Archive

Do check out my post on tado Smart AC Control – Unboxing & Setup before reading this review.

I have been using the tado Smart AC Control for almost two weeks now and it has sort of taken control over my air conditioner from Ambi Climate. I doubt I will move back to Ambi Climate unless they have third-party integrations like IFTTT.

I was seeded with the tado Smart AC Control for review. Similar to my previous review of the Moto 360 (2nd Generation), I will split this review into two posts. The first post (this post) being the unboxing and setup and the second post will be about the experience using tado Smart AC Control.

In Singapore, tado Smart AC Control is being distributed by Aerahaus Smart and right now you can only get it online from Aerahaus Online Store. tado Smart AC Control is designed and made in Munich, Germany. If you bought the set from Aerahaus Online Store, it will come with a 2 years local warranty and support from Aerahaus Smart.

In both of my Amazon Echo and Logitech Harmony Home Control articles, I wrote about using Amazon Echo to control your television using Logitech Harmony. But unfortunately the IFTTT solution at that time was premature and didn’t really work.

Last month, IFTTT release a new update in partnership with Amazon Echo that allows you to trigger a receipe with a specific phrase on the Amazon Echo. You will have to start the trigger with “Alexa, trigger …”.

I love the concept of Logitech Harmony Home Control, but unfortunately, it is not available for sale in Singapore and you have to get it from Amazon.

I noticed that Amazon was having a Gold Box deal on the 8th September 2015 for the Logitech Harmony Home Control. It’s usual price is US$149.99 (S$215) but for the Gold Box deal, it is only US$99.99 (S$144) with free shipping to Singapore using AmazonGlobal Saver Shipping if your purchases are above US$125.

LaMetric Time was launched on Kickstarter on 17th June 2014. It got successfully funded on 1st August 2014 after raising US$370,001 out of their initial goal of US$69,000 from 2,215 backers.

I was one of their super early bird backer. I pledged US$119 (S$168) for the LaMetric Time itself and shipping to Singapore is additional US$25 (S$36).

Ambi Climate is a small, sleek internet of things (IoT) device that makes your existing infrared remote-controlled air conditioner smart. It aims to make your aircon usage more efficient and hence lower your energy bill.

Ambi Climate uses predictive climate control by monitoring the temperature and environment both inside and outside maximizing energy use. In fact, thermal comfort isn’t about temperature alone. That is why Ambi Climate takes into a consideration sunlight, temperature, humidity and other elements to maintain a more comfortable, energy efficient interior environment. The device also learns from your own preferences and daily routine, and will tailor your indoor climate around you and your family

2 weeks ago, I bought the Amazon Echo for US$179.99 (S$250) and I paid US$29.99 (S$42) for shipping together with the Amazon Fire TV Stick.

I have been using the Amazon Echo everyday since and I got to say I love this product!

The WeMo Switch + Motion is retailing at Funan’s Challenger for S$109 (member’s price is S$89) while the WeMo Switch is retailing for S$79 (member’s price is S$71.10).

For a member’s price difference of S$18, I can get the additional motion sensor, and hence I chose the WeMo Switch + Motion instead of just the WeMo Switch.

The D-Link DSP-W215 WiFi Smart Plug as the name suggests is a plug that is connected to your wireless network and that makes it “smart”.

It runs on 802.11n wireless network and is currently retailing for S$69.