3,437 posts
since 2002
I bought the Torras Wireless Charger from Tmall for about S$28. It outputs 10W for fast wireless charging, though Apple deliberately limits that to its certified chargers, so iPhones charge slower. Still, the build quality is the best.
The Jackyled 45-in-1 Precision Screwdriver Toolkit usually costs US$10.99, but a Kinja Deals coupon dropped it to US$6.92 in January 2018, shipping directly to Singapore. Despite the name, the 'upgraded' kit actually packs 48 items.
Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) launches in Singapore on 9th February 2018, with Singtel the only telco supporting its cellular function via NumberShare. The service costs S$6.90 a month on a 12-month contract.
Bragi arguably made the first truly wireless earbuds with The Dash, a 2014 Kickstarter that raised US$3.4 million but shipped over a year late. This review covers its successor, The Dash Pro.
The eero Beacon normally costs US$149, but a December 2017 sale dropped it to US$99 with the code BEACON99. I shipped it to Singapore via freight forwarder HopShopGo. My home Wi-Fi already runs on three wired first-generation eeros.
KEF is one of the UK's oldest Hi-Fi brands, founded by ex-BBC engineer Raymond Cooke, its name from Kent Engineering & Foundry. The Space One Wireless Headphones, a collaboration with Porsche Design, offers active noise cancellation, retailing for S$629.
Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) arrives in Singapore on 9th February 2018, with pre-orders from 2nd February. Singtel is the first and only telco to support it, launching NumberShare so the Watch can share your phone number.
The Satechi USB-C Multimeter retails for US$29.99 on Satechi's site but only US$22.95 on Amazon, both shipping to Singapore. I bought mine from the cheaper Amazon listing, shipping it via freight forwarder HopShopGo.
Released in Singapore in November 2017, the Huawei Mate 10 Pro initially came in Mocha Brown and Midnight Blue. For Valentine's Day, Huawei launches a limited Pink Gold edition on 10th February 2018, at the same S$1,098.
The Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart Electric Toothbrush launched on 28th September 2017, timed for World Heart Day, with Philips a World Heart Federation partner. The smart toothbrush retails for S$399 in Singapore.
The Mophie Wireless Charging Base is one of two Apple-endorsed chargers that fast-charge the iPhone 8/8 Plus/X at 7.5W; my benchmarks confirm non-endorsed pads don't. It retails for S$99 at Apple, though I picked one up in Japan.
The Liberty+ is a true wireless earbud from Zolo Audio, an Anker brand. It came from a hugely successful Kickstarter, raising US$2.8 million from 25,412 backers, helped by Anker's mentorship, before launching on 21st June 2017.
The Apple Watch 42mm Black Sport Loop retails for S$78 in Singapore. I bought mine at Apple Omotesando in Tokyo for about S$68. I'd hoped to use Yodobashi's 5% VISA discount, but their strap selection was limited.
Apple Watch Series 3 in Space Black Stainless Steel with Milanese Loop isn't sold in Singapore. None of the high-end models, Stainless Steel, Edition, or Hermes, are, because they come only in GPS + Cellular, unsupported by local telcos.
The Adidas 3D Gym Sack and 3D Roll Top Backpack look like Issey Miyake designs, but it's not a collaboration. Both are sold in Adidas Originals stores in Japan, the Roll Top Backpack retailing around S$129.
Having bought the 1.5m Nomad Universal Cable from South Korea, I wanted the shorter 0.3m version too. The 1.5m is great from a wall outlet but too bulky coiled, so the 0.3m suits charging from a power bank.
My brother helped me get my first Yeezy, the Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 v2 in Blue Tint. Launched on 16th December 2017 at S$349, it features a tinted blue upper with contrasting red lettering and a mirrored 'SPLY-350' mark.
Looking back at 2017, almost two years into my home, my MCO Touch Panel smart switches proved unreliable. Three 1-gang units lost power entirely, and the Z-Wave module in a 4-gang panel failed.
I bought the Anker PowerPort Qi 10W from Amazon for US$19.49, down from US$25.99 thanks to an exclusive Kinja Deals coupon. Handily, some Anker products, including this one, ship directly to Singapore for a small fee.
The KeySmart MagConnect is the brand's latest accessory, a magnetic take on the Quick Disconnect that lets you easily attach and detach key fobs from your KeySmart. The magnet is strong, and it retails for US$9.99.
Google's US Store makes it hard for non-US buyers, but the Google Home Mini's 40% discount to US$29, from US$49, was tempting. I've ordered from it without trouble, needing only a US VPN and US Google account.
I bought the Sony XB950B1 Extra Bass Wireless Headphones from Amazon for US$98 during Black Friday 2017, down from US$128. They qualified for free AmazonGlobal shipping above US$125. The same headphones cost S$269 in Singapore, 50% more expensive.