29 November 2017

Christmas 2017: the gadget gift guide

Reward yourself for 2017 with gadgets galore as we approach year-end. WorkSmart Asia's picks this year include:

Limited edition Star Wars shavers

Source: Philips Singapore. Philips limited edition shavers, inspired by Star Wars. From left: the Poe Dameron-inspired Philips Star Wars Shaver SW6700/14; the BB-8-inspired SW5700/07 and the Stormtrooper-inspired SW170/04.
Source: Philips Singapore. Philips limited edition shavers, inspired by Star Wars. From left: the Poe Dameron-inspired Philips Star Wars Shaver SW6700/14; the BB-8-inspired SW5700/07 and the Stormtrooper-inspired SW170/04.

Philips has 
a new range of limited-edition shavers which emulate different characters from the Star Wars movie collection. The Star Wars shavers offer wallet-friendly prices and all-star performance.

Rounded edges and four-direction Flex Heads on the lightweight SW170/04 shaver ensure a comfortable, protective shave. The BB-8-inspired SW5700/07 shaver has five-direction flex heads that glide close to the skin for a close shave, and an Aquatec Wet & Dry seal that gives a close shave wet or dry. The Poe Dameron-inspired Philips Star Wars Shaver SW6700/14 (RRP S$219) has eight-directional ContourDetect flex heads that automatically recalibrate to every curve of the neck and face. The design is inspired by Poe Dameron’s X-wing fighter, right down to scratched metal finishing and red stripes. 

Explore:

Read the WorkSmart Asia blog post about the new Philips Star Wars shavers, which will be available till 31 December, 2017.

Audio accessories
Source: Sony. The Sony XB80BS EXTRA BASS Wireless Sports In-ear Headphones are available in different colours.
Source: Sony. The Sony XB80BS EXTRA BASS Wireless Sports In-ear Headphones are available in different colours.

Designed for fitness buffs, the S$199 Sony XB80BS EXTRA BASS Wireless Sports In-ear Headphones are ultra-durable and can even be washed after workouts.

Source: Sony. Sony WF-1000X Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones.
Source: Sony. Sony WF-1000X Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones.

The Sony WF-1000X Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones (S$349) are minimalist and eliminate the challenge of tangled wires.

Source: Sony. Sony WH-1000XM2 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones.
Source: Sony. Sony WH-1000XM2 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones.

The Sony WH-1000XM2 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones (S$549) have a smart listening feature which automatically detects activities such as travelling, walking, and waiting, then adjusts ambient sound settings so that users can hear what is going on around them.

Details:

Read the WorkSmart Asia blog post about the launch of the Sony wireless noise cancelling headphones.

Source: Sony. The Sony EXTRA BASS SRS-XB20 speaker.
Source: Sony. The Sony EXTRA BASS SRS-XB20 speaker.

Crank up the playlist with the Sony EXTRA BASS SRS-XB20 speaker (S$169). Its single-coloured line light even synchronises with the beat. This speaker is water resistant for partying anytime, anywhere.

Source: Sony. The Sony HT-MT500 surround sound system.
Source: Sony. The Sony HT-MT500 surround sound system.

Boost the home theatre experience with the Sony HT-MT500 atmospheric surround sound system. Its minimalist and space-saving design, reminiscent of origami, fits in seamlessly with any space.

Cameras with versatility

Source: Canon. The Canon EOS 6D  Mark II camera.
Source: Canon. The Canon EOS 6D
Mark II camera.
Canon Singapore recommends the Canon EOS 6D Mark II for photography enthusiasts. Take up to 1,200 still images on a full charge - the latest addition to Canon’s full-frame line boasts the latest DIGIC 7 image processor, a higher resolution 26.2MP sensor, 45-point all cross-type autofocus (AF) system and a 6.5fps continuous shooting speed. A touchscreen Vari-angle LCD monitor enables intuitive operation of the Dual Pixel CMOS AF system for fast and precise autofocusing.

Details:

The EOS 6D Mark II body costs S$2,899 while the EF24-105mm f/4L IS II ultra sonic motor (USM) lens is S$4,299. The EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM lens is S$3,949. 
Source: Canon. The PowerShot G1 X Mark III.
Source: Canon. The PowerShot G1 X Mark III.

The ideal no-fuss travel camera is Canon's PowerShot G1 X Mark III. Despite housing a larger sensor and a built-in high resolution electronic viewfinder of 2.36 million dots, the PowerShot G1 X Mark III stays compact at only 399g. This is Canon’s first compact camera to be equipped with Dual Pixel CMOS AF and an APS-C sized CMOS sensor for high-speed AF. Capture anything with a continuous shooting speeds of 7fps during AF tracking and 9fps during fixed AF. 

Get wide-angle shots with the new panoramic feature and underwater captures up to a depth of 40m, made possible with the Canon underwater casing (WP-DC56). 

Details:

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III costs S$1,499. It is available online at the Canon store.

Source: Sony. The Cyber-shot RX100  V compact camera.
Source: Sony. The Cyber-shot RX100
V compact camera.
Sony's ultimate compact camera – the Cyber-shot RX100 V (S$1,499) lets users shoot continuously at up to 24fps or in slow motion to capture every detail, even in extremely low-light conditions.

Source: Sony. The FDR-X3000 Action Cam.
Source: Sony. The Sony FDR-X3000 Action Cam.

Never miss a moment with the Sony FDR-X3000 Action Cam (S$799). It captures stable images with Balanced Optical SteadyShot and action movies in 4K. Shoot anywhere with Action Cam real-world rugged design.

Source: Canon. The EOS M100.
Source: Canon. The EOS M100.
Social media buffs may want to consider the Gold Duet: a mirrorless EOS Canon camera with a gold jacket that comes bundled with a Canon printer in champagne gold. Boasting of the DIGIC 7 image processor and 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor, the EOS M100 also has Wi-Fi and near field communications (NFC) connectivity.

Users can pair the EOS M100 with their smart devices to share content through social media. The built-in Bluetooth low energy capability maintains a constant connection to a compatible smart device with low power consumption. With this constant connection, users can view images or trigger a remote capture from the camera even when from Auto Power Off mode.
Source: Canon. The PIXMA TS9170.
Source: Canon. The PIXMA TS9170.

The pictures can easily be printed on the premium wireless Photo All-In-One PIXMA TS9170. The printer features a six-ink system with a new Photo Blue Ink for even more vibrant prints. Nine creative filters and a new Message in Print app offers fresh looks and the ability to embed secret messages.

Details:

The Gold Duet is available for sale in Singapore only at the following selected authorised dealers: Best Denki @Vivo, Best Denki @Ngee Ann, Courts Megastore @Tampines, Cathay Photo Peninsula Plaza, Cathay Photo Marina Square, Nu Photo at Sim Lim, Nu Photo at Orchard (Concorde Hotel), Lucky Store at Katong, and SLR Revolution at Plaza Singapura or High Street outlets.

The bundle, S$1,128, comes with free gifts worth S$225: the EOS M100 Gold Jacket - a protective case that fits around part of the camera body, a PIXMA TS9170 Targus Bag, Photo Paper Starter Kit, and a 16GB SD card.

Printers for different applications

Source: Canon. The SELPHY CP1300.
Source: Canon. The SELPHY CP1300.
Canon has a printer for every need. Quick prints are easily made on-the-go with the Canon SELPHY CP1300 (S$199). The new Wi-Fi Shuffle Print mode allows up to eight smart devices to be connected at the same time while a 2x6" layout feature supports photo booth-style printouts.

Users can choose from the traditional glossy photo finish, a matte finish and a fine, grid-patterned finish. A special film coating that protects against colour bleed and fading for up to 100 years when the prints are stored in an album. With the optional battery pack, users can print up to 54 postcard-size prints on a single charge. 

High-volume, low-cost printing at up to 400 monochrome documents and 180 colour pages, are a breeze for the PIXMA E3170. The PIXMA E3170 can also offer borderless printed photos at 4R, 5x5 and 5R sizes. The printer’s built-in Wi-Fi capabilities mean mobile devices and tablets can easily connect for printing needs. A 1.5" LCD display with intuitive icons serves as a user guide.


Source: Canon. The Maxify MB5470.
Source: Canon. The Maxify MB5470.
The MAXIFY MB5470 printer (S$459) is targeted at small and medium sized businesses (SMBs). Print up to 2,500 pages of A4 documents and enjoy at least 50% ink savings with Canon's PGI-2700XL ink cartridges. To ensure that all data is secure, the MAXIFY MB5470 offers machine management and document security options. A 3.5" touchscreen LCD enables slide-and-swipe touch operation.

Presentation magic

Source: Canon. The RAYO i5.
Source: Canon. The RAYO i5.
Canon also suggests pairing the S$699 RAYO i5 mini projector with the S$69 Presenter PR100 R remote control. Measuring 111 x 111 x 17.2mm and weighing 269g, the RAYO i5 is portable and allows presentation decks stored on smart devices to be streamed directly via either wired or wireless connections. The projector can enlarge content to a 158” image on any surface while delivering continuous brightness at 100 lumens. Screen resolutions go up to 854 x 480 (WVGA) pixels.

The ergonomically-designed PR-100R has full slide control buttons, and works wirelessly at distances of up to 30m.

Explore:

Get into the festive mood with the WorkSmart Asia blog posts about

Festive drinks at Starbucks
 
Christmas sets at Watsons Singapore

The Christmas 2017 Singapore luxury gift guide

Christmas surprises at Goodwood Park Hotel

Hotel Jen Tanglin's festive takeaways and meals

The Christmas 2017 Hong Kong luxury gift guide

Holidays at the Black Sheep Restaurants, Hong Kong

Festive meals at the Eclipse Hospitality Group restaurants