--- title: Looking Back 2019 date: 2019-12-31 09:00:43 permalink: https://lesterchan.net/blog/2019/12/31/looking-back-2019/ author: Lester Chan excerpt: "Looking back at 2019, I expanded my smart home with an Amazon Echo Wall Clock, and bought a PS4 Pro bundle on 11/11 for Final Fantasy VII Remake, plus a GoPro HERO7 and my first eGPU." categories: - Blog tags: - "2019" - "2020" - looking back --- ## Smart Home Added [Amazon Echo Wall Clock](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2019/01/14/amazon-echo-wall-clock/), [WYFY Beam](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2019/11/04/wyfy-beam-review/), and [Xiaomi Mi Standing Fan](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2019/03/18/xiaomi-mi-standing-fan/) to my Smart Home collection. I bought a new gaming console, [Sony PS4 Pro God of War / The Last of Us Remastered Bundle](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2019/11/15/sony-ps4-pro-god-of-war-the-last-of-us-remastered-bundle/) during 11/11 Singles Day Sales so that I can play [Final Fantasy VII Remake](https://www.square-enix.com/ffvii/en-us/games/remake/) on 3rd March 2020. ## Gadgets/Tech Got a new [GoPro HERO7 Black](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2019/12/02/gopro-hero7-black/) to replace my 4 years old [GoPro HERO4 Black](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2015/01/23/gopro-hero4-black-edition/). Embraced eGPU for my MacBook Pro 13″ with [Razer Core X Chroma](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2019/04/26/razer-core-x-chroma/) and [Asus ROG Strix RX VEGA56 OC Edition 8GB](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2019/04/10/asus-rog-strix-rx-vega56-oc-edition-8gb-ddr5/). [Amazon.sg](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2019/10/08/amazon-singapore/) and [YouTube Premium](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2019/11/06/youtube-premium-and-youtube-music-now-available-in-singapore/) came to Singapore. Finally, active noise cancellation came to earbuds, and I got the [Sony WF-1000XM3](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2019/12/13/sony-wf-1000xm3-earbuds/). ## Apple The [second Apple Store in Singapore](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2019/06/29/second-apple-store-in-singapore-will-open-on-13th-july-2019-at-10am/) opened in Jewel Changi Airport on 13th July 2019 and I got the [Apple Jewel Changi Airport swag](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2019/07/13/apple-jewel-changi-airport-opening-swag/). Upgrade from iPhone XS Max to iPhone 11 Pro Max and bought an [Apple AirPods (2019) With Wireless Charging Case](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2019/07/24/apple-airpods-2019-with-wireless-charging-case/). I should have waited for the AirPods Pro. ## Changed Job After four years and nine months, it is time for me to move on. I left my role as Head of Engineering in [Tech in Asia](https://www.techinasia.com/) in May 2019. After I left, I joined [Grab](https://www.grab.com/sg/) on contract as an Integration Manager helping merchants to integrate with [GrabPay](https://www.grab.com/sg/consumer/finance/pay/). I converted to a full-time employee as a Senior Software Engineer, Full Stack, in November 2019. ## Travel I think I travel the most in 2019. Been twice to Japan, twice to Shanghai, three times to Bangkok, the first time to Penang, and the first time to Melbourne. **[What I Said In 2018](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2018/12/31/looking-back-2018/)** > Looking forward to the successor of the iPhone XS Max since most likely it will have a new design, though not radical. iPhone 11 Pro Max doesn’t have a new design, but the camera, battery life, and screen make it a good upgrade. Also, there is a new color, Midnight Green. > Apple Homepod will be two years old in 2019. Hopefully, the second generation is around the corner, and it will be available in Singapore. Still no Apple Homepod in Singapore > In 2019, I am looking forward to the trend of hole-punch screens instead of notch screens. Somewhat true, I think the same trend will still be in 2020. ## For 2020 I think I am going to have a very busy 2020 since I just changed my job, and the new job requires all of us to ramp up in 2020. My first trip in 2020 will be to Nagano, Japan, where I will be trying skiing for the first time. As of now, I don’t have many gadgets that I am trying to buy. I might want to get an Apple HomePod if it is available in Singapore and Apple AirPods Pro if there is a discount on Apple’s Employee Purchase Plan (EPP). **I would like to wish all my readers, visitors, and supporters a Happy New Year 2020!** **Looking Back 2019** >