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.
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since 2002
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.
Linksys WUSB6100M Max-Stream AC600 MU-MIMO USB Adapter
The Linksys WUSB6100M Max-Stream AC600 USB Adapter is billed as the world's first MU-MIMO-enabled adapter, launched in Singapore in August 2016 at S$129. It connects a PC to wireless-AC and MU-MIMO networks, though there's no Mac driver available.
Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable (1m)
The Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable comes in two lengths: 1m at S$28 and 2m at S$42, both recently discounted prices of unknown duration. Avoid authorised resellers, which still charge the old S$34 and S$48 pricing.
Removing Special Offers On Kindle
On Amazon, a Kindle Paperwhite with Special Offers is US$20 cheaper than without. I recommend buying the Special Offers version, since the ads can be removed afterwards. Just register your Kindle to your Amazon.com account, then request removal.
Huawei Mate 9 Review
I've been using my Huawei Mate 9 over my Nexus 6P, finding its UI snappy. It scored 120,794 on AnTuTu versus the Nexus 6P's 71,576. My iPhone 7 Plus remains my primary phone.
Kindle Paperwhite E-reader (2016)
The Kindle Paperwhite E-reader (2016) retails on Amazon for US$119.99, but it doesn't ship to Singapore directly, so you'll need a freight forwarder. Alternatively, the local SG E-Reader Shop sells it for a reasonable S$209 with free shipping.
Huawei Mate 9 Review – Unboxing & Design
The Huawei Mate 9 ships in a square brown box printed with soy ink, made in Shenzhen, China. The contents are standard: the phone, a cover, earphones, a USB-C charging cable, a SuperCharge charger, and a Micro-USB adapter.
Dyson V8 Motorhead Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
The Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum is the successor to the popular V6, with more power and better battery life. Depending on the attachment, it runs up to 40 minutes on normal power or 7 minutes at maximum.