Archive for the ‘Accessories’ Category

TUCU: Belkin BoostCharge USB-C PD 3.0 PPS Wall Charger 25W

Saturday, December 4th, 2021

Tech-U-Can-Use (TUCU): My mom’s in-box power supply for her phone died on her, so I got her a replacement wall charger – as a replacement and upgrade.

The Belkin BoostCharge USB-C PD 3.0 PPS Wall Charger 25W is an intelligent charger for those new phones that doesn’t include chargers in the box, as a second charger at the office, or simply as a spare/backup charger.

The Belkin BoostCharge USB-C PD 3.0 PPS Wall Charger 25W is an intelligent charger for those new phones that doesn’t include chargers in the box, as a second charger at the office, or simply as a spare/backup charger.

The main features of Belkin’s BoostCharge 25W wall charger can be gleaned from its lengthy name.

It’s a wall charger, it can charge at up to 25W max power, it uses USB-C, it is PD 3.0 certified, and it is equipped with PPS technology.

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The Growing Need for Third-Party Chargers

Friday, December 3rd, 2021

It used to be that the new phones come with chargers in the box, but phone makers are now beginning to exclude the charger in the box. So we’ll begin to shop more for 3rd-party chargers.

Do you remember these different plugs for different chargers, not to mention different power ratings for each device?

Do you remember these different plugs for different chargers, not to mention different power ratings for each device?

I remember years ago when I was writing for the Straits Times Digital Life about what tech to pack when travelling, I’d lamented that the charger for different phones used proprietary chargers that were not interchangeable – in terms of the plugs and the power ratings.

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tech4xmas Review: Rakuten Kobo Sage & Kobo Libra 2 E-Readers

Thursday, December 2nd, 2021

An e-reader makes a fantastic Christmas present for an avid reader. I’ve gotten my wife the latest Rakuten Kobo Sage for this year’s X’mas. For those who prefer a slightly smaller form-factor (and lower price-tag), the Kobo Libra 2 is also an excellent e-reader.

The Rakuten Kobo Sage (left) and Kobo Libra 2 are both waterproof to IPX8 rating so you can safely read by the pool and in the bath. In this photo, the new Dark Mode is enabled on the Kobo Sage. Notice that the text is clearly legible even under bright sunlight.

The Rakuten Kobo Sage (left) and Kobo Libra 2 are both waterproof to IPX8 rating so you can safely read by the pool and in the bath. In this photo, the new Dark Mode is enabled on the Kobo Sage. Notice that the text is clearly legible even under bright sunlight.

The Kobo Sage (S$399.90) and Kobo Libra 2 (S$289.90) are the two latest e-readers that Rakuten Kobo launched in October.

The Kobo Sage is slightly cheaper than Amazon’s flagship Kindle Oasis, while the Kobo Libra 2 is similarly priced to the latest Kindle Paperwhite.

 

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Christmas prezzies for the wife and son who are avid readers. The 8″ Kobo Sage (left, in Dark Mode) and 7″ Kobo Libra 2 (with an audiobook) in their sleepcovers which protects them and doubles up as a stand.

The 8-inch Kobo Sage is the new flagship of Kobo’s e-reader line-up, taking over the baton from the Kobo Forma (S$349.90) which is still available.

The 7-inch Kobo Libra 2 is the new version that succeeds the Libra H2O that my wife has been using, with great satisfaction, for the past year – it was her Christmas present for last X’mas.

So what are the key improvements of the two new e-readers?

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New Arrival: Huawei Watch GT 3 & Watch GT Runner Smartwatches

Wednesday, December 1st, 2021

Powered by HarmonyOS, The Huawei Watch GT 3 and Huawei Watch GT Runner will hit the shelves in Singapore on 18 December 2021, with pre-orders from 11-17 Dec. Prices start from S$298. Promotions & pricing details below.

Customers making the pre-order will also receive a free audio neckband, Huawei FreeLace worth S$98 to complement their exercise routines with the Huawei Watch GT 3.

Customers making the pre-order will also receive a free audio neckband, Huawei FreeLace worth S$98 to complement their exercise routines with the Huawei Watch GT 3.

First unveiled last month in October, the Huawei Watch GT 3 Series comes in two sizes – 46mm and 42mm – offering more accurate health and fitness monitoring as well as a new dynamic interface design.

 

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The Huawei Watch GT 3 feels light and looks classy on the wrist.

The Huawei Watch GT Runner has been specially designed for runners and is equipped with a dedicated professional running ability evaluation system for comprehensive tracking.

More details below about the Huawei Watch GT 3 smartwatches from the press release.

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tech4xmas Gift Idea: Watercolour Design Accessories

Sunday, November 28th, 2021

Looking for some beautiful accessories (phone cases, mouse pads etc) with watercolour paintings on them? Check out Erinsgarden – an e-shop on Redbubble selling print-on-demand stuff based on the watercolour paintings of @kkmakesandbakes.

* Full disclosure: @kkmakesandbakes is my wife.

Phone covers, mouse pads, desk mats and other accessories based on original watercolour paintings specially designed for Christmas. Christmas Collections at Erinsgarden by @kkmakesandbakes.

Phone covers, mouse pads, desk mats and other accessories based on original watercolour paintings specially designed for Christmas. Christmas Collections at Erinsgarden by @kkmakesandbakes.

Fancy an iPad Case and Skin with a watercolour Christmas Puppy on it?

Or a X’mas Kitty Cat gracing your laptop skin?

Or a Vacation Kitty art mug to keep up inspired since most of us aren’t likely to travel this Christmas.

@kkmakesandbakes loves watercolour painting.

She paints as a hobby and friends suggested that she put some of these on Redbubble so people can buy stuff printed with her watercolour paintings on them.

So if you’re looking for a nice accessory as a X’mas gift for a colleague or a loved one, check out her designs!

New Arrival: Nanoleaf Lines Backlit Colour-Changing LED Light Bars

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2021

Nanoleaf Lines comprises short, backlit, colour-changing LED light bars connected with hexagonal joints and pasted onto the wall or ceiling to provide mood lighting. Prices below.

Nanoleaf Lines provides mood lighting for the home, entertainment, and hybrid workspaces.

Nanoleaf Lines provides mood lighting for the home, entertainment, and hybrid workspaces.

The new Nanoleaf Lines comprises short, backlit, colour-changing LED light bars connected with hexagonal joints and pasted onto the wall or ceiling to provide mood lighting.

Each set of Nanoleaf Lines is controlled by a controller which connects to a phone app via Wi-Fi.

More details below from the press release.

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tech4xmas Gift Ideas for Christmas 2021

Sunday, November 21st, 2021

Here are some gift ideas that I’ve curated for X’mas 2021. I’ll be adding to this list over the next few weeks, so check back daily for new gift ideas as I collate them.

The tech4xmas gift guide is meant to provide ideas to start you off, so do check out some of them online and in the shops if they are what you think would bring a smile to your loved ones this Christmas. Start by shopping (on Redbubble) for accessories (phone cases, mouse pads, T-shirts, mugs etc) based on this lovely watercolour painting painted by my wife.

The tech4xmas gift guide is meant to provide ideas to start you off, so do check out some of them online and in the shops if they are what you think would bring a smile to your loved ones this Christmas. Start by shopping (on Redbubble) for accessories (phone cases, mouse pads, T-shirts, mugs etc) based on this lovely watercolour painting painted by my wife.

It’s now time to shop for presents for Christmas 2021, and bring some cheer to two years living under the shadow of COVID-19.

Around this time of year, I’m usually inundated with requests from readers and friends on Christmas gift ideas for their loved ones or themselves.

So here are some tech that I would use myself or get for MY loved ones, based mostly on those gadgets that I’ve tried or reviewed.

Not all are the latest and newest, but they are what I think are some of the best-in-class in their category of products.

Happy Christmas Shopping!

tech4xmas 2021 Gift Guide below.

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Plastic Scanner is Sustainability Winner of James Dyson Award

Friday, November 19th, 2021

The Sustainability prize for the 2021 James Dyson Award is Plastic Scanner – a low-cost, handheld device to identify plastic for recycling. It was invented by Jerry de Vos from TU Delft.

The low-cost, handheld Plastic Scanner tells you on the spot what type of plastic a product is made of.

The low-cost, handheld Plastic Scanner tells you on the spot what type of plastic a product is made of.

Plastic is a lightweight, safe and readily available material which can be used to make long-lasting, durable products.

It has a bad reputation because it is often not thought to be recyclable and so ends up in landfill, or worse on the beach or in our oceans.

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HOPES is Singapore’s 1st International Winner of James Dyson Award

Thursday, November 18th, 2021

HOPES is the first entry from Singapore to win the international top prize in the 17 years’ history of the James Dyson Award.

* This story was first published on Haleness Me.

HOPES, (which stands for Home eye Pressure E-skin Sensor) is a wearable biomedical device for pain-free, low cost, at-home IOP testing.

HOPES, (which stands for Home eye Pressure E-skin Sensor) is a wearable biomedical device for pain-free, low cost, at-home IOP testing.

HOPES is a wearable biomedical device for pain-free, low cost, at-home intra-ocular pressure (IOP) testing.

This year’s International winner of the James Dyson Award was inspired by one of the inventors’, Kelu, father’s diagnosis of glaucoma.

The Problem

After witnessing his discomfort and multiple hospital visits, she realised there is a global need for a less invasive and more accessible method for Intraocular Pressure (IOP) monitoring.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide.

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Event Forecast: Huawei China Dongguan Health Lab Media Visit

Tuesday, November 16th, 2021

Huawei will be opening the “doors” of its Health Lab in Dongguan to media from APAC for a virtual tour on 25 November, 2021. The 4,680 sqm facility is Huawei’s largest Health Lab in China.

The latest HUAWEI Health Lab in Songshan Lake, Dongguan, China aims to become a world class health and fitness technology institute dedicated to product R&D, standards R&D, certification, exhibitions, and industry incubation activities.

The latest Huawei Health Lab in Songshan Lake, Dongguan, China aims to become a world class health and fitness technology institute dedicated to product R&D, standards R&D, certification, exhibitions, and industry incubation activities.

The new Health Lab in Songshan Lake, Dongguan, China represents the Huawei’s ¥200 million (SGD 42.5 million) R&D investment that supports more than 80 types of simulation tests.

These tests support and provide data for the R&D department that covers extensive research on human health and fitness, incubation and testing of Huawei’s smart wearable products.

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