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since 2002
The Synology Router RT1900ac is Synology's first router, aimed at the mid-range market at roughly S$234. It went on sale in Singapore on 6th October 2015. For the unaware, this brings Synology's polished software experience to home networking.
A recap of lesterchan.net's evolution: now on HTTPS, running nginx, PHP-FPM, MariaDB, and HHVM, with search powered by Algolia. The v4.4 update lands alongside the WordPress 4.4 release, the last major WordPress release of 2015.
The Oral-B Black 7000 SmartSeries Electric Toothbrush had a US$30 coupon during Amazon's Black Friday week, dropping it from US$155.68 to US$125.68. The discount applies automatically at checkout once you clip the coupon. It's considerably pricier in Singapore.
Thanks to my friend Stephen, I tried the Freefly VR, a mobile VR headset that uses your phone as screen and speaker. This differs from the Oculus Rift and Razer OSVR, which have built-in screens and audio.
The BlackBerry PRIV, BlackBerry's first Android phone, arrives in Singapore from 12th December 2015 at S$1,098, sold via Singtel, M1, StarHub, and authorised partners. I'm impressed by it: the build is solid and it's remarkably thin.
The ASUS RT-AC88U launched at SITEX 2015, Singapore's last major IT event of the year, held at Singapore Expo from 26th to 29th November. The much-awaited router retails for S$429, packing eight Gigabit LAN ports and strong wireless performance.
I bought the Nubee Temperature Gun from Amazon for US$13.59, alongside the Bosch GLM 35 Laser Measure. Since it doesn't ship to Singapore directly, I used a freight forwarder. It's a non-contact infrared thermometer for reading surfaces.
I first tried a laser measuring device at Tech in Asia, used by the events team. Amazed by how fast it reads a room, I never saw measuring tape the same way, so I got the Bosch GLM 35.
The new Sonos PLAY:5 is now available in Singapore for S$999, sold at IT stores like Challenger and online via TC Acoustic. It delivers studio-quality sound through six synchronised custom drivers, with three mid-woofers producing smooth mids and deep bass.
I bought the Google Universal 22.5W Dual Port USB Type-C Charger with its USB-C to USB-A cable for US$39.99, forwarded via HopShopGo. It's the only trustworthy, reasonably priced charger I found with two USB-C ports.
The Google USB Type-C to USB Standard-A Plug Cable was out of stock for a while; I grabbed one when it returned on 9th November 2015. It doesn't ship to Singapore directly, so I forwarded it via HopShopGo.
The iOrange-E USB Type-C Cable is one of Benson Leung's recommended USB-A to USB-C cables. It comes in gold, silver, and black, each in three lengths, 0.5m, 2m, and 3m. Prices have crept up since his endorsement.
To recap, the Nexus 6P is brought to Singapore by Huawei through Convergent Systems, in 64GB and 128GB models, each in Graphite and Aluminium. With the pre-order window closed, you now pay the official retail price.
Legacy of the Void closes the StarCraft 2 trilogy with the Protoss campaign, two years after Heart of the Swarm and five after Wings of Liberty. Launched on 10th November 2015, I couldn't miss the Collector's Edition.
The Apple USB-C Charge Cable retails for S$42 in just one 2m length; I wish it also came in 0.5m and 1m. Its reversible plugs mean no orientation markings on the ends, much like Apple's Lightning cables.
I received a lovely 3Doodler 2.0 as a gift from The Future of Us exhibition. The 3Doodler is the world's first and only 3D printing pen, drawing in the air or on surfaces using ABS plastic.
My Gunmetal Black Steel Band for the Pebble Time Steel finally arrived on 11th November 2015, three months after the watch itself. It's heavy and well-built, though a little large, so I'll need precision screwdrivers to remove a few links.
The Apple iPad Pro, a 12.9-inch iPad, is now available for pre-order in Singapore and 39 other countries, with delivery from 13th November 2015. It comes in silver, gold, and space grey, in 32GB and 128GB.
The OnePlus Type-C Cable 150cm and USB Type-C Adapter bundle retails for S$23 on Lazada, a saving over buying the S$17 cable and S$14 adapter separately. The OnePlus cable is easily one of the nicest-looking USB-C cables around.
If you're buying a USB Type-C cable on Amazon, read Benson Leung's reviews first. A Google engineer and big proponent of USB-C, he's worked on two Pixel products using the connector and tests cables for compliance, flagging the unsafe ones.
I pre-ordered the Apple TV (4th Generation) on 26th October 2015 and received it on the 30th October release day. In Singapore it retails for S$248 (32GB) or S$318 (64GB); I chose 32GB, unsure I'd need more space.
To coincide with Fallout 4's launch on 10th November 2015, minifiglabs.com released a Vault Boy-inspired minifig with a Nuka-Cola bottle cap accessory. Dubbed Vault Boy and Nuke-Cola, the set sells for S$37.90, with registered local postage extra.