Looking Back 2012
In my Looking Back 2011 post, I'd hoped for a new iMac and MacBook Air to replace my ageing desktop and MacBook Pro, and I managed it. My 2012 wish is simpler and cheaper: just those same two replacements.
2012
Apple iMac 27″ (Late 2012)
I'd been waiting to order the new Apple iMac 27-inch (Late 2012), announced on 23rd October, to replace my four-year-old desktop. Apple's Online Store opened orders on 30th November, and I placed mine that day under my brother's name.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 is a 16.2MP camera with 4x optical zoom that's also water, shock, and dust proof, and works in low temperatures. I got it from Amazon for US$149.99 as the Gold Box Deal of the Day.
Western Digital My Net N900 Router Review
Western Digital is entering the router market with three routers and two more featuring built-in storage. The range runs from the My Net N600 at S$99 up to the N900 Central 2TB at S$399. Here I review the N900.
Doomsday 21-12-2012
The Mayans were wrong, and we're all still here. There's a strong tradition of 'world ages' in Mayan literature, but the record has been distorted. According to the Popol Vuh, the K'iche' Maya believed we're living in one such age.
Klipsch Image X10
I love Klipsch, especially their patented oval ear tips, which fit me perfectly. I bought the Klipsch Image X10 during Amazon's Cyber Monday Gold Box deals for US$84.99, upgrading from the Image S4i I'd used for over two years.
Sanyo Eneloop New Glitter AA Battery Packs
On 12th December 2012, eneloop announced two new limited-edition 'eneloop tones' rechargeable battery packs: eneloop uomo for men in purple, grey, black, and white, and eneloop rouge for women in pink. Each glittering pack holds eight AA batteries.
Elevation Dock With Lightning Adapter
When I bought the Elevation Dock, it shipped with a 30-pin connector, since the Kickstarter predated Apple's Lightning announcement. Elevation Lab worked hard afterwards on a Lightning adapter, and on 8th November 2012 it finally went into production.
A Year in Singaporean Search: Google’s Top Searches of 2012
Google has released its annual Zeitgeist, a look at 2012 through the world's collective searches, offering a window into the year's biggest events and trends in Singapore. Top trending searches included Olympics 2012, Gangnam Style, SOPA, Legoland Malaysia, Zerg Rush.
12-12-12
Just like last year's 11-11-11, I'm marking 12-12-12 at 12:12pm. 2012 is the last year until 2100 when the month number matches the last two digits of the year. WordPress 3.5 was also released today.
Cubby: Coat-hook + Storage Unit
Cubby: Coat-hook + Storage Unit was a Kickstarter project funded on 6th May 2012, raising US$53,707 against a US$29,000 goal. Backers could get a Cubby for US$19, plus US$8 shipping. I didn't back it, as I only learned of it.
SanDisk ReadyCache SSD
The SanDisk ReadyCache SSD, announced in September 2012, retails for S$78. It's an affordable 32GB 2.5-inch SSD to complement your existing 7,200 rpm hard drive. You install it like a drive, and as a 2.5-inch unit it ships with a bracket.
SingTel Experience Centre
The SingTel Experience Centre is a tech playground letting you manipulate multimedia images with Minority Report-style body gestures, spanning Paris, Shanghai, and Rio de Janeiro across a giant 14-metre, 180-degree circular screen. It's open to the public inside SingTel Shop.
Buying Mobile Phones/Gadgets/Computers In Singapore
If you're visiting Singapore as a tourist or on business and plan to buy mobile phones, gadgets, computers, or components, this post is for you. Hopefully you'll find it via Google beforehand. First, do not buy anything from Lucky Plaza.
NanoSIM Cutter
Two years after buying the MicroSIM Cutter, I picked up the NanoSIM Cutter, also from Deal Extreme. Both are made by NOOSY. It cost US$6.60 with free shipping. I ordered on 6th November 2012 and received it on the 28th.
Nokia Lumia 820 & Lumia 920 Available In Singapore On 8th December 2012
The Nokia Lumia 820 and Lumia 920 arrive in Singapore from 8th December 2012 at Nokia retail stores and telco shops, having first been announced on 6th September. The Lumia 820 costs S$699 without contract, available in Black or White.
Cisco Linksys EA6500 Router Review
The Cisco Linksys EA6500 succeeds the EA4500 and is now in stores for S$349. It uses the new 802.11ac wireless technology, still under development, to deliver near-gigabit wireless speeds. Most AC routers currently reach a theoretical maximum of 1.3Gbps.
Asus PadFone 2 Available In Singapore On 22nd November 2012
The Asus PadFone 2, successor to the original PadFone, goes on sale in Singapore from 22nd November 2012 at authorised Asus retailers and StarHub Shops, seemingly a StarHub exclusive. The 32GB PadFone 2 with Station costs S$1,099, or S$848.
Toshiba FlashAir Review
The Toshiba FlashAir is a no-frills take on the Flucard Pro and Eye-Fi Pro. Distributed in Singapore by Trek 2000, it retails for around S$100. Since Trek doesn't enforce an RRP, I can't quote an official price. Only the 8GB.
NFC Tags by Tapway
I'd always wanted to experiment with NFC tags to automate tasks. My iPhone 5 lacks NFC, but my work phone, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 LTE, has it. Samsung's TecTiles weren't available in Singapore yet, so I tried Tapway's instead.
StarCraft 2: Heart Of The Swarm Will Be Launching On 12th March 2013
StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm launches on 12th March 2013, though Singapore gets it a day earlier on the 11th. It retails here for S$49.90, or MYR125 in Malaysia. A Licence2Play exclusive pre-order event runs at Marina Bay Sands.
Happy 28th Birthday Li Xiang!
Happy 28th birthday to my dearest wifey! I didn't get you a present this year, unless the Pixel Ruler I bought last month counts. I promise more effort next year. Tonight I've found a few ice cream spots.
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