We can’t live without our tech toys as much as we can’t go out the house without our makeup on. Every month, there’s always tons of new gadgets being released and it can be quite hard to stay abreast of what’s worth checking out. We did a quick roundup of all the tech launches this month that we’re currently hyping on because can you imagine life without technology?
Google Home and Google Home Mini
Left: Google Home, Right: Google Home Mini in Grey, Black, Coral
Turn your home into a smart house easily with the Google Home, a speaker that uses Google Assistant to make your life easier! The smart speaker is voice activated, and can answer all questions like random questions, maths calculations, translations from different languages. The Google Home has also been formulated for the Singaporean home, so go ahead and ask it for a Singaporean joke, stream local music radio stations like 98.7fm and get the latest headlines from Channel News Asia and The Straits Times. You can even tell Google Home to remember things like ‘I put my passport in my top dresser drawer’, and it’ll remember it for you. The best part about it? You can ask Google Home to ring your phone in case you can’t remember where you left it (that happens to us way more than we’d like to admit).
If the Google Home is too bulky to fit into your bedside table, there’s also a Google Home Mini that comes in three different colours – grey, black and coral – and it does everything that its bigger counterpart does, just taking less space. Smaller, but more value for money.
Price: Google Home – $189, Google Home Mini – $79
Availability: at Google Online Store or at Starhub
*the Google Home Mini in coral is exclusive to the Singapore Google Online Store
Apple iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus (Red) Special Edition
Apple has always been a huge supporter of RED with the ongoing release of limited edition RED prodcuts, and you can now get your hands on a limited edition iPhone in fire engine red. Only the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus will come in this limited edition colour, and is only available while stocks last. Don’t think too much, because once all the phones are sold out, they’ll be gone forever. If you’re thinking of getting the iPhone X, you’ll have to make do with a red case in the Product (Red) iPhone X Leather Folio case ($148) as the iPhone X will not be getting a red makeover. Getting any of these limited edition (Red) products is also doing your part for charity because a portion of all proceeds will go directly to the The Global Fund which helps people affected by HIV or AIDs.
Price: starting from $1,148, available in 64GB and 256GB models
Availability: online via Apple.com/sg, and in Apple Stores and authorised Apple retailers now
Fitbit Versa
The latest smart watch to hit the market from Fitbit, the Fitbit Versa is worth the upgrade from the previous designs. The Fitbit Versa debuts a much sleeker, minimalistic build that takes after the Apple watch. Just like the previous watches, you can also customise the bands for your preferred look – you can choose from woven bands, steel links, metal mesh and Horveen leather in various colours.
The Fitbit Versa can do pretty much everything that the Fitbit Ionic can do, like pulse tracking and music streaming, with a range of apps that you can download. For females, you can also use the Fitbit Versa to track your menstrual cycle. The only downside to the Versa is that it doesn’t have a built-in GPS – you would need to connect it to your phone, which might be a problem if you don’t normally go running with your phone.
Price: from $318
Availability: at all major retailers like COURTS, Harvey Norman, Epicenter, Challenger, Robinsons, and online at Lazada.sg
Sony Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones (WF-SP700N, SP600N and the WI-SP500)
Left to right: WF-SP700N, SP600N, WI-SP500
The best companion for exercise is your favourite singer, and we all have our own jams when it comes to staying fit. Sony has just released three different wireless earphones with the latest digital noise canceling sound technology that all you fitness fans will love. All three earphones are also waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about your sweat messing with your earphones or (god forbid) getting caught in the rain during a run.
You might hate getting tangled up in earphone cables, which is where the Sony WF-SP700N comes in. The wireless earbuds are fitted with arc supporters, ensuring a more secure fit for more vigorous exercises. The other two models, the SP600N and WI-SP500, are connected by a discreet band that sits comfortably around your neck. If you want something that can last you for the entire day, the WI-SP500 is your best bet because it can last up to 8 hours on a full charge cycle.
Loved Google Home? Sony’s headphones also come optimised with Google Assistant, and you can use it to read out your incoming messages, make calls, choose your preferred playlist and pretty much anything that you can ask Google Assistant to help with.
All models are available in four colours – black, white, pink and yellow
Availability: at all Sony stores and authorised Sony retailers.
JBL BAR 5.1
You can easily turn your living room or any other room into a surround sound experience with the JBL BAR 5.1, which is part of JBL’s latest BAR series. We love how the sound bar comes with two detachable, battery-powered wireless rear speakers that you can place in the corners of the room. Enjoy your movie with cinema-quality sound courtesy of the 10″ wireless subwoofer, or just use them as speakers for house parties by Bluetooth connection.
Price: $1,399
Availability: available for purchase now at all authorised leading retailers like Harvey Norman and COURTS, or online at jbl.com.sg and Lazada.sg
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