Founder of lesterchan.net, a Singapore tech and gadgets blog running since 2002. An engineering leader by day and a WordPress plugin developer since 2003, with a soft spot for gadgets, smart home, and a good deal.
I bought the 3rd-gen iPad Pro 12.9-inch (Space Grey 256GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular) to test it as a travel laptop replacement, home entertainment device, and weekend blogging machine. I added an Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) for drawing too.
The Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) retails for S$189 in Singapore, or S$176.64 tax-free at the airport once you strip out the 7% GST. It's S$51 dearer than the first-generation Pencil, but pairs only with the latest iPad Pro.
Nomad offers two USB-C to USB-C cables, differing in length, Power Delivery profile, and transfer speed. The shorter 1m cable supports 100W via USB PD profile 5, while the 1.5m supports 60W. This review covers the 1m/100W cable.
After seeing a colleague's lock pick set, which looked like a fun puzzle to solve, I bought the same one from Lazada for S$12.73. It includes 12 lock picks, three tension wrenches, and a transparent practice padlock.
The Klipsch R5 is the brand's third wireless earphones, after the R6 and X12. Launched in Singapore on 10th October 2018, it retails for S$199 on the TC Acoustic Online Store, with a one-year warranty.
The Choetech USB-C Dual 5W Wireless Charging Pad combines two 5W wireless chargers in one unit, powered by a single USB-C port. It measures 220x90x14mm, weighs 150g, and has anti-slip silicone on both surfaces.
The Razer THS Spinner is a glow-in-the-dark fidget spinner retailing for US$19.99. I got mine as a door gift at the Razer Phone 2 launch, where the phone debuted at S$1,249, exclusive to Singtel.
OtterBox Symmetry cases are ultra-slim, one-piece designs that protect while doubling as colourful fashion statements. The iPhone XS Max line has 15 designs priced from S$59 to S$89. I have the Aspen Gleam, which retails for S$79.
The Apple Watch Magnetic Charger to USB-C Cable is the USB-C version of the Apple Watch charging cable, launched on 19th October 2018. Unlike the USB-A variant's three lengths, the USB-C only comes in 0.3m.
The Funxim X8 is a 10W Qi charging pad that charges your iPhone or Android phone alongside your Apple Watch. It began on Kickstarter in November 2017, raising US$448,097, and shipped from January 2018.
As a Synology fan owning several of their NAS and routers, I rate their DSM and SRM software the best around. For some reason I started collecting their swag, from a USB drive to a luggage tag and SIM holder.
Singtel's price plans for the iPhone XR, launching 26th October 2018. The XR replaces the iPhone SE as Apple's new budget phone, available in six colours, White, Black, Blue, Yellow, Coral, and Red, in 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB.
Zendure returns with the Passport Pro, an upgraded version of the original Passport. Billed as the world's first resettable grounded travel adapter with USB-C Power Delivery, it ran on Kickstarter, raising US$124,851 from 2,817 backers.
The Huawei Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro go on sale in Singapore from 27th October 2018. The Mate 20 Pro retails for S$1,348 in Emerald Green, Twilight, and Black, with the standard Mate 20 cheaper.
I spotted these Photoshop and Illustrator keychains on Geek Culture's post from STGCC 2018. They're by designer Yu Xin of Tea and Buns, sold on Tictail and Etsy, though they often sell out.
Singtel's price plans for the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, launching 1st November 2018. Both come in three colours, Clearly White, Just Black, and Not Pink, each in 64GB or 128GB, with unlocked prices starting at S$1,249.
Kinja Deals flagged a Tile Mate discount on Amazon, nearly 50% off the usual price. The 8-pack went for US$43.58, working out to about S$8.40 per Tile Mate, a steal next to the S$29 Courts charges per single.
The Belkin Boost Up Bold 10W Wireless Charging Pad, announced in January 2018, reached Singapore in September 2018 at S$99. This Qi pad charges at 5W, 7.5W, 9W, or 10W; iPhones charge at 7.5W.
The Apple iPhone XS Max Silicone Case retails for S$59, the same price as the 8 Plus and 7 Plus silicone cases. It comes in nine colours, from Nectarine to Pink Sand; I chose Midnight Blue.
The Belkin Universal Cable has a base Micro-USB connector plus two snap-on adapters, Micro-USB to Lightning and to USB-C, each with a cable clip for tidy storage. The 1.2m cable comes only in black.
OtterBox was among the first to launch iPhone XS/XS Max cases in Singapore, distributed by Maclink. It offers five case series, each design subjected to at least 24 tests for drops, bumps, scratches, and dings before release.
The Zendure 63W USB-C PD Charger was the second project I backed on Indiegogo. I pledged US$35 in December 2017, expecting an April 2018 delivery, but, as crowdfunding goes, it was delayed and only reached me that September.