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since 2002
The Funxim X8 is a 10W Qi charging pad that charges your iPhone or Android phone alongside your Apple Watch. It began on Kickstarter in November 2017, raising US$448,097, and shipped from January 2018.
As a Synology fan owning several of their NAS and routers, I rate their DSM and SRM software the best around. For some reason I started collecting their swag, from a USB drive to a luggage tag and SIM holder.
Singtel's price plans for the iPhone XR, launching 26th October 2018. The XR replaces the iPhone SE as Apple's new budget phone, available in six colours, White, Black, Blue, Yellow, Coral, and Red, in 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB.
Zendure returns with the Passport Pro, an upgraded version of the original Passport. Billed as the world's first resettable grounded travel adapter with USB-C Power Delivery, it ran on Kickstarter, raising US$124,851 from 2,817 backers.
The Huawei Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro go on sale in Singapore from 27th October 2018. The Mate 20 Pro retails for S$1,348 in Emerald Green, Twilight, and Black, with the standard Mate 20 cheaper.
I spotted these Photoshop and Illustrator keychains on Geek Culture's post from STGCC 2018. They're by designer Yu Xin of Tea and Buns, sold on Tictail and Etsy, though they often sell out.
Singtel's price plans for the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, launching 1st November 2018. Both come in three colours, Clearly White, Just Black, and Not Pink, each in 64GB or 128GB, with unlocked prices starting at S$1,249.
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.
The Belkin Boost Up Bold 10W Wireless Charging Pad, announced in January 2018, reached Singapore in September 2018 at S$99. This Qi pad charges at 5W, 7.5W, 9W, or 10W; iPhones charge at 7.5W.
The Apple iPhone XS Max Silicone Case retails for S$59, the same price as the 8 Plus and 7 Plus silicone cases. It comes in nine colours, from Nectarine to Pink Sand; I chose Midnight Blue.
The Belkin Universal Cable has a base Micro-USB connector plus two snap-on adapters, Micro-USB to Lightning and to USB-C, each with a cable clip for tidy storage. The 1.2m cable comes only in black.
OtterBox was among the first to launch iPhone XS/XS Max cases in Singapore, distributed by Maclink. It offers five case series, each design subjected to at least 24 tests for drops, bumps, scratches, and dings before release.
The Zendure 63W USB-C PD Charger was the second project I backed on Indiegogo. I pledged US$35 in December 2017, expecting an April 2018 delivery, but, as crowdfunding goes, it was delayed and only reached me that September.
The CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 mini Dock, announced July 2018, comes from a maker known for the Thunderbolt Station 3. It has DisplayPort and HDMI variants; beyond the display connector, the HDMI version adds an extra port.
Singtel's price plans for the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, launching 21st September 2018, ahead of the cheaper iPhone XR on 26th October. Both come in three colours, White, Black, and Gold, across various storage capacities.
Belkin makes power banks too, under its Pocket Power series in 5,000, 10,000, and 15,000mAh, each in Silver, Rose Gold, and Black. The 5K is S$55, the 10K S$85, and the 15K S$115. This review covers the 10,000mAh model.
The Belkin 3.5mm Audio Cable with Lightning Connector lets you connect an iPhone to any 3.5mm audio system without Bluetooth. MFi-certified, its DAC outputs high-resolution audio up to 48kHz/24-bit. It comes in black and white, in two lengths.
The original Apple Watch Link Bracelet is absurdly expensive, S$668 in Silver and S$798 in Space Black. After spotting a Reddit thread about a replica, I kept it in view, and Lulu Look eventually offered the OULUOQI replica.
A key gripe with the Linksys Velop (Tri-Band) was its price, S$349 to S$749 across packs. The Linksys Velop (Dual-Band), launched 28th July 2018, solves that by being roughly half the price, making mesh Wi-Fi far more wallet-friendly.
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.
After a four-year hiatus, VAIO returns to Singapore with its VAIO S Series laptops. In Asia the brand is licensed by Hong Kong's Nexstgo, which also owns AVITA. The range debuts at the VAIO shop in Bugis Junction.
I bought The Battery Organizer Storage Case from Amazon for US$14.55, shipping it via HopShopGo. The plastic case has a hinged transparent cover, though its edges are a little rough and sharp; otherwise it's handy.