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.
The Klipsch Reference R6i On-Ear Headphones launched in Singapore on 20th September 2015 for S$199, the newest addition to the Reference lineup. They follow the R6/R6i In-Ear Headphones I got last year, sharing the same advanced acoustic engineering.
The original Chromecast launched in July 2013 and has since sold over 20 million units. Two years on, Google unveiled an updated model at a 29th September 2015 event. Call it Chromecast 2, though I prefer Chromecast (2015).
I love the Logitech Harmony Home Control concept, but it isn't sold in Singapore, so you must import it from Amazon. I caught a Gold Box deal in September 2015 that dropped it from US$149.99 to US$99.99 with free shipping.
LaMetric Time launched on Kickstarter in June 2014, raising US$370,001 from 2,215 backers. As a super early bird, I pledged US$119 plus shipping for this customisable smart ticker, which displays time, weather, notifications, and metrics at a glance.
I didn't realise Belkin made a 4-port car charger besides my Aukey one. The Belkin Road Rockstar, available at all 34 Challenger outlets and Lazada for S$79, is a 36W/7.2A charger with two USB ports on the unit itself.
The Linksys EA8500 Max-Stream AC2600 MU-MIMO Gigabit Router launched on 4th August 2015, exclusively at Challenger before reaching most electronics stores, at S$399. Despite the lower model number, it isn't really a step down from the EA9200.
After being impressed by the Tool Pen I backed last year, I backed mininch's Tool Pen mini when it launched on Kickstarter in April 2015 without hesitation. The mini is aimed at smaller gear, electronics, game consoles, phones, and toys.
The JBL Flip 3 is a portable, splashproof Bluetooth 4.1 speaker retailing for S$179 in Singapore. Its durable splashproof fabric and rugged rubber let it shrug off rain and spills, and you can rinse it under a tap.
The OctoFire 96W/19.2A 8-Port USB 3.0 Hub/Charger launched on Kickstarter in January 2015, raising US$115,414 from 1,270 backers. As a Super Early Bird backer, I paid US$59 plus shipping for this combined eight-port hub and high-power charger.
The Choetech 60W 6-Port Desktop USB Charger retails for US$29.99. Two of its six ports support Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0, charging compatible devices up to 75% faster, including most Snapdragon phones like the Galaxy S6, Note 5, and Nexus 6.
While in Hong Kong for a relative's wedding, I picked up the Mophie Powerstation Plus (12,000mAh) from the newly opened Apple Store at 100 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. It retails there for HK$1,298, about S$240.
The Choetech Circle Qi Wireless Charger retails for US$19.99 on Amazon. It charges Qi-enabled devices, or any phone with a Qi-compatible cover, outputting 5V/1A. About the size of a coffee coaster at 84mm wide, it's finished in metallic silver.
Canon Online Store (Singapore) launched on 22nd September 2015 as a one-stop e-commerce platform for Canon's full range of consumer products. It accepts both local and foreign credit cards for delivery within Singapore, though, unlike Apple, delivery isn't always free.
Buying phones without a contract is an increasing trend, with Apple and Xiaomi selling directly. Singapore phones are always unlocked by law, and as people change phones more often, the telcos' two-year contracts hold less appeal.
At PHPConf.Asia 2015, I bought the purple PHP ElePHPant plush toy from Jenny Wong for S$50, with proceeds going to PHP Women, a network supporting gender equality in the PHP community. On day two, I added the blue ElePHPant.
Two months after Office 2016 for Mac, Microsoft Office 2016 for Windows is now available, both for Office 365 subscribers and as a one-time purchase. Office 365 Personal costs S$98 a year and Office 365 Home S$138 a year.
PHPConf.Asia 2015, the first Pan-Asian PHP conference, starts today. The two-day event is held at Kent Ridge Guild House in Singapore. We're honoured to have PHP creator Rasmus Lerdorf give the opening keynote, and Jenny Wong the closing.
Singtel's price plans for the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, launching 25th September 2015 at Marina Bay Sands. Singapore gets the A1638 and A1687 models, supporting the local LTE, UMTS, and GSM bands across Singtel's plans.
The Apple iPhone Lightning Dock launched in May 2015 at S$58, in plastic and only white. For the iPhone 6/6s Plus launch, Apple added an aluminium variant at S$68, S$10 more, now offered in colours including this gold.
The Apple iPhone 6s Plus Leather Case retails for S$68 and, like the 6 Plus case, shipped well before the phone itself. It comes in five colours, Midnight Blue, Saddle Brown, Rose Grey, Brown, and Black; I chose Midnight Blue.
Netflix is coming to Singapore in early 2016, alongside South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Here's hoping the local catalogue of movies and TV series is a good one. Netflix is the American on-demand streaming service expanding rapidly worldwide.
Ambi Climate is a small, sleek IoT device that makes your existing infrared remote-controlled air conditioner smart. Using predictive climate control, it monitors temperatures inside and out to run your aircon more efficiently and lower your energy bill.