---
title: Looking Back 2020
date: 2020-12-31 09:00:26
permalink: https://lesterchan.net/blog/2020/12/31/looking-back-2020/
author: Lester Chan
excerpt: "Looking back at 2020, the year I revamped this site to version 5. On the smart-home front I swapped failing MCO Z-Wave switches for Sonoff Wi-Fi ones, and built an AMD Ryzen 7 3700X gaming PC."
categories:
  - Blog
tags:
  - "2020"
  - "2021"
  - looking back
---

This site got a revamped back in April 2020, and in its current iteration, it is [version 5](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2020/04/20/lesterchan-net-v5-0/).

## Smart Home

The only change I did in 2020 was to slowly replaced all my spoiled MCO Z-Wave switches to [Sonoff T2UK Wi-Fi Smart Wall Switch](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2020/12/09/sonoff-t2uk-wi-fi-smart-wall-switch/). So far, I have already replaced three out of ten, one 4-gang, one 2-gang, and one 1-gang. ## Gadgets/Tech

I finally got a [new desktop computer](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2020/03/06/my-new-computer-amd-ryzen-7-3700x/) based on AMD Ryzen 7 3700X for playing games. I waited for Apple to come out with their own headphones. However, when they announced the AirPods Max, it is way too expensive. So I went ahead and bought the [Sony WH-1000XM4](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2020/12/28/sony-wh-1000xm4-headphones/) instead.

## Apple

The [third Apple Store in Singapore](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2020/09/08/third-apple-store-in-singapore-will-open-on-10th-september-2020-at-10am/) opened in Marina Bay Sands on Thursday, 10th September 2020 at 10 am. Because of COVID, there is no t-shirt this time around. Upgrade from iPhone 11 Pro Max to iPhone 12 Pro Max and bought the [Apple MagSafe Charger](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2020/10/26/apple-magsafe-charger/) to go with it.

## Travel

I went to Japan for skiing in February 2020 and came back before all the COVID shit happens in Singapore. **[What I Said In 2019](https://lesterchan.net/blog/2019/12/31/looking-back-2019/)**

> I think I will have a very busy 2020 since I just changed my job, and the new job requires all of us to ramp up in 2020.

The workload in 2020 is alright, but it will be a busy 2021 given the roadmap planned.

> I don’t have many gadgets that I am trying to buy. I might want to get an Apple HomePod if available in Singapore and Apple AirPods Pro if there is a discount on Apple’s Employee Purchase Plan (EPP).

Although HomePod Mini is launched in 2020, no models of HomePod are available in Singapore.

## For 2021

I am hoping to see the successor to Nest Hub and Nest Cam in 2021. I also foresee more MCO Z-Wave switches will die as it hits the 5-year mark, and I will replace them with Sonoff Wi-Fi switches.

The design for iPhone 13 will remain the same as iPhone 12, but maybe with a 120Hz screen, and hence the notch is still here to stay.

Third-year in a row, I am hoping that Apple Homepod will be available in Singapore.

I don’t think we will see a 4th Apple Store in Singapore anytime soon.

We will still feel the impact of COVID. I don’t think leisure travel will be possible in 2021, although we will be vaccinated by Q3 2021.

**I would like to wish all my readers, visitors, and supporters a Happy New Year 2021! Stay safe and healthy!**

**Looking Back 2020**

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