InfiniVAN completes Boracay leg of largest, longest Philippine subsea cable project

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The Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN) -- designed to directly interconnect islands and provinces in the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao island groups to the internet -- has finally touched down in Boracay Island.

Representatives of the project proponents and joint-build partners InfiniVAN, Eastern Telecom, Globe Telecom, LGU officials, suppliers and community members gathered in a ceremonial cable pulling event on November 25 at the Savoy Hotel in Boracay’s Newcoast.

The joint-build project is regarded as a milestone because it will add a huge amount of domestic data transmission bandwidth capacity and much needed resiliency to the country's internet network infrastructure. When completed, the PDSCN project will improve mobile and broadband connectivity across the country, including far-flung islands and other underserved areas. It is in line with the current administration's goal to make the Philippines a digitally-advanced nation that is in step with the advances and innovations going on in the world. Cable installation began in July 2022 and was marked by a kick-off event in Subic. Since then, cable pulling events similar to the recently-held one in Boracay have been held in Mactan Island in Cebu and Siargao Island in Surigao.

The Boracay cable pulling event was graced by Aklan City Mayor Hon. Frolibar Bautista, Aklan Provincial Administrator Atty. Selwyn Ibbareta, National Telecommunications Commission Director Imelda Walcien, Board of Investments Governor Atty. Marjorie Ramos-Samaniego and BOI Director Atty. Elyjean DC Portoza.

InfiniVAN, Inc. Chief Technology Officer Alberto “Abet” Espedido said that besides connecting major islands in the country, the project will also help boost tourism and commerce in more provinces. “We see this as an opportunity to fulfill our objective of providing connectivity to far flung areas and hope that the good communications infrastructure will also pump-prime economies,” he said.

Espedido said the fiber optic cable technology used in the country’s biggest and longest submarine cable installation is “future-proof.” Unrepeatered fiber cables used in the project can handle large data throughputs that can be further expanded through advances in terminal equipment over the next 20 to 25 years.

“As a new entrant in the market, we are happy to work with well-established partners on a project that will really create an impact on people and progress in the next few years. It is heartwarming to have our so-called industry competitors work with us on this gift to our countrymen and the country as a whole. We look forward to the next phases of this project,” Espedido added.

7 Best Augmented Reality Apps To Try In 2023

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Augmented reality is a fascinating technology that sounds like a sci-fi concept. It has created a sensation in the market and across entire industries through its innovative ability. Just turn on your camera, fix it to a particular environment and create a competitive view that you want to look at. The exciting features of AR technology have disrupted the whole user experience.

Especially for smartphone users, AR works like a magic tool that enables them to visualize their augmented real-world environment. And due to this, the number of augmented reality apps has increased dramatically in the past few years. If you are also looking for the best augmented reality to try in 2023, then this blog will give you an updated list. So, find out your best ones.




What Is An Augmented Reality App?

Augmented reality app is a mobile application that allows users to visualize or stimulate a composite view of digital elements and a real-world environment. This app uses augmented reality technology that integrates digital elements with real-world scenes. AR apps not only combine virtual graphics but also other forms of digital content like audio, animations, and other things.

Therefore, it is called an augmented reality application because it lets users view what they want to see in combination with real-world scenarios. A mobile app development company holds expertise in creating AR mobile apps or integrating augmented reality technology with existing applications.




7 Best AR Apps To Watch Out for in 2023

Augmented reality is trending a lot these days. People are looking for feature-rich augmented reality apps that give them exciting augmented viewing experiences and do many other things. So let's see what are the top AR apps in 2023 that you shouldn't miss to try.




1. BBC Civilisations AR

The Civilisations AR app is a fantastic augmented reality mobile application released by BBC. It gives users the ability to experience historical artifacts, monuments, and popular destinations in a unique way. It works as an educational app that is highly easy to use.

Users simply need to turn their smartphone camera and point it to a particular location and they can see the historical artifacts on their mobile screen. It has more than 30 historical items that users can explore, admire and visualize in their living room or any desired location. BBC Civilisations AR is a futuristic AR app for people who are interested in knowing the history or getting a feel of a museum anywhere they wish.




2. SketchAR

SketchAR is one of the most popular AR mobile apps which is grabbing the attention of people. This AR app has the capability to create instant sketch art of a real image or person. SketchAR is truly an amazing application for people who love to play with artistry. It is not just a sketch app but it works as a helping or assistant tool for artists. It actually projects a real-life image onto paper and allows the user to trace around it.

So, it is not exactly tracing, but it helps the artist draw a picture properly while looking at the real image. SketchAR may appear to be a bit awkward- to use a phone while creating a sketch. But, its innovative capability to create real-life sketches makes it worth an augmented reality app to try in 2023.





3. Pokémon Go

It would be injustice not to include Pokémon Go when we talk about top augmented reality apps. When this app was launched, it created a sensation all over the world through its fascinating AR-based gaming concept. This app gave a solid and entertaining reason to people to walk around and catch Pokémon. Pokémon Go intelligently and effectively uses augmented reality functionalities to allow users to play with virtual objects in real-life environments.

As of now, this app has received various updates and new additional features like player-versus-player battles, raids, and trading. Hence, it is expected that Pokémon Go will still continue to rock in the upcoming year. So, don't miss this app to try.




4. Ink Hunter

Ink Hunter is a really creative augmented reality mobile app to try out. This app allows users to visualize or try out ready-made tattoos or designs on their different body parts. It basically helps people decide or choose the tattoos where it suits the best.

People using this app can orient the design in whatever position they want while holding the mobile phone camera. Previously, this app would support only black-and-white tattoos. But in the latest version, it supports colored tattoos and creative designs too.




5. IKEA Place

IKEA Place is a popular augmented reality mobile application developed by IKEA-a world-known furniture brand. This is a kind of home-decor app that enables users to place virtual versions of home-decor items or furniture in rooms, or spaces. The IKEA Place app helps customers in making the right product decisions.

By using this app, they can see what product or furniture fits best to a particular location and make the correct product selection. And interestingly, the app helped the company achieve massive improvement in their sales and reduce product return rates.




6. Augment

Augment is a unique AR mobile application that lets users visualize 3D virtual objects in a real-life environment. Augment app allows users to capture their desired version of reality and display them a self-created virtual space. This app is used by retail and eCommerce companies to enable customers to try out products in 3D virtual versions.

And thus, help them in making the right product purchase and selection. This app primarily caters to the business community. It provides AR SDK support to integrate augmented reality technology into their existing application or system. So the way businesses are adopting augmented reality the use of this AR app might be at the top.




7. Google Translate

Google Translate is not a core AR-based mobile application. But it has some distinctive augmented reality capability that helps users incredibly in translating different languages. Google Translate creates the translated version of the text in real time wherever the device camera is positioned.

It has a great ability to instantly translate any language and let the user visualize or see it on the mobile screen in real-time. Google Translate sets out to be an extremely useful tool for travelers and business people who face difficulty in dealing with different languages on the go.




Conclusion

Augmented reality is evolving as a transformative technology for all. It empowers users and businesses with a next-gen digital visualizing experience. As consumers are looking for more exciting features in mobile apps, the dramatic jump in the popularity of AR apps has enhanced the curiosity about AR in 2023.

And therefore, AR apps continue to rise. This increased demand for apps will help businesses save AR app development cost that are looking to build similar apps as their business model.



About the Author

The author is a mobile app developer at MobileCoderz which is one of the best mobile app development companies in the industry. She has years of experience and extensive expertise in creating top-notch apps. She specializes in using AR SDK with apps to create AR-based features. Besides this, She is a leading tech blogger and guides entrepreneurs with mobile app technology.

TOFIL 2022 Awardees announced

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The JCI Senate Philippines, JCISP-TOFIL Foundation, and the ANSA Foundation have just announced The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Laureates for 2022. This year’s honorees were chosen from among dozens of candidates from across the country, and were selected after careful deliberation by a noted panel of judges in light of their exemplary and noteworthy contributions towards the upliftment of Philippine society.

This year’s laureates are:

Hans T. Sy (Business and Resilience) – As chair of SM Prime Holdings Executive Committee, Mr. Sy has played a pivotal role in developing Philippine mall culture even while steering the company towards green and sustainable architecture.

Dr. Ruben Villareal (Agricultural Science) – With work spanning over six decades, Dr. Villareal’s work has paved the way towards a better understanding and appreciation of plant sciences, particularly in the field of corn propagation. 

Dr. Persida Rueda Acosta (Justice and Law) – Having served as Chief Public Attorney since 2001, Dr. Acosta is noted for her contributions and innovations at the Public Attorney’s Office, particularly in her efforts to provide accessible and relevant services to underserved clients.

Engr. Mria Catalina Cabral (Government and Public Service) – In a career that has spanned close to 40 years, Engr. Cabral has made a name for herself as a public servant as well as an engineer. As Undersecretary for Planning and Service, she has spearheaded integrative and inclusive projects across various sectors.

Nemesio Miranda, Jr. (Visual Arts and Sculpture) – A renowned muralist and sculptor, Mr. Miranda has launched and participated in over 100 local and international exhibitions throughout his decades-long career. Known as “The Father of Imaginative Figurism,” he is also a respected advocate of local arts in his hometown of Angono, Rizal.

Established in 1988, the TOFIL Awards is presented annually to exemplary Filipino men and women over the age of 41. The prize was created with the aim to institutionalize public acknowledgement of exceptional Filipino individuals.