Google Home Mini
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.
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since 2002
Sony XB950B1 Extra Bass Wireless Headphones
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.
Anker Micro USB to USB C Adapter
I bought the Anker Micro USB to USB-C Adapter from Amazon for US$6.99, a two-pack working out to US$3 each. It ships directly to Singapore. I needed them to keep using my spare Micro-USB cables with USB-C power banks.
Synology DiskStation DS918+ Review
The Synology DS918+ is the flagship 4-bay NAS in the Plus Series, announced at Computex 2017 and released that October. Retailing for S$811 at Fuwell, it costs S$100 more than the DS418play, adding a quad-core processor and 4GB RAM.
Amazon Launches Amazon Prime In Singapore
A day after ending free AmazonGlobal shipping, Amazon launched Amazon Prime in Singapore, as many suspected. It costs S$8.99 a month, or just S$2.99 as an introductory offer of unspecified duration, and comes with a 30-day free trial.
Amazon No Longer Ships For Free To Singapore
After four and a half years, Amazon appears to be ending its free AmazonGlobal Saver Shipping to Singapore. Items I bought during Black Friday 2017 that qualified no longer do, signalling the end of the popular program.
Passport – Global Travel Adapter
Passport is Zendure's world-first fail-safe global travel adapter. Its Kickstarter, launched in June 2017, raised US$217,053 from 4,887 backers. It shipped to me that November. The standout feature is an auto-resetting fuse to protect your devices.
Synology DiskStation DS418play
My Synology DS415play was showing its age, often failing to stream video via Plex to my Apple TV 4K and forcing a VLC workaround. This post looks at the DS418play, the natural upgrade to address those streaming bottlenecks.
Zero Latency Singapore Review + Giveaway
Zero Latency, a free-roam multiplayer virtual reality gaming experience, has landed in Singapore as its 14th branch worldwide, after cities in Japan, the US, Spain, and Australia. It's brought in by Tomorrow Entertainment, who also own Bounce Singapore.
Huawei Mate 10 Pro Review
Following my unboxing post, the Huawei Mate 10 Pro scored 173,824 on AnTuTu, about 44% faster than last year's Mate 9, largely on 3D and UX gains. I'm glad Huawei shrank the top and bottom bezels.
Samsung 960 Evo NVMe M.2 SSD
As I planned to upgrade my Synology DS216+ to the DS918+, which supports two M.2 NVMe SSDs for fast cache, Synology connected me with Samsung, which sponsored two Samsung 960 Evo NVMe M.2 1TB SSDs for the build.
Huawei Mate 10 Pro Review – Unboxing & Design
The Huawei Mate 10 Pro is officially available in Singapore today for S$1,098, from Huawei Concept Stores, telcos, Lazada, and electronics retailers like Courts and Harvey Norman. Two colours are offered, Mocha Brown and Midnight Blue.
Synology DDR3 RAM
Not many realise Synology makes its own brand of RAM, which it recommends for full compatibility and reliability. Made in Taiwan with a three-year warranty, it comes in SO-DIMM for prosumers and ECC modules for enterprise users.
Cafflano Klassic
The Cafflano Klassic failed its first 2014 Kickstarter but succeeded on a 2015 relaunch, raising £31,524 from 658 backers. Made in South Korea, it's a portable all-in-one coffee maker, packing a grinder, dripper, and tumbler into one unit.
BenQ EW2770QZ 27″ QHD (2560 x 1440) Monitor Review
The BenQ EW2770QZ 27-inch QHD Monitor retails for S$599 on BenQ's Lazada store. This QHD IPS panel has built-in 2W stereo speakers, two HDMI 1.4 ports, and DisplayPort, and is part of BenQ's TUV Rheinland-certified Eye-Care series.
Apple iPhone X Silicone, Leather And Folio Case
This year Apple offers three official iPhone X cases: Silicone, Leather, and the new Folio. After a good experience with the iPhone 7 Plus Silicone Case, I stuck with the Silicone in black. It retails for S$58.
Nomad Universal Cable
I'd wanted the Nomad Universal Cable, the only rugged 3-in-1 supporting Lightning, USB-C, and Micro-USB. Its core USB-A to Micro-USB cable adds MFi Lightning and USB-C tips, wrapped in braided 500D ballistic nylon.
Huawei Mate 10 Series Availability in Singapore
For the first time, Singapore gets three Huawei Mate 10 models: the Mate 10, Mate 10 Pro, and Porsche Design Mate 10. Singapore is the first market for the Mate 10 Pro. The Mate 10 retails for S$888.
Onan Korea Lumena N9 Fan
On my first visit to South Korea, unsure what to buy, I followed my friend's lifehack of browsing Airfrov, a platform where travellers bring back requested overseas products. That's how I discovered the Onan Korea Lumena N9 portable fan.
Apple TV 4K
I bought the Apple TV 4K at iStudio in Changi Airport Terminal 2 on my way to South Korea. Buying in the departure area saved the 7% GST, so the 32GB cost me S$250.47, below the S$268 retail price.
V-MODA Forza Metallo Wireless Earphones
With semitseasia now the official V-MODA distributor in Singapore, the first product I tried is the Forza Metallo Wireless Earphones, retailing for S$289. It's V-MODA's third earphone, following the wired Forza and the Forza Metallo.
Vornado 630 Medium Air Circulator
Vornado air circulators had been on my list, recommended by a colleague. Pricier than ordinary fans but cheaper than a Dyson, an air circulator moves all the air in a room rather than blowing in one direction.