Flying the Singapore flag high at IFA 2023
The five local firms at the upcoming consumer tech trade show
Singapore’s consumer tech industry may not be well-known, but we do have some interesting players. And five local companies will be raising their global profiles by showcasing their products at the IFA 2023 trade show in Berlin from Sep 1 to Sep 6.
Perhaps the most famous of these firms would be smart lock maker Igloohome, as well as myFirst, which makes kid-friendly tech products such as smartwatches for kids. We’ve previously reviewed several myFirst products, including its latest myFirst Fone S3, a neat smartwatch phone.
Then you have OxyTap, which makes a S$3,950 machine that infuses oxygen into your water so it contains more than five times the normal oxygen. It does make the water taste a little flat, but not fizzy unlike with carbon dioxide. Also displaying at IFA is the UB+ dB1 doubleBass, a round Bluetooth speaker featuring passive radiators. It resembles the premium Devialet Mania, but costs just S$499. We look forward to reviewing it.
Last but not least, is Red Monster, which makes power banks. While it may not be the most innovative space to play in, Red Monster does make pretty good stuff. The S$80 Power Air Mini features magnetic wireless charging, 20W PD, and a USB-A and USB-C port. It also comes with a stand so you can prop your phone up while charging.
While we’re working on getting their products in for review, feel free to check out our highlighted products for this week: Sony’s new earbuds, a more compact Omnidesk table, and a premium wireless keyboard from Asus.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 true wireless earbuds live up to the high standards set by previous models. It sounds great with good separation and plenty of detail. Noise cancellation has also been improved, while a size reduction makes these earbuds even more comfortable than before.
Omnidesk’s latest product is a compact table that’s not as deep as the firm’s other desks. This means that this desk could fit more easily in smaller rooms, though the reduced width can affect the placement of monitor arms. It also may not have sufficient space for 30-inch and larger monitors. But you'll still get Omnidesk’s full touchscreen controller with four programmable heights.
Looking to get into custom mechanical keyboards? If you have the budget, consider the Asus ROG Azoth, which offers plenty of customisation, premium features, and excellent battery life. And the icing on the cake is the flashy and eye-catching OLED screen that’s more of a want than a need.