By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
TechgoonduTechgoondu
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: What the Techgoondu team wish for at Christmas 2021
Share
Aa
TechgoonduTechgoondu
Aa
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Follow US
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Techgoondu > Blog > Audio-visual > What the Techgoondu team wish for at Christmas 2021
Audio-visualGamingImagingMobilePC

What the Techgoondu team wish for at Christmas 2021

Alfred Siew
Last updated: December 24, 2021 at 12:47 PM
Alfred Siew Published December 24, 2021
9 Min Read
SHARE

Each year, the Techgoondu team tries out a good number of gadgets from phones to PCs, cameras to drones, as we check out the newest devices to hit the market.

Which are the ones we would like to have ourselves? Well, there are some that stand out in particular and appeal to our personal tastes and preferences. Some are simply practical while a few knock our socks off with their design, innovation or ease of use.

During Christmas, what’s better than to wish for one of these gadgets and unwrap them like a happy geek? So, as with a Techgoondu tradition going back more than a decade, here’s our team’s wishlist for the year-end holidays in 2021.

Here’s to a Merry Christmas!

Google Pixel 6 Pro

  • Google Pixel 6. PHOTO: Handout

The gadget topping my wishlist is the Google Pixel 6 Pro. The device is the biggest leap in Google’s hardware efforts since (arguably) the launch of the Pixel line.

It is a breath of fresh air after Google’s retreat to a midrange offering last year, and an earlier experiment with a good, but chonky face unlock solution. 

The camera hardware receives its first upgrade since the first Pixel (yes), and there exists a US$699 Pro variant with a flagship wide-ultrawide-telephoto camera array (previous Pixels had a maximum of two).

Breaking with the Pixel’s past design conventions, all the good camera stuff is couched in a bold “visor” that turns the hardware bump into a feature statement, emblazoned across its rear forehead on a three-tone colour palette. 

Singapore, unfortunately, is no longer among the list of launch countries for Pixel devices since the Pixel 3. In fact, selling a device in just nine countries and territories at launch seems the exact opposite of the increased marketing that Google promised.

There are vague promises of the device reaching more countries including Singapore “early next year”, on third-party news sites in what is likely a response to queries, but Google would have to seriously work on the distribution bit if it hopes to be taken as a serious player.

With quite a few forwarders operating in the above countries restricting the shipping of devices with lithium batteries, and not too many friends and relatives returning from overseas, I can do little but patiently wait for Santa to drop the device at my proverbial chimney this Christmas – Esmond Xu.

Steam Deck

  • PHOTO: Steam Handout

Taking all my games on Steam on the go is truly a dream come true and the Steam Deck promises to let me do just that. The Steam Deck is a portable handheld PC that lets you play the games from your Steam library (and probably other PC games too with some effort).

With a 7-inch screen at 1280 x 800px resolution, track pads, thumb sticks, left and right trigger buttons, four rear buttons as well as “ABXY” action buttons, the Steam Deck should be competent for playing most PC games.

Under the hood of the Steam Deck is the 4-core, 8-thread AMD Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) running on the SteamOS. The Steam Deck promises to let you play AAA titles on it – imagine immersing yourself in Red Dead Redemption II, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Skyrim during boring commutes on the MRT!

Like the Nintendo Switch, you can also dock the Steam Deck to play on your TV or monitor – the dock isn’t available yet and will be sold separately in the future. This might solve the problem of wanting to play PC games in the living room when the PC is in the study.

The Steam Deck will be a life changer for me as I can now bring my burgeoning Steam library of hundreds of games on the go when I’m traveling – no more getting bored on long commutes and flights!

That’s provided I can get my hands on a set, of course. At the moment, the Steam Deck is not available for pre-order in Singapore, and is only open to a few markets such as the United States. I’m watching Steam Store like a hawk and swoop up more bargain games for my collection – Yap Hui Bin.

Belkin Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charger

  • PHOTO: Belkin website

On my bedside table is a book to read before sleeping. But the bedside table is slowly getting crowded, filled up by charges for the mobile phone, smart watch and earphones.

So I am looking for a three-in-one charger for the three devices. The Belkin 3-in-1 Wireless Charger with MagSafe is the one I am eyeing. It costs S$209 and is available on the Apple Store.

With MagSafe, there are magnets to ensure the device always stays in the charger’s sweet spot for efficient connection for wireless charging. With this Belkin’s MagSafe charger, the iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch can be securely and precisely attached to the charger, ensuring perfect connection and maximum charging efficiency.

And it is providing battery juice for all three devices simultaneously. Now I will be able to get rid of the other charger wires and suddenly the bedside table is not so cluttered.

The charger is modern looking in stainless steel and is well-built. It is available in grey or black. I prefer black. When you hook up the iPhone to the charger, it “floats” in the air, quite cool – Grace Chng.

DJI Mic

  • PHOTO: DJI website

A good video needs good audio and for my Christmas wishlist, I would love to have the DJI Wireless Microphone kit. It comes with two transmitters and a receiver all packed into a small rechargeable case.

It’s also versatile. With multiple adaptors and connectors, the microphone set can be used with smartphones, tablets, PCs and mirrorless cameras.

There are other great features such as safe channel recording, audio file backup on transmitters and long-distance stable connections that make this S$450 gizmo a must-have for content creators – Wilson Wong.

QNap TS-253D network attached storage

  • PHOTO: QNap website

Okay, this isn’t the sexiest thing you can gift on Christmas but the QNap TS-253D network access storage (NAS) enclosure sure is practical.

My old QNap setup is nearing its end of life, after loyally doing its job for years, holding on to my precious music and photos, as well as work files, and it’s showing its age. A new two-bay network drive will do a world of good in the new year.

The TS-253D sports an Intel Celeron J4125 chip that should run most modern apps well, if I need to use it to transcode video files, for example. The 4GB of memory will also be handy. Plus, it has two 2.5Gbps network ports, which support faster speeds that are ready for the future.

Pop in a couple of 4TB drives, run them in RAID1 for a simple mirror backup, and the data should be safely held for years to come – Alfred Siew.

You Might Also Like

Sony Playstation VR2 review: An immersive experience awaits

Debate on computational photography misses what’s real, what’s lived outside a frame

Get the best Mac-friendly monitors for colour-perfect design work

LG OLED Flex LX3 review: A bendable gaming monitor for the adventurous (and rich)

How mirrorless cameras can attract users in era of computational photography

TAGGED: Belkin iPhone charger, DJI Mic, Pixel 6 Pro, QNAP, Steam Deck, TS-253D

Sign up for the TG newsletter

Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Alfred Siew December 24, 2021
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link Print
Share
Avatar photo
By Alfred Siew
Follow:
Alfred is a writer, speaker and media instructor who has covered the telecom, media and technology scene for more than 20 years. Previously the technology correspondent for The Straits Times, he now edits the Techgoondu.com blog and runs his own technology and media consultancy.
Previous Article Goondu review: Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin (2021) offers decent sounds for a stylish speaker
Next Article Goondu review: Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow

Latest News

Foodpanda to use Gogoro electric scooters in battery swapping trial with Cycle & Carriage
Enterprise Internet March 23, 2023
RedCap: A new cellular IoT technology for the 5G era
Enterprise Software Telecom March 23, 2023
Sony Playstation VR2 review: An immersive experience awaits
Gaming March 21, 2023
Debate on computational photography misses what’s real, what’s lived outside a frame
Cellphones Imaging Mobile Software March 19, 2023
//

Techgoondu.com is published by Goondu Media Pte Ltd, a company registered and based in Singapore.

.

Started in June 2008 by technology journalists and ex-journalists in Singapore who share a common love for all things geeky and digital, the site now includes segments on personal computing, enterprise IT and Internet culture.

banner banner
Everyday DIY
PC needs fixing? Get your hands on with the latest tech tips
READ ON
banner banner
Leaders Q&A
What tomorrow looks like to those at the leading edge today
FIND OUT
banner banner
Advertise with us
Discover unique access and impact with TG custom content
SHOW ME

 

 

POWERED BY READYSPACE
The Techgoondu website is powered by and managed by Readyspace Web Hosting.

TechgoonduTechgoondu
Follow US

© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Terms of Use | Advertise | About Us | Contact

Join Us!

Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
 

Loading Comments...
 

    Welcome Back!

    Sign in to your account

    Lost your password?