3,443 posts
since 2002
My site averaged about 1,900ms response time on Pingdom, rising to 2,600ms after switching to HTTPS while still on Apache 2.4.7 with PHP 5.5.9 via mod_php. Moving to nginx 1.6.2 and PHP 5.5.22 via php-fpm brought it back to 1,900ms.
I'm very impressed with the Dell Venue 8 7000 Series, the most well-built Android tablet I've come across. Its machined aluminium body feels premium at just 6mm thin and 305g, with an 8.4-inch 2560 x 1600 OLED screen and edge-to-edge infinity bezel.
To create an official WeChat account, head to apply.wechat.com and complete the online form. You'll need a proposal document, official company certificate, company profile, and the contact person's business card. The process is free, and WeChat has authorised no agency.
Xiaomi's Redmi 2 goes on sale in Singapore for the first time on 17th March 2015 at noon for S$169, the same launch price as the Redmi 1 last February. Only the white model is offered for now.
In case you hadn't noticed, lesterchan.net is now on HTTPS. Back in August 2014, Google announced it would use HTTPS as a ranking signal, having tested secure, encrypted connections in its search algorithms and seen positive results.
Apple Watch launches in nine countries on 24th April 2015, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the UK, and the US. Singapore isn't among this first tier, so I estimate the prices we can expect when it arrives.
I received my Singtel Prestige Card for 2015, sporting a redesigned look from the 2011 and 2014 versions I've blogged before. To qualify, you must be a Singtel Mobile, Home Broadband, or mio TV user of at least a year.
The Dyson AM06 Desk Fan 25cm (Iron/Blue) launched last May at S$399, one of four variants, the 25cm models at S$399 and the 30cm at S$499. My mom redeemed this one with her HSBC credit card points, which were expiring.
The Linksys EA9200 Wireless AC3200 Tri-Band Smart Wi-Fi Router launched in Singapore on 6th February 2015 at a recommended S$399, available only at Challenger for now. It's the new flagship after the Linksys E8350 AC2400, and its true successor.
The Motorola Moto 360, announced in the US in March 2014, became officially available in Singapore on 23rd February 2015 at a recommended S$380, in black only. Reportedly it's exclusive to Rakuten and MSTATION, though I doubt that.
Alongside my Nexus 6, I bought the Spigen Ultra Hybrid case from MobyShop for S$26. They stocked only the Metal Slate and Crystal Clear versions, and I picked Metal Slate, disliking the frosted, silicone look of the TPU bumper.
I bought my Nexus 6 from MobyShop for S$870, trading in my 16GB Nexus 5 for S$200, so I paid S$670 net. Holding it, the aluminium frame lends a premium feel; for once a Nexus phone doesn't look cheap.
Four months after its launch, the Nexus 6 is now officially available in Singapore at a recommended S$998. Only the 32GB variant is sold, in both Midnight Blue and Cloud White, exclusively through open retail channels rather than telcos.
The Dell UltraSharp U3415W 34-inch Curved Monitor has been available in Singapore since mid-December 2014 for S$1,499. I find that fairly reasonable, since Dell's high-end monitors typically sit around that range, and the U3415W is the cheapest of them.
The ARQ Dock 2.0 by 2040 Design Studio is an aluminium modular nesting dock for smartphones and tablets, with or without cases. Its docks group together for a tidier look, though the bundled cables stay rather messy.
My third and final Aukey product is the Aukey 10-Port USB 3.0 Hub, selling for US$49.99 on Amazon. Its aluminium build matches a Mac, measuring 183mm and weighing 180g. Being USB 3.0, it supports data transfer rates up to 5Gbps.
Did you know Acronis was founded in Singapore in 2002, moving its HQ back here last year? Started by Serguei Beloussov, Ilya Zubarev, and Max Tsyplyaev as a unit within SWsoft, it was spun off in 2003.
The new Xiaomi Mi 5,000mAh Power Bank replaces the short-lived 5,200mAh model, going on sale in Singapore for the first time on 13th February 2015. Timed for Lunar New Year, it was an open sale you could buy anytime.
The second product I ordered from Aukey is the Aukey 48W 9.6A 4-Port Car Charger, selling for US$16.99 on Amazon. I haven't seen anything like it from Anker, it's the most powerful car charger I've come across.
I'd often seen Aukey on Gizmodo's Deals, a promising alternative to Anker that likely shares the same OEMs, judging by the design. So when Aukey asked me to review their products, I accepted, only needing to cover shipping from HopShopGo.
About ten months on from v4.2, lesterchan.net v4.3 brings mostly cosmetic and backend changes. The biggest addition is Roost's web push notifications: visit the site more than twice on Safari and you'll get an opt-in prompt.
The Creative Sound Blaster Jam headphones, announced on 22nd January 2015, are a Creative Online Store exclusive at S$69. This lightweight 83g Bluetooth 4.1 wireless headset streams music, movies, and games from your smartphone, and includes built-in NFC.