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 Kero Lightning Nomad Cable came out of a Kickstarter project last year, which I missed and didn't back. It's a 3-inch, Apple-certified Lightning USB cable for your key ring. They've since launched the Kero Micro USB Nomad Cable.
It's been almost nine months since my last upgrade, so here's a site update. Most of it focuses on optimising the site to perform faster, now scoring 90 out of 100 on Pingdom's Website Speed Test.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 officially launches in Singapore on 28th September 2013 for S$1,048 without contract. Only the 32GB model is offered, in Jet Black and Classic White. Compatible accessories include the Flip Wallet.
The Energizer XP3000A Portable Charger retails for S$59.90. Its 3,000mAh capacity can charge an iPhone 5 about twice, and it weighs just 130g. What sets it apart is the built-in Lightning cable, so you needn't carry a separate cable.
SingTel's price plans for the iPhone 5c and 5s, launching on 20th September 2013 at 8am at Marina Bay Sands, Exhibition Hall E. For Singapore's LTE networks, the iPhone 5c uses the A1529 model, as does the 5s.
The Belkin Audio Splitter is exclusive to Apple Stores, where she picked one up for me at HK$148, about S$24. It's a simple, no-frills 3.5mm audio jack splitter, and frankly overpriced. If your earphones have a microphone, it won't work.
Twelve South announced the PlugBug World early this year, and I'm baffled it isn't sold in Singapore, not even on the Apple Online Store. So when Li Xiang visited Hong Kong, she bought it for me for HK$348, about S$60.
I'm a huge fan of WD Red hard drives, running four of them in my Synology DiskStation DS413j with no trouble. WD Red drives are designed and tested for 24/7 operation and the demanding needs of home and small-office NAS.
The Braven BRV-1 IPX5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker retails for S$228 at physical stores like EpiCentre and Infinite, or online via Ban Leong's eStore. Besides being a lightweight, rugged Bluetooth speaker at 346g, it doubles as an emergency portable charger.
Sony announced the QX Lens at IFA 2013 in Berlin, a range of smartphone-attachable, lens-style cameras. They work with most iOS and Android devices running the PlayMemories Mobile app. Simply mount the DSC-QX100 or DSC-QX10 onto your phone.
The Moshi Codex Air and Codex Retina are new from Moshi, lightweight carrying cases for the MacBook Air 11/13-inch or MacBook Pro Retina 13/15-inch. Codex protects your MacBook from the wear of daily use. This is the Air 13 Titanium.
Microsoft will pay €3.79 billion for substantially all of Nokia's Devices & Services business, plus €1.65 billion to license Nokia's patents, bringing the total to €5.44 billion, around US$7.17 billion, in cash. It's a landmark deal reshaping both companies' futures.
The Moshi USB Cable with Lightning Connector, in black or white, retails for S$31.90, about S$4 more than Apple's original Lightning to USB Cable. Both are one metre and equally official, but Moshi's costs more thanks to its aluminium-encased connectors.
Leap Motion is a tiny device that lets you control your computer with your hands, beyond keyboard, mouse, or trackpad. Think of it as a smaller Kinect for computers, on Windows and Mac, tracking all ten fingers.
At COMEX 2013, running 5th to 8th September at Singapore Expo, Lenovo is launching new computers. Among them is the Lenovo Flex 14, billed as the world's first multi-mode mainstream Ultrabook, switching between laptop mode and a flipped stand mode.
On 16th August 2013, Crumpler Singapore introduced the new Wren range of bags aimed at girls. The launch features eight bags, each in four colours, Feather Print, Khaki, Red Orange, and Sand. Prices range from S$139 for the small Tote.
The Sony Xperia Z Ultra arrives in Singapore from 5th September 2013 at a recommended S$1,038 without contract, in Black, White, and Purple. Pre-orders open today via Sony stores and centres, Xperia concept stores, authorised retailers, and all telcos.
On 15th August 2013, SingTel began offering direct carrier billing for Google Play purchases, the first in Southeast Asia to do so. This simple, convenient payment option is open to all SingTel mobile postpaid customers and will roll out progressively.
I bought the Bose AE2i Audio Headphones for S$239, down from S$269, at Stereo in Plaza Singapura. Atlas, the official Bose distributor, is marking its 50th anniversary with discounts on almost all Bose products until 31st October 2013.
The D-Link DIR-868L Wireless AC 1750 Dual-Band Gigabit Router retails for S$319, or S$279 at Challenger's member price, steep for a router. Still, it's cheaper than the Cisco Linksys EA6500 was at launch. This draft 802.11ac router supports simultaneous dual-band.
Windows 8.1 begins rolling out worldwide as a free update for Windows 8 users through the Windows Store at 7pm on 17th October 2013, Singapore time. It reaches retail and new devices from 18th October.
The Bluelounge Kii began selling in Singapore this week for S$49, and I got mine from EpiCentre at JEM. It's a compact charger-connector, in Apple Lightning or 30-pin, that clips onto your keychain. The Lightning comes in black or white.