Looking Back 2025
2025 is the year when Artificial Intelligence (AI) went mainstream, causing two significant shifts: layoffs and a shortage of memory chips.
Any company that wants to conduct layoffs will use AI as a reason. And since AI empowers individuals to do more, hiring has also slowed down. The company may no longer need as many workers as it once did.
As an added side effect, it causes a global shortage of memory chips, and hence, any CPU components that interact with memory, such as RAM, graphics cards, and NVMe storage, have seen an increase in prices. RAM saw the worst rise in prices.
2026 will not be any better, as layoffs and price increases are expected to continue.
Tech Refresh
If I were to look back and sum up my 2025 in two words, it would be ‘Tech Refresh.’
This is the first time I’ve used an AI-generated image as a featured image. Image is generated by Nano Banana on Gemini 2.5 Flash.
Another more realistic image by Nano Banana Pro on Gemini 3 Pro.
Upgraded my car from Mercedes-Benz A180 (W176) (2017) with Certificate of Entitlement (COE) Cat A to the Tesla Model 3 Highland (2025) (RWD) with COE Cat B. If you are a techie, you will love all the high-tech features of the Tesla. I look forward to the day when Full Self-Driving (FSD) becomes available in Singapore.
Upgraded my Internet from Singtel 1+1Gbps Fibre Pro Gamer Bundle to Singtel 10Gbps Enhanced Plan.
The next tech refresh I did was to upgrade my whole network from Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 to Ubiquiti UniFi. I love the User Interface (UI) of UniFi and have never been happier with the seamless and responsive setup. As a “side effect” of that, I fell into the rabbit hole, and now all my networking equipment is from Ubiquiti UniFi.
As every year, I also upgraded my iPhone 16 Pro Max (512GB) to the iPhone 17 Pro Max (512GB), and it is in my favourite colour, orange.
Lastly, I upgraded my 5-year-old desktop to AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D. This time around, I opted for a larger case, the NZXT H7 Flow, and chose an AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT graphics card instead of an Nvidia one. I took this opportunity to upgrade my webcam to the Logitech Brio 4K, my speakers to the Edifier MR5, and my monitor to the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM.
Travel
Travelled to India for the first time, visiting my colleagues in our Bangalore office. It isn’t as bad as everyone made it out to be. I will head there again sometime in Q1 2026.
Been to Japan twice this year, Hokkaido and Okinawa. Three times to Thailand, visiting Bangkok, Koh Samui, and Phuket.
There are strong rumors that the Apple HomePod will come with a screen next year. If so, as usual, I will get it.
Again, this didn’t happen. Hopefully in 2026?
iPhone 17 Pro is rumored to undergo a redesign.
It didn’t undergo a radical redesign, just a minor one, with the camera bump now bigger, and it is called a plateau.
I will upgrade my Internet to 10Gbps, provided Singtel allows me to bridge to my Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 without using their crap Mesh Router.
As mentioned above, I upgraded my Internet from Singtel 1+1Gbps Fibre Pro Gamer Bundle to Singtel 10Gbps Enhanced Plan.
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.
Managed to secure my COE Cat B after failing to get it in the January 2025 COE bidding rounds. I received the car on 6th February 2025.
For 2026
There are many rumors about a foldable iPhone. Will we get to see it next year?
In terms of tech refresh in 2026, I can only think of my Sonos Play:1 surrounds, Apple TV, and my 8-year-old Apple iPad Pro 12.9″ (3rd Generation). Or, unless my Samsung Series 6 40″ UHD 4K Flat Smart TV (UA40JU6400) in my master bedroom is spoiled.
I have not booked any trips for 2026 yet, which is unusual. Li Xiang wants to go to Spain, and I want to go to Tokyo to do my yearly shopping spree. Additionally, maybe a trip to China, visiting cities like Beijing, Guangzhou, or Xiamen.
Wishing all my readers, visitors, and supporters a Happy New Year 2026! May 2026 be a fantastic year for all of us.
Looking Back 2025
50 posts were posted in 2025, accumulating 55 comments, and 135,695 views.December 202531stLooking Back 202529thAsus ROG Falchion Ace HFX ZywOo Edition Gaming Keyboard Review22ndAsus ROG Keris II Origin Gaming Mouse Review15thAsus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM Monitor Review8thLogitech Brio 4K Webcam4thUlti Ergo Clamp-On Speaker Stand1stEdifier MR5 Studio Monitor SpeakersNovember 202527thAnker 25000mAh 165W Power Bank24thUlti Glide Heavy-Duty Caster Wheels (M8)17thMy New Computer AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D10thApple 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max3rdAnker 140W ChargerOctober 202527thUgreen Smart Tag20thAirGradient One Indoor Monitor (I-9PSL) Review13thBenks ArmorGrid ArmorAir Grand Combo For iPhone 17 Pro Max6thUgreen MagFlow 2-In-1 Magnetic Wireless ChargerSeptember 202529thUgreen MagFlow Magnetic Wireless Power Bank22ndBenks ArmorPro Prestige Case For iPhone 17 Pro Max20thBenks GlassWarrior Sapphire Screen Protector For iPhone 17 Pro Max18thD-Link 5G Mobile Wi-Fi 6 Hotspot (DWR-U2100)12thSingtel iPhone Air, iPhone 17, 17 Pro, And 17 Pro Max Price Plans8thMy Ubiquiti UniFi Setup1stApex+ EVO G27 27″ QHD (2560 x 1440) Monitor ReviewAugust 202525thSynology BeeStation Plus 8TB Review18thMoving To Ubiquiti UniFi11thMova P50 Ultra Review4thOrico Thunderbolt 10GbE Network AdapterJuly 202528thBridging Singtel ZTE F8648P ONR21stBenks ArmorGo Qi2 Power Bank15thUgreen USB-C To USB-C 100W Retractable Cable1stBenks ArmorGo Power BankJune 202511thBenks Grand Headphone StandMay 202526thBenks ArmorGo Magnetic Wallet Stand5thCharging Discounts For Tesla In SingaporeApril 202528thThird-Party Tesla Apps: TezLab, Tessie, TeslaMate21stMy Tesla Model 3 Highland (2025) Modifications14thNiimbot D110 Portable Label Printer7thAnker 2-in-1 USB-C to USB-C 140W Cable1stBenks ArmorPop Phone Grip & StandMarch 202525thHappy 41st Birthday To Me17thBelkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Travel Pad10thBelkin BoostCharge Power Bank 10K With Integrated Cable3rdMy Tesla Model 3 Highland (2025) AccessoriesFebruary 202524thBelkin BoostCharge Pro Magnetic Power Bank 10K17thTesla Model 3 Highland (2025) Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) COE Category B10thSanDisk MobileMate USB 3.0 microSD Card Reader3rdUgreen 130W 3-Port Car ChargerJanuary 202521stUgreen Uno 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger13thUlti Anti-Fatigue Standing Mat6thBelkin Secure Holder with Key Ring for AirTag
