3,439 posts
since 2002
Two weeks ago, while helping Li Xiang find eneloop batteries for her office, I was surprised to find none at any major electronics store in Funan or VivoCity. I wondered whether eneloop had left the Singapore market or sold out.
I'd long wanted the Bose QuietComfort 15, or QC15, one of the best noise-cancelling headphones around. They're especially good for frequent travel, whether by plane or bus, cancelling out much of the engine noise.
I bought the Griffin Retractable USB Charge Cable with Lightning Connector from BestBuy's 5th Avenue store for US$24.99, or US$27.21 after 8.875% tax. I'd always wanted a good retractable Lightning cable, for the fun and the reduced mess of it.
The gold HTC One is now available in Singapore as of 18th January 2014, just in time for Chinese New Year. Previously, the HTC One came only in Silver, Black, and Red here. The 32GB Gold costs S$768.
I bought the Bose MIE2i Mobile Headset from Apple's West 14th Street store in Manhattan for US$116.96, or US$127.34 after tax. Bose USA's 10% holiday discount, off the usual US$129.95, made it about S$37 cheaper than the S$199 Singapore price.
I bought the Victorinox Swiss Army Slim 2.0 USB Flash Drive (32GB) at Woodbury Common Outlets, having little else to buy there as I'm not into branded goods. It cost US$22 after tax, a bargain next to Amazon's US$38.99.
Apple's first Lightning to USB Cable, launched September 2012, was one metre long. In February 2013 Apple added a half-length version, then a double-length one in September 2013. The 0.5m and 1m cables share the same price of S$28.
EverDock was a Kickstarter project funded on 17th October 2013, raising US$452,457 against a US$50,000 goal. With a stunning aluminium design, the single or dual dock works with Lightning, 30-pin, and micro-USB devices. I backed it on the 15th.
I bought the Apple iPhone 5s Case (Brown) at Apple's Fifth Avenue flagship, as I had to grab something there. Paying cash, it came to US$42.46 after tax, slightly cheaper than Singapore's S$58. I chose brown to match my iPhone.
I bought the Fitbit Aria from Amazon's Black Friday lightning deals for US$93.99, shipping included thanks to AmazonGlobal Saver. In Singapore it's S$169 on the Apple Online Store, so I saved S$51, though I forgo the one-year warranty.
In Looking Back 2012, I'd hoped to travel to several countries, which I sort of managed. My 2013 wish is to travel even more, to places like Australia, Japan, Korea, London, or New York. I'm posting this from New York.
I bought the Audio-Technica ATH-M50 Professional Studio Monitor Headphones, with coiled cable, from one of Amazon's Black Friday lightning deals for US$99.99, shipping included via AmazonGlobal Saver. In Singapore the ATH-M50 retails for S$238, so I saved a hefty S$112.
I bought the Klipsch Image S4i II for Li Xiang, who'd lost hers and loved the original S4i. It was Amazon's deal of the day during Black Friday week at US$39.99, against more than triple that in Singapore at S$169.
The Clasy Screen Protector is the only Nexus 7 protector MobyShop stocks. Clasy is a Korean brand, and the protector itself is Made in Korea. It's cheap, at S$12, with simple packaging containing only the protector and a microfiber cloth.
I bought the 16GB Nexus 7 (2013) from Amazon for just US$199 during Black Friday week, with the 32GB also discounted to US$239. It qualified for free AmazonGlobal Saver shipping to Singapore, so US$199 worked out to roughly S$250.
I bought the Spigen SGP Ultra Crystal Screen Protector for iPad Air from MobyShop for S$36. Spigen's Steinheil line offers two options, the clear Ultra Crystal and matte Ultra Optics. I wouldn't recommend the matte, as it dulls the screen.
The Apple iPad Air Smart Case retails in Singapore for S$118 in six colours, Brown, Beige, Black, Yellow, Blue, and Red, all in aniline-dyed leather. Using a silver iPad Air, I chose Brown, which, like Red, pairs nicely with silver.
Both my iPads were showing their age, lagging at everything, so it was time to upgrade. I considered the iPad Mini Retina but chose the iPad Air for its bigger screen, easier for Li Xiang's sketching.
Philips hue lets you control your lights wirelessly through a smartphone or tablet app. It launched in Singapore on 13th November 2013 as an Apple Online Store exclusive, then reached Apple Premium Resellers and Philips outlets from 11th December.
Thanks to iFly Singapore for inviting me to their Christmas party last week and a complimentary indoor skydiving session. It was my first time, and I loved it. The beginner 'Adventure' lesson runs two hours, starting with an indemnity form.
I backed the Kero Micro USB Nomad Cable on 18th September 2013, and it funded a month later, raising US$24,313 against a US$14,000 goal. Impressively for Kickstarter, it stayed on schedule, shipping from the US on 29th November.
Officially launched on 22nd October 2013, the Sony SmartWatch 2 comes in two versions: with a black metallic strap at S$338 or a black silicone strap at S$288. Sony also sells straps separately, and it uses a standard 24mm strap.