Gadgets ordered from Amazon and shipped to Singapore, plus Amazon’s own Echo and Alexa devices.
The Transcend TLC 480GB 2.5-inch SATA III SSD was an Amazon Gold Box Deal in December 2016, dropping from US$126.99 to US$86.99, with free AmazonGlobal shipping. I bought it to replace the ageing HDD in my eight-year-old MacBook Pro.
Cards Against Humanity began as a Kickstarter, raising US$15,570 from 758 backers. I didn't back it then, but recently Li Xiang asked me to get it. I bought it from Amazon, since it doesn't ship directly.
The Kikkerland Bobino Folding Mobile Phone Holder comes in six colours and retails for US$8 on Kikkerland's site, or about S$13 in some Singapore shops. It's cheaper on Amazon, where I bought the white for US$5.80 via AmazonGlobal Saver.
I bought the Etekcity Digital Kitchen Timer during an Amazon Black Friday discount, a two-pack for US$10.79, now US$12.99. Since it doesn't ship to Singapore directly, I consolidated it through HopShopGo. It has a large 2.56-inch display.
During a Black Friday sale, the Sonos PLAY:1 dropped from US$199 to US$149. Since it doesn't ship to Singapore directly, I bought mine from Amazon and forwarded it via HopShopGo, which billed me for 3kg despite the 2.4kg weight.
The MPow Streambot Mini is Amazon's top-selling car Bluetooth music receiver. I bought it for US$13.99, now risen to US$14.99. Reasonably priced, though it doesn't ship to Singapore directly, so you must factor in freight-forwarding costs to import it.
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.
On Amazon, a Kindle Paperwhite with Special Offers is US$20 cheaper than without. I recommend buying the Special Offers version, since the ads can be removed afterwards. Just register your Kindle to your Amazon.com account, then request removal.
The Kindle Paperwhite E-reader (2016) retails on Amazon for US$119.99, but it doesn't ship to Singapore directly, so you'll need a freight forwarder. Alternatively, the local SG E-Reader Shop sells it for a reasonable S$209 with free shipping.
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.
During SmartThings' Spring sale and a follow-up Memorial Day promotion until 4th June 2016, most products were 20% off, on both the SmartThings store and Amazon. I bought my items from Amazon, since they qualified for free AmazonGlobal Saver shipping.
I bought the Anker PowerLine+ Lightning Cable (0.9m) from Amazon for US$13.99. Since it doesn't ship to Singapore directly, I forwarded it via HopShopGo. It comes in four lengths, from 0.3m at US$12.99 up to 3m at US$16.99.
The SanDisk Ultra 200GB MicroSDXC Card was an Amazon Gold Box deal in March 2016 at US$59.99. That's a remarkable drop from its US$399.99 launch price just a year earlier, making this high-capacity card finally affordable.
Since December 2013, Mediacorp has broadcast free-to-air channels digitally over DVB-T2, with analogue signals set to end by 2017. To receive these channels, you need a compatible antenna, so I picked up the AmazonBasics Ultra Thin Indoor TV Antenna.
The DYMO LabelManager 280 Rechargeable Hand-Held Label Maker had an Amazon Gold Box deal in January 2016, crashing from US$91.79 to just US$18.99, now back to around US$26.98. It doesn't ship to Singapore directly, so I used a freight forwarder.
I plan to mount my Nest Cam outside my new house, which needs three accessories. Unfortunately, none ship to Singapore directly from Amazon, so a freight forwarder is required. Dropcessories makes solid Nest Cam outdoor accessories.
I bought the Nest Cam from Amazon for US$183.90, which qualified for free AmazonGlobal Saver shipping. It wasn't the lowest price, dropping to US$168.99 on Black Friday 2015, which I missed. I also grabbed a few accessories.
Amazon ran a 48% discount on the Samsung 850 EVO 250GB SSD in November 2015, dropping it from US$149.99 to US$74.99. It also qualified for free AmazonGlobal Saver shipping to Singapore on orders over US$125, making it a great deal.
The Oral-B Black 7000 SmartSeries Electric Toothbrush had a US$30 coupon during Amazon's Black Friday week, dropping it from US$155.68 to US$125.68. The discount applies automatically at checkout once you clip the coupon. It's considerably pricier in Singapore.
I bought the Nubee Temperature Gun from Amazon for US$13.59, alongside the Bosch GLM 35 Laser Measure. Since it doesn't ship to Singapore directly, I used a freight forwarder. It's a non-contact infrared thermometer for reading surfaces.
I first tried a laser measuring device at Tech in Asia, used by the events team. Amazed by how fast it reads a room, I never saw measuring tape the same way, so I got the Bosch GLM 35.
The iOrange-E USB Type-C Cable is one of Benson Leung's recommended USB-A to USB-C cables. It comes in gold, silver, and black, each in three lengths, 0.5m, 2m, and 3m. Prices have crept up since his endorsement.