3] on Google Drive so the most current file version is always available even if the Chromebook is lost or stolen.
Keeps Employees Connected, Available in Several Configurations

The Chromebook 14 for Work has a USB 3.0 Type-C port that allows the fast transfer of data, audio and video up to 5Gbps. In addition, the port provides extra convenience for customers since it can charge the Chromebook 14 for Work or use the power from the Chromebook to charge other external devices. The Chromebook can be used to share HD video and audio onto an external display with its HDMI port.

Employees will stay connected and in touch using the device’s fast dual-band 802.11ac[4] Wi-Fi featuring 2x2 MIMO technology. The Chromebook also connects to peripherals via Bluetooth 4.2.
The Acer Chromebook 14 for Work will be available in several configurations, either with 32GB or 16GB eMMC storage and either 8GB, 4GB or 2GB of dual channel LPDDR3 SDRAM.

Optional USB Type-C Dock Extends Capabilities
To extend the capabilities of the Chromebook 14 for Work, customers can connect it with a single cable to the Acer USB-Type-C Dock to easily transform it into a powerful workstation and enable high-speed video, audio and data transfer and keeps the work area clutter-free with immediate connectivity to multiple displays and other devices simultaneously. It also has DisplayPort, HDMI, two USB 3.1 Type-C ports and three USB 3.1 Type-A ports, as well as audio input for microphone and audio output for speakers.

The new Chromebook 14 for Work was recently unveiled at the next@acer press event at 4 World Trade Center in New York, where the company announced a range of new devices and solutions for high-performance and style-conscious users, families, students and professionals. To learn more about availability and product specifications, contact the nearest Acer office or retailer via www.acer.com.ph.

Converge FAST for businesses launched

Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. has launched today its latest pure fiber Internet offering that targets the business sector, particularly those with multi-branch operations.

Converge FAST effectively combines the best benefits offered by DSL and Metro Ethernet connections, two of the most traditional business Internet connections today. This new offering by Converge ICT that runs on a pure fiber Internet network helps optimize businesses with its high bandwidth and performance, total security, with low latency, highly scalable, simple and flexible.

Best of all, Converge FAST is low cost, making it the most advanced yet competitively priced private network solution in the Philippines today.

It also comes with a burstable bandwidth from 2 Mbps to 20 Mbps and supports Point-to-Point and a Point-to-Multi-Point setup, perfect for businesses with a multi-branch network. With this setup,  branches can now generate real-time data and reports.

Service and support will not be an issue since Converge FAST offers 99.7% SLA. For faster service and response during down times, Converge ICT made sure that there is an in-house installation and repair team, ready to respond within an 8-hour Mean Time response rate, and 24/7 support provided through the Converge Service Desk.

According to Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. Chief Operating Officer Jesus “Boboy” Romero, among the target markets for Converge FAST include banks, retail stores, distribution companies, food and beverage, information technology, government, transportation and logistics, plus energy and utilities.

“Our continuing promise is to make customer experience better when it comes to their Internet connectivity, which is a modern business’s lifeline. Now the Converge FAST, that promise still holds true, and we made it even more affordable yet totally resilient and with high value for their investment,” Romero explained.

Converge FAST is offered via FAST 2 Mbps at Php 2,500 per month, FAST 5 Mbps at Php 3,500, FAST 10 Mbps at Php 4,000 and FAST 20 Mbps at Php 6,000.

Converge ICT, Inc. started its business in 1992 and was already granted a congressional franchise. The many has many with top domestic peering partners such as PLDT and Globe and currently has the 3rd largest Internet backbone in the country to help further improve the Internet experience of Filipinos.

For more details about Converge ICT, Inc. and its Internet offerings, visit http://www.convergeict.com.

AMD Acquires Software Company HiAlgo

Laying the groundwork for future gaming innovation in Radeon Software, AMD has announced that they have acquired the software Company HiAlgo Inc., a developer of unique PC gaming technologies designed to help Radeon™ RX Series GPUs transform gaming experience, increase GPU efficiency and improve the overall consistency of gaming experiences. The acquisition lays the groundwork for future gaming innovation in Radeon Software that will benefit owners of Radeon™ RX Series GPUs.

“Software is an integral part of advancing the science of graphics, enabling us to best harness the silicon of the GPU to maximize performance and deliver outstanding experiences in games and applications,” said Raja Koduri, senior vice president and chief architect, Radeon Technologies Group, AMD. “HiAlgo embodies our spirit of passion, persistence and play by delivering a number of creative approaches to software that improve gamers’ experiences, and helps future-proof[i] the GPU.”

Radeon Software enables the ultimate in performance, features and stability of Radeon™ graphics to ensure an exceptional user experience. Today, launching alongside the Radeon™ RX 480 graphics card are nine new features of Radeon Software Crimson Edition designed to give users more control over their computing experience, including multi-GPU, display, and power efficiency settings, and a redefined overclocking tool in Radeon WattMan.

For more information on Radeon Software, visit Radeon.com.

Robinsons Bank assures service amid crisis, enhances digital services for better banking experience

While the entirety of the Philippines is under a State of Calamity due to the COVID-19 virus, Robinsons Bank (RBank) has taken immediate adequate steps to ensure that it maintains its excellent banking services for its various customers and stakeholders amid the COVID-19 crisis.

RBankers: A resilient workforce offering their dedication to serve amidst crisis

As the first two (2) weeks of the quarantine's implementation became a handful for the majority of businesses, RBank strived to deliver the same quality of services that it has provided since.

In the beginning of the ECQ, 62% of RBank’s branch network nationwide continued to operate to ensure that there is an easily accessible bank that can cater to clients’ needs. Furthermore, 92% of RBank ATMs replenished consistently to serve various communities across the nation. Customers can also find RBank's "24R Hub" – the bank's 24/7 digital bank hubs in strategic locations, which will allow them to withdraw and deposit cash, and pay bills via RBank Digital (online banking).

RBank’s Cash Management Services remain in the service of its corporate clients.  The Bank’s corporate online banking platform, e2Banking, continues to service corporate and SME customers enabling clients to have online access to their balances and transaction history. They can remotely facilitate their fund transfer requests not only to Robinsons Bank accounts but to other accounts with any local bank.

In support of the “Bayanihan To Heal as One Act," RBank has expanded coverage of the grace period for all corporate loans, consumer loans, and credit card payments with due dates from March 16 to May 15, 2020.  The loan grace period has nationwide coverage and provides various concessions to ease clients with the burden brought about by the crisis, such as waived penalties and fees on returned checks and the suspension of auto-debit and PDC payments during the ECQ period. 

Moreover, the Bank has continued to lower its transaction fees from Php 25.00 to now only one-peso, providing customers with a “Piso-fee promo” for online fund transfers of PesoNet and InstaPay.

RBank is also enhancing RBank Digital, its online banking platform to provide users with a mobile banking experience that’s like no other.

“While we urge the country to limit face-to-face interactions to mitigate the spread of the virus, RBank has made it easier for you to enjoy your banking experience in the safety of your homes.  More than ever, we strive to enhance your personal online banking experience with our RBank Digital, our online banking platform to offer you accessible and convenient banking that's just at your fingertips.” Robinsons Bank’s statement reads

Expanding digital efforts to cater to your needs

Last April 23, RBank has introduced RBank Sign Up – the mobile app that allows you to open a new bank account online.  The new app proves that banking is all about ease and convenience. It only requires one government ID, and it uses facial recognition and real time ID detection for a fast, easy, and secure experience.

With RBank Sign Up, clients can apply for an RBank account wherever and whenever – free of charge! Bank details can be received within minutes of signing up, and yes— there's no need to go to the branch.

Clients can also expect that there’s more to come with the new feature in RBank Digital. They'll be able to view their credit card transactions in real-time, transfer funds using a QR code making it the “QuickR way” to send money, and make payments to participating online stores.

 “We will navigate through these uncertain times and find new ways to deepen our relationship with you by providing services that will help strengthen your financial position in the coming months.  In all our endeavors, we are determined to put you, our valued customer, at the heart of our service.” Robinsons Bank assures that even with the new norm that the COVID-19 situation created, it will remain committed to providing unwavering service.