---
title: Looking Back 2018
date: 2018-12-31 09:00:51
permalink: https://lesterchan.net/blog/2018/12/31/looking-back-2018/
author: Lester Chan
excerpt: "Looking back at 2018, I left my smart home mostly alone, adding three voice-assistant devices: an Echo Spot bedside alarm, an Echo Show photo frame, and a Google Home Hub. I also upgraded to the iPhone XS Max."
categories:
  - Blog
tags:
  - "2018"
  - "2019"
  - looking back
---

## Smart Home

Didn’t do much to my smart home this year. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Added three new voice assistant devices to my home:

- [Amazon Echo Spot](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2018/03/05/amazon-echo-spot/) – Bedside alarm
- [Amazon Echo Show](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2018/04/09/amazon-echo-show/) – Digital photo frame in the living room
- [Google Home Hub](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2018/12/20/google-home-hub/) – Digital photo frame in the exercise room

## Apple

My usual iPhone upgrade. Changed to iPhone XS Max (Gold 256GB). Did not get the 512GB because it is way too expensive. Instead, I saved on the difference and use it to buy the newer and bigger iPad, the [iPad Pro 12.9″ (3rd Generation) (Space Grey 256GB) (Wi-Fi + Cellular)](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2018/11/21/apple-ipad-pro-12-9-3rd-generation-space-grey-256gb-wi-fi-cellular/).

I wanted to see if it can be a laptop replacement when I am traveling. It is also my entertainment device when I am at home, and allow me to do blogging when I am in a cafe during weekends.

9th February 2018 was the launched of [Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) in Singapore](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2018/01/26/apple-watch-series-3-gps-cellular-will-be-launching-in-singapore-on-9th-february/). Singtel is the only telco that supports it.

I did not travel to the US or visit Apple Park in 2018, but I have the [Apple Park T-shirts](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2018/04/11/apple-park-t-shirts/) thanks to my friends.

**[What I Said In 2017](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2017/12/31/looking-back-2017/)**

> Looking forward to bridging Apple Homekit with Homey so I can use my iOS devices to control my home. I might even get the [Apple Homepod](https://www.apple.com/homepod/).

I am using [HomeyKit](https://homey.app/en-sg/app/com.swttt.homekit/HomeyKit/) app on Homey to support HomeKit. Sadly Apple Homepod is still not available in Singapore.

> I am going to get the Apple AirPower Mat when it comes out next year.

It looks like AirPower Mat is canned.

> I doubt I will be getting any desktop computer from Apple in 2018 as my [Apple iMac 27″ (Late 2012)](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2012/12/28/apple-imac-27-late-2012/) still works fine.

True to that, I did not get any desktop computer despite a Mac Mini refresh.

> Hopefully, at the end of 2018, I can travel to San Francisco (SF), so I can visit the newly open [Apple Park](https://www.apple.com/retail/appleparkvisitorcenter/). The last time I was in SF was back in 2012.

Sadly, that did not happen, hopefully, in 2019 it will.

## For 2019

My traveling plans for the first half of 2019 is fixed. I will be traveling to Fukuoka, Japan in end-February 2019. Melbourne, Australia in early-May 2019. Penang, Malaysia in mid-May 2019, and Bangkok, Thailand in early-August 2019. Looking forward to the successor of the iPhone XS Max since most likely it will have a new design, though not radical.

Apple Homepod will be two years old in 2019, hopefully, the second generation is around the corner, and it will be available in Singapore.

In 2019, I am looking forward to the trend of hole-punch screens instead of notch screens.

**I would like to wish all my readers, visitors, and supporters a Happy New Year 2019!**

**Looking Back 2018**

>