Apps, operating systems, and the software tools I use across my computers, phone, and home setup.
The default Tesla app leaves much of the car's API untapped. I look at three third-party apps, TezLab, Tessie, and TeslaMate, which log every trip and charging session for detailed breakdowns of cost and usage the official app lacks.
Windows 11 is available as a free upgrade to eligible Windows 10 PCs. You can't yet buy it off the shelf; the PC Health Check app tells you if your PC qualifies.
Synology DiskStation Manager 7 (DSM 7) launched on 29th June 2021, with upgrading still a manual process via the Download Center. I walk through updating both my DS920+ and DS1621+ from DSM 6.2.4.
Amazon.sg now stocks the Amazon Echo (4th Generation) and Echo Dot (4th Generation) in international versions with the correct plug. The Echo retails for S$141 plus shipping, though some Alexa skills remain unavailable in certain countries.
Parallels Desktop 15 for Mac launched in Singapore on 16th August 2019, adding support for macOS Catalina. A key focus is DirectX 11 support via Apple's Metal API, bringing more Windows programs and PC games to the Mac.
Parallels Desktop 14 for Mac launched on 21st August 2018, ready for macOS Mojave. It supports Mojave's Dark Mode and Quick Look Quick Actions for Windows files, with more features and storage optimisation in development.
Parallels Desktop 13 for Mac launched with support for the MacBook Pro Touch Bar, macOS High Sierra, and upcoming Windows 10 features like the People Bar. It also brings big performance gains, up to 100% faster external Thunderbolt SSDs.
Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac is now available, supporting the Windows 10 Anniversary Update and ready for the upcoming macOS Sierra. It brings performance gains, including up to 90% faster snapshot creation and 60% faster VM suspend.
Acronis True Image Cloud and True Image 2016 launched over three months ago, and last week Acronis released a major update with five new features. Chief among them is Full Image Backup, offering block-level copying to create an exact replica.
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.
Google has unveiled its biggest logo change in 16 years. The new design is flatter and uses a sans-serif font, giving it a younger, brighter, cheerier feel. The blue 'g' favicon is also replaced by a four-colour 'G' to match.
Acronis True Image Unlimited has been renamed True Image Cloud, now supporting multiple devices including mobile. With the Acronis True Image app, you can back up Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Windows devices to the cloud from one account.
Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac is now available, adding Windows 10 integration with Cortana. Beyond that, it brings major speed gains over previous versions: Windows launches and shuts down up to 50 percent faster.
Earlier this year, WhatsApp launched WhatsApp Web for Android, Windows Phone, and BlackBerry, leaving out iOS due to Apple's platform limitations. Whether WhatsApp worked around them or Apple eased them, WhatsApp Web is now available for iOS users.
Google Play Movies is now available in Singapore, alongside Indonesia and Malaysia. Standard-definition rentals range from S$3.98 to S$4.98, and high-definition from S$4.98 to S$5.98, though not every title is offered for rent, with purchase options also available.
Office 2011 for Mac launched in October 2010, and five years on, Microsoft Office 2016 for Mac is finally here. Released last Friday in 139 countries and 16 languages for Office 365 subscribers, Office 365 Personal costs S$89 a year.
Windows 10 launches in Singapore on 29th July 2015, alongside 189 markets, as a free upgrade for Windows 7 and 8.1 or on new devices. If you don't qualify, the Microsoft Store sells Home for S$229 and Pro for S$399.
After today's update, I noticed the Apple Store iOS app is finally available to all Singapore App Store users. With WWDC 2015 running from 8th to 12th June, Tim Cook will likely announce the Apple Watch's second wave of countries.
Every 31st March is World Backup Day, an independent initiative to raise awareness about the growing role of data in our lives and the importance of regular backups. To mark this year's, I'm giving away Acronis True Image 2015.
Did you know Acronis was founded in Singapore in 2002, moving its HQ back here last year? Started by Serguei Beloussov, Ilya Zubarev, and Max Tsyplyaev as a unit within SWsoft, it was spun off in 2003.
Last Wednesday, Google announced the Nexus 6, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, and Android 5.0 Lollipop. The Nexus 6 runs Lollipop on a 5.96-inch 2560x1440 QHD AMOLED display with a Snapdragon 805. US pre-orders open 29th October 2014, with stores following.
Announced on 30th September 2014, the next version of Microsoft's Windows is named Windows 10, not Windows 9. A Reddit rumour suggests it skipped 9 because third-party code checks whether the version starts with 'Windows 9', matching 95 or 98.