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since 2002
As of 6th November 2019, Google Assistant is officially available to all Sonos users in Singapore, including Sonos One and Beam. Previously, accessing Alexa or Google Assistant meant switching your Sonos profile's country to the US.
YouTube Premium and YouTube Music have finally launched in Singapore. Note the price gap: in-app purchases via the iOS App Store cost more, since Apple takes a 30% commission Google passes on.
WYFY is a local Singaporean IoT company making designed-in-Singapore smart devices with local certifications. Its WYFY Beam is a smart IR blaster I got from Automate Asia, discounted to S$39 from S$49.
The Zhiyun Smooth-Q2 gimbal began as a Kickstarter that raised over HK$4 million. Of the 56 projects I've backed, it's the only one to arrive on time. I paid around S$163 and received it in October 2019.
Amazon has officially launched in Singapore at amazon.sg, distinct from the Amazon Prime Now service that launched two years ago. Prime Now focuses on fresh, frozen, and daily essentials with 2-hour delivery, while amazon.sg offers far wider selection.
The Passport Go is my third Zendure Passport travel adapter, after the Passport and Passport Pro. Like its predecessors, it began on Kickstarter, raising US$271,092 from 5,323 backers, and shipped to me in September 2019.
END. Clothing ran a 20% discount on sale items, so I grabbed the Adidas Ultra Boost 19 in Raw White / Active Orange for S$124, well under the S$280 Singapore price. FedEx delivered them within five days.
For the first time, Apple offers an official clear case for the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max, following its XR debut. Retailing for S$59, its back is sturdy, optically clear polycarbonate.
Out of gadgets to buy during Lazada's 9.9 sale, I had a S$26.40 coupon from cancelling my LiveUp membership. I put it toward the Victorinox Super Tinker Red, on sale for S$39.75, down from S$53.
Singtel's price plans for the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max, launching 20th September 2019. The iPhone 11 replaces the XR as Apple's budget phone, coming in six colours: White, Black, Green, Yellow, Purple, and Red.
The Zendure SuperTank & SuperPort 4 began on Kickstarter, raising US$380,943 from 3,293 backers. I pledged at the US$148 bundle level with free shipping to Singapore. Funded in March 2019, it shipped to me that August.
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.
The Xiaomi Mi 10,000mAh Wireless Power Bank is the wireless version of the 3rd-generation Mi Power Bank, officially CN¥149, about S$30. Not sold officially here, I got it from Souky on Lazada for S$30.
Singtel's price plans for the Samsung Galaxy Note10 and Note10+, launching on 24th August 2019. For the first time there's a plus model: the Note10 comes in 256GB only, while the Note10+ adds 512GB.
The Choetech 15W Wireless Charger Stand retails for S$36.90 on Lazada. With two coils, it charges your phone in portrait or landscape, and supports four speed tiers, 15W, 10W, 7.5W, and 5W, with over-charge and over-temperature protection.
The Choetech USB Wall Charger with Quick Charge 3.0 retails for S$14.90 on Lazada. Despite the listing showing a US plug, the Singapore version ships with a fixed UK plug. It's a no-frills 18W QC 3.0 USB-A charger.
The Anker Powerline+ II is Anker's second MFi-certified USB-C to Lightning cable, after the Powerline II. The only real difference is the exterior: the Powerline+ II uses nylon braid versus the Powerline II's TPE, both with reinforced strength.
After Li Xiang dropped my Flosku walnut Apple TV Remote case and cracked it, I switched to a TPU case that won't break when dropped. I got the Clear TPU Case from Lazada for S$7.
Xiaomi Alkaline Batteries come in AA and AAA, known in China as No. 5 and No. 7. Each pack of ten costs about S$2, just S$0.20 a battery. Once sold in Singapore Mi stores, they quietly vanished.
On my first business trip to Shanghai, I visited the Mi Store and bought the Xiaomi High Speed Wireless Charger Set for around S$30. It bundles a 27W USB-A charger and a 20W wireless charger.
I bought the third-generation Xiaomi Mi 10,000mAh Power Bank from Lazada during a mid-year flash sale for just S$19.90, down from S$28. Available in silver or black, I chose black; a key upgrade this generation is USB-C input.
I picked up the Ugreen Silicone Case for Apple AirPods from Lazada during the mid-year sale for S$4.15. The silicone case comes in red, black, and dark blue, with a carabiner; I chose black.