2024 is the inflation year and is the year I turned 40. Everything went up this year. GST went from 8% to 9% in Singapore. In 2023, GST was increased from 7% to 8%. In hindsight, it might be better to increase from 7% to 9% straightaway rather than break it up into 2 years. The increase in GST twice worsens the inflation.

Gadget
Probably the most interesting gadget I bought in 2024 got to be the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer.

Next will be followed by the Anker Prime Charger 250W 6-Port GaNPrime Charger.

Apple
Got myself an Apple iPad Pro 11″ (M4) with Apple Pencil Pro, to replace my seven years old Apple iPad Pro 10.5″.

I bought the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (Desert Titanium 512GB) for my yearly iPhone upgrade.

Smart Home
There is not much of an update besides writing two posts about my Smart Home journey at my new house, as I have many questions about how I plan my smart home.

Not exactly a smart home thing, but I did upgrade my home network to 10Gbps with the Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Mesh Router and TP-Link 8-Port 10G Desktop/Rackmount Switch (TL-SX1008). Now, I need to wait for my Internet contract to expire in June 2025 before upgrading my Internet to 10Gbps.

Travel
I went to quite a few places this year. Tokyo in February, Hong Kong in April, Kuala Lumpur in June, Shanghai in November, and Bangkok in December.

What I Said In 2023

I like the Apple HomePod and use it to control my smart home daily. Though I wish it had a screen. I hope Apple will introduce an Apple HomePod with a screen sometime next year. I am not getting my hopes up, though.

This did not happen, but there are strong rumors that it will come in 2025.

My Apple iPad Pro 10.5″ will be 7 years old next year. It may be time for me to upgrade it.

I bought the Apple iPad Pro 11″ (M4) to replace it.

At my new house, I am using the EverDesk Max Standing Desk as my gaming and working desk. I hope to get a separate gaming desk soon, as the setup is not conducive for either purpose.

I did get the ULTIDESK Xtreme Standing Desk as my gaming desk.

Regarding traveling, I hope to visit Taiwan, Hong Kong, or China towards the end of next year.

I did visit both Hong Kong and Shanghai this year.

For 2025
There are strong rumors that the Apple HomePod will come with a screen next year. If so, as usual, I will get it.

iPhone 17 Pro is rumored to undergo a redesign.

I will upgrade my Internet to 10Gbps, provided Singtel allows me to bridge to my Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 without using their crap Mesh Router.

I will be looking to change my car before April 2025, as my road tax is up, and my COE is in its 8th year. I paid a deposit for a Tesla Model 3 Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) with Category B COE.

Travel-wise, I have Hokkaido planned in February 2025 and Okinawa planned in October 2025.

Wishing all my readers, visitors, and supporters a Happy New Year 2025! May we earn more money since inflation is still not stopping.

Looking Back 2024

52 posts were posted in 2024, accumulating 62 comments, and 139,872 views.
December 2024
31st
Looking Back 2024
27th
Native Union Voyage 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger
23rd
Veger P15 Power Bank
19th
eero Now Officially Available In Singapore
16th
Sharge Icemag 2 Power Bank
9th
Anker Prime Charger 250W 6-Port GaNPrime Charger
2nd
Ugreen Bluetooth 5.2 Audio Transmitter/Receiver
November 2024
25th
Apple Watch 49mm Natural Titanium Milanese Loop
18th
Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer Review
11th
Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 Mesh Router Review
4th
Benks ArmorPro Aurora Case For iPhone 16 Pro Max
October 2024
28th
Benks ArmorPro Case For iPhone 16 Pro Max
14th
TP-Link 8-Port 10G Desktop/Rackmount Switch (TL-SX1008)
7th
Benks ArmorAir Case For iPhone 16 Pro Max
September 2024
30th
Benks Lucent Pro Case For iPhone 16 Pro Max
23rd
Benks GlassWarrior Sapphire Screen Protector For iPhone 16 Pro Max
17th
Youtooz Collectibles: Futurama Take My Money Fry
12th
Singtel iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, 16 Pro, And 16 Pro Max Price Plans
August 2024
12th
What’s In My Travel Gadget Pouch?
July 2024
18th
Spigen Valentinus 3 Cards (MagFit)
8th
Apple Pencil Pro
2nd
Singapore Changi Airport iPad Pro 11″ (M4) Prices
June 2024
24th
My Smart Home Accessories
18th
Aqara Curtain Driver E1 (Track Version) Review
10th
My Smart Home Journey 2
3rd
Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station
May 2024
27th
Aqara Motion & Light Sensor P2 Review
20th
Aqara Door & Window Sensor P2 Review
13th
Aqara Hub M3 Review
7th
Spigen Lock Fit (MagFit)
2nd
Asus ROG Keris II Ace Gaming Mouse Review
April 2024
29th
Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless Gaming Keyboard Review
22nd
Yubico NFC Security Keys
15th
Prolink PRO1201SFCU UPS
8th
Our Play & Work From Home Setup 2024
1st
Belkin BoostCharge Pro 140W 4-Port GaN Wall Charger (With US, EU, UK Tips)
March 2024
25th
Happy 40th Birthday To Me
19th
Divoom Times Gate
14th
ULTIDESK Xtreme Standing Desk Review
11th
Asus ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova Review
4th
Verbatim Tough Max Cables
February 2024
28th
Verbatim 4-Port 100W PD Travel Charger
19th
Aqara Smart Wall Switch Z1 Pro
12th
Apex+ Wireless Gaming Mice Review
5th
Belkin Marvel-themed Accessories
January 2024
29th
3D-Printed Wi-Fi QR Code
22nd
Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones Review
18th
UNI-T Mini Temperature Humidity Meter (UT333BT)
15th
Belkin BoostCharge Pro 140W 4-Port GaN Wall Charger
11th
Belkin BoostCharge USB-C to USB-C Cable 240W
8th
Omron Body Composition Monitor (HBF-222T)
3rd
Samsung 990 Pro With Heatsink NVMe M.2 SSD