Archive for the ‘reviews’ Category
Sunday, October 15th, 2023
Freshly launched in Singapore last month, the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni (S$1,699) takes the tedium out of cleaning by automating everything from vacuum and mopping to emptying the dustbin, refiling the clean water, and washing/drying the mop pads.
Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni (S$1,699) robot vacuum mop.
I recall my first robot cleaner was the original Roomba iRobot which did one single thing – autonomously vacuum the entire home.
The second robot I bought was an Ecovacs Deebot which could mop in addition to vacuuming.
Both had a basic dock with the sole function of charging the robot.
Many robots later, I’m back to testing out the Ecovacs, this time round an all-singing-all-dancing flagship model – the Deebot X2 Omni.
Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni (S$1,699) robot vacuum mop – freshly unboxed.
Like the flagship models of other brands today, in addition to the robot vacuuming and mopping the floor, the dock is capable of auto-emptying the dustbin, refilling the water container, and washing the mop cloths on the robot.
What is less common that the X2 Omni can do is to wash the mop cloths with hot water, and to dry the mop cloths with hot air after washing.
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Tags:appliances, Deebot, Ecovacs, Home Tech, new arrivals, reviews, robot, vacuum
Posted in Appliances, Gadgets, gadgets, Home, Opinion, Prices, Review, reviews, Robots, Specifications, Vacuum Mop | 9 Comments »
Thursday, October 12th, 2023
The new Google Pixel 8 Pro (S$1,549) and Pixel 8 (S$1,099) hit the shelves in Singapore today. Here are the main features that we’ve tried out thus far. Check out also the differences in specs between the two phones.
Google’s latest flagship phones – Pixel 8 (left) and Pixel 8 Pro.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro is the flagship model from Google sporting the new Google Tensor G3 processor to put Google AI in the center of everything that happens in the phone.
It has a stunning 6.7-inch Super Actua display which is brighter than previous Pixels and makes images and videos more vivid and pleasing to the eyes.
Google Pixel 8 Pro in comparison with the Pixel 7 Pro.
It intelligently adjusts from as low as one to 120Hz to juggle between performance during gaming and power efficiency when a high update rate is not needed.
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Tags:flagship, Google, new arrivals, Pixel, reviews, smartphones
Posted in Android, Availability, Gadgets, gadgets, Google, newArrivals, Opinion, Phones, Pixel, Prices, Review, reviews, smartphones, Specifications | 7 Comments »
Saturday, September 30th, 2023
The Roborock Q Revo offers EVERYTHING that a robot vacuum mop can do on the market today but at an affordable price level – ideal for the user looking for both performance and value-for-money.
The Roborock Q Revo robot vacuum mop retails in Singapore at S$1,299.90 on its official stores on Lazada and Shopee. Purchase during online promotions to enjoy substantial discounts of the RRP. Dog & plant not included.
So robot home cleaners started out as just autonomous vacuum cleaners which do the basic task of being able to cover the entire floor area of wherever it has been put to work – to suck up dust and dirt into the dustbin onboard the robot.
Then a mop cloth was slapped on with a water dispenser to keep the cloth wet, so that the robot could mop the floor surface.
Roborock Q Revo freshly unboxed.
Robot vacuum mops were simple, usually round, devices with a charging dock.
In these early days, some didn’t vacuum too well while others didn’t mop too cleanly, they got easily stuck and many weren’t able to cover the entire floor area properly.
Overtime, these basic performances improved while new features were added, mainly to the dock station.
Their price tags also escalated correspondingly.
Roborock Q Revo with top cover opened and dustbin out. The docking station is to the right.
Today, docking stations can automatically refill the water container onboard the robot, wash the mop cloths, and empty the dustbin onboard during a cleaning session and at the end of it.
The latest trend is the ability of the dock to dry the mop cloth after each mopping session.
I’ve been using the Q Revo from Roborock for a while now – it does ALL of the things described above and does them well – all at a price lower than the arm-and-a-leg that other flagship models on the market today cost.
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Tags:appliances, Home Tech, reviews, Roborock, robot, robots, vacuum mop
Posted in Appliances, Gadgets, gadgets, Home, Opinion, Prices, Review, reviews, Roborock, Specifications, Unbox, Vacuum Mop | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, September 19th, 2023
tech4travel: Tech enthusiast and Apple fan, Dylan, got himself the latest Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Official MagSafe Charging 15W (WIZ019). He was pleased that the charging pad “encompassed both power and convenience in one sleek package”.
Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Official MagSafe Charging 15W (WIZ019bt) comes in black or white (UP S$139) on Belkin Lazada Mall and Shopee Mall, as well as Challenger stores, Challenger.sg.
As a tech enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for products that combine innovation, functionality, and style seamlessly.
The Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad certainly ticks all the right boxes, offering an impressive array of features for charging, portability, and consumer guarantee.
Freshly unboxed: Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Official MagSafe Charging 15W (WIZ019).
Let’s delve into what makes this charging pad a must-have accessory.
Charging Powerhouse
One of the standout features of the BoostCharge Pro is its ability to wirelessly charge your iPhone 15/14/13/12 and AirPods (including Pro and 2nd gen) SIMULTANEOUSLY.
This two-in-one convenience eliminates the need for multiple cables and chargers cluttering your workspace or luggage.
For those with the latest iPhones, the BoostCharge Pro offers fast charging at up to 15W with a seamless MagSafe wireless charging experience.
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Tags:accessories, Belkin, BoostCharge, chargers, MagSafe, mobile, new arrivals, power, reviews, Singapore, tech4travel, travel, TUCU, Watch
Posted in Accessories, Belkin, chargers, Gadgets, gadgets, newArrivals, Opinion, Prices, Review, reviews, Specifications, travel, TUCU | 2 Comments »
Saturday, September 16th, 2023
Catherine Zhang visited New York City this summer. During her time in the Big Apple, she used a New York CityPASS to visit five of the most popular sights in the City, saving some 40% in admissions.
The New York CityPASS provides great value-for-money for checking out the top attractions in the Big Apple.
For those planning to sightsee in New York City, there are three CityPASS tickets which cater to different budgets and itineraries:
- New York CityPASS
- Adults: US$138
- Child 6-17: US$118
- New York C3
- Adults: US$96
- Child 6-12: US$74
- New York C-All
- Adults: US$194
- Child 6-12: US$144
All three tickets are valid for nine days (starting from first use) and have a 365-day full refund policy (from date of purchase) for non-activated tickets in case travel plans change.
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Tags:CityPASS, New York City, revue, The Travel Memoir, travel, USA
Posted in Holiday, New York 2023, Opinion, Prices, Review, reviews, Specifications, travel | 5 Comments »
Monday, August 21st, 2023
tech4travel: I asked an Apple fan what is the latest Apple accessory he’s using and he showed me this nifty gadget that he carries around, especially when he travels – the Belkin BoostCharge Pro Fast Wireless Charger for Apple Watch + Power Bank 10K.
The Belkin BoostCharge Pro Fast Wirelesss Charger for Apple Watch + Power Bank 10K (BPD005) retails in Singapore for S$159 from Challenger stores, challenger.sg, iStudio stores, as well as Belkin official stores on Lazada and Shopee Mall.
For Dylan, the key highlights for the wireless charger cum power bank are as below.
Swift Charging Capability: If you value rapid charging, the Belkin BoostCharge Pro is a standout performer. It effortlessly charges Apple iPhones, providing up to 30% battery capacity in under 20 minutes, ensuring you spend less time waiting and more time using your device.
Another compact multi-tasking accessory for Apple users from Belkin. This nifty travel companion wirelessly charges your Apple Watch at 7.5W while simultaneously charging your iPhone for up to 20W fast charging.
Efficient Self-Recharge: The power bank itself swiftly replenishes its energy levels, going from one button to four buttons fully charged in approximately 2 hours. This convenient feature keeps you ready for any adventures that lie ahead.
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Tags:accessories, Belkin, BoostCharge, chargers, mobile, new arrivals, power, reviews, Singapore, tech4travel, travel, TUCU, Watch
Posted in Accessories, Apple, battery, Belkin, chargers, Gadgets, gadgets, newArrivals, Prices, Review, reviews, Singapore, Specifications, travel, TUCU | 6 Comments »
Friday, July 7th, 2023
It’s studio shoot day today for a slew of new gadgets.
From Left: Huawei MatePad 11 (2023) with Smart Keyboard and M-Pencil, Huawei Watch Buds, and Huawei Mate X3.
First off the block is the Huawei Mate X3, Huawei Watch Buds and Huawei MatePad 11 (2023), seen in this photo.
Also shot today is the Acer Swift Go 14; the Sony Xperia 5 IV; the PRISM+ Q75 Ultra; the Dell Pro Webcam; and the Belkin power bank cum wireless charger for Apple Watch.
Stay tuned for reviews.
Tags:Acer, Apple, Belkin, DELL, gadgets, Huawei, Mate X, MatePad, photoshoot, PRISM+, reviews, Sony
Posted in Accessories, Acer, Apple, Audio, Belkin, chargers, Dell, earphones, Events, events, Gadgets, gadgets, Huawei, Keyboards, MatePad, Phones, PRISM+, reviews, Singapore, smartphones, smartwatches, Sony, Tablets, tablets, Watches | No Comments »
Friday, June 23rd, 2023
If you’re looking for a house-warming gift (with a budget of roughly S$800) to help a friend keep the home clean, get him/her a Roborock S8.
The Roborock S8 robot vacuum mop is priced at S$799 in Singapore but you can get discounts if you wait for the monthly online sales from their official store on Shopee.
The Roborock S8 series is the latest flagship lineup of robot vacuum mops for cleaning homes.
It comprises the basic S8 vacuum mop, the S8+ (with dustbin auto-emptying dock), and the top end S8 Pro Ultra (with auto-emptying, mop auto-washing, water tank auto-refiling, mop-cloth auto-drying dock).
Roborock S8 robot vacuum mop freshly unboxed.
I’ve been trying out the S8 robot vacuum mop and it’s a good basic robot cleaner with no frills which keeps the home dust and dirt free.
The following key highlights of the S8 makes it a more effective and intelligent floor cleaner.
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Tags:appliances, gifts, Home Tech, reviews, Roborock, robots, vacuum mops
Posted in Appliances, Gadgets, gadgets, Home, Internet of Things, IoT, Prices, Review, reviews, Roborock, Specifications, Vacuum Mop | 4 Comments »
Monday, January 16th, 2023
I helped a friend persuade her mother to use a robot vacuum-mop to help her clean her home. The initial push back was steep, but the outcome was sweet and rewarding. Here’s a reference for those trying to persuade their seniors at home to accept a robot vacuum-mop into their house-cleaning arsenal.
The S7 MaxV Ultra is Roborock’s current flagship model and embodies the latest features and technologies in robot vacuum-mops. Look out for the new S8 coming to the region soon.
Robot vacuums have successfully captured the market for the young and tech-savvy professionals, because the robot-cleaners relieve them of the tedious and time-consuming chores of house cleaning to free up precious time from their busy schedules.
Another market which needs the help of robot vacuums, however, has seen limited success – seniors for whom cleaning is physically demanding and sometimes painful.
Useful features and advanced technologies to look out for when looking for a robot vacuum mop.
Two hurdles to seniors accepting robot vacuums into their house-cleaning toolkit is their skepticism on whether the robots can do a good cleaning job, and general apprehension/fear of technology.
With the rapid development in robot vacuum technologies and features, the former is a rather moot point since robot vacuums these days tend to be able to do a pretty good job at vacuuming and mopping the home.
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Tags:appliances, mops, reviews, Roborock, robots, tech4home, TUCU, vacuum mops, vacuums
Posted in Appliances, Gadgets, gadgets, Home, Opinion, reviews, Roborock, Robots, Vacuum Mop | No Comments »
Tuesday, December 6th, 2022
#tech4travel: When I’m on road or go on vacation, the most important laptop accessory I bring along is the Belkin Connect USB-C 7-in-1 Multiport Hub Adapter, which expands the limited connectivity options on the ultraportable laptop that I bring along.
The Belkin Connect USB-C 7-in-1 Multiport Hub Adapter is a must-have accessory for my ultraportable laptop when I’m on vacation and on the road.
For full connectivity on my Work From Home workspace, the centerpiece is my Belkin Connect USB-C 11-in-1 Multiport Dock, which provides full compatibility and connectivity for my laptop to other devices and peripherals, including those using legacy ports such as VGA ports.
When I go on vacation, or present at clients’ offices, I usually bring an ultraportable laptop which has a limited number of physical ports for the sake of compactness.
The Belkin Connect USB-C 7-in-1 Multiport Hub Adapter has an RRP of S$109 in Singapore.
There are actually some ultraportable laptops out there that have a sum total of ONE USB-C port!
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Tags:#t4tWFH, accessories, Belkin, Connect, docks, hubs, reviews, tech4travel, tech4WorkFromHome, travel, TUCU
Posted in Accessories, Belkin, Gadgets, gadgets, Network, Prices, Review, reviews, Specifications, travel, TUCU | No Comments »
