Amazon Echo Wall Clock
The Amazon Echo Wall Clock is a 10-inch clock designed as a companion to an existing Echo device, retailing for US$29.99. It runs on four included AA batteries and, despite the Echo name, has no microphone for voice commands.
Internet of Things
My smart home and connected gadgets, from sensors and hubs to item trackers and air-quality monitors.
Google Home Hub
I bought the Google Home Hub on Black Friday, when Google knocked US$50 off the US$149 retail price. Rather than risk the Google US Store, where my order likely wouldn't go through, I ordered from B&H instead.
Tile Mate
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.
Point 2 – Smart Home Alarm
Point 2 is the second-generation smart home security alarm from Minut, following the original 2015 Point. Like its predecessor, it launched on Kickstarter, raising US$312,061 from 2,139 backers in late 2017, though shipping was delayed.
Google Home & Google Home Mini Now Available in Singapore
Google Home and Google Home Mini are now officially available in Singapore through a StarHub partnership, the same arrangement as Google Wifi. From 20th April 2018 you can buy them at StarHub, Courts, Challenger, or online.
Amazon Echo Show
The Amazon Echo Show was recently discounted 30% to US$159.99, down from US$229.99. Like most Amazon products, it doesn't ship to Singapore directly, so I used HopShopGo. It's the bigger sibling of the Echo Spot.
igloohome Smart Mortise Lock Review
The igloohome Smart Mortise Lock is the brand's third door lock, after the Smart Deadbolt Lock 01 and 02. Priced higher because it includes both lock and handle, it retails for S$849, dropping to S$649 during the promotion.
Amazon Echo Spot
The Amazon Echo Spot was discounted to US$114.99 during Valentine's week, down from US$129.99. As usual, Echo products don't ship to Singapore directly. The Echo Spot is essentially an Echo Dot with a screen.
Google Home Mini
Google's US Store makes it hard for non-US buyers, but the Google Home Mini's 40% discount to US$29, from US$49, was tempting. I've ordered from it without trouble, needing only a US VPN and US Google account.
Homey Review
In the second part of my Homey review, I focus on the desktop app. In my opinion, it has the best UI/UX of any smart home hub. Built in Node.js and packaged with Electron, it's split into several sections.
Homey Review – Unboxing & Setup
Homey is a smart home hub from Athom supporting a wide range of wireless technologies. It began as a Kickstarter in May 2014, raising €203,918 from 996 backers, but shipped well past its targeted June 2015 date.
TrackR Pixel Review
AXTRO Smart is the exclusive Singapore distributor for TrackR, a Santa Barbara startup specialising in personal item management. The TrackR Pixel is its latest, a small, lightweight Bluetooth tracker you attach to items and ring via the app.
Samsung SmartThings V2 Hub (UK)
I bought the Samsung SmartThings V2 Hub (UK) from Amazon UK for £99.99, dropping to £83.33 with the 20% VAT exemption. Direct UPS delivery to Singapore was pricey at £15.18 but fast, arriving four days later.
uHoo Review
uHoo is an indoor air toxin sensor launched in April 2017, shipping first to corporate customers, its primary audience, then to general consumers from June. Backed by an East Ventures seed round, it had earlier crowdfunded pre-orders on Indiegogo.
Fibaro Z-Wave Universal Door & Window Sensor 2 Gen5
Vesternet runs a weekly Monday sale on Z-Wave products, so I picked up a couple of Fibaro Z-Wave Universal Door & Window Sensor 2 Gen5 at about S$52 each, plus some TKB TZ69E Z-Wave wall plug switches.
Google Home
I finally jumped on the Google Home bandwagon. I skipped it last year at US$99 due to an immature ecosystem, but six months on it's improved, now supporting Logitech Harmony, iRobot, Sensibo, and more, with more accurate speech recognition.
Ambi Climate (2nd Edition) Review
Three years after the original launched on Kickstarter in 2014, Ambi Climate returns with the 2nd Edition, again crowdfunded. The smart AI device learns your comfort preferences to control your air conditioner. This reviews the new version.
Sensibo Sky Review
Sensibo Sky retails for US$119 plus shipping to Singapore, with free shipping when buying two or more. This smart device adds app and voice control to almost any air conditioner via infrared.
Igloohome Smart Deadbolt Lock 02 Review
The Igloohome Smart Deadbolt Lock 02, or igloobolt 02, is the second generation of the Igloohome Smart Lock. The product was renamed for clarity as the range grew to include the Smart Keybox and upcoming Smart Mortise Lock.
Amazon Echo Dot (2nd Generation)
I bought the Amazon Echo Dot (2nd Generation) the moment it launched on 20th October 2016, a must-have for any tech geek at US$49.99. With two Echos at home, I use them to control my water heater, lights, and TV.
Remotec Z-Wave AC IR Extender (ZXT-120)
I bought the Remotec Z-Wave AC IR Extender (ZXT-120) from Vesternet during its Vesternet Mondays promotion, which offers up to 20% off rotating brands like Vera, Fibaro, Aeon, and Foscam. The ZXT-120 brings my air conditioner into Z-Wave.
Amazon Echo Voice Remote
The Voice Remote for Amazon Echo and Echo Dot retails for US$29.99. During Amazon Prime Week, ordering through your Echo gets a one-time US$10 off, but only for Prime members. I signed up for a month to qualify.