iOttie Easy One Touch 3 (v2) Car Mount Holder
I've happily used the iOttie Easy One Touch 2 car mount for over two years, its suction cup withstanding Singapore's heat and holding firm. With a new car coming, I upgraded to the Easy One Touch 3 (v2).
Archive
3,441 posts
since 2002
Blink Battery-Powered Wireless Home Security Camera Review
Blink began as a Kickstarter, raising over US$1 million from 6,879 backers and shipping in May 2015. It's available in Singapore through Aztech, a partnership where Blink designed the software and app while Aztech manufactured the battery-powered hardware.
Transcend TLC 480GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Internal SSD
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
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.
Anova Precision Cooker (Bluetooth + Wi-Fi)
The Anova Precision Cooker began as a Kickstarter, raising US$1.8 million from 10,508 backers and shipping in October 2014. This sous-vide cooker comes in two versions: Bluetooth at S$219 and Bluetooth + Wi-Fi at S$289 for remote control.
Kikkerland Bobino Folding Mobile Phone Holder
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.
Sudio Regent Wireless Headphones
The Sudio Regent is the brand's first wireless headphones and my second Sudio product, after the Vasa Bla earphones. It retails for S$229; the 20% tax rebate in Singapore brings it to S$183.20, with the code lesterchan for more.
iRobot Roomba 980
My cousin Joanne gave me the iRobot Roomba 980 as a housewarming gift. The top-of-the-line Roomba retails for S$1,498, sitting above the Roomba 880 at S$1,298, the 650 at S$798, and the entry-level 630 at S$698.
eero Wi-Fi System Review
eero is a home Wi-Fi system built on a wireless mesh network. It isn't cheap: a single unit costs US$199, a 2-pack US$349, and a 3-pack US$499, but it promises uninterrupted whole-home coverage.
Looking Back 2016
Looking back at 2016, my biggest change was moving into my new house on 14th May, which I made smart with Fibaro, SmartThings, and Amazon Echo. I travelled three times, to Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Munich.
Bagel – Smart Tape Measure
Bagel is a smart tape measure with three modes, String, Wheel, and Laser. It saves up to 100 measurements and voice memos to built-in memory and syncs them to a mobile app. Its lithium battery lasts up to 24 hours.
Apple AirPods
Apple AirPods launched in Singapore and 100+ countries on 13th December 2016 at S$238, with a six-week wait. I ordered the moment a friend's post showed stock, receiving mine on the 20th. Each replacement earbud costs S$98.
Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream AC5400 MU-MIMO Gigabit Router Review
The Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream AC5400 MU-MIMO Gigabit Router has been available in Singapore since August 2016 at S$539. It's the flagship of the Max-Stream family, above the mid-range EA8500 I reviewed, featuring 802.11ac Wave 2 Wi-Fi with MU-MIMO.
ZUS Super Duty USB-C Cable
I got the ZUS Super Duty USB-C Cable alongside the matching Lightning Cable, thanks to my brother Leroy. Unlike the Lightning version, the USB-C comes only with a right-angled USB end. At 1.2m, it retails for US$19.99.
ZUS Super Duty Lightning Cable
The ZUS Super Duty Lightning Cable is my second nonda product, after the ZUS Smart Car Charger I still use. It retails for US$19.99 plus flat shipping, comes in one 1.2m length, and offers a straight or right-angled end.
Etekcity Digital Timer
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.
Sonos BOOST
The Sonos BOOST retails for S$199 in Singapore but US$99 on Amazon, which doesn't ship directly. With only about S$60 saved before freight forwarding, importing isn't worth it. BOOST creates a dedicated wireless network for Sonos, reducing interference.
Sonos PLAY:1
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.
MPow Streambot Mini – Bluetooth Music Receiver
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.
Linksys RE7000 Max-Stream AC1900 MU-MIMO Wi-Fi Range Extender
The Linksys RE7000 Max-Stream AC1900 Wi-Fi Range Extender has been available in Singapore since August 2016 at S$199. This AC1900 dual-band extender adds a Gigabit Ethernet port and is the first range extender to combine MU-MIMO with Seamless Roaming.
Google Chromecast Ultra
The Chromecast Ultra is my third Chromecast, after the 2013 and 2015 models. It retails for US$69 but doesn't ship to Singapore directly. I bought mine from the Google Store US, which requires a US VPN.
Amazon Echo Dot (2nd Generation)
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.