3,442 posts
since 2002
For years I relied on MobyShop to apply my screen protectors, but this time Benks sent the GlassWarrior Sapphire for my iPhone 16 Pro Max before the phone even arrived. It retails for around S$31 on Shopee, plus two cases.
Since 'Shut up and take my money!' is my favourite meme as a gadget buyer, I couldn't resist pre-ordering the Youtooz Futurama Take My Money Fry figurine in March 2024. It finally shipped in August, standing 5.2 inches tall.
A rundown of Singtel's price plans for the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max, launching 20th September 2024. The lineup mirrors the iPhone 15, with new colours and Desert Titanium replacing Blue Titanium on the Pros.
A look inside my travel gadget pouch, now a Peak Design Small Tech Pouch, packed for both me and Li Xiang. As iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch users, we each carry an Anker MagGo to charge all three devices.
The Spigen Valentinus is a MagSafe card holder in two- and three-card sizes and three colours. I bought the three-card version in PU leather for S$21.74 on Prime Day for Li Xiang, a solid alternative to Apple's discontinued leather wallet.
My new iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) only supports the Apple Pencil Pro, so my old Pencil 2 won't work. Despite just four real differences between them, Apple gives no reason it couldn't support the older pencil, conveniently pushing the upgrade.
After seven years with my iPad Pro 10.5-inch, I upgraded to the iPad Pro 11-inch M4. My brother, a frequent flyer, bought it for me at Changi Airport's iStudio to save the 9% GST, with a guide to terminal prices.
A tour of my smart home accessories, built around Apple HomeKit and five bridges. Aqara Hub M2 and M3 handle most Aqara devices, while Homebridge runs on my Synology NAS with several plugins to fill the remaining gaps.
Aqara's Curtain Driver E1 comes in Track and Rod versions, with the Track cheaper at S$138.90. Since my curtains use U-shaped rails, I went with the Track version, which also supports I-shaped rails, bought from Souky's stores.
Eight years on from my first smart home post, a move to a new house let me rebuild everything from scratch. With more options and cheaper accessories, I share how past experience and lifestyle shaped my HomeKit and Aqara choices.
The Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station is a 3-in-1 travel charger retailing for S$189.99, though I grabbed it for S$124.99 during Lazada's 5/5 sale. It is Qi2 and MFW certified, giving 15W to iPhone, and bundles a 27W charger.
The Aqara Motion & Light Sensor P2 is Aqara's second Matter device, a pricier alternative to the Motion Sensor P1 I use for toilet lighting. It retails for S$55 versus S$36 for the P1.
The Aqara Door & Window Sensor P2 is Aqara's first Thread-based device with native Matter support, an alternative to the Zigbee T1. It retails for S$46.80 at Souky's Shopee shop versus S$33 for the T1.
Launched in Singapore on 8th May 2024 for S$209, the Aqara Hub M3 is the direct successor to my Aqara Hub M2. Its key additions are acting as a Matter Controller and a Thread Border Router.
The Spigen Lock Fit is a hard-case MagSafe wallet that holds both cards and cash. I got it for S$34.84 on Amazon.sg; at 62g it is bulky and best suited to a Pro Max iPhone.
The Asus ROG Keris II Ace is a wireless gaming mouse retailing for S$189 in black and white. It weighs 54g with a 42,000-dpi optical sensor and supports 4,000Hz polling wirelessly or 8,000Hz wired.
The Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is a 96% wireless mechanical gaming keyboard in black and white. Officially S$279, but on the market since 2023 it can be found cheaper, as low as S$215.
Yubico offers two NFC security keys in its Series 5: the YubiKey 5C NFC for USB-C at US$55 and the 5 NFC for USB-A at US$50. NFC support on iOS has matured with Safari and Chrome.
After my APC BACK-UPS battery died and a replacement made no financial sense, I switched to the Prolink PRO1201SFCU UPS. My new home's electricity trips monthly, so it protects my two NAS units.
Four years on from my 2020 setup post, COVID has come and gone and I've moved to a more central home. An updated tour of how my partner and I now play and work from home.
Responding to feedback on the original, Belkin released this version of the BoostCharge Pro 140W 4-Port GaN Wall Charger with interchangeable US, EU, and UK tips, making the four-port charger far better suited to international travel.
I celebrated my 40th birthday with family, reaching the midpoint of life. In gaming terms, my health bar is down to 50%. The plan is to enjoy life and make quality of life my top priority.